By Jan Jackson
The Beijing Summer Olympics and the Oregon State Fair have fast action BMX racing (bicycle motocross) in common this summer and Jason Franz of Fall Line Bike, Skate and Snow in Silverton is right in the middle of it.
Franz and his crew are responsible for building the BMX track at the Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St., N.E. in Salem. In addition to working on the BMX track, Franz and his volunteers are putting finishing touches on skateboard arena and helping his buddies compete the mountain bike track. The new venues will be ready when the Oregon State Fair opens Aug. 22. It continues to Sept. 1.
A new venue to the fairgrounds, the BMX and Mountain Biking Dirt Track is available for riders of all skill levels to try whether they want to learn how to ride a skinny, balance, jump, or race, or if they are a seasoned rider looking to hone those skills. And if you prefer the sidelines, you can watch some impressive riding at the Bike Skills Park located at the Sports, Health & Recreation Pavilion.
Franz isn’t a newcomer in creating recreational opportunities for bicyclists and skateboarders.
The Silverton businessman who already set and met his first three recreation goals in Silverton is looking forward to the facilities at the fairgrounds as a year-round opportunity for everybody.
“Someone else was supposed to develop the fairgrounds project but it fell through and I was at the right place at the right time,” Franz said. “It is going to be great for the fair and will be even better as it develops in to a covered year-round facility.
“Master track builder and designer Billy Allen from the American Bicycle Association designed the cutting-edge track for us and volunteers manned shovels rakes and drills to make ramps and made it happen. Capitol City BMX will hold ABA-sanctioned races there throughout the fair but there will be plenty of free time for anyone to ride it.”
The skatepark and the mountain bike and BMX tracks will be free with admission to the 2008 Oregon County Fair.
“We want people of all ages to bring their skateboards, bikes (and helmets) to the fair and have a good time,” Lydia Blackburn, Sports Health and Recreation director for the fair said. “In fact, this year we are offering $2 off the admission to anybody that rides their bike to the fair and we have a secured area for you to park them in while you enjoy the rest of the fair.”
For information on the new venue, call Fall Line at 503-873-0977 or the Oregon State Fair office at 503-947-3247. Visit the Oregon State Fair’s website at www.oregonstatefair.org.
