An Ode to BMX

An Ode to BMX
An Untitled Poem by Mel Chambers from the Manning Valley BMX Club

It starts off quite slow.
Maybe a "Come and Try" day.
Wow, this is quite fun!
Can we come back Monday?

Mum, let's go again!
Where? Back to that track!
Oh, okay, why not?
Hey, hi there, we're back!

Ha, this is so fun.
Let's keep coming here.
Wow, look at his clothes,
Can I get some real gear?

My bike is too heavy,
It's dragging me down.
Let's get a light race bike,
Can we get one in town?

This guy says he'll coach me
To ride the track better.
My mum, she can pay him.
I'll just go and get her.

The coach is real nice,
He teaches me stuff.
I do all that he says,
Geez I hope it's enough.

I think I am ready
For my very first race.
The excitement is building,
This is gunna be ace.

I'm feeling quite shaky.
I'm feeling real sick.
My first race is over
And I think I went quick!

This thing is addictive,
It won't leave my mind.
Like nothing I've done.
It's a one of a kind.

My first open meet ...
It's drawing so near.
Crap, what are the rules?
They're not very clear!

Have you got all my stuff?
Are we gonna be late?
What time is my practice?
Can I get on the gate?

Wow, that was so massive.
I am so, so, so tired.
But sleep I cannot,
I am feeling too wired.

I must get much faster.
I need to train more.
I've done so many sprints
That I feel pretty sore.

I need to learn balance
So that I can gate well.
Oh look, I can pre-lift!
Hey Dad, can you tell?

Oh no, it is raining!
Will they call off the open?
I don't think they will ...
Well, here's just to hopin'.

Oh dear, it's all filthy,
There's mud everywhere.
But it's going ahead!
I'm IN, I don't care!

I'm all wet and dirty,
Going home, it's a hike.
Dad's tired, he's crazy.
I CAN'T clean my own bike!

I'm starting to wheelie.
I'm starting to jump.
Wow, this is amazing!
I can do more than just pump!

Yet another trip planned,
Poor Mum's packing again.
Are we near there yet?
Please, just tell me, WHEN?!

A bounce and a bump,
Oh dear, my first stack.
A few days in bed.
Let's get back to the track!

It's still dark outside
But we're off once again.
I've not been up this early
Since I don't know when.

It's a long road ahead.
Oh dear, it's a bore.
I'm hating the backseat.
I can't cope anymore.

I'm getting so good.
I've gone onto clips.
Those flat shoes are rubbish,
They're really the pits.

These sprints, they are hard
But they're making me fast.
I'm going so well,
It's all such a blast!

What? Back on the flats?
You must be a fool!
Nah, I'm on clips.
And those flats are uncool.

Another room booked.
Yuk! This one smells funny.
Well, it is what it is ...
We're not made of money.

These shakes, they are lumpy,
They're really quite gross.
I'm sick of this protein,
Like a medicine dose.

I'm eating too healthy.
This fruit's not a snack.
Give me dessert.
I WANT MY CHOC BACK!

I'm making the finals.
I'm getting some gain.
The things I am doing
Are now worth all the pain!

We're dropping Mum off,
She's getting some food.
Please hurry up Mum!
'Cause Dad's in a mood.

Another motel room.
Another late dinner.
Tomorrow's State Series
Might see me a winner!

Now my pants are too short
And I'm missing a glove.
Oh, the pain of it all.
And this sport that I love.

Melissa Chambers
2016