I, along with Mike Day, went to Chicago a few weeks ago on behalf of BMX Racing to be spokespersons and athlete ambassadors for Chicago's 2016 Evaluation Commission visit.  Chicago is pulling out all the stops in hopes of winning the bid to host the 2016 Summer Games and the Evaluation Commission made one last stroll through Chicago before they make their decision on the host city in October.  Pretty much Mikey and I stood up in front of all these prominent figures from the International Olympic Committee and just spoke about how BMX was born in America and how cool it would be for the growth of the sport as well as young kids' involvement in the Olympic Movement to see BMX being performed in their very own backyard.  It was a good time.    

 

Also on this trip was a stinkin' hero to me and many of you.  Ladies and gentlemen welcome BART TAYLOR!  Bart Connor played Bart Taylor in the best '80's BMX movie of all time, "RAD".  I seriously acted like a groupie when I found out he was there.  Mikey and I ate dinner with him and talked with him a bunch and it was awesome.  If I didn't love Bart enough before, he's got my vote now.  I now have met both Cru Jones and Bart Taylor from the movie in the last couple months.  Solid!

 

I also met Bonnie Blair, Greg Louganis, Nadia Comaneci and Rulon Gardner.  These were heroes of my mom and because of that, I was a fan of them also.  Even though they didn't believe I really knew who they were, I mean, come on people you are icons!  They were all so nice and it was an unbelievable trip.

Last but not least, Tom Ritz, the builder of the Olympic BMX track and my friend came to my town and built an awesome local track for me and all the kids to ride on.  This track has two Pro straights and is a top level international style BMX track.