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Friday, April 13

Addicted to BMX - Alan Foster

By Scot McElwaney
www.BMXonline.com

Alan is sponsored by Airwalk, Free Agent, Deviate, Odyssey, and Maxxis. Photo: Mulligan

What keeps you psyched on BMX?
The feeling of riding a bike. It motivates me to shoot for a goal. That goal is to be a better rider and a faster racer. You always need a goal in life, and that just happens to be my goal.

What sacrifices have you made to stay involved in BMX?
I skipped school, and now that I have a family of my own, I sacrifice time with them.

Have you ever had a second job to support your racing?
I worked at a bike shop up until '93 when Airwalk sponsored me. That was my first big chance to be able to make money and not have to work.

Did it conflict with your racing schedule?
I worked for two bike shops and both of them were pretty cool. I told them up front what I wanted to do. In the beginning I said, "Look, I can work for you, but this is the situation. I have to be gone for two months during the summer and I can't work a lot of weekends." They were cool with that in the beginning. It obviously caused problems, but I think that I was a good enough worker that I was able to offset my balled up schedule.

What are your goals for racing right now?
I just want to make mains, that's my short and long term goal. I'm not focused on a national numberplate or anything like that. I want to have fun at every race, and I want to make mains.

Do you have plans for the future outside of BMX?
I plan to work for Airwalk as a team manager and in marketing.

Have you made any financial plans for your retirement?
Yeah, plenty. I'm set dude. The market just has to turn around now.

Alan Foster gets ready for the gate to drop. Photo: Mulligan

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