Boy aims for top BMX title

At an age when most children are trying out their first bicycles with the help of training wheels, Hayden McPeake wanted to ride a two-wheeler on his own.

"He started at 3 with no training wheels," said his dad, Jim McPeake.

Now 6 years old, Hayden, a Westmont Elementary School first-grader, is the best in his age division in the state in the National Bicycle League after winning the state championship at Augusta's BMX track Sept. 23.

"He's fluent with the bicycle, and he's been riding less than a year," McPeake said.

After watching BMX racing on television and visiting the Augusta track near Lake Olmstead in Augusta, Hayden decided to take up the sport in February. He has two bicycles that he rides.

"I thought it would be fun," Hayden said.

So far, it has.

Racing around the dirt track isn't the most fun part, however. Hayden likes "that you can jump high" the best.

For his mother, Alison McPeake, the jumping is the scary part.

"It makes my mom nervous," Hayden said.

Though he's taken some spills, Hayden hasn't suffered any serious injuries, McPeake said.

Through the end of December, Hayden will spend most of his Saturdays at the Augusta BMX track competing.

Hayden's goals for the future include winning a national title, but until then, he will keep striving to improve his times on the track.