- April 23, 2024
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Tyler Collier, 13, and his brother Jack, 5, began competitive BMX bicycle riding six months ago.
It was mid-December 2010. Tyler Collier was staying over a friend’s house for a few days. His friend was involved in the BMX bicycle-racing scene, and suggested Tyler do the same. Never questioning his friend’s advice, Tyler headed to the track and hopped on his Mongoose street bike.
“I was like, ‘What is this?’” Tyler said May 3 in an interview. “I had went down the hill and I was pretty scared then.”
But after his first go at it, Tyler was hooked. It didn’t take long for his 5-year-old brother, Jack, to hit the dirt, either.
Jack went to his brother’s first race and rode the equivalent of a Hot Wheels bike, but managed to make it over several hills.
From then on, the boys’ mother, Michelle, knew this was their sport.
Brotherly bond
Michelle has been supportive of her two boys since they began participating in BMX. She said it’s something that has brought the three of them closer.
“Tyler and Jack have become closer (because of BMX),” Michelle said. “They work together to do stuff outside of BMX, too, and they push each other, which is a good thing.”
Tyler, who recently placed first in the 13-year-old Intermediate division May 4, in Daytona, has won 10 races since December.
“It’s a really fun sport and there is no poor sportsmanship,” Tyler said, as he uses his fingers to comb over his locks of hair.
Smiling, Tyler added: “You have to have hair to race.”
Even at the age of 5, Jack is sporting a golden mane, too.
“It’s fun because I like the jumps and the speed — it’s both,” added Jack, whose nickname is “Little Rockstar” because of his gear, which is made by Rockstar Energy Drink.
Pedaling, pedaling, pedaling
The Collier brothers competed in another state qualifier May 4 to continue to advance to a national tournament. The boys’ home track is First Coast BMX, in St. Augustine, and is sanctioned by the American Bicycle Association — also called ABA BMX.
Tyler rides 13-Intermediate, which is for riders up to the age of 13 years old; Jack rides 5-Novice. At the state qualifier in Daytona, Tyler finished first place and then placed fourth in the Redline Cup May 5. Jack finished in second place on Saturday, and then was forced to ride with older kids because there weren’t enough 5 year olds to field a heat. Jack finished fourth despite being bumped up.
Both Tyler and Jack qualified for the state championships, which will take place Sept. 9 to Sept. 11, in Oldsmar. Tyler also qualified for the Redline Cup Championships, taking place in October. Jack will compete in August in the qualifier for the Redline Cup.
