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BMX Beginner's Guide

BMX racing is exciting and fun, yet to the beginning rider it can seem a bit confusing at first. Don't expect to start winning right away, because you are up against riders with a lot more experience than you. The key idea is to not give up, eventually you will get used to the track, and then you will be able to start winning races. This will help you get started, and tell you all that you need to race.

First of all, obviously, you will need a bike. Any bike with a wheel diameter of no larger than 20" is perfect for competing in the novice class. Before going to the track, make sure that you take off your kick stand, brackets, chain guard, fenders, and reflector as a safety precaution. Also make sure you tune up your bike, by adjusting and tightening bike parts, for better performance. Don't forget to put on the crossbar, frame, and gooseneck pads. Now your bike is ready to race.

Sorry, but you can't zoom down to the track just yet. We're forgetting the most important part, body protection! Now the first thing you need is a helmet. The best helmets are racing helmets, which come in various designs, to protect your head. Now your thinking "Why am I going to pay $100 for a helmet that looks like it was a Star Wars reject!, when I have a perfectly good normal helmet which cost a lot less." But these things could save you from some serious injury! Because these helmets are the only helmets that have protection for the back of the head, the side of the head and the face. If you are still thinking so what, I saw a crash where this kid fell and had his head run over by the kid behind him, if he didn't have that extra protection then, "Ouch! Anyone know the number for 9-1-1!"

Long pants are a must when racing. Without them if you crash, you will suffer from not only bruises and scrapes but your chain, pedals or sprocket could cut you! A long sleeved shirt is also a must because we don't want you scraped up if you crash. You wouldn't use sandpaper and you knees and elbows, would you? The track surface will act just like sandpaper if you slide across it. Enclosed shoes are the last mandatory safety precaution. I hope I don't have to explain why you need these! Although these are not mandatory, bike gloves and mouth guards are a good idea. For Langley BMX, I would really recommend bike gloves, because we are under power lines and there is a lot of electrical charge so you might find that your handlebars will give you a little shock! Rider safety is an important aspect of ABA racing so you must uphold all safety rules and regulations. Now since you are all ready to race lets burn it all the way to the track!

So you're at the track, here's what to do. First of all you need money, to buy memberships etc. Then you need to go over to the sign-up place, which is a trailer until we get a building. You tell the sign-up person that you want:

a) A temporary license, this costs $25 and gives you a 30 day membership at Langley BMX. I would suggest that you get this first so you can decide whether you like it or not. P.S. this license can be upgraded to a full year license for $30 more

b) A full year license, this license costs $55 and gives you tons of benefits! Immediately after buying it you will be able to earn race points! You will be able to race at any ABA track in North America! You will get the ABA's official monthly magazine
which is crammed full of race coverage, interviews with top pros and hot amateurs, race schedules, and a current listing of district and national points for all to see where you stand against your competition. You will also receive a membership card and your official ABA number plate. At the end of season, you'll be able to replace it with an earned number from your district. On your membership card will be a serial number. This is your BMX identification number and it will never change. You need to memorize it, as you will have to use it every time you register to race. Don't loose your membership card and remember to bring it with you when you sign up. The nice people who look after getting everyone signed up need to see it each time you sign up for a race.

OK! You've got your membership, now all you need to do is to sign-up to race. Now go get a sign-up form and print your name, age, class (novice), bike # (the # on your plate), and serial # on it. Try to print neatly. The guy who runs the computer needs to be able to read it. Don't panic because you won't know your serial # until you receive your membership card. In the meantime just write "New" in that space if you are a full member or "Temp" if you are have a temporary 30 day license. Take the sign-up form, your receipt of membership, and your entry fee to the person at sign-up and they'll get you registered for the day's events.

After registration closes, you'll hear an announcement "Motos are posted." A "moto" is the BMX word for race. Go to the place where the motos are posted and look for the sheet with your name on it. Make sure that the info is correct and that you are in the right class, and age. This is kind of what a moto sheet looks like:

If you have any questions see the sign-up person. Also, don't forget to remember your moto #, they will announce your moto to tell you to go to staging. We usually race total points, this is where you get points for the place you are in (first 1 point, second 2 points...) the one with the lowest points at the end of the three rounds of motos wins. Now go to staging. Staging is located behind the starting hill. The stager will tell you when to race, call your name, and tell you what lane you are in, so listen carefully. The lane is a gridded part of the starting hill with #'s behind them to tell you where to go. Now get your bike straightened up and put your tire to the gate. If you are having problems put your tire over the top of the gate, that will tell the starter to wait until everyone is ready. Now, get ready and good luck. If all goes well the gate will fall and you will be released to the track. From here on out, it's all up to you!