Harry Leary, a professional bicycle motocross (BMX) rider, has sadly passed away. In the Arizona desert on Saturday, September 7, 2024, he died of heat exhaustion.
A post on Facebook that read: “Harry Leary left us on Saturday September 7th, while training hard to continue racing and loving BMX”, served as confirmation of his passing. Such a devastating loss, but millions of fans have found him a great inspiration over the years, both in sports and in life.
Fierce competitiveness, ingenuity and enthusiasm ran rampant through BMX racing in the late 1970s and early 1980s. One of the most prominent people from this exciting time was a rider whose name became a byword for tenacity and determination.
Although he didn't have as many career titles as some of his peers, his impact and tenacity cemented his legacy in BMX history. This BMX pioneer competed in the top divisions from 1978 to 1985.
He made a name for himself as a strong figure in the sport during this period. He displayed a combination of skill, speed and sheer willpower while competing in the top pro category, earning the title of “AA” in the American Bicycling Association (ABA) and “A” (Elite Men) in the National Bicycling League (NBL). Although he received respect and credit for his performance on the track, his career was not without difficulties.
Even with his talent, things weren't always easy. Many ailments, especially in his knees, plagued his career and often ended promising seasons.
His desire to race was severely hampered by the number of surgeries these injuries required. He has spent much of his career dealing with the physical demands of the sport and the ongoing struggle to regain fitness.
The pressure was further heightened by celebrity management, especially in the relatively specialized world of BMX. The demands of being the center of attention had a negative effect on his mental health. His attendance at a sports clinic for stress treatment in July 1984 is a testament to the lesser-known psychological struggles that elite athletes encounter. He had the opportunity to interact with players from more prestigious sports while at the clinic, which gave him insight into the bigger picture of the challenges faced by professional athletes in other sports.
He officially stopped competing in BMX racing in 1989. To show his continued dedication to the sport from a different perspective, he took a three-year hiatus from competitive racing to work as the factory team manager for Diamond Back. His career changed significantly during this time, but his love for BMX did not.
He came out of retirement to compete again in the early 1990s, this time in the ABA Veterans Pro Class. His comeback was a testament to his undying spirit and enduring love for the game. Amazingly, he is still racing at the age of 64, shattering stereotypes and demonstrating that his commitment to BMX knows no limits of age or retirement.
