How to get into BMX

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Introduction to BMX

BMX cycling offers a wide range of challenges across the sport but, from supercross racing to freestyle tricks, the skills required are developed from a passion for cycling creativity and adrenaline.

With its origins in southern Californian dirt track racing, BMX exploded in popularity in the early 1980s. The first BMX world championships were held in 1982 but it wasn’t until 1993 that the UCI integrated the discipline.

BMX became a staple of the X-Games but in 2008 the sport made its debut at the Beijing Olympic Games, which catapulted it onto a global stage.

London 2012 promised a lasting legacy for the sport of BMX and it has not disappointed. New clubs, tracks and competitions have sprung up over the country, as children and adults alike have been inspired to take to the dirt tracks.

Not necessarily a cycle sport that requires membership of a club, BMX is often learnt in gardens, local parks and pavements before the riders feel confident to start competing.

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The venue

BMX racing take place on a growing number of purpose-built outdoor and indoor tracks throughout the country. Made from compacted dirt and tarmac, tracks are around 400-metres long and feature a large starting ramp, banked (bermed) corners and a variety of jumps including tabletops, gap jumps and rhythm sections.

The Olympic standard track at Manchester’s National BMX Centre is unique in the UK, an indoor track with an eight-metre high start ramp.

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