My first race was a surprise and meant to be a joke. I would go with the team from the Cosmic Wheel in Bogota NJ and take pictures. The boys would race because there were no girls racing locally in 1978. So one Sunday they signed me up. I was nervous and excited at the same time. Being up on the gate my nerves turned to anger when several of the boys started laughing and making fun of me. Like most 11 year old boys would do. Well the gate dropped with a "riders ready pedals set" and I came in third place in my first race! As time went by and I began to win against the boys the laughter stopped.
7 Comments
Harry
1/13/2013 03:42:51 am
I remember the owner AKA "Cosmic Muffin", and your endearing nickname "Fluffy". My goodness, where have those 35 years gone? I'll tell you where. It has left a dusty trail of courage, inspiration, and a few bloody knuckles, and the joy of praticipating in testng ones skills on a bicycle for the thousands of girls that followed your lead Kathy. What a wonderful heritage for you, and legacy for BMX..
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Kathy Schachel
1/13/2013 06:33:02 am
Harry thank you so much for the kind words. I look back at those times with a big smile on my face. BMX was more than a sport for me it molded me into the woman I am today. I became intrested in physical therapy after I hurt my knee racing.
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Debbi Kalsow
1/13/2013 04:06:50 am
And that's how we roll!!! That is pretty much how it was for a majority of us girls, ut we blew their minds didn't we?!
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Kathy Schachel
1/13/2013 06:43:06 am
Back then we were all trailblazers of the sport. Living to just ride for thelove of the sport and dreaming of what it would become. We have come a long way since powder puffs and I am very proud of all the pioneers of the sport. We all share a connection and I am proud to say I helped and so did you Debbi ... once a champion always a champion
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Jayne Hamilton
1/13/2013 04:58:47 am
OMG. That's the Kathy I remember. I remember going with you and riding a race. I thought I was gonna die. You rocked it.
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Kathy
1/13/2013 06:46:21 am
Thanks Jane my old Teaneck buddy! I remember you coming to the races with me but I don't remember which one you raced in.
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Abbey
1/13/2013 07:20:40 am
Very nice Kathy
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AuthorKathy Schachel was a National, European and World Champion female BMX racer. She was the first National Professional Women Champion in 1985 and again in 1986. She was the first women ever on the cover of a BMX magazine through BMX Plus, November 1979. She held 5 National #1 plates, 2 World titles and 1 European title. Archives
February 2013
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