BMX Bike Track in Spencer Park

General view of the BMX track in Spencer Park in July 2007

Close up of part of the track, July 2007

It was in July 1985 that two BMX bike - mad teenagers saw their rainy day dream come true by having a special track for their stunt bikes built to their own design.

Pedal pushing pals Richard Bromfield and Paul McGregor thought they should have a track to ride on rather than use dangerous car parks so they approached the chairman of East Northamptonshire District Council Maye Dicks with a petition and asked her to propose the scheme in the council.

“It was a rainy day and we had nothing to do so we designed a track” said 13 year old Paul.

“The track is just as we planned it apart from a water jump which we were told was too dangerous” he added.

The track in Spencer Park cost around £700 to build and was opened by Mrs Dicks and Audrey Perkins, Chairman of Rushden Council. They cut the tape and the boys rushed out onto the track to do jumps and wheelies.

Mrs Dicks and Mrs Perkins also climbed onto the rugged bikes and Mrs Dicks freewheeled down a hill.

Today the track is still there and although the craze for BMX biking has waned, it remains a challenge for young cyclists in the town.

Cyclists enjoying the BMX track in July 2007