Posted: 6/13/07
Local ‘Tidal Wave' making a splash in BMX racing circuit
 Andy Groen races his BMX bike during a race in St. Cloud May 27. Groen is rated No. 1 in the state for his age group. |
By Steve Morris
He's not tall enough to ride the Flume at Valleyfair, but one local boy is creating his own thrill on the dirt track.
North Branch second grader Andy Groen, nicknamed "The Tidal Wave "by his parents because of an abnormally large cowlick, picked up Bicycle Motocross (BMX) with ease nine months ago and is now rated as the No. 1 rider for his age in the state. Groen races with, and is sponsored by Team Outdoor Edge in Cambridge.
In BMX racing, participants pedal bikes around a dirt track, earning points for their finishes. The sport, which began in southern California in the 1970s, has a following of young and enthusiastic riders across the country, including a robust population of Minnesota riders. According the American Bicycle Association Web site, there 15 BMX tracks across the state of Minnesota.
Groen and riders from around the area flock to The Rum River BMX Track in Isanti to ride and race. The next closest outdoor track is in Elk River. In the off months, riders go to an indoor race track in Lino Lakes. The Rum River BMX Track is a non-profit organization which is leased on land in Isanti and is run and operated by volunteers. Riders practice on the 1,100 foot-long track Thursdays and race on Tuesdays. Riders must have a ABA membership to race.
The Groen family of North Branch stumbled upon this fast growing sport by chance in September. It started when Sara Groen brought her son Andy to a BMX for beginners class offered by the North Branch Community Education office. Soon, the young rider was winning races and bringing home trophy after trophy.
Sara Groen, who is the public relations chair for the Rum River BMX track, said her son has won six races in the intermediate division and is getting better everyday. At a race last weekend in Fergus Falls, the seven-year-old took first place in the state qualifier and took second place in the Redline Cup Qualifier. Team Outdoor Edge took second place in the team competition both days.
Kevin Riedmann, manager of Team Outdoor Edge, said Andy beat some tough competition at the Fergus Falls race last weekend.
"He has lots of ability," Riedmann said. "He picks it up like a sponge."
On Father's Day weekend, the Groen family will travel to Rockfield, Illinois with Team Outdoor Edge to compete in a Midwest National BMX tournament. Sara Groen said people from all over the country will converge on Rockfield for a weekend full of racing.
"He loves it," she said.
Since breaking into the BMX community, Sara Groen had grown to appreciate the sport and the athletes who participate in it. For one, it has brought the family closer together. Tinkering with the specialized BMX bikes in the garage has strengthened the bond between Andy and his father.
If her son falls off his bike on the track, the teenage kids stop what they are doing and help him get back on the bike.
"It's really fun to watch," she said.
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