Riders overcome the elements at Easter 10

The Nelson BMX Club wasn’t going to let rough weather wash out its inaugural Easter racing event.

While a few Auckland and Christchurch cyclists couldn’t make it, more than 60 still took to the BMX track at Tāhunanui for two days last weekend.

The only casualties were three tents that were blown out last Saturday afternoon, while the circuit coped with plenty of rain.

As expected, local riders Kayla Stevens, Corey Kingston and Cory Green all took out their classes.

The duel between club president Rangi Rogers, from Wakefield, and Stoke’s Chris Guy was a feature in the older ranks.

At 58, Chris was the oldest guy competing and pumped out 20 one lap races over the two days in the 20- and 24-inch grades.

They were backing up quickly too, with some of the sprints just 10 minutes apart.

“I just try to get to the end of the lap as fast as I can without falling off. BMX is a bit more dangerous than mountainbiking,” declares Chris, who only began competing last year.

The longtime mountainbiker wanted to race and train with his grandsons Devontae and Jaykhan.

“It is just a good family thing, and the sport is making a comeback,” says the drain layer, whose skills come in handy with maintaining the Beach Road track and surrounds.

Devontae, who was racing in the 13 Year Boys class, reckons “Pop” is quite fast and he hasn’t beaten him yet.

“He’s usually down at the track every day, doing laps after work,” reveals Devontae.

It is a real family affair as Chris’ wife Tina was one of the “hut ladies” who made sure the event ran smoothly.

“Even from the hut, you can actually hear Chris and Rangi out on the track egging each other on,” confirms Tina.

The Easter event brought back memories for visiting Christchurch rider Donna Head.

“I rode at my first nationals here in 1983,” recalls the 52-year-old.

The pilates and dance instructor was using the Easter 10 as part of her build up for the BMX World Championships in Denmark in July, reinforcing this is a sport for all ages.

The youngest competitor Arthur Heath was just five years old.