Freestyle BMX

http://www.gtbicycles.com/usa/eng/About-GT

http://www.bikesbmx.co.uk
Freestyle BMX is the name given to people who perform tricks and stunts on a
BMX. It consists of five disciplines: "street," "park," "vert," "trails" or "dirt jumping,"
and "flatland."

Freestyling can be traced back to the late 1970s, where riders spent a lot of time on their BMX
bikes at a concrete skatepark in San Diego, California.

Towards the end of 1979, the BMX Action Trick Team, the first organized freestyle team was
created. After the BMXA Trick Team became known, other organized trick teams were founded
and quickly gained prominence.

The freestyling movement at this point was very much underground. Although several BMX
manufacture-sponsored freestyle teams were touring the US, they were promoting the sport of
BMX in general, not specifically freestyle.

The American Freestyle Association(AFA) was the first governing body for BMX freestyle,
founded by Bob Morales in 1982.

Bob Osborn founded a slick quarterly magazine devoted solely to freestyle. In the summer of
1984, Freestylin' Magazine made its debut. The BMX world suddenly noticed the sport's massive
potential. Manufacturers hurried to the drawing boards to develop new freestyle bikes,
components, and accessories, and began searching for talented riders to sponsor. Bike shops
began stocking freestyle products. The AFA began to put on organized flatland and quarter-pipe
competitions.

During the years from 1981 until 1988, the sport of freestyling was at its peak. During this time
period, the sport progressed with new bike models being released all the time, as well as new
components and accessories designed strictly for freestyle

http://www.gtbicycles.com/usa/eng/About-GT

http://www.bikesbmx.co.uk

BMX Dirt
Dirt jumping is one of the names given to the practice of riding bikes over cement
type jumps of dirt or soil and becoming airborne. The idea is that after riding over
the 'take off' the rider will become momentarily airborne, and aim to land on the
'landing'.

Dirt jumping can be done on almost anything with wheels, but it is usually executed on a bicycle.

• BMX bike built for dirt jumping tends to have a longer top tube than a street BMX bike,
and may well be more reinforced. They will rarely have pegs fitted (unless they are also
used for street riding), and will generally run only a rear u-brake. Also, the tires will be
treaded, as opposed to the slicks and semi-slicks used for park riding. Large, padded seats
are also popular as something to land on when a trick fails, and are also easier to hold for
in-flight tricks; but very small seats are also a style for the more "hardcore" riders. The
gear ratio is generally around 44:16, though using small gearings like 22:8, known as
'micro gearing', has become popular in the present day.A photo of some BMX trails
courtesy of barendbmx.co.uk

Types of jumps

• Double the most common form of Dirt jumps. This consists of two separate earthworks,
one acting as a takeoff(lip), and the other as a landing. Also known as a "gap" jump. They
can be "Step-Ups", where the jump's upramp is lower than the down ramp and the rider
loses speed, or "Step-Downs", where the jump's downramp is lower than the upramp,
meaning that they gain speed.
• Tabletops are more common among those new to the sport, they are a single earthwork
with a takeoff at one end, and a landing at the other, with a flat 'table' on the top. These
are favoured by new riders because when the rider comes up short they can still easily
ride out of it.
• Ski jumps consist of just a takeoff, they're usually longer and flatter than other jumps,
and tend to be situated on downhills, so the slope of the hill can serve as a landing.
They're used mostly in competitions on jump length.
• Roller a small tabletop that gives you extra speed by 'pumping' the jump. you usually
find these at the beginning of a trail.
• Step ups a ramp just before an incline to enable a rider to jump from the top of the
incline.
• Whoops/Rhythms a series of usually three or more small rounded ramps close together
to enable a rider to 'manual' over them.
• Spines one earth work with a take-off and a landing, but no table or gap, made to get
higher air without distance.
• Berm Basically a curved wallride that comes out of the ground. Mostly used on sharp
turns in which helps you by giving you the ability to ride on your side. The curve allows
you to make a sharper turn. Mainly used on downhill trails but, also used dirt jumping to
avoid hitting trees. They are also used to maintain your speed without having to brake on
turns. Some trails consist of jumps that lead into berms.
• Hip Jumps This consists of the landing being anywhere within 0 - 90 degrees, left or
right of the take off enabling you to transfer

Famous riders
http://www.gtbicycles.com/usa/eng/About-GT

http://www.bikesbmx.co.uk

Ryan Nyquist

(born March 6, 1979 in Los Gatos, California) is a professional BMX rider who has won
numerous gold medals in the X Games Dirt Jumping & Bike Park events. He currently rides for
Haro Bikes, Osiris Shoes, Rockstar Energy Drink, and The Jiffy Market of Los Gatos.

