Midoriyama, Japan

[Mikku]

I always regret not trying to get more into the racing scene bitd. There was nothing in my hometown and by the time our local council finally got round to doing anything about it, the 80s scene (and my interest) was waning, and the racing literally never took off.

Since getting back into BMX, I’ve watched all the old Kellogg’s and other old school series on YouTube and although BMX racing has now reached the heady heights of an Olympic sport, what I see on tv is different in so many ways from what I remember. I hasten to add that I’m not knocking it, as it’s spectacular stuff to watch, but it just doesn’t (or at least didn't) press the right buttons for me.

However, I recently discovered that there's a BMX track not too far from where I live, so my interest having been spiked by listening to the Tim March podcasts [ http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,187764.0.html ] and reading about EDBANGER’s exploits on here [ http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,173636.0.html ], I popped along the other weekend for a butcher’s! It was only a practice day and the weather wasn’t great, so there were only a dozen or so riders there but I really liked what I saw. One of the things that impressed me was the faster guys’ manualing over the rhythm section. Actually, the manualing generally was impressive. I got talking to some of the riders and they suggested coming back on a race weekend, which is what I plan to do next Sunday, the last meet of the season. If the weather’s good, I might even pump the tyres up on my Laserlite and ride what Google Maps tells me is the 13km there to show them what a real BMX looks like!!

I took some photos but they got lost in the changeover to a new phone, so here’s a Youtube clip to give you an idea of the place. Btw, Midoriyama means green mountain in Japanese.

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To my untrained eye, and having not ridden around it, the track didn’t look too daunting, and certainly not as intimidating as the Dollies did at Poole! I’m sure I’d feel differently on a bike though, especially if clipped in, which in itself is a scary thought!! Anyway, I must admit to wanting a go, or at least I like the idea of having a go, but whether that actually happens or not remains to be seen. First thing’s first is to get myself down to that race meeting next weekend, after which I'll post some pics here! Keep it RAD!

[factory pilot]

Clipped in! Don't mention that to Tim March! 

[oldschoolace]

looks decent Mick, will have to check it out next time im over there 

[deeman]

Go for it Mick while you can, nothing worse than sitting there at 60 wishing you had done loads of stuff....
I didn't realise that riders were clipped in these days....sounds lethal!!

[factory pilot]

Go for it Mick while you can, nothing worse than sitting there at 60 wishing you had done loads of stuff....
I didn't realise that riders were clipped in these days....sounds lethal!!

Yeah there's massive controversy over  it as it limits people's access to the sport .... Think you have to be clipped in from 13 years in most countries now!

Totally agree.. Go for it .. Looks awesome !

[griff]

Looks like fun - fook being clipped in though

[Mikku]

Weather forecast's looking good for Sunday, so I'm going to dust down and put some pedals on the Laserlite, get some air in the tyres and ride to the green mountain!

[Drawn]

Think you have to be clipped in from 13 years in most countries now!

I believe you've got that the wrong way around haha. some countries have limited it to having to be 13 before you can go to clips. And I for one am happy to stick to flats 

That track looks like good fun and relatively mellow, almost like a supersized backyard set up.
Would be awesome to have a few laps on it, so should be good to hear how you go.

[Mikku]

Weather's still looking good, though I doubt very much that either the bike or rider will be up for much track action!   In any case, pics to follow!!!

[Mikku]

So yesterday I rode my Laserlite to the Midoriyama track for their last race of the season, and even though my lower back, thighs and backside still ache from the 26 kilometre-round trip, it was well worth it!

I took well over a hundred photos, so will upload and post the best ones here in a few days, and whilst I didn’t get to ride around the track, I have to say that I really wanted (and want) a go!! I even spent a good hour or so on Sunday night looking at secondhand race bikes online!!

[Mikku]

So here's a selection of photos from Midoriyama, taken from different places around the track to give you a feel for the place. I plan to go back soon-ish for an unofficial sighting lap or three!!





























Move pics to follow later!

