| BMX Riding |
|
|
|
You can't get hurt in the air!
Overview
Bicycle Motocross has evolved into a lesser competitive, more artistic application called ‘Freeride’, of which there are a number of definitive categories described hereunder.
The BMX’s origin (How the West was won.) It all seems to have started with the American muscle cars and customized motorbikes of the 60’s. After a hundred years of commuting bicycle design, in 1963 Schwinn unleashed the StingRay on kids of all ages. It turned out to be a massive success, with over 40,000 StingRays being sold in 1963 alone. Within five years more than 60% of all bicycles sold in the U.S.A were StingRays (or copies of the design). On July 10, 1969, a group of kids rode their modified StingRays to Palms Park in Los Angeles, to race ‘dirt trails’ organized by one of the park’s attendants, Ron Mackler. They were motocross fans too young to ride motorcycles, and named their endeavour "pedal cross." The idea spread. By the following year youngsters in Long Beach were also imitating motocross riders. One of them was a 13-year-old entrepreneur, Scott Breithaupt, who set up a dirt track in a lot (for which he charged admission). It is said that he managed 30 entries for his first race, and 150 for the second. Over the next few months the pastime grew – christened ‘bicycle motocross’ – and Breithaupt formed the Bicycle United Motocross Society (BUMS). For kids who had the desire to participate in motocross - but not the means - BMX offered action at little cost. Riders could emulate their motocross heroes dressed in motocross gear, hitting dirt in courses they could build themselves.
Picking up speed
In June of 1974 the first BMX magazine - Bicycle Motocross News - began publication in Orange County, California. The NBA held its first national competition later that year in Los Angeles. Yamaha - introducing the first real BMX bicycle - sponsored the event and bicycle manufacturers started to develop and produce 20’ wheeled bikes specifically for this unconventional bike sport. Sports Illustrated ™ covered the event giving BMX even more marketing momentum, and in the same year the National Bicycle League (NBL) was founded by George Esser in Pompano Beach, Florida. The NBL expanded BMX’s reach as a national organization, - with the NBA remaining focused on California – and began lining up tracks throughout the east coast of America. European motocross riders visiting the United States discovered BMX racing, and took the concept back to Europe and everywhere else. The American Bicycle Association was established in 1977, the same year in which BMX racing also began in Australia. The first Australian national BMX championships were subsequently held in 1980. The sport spread to other countries and in 1981 the NBL met with representatives from Canada, Columbia, Holland, Japan, Panama and Venezuela, establishing the International BMX Federation (IBMXF), endorsing a world BMX championship. BMX culture was catapulted into popularity in 1982 with the release of Steven Spielberg’s “ET - the Extra-Terrestrial”, which centred around children riding their BMX bikes. As the popularity grew BMX riders began to merge skateboard park riding with elaborate tricks - soon freestyle was as popular as racing –and BMX culture continued to grow throughout the 80's. In the 1990's the world went ‘extreme’ and outdoor enthusiasts started testing the limits of adventure. Extreme sports became endorsed as a mainstream pursuit, with ESPN™ having recognized the inherent potential. With interest steadily growing, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)™ - cycling’s international body governing racing and Olympic competition - merged with the IBMXF. Today there are about 50 national bodies affiliated with the UCI that oversee BMX racing in their countries. In 1995 ESPN™ hosted the Extreme Games (it became the X Games in 1996). The X Games provided an Olympic-like forum for a new generation of athletes with substantially greater BMX exposure. It opened up opportunity for riders to establish a career around their