Ryan returned back to San Jose, California where he has a home with his wife and son. He
previously lived in Greenville, North Carolina for a period of time.

He is known as one of the best contest riders in the history of BMX. He has been a regular top
finisher for over fifteen years. He's also known for doing groundbreaking barspin variations.

T.J. Lavin

Lavin first began to ride bikes when he was two and raced BMX until he was 15. He
then gave up racing to try dirt jumping. He eventually turned pro at the age of
nineteen. He has won almost every competition he has entered including the X
Games and the Dew Action Sports Tour. In the X-Games he took bronze three times,
silver once, and gold three times. He has been a DK Dirt Circuit Champ, a champion
in the Gravity Games, and a CFB Champion. In 1995, he was crowned the "King of
Dirt". He has a 1 acre (0.40 ha) BMX track in his backyard which includes several
groomed trails and dirt jumps. He is currently sponsored by S&M Bikes, Skin
Clothing, Skeletal Metal, Monster Energy Drink, Lavs Lab, and Kicker.

BMX Jump

How to Jump Higher on a Bike

http://www.ehow.com/how_5632928_jump-higher-bike.html

The most basic trick on a freestyle BMX bike is the bunnyhop. Like skateboarding's Ollie, the bunnyhop
makes most other tricks on a bike possible by getting the bike into the air. If done properly, many tricks,
such as bar spins, can be done on flat ground. Some riders can even perform flat ground tailwhips. Get
the most out of your BMX bike by bunnyhopping properly.

http://www.bikesbmx.co.uk

Instructions

1. Roll forward at a comfortable pace. Bend your legs, and lean slightly forward. Bend your elbows
to keep your weight off of the front of the bike.
2. Lean backward quickly, and stretch your arms in front of you, pulling the front wheel off of the
ground. Simultaneously, use your front foot, whether it be the right or left, to push down and "jump"
off of the pedal. This will propel the rear wheel forward slightly before lifting it off the ground beneath
you.

3. Bend your knees again to allow the rear of the bike to lift beneath you. You should now have both
wheels off the ground and be in a slightly crouched position in the air.

4. Push forward on the handlebars. Do not push them down--rather out in front of you. This will level the
bike out in the air, allowing you to clear obstacles.
5. Land with the front and rear wheels on the ground at the same time. Be sure not to land with the front
wheel turned, as this will result in a crash.

http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Big-Air-off-a-Jump-on-a-BMX

http://www.bikesbmx.co.uk

Tips
Don't go into the jump crooked, or you'll just land on your side and it can hurt!

Warnings

• Always wear a helmet .

• Always have someone with you in case you injure yourself.
• Don't push down on your pedals because that's how you pop a tire or bend a rim. (If you get dents in
your rims or flats after big jumps or hanging up, increase your tyre pressure to at least 90psi)
• Always be smart about your surroundings and weather.
Bmx Ramps
http://www.ehow.com/about_4681978_bmx-ramps.html

About BMX Ramps

BMX ramps allow riders to perform a number of impressive stunts, some of which were
once thought to be impossible on a bike. Many BMX ramps are also used by
skateboarders, and a number of the ramps are designed specifically to be able to
provide a solid ramp surface to both bikes and skateboards. Though a number of
different styles of BMX ramps exist, the general purpose of all of the ramps is to be able
to provide bike riders with a solid and well-supported surface from which to perform
jumps and a number of other tricks and stunts.

Function

1. BMX ramps are used to perform tricks, jumps, and other stunts using BMX and other
bicycles. The ramps provide sloped surfaces for accelerating and/or jumping, flat surfaces
for staging and performing tricks, and occasionally even rails or other specialized parts that
are used in the performance of advanced BMX tricks. All surfaces of BMX ramps are made
of materials that provide superior traction for bike tires so as to prevent potentially
dangerous accidents that could result from one or both tires slipping on a slick surface.

Types

2. A number of different types of BMX ramps exist. Some ramps are designed as one large
piece that provides several flat and angled surfaces from which to perform jumps and tricks.
These ramps are much more expensive, but are quite large and can by themselves provide
the basis for an entire bike park. Smaller and much simpler ramps also exist, providing only
one or two angled surfaces and fewer flat surfaces for staging and tricks. Portable ramps
are also available which fold or disassemble in key locations for easy storage in a trailer. All
hinged or separating areas of these ramps are reinforced and overlapped so as to prevent
any possible accidents that might occur from an uneven seam or an unexpected separation
at the joints.

