Charlies BMX 

 Beginner Tips

1. Don’t Get Scared. If this is your first race, you’ll probably feel like you’re not too sure what you are doing. You may think that everybody has a better bike than you. You may have a hundred other doubts as well. Just relax. Remember that everybody else in your moto will be a Rookie too. You’re all in the same boat.

2. Gate Start. The basic one-pedal start is all you need to know to get going. Put your bike straight in the gate, set your pedals so that your starting pedal (strongest) is a little above level. Lean back a little and listen to the starter. When the gate drops, throw your weight forward and push down the pedal. Give a medium hard first pedal, a real hard second pedal and you’re off.

3. Don’t Get Carried Away. Just because Ernie the Expert is jumping the whoops on the last straight doesn’t mean you have to try them. Don’t push yourself beyond your capabilities.

4. Pedal All You Can. Coast only in places where pedaling will cause you to lose control, like in a drop off or on the tight curves where you might lean far enough over that a pedal snags on the ground.

5. If You Coast, Keep Your Feet On The Pedals. If you lift them off for any reason you will spend valuable time getting them back on again.

6. Use You Brakes As Little As Possible. Be sure to use them just enough to stay in control of your bike. Taking the lead won’t matter much if you wipe out later in the race.

7. Don’t Do Tricks During a Race. One fancy wheelie could easily cost you the lead, or worse, take yourself out of the moto.

8. Don't Get Discouraged, Especially the first few times out. in fact, don't get discouraged at all. BMX is just for fun. If you win, great, if you don't, no big deal. Have Fun!!