Ludwigs Manic Zone

If you raced Bmx in 1985, you might remember Larson Manuelito. He won the #1 amatuer title in the USBA for that year, riding for Bicycle Harbor out of AZ. Manuelito was from the Four Corners region of New Mexico, and he was one of the best BMX racers ever. That year, in '85, the 66 nationals were held in Albuquerque, NM. It was the weekend of the Fourth of July, and it was hot, - over 100*.

The gate dropped on a rack of 14X's, and Manuelito had the Holeshot. Coming up on the first jump, which was a Drop-off type jump, Manuelito pulled up the front end, to pedal down the backside, then his front wheel just kept on rolling without him! Amazingly, he did not crash. Incredibly, he kept on pedaling around the first 90 degree turn, in the lead still, headed for a set of knarly offset moonwalkers. Unbelievably, with skill I have not seen displayed before, or since, he completed the entire track, including jumping the moonwalkers, and a HUGE step-up that was there. He negotiated 3 turns and several smaller jumps too, all while leading a national race.

Manuelito looped-out on the last roller near the finish line, but ran easily the few feet for the win. Clearly this story is hard to believe, over the years I have found it hard to belive myself. I know only one other racer from Albuquerque who can corroborate this tale, there are others out there! Famous Racers in attendance that day include:

Jaydee Finney, John Purse, Toby Henderson, Many others.

I would say the term "manual", meaning to ride on the back tire, is short for MANUELITO! Yeah!!