Published: May 17, 2009 12:01 am      

Hundreds converge on Riverside BMX race track

Course 1 of 2 in state; action continues today

CUMBERLAND — Before the BMX races conclude today, almost 500 riders will have pedaled, steered and sweated on the undulating, ribbon-candy-shaped dirt course since Friday at the C. Eugene Mason Recreation Complex.

The license plates in the parking lot read like a table of contents in a Rand-McNally Atlas as riders from near and far — and their parents, of course, since most competitors are too young to drive — found the Queen City’s South End and the five-year-old Riverside BMX course.

Organizers Russ and Tiffany Keller have watched the competition blossom during that time.

“When I took over the course four years ago, we had 18 riders at a race,” said Russ, a spokes spokesman.

“We have one rider this weekend from Australia,” added Tiffany. “He was in the area and saw the race advertised and came down.”

What that rider and everybody else came to Saturday was Thunder in the Mountains II.

Tiffany explained that the event is a qualifier for northeast regional championships that will take place in September near State College, Pa., at Camp Woodward.

Campers, both in RVs and tents, made temporary quarters near the track. “We filled the Holiday Inn,” Tiffany added.

Races begin at 8 a.m. today.

“We are here all year long,” Russ said. “I want everyone to know that a kid doesn’t need a $500 bike to enjoy this track. Just show up. We’ll put you in a helmet, racing shirt, protective pants and on a bike and you can go at it. And get this, the city covers our liability insurance.”

Public riding takes place on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. from May through October, though the starting gate service is not available.

Public riders wanting to compete via the starting gate can show up Thursdays. There is a small fee for the starting gate service.

Additional information is available at www.riversidebmx.org.

Tiffany said the local track is one of just two in Maryland, the other being in Hagerstown. The riders Saturday ranged in age from 4 to 44.

With nine and seven years riding experience respectively, Andrew Townsend, 13, and Luke Roarty, 12, of Hampton, Va., have toured the world because of their two-wheel passion.

Townsend raced in Paris and Roarty in China.

Roarty’s strongest impression of China? “It made me happy to live in the United States,” he said.

Sadie Kerns, 13, and her brothers, Aaron Kerns, 16, and Kyle Keller, 15, not only race the local track, but help keep it up along with their parents Russ and Tiffany.

Sadie says BMX racing is a family experience.

Aaron said he likes to watch the various racing styles of competitors. He describes his own as “smooth and fast” and said he has had five different bikes since he started racing seven years ago.

Obviously, there is risk of injury in a race. “I took a big spill last year,” Aaron said of a race in Pennsylvania. “I hit a big jump wrong and went over the handlebars. My helmet flew off and I had a concussion.”

Kyle won his Saturday heat or moto as the faithful call a race. “I got a good start out of the gate. This is my first first place,” he said, adding he believes the win will prepare him for more difficult races out of state.

Contact Michael A. Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.