Kern Valley Sun
Chris Brayman was burning up his cell phone last Wednesday as he called for volunteers to prepare the KV Bike Park grounds for construction.
“We are moving dirt,” was Brayman’s mantra as dump trucks pulled up to drop their loads of fill dirt, which is being donated by Tony Talbot of Kernville.
|
|
“We just like to help the community out,” said Gordon Larsen, as he dumped a load of dirt. “That’s why I came out today,” he said.
Eric Bress, a nationally recognized builder of BMX tracks from Denver, Colo., has been tasked with constructing the KV Bike Park. The track will be sanctioned by the American Bicycle Association, which hosts events across the country. The new BMX track will approximately 1,080 feet in length and require approximately 2,000 years of dirt to complete.
Earlier this month, Bress completed a new track in Safford, Ariz. “Construction should take about seven to 10 days to complete,” Brayman said. “Then we have to have everything signed off before we can officially open,” he added. “I have about $5,000 to spend,” Brayman said.
Motocross BMX has been around since the early 1970s, but has only begun to grow in the area significantly in recent years.
BMX started in the early 1970s when children began racing their bicycles on dirt tracks in southern California, drawing inspiration from the motocross superstars of the time. The size and availability of the Schwinn Sting-Ray made it the natural bike of choice, since they were easily customized for better handling and performance.
The 1972 motorcycle racing documentary On Any Sunday is generally credited with inspiring the movement nationally in the US; its opening scene shows kids riding their Schwinn Stingrays off-road.
For the first time, it was featured as an event at the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing.


Comments
44 comment(s)Me wrote on Jul 24, 2010 5:01 PM:
kv parent wrote on Jul 21, 2010 9:59 PM:
Me wrote on Jul 21, 2010 10:30 AM:
Gail Korner wrote on Jul 17, 2010 6:14 PM:
Freedom of Speech wrote on Jul 14, 2010 8:08 AM:
kv parent wrote on Jul 13, 2010 10:46 PM:
Taylor Tagger Not a Negative Nancy. wrote on Jul 13, 2010 7:50 PM:
Kernville parent wrote on Jul 11, 2010 9:06 AM:
Not 4 the BMX park wrote on Jul 11, 2010 8:56 AM:
Taylor Tagger wrote on Jul 7, 2010 3:00 PM:
Consitutionalist wrote on Jul 6, 2010 4:01 PM:
By the way, a kid can go there anytime and play, and the insurnace covers everyone 24-7.
As an ex bike racer and promoter, I can't think of a better thing that has been done for our children recently.
Thanks to the many that helped make this a reality!
And to the grumpers in Bodfish et. al,, build a park there and compete. "
Chuck Smith wrote on Jul 6, 2010 2:48 PM:
Me wrote on Jul 6, 2010 8:58 AM:
Suspicious wrote on Jul 5, 2010 1:00 PM:
Taylor Tagger wrote on Jul 3, 2010 12:34 PM:
Realistically sound wrote on Jun 30, 2010 2:55 PM:
Mickey Mouse wrote on Jun 29, 2010 6:34 AM:
Hello. Lake Isabella already is a water park - a REAL one. "
Pam Alten wrote on Jun 28, 2010 1:33 PM:
Lisa wrote on Jun 27, 2010 11:38 PM:
B Likens wrote on Jun 27, 2010 5:30 AM:
to be sincerely interested in the kids
and he motivates them to be self reliant. He should be applauded for
his efforts. Those of you who wish to
be negative, pitch in and help, elevate
yourselves...seek higher ground. "
Kimberley Cushman wrote on Jun 26, 2010 10:03 AM:
RIDE KRV wrote on Jun 26, 2010 10:03 AM:
I have seen first hand this week that our Valley is full of generous, wonderful and motivated people like Chris and the rest of our board members. I applaud and thank them all for the support!!
