Tim Lillethorup worked at ABA from 1981-1984. He was editor of ABA Action and also the test rider.
Tim Lillethorup, www.bicyclechannel.com, 1999: I moved to Arizona in 1981 to work as an Editor for American Bicycle Association publications, ABA Action and Bicycle & Dirt Magazine.
March of 1978, the American Bicycle Association launched its very first membership publication.
The second ever edition of the ABA membership paper landed on doorsteps in April of 1978.
With coverage of ABA's very first Winternationals (held in Azusa, California, sponsored by Torker, and held under very wet weather conditions), you can see how quickly the ABA National circuit was growing in this; the third issue ever of ABA Action.
It was the Summer of 1978 and ABA BMX Racing was spreading across the Western hemisphere like an out of control wild fire. Check out issue No.4 and find out just how David Clinton made BMX history.
By July of 1978, there were a growing number of BMX tracks coming on board to run ABA-sanctioned races - as you can see by the expanding list of riders points in this 5th edition of ABA Action. CYC's Ronnie Ames - who was leading National points at the time, is featured on the cover.
Throughout the years, the ABA has paid tribute to the Girls of BMX with a special feature cover. Well, folks ... here is the very first one; in the 7th edition of ABA Action.
The 1978 season was winding down fast, and the anticipation for the first ever ABA Grands in Las Vegas was beginning to heat up - including making it the major cover blurb of the October edition of ABA Action.
The November 1978 issue of ABA Action covered the Fallnationals - the last-chance race to get in some precious points for the two National No.1 titles - Amateur and Pro. Check out the early BMX action from '78 in this 9th issue of ABA's membership paper.
Who would become the ABA's very first No.1 Pro and No.1 Amateur?! The anticipation had climbed to an all-time high! Would it be Stompin' Stu? Greg Hill? Harry Leary? ...you'd have to be in Las Vegas for the first ever Grands to find out - or read about it in ABA Action.
Stu Thomsen ABA number one pro.
Richie Anderson.
Vans/SE Pro Spectacular.
Kuwahara Grandnational.
Kevin McNeal interview.
Texas Gold Cup.
Jeff Kosmala on the cover.
Oregon Gold Cup.
Grandnationals preview.
New Jersey National.