Features

3. BMX ramps feature a number of different methods for performing stunts and jumps,
including ramps of different sizes or angles and larger flat areas that stationary tricks can be
performed on. Depending on the size of the ramp, additional components may be included
near the flat staging areas to allow for more advanced tricks. These additional components
are much more likely to be present if the ramp is designed for both BMX riders and
 skateboarders, as skateboarders are more likely to take advantage of rails and other trick
surfaces than BMX bikers are.

Size

4. A number of different sizes and layouts of BMX ramps exist. Small ramps that are
designed for simple jumps may only be 1 to 2 feet tall, while larger ramps in a half-pipe
configuration may be 6 to 8 feet tall or taller and at least 15 to 20 feet long. Ramps which
are designed in a full "skate park" configuration can cover quite a large area, with several
different ramps and staging areas branching out in different directions from a central staging
area. Custom-designed ramps also exist, with their height, width and length limited only be
the designer's imagination.

Warning

5. BMX ramps can be quite dangerous for those who have little or no experience on them.
When learning to use BMX ramps it is important to start out slowly on a single ramp to get
used to it, curving your ascent so that you don't even reach the very top of the ramp at first.
As you become more accustomed to the ramp then you can begin practicing jumps and
basic tricks. Trying to perform complex jumps and tricks with little experience can lead to
serious injuries caused by falls at higher speeds, and can also present a danger to others if
you are attempting to make use of a larger ramp that others are using as well.

How to Jump BMX Ramps

http://www.ehow.com/how_2307369_jump-bmx-ramps.html

Being suspended in air, feeling like you can fly as you enjoy the adrenaline rush and
excitement---this is the best way to describe the feeling of jumping a BMX ramp.
However, you don't have to be a professional BMXer to have some fun with a ramp.
You too can experience this sensation with the help of these tips and the proper safety
equipment. However, it's important to remember that gravity is sometimes very
unforgiving, so be fearless, but respect it.
Instructions

1. Step 1

Start by practicing on a double-sided ramp as a safe way to gauge your speed and
figure out the "lift off." The "lift off" happens when you accelerate up the ramp and
pull up on the handle bars slightly to give you and your bike a small launch. Repeat
this process on a double-sided ramp until you truly feel comfortable and ready to try
it on a real ramp. This is the best way to become familiar with the lift as well as the
landing.

2. Step 2
 If you want to launch off of the ramp with a good bit of distance, it's important to get
your bike going as fast as it can. This means that you are going to have to pedal as
hard as you can. Just remember the gravity and landing factors. If you prefer to
gradually work your way up to the "table top" stunts and "back flip" stunts, try this.
Gather a moderate amount of speed up by getting in 2 to 4 full pedal strokes and
make sure you commit to the jump.

3. Step 3

When you get to the ramp, you should be in a standing position, leaning forward with
your knees bent as though you are about to pounce on some unsuspecting prey.
Make sure to keep your center of gravity and balance yourself in preparation to be
airborne.

4. Step 4

Launch from the ramp, pull up and back on the handle bars. Try to keep your pulling
equal between up and back, leaning or pulling back too hard will cause you to fall
backwards.

5. Step 5

Once you've hit the peak of your jump and are soaring through the air, straighten out
the bike by pushing down on the handle bars until your front tire is level with or
facing down slightly more than the rear tire.

6. Step 6

Remember to always keep a firm steady grip on the handle bars to get a more
stable landing and avoid swerving. You don't want to have a bad landing. Think of it
this way: you value your mouth full of teeth, and you probably want to keep all of
them. Practice on a smaller ramp until you are truly comfortable with jumping a BMX
ramp.

How to Make a BMX Ramp

http://www.ehow.com/how_4610642_bmx-ramp.html

Bicycle motocross, or BMX, is a popular extreme sport in which either bicycles are
raced around an earthen track that is filled with all kinds of hills and sharp turns or tricks
are done on ramps and half pipes like the ones used for skateboarding. Because of this
extreme sport's popularity many young boys and girls enjoy trying out their own tricks on
their own bikes, and in order to do this, they need a BMX ramp. If you know a young
person who is a fan of BMX and would like to make him his own ramp, follow the
instructions below.
Instructions
1. Cut your 2 by 4 into 3 24-inch pieces and 1 23-inch piece. These will serve as
three support beams for the top of the ramp and a support for the back bottom
corner.
2. Step 2

Cut your plywood into 3 24-by-12 inch rectangles.

3. Step 3

Use screws or nails to temporary hold the three rectangles together.

4. Step 4

http://www.gtbicycles.com/usa/eng/About-GT

5.

Check to make sure that all three rectangles are square, if they aren't square use
your saw to make them so.

6. Step 5

Draw a curve on one of the rectangles, this will be the curve of your ramp. Make it
as straight or curved as you like; the more curved the more air you will catch coming
off the ramp.

