Getting Started in Bmx
You want to try Bmx Racing?
The Basics
Equipment required: any 20" or 24" wheel diameter bike will work. More bike info below!
Helmet: full-faced or open-face with a mouth guard.
Clothing: long pants or shorts/knee/shin-pad combination. Closed-toe shoes. No sandals.
Documents: Birth certificate. parent or guardian must accompany riders 18 years or younger.
The Advantages of NBL Membership
Insurance: For all full NBL members.
The Best Tracks: Access to more than 150 NBL tracks in the USA and Puerto Rico. You can race on the Local, State,
Regional, or National level or any combination of all four levels. The NBL will keep track your points
for you while you ride.
Exciting Awards: For race-day and year-end awards for all proficiences.
BmxToday Online: Official NBL website with tons of photos, race coverage and news.
Getting a NBL Membership
Getting your NBL membership has never been easier! You can come right to the track and get signed up that same day by seeing the registration clerk or you can log on to jointhenation.org and click "Join".
On the join page, you can choose between three levels of membership to fit your riding lifestyle:
LOCAL:
All-You-Can-Ride local racing at any outdoor track in the Nation with no entry fees. There may be indoor fees to cover the added cost of indoor facilities depending on track. There may also be trophy fees depending on track. Includes both 20” and Cruisers! Includes access to Pre-races at Nationals and Entry into the President’s Cup.
CHALLENGER:
All the benefits of the LOCAL membership PLUS All-You-Can-Ride Challenge Championship Series racing with no entry fees. Includes both 20” and Cruisers! Includes the Challenge Championship and All Challenge Championship Entries.
CHAMPION:
All the benefits of LOCAL and CHALLENGER membership PLUS All-You-Can-Ride National Championship Series racing. Includes both 20” and Cruisers!
MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES
SINGLE: A single rider membership.
DUO: Two family members living in the same household.
TRIO: Three family members living in the same household.
QUATRO: Four or more Family members living in the same household.
TRIAL MEMBERSHIPS
NBL still offers the one-day and 30-day trial memberships at the local level, with the difference being that a 30-day trial will amount to the $25 sign-up fee.
Should a rider convert to a full membership, the $25 will be applied to their signup.
Bike Info
Bike safety: The 20" or 24" bmx style bike should be in good mechanically safe condition and will need to be checked out by track staff before getting on the track for the first time. The bike must not have a kickstand, chain guard, reflectors, freestyle pegs or any other protruding possibly dangerous equipment attached. These can break or fall off creating a hazard to you or other riders.
Number Plate: You must have a number plate attached to your handle bars. The track will supply a temporary one.
Recommended Bike Sizes: Bikes are sized according to their frame - Mini, Junior, Pro etc. The following can be used as an efficient guide when finding just the right size bike compared to the rider. Some ranges overlap.
* For correct rider fit to a new bike, check with your professionals at Dans Comp!
YOUR FIRST DAY
- Arrive early at the track to check out the course and to talk to staff in the registration booth. A volunteer from the track will show you around the facility and help you get ready for your race.
- Sign up. Check the posted sign-up times and be sure to ask as many questions as you need. Your first race is very inexpensive and you may be eligible to race with for free or you have the option to purchase a 30-day trial or full NBL racing membership if you plan to race more events throughout the year.
- Get your gear ready. You will need to have a helmet, long pants, long sleeve shirt, and closed-toe shoes as per the NBL rulebook.
- Have your bike inspected by a track official to ensure that your bicycle is safe and mechanically fit.
- Practice the course as much as possible so that you feel comfortable with the starting gate, obstacles, and turns. Tip: Take a training clinic before your first race.
- Check the moto board. The track will post moto-sheets on this board and it is your responsibility to check your moto number and gate lanes for each race. Write them down on your hand, a piece of paper, or memorize them.
- Race Time! Listen to the announcers and get ready for your first race. Though it can be tough to relax, just try to keep your mind focused on having fun. The rest is up to you. Good luck!
10 STEPS ON BECOMING A GOOD BMX RACER
Practice at many different tracks. All tracks have different start gates, start hills, jumps, berms and rhythm sections. Be prepared for anything.
Practice gate starts from all eight of the lanes.
Learn to balance at the gate with both feet on the pedals. This skill will help you get a faster start, and you won't have to worry about missing a pedal once the gate drops.
Look at the gate. When you're waiting for the gate to drop, watch the top of the gate instead of the start lights. This step will help you keep your balance and help you prepare for the gate to drop. As your confidence improves, start watching the lights and listen for the cadence.
Focus on the first jump or berm as soon as the gate drops. See where you want to go.
Try to get the holeshot, or first position, out of the start gate. This position puts you at an advantage, as long as you can hold the lead.
Hold your position. Try not to be too aggressive, but don't let other riders easily bump you out of the way.
Go high and outside on the berms. In most cases, if you're trying to get a better position, the outside line lets you see what everyone else is doing and react. Be ready to either stay on the outside or pull into the inside line.
Stay low on jumps. Most of the time, you're faster on the ground, so learn how to stay low and how to speed jump.
Keep pedaling all the way to the end and even after you've crossed the finish line. Many riders who thought they had won slowed down to raise their arms only to have the next rider sneak in and take the win.
Bike Buying Guide
| BMX RIDER BIKE SIZING CHART | | RIDER HEIGHT | FRAME SIZE | TOP TUBE LENGTH | STEM LENGTH | BAR RISE | CRANK LENGTH | | 4'0" & under | Micro-Mini | 15"-16" | Mini | 2"-2.5" | 135-140mm | | 4'6" & under | Mini | 16"-17" | Mini-Mini XL | 2"-3.5" | 140-155mm | | 4'4"-4'10" | Junior | 17"-18.5" | Mini XL-Pro | 3"-5" | 155-170mm | | 4'8"-5'4" | Expert | 18.5"-19.5" | Pro | 5"-7" | 165-175mm | | 5'4"-5'10" | Pro | 20"-20.5" | Pro-Pro XL | 7"-8" | 175-180mm | | 5'10" & over | Pro XL or Pro XXL | 20.5" & over | Pro XL-Pro XXL | 7"-8" | 175-185mm |
|
Micro Mini: riders under 4'
Mini: riders 4' to 4' 6"
Junior: riders 4' to 4' 10"
Expert: riders 4' 6" to 5' 3"
Expert XL: riders 4' 8" to 5' 5"
Pro: riders 5' 6" to 5' 10"
Pro XL: riders 5' 10" to 6' 1"
Pro XXL: riders over 6' Pro Cruiser 24": riders 5' 6" to 6' 3"