The Grand Junction only Local BMX track, and it’s beautiful history and future.
Story By: Geon Nielsen, Outdoor Recreation
Photos By: Geon Nielsen
When driving on U.S. Route 50, you will see a giant BMX track on the side of the highway. It is hard to miss with its giant 45-foot-tall pro starting hill. This BMX track has established itself as an iconic track in Colorado and a lot of America, with a long lineage and countless big races. Grand Valley BMX started operations in 2006 with Nick Adams, a father of two who wanted to avoid traveling so far for his kids to ride their bikes. The Adams family are Grand Junction locals, and when Nick’s kids started to race BMX, they were tired of traveling to the nearest BMX track in Eagle. So Nick did what any supporting parent would do and opened a non-profit BMX track in Grand Junction to allow all families to share the same passion for BMX as his family. Because Nick Adams started Grand Valley BMX, a new generation in the valley has ridden and enjoyed the sport and culture of BMX.
The Grand Valley BMX track is located at Mesa County Fairgrounds and is the hot spot for all levels of racing. May.1.2024/S.Quinn
As time moves, so do people. Nick Adams was forced to relocate for his job, leaving the track with a tough decision: Who will run and operate Grand Valley BMX?
Careful consideration:
After long conversations and careful consideration, there was only one logical plan for the future of Grand Valley. Nick’s two kids, Spencer and Steven Adams, would return to their roots and finish what their father started.
“ It just makes more sense. My kids were raised at the track, so they can take over.” Nick said
Spencer and Steven worked for USA BMX before starting work at the track. They would travel across the country to help set up and manage the BMX nationals. They both worked at USA BMX for nearly seven years, so with all their experience, they left their jobs in late November of 2023. So they could run the family BMX track for the upcoming 2024 season
The Grand Valley BMX promotes all ages and participates to try out biking, even offering tons of outside spots for anyone to watch. May.1.2024/S.Quinn
To New Beginnings:
With the chance of ownership at the track, there is much on the line for the Adams brothers. One of Stevens’s first thoughts when starting to run the track was, “Can I even do this?” As 2024 began, the Brothers started their journey into running the track, starting with local practice on Sundays whenever the weather would hold up. After the harsh winter, the track was in rough shape. “When we first went to the track this year, there were ruts the size of a car tire, and the track was as sandy as a beach,” Spencer explained at a local practice. The Adams brothers have spent countless days this year working on the track to try and make the track as perfect as possible.
All the work they have put in is to try to be the best and most frequented track in Colorado. With that achievement, they would be awarded the State Championship race, bringing in many riders and revenue for the track. With the long lineage of the track, they have held the State Championship race over 20 times. With the brothers taking over, they want to hold themselves to the same standards as their father and hold the championship race, not only for their family but also for the local riders to be able to race and watch some of the fastest kids in the state.
The Grand Valley BMX track sits right off of US-50 in Orchard Mesa, and drivers are met with a wide and beautiful shot of the whole track. May.1.2024/S.Quinn
Time To Shine:
All the brothers’ work is paving the way to success. Their race season started at the end of March. They are proud of their progress and all they have learned about running a track. From riding this track as kids to running and operating the track, there is nothing that these brothers cannot do. With the BMX season for Grand Valley starting on March 30th, we can watch Stevena and Spencer strive and tend as the track returns to the glorious iconic track it once was.
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