BMX-ing, even securing lucrative endorsement and television deals. The NBL became a member association of the American Bicycle Association in 1997. The ABA – with its 60,000 members - continues to conduct BMX races. Most motocross racing is conducted on a dirt track of about 300 to 400 meters, with a series of jumps. Up to eight cyclists compete in qualifying races to determine eight finalists to meet in the championship’s race. Today, BMX racing and freestyle remains a popular pursuit. In addition to the thrill, kids of all ages need to ride a simple bike. It embodies fun, constitutes freedom in 'messing about' and provides escape from the rigours of any surrounding. True bicycle motocross remains racing on a dirt track, it belies the origin of BMX culture, and the basis from which freestyle stems. Over time BMX bikes have taken to technology, but the basic principle of ‘strength over weight’ is still applicable, for these bikes take a thrashing when used properly, and a number of BMX specific designs have come to the fore:
Freestyle Freestyle is a form of BMX riding where the cyclist performs stunts and tricks, rather than speed race on a dirt track. It’s inherently lesser competitive, being a more artistic application of the lil’ bike. The original freestyle bicycle was actually designed for moto-cross racing, but today most freestyle bikes feature a longer frame and rotor, to allow the front wheel and handlebar to spin without the brake cable interfering. The bikes also have foot pegs on the ends of the front and rear wheel axles to allow the rider additional footholds. Freestyle BMX originated during the late 1970s from iconic riders such as Bob Haro, Mike Buff, Pat Romano, Eddie Fiola and Mike Dominguez, and constitutes a creative application of motocross BMX’es, and (currently?) can be categorised into Street, Park, Vert, Trails and Flatland disciplines. Whilst the 80’s saw major growth, the 90s experienced a general decline in BMX interest, which opened the door for a number of "rider-owned" bicycle companies allowing freedom in design and build, by men such as Eddie Fiola, Ron Wilkerson and Hugo Gonzalez. Before "true" freestyle bicycle, riders used BMX racing frames for both dirt jumping and flatland manoeuvres. Bob Haro introduced the 1st true freestyle bikes, and early model Haros remains collectibles. These freestylers were perhaps not as riding style-specific as modern ones, but with the addition of bolt-on components like pegs, frame platforms and front and rear brake cable de-tangler systems (like the ACS Rotor for the rear brake and the Potts modification (a hollow stem-wedge bolt) for the front brake, they were used in developing freestyle. The first BMX freestyle World Championships were held in’86 in Vancouver, Canada, and was won by California's iconic Hugo Gonzalez. Today many freestyle meets - such as the X-Games, the Metro Jams, the Backyard Jams, and BMX Freestyle Worlds - are held all-year-round.
Street Most street riders ride street because of a lack of parks, trails or dirt jumps in their area, and many professional riders are employed as street riders for the exposure they can get through video and magazines, rather than for (big money) competition results. Street riding is committed within cities and towns’ streets and properties, but without purpose-made ramps, riders improvise with banks, walls, rails etc. Almost anything can be used as an obstacle. It is precisely this that belies street riding’s lure, as where one will see a barrier, another will see a challenge! Riders enjoy street riding because of the unconstrained ride, anywhere, anyplace, allowing creativity. Street riding progresses relentlessly with the bar being raised as obstacles and tricks previously considered ‘too big’ (or ‘technical’) become conquered, and commonplace. Street bikes are different from those used on park or dirt. Typically they will have two or four stunt (axle) pegs for grinding. They are the sturdiest type of BMX, but a considerable number of riders set up their bikes without brakes. (This is quite strange, and rather daft.)
