Welcome to the right side of the tracks (if you’re heading North) - to Bakersfield’s ultimate destination for fun: Metro BMX.
Allow me to introduce myself. The name’s Joseph P. Bartholomew, but most folks just call me Hobo Joe. Why? Because that’s who I am. I spend my life hoppin’ trains, viewing this great country from some empty boxcar chuggin’ down the tracks. Every once in awhile, I see something I like - and will jump off the speeding locomotive and take a gander at what’s going on. Most recently, in the first week of May, I did just that as the Santa Fe express I was aboard passed by Metro BMX.
TO WHAT DO MY WANDERING EYES APPEAR
There she was. A Bakersfield beauty. She’s changed up a lot since I’d first chugged by her in the 90’s. She’s got huge concrete turns now, a solid slurried surface, flower beds and business signage behind turn two, and even a concrete pad leading riders and spectators from the finish back to the top of the start. About the only thing I recognized here is the 16” Sears-Roebuck Special strung up 20 feet over top o’ the starting gate!
BAKERSFIELD BALLERS & BRAWLERS
This story is from the June 2019 edition of PULL Magazine.
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This story is from the June 2019 edition of PULL Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
GOLD CUP NORTH CENTRAL
If there is one good thing about this year’s Covid closures of states and counties, it is that tracks that might not normally have gotten a shot at hosting a National or Gold Cup event, were now given that opportunity.
MID-AMERICA NATIONALS
2ND COMING USA BMX STOPS IN NEBRASKA ...AGAIN.
GOLD CUP SOUTHEAST
This year the DK Bicycles Gold Cup South East Finals were held at one of the fastest BMX tracks in Alabama - Circle City BMX, in Dothan. If trying to claim one of the coveted Gold Cup Plates brought you to Circle City BMX for your first time you might have been surprised when you first saw the track layout.
GOLD CUP SOUTHWEST
When you roll into the local Quiktrip and one of Tucson’s finest looks at your shirt and asks if you know Corben Sharrah, you can only be in one city in America. Often coined as the loudest city in BMX, it doesn’t matter if there is a single fan or a gaggle of Tucsonans, they know how to bring the energy.
GOLD CUP NORTHEAST
With all of the uncertainty in event planning this year, it was not a huge surprise that the DK Bicycles North East Gold Cup Finals shifted locations somewhat last minute. We were very lucky to have it and at a great location, Akron BMX in Akron, Ohio. The Big Red Truck was last here for the 2018 North East Gold Cup Finals, and the track is located in a pretty incredible location.
FALL CLASSIC NATIONALS
JUST OVER THE UTAH BORDER WE’D FIND THE WEST’S LAST STAND FOR 2020
DERBY CITY
It might not have been LaborDay, but the BMX world was anxious to finally return to the longtime Louisville tradition. ...and it was well worth the wait!
1998 HARO Monocque
“Captain America” ShowBike Custom painted by Troy Lee.
HOW TO GROW THE SPORT OF BMX RACING
Are you interested in starting a new track?
SECOND TIMES A CHARM
It just seems like yesterday that we were in Rock Hill for the Carolina Nationals and here we are again.
