BMX

BMX (an abbreviation for bicycle motocross) is a form of cycling on specially designed bicycles which generally have 20-inch wheels (less than the 26-inch wheels found on mountain bikes and the 700C or 27-inch wheels found on more conventional road racing bicycles).

Styles

Racing

BMX racing is where BMX started and continues to this day on specially constructed courses emulating motocross tracks, but generally smoother, of roughly 900 to 1,100 feet in length. Riders are grouped with others of the same relative age and experience level and in a typical day will race several times with their group to determine the day's finishing order and awards.

Related Topics:
BMX racing - Motocross

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

BMX racing will be part of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.

Related Topics:
2008 Summer Olympics - Beijing - China

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the United States, BMX racing is organised by the National Bicycle League (NBL) and the American Bicycle Association (ABA). Notable American BMX racers include Stu Thomsen and Greg Hill. Newer racers include Bubba Harris, Robbie Miranda, Kevin Tomko and Brandon Meadows.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A growing number of older racers and collectors, active participants in their youth, are returning to the sport.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Freestyle

Early practitioners of freestyle BMX include Bob Haro (who started riding skateparks in 1978), OG Dogtown skaters and BMXers John Palfreyman and Thom Lund (riding pools on BMX bikes in 1975) http://www.fatbmx.com/profiler.php?page=http://www.fatbmx.com/profiler/200302/thom_lund.html, and Eddie Fiola (today one of most talented bike stunt coordinators in the film industry). Freestylin' was big in the mid-80's. Bikers like Ron Wilkerson, Craig Campbell, Dino DeLuca, Brian Blyther and Dennis McCoy were on all the BMX magazines at the time. Top magazines included Freestylin', BMX Plus and BMX Action.

Related Topics:
Bob Haro - Skatepark - 1978 - John Palfreyman - Thom Lund - 1975 - Eddie Fiola

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Freestyle BMX has been growing in popularity since it became part of the ESPN X-Games in 1998.

Related Topics:
ESPN - X-Games - 1998

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There are several different styles of Freestyle BMX:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Street Riding is performed on unimproved obstacles found on typical streets. Handrails, ledges, slanted walls, and other common features are used to perform tricks.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dirt Jumping is similar to BMX racing in that the rider jumps mounds of dirt. It differs in that the jumps are usually much larger and designed to lift the rider high into the air. Additionally, the goal is not to complete the course with the fastest time, but rather to perform tricks with style.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Flatland BMX is performed on smooth, flat pavement and riders test their hand-eye and foot coordination. The riders travel at low speed and stand on various parts of the bike, while spinning it around in various ways beneath them. Many BMX bicycles have handlebar configurations which allow them to spin completely around, allowing either the bars to spin independently of the tail (a barspin), or the tail to spin around independently of the bars (a tailwhip).

Related Topics:
Flatland BMX - Handlebar

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Vert riding is done on a halfpipe and allows riders to go higher than any other obstacles. Consequently this is the most dangerous form of BMX and is considered somewhat elite. Mat Hoffman, also known as the godfather of BMX, has taken vert to the next level with "airs" (vertical jumps) as high as 26 feet above the top of a vert ramp.

Related Topics:
Vert - Halfpipe - Mat Hoffman

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Park Riding is performed in a skate park, and BMX bikes are increasingly being allowed to ride terrain that used to be exclusive to skateboarders. This is the most versatile type of riding and the types of ramps available are unlimited, incorporating elements of all of the various types of riding.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Notable freestylists include Dave Mirra, Ryan Nyquist, Mat Hoffman, Chase Gouin, Kevin Jones, Eddie Fiola, Chris Doyle, Troy McMurray, Mike "Rooftop" Escamilla, Colin McKay, Ronnie Chalk, Edwin De La Rosa, Van Homan, Ruben Alcantara, Taj Mihelich, Jay Miron, Gary Young, Corey Martinez, Matt Beringer, Mike Aitken, Morgan Wade, Corey Bohan, Cory Nastazio, Mike Saavedra, Jim Cielencki,Tony Naked Campos, Joe Tiseo and Colin Winkelmann (R.I.P).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~