Another stress free birthday party (not)

Aiden decided that he wanted to celebrate his birthday (a month after the fact, such was April) by going BMX racing with a gang of his mates.  Mmmm.  I know the following about BMX:

1. Grandpa George refused to buy me one, because he thought they were toys and not real bicycles (in this regard he was unusually accurate, certainly they are not the most efficient forms of bicycle transport).  Consequently I spent a chunk of my life fantasizing about Redline and Hutch machines.
2. It is the number 1 sport for injuries in the Olympic games.  Yes indeed, if you want to stuff yourself up, look no further than your friendly BMX.

So with this in mind, and the comfort of Ange's incomparable planning (which included being armed with signed consent forms and a formidable first aid kit), we headed off to Hong Kong's BMX circuit with 15 hyperactive 11/12 year olds (many of whom had spent the morning at a soccer tournament - bearing in mind it is now 30 degrees with 100% humidity).  Click here for a view from Aiden's camera.  

We were not disappointed.  I spent a chunk of time staunching the flow of blood from wounds various, a couple of which could have used a stitch or two one suspects (you know, those ones that smile a bit).  Thank god for the unwearable kit (how we didn't lose a couple of kids to heatstroke is down only to Ange's excellent fluid replacement planning and luck).  There were two tracks, sadly all of these pics come from the beginner track (the main track starts with a huge downhill ramp (essentially part of a grandstand structure).  The reason for this is that as I was getting ready to take some pics of people on the main track, the good Harry Maddren went roaring down it, got some impressive air on the first jump, much to his surprise, and promptly buried himself in the skin ripping gravvely tarish stuff the damn thing is made of on the other side; blood pouring out of gashed elbow; photographic services suspended indefinitely.

Gary and Aiden (in the blue and white shirt) launch themselves onto the track.

Plenty of concentration, all a very good thing in my opinion.  One brake on a BMX.  If you need another you just use the road surface and your face.  The full face helmets are a very very good idea.

Truly terrifying, Ev and Fritz having just come down a big berm.  You ride BMXs standing up.  The saddle is really only there to stop yourself being thoroughly shagged by some part of the frame.  Ev got this conceptually, but felt strongly that he had to cycle sitting down.  It was pretty excruciating and anxiety provoking to watch (extended legs being much better shock-absorbers than skinny backsides). 

Aiden giving it stick approaching a ramp (take the pic now so you can close your eyes later).