Only a 10-minute ride from the University of Tampa, there is a bike rider’s haven found in the Bro Bowl used by athletes as far back as the 70s.
Few students take advantage of the park, but even fewer have the passion and talent Scott Elhert does for BMX riding and bicycle motorcross.
The famous Bro Bowl is easily his favorite hangout. Florida weather allows him to ride there three or four times a week, essentially every week of the school year.
Elhert practices while listening to Radioplay, Lifehouse, Brand New or Angels ‘amp; Airwaves, among other bands. Before he was an insider at the park, Elhert discovered the patience it takes to learn BMX tricks.
He knows how important full commitment is; a rider cannot be careless.
A self-taught rider, Elhert gave BMX his total effort. ‘It’s worth it,’ he says, despite a broken shoulder on two occasions.
He began riding five years ago in his hometown of Chicago, Ill., where he was inspired by demos and the chance to meet professional riders.
The X-Games are a must-see for Elhert each winter and summer.
Garrett Reynold and Jamie Bestwick are Elhert’s favorite riders, because, he explains, ‘anyone who’s unique in their riding is worth looking up to.’
He has no interest in competing, as only some of the Bro Bowl riders are sponsored in competitions. Elhert is content with trying new tricks and pushing himself to go all-out in his attempts. In competition, he says, ‘I would end up hurting myself.’
BMX for him is a passion, not a contest. His favorite accomplished tricks are the nothing (no hands or feet in the air), the no-footed x-up (twist handlebars) and the no-footed cancan (one handed).
Then there are the variations of the classic 360, such as the one-hander and tire grab.
Of course, Elhert strays from the regular tricks and creates his own, giving them unique names.
His no-handed smith-grind places his back tire on the ramp with the front peg grinding. A no-handed 360 requires the rider to squeeze the bike with their knees, something he is working toward.
Elhert sets up a video camera on occasion to film his riding. BMX is a huge part of his life.
He describes the adrenaline build and gives his perspective on extreme sports, like his other favorites, skateboarding and snowboarding: ‘There are followers and there are leaders.’
He would love it if more UT students were BMX riders. The best advice Elhert can give is to have a lot of fun, a lot of patience and to leave a cocky attitude behind.
His future will keep him at the park out of love for the sport, but his career will bring him to the financial industry due to his love of the stock market.
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