Todd Rose

The BMX Journey of Todd Rose

For Todd Rose, BMX was never simply an individual pursuit. From his earliest races with his younger brother, Darin, through his return to competition with his sons decades later, BMX became part of the Rose family story. Todd and Darin were known throughout the Kansas City BMX community simply as “the Rose boys.” They raced together, developed together, represented the same teams, and became part of a generation that helped connect the early Kansas City BMX scene with the growth of Blue Springs BMX.

Three Motos, Three Wins

Todd entered his first BMX race in 1979 at age ten. It was an NBL Total Points event using the rubber-band starting system associated with the sport’s early years. His first race bike was a Huffy purchased from the Swap & Shop on 63rd Street. It may not have been a purpose-built racing machine, but it was enough: Todd won all three motos and captured the overall victory in his first BMX race. That performance offered an immediate indication that BMX might become more than a passing interest for the Rose family.

The Rose Boys at Tomahawk Ridge

The following summer, Todd and Darin began racing regularly at Tomahawk Ridge in Overland Park. The track became an important developmental ground for a generation of Johnson County riders and was also, for a period, the home track of Schwinn racer Wes Cline. Recognizing their sons’ enthusiasm and ability, Todd and Darin’s parents invested in new race bikes. Darin received a Diamond Back, while Todd moved to a Redline. Their parents’ support helped launch two of the area’s most promising young racers. By 1981, the brothers were competing at the American Royal BMX track. Village Peddler selected both Todd and Darin to represent its race team. Todd remembers those years as the highlight of his BMX career: “Loved racing BMX more than anything with Village Peddlers team and my brother. Loved the sport.”

A Crash, a Comeback, and the Expert Class

Todd and Darin were consistently competitive as they progressed through the Novice and Intermediate ranks. One race, however, became the defining performance of Todd’s early career. Todd entered what would become his final Intermediate race at Berm Busters in Lee’s Summit. His grandparents were there to watch. Leading the main event, Todd attempted the track’s triple jump and crashed hard. He rolled across the track, recovered, scrambled back to his bicycle, and remounted. Despite the time lost in the crash, Todd fought his way back through the field and won the race. The victory advanced him into the Expert class. The comeback became part of local BMX lore. At the year-end awards banquet, it was recognized as the “Best Blooper and Race of the Year.” John Eakin incorporated the footage into a video montage set to “Eye of the Tiger”—preserving a race that might otherwise have survived only through the memories of those who witnessed it.

Village Peddler and Turner’s Schwinn

The following season, Todd advanced through Village Peddler to the Turner’s Schwinn Co-Factory Team. He received a Black Shadow, the bicycle he still considers his favorite. The move placed Todd within another important connection in Kansas City BMX history. Village Peddler, Turner’s Schwinn, Tomahawk Ridge, and Blue Springs BMX were not isolated parts of the local scene. Riders, families, teams, shops, and tracks moved through the same interconnected community. When Jim Talley and Village Peddler established Blue Springs BMX in 1982, Todd and Darin became part of the track’s early history. Blue Springs would later take on even greater meaning for the Rose family.

Returning with the Next Generation

Although Todd raced less frequently after high school, BMX never completely left his life. In 2011, he returned to competition alongside his sons, Kyle and Keith. Todd raced in the Expert and Cruiser classes while watching his sons earn their first trophies at Blue Springs BMX—the same track where he and Darin had raced and celebrated victories decades earlier. The setting made the return particularly meaningful. Todd was no longer only sharing BMX with his younger brother. He was passing the experience to another generation of the Rose family.

One More Return to the Starting Gate

Todd survived throat cancer in 2022. The following year, at age 53, he returned to BMX competition once again. Racing Expert and Cruiser during the 2023 season, Todd finished fifth in both classes at the Raytown USA BMX National. His return ended after a crash at a state qualifier resulted in a fractured pelvis, but reaching the starting gate again represented another significant victory in a life already shaped by determination and recovery. Todd remains active as a mountain biker. He also continues supporting Kansas City BMX through financial sponsorship of Blue Springs BMX and Raytown BMX, giving back to two tracks representing different chapters of his racing life.

More Than the Trophies

Todd’s BMX story spans more than four decades—from rubber-band starting gates and a Swap & Shop Huffy to modern USA BMX national competition. Yet his story is not defined by equipment, rankings, or trophies alone. Its central thread is family: racing beside Darin, performing in front of his grandparents, returning with Kyle and Keith, and supporting the tracks that gave generations of families a place to race. Looking back, Todd measures what BMX gave him through the competition, friendships, lessons, and challenges: “I love the sport of BMX and all the races I raced against my competitors and friends I made. I’m thankful for what the sport taught me and challenged me.” For Todd Rose, BMX was always a family adventure. The riders, bicycles, and tracks changed with time, but the connection never disappeared.

Hometown: Buckner, Missouri

Started Racing: 1979, age 10 First Race: NBL Total Points race with a rubber-band starting gate

Sanctions: NBL, ABA, USA BMX

Teams: Village Peddler; Turner’s Schwinn Co-Factory Team through Village Peddler

First Race Bike: Huffy

Favorite Bike: Black Shadow