Every single race I sign up for teaches me something significant. The learning curve is steep in BMX!  My first few races were big ones. A gold cup in Milwaukee, and then Nationals at Rockford.  I wasn't even able to pedal the whole track yet.  At Nationals a volunteer who races Women's 40+ asked me why I wasn't racing with the women. I honestly couldn't figure out why I was always in motos with the novice guys.

It didn't take long for someone to explain that I had to "upgrade" myself to GIRL.  I would be in Novice with the men until I won 10 first places or I could hasten the process and join the women.  At my age, there weren't many women racing BMX.  They needed my company.  The culture among the women was different.  It was more supportive than competitive.  Switching to GIRL was an easy decision.  I would finish in the back of the pack with the men, or I could finish in the back of the pack with the ladies, where the population could use a boost.

Meanwhile, by showing up to races I was earning points  I had a lot of development to attain, but along the way I gathered points.  Switching to girl was a good decision.  The ladies are great, and quite fast.  I was warned about this.  I am now racing against intermediate and expert girls.  Sometimes they are half my age and twice my strength.  The next push was to clip in.  "You can clip in now, if you want to", I was told.  "Might as well,  all those girls are.  You're the only one who's not."  

So after beginning BMX just a short while ago, I ordered the shoes and pedals.  No looking back.  I can honestly say that the clip-less pedal/shoe combination helped me a lot.  Today I raced in a triple points state race at the beautiful Wisconsin Rapids track.  I was NOT LAST.  That is a new development for me.  The added security of my feet attached to the pedals helps just as much as being able to "pull".  There is so much work left to be done.  Many practices to gain stamina and experience.  But I do not regret the decision to "clip in".  Even though it was a relatively short period of time.  For my two novice boys, I can stay one step ahead.  I hope to help them along with this change in riding once their turn comes.  And until then I will keep practicing, entering races, and encouraging others in BMX.  I would still love to see more moms ride.  You're never too old, we just don't waste time getting you where you belong.  With the ladies!