7. Step 6

Use your jigsaw to cut your curve smoothly from one end to the other.

8. Step 7

Choose three points along the curve of your ramp where your support beams will be
located. There should be a support at the top, the bottom and in the middle.

9. Step 8

Trace out the shape of your support beam in these locations so that the beam will be
right along the edge of the curve of your ramp.

10.Step 9
Cut out the slots for your support beams along your ramps curved edge using your
jigsaw. Check each slot with your support beams to make sure the beams fit snug
and rest flush with your ramp's curve.

11.Step 10

Separate the plywood vertical supports and choose one to be the middle support. It
doesn't really matter which one you choose.

12.Step 11

Cut the bottom back corner of the middle vertical support so that the back bottom
corner support beam can pass through it.

13.Step 12

Cut your plywood sheet so that it is 26 by 24 inches for the top of your ramp, or the
deck.

14.Step 13

Set your saw to 1/8 inch and cut widthwise scores about 1 inch apart down the back
of your ramp's deck. This will make it easier to get the deck of your ramp to curve
into your vertical supports when the time comes.

15.Step 14

Cut a plywood base that is 24 by 34 inches. You want the base to extend beyond
the back of the ramp so the ramp doesn't tip when you or someone else reaches the
back of it.

16.Step 15

Screw the outside vertical supports to the bottom back corner beam using two
screws at each end. Make sure the beam is squared with the back bottom corner of
the vertical supports.

17.Step 16

Carefully drill a pilot hole from the cross beam into the vertical support and then
screw them together.

18.Step 17
 Insert your cross beams one at a time along the top curve of your ramp. Drilling a
hold from cross beam to vertical support and then screwing them together as you
go.

19.Step 18

Align the deck of your ramp along the curved top of your ramp frame.

20.Step 19

Drill a pilot hole through the deck and into one of the cross beams on one of the
sides so you can see where the beams are, then screw the ramp deck into the cross
beams making sure to countersink the screws as to avoid shredding your bike's tiers
when you use the ramp. Repeat this on the other side of the ramp.

21.Step 20

Snap a chalk line from one side of the ramp to the other where the screws are
located so that you can easily screw the deck into the cross beams all the way
across the deck.

22.Step 21

Attach the deck to the vertical supports the same way.

23.Step 22

Flip your ramp over and attach the base to the vertical supports and bottom cross
beam in the same manner in which you attached the ramp deck to the top. Make
sure the excess base falls to the back of the ramp
http://www.gtbicycles.com/usa/eng/About-GT

 BMX Backflips
http://www.ehow.com/how_2341791_do-backflips-bmx-bike.html

How to Do Backflips on a BMX Bike

 The BMX back-flip is a moderately challenging maneuver that requires a perfect coexistence of
speed, height and athletic ability. The back-flip is primarily a two-step trick that combines the
approach (before you reach the lip of the ramp) and the landing. However, you must first master
the approach before you can attempt the landing, as the approach sets the pace for much of the
trick.

Instructions
1. Accumulate speed. Your approach is key in the completion of a successful back-
flip. Gain the maximum amount of speed possible, often in the standing position, as
you approach the ramp's lip.
2. Step 2

Keep your head forward and your body bent slightly over the front of the bike during
the approach phase.

3. Step 3

Keep your knees and elbows bent at all times. You will need to employ your most
athletic bike-stance in order to complete the BMX back-flip.

4. Step 4

Stop peddling a few feet before you reach the ramp's lip. At this point, prepare your
body to begin the back-flip maneuver.

5. Step 5

Pull your body up, away from the bike. Shift your body weight to the rear tire and pull
upward on the handlebars.

6. Step 6

Kick the bike out from underneath your body. Push the bike away from your body
with your feet (and the pedals). You should feel your BMX bike begin to pull away
from your body, though your hands and arms will keep it close as your rotate.

7. Step 7

Complete one full rotation. Your head should be back and the bike should be close
to your body.

8. Step 8

Land the back-flip on both tires at the same time. You risk the chance of an accident
if you land on the front or rear tire first
 Tips & Warnings

• If you are a beginner, practice with a foam-pit or padded landing area to break
your fall.
• If you need to bail, push the bike away from your body in mid-air so as not to land
directly on top of it.
• Practice with other riders present so that they can observe your technique and
offer helpful pointers.
• Videotape yourself as you attempt the back-flip. Observe any defects in your
mechanics and make timely corrections as needed.
• Always utilize your helmet, pads, and guards when you attempt any BMX
maneuver.
• Keep your BMX bike as steady as possible during the approach phase of the
back-flip.

http://www.gtbicycles.com/usa/eng/About-GT

http://www.bikesbmx.co.uk
`