The racer slides out of the gate on a light BMX-style bike to traverse over 1,000 feet of ridged track, along the carefully maintained red-brown dirt and asphalt, flat straits and crafted hills.
In the distance, friends and family cheer as the racer pedals furiously, jumping through obstacles and down the end of the track. After the race to the finish line, the rider hits the hand brakes and fist bump fellow riders.
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On July 10, this was the sight as racers gathered at the Blanchard Woods BMX track for the summer series.
Zephin Mann, 22, is one of series’ star riders.
“Obviously, I get the personal fulfillment of racing and doing well, and I do well,” said Mann, who has been racing since 2012. He’s been part of the summer series for about five years.
A national factory rider for the Clayborn team, he attended the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. And is the head track coach at Blanchard Words BMX teaches others the sport he loves.
“When coaching I get fulfillment watching riders progress and watching them fall in love with the sport like I did when I was younger,” he said.
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Helping people fall in love with the sport is important to track operator Stacy Williamson too, and the summer series is important.
“The goal is to entice new riders to try BMX and to keep existing riders racing week after week in the summer months,” Williamson said.
There is no shortage of new riders participating in either the BMX sport or the summer series. Cyclists of all ages can be found moments before the race begins putting on their gear, getting pep talks from family and setting up their bikes.
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The summer series is held every Saturday and every other Tuesday from June to August.
The Blanchard Wood BMX website is https://www.usabmx.com/tracks/1907.
Skyler Andrews is a reporter with The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
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