Park Rather confusingly, in competitions, park riding is often referred to as 'Street'. Skateparks are used by BMX riders as well as skateboarders, drawing reciprocal inspiration from one another. Skateparks themselves can be built with wood, concrete, or even metal sheeting. (Riding styles will differ between wood and concrete parks - wood lends itself more to explosive technical tricks, while concrete being more suited to a fast, flowing style with riders searching for gaps aiming to air higher. Concrete parks usually tend to contain bowls and pools, but it is not unusual for riders to merge the two styles in either type of park.) Concrete parks are often publicly funded due to their permanent Bike park obstacles may include:
Vert Perhaps the most extreme of the BMX disciplines, it requires a ramp consisting of two quarter pipes set facing each other (forming a ‘halfpipe’), around 2 to 3.5 metres high. The biggest ramp ever used in competition is the X-Games’ ‘Big Air’ ramp at 27 feet, culminating in vertical sides (and accordingly “Vert[ical] ramp riding”). Riders ride up the face performing tricks in the air before penduluming back. A typical run involves going from one side to the other, airing above the coping / edge on each side. The idea is to perform 'lip tricks' - tricks on the platform at the top of the ramps - before dropping back into the pipe. Mat Hoffman popularised the sport in the early 90s, and holds the record for the highest jump of 27 feet out of a 25 feet ramp (a total of over 15.5 metres from the ground). He achieved this by being slingshotted by a motorbike up the ramp. On an attempt he lost control and the resulting crash caused the loss of his spleen. He’s still riding though! The danger of the discipline (and scarcity of full-size vert ramps) makes this a niche sport and as such, there are a relatively small number of pro’s that remain within the sport. Notables are Dave Mirra (US) and Jamie Bestwick (UK) who have won most of the major competitions.
Trails / Dirt Jumping
Trails riding is often referred to as Dirt Jumping, but many riders maintain that there exists subtle difference in the style and flow of "dirt jumps" versus "trails"; trails riders focus more on a flowing, smooth & stylish trick run, while dirt jumpers try to perform the craziest tricks they can without much thought to their style or smoothness. Dirt jumping bikes are heavier than racing bikes, yet lighter than freestyle bikes. Often a jump bike will have only a ‘gyroed’ rear brake that will allow airborne tricks such as barspins, whereas Trails riders don't ride gyros, but rather the conventional cable-from-lever-to-brake.
Flatland Flatland BMX occupies a position somewhat removed from the rest of freestyle BMX. People who ride in the above disciplines will generally take part in at least one of the others, but flatlanders tend to only ride flatland. Flatland differs from the others in that the terrain used has to be a smooth, flat surface (e.g. a parking lot, sports court, etc.). Tricks are performed by spinning and balancing in a variety of body- and bicycle positions. Riders almost always use pegs to manipulate the bike into strange / daring positions. A variety of options are commonly found on flatland bikes. The most unifying feature of flatland bikes is the use of four pegs - one on the end of each wheel axle - and smooth tyres.
Basic BMX terms
Rotating / spinning the bike the number of degrees indicated, either left or right. Air The essence of BMX, it refers to the space between the tyres and the ground. (Both tyres must be off the ground or it isn't "air".) Air sis said to be "caught" or "gotten". It requires getting both wheels off a ramp, and landing! Backflip Rotating the bike 360 degrees on the vertical axis, backwards. Barspin Spinning the bars 360 degrees while letting go of them. Bunny hop To lift both wheels off the ground by crouching down and then exploding upward, pulling the bike with you ‘Jumping the bike’ is performed by 1) pulling back on the handlebars, 2) levelling the bike by kicking back on the pedals whilst 3) pushing forward on the handlebars.. A useful skill in MTB for clearing obstructions, such as curbs, potholes, logs. Busdriver Rotating the handlebars 360 degrees while still holding on to one end of the handlebars through their rotation - like a bus driver turning a corner – but this is often referred to as barspins. Can-Can Lifting one foot off the pedal and thrusting it to the opposite side of the bike. Candybar Lifting one foot off the pedal and thrusting it over the handlebars. Crooked Grind Grinding along a rail with the front peg on one side, the bike crossing over the rail, and the opposite rear peg on