BMX bike racing as Olympic sport

[shootingstar]

Just saw a tv piece on Canadian woman who will be competing in the first BMX race competition in Bejing Olympics.

I admit that I don't know much about BMX competitions. What they showed was racing. Should there be another segment on more "gymnastic" jumping and turning?

Is there anyone here who is in BMX competitive bike races?

[Eden]

I haven't done any BMX racing myself, but my 2nd cousin (Dad's cousin?) designs and builds the tracks.

I think that there are different components - there is straight up racing around a track, and though the courses do include places that the riders have to jump, there aren't style points, and then there are other competitons just about style and doing tricks? It's much like snowboarding. Isn't some sort freestyle included in the winter olympics these days - scored more like ice skating - on technical merit/style rather than on time as well as slalom events all about who can do the course the fastest.

I'm not sure what types of BMX races will be part of the olympics, but I'm sure some of it will be good old fashioned who can reach the finish line first type racing.

[shootingstar]

Should be interesting to watch how it fares in the Olympics.

I don't anticipate trying BMX...at this point in life. But as a spectator sport for cycling enthusiasts like ourselves...it would be good to have another competitive cycling sport..in addition to the ole regular racing, Tour de France, etc.

[tulip]

BMX was my first cycling love. I raced in the late 70s and early 80s, often the only girl. It's very hard, alot of sprinting, around a short circuit with jumps and whoop-dee-doos (called something else now). I'm surprised it's an Olympic sport.

It's a bit like cyclocross on different bikes--is cyclocross an Olympic sport?

[shootingstar]

I'm surprised it's an Olympic sport.

It's a bit like cyclocross on different bikes--is cyclocross an Olympic sport?

What they showed on tv was indoor BMX racing where the track has a number of built-in hills..

I'm intrigued that you are surprised...let's hear what you have to say..

[tulip]

What they showed on tv was indoor BMX racing where the track has a number of built-in hills..

I'm intrigued that you are surprised...let's hear what you have to say..

When I raced it was all outdoors. I haven't kept up with BMX since the mid 1980s, not at all. I figured it had remained a fringe sport, like extreme skateboarding and the like. After BMX I got into touring, riding my bike through France for a month when I was 15 (fully loaded and camping!). I had a great Univega Gran Turismo--what a fantastic touring bike that was. Then I got into road racing and mountain bikes for a few years. Then I just rode bikes and didn't race for a few years, took a few years off of riding completely, and started up again in grad school for commuting in the late 90s, and continued when I moved to DC and started commuting to work on my old 1985 Stumpjumper. Then in 2003 I purchased my Jamis Coda Comp, and in 2005 I purchased my Luna, and in 2008 I purchased my Bike Friday...and I'm headed back to France next month to do another tour. Interesting circle.