Ben Joy
One of the Portland area BMX pioneers, Ben Joy, began racing and winning in the mid 1970s at the West Linn Fair on his Yamaha Motobike. Later he'd hop on a Mongoose (complete with drum brakes) and win at the Blue Lake and Maywood Park tracks. Ben won the 1978 NPSA Nationals at Fun Run in Beaverton as a 14 year old. Originally sponsored by Shiloh Cyclery riding a Jammin' Jimmy Weinert bike, he joined the first dominate team in Oregon BMX, The Bike Gallery. Once at the Bike Gallery, Ben powered his DG to wins all over the Northwest.
From the late 1970s to the early 1980s, Ben was nearly unbeatable on the indoor tracks at Canby and the outdoor track at Riverside Park. During this time he was also cosponsored by SE Racing. His highlights include racing at the LA Coliseum, being an original member of PRO (Professional Racing Organization) and taking second behind National #1 Pro Brent Patterson at the Powerlite Nationals in 1981. He also took time out to teach bicycle safety classes at local summer camps, Ben retired from racing in 1983 to focus on college.
Ben returned to BMX as a collector and part time racer in 1999. He owns some flawless vintage BMX bikes and cruises the neighborhoods with his boys.
Ben works for Infocus Systems and lives in with his wife and two boys in Portland's Alameda Neighborhood
For more information on Oregon BMX racing contact Ken Pliska at 503-309-3874
