BMX Tricks

Although gravity is not a force we can simply change, mankind is always looking for more ways to defy it. Landing BMX tricks is one way we can make the laws of gravity and physics work in our favor. When it comes to riding BMX bikes, pulling off tricks can be extremely fun yet challenging at the same time.

Both patience and practice are required to successfully land a trick, as these are not something you can easily accomplish on a first attempt. From the beginner's Bunnyhop to the nearly impossible 900, there are dozens of cool looking tricks to try out; the key is to find some at your riding level.

What makes BMX tricks great is you can work on them in almost any atmosphere. Unlike in-line skates or skateboards, a smooth surface is not necessarily needed, as the treads on the BMX tires will allow for riding in natural conditions as well as man made ones. Some people might prefer to work on their X-Ups in a half pipe, while others could just set up dirt trails to flip off of in a nearby woods or empty field. Should you decide to build your own trail, be sure not to set up on private property. Not only could this be a cause for legal trouble, but all your effort and work put into building the trail could be just as easily lost if the property owners take it down.

The point of doing BMX tricks is to properly land the hardest, most amazing stunt you can. Of course, this means you have to start out small and work your way up. The art of tricking off BMX bikes has evolved quite a bit. What used to be just something to do with friends during your free time has now become a professional sport. There are competitions all across the country, including ESPN's X Games, by far the largest and best covered.

The X Games includes many BMX trick competitions such as Freestyle Dirt, Vert, Park and Big Air. In Freestyle Dirt, riders take on a course of varying dirt hills in order to pull off the best tricks. In the Freestyle Vert competition, riders are confined to riding up and down inside a half pipe, trying to show off their best moves. Freestyle Park is similar to Dirt, where the riders can move freely through an entire arena of man made ramps and obstacles to trick off of. Big Air involves riders jumping off a very large ramp, trying to pull off the best BMX tricks in one shot and land them at the end.

BMX tricks can be very fun, but also very dangerous.  Be sure to wear protective gear when riding. Try researching any BMX tricks that might interest you before going out to practice them, and make sure the trick is at your riding level. If you can barely pull off a Barspin, you may not want to get ahead of yourself and start working on a Superman.

 

EXPN.com. 2005. ESPN Internet Ventures. 9 October 2006. http://expn.go.com/expn/index