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New School BMX 2004 - Now => New School Racing => Topic started by: EDBANGER on April 22, 2014, 10:40 PM
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Since deciding to build a Decade a few months ago my BMX obsession that I had in my early teens has returned with a vengence. Back when I was a kid though there were no facilities and none of this internet business to provide me with how to's and guidance so aside from some bunny hoping about I never really did anything great. I'm now at the ripe old age of 33 (but in pretty good shape even if I do say so myself) and I want to realise the dream I had of being able to ride trails. I figure a good place to start would be Perry Barr BMX track but I'm not entirely sure what to expect so i'm looking for some guidance/encouragment. So just a few questions......
Has anybody rode there?
Am I just going to get laughed at?
Will I be able to turn up and get some instruction?
Will starting on a BMX track be a good way to get into some trail riding?
Is the "pump track" just for kids or would I be ok starting out there?
Am I going to kill myself in this pursuit?
Anything anyone can tell me or help me with would be gratefully recieved. Even better....does anybody rides there regular and fancies taking on an apprentice?
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:) http://birminghambmxclub.com/
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Great track, give it a go. :daumenhoch:
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I've been in touch with them and I'm going to book an induction some time next week if the weather improves. Has anyone on here tried this for the first time at my age? Just wondered how you got on? Has anyone got any words of wisdom at all for me?
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:) Ridden there many times and it is a great track.My only advice would be to make sure you`ve got a fullface lid and gloves and pad up well:)
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:) Ridden there many times and it is a great track.My only advice would be to make sure you`ve got a fullface lid and gloves and pad up well:)
:daumenhoch:
also, don't try n run before you can walk. Build up to stuff slowly and enjoy it :daumenhoch: perry park has a great 1st straight to practice getting speed up over those bumpy things
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great advice from three top sages there :daumenhoch: general theory is " more pads than bones and you're ok " :daumenhoch: :LolLolLolLol: above all ignore the odd looks from folks cos you'll have a grinn on your face like mad man :daumenhoch: :LolLolLolLol:
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I've got to admit I'm pretty nervous about it but I'm just gonna go and get the induction and put myself in the hands of the guys that know what they're doing. I've been trying to find someone to come down with me but all my mates think I'm mental so I'm going alone. I'm intending to just hire all the gear from them so hopefully they've got plenty of pads on hand :LolLolLolLol: I'll keep you updated on my progress. Hopefully not from the hospital bed.
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Great thread Ed :daumenhoch:
Please keep us posted on how you get on!
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raced there today, fooking superb track :daumenhoch:
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raced there today, fooking superb track :daumenhoch:
Have you got sun stroke?
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raced there today, fooking superb track :daumenhoch:
There was a fella looked just like you leaping into the triple/quad thing at the end of the first straight on a shiny bike at Blackpool..???
...and yes, I raced Perry park last year and got it quite smooth by the end of the weekend. Shame the British Champs won't be there this year.
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raced there today, fooking superb track :daumenhoch:
There was a fella looked just like you leaping into the triple/quad thing at the end of the first straight on a shiny bike at Blackpool..???
...and yes, I raced Perry park last year and got it quite smooth by the end of the weekend. Shame the British Champs won't be there this year.
:LolLolLolLol:
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raced there today, fooking superb track :daumenhoch:
Have you got sun stroke?
it is a great track :daumenhoch:
not quite as good as b/pools tho :daumenhoch:
when you lot were waiting for me to cross the line at blackpool where the fook do you think I'd been? :LolLolLolLol:
note to self - stop skimming threads :LolLolLolLol:
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I still haven't gotten down to actually give it a go yet due to other commitments and now a back injury but I did go down there today to watch some of the regional qualifiers. Really awesome stuff. I was amazed at how many riders were there giving it some in all age groups from 6 - old enough to know better, male and female. It's just inspired me more. I got some footage of the final race which I'll stick up if anyone is interested.
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In fact here it is..................not sure how to embed it though.
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Nice one, great racing footage, thanks for posting :daumenhoch:
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Ed, age is no barrier ! Just get out and ride... I do and I'm 43. :daumenhoch:
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/20/2ere3ege.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/20/ene9aze4.jpg)
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Ed, age is no barrier ! Just get out and ride... I do and I'm 43. :daumenhoch:
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/20/2ere3ege.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/20/ene9aze4.jpg)
43? Still?
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Looking good Nick :daumenhoch:
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I've been trying to find someone to come down with me but all my mates think I'm mental so I'm going alone.
;) their loss!!
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Ed, age is no barrier ! Just get out and ride... I do and I'm 43. :daumenhoch:
43? Still?
