Artifact ID: 26.0036
Artifact Name: Letter and DIRTWERX Decal from Dottie
Former coowner of a track and good friends of Harry Leary
Category: Personal Letter & DIRTWERX Decal
Source: Online
Collection: Lititz BMX Archive
Location: Lititz, Pennsylvania
Historical Context
This artifact includes a handwritten letter and DIRTWERX decal sent by Dottie Ellis-Merki, a friend of BMX pioneer Harry Leary and a former BMX track co-owner involved in the racing community. Items such as this illustrate the personal relationships and grassroots connections that helped sustain BMX racing long after the sport’s early boom years.
The letter was written to Kyle of Lititz BMX and accompanied a DIRTWERX decal, referencing a BMX bike build project connected to preserving the history of Harry Leary and his equipment. In the note, Dottie apologizes for the delay in sending the items and humorously mentions that perfume may have leaked onto the envelope, potentially affecting the condition of the sticker. This small detail highlights the informal and personal nature of communication within the BMX community.
The message also references a memorial for Harry Leary at Dirtyfest, an event that celebrates BMX culture and the legacy of riders who helped shape the sport. Dirtyfest gatherings have often served as reunions for riders, fans, and friends who shared in BMX’s early development and continue to celebrate its history.
The included DIRTWERX decal relates to the BMX brand created by Harry Leary during the 1990s. Through DIRTWERX, Leary worked to produce BMX equipment informed by decades of racing and industry experience. Decals such as this were commonly used on frames and equipment associated with the brand.
Artifacts like this letter and decal provide valuable insight into the human side of BMX history. Beyond race trophies and equipment, personal correspondence reveals the friendships, collaborations, and shared memories that connect the BMX community across generations.
Within the Lititz BMX Archive, this piece represents both a tangible connection to Harry Leary’s DIRTWERX era and a reminder of the people behind the scenes—friends, promoters, and track operators—whose efforts helped support BMX racing and preserve its culture.
Related Media
Related Artifacts:
Artifact 26.0062 - Harry Leary "Harry" DIRTWERX Helmet
Artifact 26.0106 - "Oly" Decal
Artifact 26.0046 - Harry Leary's Toolbox
Highlighted Campaign Pages:
"Ride and Shine with Lititz BMX" - We Look Forward to Sharing with You
Artifact Sponsor
This Artifact Is Supported By
Green Mountain Cyclery
Ephrata, PA
Proud supporters of grassroots BMX culture.
Supporting the preservation of BMX history through storytelling and artifacts.
Lititz BMX is an independent archive documenting the
history and culture of BMX through artifacts, interviews, and storytelling.
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