the other side. For example, the front right peg on the rail, and the rear left peg on the rail. Derek Duster A grind along the bottom bracket of the frame and the rear peg. Disaster Leaving the ramp, spinning 180 degrees, and landing with one wheel in and one wheel out of the ramp. Double Donkey Kong A move, usually performed by accident, where the rider hits his/her front wheel on the lip of an obstacle, such as a rail, followed by the striking of his/her rear wheel on the obstacle. Double Peg Grind Grinding along with both pegs on the ledge or rail. Also a "50/50". Endo Stopping the bike with the front wheel, and raising the rear wheel into the air. Fakie Riding backwards, made more difficult due to the fact that most rear bicycle hubs will force the cranks to rotate backwards while the back wheel is rolling backwards. Feeble Grind A grind when the rear peg is grinding and the front wheel is rolling along the top of the ledge or rail. Footjam Jumping onto the deck of a quarterpipe and jamming your foot into the front tyre, causing your rear to raise. Many variations can be performed. Frontflip Rotating the bike 360 degrees on the vertical axis, forwards. Grind Sliding the bike along an object, usually coping (the metal edge of a ramp), a handrail or ledge, using anything other than both wheels. Icepick Stalling at the top of the ramp with only the rear peg, while holding the nose in the air. Icepick Grind Grinding balanced only on the rear peg, with the front of the bike held in the air. Levitator Grinding on just the pedal, with the crank vertical, thus making the bike appear to levitate a few inches above the ledge. Lookback Similar to the turndown, except the bike is horizontal and the rider is facing backwards. Luc-E Grind Grinding with the forward pedal and rear peg, with the front peg hanging below the grind obstacle. Magic Carpet Slide Front peg and pedal slide, whilst the rear wheel is 'suspended'. Manual Riding with the front wheel held in the air, without pedalling. A coasting wheelie. Nac-Nac Removing one foot off either pedal, or thrusting it behind the seat and above the rear wheel. No-Hander Letting go of the handlebars with both hands. No-Footed Can-Can Lifting both feet off the pedals and thrusting them to one side of the bike. Nose Manual Basically the same as a manual, except you balance on your front wheel instead of your back wheel, substantially harder to manage! Without (front) brakes this trick is usually very difficult. Nosepick Stalling at the top of the ramp with only the front tyre on the coping, while holding the rear of the bike in the air. One Hander Letting go of the handlebars with one hand. Pedal Grind Grinding on the pedal with the front tyre on the rail or ledge, much like a feeble grind. Generally done by pegless riders. Rollback Whilst riding fakie, spin the bike 180degrees on the backwheel to ride 'normally'. Seatgrab Grabbing the seat with one (or both) hand/s. Smith Grind The opposite of the feeble grind. The front peg is grinding along the edge while the back wheel is rolling on the top of the ledge or rail. Snaggle Tooth Grind A rare grind accomplished by grinding on the front peg and the opposite-side forward pedal. This trick usually looks similar to a Hang Over Toothpick Grind. Sprocket Grind Grinding along using the chainwheel. Sprocket Stall Stalling straight out of the ramp, sprocket on the coping, front tyre on the deck and back tyre below the coping. Stall Stalling at the top of the ramp. Common variations include double peg stall, smith/feeble stall. Superman Lifting both feet off the pedals and thrusting them backwards. Tabletop Tilting the bike flat on its side while 'in the air'. Variations: 'old school tabletop' with bars facing up, 'downtable' or 'pancake' with bars facing down. Tailtap Stalling up on the deck of the ramp with the rear tyre and hopping back in. Tailwhip Spinning the bike frame 360 degrees underneath you whilst holding the handlebars. Toboggan Turning the handlebars 90 degrees while letting go of the furthest grip to grab the seat instead. Toothpick Stalling at the top of the ramp with only the front peg, while holding the rear of the bike in the air. Toothpick Grind Grinding along only on the front peg, with the rear of the bike in the air. Regular Toothpick Grinds are most commonly performed on quarterpipes. Truckdriver A 360 with barspin done at the same time. Turndown Pulling the bike up vertically whilst turning the bars down until they are rotated 180° from the frame. Tyregrab Grabbing the front tyre with one (or both) hand/s. Wallride Riding with both tyres on a vertical or near vertical wall. X-Up Turning the bars past 180° (or beyond) while holding onto them.