Yep still James.... 43 going on 14. :LolLolLolLol:
Looking good Nick :daumenhoch:
Cheers Mark. ;)
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Great photos Nick. I'm looking forward to having a blast round the MK track next week
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Well it's been an extremely long time since this first post and I still haven't managed to get down to Perry Barr track. It's been a mixture of not having the time, being injured through Powerlifting and not having anyone to go with. I shall say that only one excuse from that lot is acceptable and that was the injury. The rest are kind of lame and really just excuses for me being scared.
Today though I decided that I need to give up on finding someone to ride with. I genuinely have tried all my friends and all the various facebook groups I belong to and there aren't many people my age that want to come and play. I threw my bike in the car and got myself down to Bishop Tachbrook pump track and I absolutely loved it.
I was the only person there which was both a good thing and a bad thing. Good because I didn't feel self concious. Bad because I want someone to ride with that knows what they're doing so I can learn faster. The plan was fairly straight forward.....get used to being able to pump through the track and pick one section to try and jump. The first part of the plan went fairly well and by the end of the session I felt like I was getting better and getting some decent momentum going (this was particulary necessary on the straight back in as I was far too knackered to actually pedal or get off and push).
The jump part of the plan didn't wasn't quite as successful. I don't know whether it was a lack of speed or just a lack of technique at the actual jump (I suspect the latter or a little of both). I came close to clearing it a few times but every single one the back wheel landed short and heavy on the top of the jump. This is where it would have been useful to have someone looking and telling me where I was going wrong.
It certainly highlighted the need to work on my fitness levels. After a few runs around I was totally blowing out of my arse and was having to sit down after every other run whilst gasping for air. Quite surprising considering I did very little pedalling!
So this has now spurred me on and I intend to get myself down to Perry Barr next week at either a "book and ride session" or a "rock up and ride" session. I think the "rock up and ride" would mean I meet a few more people that may be able to help but they are late evenings and mid day is actually better for me.
Anyway, inbetween runs whilst gasping for breathe and just to prove I was actually there. I took a few photos......
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m607/smncttr/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140903_155109_zpsnrcrydhb.jpg) (http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/smncttr/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140903_155109_zpsnrcrydhb.jpg.html)
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m607/smncttr/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140903_161737_zpseq3vpb8z.jpg) (http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/smncttr/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140903_161737_zpseq3vpb8z.jpg.html)
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m607/smncttr/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140903_155717_zps5mrwe6lb.jpg) (http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/smncttr/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140903_155717_zps5mrwe6lb.jpg.html)
Gasping for air selfie......
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m607/smncttr/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140903_160111_zpskz8qlx4r.jpg) (http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/smncttr/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140903_160111_zpskz8qlx4r.jpg.html)
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Finally made it to my Perry Barr track induction. I got to the say guys down there are superb and really helpful. The guy I mainly dealt with (Jason) was a top bloke and had only been tack riding for 7 months himself so it was good to hear about his experience in learning. He was also 4 years older than me ;D
I think I did pretty well. The two sessions at the Tachbrook Pump track definitely helped and my induction only lasted 10 minutes as he said there's not much to tell you so go for it. My first run around was interesting. Coming down that start hill you get a lot of bloody speed. I took off uexpectedly off the first step up but survived. He soon had me trying to manual over the top of the flatter jumps (I can't remember the technical term for them). I pulled off a few flukey ones but it killed my speed for the rest of the section so I just concentrated on the pumping and generating speed at the end.
What was interesting was that by far my best run was done on Jasons bike which was a 2010 Haro Race. It's much lighter than mine and I just managed to stay more conected with the track especially through the second and third straights as I got some great speed. Jason then had a run on my bike and loved it. He couldn't believe how well it rode considering it was a 97 jump bike. He seemed genuinely impressed.
I'm gonna stick with what I've got for now whilst keeping an eye out for something newer I think. Maybe the run on his bike was just a bit of luck but it just felt so much easier. I need to go out and practice manuals now.
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Ha theres even a video of my second ever run. It got a little bit better than this honestly!!!
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Back down Perry Barr again today with my new track bike. Picked up a spanky new GT Power series Pro for £230. I was quite pleased with that. I was told I couldn't ride the track with the axles I had and an appropriate set of wheels and tyres used was gonna cost me £90 so I thought feck it......I'll buy a whole bike.
Anyway. Today I decided I wanted to try and tackle a jump so set my sites on the second straight. Just after the first roller the plan was to lauch onto the table top. Despite numerous efforts I didn't make it. I got close with the front wheel making it there once but that was about it. I have been literally the only guy on the track the two times I've been so far so it's not like I can turn to anyone for advice. I spoke to the guy in charge of the park, who was doing maintainance elsewhere at the end and told him what I'd been up to. He suggested I pump the roller, pump the bit I was trying to launch from and then jump over the table top. Sounds reasonable and is my plan for next time. Anyone got any good tips for jumping??
I'd like to think my pumping was getting better this time around.
Two sessions - no injuries - I came close a few times today though.
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Impressed you've got the nuts to have a go mate :daumenhoch:
Good for you.
