July 30, 2018 at 4:58 p.m.
Hodag BMX shows off West Side track in weekend races
Track has seen $250K in improvements in last five years
Hodag BMX shows off West Side track in weekend races
"This is day three of our weekend," Deede said during a brief lull in the competition Sunday afternoon. "We had a lot earlier in the week, too. We had a race Monday and the elite camp Tuesday and Wednesday, we took off Thursday. "
"This is a busy time of year," he added.
Deede should know, he's been involved with the track for almost all 19 of its years in extistence.
"I think this is the biggest turnout we've ever had. We had 51 motos today, which is a lot of riders. Plus we had a pro-am and a couple pros here, along with some of the best amateurs in the country. There's some fast riding going on out here." he said.
Deede took over as track operator in 2012.
"I started out as just a kid shoveling rocks, shoveling dirt and sweeping up. I did some time on the board, went away to college, came back from college, saw that the track was still here, and I got involved," he said.
The track is technically and legally the property of the city of Rhinelander. Over the past five years, BMX supporters have sunk a quarter of a million dollars into the facility, either through in-kind donations or direct cash and club sweat equity.
"We are 100-percent volunteer and donation-based. We've got a great community of supporters around us doing fundraisers and donations from community businesses making it happen," Deede said. "When I took over, we basically redid the whole facility. We relaid the whole track, made it UCI compliant."
That last bit has proven to be a winner as the club has added other improvements, such as paved turns, and now routinely hosts state level events, such as Sunday's state qualifier.
"If you build it, they will come," Deede said.
Looking to the future, Deede said he would like to replace the present concession stand with a two-story building. This will give more room for registration, concessions and add an observation deck. It will also add more restrooms.
"We're also working with the city parks, buildings and grounds to make West Side Park more ADA compliant," Deede said.
The club is always fundraising, with an eye toward making the track more attractive to those who plan the Midwest level of competition. The goal is to have better quality competition for the local riders to judge themselves against.
"So we're not going anywhere; we're in it for the long haul," he said. "Next year will be our 20th season, and it's a blast. I feel like a kid every time I'm up there."
And that feeling isn't confined to the control tower, as Deede still competes, too.
"I still race," he said with a grin. "I m old enough to know better, but too young to care."
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
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