BMXers hope to medal on a bicycle built for ‘tude

"Peace, love and BMX."

That's the family mantra for Shawn Gran, whose three children are competing this weekend in a national bicycle motocross -- BMX -- event at the South Point.

The hippie movement's hopeful philosophy might not have survived the late 1960s, but the coolest two-wheeler ever, the Schwinn Sting-Ray, certainly lives on.

Its 20-inch wheels with high-rise handlebars and long "banana" seat weren't as practical as the more common 26-inchers with three-speed gears. But the little bike was really neat.

No one could have imagined 40 years after the radical Sting-Ray became a big hit that it would evolve into a means for a cyclist to ride one of its distant cousins to a gold medal in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. For the first time, a BMX rider can hang a gold medal from the handlebars instead of streamers.

The small frame became the cornerstone for development of BMX because its light weight and short wheelbase were perfect for the sprint races over small hills and moguls and for making tight turns.

Boulder City professional Derek Betcher will ride what resembles a Sting-Ray during the final day of the American Bicycle Association's Las Vegas Nationals, which will begin at 8 a.m. today in the South Point's Equestrian Center.

Top bikes have carbon-fiber front forks and aluminum frames.

The most advanced BMX bikes cost about $2,000, but most being ridden this weekend are much less expensive. Quality bikes for beginners can be purchased for less than $200.

More than 2,500 riders of varying skill levels and ages from throughout the country are joined by top riders from Australia, New Zealand and Japan for the competition that began Friday night.

Most competitors in age groups from 5 years old and younger to 56 and older race in 20-inch classes, and about one-fourth compete in 24-inch Cruiser divisions.

The South Point's indoor dirt circuit is about 725 feet with a series of low, quick jumps through a "rhythm" section before reaching a few big jumps and nearly 10-foot banked corners.

It's a sprint, coast and jump, with the fastest riders expected to complete a one-lap race in less than 45 seconds. Cranks are pumped hard at the start and on short, flat intervals, then feet are motionless to keep the pedals level for balance through jumps and corners.

"I try to get five good cranks in before the first obstacle just to get away from the pack," said Betcher, 26, a four-time national event winner since turning professional at age 19.

"Derek's having a breakout year," said Shannon Gillette, media and marketing director for ABA, which is based near Phoenix. "He has better (sponsor) support, is training harder and is more focused."

Betcher is ranked fifth nationally, a big improvement over last year's 15th-place finish. He's approaching key races that will determine whether he earns one of three spots on the U.S. Olympic team.

Gillette said team selection will be based on points earned in international-caliber events (this weekend's racing is not in that class). A U.S. Olympic team trial this year and the coach's choice also will be factored into consideration.

Betcher placed seventh and was the second-best American in an international points race three months ago in Madrid, Spain. Major upcoming races for him over the next two months will be in Canada, China and Kentucky.

"If you don't have good sponsors, it's hard to get to races like the one in China," said Betcher, who is supported by Haro Bikes.

The Gran family from Lake Havasu City, Ariz., might be a decade away from racing abroad, but this year it has competed in Arizona, California, Utah and Nevada and might race in the Midwest.

"It's a perfect family sport where everyone can compete," said Gran, a former motorized motocross racer from California.

He gave up his racing motorcycle when his oldest son began to race. Tyler Gran, 10, and brother Chase, 8, compete in "expert" boys categories. Nine-year-old sister Sara has been riding for nearly three years.

Even Dad caught the BMX riding bug about a year ago and races in the 41- to 45-year-old Cruiser age group. He would have competed this weekend, but he crashed and cracked a couple of ribs a few weeks ago while racing in Utah.

"I almost cried like a baby," Gran said. "I thought I was tough.

"But I can't wait to get back on my bike."

The Gran kids and thousands of other BMXers now can pedal and jump toward Olympic gold.