So my BMX story im certain reflects most others on here. A friend of mine BITD got a yellow and blue Team Murray for Xmas, we were all used to Grifters choppers and racers at that time and seeing this bike was quite unbelievable at that time, i recall all the gang gathered round it in admiration at a bike that had blue tyres and yellow mag wheels. what was all that about only ever seen spokes before.
I immediately wanted one, but is was another year to Xmas, during that 12 months in 1981 BMX was taking off and all my mates and kids in the neighbourhood were getting BMX bikes. The local bike shop in the high street seemed to stock the old Pro Star BMX bikes and another mate of mine got a blue and chrome one with Maxy cross 3 piece cranks and blue cobra grips and V bars.
Chrome!!! what was all that about, it was another Murray moment from Xmas, it looked exotic and shone like a jewell. Oh man i drew it, dreamt about it, and dogged my parents for a Pro Star.
Pro stars were taking over my streets. Blue and chrome, gold and chrome, red and chrome. The Team Murray was now becoming obsolete and as BMX took off a bit of a joke BMX, heavy and poor parts.
Xmas arrived. finally a Pro Star i could join my mates, woke up Xmas morning came downstairs. OH MY GOD a blue and yellow Murray. many questions went through my mind like do my parents love me??? i couldnt even call Child Line as it didnt exist in those days...
Never mind i had my first BMX and i loved it. First action relieve it of its kick stand and mud guard second action take to the streets.
A few months went by of thinking i was Bob Haro or Stu Thompsen and never getting off it and i was ready to race, but was my Murray??. there was only one way to find out.
A mates Dad had arranged to take a few of us down to the Westway track West London for an open meet, we packed his van and off we went, i remember silence as we travelled down there, we were all crapping ourselves, me more that most after all i had the Murray!!!!
We arrived. Oh My God!!! it seemed like millions of people. we registered i was in the 11's a paper plate tied to my handlebars with my number 27. Shit this is getting real!!!
(by the way im listing the old school paper plate on Ebay £90 BIN)
3 Moto's a semi and a main. I lined up on the start gate. first race!! i remember to my left a guy and he looked big for 11, he had all the gear and a shiny Kuwi i think. Any way Riders ready, had to do a one footed start, could not balance the Murray, its not going well. Pedals ready. Shit i want my Mum.. Go!!!.
Off i went, but lets move forward 3 Moto's all my mates out, who's left, thats right me in the Semi's with my Murray. 3 races down. semis next. Riders ready, pedals ready, GO down the straight everyone went for the tight line on the first turn. went down, took most of the skin off my forearm, didnt finish. My day had come to an end. But i had done it, raced well, and took an injury. Loads of well done's and pats on the back on the way home. i felt like a king..
My injury that day was my trophy and i showed it to everyone and the Murray got respect.
Raced a few more times down at westway and hayes in middlesex on the Murray and then on my Redline which my Grandad RIP bought me from Alpine Action bikes in Nottinghill 1983 i think..
12 months or so after my Redline. BMX started to die down and thats it that as they say.
Unlike kids today and im referring to my daughter whos 12 you can hardly prize them off there IPhones or computers, but back then it was you and your bike from sunrise to sunset and BMX was such an explosive event that it will always stay with us. It created good friends, good memories and a great legacy.
Heres to life when it was simple and care free and a bit more fun.
Jason
My Blue and yellow Murray, makes me smile everytime i look at it and now you know why..
