Riders ready? Watch the gate! The riders tear down the starting ramp jostling for position as they hit the first jump, the adrenalin flows and you can feel the thrill and excitement of BMX.

For spectators or competitors BMX is arguably one of the most exciting disciplines of cyclings, combining speed, skill and power as riders battle on the track. Boosted by the London 2012 Olympics, the sport is growing in Wales with tracks popping up across the country, and supported by clubs like Dragon Riders in Rhyl, and Llynfi Valley BMX Club in Maesteg.

With the UCI BMX World Championships taking place later this month in Zolder, Belgium we caught up with Llynfi Valley BMX Club in Maesteg.

Llynfi Valley BMX club formed back in 2011 on the site of an old coal mine just outside of Maesteg to offer local young riders the opportunity to try this exciting discipline. The club has continued to grow and a number of riders from the club have started to compete at national level across the UK.

Matthew Rowlands from Llynfi Valley BMX Club said: “Llynfi Valley BMX Club has grown over the last four years, now with over 60 members in the club from the local community here in Maesteg and further afield. BMX is such an exciting sport, the speed some of the younger children race around the track is incredible and mixed in with the jumps and berms,  it is spectacular to watch! We always welcome new members to the club, and are looking forward to hosting Go Ride sessions this summer and to seeing lots of regular riders and new faces enjoying BMX in Wales.”

The club has seen an increase in membership, and has embedded itself in the local community offering a number of regular sessions on the BMX track for local children. Community engagement has helped the club to recruit members and also build a strong volunteer base to sustain the club and the facility, maintaining the track and keeping on top of club management.

Llynfi Valley BMX Club have embraced the Go Ride programme,and will be offering Go Ride BMX sessions over the summer holidays, delivered by Welsh Cycling providing local children a fun and safe environment to enjoy BMX, and race at home with Go Ride Racing at Llynfi Valley BMX track.

If you have been inspired to give BMX a go, book on to our summer coaching sessions taking place across Wales.