Riley Anderson saw his best BMX racing season come to a screeching halt a week ago at a national meet in Kelowna.
"During my main [race], I fell, hit a fence, landed on my wrist and broke it," said Anderson, cradling the ink-stained blue cast on his right wrist.
It was a disappointing end to a breakout season for the Prince George Supertrak BMX rider who was third in overall points, as of July 17, with 326.
"It boosts my confidence lots," said the 12-year-old intermediate rider, about being near the top of the standings along with expert riders Zach Parlee and Jon Anderson.
The expert classification is given to a rider that has more than 26 wins. Riley Anderson has notched 10 wins in his four-year career. Riders compete against rivals in the same skill-level or age groups, depending on the number of participants.
For Riley, one of the worst parts about his season-ending injury is the fact his 13-year-old brother Brady will likely pass him in points.
"I'm finally beating him for once," he said about the friendly rivalry.
Brady had 309 points as of July 17, but the Supertrax race Thursday at Carrie Jane Grey Park was a trophy race. The races next Thursday [6 to 8 p.m.] will be for double points.
"I don't want him to pass me in points," said Riley.
The Anderson brothers -- Jon Anderson is unrelated -- are joined by cousin Jordan on the course, while the boys' dads, also brothers, help out as board members and getting the track ready for events.
It's not uncommon for BMX racing to encompass families, said Prince George club president Scott Parlee, because parents who loved the sport as kids are likely to get their kids involved. The members of the local club also range in age from toddlers to baby-boomers.
Riley said after a year standing on the sidelines watching his brother race, he decided he wanted to compete.
"I'd seen him jumping and, so, I thought, I might start racing," said the Peden Hill Elementary school student.
A love of riding his bike up and over the rollers, step-ups and doubles on a course is what drew Brady to the sport and he's happy his younger brother and cousin joined.
With a grimace, Brady said, 2011 isn't his best riding season.
"A lot of falling; it's just not a good riding season," said the future Grade 9 student at Prince George Secondary School.
In Kelowna at least, Brady managed a third-place finish in his first race before crashing in his second and not qualifying for the main event in the final race. Jordan qualified for the semifinal in his race.
For more information about the Supertrak BMX, see the website at www.princegeorgebmx.com or drop by the track during club competitions Tuesday and Thursday evenings, or during Monday's evening practice.
