It’s only early June, but bike season is in full swing.
The Cochrane BMX Association recently opened its track for the 2016 season, and is already seeing record numbers of participants.
“With the weather this year, we’ve gotten off to a quicker start than usual,” said Brad Christensen, association president. “We’ve surpassed last year’s membership and it’s only June 3.
“It’s been very exciting to see.”
Last year, the association – which was founded in 1999 – saw 147 riders take part at the track. The club expects to surpass that membership numbers this year.
“We’re hoping to get (membership) up to the 165 range,” Christensen said. “There’s always been a group of BMX enthusiasts around Cochrane, but the sport has been picking up locally and all across Alberta. It’s starting to show all the hard work the club has put in during the last ten years.”
When asked for an explanation of the consistent increase of members, Christensen said a combination of factors has caused the club get to the level of exposure it has today.
“Hosting provincials the last two years definitely helped,” he admitted. “That brought a lot of attention to us locally. BMX getting moved into the Summer Olympics in 2008 also was also something that showed people this sport is something more than just a hobby.”
Club riders range from ages four to 60, with Christensen estimating 70 per cent of the members being 12 years old or younger, and levels of competition depend on how much time a member wants to put in, with the club racing two nights a week, and training four.
Riders who are looking for something more challenging can race in an Alberta provincial series, which takes place on weekends all across the province during the summer.
“It depends on your level of competitiveness,” Christensen said. “You can put as much or as little into it as you want. Either way it’s a fun sport.”
For more information on the association, visit cochranebmx.com