I Invite all Nay-sayers to come see what has been built so far and maybe realize how big this is for the Kids and the Valley. "
Wendy Cody wrote on Jun 26, 2010 8:46 AM:
Editor Disappearing Comments wrote on Jun 25, 2010 6:47 PM:
Editor, are you deleting comments and leaving only those that are pro- bike park?
Furthermore, there are other letters that have gone from 85+ comments to 8. Would you kindly explain where they went?
This appears to be a case of the Editor stepping in to protect her friends rather than an Editor who should be promoting critical inquiry and serving the Constitution of the U.S. "
larry kolb wrote on Jun 25, 2010 12:12 PM:
KVMTBer wrote on Jun 25, 2010 11:14 AM:
Chris Thomas
(KVMTBer) "
celia wrote on Jun 25, 2010 8:44 AM:
Someone mentioned riding on the roads:yikes! Have you ever done that? It's scary how unaware some drivers are. Thank goodness someone is creating a place for kids to ride safely! Umm, hey, can adults ride at the park ? "
Fly on the Wall wrote on Jun 25, 2010 8:13 AM:
Also, I would caution people posting here to be careful of including too much personal information. "
Jeff Sherman wrote on Jun 24, 2010 9:56 PM:
Lets Examiner, you are accusing Chris Brayman of stealing money from a nonprofit. This is a serious charge. Do you have a shread of proof to back up your claim? Of course you don't because it doesn't exist. Chris is not making money on this. State you proof or give your apology!!
Poor but happy, why would you bring Chris Hoirgan's name into this. He has nothing to do with this project. "
Editor wrote on Jun 24, 2010 4:44 PM:
CKV4FUN wrote on Jun 24, 2010 4:40 PM:
Valerie Cassity wrote on Jun 24, 2010 2:54 PM:
KVMTBer wrote on Jun 24, 2010 12:32 PM:
The chamber has backed this project for the very reason it exists. Many people will be traveling to Kernville to enjoy the park and attend bike races which will only help the local economy. It goes without saying the local economy can always use the help. "
John Perry wrote on Jun 24, 2010 12:07 PM:
The kids have an additional outlet for all their energy and entertainment.
Quit BI#C##NG and be happy for them or get of your butts and do something constructive.
Why don't the gutless, chronic, cowardly complainers sign their names? "
Richard Rowe wrote on Jun 24, 2010 12:03 PM:
Though I don't always agree with Chris on other things, I fully support his efforts toward this most excellent project.
I don't think Chris Brayman makes a DIME off it.
I think I'd know as I'm a KV Bike Park Board Member (as are Paul Ferguson, President; Chris Thomas, Vice-President; Chris Brayman, Treasurer; Marcie Leathers Secretary; Mark Leathers Children's Committee; Scott Alten; John Howells; Rob Kirbach; Anna Leon; Scott Link; Tom Peltier; Richard Rowe; Jeff Sherman & Jay Watson.). "
Just for fun wrote on Jun 24, 2010 9:18 AM:
MYSTERY PERSON wrote on Jun 24, 2010 6:46 AM:
Poor but happy wrote on Jun 24, 2010 12:15 AM:
Kernville wrote on Jun 23, 2010 10:19 PM:
It ain't gonna happen. "
Lets Examiner wrote on Jun 23, 2010 10:15 PM:
Richard Rowe wrote on Jun 23, 2010 3:09 PM:
The National Bike League is the world's largest non-profit BMX racing organization (Website: nbl.org). "
Richard Rowe wrote on Jun 23, 2010 1:52 PM:
On Facebook, search for K.V. Bike Park
To contact Chris Brayman by e-mail: christopher@kvbikepark.com
To mail donations:
We are a 501c3 non profit, our
corporation name is "California
Recreation foundation"
We are doing business as:
KV Bike Park
PO Box 716
Kernville CA 93238 "
David Dills wrote on Jun 23, 2010 11:50 AM:
Bob Walker wrote on Jun 23, 2010 9:41 AM:
Thanks to Chris and Jill and many others! "