By Growing up in rural Iowa, Tyler Heinsohn loved riding his bike and dreamed of BMX racing.
His small town didn’t have a track, though, and Tyler pushed his dream aside to start a family and business.
That changed in 2021 when the Heinsohns went to the BMX track in Aberdeen to watch an employee of Tyler’s compete. He soon got the itch to hop back on the bike.
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“I was a little nervous to ask for me to be able to try out as an older adult,” Tyler said. “They were very supportive, just some teenage kids that were like, ‘Oh, yeah, you can totally try it out.”
Lydia Heinsohn leads her father Tyler and brother Oliver out of the gate at the Aberdeen Hub Area BMX Track. The Gold Cup races are this weekend in Aberdeen. Photo by Sam Schauer for The Aberdeen Insider.
Tyler nearly crashed the first time riding on the Aberdeen track, but still instantly fell in love with the idea of racing. Both of his kids, Lydia and Oliver, also gave it a shot.
Soon enough, then-36-year-old Tyler and his kids were competing side by side.
“I thought it was a great opportunity to live out a childhood dream of his,” Gabby Heinsohn, Tyler’s wife, said. “It’s a great bonding experience for him and the kids.”
Tyler has raced in many events and competes against a wide swath of opponents ages 13 to 52. His most memorable event was the Aberdeen BMX Gold Cup last year.
“That was a lot of riders and definitely a lot of fun to see the different skill levels and where people have traveled from,” he said.
BMX racing uses four criteria to determine classes — age, gender, proficiency and wheel size.
All new riders start at novice and move up as they garner success. When an age group doesn’t have enough riders for a race, it’s expanded. That’s when some disparity in the age of racers comes into play.
What Tyler loves about the sport is not just the competition, but the improvement racers can make from week to week.
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“Sometimes, some people know they’re going to come out last in pretty much every race, but it’s still self-improvement every race,” he said. “It’s really fun to see them grow.”
Tyler’s kids think it’s awesome that their dad races BMX and said they love to race against him. He usually affords them a head start.
Aberdeen BMX community offers support
The kids also enjoy meeting other racers.
“I’ve met a lot of new people, and I got a couple of my friends into it,” Oliver, 10, said.
While racing for first is rewarding, they all love how supportive the riders and entire Aberdeen community are.
“Everyone is high-fiving you at the end and the beginning, saying, ‘Good job,’ or, ‘Hope you get a good place,’” Lydia, 14, said.
While the rest of the family races, Gabby is just fine watching from the stands.
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“Somebody has to hold down the fort,” she joked. “Run the snacks and first aid stand.”
While it was Tyler’s dream to race in BMX, he’s happy the kids have joined him in something they all love.
“Last year, we had a race on Father’s Day, and we were able to take a lap with our kids in front of everybody,” Tyler said. “That was a super proud Dad moment.”
The Heinsohns are gearing up for this weekend’s Gold Cup, one of the larger local BMX events. While they hope to win, they are also ready to have some fun and enjoy the experience.
“We’re not super competitive, but we really enjoy the sport for that aspect,” Tyler said. “And we admire the ones that are really dedicated.”
The Gold Cup is Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23. Races begin at 2 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. at the Hub Area BMX track on First Avenue Southeast. There’s no admission charge to watch.