Stu Thomsen

Stu started racing in 1972 at age14 at the original B.U.M.S. track in Long Beach, CA.  Turning pro at age 16 Stu is credited with around 25 National number one titles between the NBA the ABA and the NBL.  When he was racing he never dwelled much on counting points or writing down which races he won, now Stu turns to the internet to help jog his memory as to some of the more important races.

What can be said about Stu Thomsen that everybody already doesn’t know?  Stompin’ Stu is one of the greatest legends in BMX. Riders today are still compared to his achievements and number of wins.  I can say that during his interview for this bio he was one of the most humble men I have spoken to, careful when talking about his wins so as not to sound like he is bragging and always giving credit to everyone but himself.

Stu’s racing bio is well documented in many publications and online where you can look up hundreds of his stats, wins, sponsors and life story so tonight we are keeping it simple

Stu is now honored to be inducted into the NBL HOF and in such sitting a new milestone by becoming the first BMX rider to be in all major cycling Halls of Fame.

Stu retired from pro racing in 1987. “I raced once or twice in the pro cruiser and 20″ classes a couple of times a year after that for fun. In 1992 I tried racing on a more serious level and started racing Pro Cruiser and Veteran Pro. It was short lived and I decided to reclass to amateur. I still loved racing but I was more in it for fun. All the years of training and riding for the competitive circuit wore me out. I new what it took to try to stay competitive and I just didn’t have that desire to train at that level.”

Although he is proud of being considered “the one to beat” during his career he reminds us that he lost more races than he won, and his greatest achievements were off the track.  Currently Stu has been married to his beautiful wife Tanya for 28 years, he is still racing no matter what discipline, road, mountain, BMX. His full time job is as a Deputy Sheriff with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.  Most importantly Stu say’s “I am a cyclist for life.”

Stu is a survivor of Prostate Cancer, and encourages every male over 40 should get checked, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones. “I want every person out there, young or old, to go out every day and live life to the fullest. Trust in yourself, be good natured, respectful, and honest to yourself and others. Be polite, well spoken and stay educated to better yourself. Every day is a learning experience, Accept responsibility in your action and learn from your mistakes. In regards to BMX, I was glad to be a part of its growth. Now take this sport to the next level.”

***On a side note in 1983 interview in Bicycles and Dirt Magazine, Bicycles and Dirt asked the question “You have seen the sport from the beginning.  Where do you think it will go in the future?”  To which a 25 year old Stu replied “I can’t see it ever going to the Olympics or anything like that.  The sport is not geared for that.  There are too many classes and too many age groups”

Guess what Stu?***In Stu’s defense, at the time of this quote the Olympics only allowed amateur athletes to compete and the amateur format at the time would not have worked in the Olympics.***