Back in the day,Memorial Day Weekend

The relic that almost took me out in Fremont.

(gotta like that 80's powder blue)

With the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, I was thinking of some the more memorable one's. Many Memorial weekends mark the start of camping season. I can't forget the first time Bruce took myself and a select few to Tamarack Lake west of Castella for a good ol' fashioned camp out. That weekend started my love for the outdoors and high mountain lakes.

As fun as that was, at the top of my list was in 1981.........yes my friends, 27 long years ago. I was racing BMX at the time, being somewhat successful around the local scene, and occasionally heading down towards Placerville, Auburn and Grass Valley to hit those venues. This was a totally different deal though. I was going to the ABA Spring Nationals in Fremont, CA. The whole weekend was an eye opener.

Friday started with practice and qualifying heats. Lucky for me I won my heat and went directly into day two's semi finals.

Money was tight for me and pops, so we were staying in our pimped out Ford van, gutted to allow room for all the racing gear , decked out with wall to wall shag carpet and wood panels on the inside.

Saturday came and I could feel the butterflies early. I was never a big breakfast eater, so I remember chowing down a couple doughnuts and a chocolate milk and waiting for my race.The Semi's went smooth also, winning mine, setting up Sundays finals.

Sunday is really not too clear to me to this day. I know I got the hole shot, and rode as hard as I could. My pop has a picture of me barrelling out of the start gate dwarfed by the other riders. I think I was only about 4'8" at the time and as skinny as I am today. I made it hold up though, coming across the line in first....1981 10yr old ABA Spring Nationals champion. I do remember accepting the trophy that was 4' tall and barely being able to carry it.

Yes, that was a good weekend. Pops and I drove back as soon as we were done at the race. I celebrated by sleeping the whole way home.

Now I embark on yet another Memorial Day weekend race. I hope it's a memorable one.