MOSES LAKE — Bike tires skirted the dirt track in Moses Lake for the last time this fall as Moses Lake BMX wrapped up its season on Saturday, Oct. 17.

The single-point race closed out the year for the local organization after a delayed start due to the coronavirus. The time off before getting started gave the group a chance to remodel the rhythm section of the course.

Jeff Niehenke, an assistant track operator with Moses Lake BMX, had two kids of his own out riding this year. Niehenke said the group saw a large number of new riders this year with many other organizations and groups unable to get started under state guidelines.

“It’s definitely a jump start for us with the new riders and a great opportunity for us to build forward from here,” Niehenke said.

Getting the season going early on was a challenge with the guidelines for events and gatherings in place, but, he said, luckily, the city pushed hard to help get things moving.

The change to the track layout was a fun bonus for riders as well, he said.

“That was fun to get the riders on that, change things up with that and give it a little bit of a new flavor this year,” Niehenke said.

Moses Lake BMX was set to host a state-qualifying race during summer but was forced to cancel due to restrictions on most events statewide. Niehenke said the BMX group is looking forward to hosting an event next season in addition to, hopefully, a regional Gold Cup qualifier.

As one of the few tracks able to keep races going this season, he said, they are hopeful their application will be chosen to host the event next summer. Hosting a Gold Cup event would bring in riders from as far as Montana and Oregon.

“It brings in a ton of competition, so it’s a good benchmark for where our riders are at,” Niehenke said. “And it’s nice when you have those big races because everyone is racing in their own age group.”

Smaller events often find classes and skill groups blended to help fill the gate, but bigger races offer a chance for riders to truly measure themselves. Niehenke said they have seen new riders every weekend, with Saturday being no exception.

Watching the new riders coming has been great to see this year, he said, along with developing the older members.

“It’s always fun to see the family that builds every year with the new riders and the families,” Niehenke said. “BMX has always had a really close family community that comes along with the sport.”

The new recreation center planned to go in near the BMX track soon in Moses Lake brings excitement as the group continues to grow. Moving forward, he said, the focus remains on bringing in and building riders.

Casey McCarthy can be reached at cmccarthy@columbiabasinherald.com.