Monroe Chat

http://monroecrossingsbmx.com

Chris Douglas President
513-886-6831


Getting started in BMX is easy





NECESSARY EQUIPMENT SUMMARY

The BMX Bike:

* Most 20” and 24” cruiser bicycles can be used for competition. Must be in mechanically safe working condition.
* Number plate affixed to your handlebars – A temporary number plate will be supplied by the track at no charge.
* No kickstand, chain guard, reflectors, freestyle pegs or other protruding dangerous equipment attached.

Helmet and Apparel (Clothing):

* Helmet – full-face or open face with a suitable mouth guard
* Long pants
* Long Sleeves
* Closed-toe shoes


YOUR FIRST DAY

1. Arrive early at the track to check out the course and to talk to staff in the registration booth. A volunteer from the track will show you around the facility and help you get ready for your race.
2. Sign up. Check the posted sign-up times and be sure to ask as many questions as you need. Your first race is very inexpensive and you may be eligible to race with for free or you have the option to purchase a 30-day trial or full NBL racing membership if you plan to race more events throughout the year.
3. Get your gear ready. You will need to have a helmet, long pants, long sleeve shirt, and closed-toe shoes as per the NBL rulebook.
4. Bike Inspection. is held before each race to ensure that your bicycle is safe and mechanically fit.
5. Practice the course as much as possible so that you feel comfortable with the starting gate, obstacles, and turns. Tip: Take a training clinic before your first race, if no clinic is available ask one of the more experienced riders to take you around the track a couple of times.
6. Check the moto board. The track will post moto-sheets on this board and it is your responsibility to check your moto number and gate lanes for each race. Write them down on your hand, a piece of paper, or memorize them.
7. Race Time! Listen to the announcers and get ready for your first race. Though it can be tough to relax, just try to keep your mind focused on having fun. The rest is up to you. Good luck!

The Beas is ready!

Got my bike out and all spiffied up!

Hey Beas - you better hang on tight to those handlebars when on Monroe's BMX track. There's a few extra obstacles hidden in the grass!

Me thinks I will break more than my chopper on them hidden beauties. Thanks for the heads up!

This is just sad to see. I didn't think there would be demand....but this hasn't even gotten started to test the demand.

The BMX is nothing but an eyesore... So sad

Is this problem a City Council or a Park Board issue???

It's about taking ownership, the BMX association approached the City some years ago with the concept. A lady by the name of Donna Smith came to a couple of park board meetings and touted national races if we agreed to let them construct the track. They did the engineering and layout and assisted with construction. Now we have a track directer thats MIA. He needs help but can't seem to get any. Your right, it's a shame but it can still be salvaged if even just a couple of people would take an interest in doing something for their community. You would be amazed at what a day or two with a weed eater and a rake could do for the track. Use would keep the grass down, we just have to get people on it.

Neither, it's the BMX association. They need help, they need donations and a few things to get the track up and running. They need blacktop(or concrete) for the starting hill among other things. If you interested in being part of the solution you can contact them at this link. http://monroecrossingsbmx.com/default.aspx

Sports Mom wrote:The BMX is nothing but an eyesore... So sad

Is this problem a City Council or a Park Board issue???

But Council is the oversee-er of all, including the City, correct?

If Publics Works saw the BMX group wasn't maintaining the space or the NBL was refusing to sanction races because of track conditions, why not report that to the City Mgr, who would report it to Council for action? If Mr. Douglas is MIA, who then has control? Were volunteers always a part of the plan and if so, why wasn't there a contingency plan? Volunteerism is always transient in nature. Volunteers come and they go. You cannot write a business plan on that basis.

I believe the circle is back to the City, since it's park land. As a city resident, I want Council to fix this. It's an embarrassment to everyone involved and I for one am unhappy to see over $352,000 of tax money being spent for nonexistant soccer fields and a BMX track that is always closed. Even if there are no races, the track should be open for those that want to use it. That's what a city park is for. No excuses.

If the gate has a lock it can, in fact, be picked.

Look away, look away...

No need to pick a lock: the gate is wide open!

The outside perimeter was mowed today. The concrete block hazards remain, though. Took this photo just as the storm started this evening. (Yes, that brown thing is the "Park is Closed" sign.)

Caution! This thread will self destruct in 1 hour! HAHAHAHAHAHHA

There is or was an agreement in place as to whom was going to furnish what and when. I am unsure as to the time frame or particulars but I will try to get those.

Have you considered what those funds went for? That park was a ditch, that's why it was gifted to the city. People don't give premium ground to the City, case in point Baker park. Great location, nice property but it has substantial challenges to over come, people are screaming for us to open that but it will cost in the millions to meet all the guidelines we need to and to get infrastructure and parking in, at that point it will be a field with a parking lot and a multi-million dollar price tag . We can't get around the "government" price tag. It's prevailing wage and everything we want to do costs 5 bucks for every one buck it would cost me or you to do the same work. Not my rules, not my idea but it's the system we are forced to work with for now.

At Crossings there were mountains of earth to be moved to make it flat, there was infrastructure to go in to support rest rooms, water fountains, electric etc. Parking was added and as the budget has allowed improvements have been made. Is it what we had hoped it to be by now? No, plain and simple but did you expect this down turn in the economy? I would suggest you contact the City and ask for the scope of work that has been done, then the scope of work to be done. No one is telling you this but just because a field is flat and has grass does not make it a playable field. There is still work to be done. Again ,we have a few pot stirrers twisting nipples to get people fired up about what? Grass...construction debris from an in process project? Lots of people want to complain, very few if any ever offer any real suggestions or god forbid just keep quiet and see what they can do to help.

Again if you want to be part of the solution here is the link. http://monroecrossingsbmx.com/default.aspx

catnipandcarrots wrote:But Council is the oversee-er of all, including the City, correct?

If Publics Works saw the BMX group wasn't maintaining the space or the NBL was refusing to sanction races because of track conditions, why not report that to the City Mgr, who would report it to Council for action? If Mr. Douglas is MIA, who then has control? Were volunteers always a part of the plan and if so, why wasn't there a contingency plan? Volunteerism is always transient in nature. Volunteers come and they go. You cannot write a business plan on that basis.

I believe the circle is back to the City, since it's park land. As a city resident, I want Council to fix this. It's an embarrassment to everyone involved and I for one am unhappy to see over $352,000 of tax money being spent for nonexistant soccer fields and a BMX track that is always closed. Even if there are no races, the track should be open for those that want to use it. That's what a city park is for. No excuses.

Thanks for the update...

Geesh, I wasn't stirring the pot, I was just asking who I needed to contact.

Asking who to contact would be phrased something like "Hey who do I need to contact to find out information about the BMX track" or The BMX track seems to be a mess, who would I contact to find out why?" "My son loves BMX racing, who would I contact to see whats up with the track?" something like that, your post was:
"The BMX is nothing but an eyesore... So sad

Is this problem a City Council or a Park Board issue???" It seems pot stirring and aggressive in nature to me. Your post seems to be aimed at placing blame on somebody, for whatever reason. Was that not your intention?

Sports Mom wrote:Thanks for the update...

Geesh, I wasn't stirring the pot, I was just asking who I needed to contact.