Shopping for the right BMX A BMX is not suited for long distance travel, it’s for messing about around the neighbourhood and in the dirt, and is probably the first taste of real freedom a young rider will experience. The only real consideration in shopping around for a BMX is to decide what needs and interests are to be catered for, as while BMX has become a universally accepted term, there are small differences in its different application. A BMX is perhaps not the best starter bike for a small child, but once they’ve managed to be able to ride a bike, it is a sensible, durable and an iconic upgrade for years to come. Because of a BMX’s simplicity and durability, it is an excellent purchase to make second-hand, and can easily be overhauled and reconditioned. It's the perfect garage project. True bicycle motocross bikes are dirt-ready racing bikes with lightweight frames and components, knobbly tyres and (at the very least) a rear brake. They are about 1/2 the weight of freestyle and jump bikes and are made of lightweight aluminium (which is rust-proof). Having a lightweight bike is important, but the lighter the bike, the greater the cost. The wheels are lighter than those for freestyle and jump as the 32-spoke aluminium BMX wheels won't stand up to the demands of Freestyle and Jump. The knobbly tread on motocross tyres is best for speed (offering traction). Freestyle, Flatland and Jumping bikes are heavier and sturdier (to meet the additional demands placed on the bike) featuring smooth tyres, pegs and a gyro. Flatlanders – in addition - often sport 4 pegs (2 fore & 2 aft). All in all, the BMX remains a sturdy, strong and simple design, tailor-made for abuse, freedom and fun. BMX riding is both a sport and pastime that will teach a young rider skills within their own ability and individual pace, at the same time introducing them to the need for preparation, winning, losing, falling, and that achievement lies in getting back up, in trying again!
|
Bicycle Motocross is a type of dirt track racing for children, teenagers & the young at heart. Competitors usually ride 20" wheeled, single speed bicycles with a rear (hand) brake. Races, called "motos" usually last two/three frenzied minutes and feature an array of obstacles that can include triples, doubles, table tops, step ups, drop offs, bermed or off-camber corners and gap jumps of all shapes and sizes. High-level BMX races mostly hinge on getting a good start off the line - called a "hole shot" - and BMX tracks use mechanical starting gates similar to motorcycle motocross (that fall forward under the riders' wheels when released), as well as similar protective gear. 
Mountain Supercross (also known as "4X") is an adult version of BMX, using mountain bikes on a downhill course similar to a BMX track. Mountain bikers compete on a specially designed (challenging) course that last about one minute, sporting a mix of natural and man-made obstacles covering a steep descent. The difficulty of getting over these obstacles at high-speed whilst being jostled by three other competitors means there are plenty of spectator-friendly crashes. The 4X competition starts with a limited number of riders competing in knockout rounds. The knockout rounds can be decided by a series of heats (called 'motos') with riders competing three times before moving on to quarters, semis and final. The final consists of the last four riders left in the competition.
The new discipline got a major marketing boost from a 1971 documentary film (by Bruce Brown) on motocross racing (starring Steve McQueen) titled "On Any Sunday", and within two years the National Bicycle Association (NBA) (in the USA) was founded by Ernie Alexander, an organisation aligned to work towards the organization of BMX races. 
(and costly!) nature. Parks made from wood are popular due to ease of construction, availability of materials, relative cost and safety benefits associated with falling on wood rather than concrete. (Concrete parks will typically have steel coping / edging being less prone to damage than concrete.)
Trails are tracks of jumps built from dirt / compacted mud. The jumps consist of a steep take off, called ‘the lip’, with an inverted (slightly less steep) landing. The lip and landing are usually built as separate mounds, divided by ‘the gap’. The gap is measured from the topmost part of the lip, horizontally to the topmost part of the landing. Gaps typically range from to over twenty feet, with a moderate gap being considered around twelve feet. 
180/360/540/720/900/1080
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
“Wind is just a hill in gaseous form. ”