[monkian]

Great post again Mick. Thanks for sharing mate. It's a nice old school looking track. Should be fun

[Mikku]

Great post again Mick. Thanks for sharing mate. It's a nice old school looking track. Should be fun

Thanks Paul!

Had today off work, so did the only sensible thing I could think of and rode back to Midoriyama for a few laps!!!! More on that later but first of all, here are some more pics from last weekend:-

[Mikku]

& here are some of the bikes I snapped in the paddock. Not sure if that's the right word, but you get my drift!













Nice to see some familiar names, albeit bikes that look nothing like the Haros and SEs of old! However, this was my favourite:-





I liked the look of the frame before I realised it was a Toyo, an Osaka-based company who made some of the early Kuwaharas!!

Talking of old Kuwaharas... http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,189263.0.html

[Mikku]

Popped back to Midoriyama on Sunday for their 2nd race of the season and once again, really enjoyed it. I've attached a few pics below but the highlight was the final race of the day, the elite class. Not sure what that translates to in UK or US classification terms but they were bloody fast and jumping things that others weren't. Anyway, the fastest 2 had the number 1 and number 2 plates respectively and that was how they finished in each of the two motos I saw, though the number 2 guy was definitely looking for a way past. Then in the final, he pulled off an amazing move along the penultimate straight, which has a set of larger rollers. From a couple of bike lengths back it looked like he almost changed gear, as he shot forward and drew level with the leader as they entered the berm. With the inside line, he took the lead, which he then kept through the final rhythm section to the finish. Top skills!

[oldtired]

      that track looks cool ,    a tad far for a sunday morning outing though , 

[Andyboy77]

Great pictures Mick!  I'm so happy for you! 

[Mikku]

Thanks gents! Have added a few more photos above, but also found some of the 2 front-running guys in that elite class I mentioned. This one's from an earlier moto, with no.1 out front:-



This is of the second straight of the final race, with no.1 still leading:-



& this is how they finished at the end:-



Wish I'd video'd it as it was a bloody impressive piece of riding, at least to this untrained eye!

[Drawn]

keep looking at those pictures (which are really good by the way) and definitely want to go for a ride there, looks like a lot of fun, almost a bit backyard track-esque.

[Mikku]

keep looking at those pictures (which are really good by the way) and definitely want to go for a ride there, looks like a lot of fun, almost a bit backyard track-esque.

Yeah, that track's definitely one of the factors behind me getting back into racing, and I'm really looking forward to having an "official" ride around it this weekend! Report (and possibly more pics) to follow!

[Andyboy77]

keep looking at those pictures (which are really good by the way) and definitely want to go for a ride there, looks like a lot of fun, almost a bit backyard track-esque.

Yeah, that track's definitely one of the factors behind me getting back into racing, and I'm really looking forward to having an "official" ride around it this weekend! Report (and possibly more pics) to follow!

Great news! Now as you showed them how a real BMX looks like, show 'em how it's ridden propperly!    

[insectbones]

Ace video and photos!

Like others have said, the track has a nice backyard/old school feel to it 

Keep the updates and progress coming Mick 

[Mikku]

So I went back to Midoriyama on Sunday to take part in a lecture/technique session for beginners! You can read more about it in my race blog but one of the amusing things was the reaction that the Laserlite got. Some of the dads and older racers knew what it was and came over for a closer look, with an American guy having a quick spin on it and saying that he felt like a kid again. But the funniest reaction was from the kids in the beginners class, who were amused by the DC MX1000 brake! They’d clearly never seen a side-pull caliper before and were fascinated by the Weinmann adjuster, all wanting to turn it. Another liked the look and feel of the Tech 3 lever, but I think that was because of the red anodising! Kids of today, eh! Anyway, here’s a pic of the old school race bike in amongst the new kids on the block:-

[Andyboy77]

Old School BMX- magic!    It's great to read about things like that. 

[Ady]

I love the pics mate.
Its great to see the riders with big smiles on there faces enjoying the day..
Great weather you lucky bugger..

Come on..
What bike of you got..
Getting impatient..