"If you had one shot, or one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted ... in one moment, would you capture it?
... You can do anything you set your mind to, man."
-Eminem
Ask Litchfield teen Bradlee Oestreich what his passion is, and he’ll point to a BMX race bike and a dirt track.
It’s a pivotal moment as the gate is about to fall — one the 17-year-old lives for.
“Riders ready? Watch the lights.”
He craves the rush of adrenaline ... the thrill of the big jumps, berms and sprints to each obstacle ... the unknowns along the dirt roller coaster ... the rewards at the finish line for strength, quickness and bike handling.
A senior at Atwater-Grove City-Cosmos High School, Oestreich discovered his love for the popular bike sport four years ago when he joined Buffalo Creek BMX, based in Glencoe.
Once seen in a parade, BMX sparked his interest, and now he says he’s now hooked on racing for life.
Oestreich’s favorite part of the sport: “Riding every single day and riding with different people,” he said.
The only problem is ... he’s running out of shelf space.
A member of USA BMX, sanctioned by the American Bicycle Association, Oestreich has achieved much success in the past few years, including a state championship in late August, Gold Cup plates and multiple first-place finishes around the state.
Although Oestreich has some learning disorders, including dyslexia, his parents say they don’t stand in his way of success, as evidenced by the number of trophies proudly on display in their home.
“Kids with these things can do this, too,” said his father, Ed.
Now a national qualifier who’s ranked No. 1 in the boys intermediate class in Minnesota and No. 18 in his district in the boys class, Oestreich has set his sights on Tulsa, Oklahoma to race some of the best riders in the country.
THE RUSH OF THE RIDE
There’s no sitting on the bench in this individualized sport.
BMX racing gained popularity in the United States in the early 1970s. Racers sprint at full speeds toward obstacles, gaining big air on big jumps and often meeting steep backsides, deep turns and downhill sections.
There are 11 BMX tracks in Minnesota. BMX races have taken Oestreich as far north as Detroit Lakes and as far south as Fairbault. In the summer, he typically races four nights a week and every weekend. As for his total number of races, Oestreich said he’s lost count.
Cheering him on are his parents, Ed and Stephanie, and sister, Brittany.
“We’re pretty proud of him,” Ed said, noting that his son has improved his skills tremendously over the past two years.
Oestreich practices weekly with riders from Buffalo Creek BMX in Glencoe. Thanks to indoor tracks, BMX can be performed year round. Known as “motos,” most races are held rain or shine. This year, Oestreich had already competed in 15 races before the outdoor tracks opened, including eight races prior to July 15, earning him bonus points.
The great thing about BMX, he noted, is riders ride at their own speed. While every course has a starting gate and a finish line, that’s where the similarity begins and ends, according to information from USA BMX. No two tracks are identical. The lengths of tracks will vary as much as the size and arrangement of obstacles. Some are fairly flat while other have faster downhill sections. Some shorter tracks will be 900 feet long while others can be as long as 1,300 feet.
“It’s fun,” Oestreich said.
From a distance, Oestreich’s bike appears to be an average two-wheel peddler. But don’t be fooled. With a price tag of about $4,000, his race bike hauls about as fast as he can crank it. The purchase was necessary for a sport that requires nimble and precise handling, according to Oestreich. Its 20-inch wheels are designed to handle big landings, and its lightweight body — about 17 pounds — won’t flex around a turn, he said. Manufactured in Columbia and specially engineered to handle challenging racetracks, the bike can reach speeds of 30 mph, Ed said.
THE DETERMINATION OF A CHAMP
Riders begin in the novice, or beginners, class. Upon winning 10 races, riders move into the intermediate class. Oestreich is just a few wins away from advancing from intermediate to expert class, the highest proficiency level in the sport for amateur boys, Ed said.
Oestreich is currently ranked No. 18 in the Minnesota 06 District, which includes several hundred BMX’ers from Glencoe, Spicer and St. Cloud.
While his goal is always to finish on the podium in the top three, Oestreich also strives to earn points. Points get racers to their next plate number, going toward their district, state, regional or national year-end rankings and determine their “earned number” for the next USA BMX season.
In BMX racing, the ultimate achievement is to ride the No. 1 plate — No. 1 in a district, state, region, national age group, or even #1 in the nation, according to information from USA BMX. It’s incredibly tough climb to the top, one that only a handful of BMX racers will eventually make.
Among the top tracks is Rum River BMX in Isanti, where Oestreich took first in the State Final Triple Aug. 27 among ages 17 and 18 in the intermediate class, his biggest accomplishment to date.
“I think it was an adrenaline rush for him this weekend,” Ed said of Oestreich’s first-place state finish at Rum River, which was voted the No. 1. BMX track in the country two years running, according to Facebook.
Last year, Oestreich took second place in the State Final Triple in the intermediate class.
To get a #1 plate, racers must first qualify at a Gold Cup Qualifier. Then they compete with the best in their region at the Gold Cup Finals for a chance to earn the No. 1 plate. Gold Cup plates are awarded to the top three riders in each class.
Oestreich has earned first, second and third place in Gold Cup qualifier races this year and is currently ranked No. 1 in the Gold Cup division for his age and skill level. He took home a first place Gold Cup Qualifier Feb. 26 at Rum River BMX.
He will compete in the Gold Cup Regional Championship Sept. 22-24 in central Wisconsin. Ed said his son will be race BMX’ers from seven regions during the three-day event. In addition to awarding a Gold Cup jacket and #1 plate to the winner in each age and skill level, Gold Cup No. 2 and No. 3 plates will be awarded.
Oestreich hopes to compete in the USA BMX Grand Nationals Nov. 26-29 in Tulsa. The world’s largest BMX race, the competition will determine the top 10 national rankings in each age group, as well as the national champion amateur, girl, cruiser and pro. Riders from 5 to over 60 will compete. At stake are trophies, prize money and the title of national champion.
Oestreich has secured six first-place and seven second-place wins at local races this year. He took second place at five state/provincial races this year and first place at the Race for Life Double at Buffalo Creek BMX in July and February.
So far this year, Oestreich has earned 40 trophies/awards this year. He earned 42 in 2016 and 24 in 2017, according to his rider profile on the USA BMX website.
He took first place at Land O’ Lakes Nationals in 2015.
Oestreich was also a top fund raiser for USA BMX’s Race for Life event, supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
His sponsors are Davis Motors, R&R Recycling, Towmaster and Onamia Auto Sales.
Oestreich plans to continue racing as long as he is able. His goal is to compete in the Olympic Games and the World BMX Championships.
Oestreich has only crashed four times in four years, Ed said.
He has persevered through many obstacles, both on and off the track, and is a dedicated racer — one who’s never missed a scheduled race. “He’s raced with stitches in his leg. That’s how dedicated he is to this sport,” Ed said.
More important than awards is the fun Oestreich said he has at races and the friends he’s made.
“It’s like one huge family ... a BMX family,” he said.
