BMX Tricks and Stunts

While some BMX racers perform tricks on groomed courses, most of the BMX tricks and stunts are reserved for those who practice freestyle BMX riding. Here is a rundown of some of the more popular tricks and stunts. Keep in mind that each of these tricks take a lot of practice and should only be attempted under expert training and supervision.

The Endo

The Endo is a BMX trick that involves a biker throwing his weight forward to lift the back tire off of the ground. Learning this trick generally only takes another person to hold up your back tire as you find your balance while leaning forward.

The Pogo

This BMX stunt starts out with an Endo. Once in position, put on the back brakes and pull back on the handlebars until the bike is nearly fully upright. Start hopping in the direction you are leaning.

The Handlebar Ride

This is another BMX trick that takes a lot of balance. Start by rolling forward at a slow pace. Then, put your right foot over the handlebars and onto the right front peg. Grip the seat with your left hand, keeping your weight back.

Swing your left foot over the handlebars and onto the left front peg. Finally, sit on the handlebars and lift your feet off the pegs. Successfully pulling off this trick requires you to maintain balance without placing your feet on the pegs. However, to practice finding your balance, sit on the handlebars with your feet on the pegs.

The Tailwhip

The tailwhip is a more advanced move that involves spinning the bike while holding on to the handlebars. Here are the steps of performing a tailwhip:

1. Start by swinging your right foot over the frame. Then, jam it in between the front forks and the tire once the bike starts rolling at a fast pace.

2. With your left foot still on the pedal, push the frame in a clockwise direction, keeping your left foot in the air for balance.

3. Hold on to the front brakes. When the frame gets all the way around, use your left foot to stop it by placing your foot on the seat post.

4. Take your right foot off the tire and put it on the right pedal, then swing the left foot over the frame and back onto the left pedal.

BMX Jumps and Other Stunts

While ground tricks are fun and a good place to start learning BMX stunts, jumping and mid-air stunts are thrilling, more advanced tricks that take a bit more practice and supervision. Tricks like the X-Up (turning the handlebars 180? or more), or spinning the bike 180?, 360?, 540? or 720? are exciting to perform and are definite crowd pleasers.

Also popular are the Grind BMX tricks, which involve sliding the bike along some object, like a handrail or ledge, using anything but both wheels.

Places to Perform BMX Tricks and Stunts

Because BMX tricks are so varied, different tricks are best performed in specific locations. Here are some of the places you can do stunts:

• Dirt ramps are made of dirt sculpted into a series of hills and valleys, which BMX riders can jump over. Because the dirt is soft and more giving than other options, dirt ramps are a great place for beginners to learn.

• Flatlands, such as basketball courts, are an ideal place to practice land tricks due to the large amount of smooth, flat, open space they offer.

• The half-pipe ramp is a semicircle made of wood or concrete that provides a good place to practice jumps. These ramps are also excellent places to show off with lip tricks, BMX stunts performed on the edge of the ramp.

These particular BMX tricks and those that have yet to be invented require a lot of practice. In order to prevent injury, be sure to wear the proper safety gear to protect yourself as you practice.

Resource

Geocities (2006). BMX. Retrieved December 10, 2006, from Adrenaline Sports Web site.