Grabbing Life By
28
BMX Star Clayton Could Ride All The Way To The Olympics
Most Tuesday nights, 10-year-old Clayton Mahan can be
found atop the starting hill of the SRQ BMX bike track,
waiting his turn to race. Most Fridays too, unless he’s competing
out of town, or out of state.
A rider since the age of three, Clayton’s won countless races
across Florida, as well as in Alabama and Tennessee. Of course,
he loves winning. But he loves the sport of BMX bike riding more.
“He’s also a very humble kid,” said Brianne Alexander, Clayton’s
Bradenton. “For years, I’ve followed him in his BMX adventures
and his response when I ask him how his races went for the
weekend is always, ‘They were good. I did ok.’
“Clayton quietly goes above and beyond to reach his goals,”
Alexander said. “I can’t say enough about him.”
Clayton’s currently ranked first in Florida, and third in the
Southeast, for his age group and level – which is 10-year-old
expert (he’s had the “expert” designation since he was six). Also,
in May, Throdwn, a company that makes BMX bike frames,
began sponsoring Clayton. Thus, Clayton’s bike, uniform, gear
and entry fees, for bigger races are all paid for.
Still, the sport is expensive. Clayton’s family pays for some
bike replacements and repairs, plus all travel costs, which are
substantial. Races occur every month or so, in locations as far
away as Nashville. For Clayton’s mom, Stephanie, who watches
every practice and race, the time commitment is also considerable.
But this is nothing new. Stephanie raced BMX bikes when
she was a kid, from age 11 to 15.
“He’s technically second generation,” she smiled. Stephanie raced
at the same location her son does today. The track, in Sarasota,
is actually the oldest continuously running BMX track in America.
The part-clay, part-asphalt track underwent a huge renovation
a year-and-a-half ago, and now it hosts BMX World Cup races.
Out of the Starting Gate
According to Stephanie, Clayton is self-taught. At age two-and-ahalf,
he was riding a bike with no training wheels, so she brought
him to the track and he took to racing immediately.
“He was meant to ride,” Stephanie said of her
son. “He’s very much a natural.”