BMX Racing is an exhilarating cycling discipline that’s the perfect choice for anyone looking for something more fast-paced than your typical bike race. Whether you’re a total beginner or your curiosity of an exciting discipline is luring you in, BMX racing caters for all age groups and abilities – from stepping onto a BMX bike for the first time, to zooming around the tracks at top speed. No matter your age or stage, this article will guide you and help you gear up to begin your BMX journey.
Before diving straight into dare-devil racing, it’s good to understand what BMX racing is all about. Unlike freestyle BMX – which is all about the tricks and flicks – BMX racing is a top-speed sprint over dirt tracks, jumps, and turns, and relies on bike-handling, skill, and agility. The races are short but intense – perfect for thrill seekers! BMX-ing can often start as a solo activity in a random park or even a garden, and this is a great way to spark the initial interest in BMX riding, but when you’re ready to give the racing side of things a go, the best place to be is a BMX club. There are a few clubs in Scotland that specialise in BMX Racing and also offer grassroots sessions for those hoping to kick-start their interest in BMX:
Before getting on the bike and rocking up to your first BMX training session, there are a few things you need to know. Firstly, safety is key. You’re going to want to wear something that covers your arms and legs to protect you from potential scrapes – gloves would be a bonus too – and a flat soled pair of trainers that’ll give you some good grip. You will also need a full face helmet but if you don’t have one of these to start with, don’t worry, the clubs usually have spares to lend you (as well as the bikes themselves!). Finally, remember to bring plenty of water, and come prepared to have fun!
Pump Track is a slightly different cycling discipline but is considered similar to BMX racing. It is seen as more of a grassroots activity and it provides a strong base for later moving on to BMX racing. Pump Tracks are purpose-built tracks that require riders to move round the course entirely through ‘pumping’ (generating momentum through up and down body movements) rather than pedalling. Falkirk Junior Bike Club are running a series that could be a great place to give pump track a go. The series takes place in April and September and caters for under 8 – under 16 riders.
Falkirk Junior Bike Club Pump Track Series 2025 dates (all events take place at Zetland Park):
- 4th April: Round 1
- 11th April: Round 2
- 18th April: Round 3
- 25th April: Round 4
- 5th September: Round 5
- 12th September: Round 6
- 19th September: Round 7
- 26th September: Round 8
In addition there will be events in Alford throughout the summer too – the first event taking place on Thursday 1st May, you can enter here.
Maybe you’ve tried a bit of pump track, or you’ve gone along to some BMX sessions… Maybe you’re feeling confident and you want to test yourself in more competitive environment… Maybe it’s time to enter your first competition… Getting yourself on a bike and to a training session of any kind is a win in itself – and plenty of people do participate for fun – but if you are up to the task, the atmosphere at competitions is not to be missed.
The Scottish Regional BMX Series is an entry-level, high-energy sequence of events that run from mid-March until mid-July. The series is very inclusive and provides racing opportunities for all ages and abilities, with the age categories ranging from 6 & under to 40+.
Scottish Regional BMX Series 2025 dates:
- 16th March: Round 1 – Western Titans BMX Track
- 30th March: Round 2 – Cumbernauld Centurions BMX Club
- 20th April: Round 3 – Cumbernauld Centurions BMX Club
- 18th May: Round 4 – Movement Park BMX Bandits
- 31st May: Round 5 – Western Titans BMX Track
- 7th June: Round 6 – Western Titans BMX Track
- 22nd June: Round 7 – Movement Park BMX Bandits
- 13th July: Round 8 – Movement Park BMX Bandits
If you’ve tried a bit of racing before, feel like you’ve nailed it, and this all sounds a bit too easy for you, it might be time to consider some higher level competition. The Scottish BMX Open which will take place on the 21st of September this year and will be a great place to test yourself amongst some of the country’s best riders. There are also British Series events, which take place mostly in England, but there are two rounds being hosted in Cumbernauld this year. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, find the list of British level BMX Racing events here.