I pass that track quite regularly as our Mini specialist is only down the road from there - always fancied nipping in and having a nose around.
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Cheers bud. I spent a good while trying to find someone my own age or closer to join me. It didn't happen so I've gone out on my own. I started at Bishop Tachbrook Pump track for a couple of sessions and then onto the big one at Perry Barr. You should definitely check it out. I've never ridden a track or dirt jump or anything bigger than a curb in my life but I'm giving it a go. Hoping to meet some people on the way that can help me improve. I did the same with Powerlifting. I trained on my own for a year and then turned up at a competition. I met a load of people and i've taken part in few more competitions since. Got better every time so I'm hoping I can tackle BMX in the same way. I love hobbies :LolLolLolLol: Now where's my golf clubs????
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Yer just get out n do it dude. If you're landing hard expect your joints to ache a bit, wrists n knees can take a beating. But you won't notice till the adrenalin wears off.
Sent from my iThingy using Tapatalk
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The roller just before the table doesn't really have a lip on it so you'd have to be going pretty quick to get nicely on to the table from there. Pump the roller nicely, then compress and spring up as you let the bike follow the line of the front face of the table, should get you some airtime :)
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Nice one John. That is exactly my plan. We'll see what happens next time I get down there. Maybe even tomorrow?? I've decided that I might just look at doing an hour on one straight trying to get it better rather than ripping round the whole track.
I know what you mean about aching joints. My right wrist was upset with me the other day after I bunny hopped up a curb. It's been giving me jip since but not enough to put me off :slayer:
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Yer bunny hops can be harsh cos were bigger n heavier set.
I seem to remember lighter and springer landings helped. It all comes with practice and we all have the basics it's just getting our bodies to 'be at one with the machine' again.
When I also had a go at scootering with my kids, my bones ached like mad from the heavy landings, after a few weeks of breaking in and more experience it soon passed. Misjudge a tail whip tho and you're into a whole new world of pain!!!!
Honestly I don't ride mine enough but hope that'll change after Breaking Brum return to wheels.
Keep it up bro but be careful. We don't bounce too well these days do we... ;-)
Sent from my iThingy using Tapatalk
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I'm going with that bit of advice "you'll get used to it" and cracking on.
Epic day today. Went to the pump track at Bishop Tachbrook and met two other lads there that were close to my age. Just di an hour riding with them and cleared my first jump!! Totally buzzing still. Obviously it's nowhere near the size of the jumps at Perry Barr but it's definitely a start. Will be riding with those lads again which is good as it was much better riding with someone else.
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How's it going? NOT landed yerself in hospital I hope?
Riding UK weather out is hard when winter hits eh? Love to be in Cali with the sun and the beach babes 😃
From iThing Apple Alien Tech on Tapatalk
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No injuries yet other than a little pedal rash on the shins :D I've not been riding as much as I'd like but it's tough trying to find time amongst the million other things I do. I was supposed to ride Redditch tonight but I also compete in Powerlifting. My squat training today has totally destroyed me and I can't face getting on a bike. I also don't do rain!!
I managed my first manual over a small double yesterday after an hour of trying. I was chuffed beyond belief!! Jumping is still a mystery to me. I can manage the small jump at the pump track with not a lot of height but I watch the guys at Birmingham and they fly without even trying. I just don't get it.
Thinking of having a one to one lesson down there soon to just put me right on pretty much everything.
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Cool. Good on ya keeping going.
From iThing Apple Alien Tech on Tapatalk
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Still at it.....
I went and had some tuition from Mark Sleigh today. Top bloke and well worth the money.
Just tweaked a few things with body position and timing and really improved my speed. I'd been trying to get a full lap of the track done without pedalling and previously only made it to the end of the second straight. This time I made it through to the fourth straight all be it only once. H also had me keeping the inside foot down round the corners. This felt a little odd and did take some concentration if I'm honest. Something I'll need to keep working at to make it feel natural. Also did a brief introduction to jumping the first step up and my very first gate start.
I feel like I've got some direction to go with my practicing now so hopefully I'll be seeing some improvement. I've put a bottle of Duvel Triple Hop in the fridge and I'll be celebrating when I manage the first full pump lap. I hope that's soon.
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Respek due. 😉
Jonboy
Stay RAD Forever
BMX Pimpin' since '81
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Just been reading this thread and it was a good read. One thing I regret a little was not racing when I was younger. I took up bodybuilding and became successful in that but I've always had this itch to race and at 42 I still want to do it! Fingers crossed I'll be brave enough to work towards getting started as I need something competitive!
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That was a good read! Any updates??
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Love this thread ... we say it every year but I definitely want to meet up you guys and have a whizz round the local tracks in the new year :daumenhoch:
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Tell me about it! I've recently discovered that there's a track not too far from me, so am going to go for a butcher's and see what's what!! :daumenhoch: