Taking flight

In team sports, sometimes things can get boring. Games can involve sitting on the sidelines, and practices mean going through monotonous drills. And for kids frustrated with that repetition, one alternative is BMX racing.

The thrills of flying through the air on a bike and pedaling to beat your opponent can be enjoyed by all ages, and Birmingham has its own track in Oak Mountain State Park.

The best part? No one sits on the bench. No one is bored. Everyone gets a piece of the action.

“Compared to team sports, I think BMX is a lot more fun for everyone because there isn’t anyone sitting on the bench,” said USA BMX Chief Communications Coordinator Craig Barrette. “Everyone competes. I think kids are attracted to BMX racing because of the thrill and the adrenaline rush of catching air.”

BMX, which stands for bicycle moto-cross, is a type of off-road bicycle racing. The track usually consists of a starting gate for around eight racers, a dirt race course made of various jumps, and a finish line. The course is usually flat, about 15 feet wide, and has large banked corners that help riders maintain speed.

Riders range from as young as 3 to 70. With races taking place within age classifications, the sport is open to anyone.

BMX started to pick up popularity in America in the late 1980s. When it was recognized in the 2008 Beijing Olympics as an Olympic sport, it’s popularity exploded. In 2011, the two main sanctioning bodies of the sport, the National Bicycle League and the American Bicycle Association, merged together as a united voice, which Barrette called “a tremendous help” for the sport’s growth.

The Oak Mountain BMX track is one of only four in the state. Races take place nearly year-round, from late February to December. If someone can ride a bike, they can race BMX.

“We’re really fortunate to have the Oak Mountain track here,” Bob Kuykendall said, whose 10-year-old son, Cade, has started racing. “The great thing about BMX is that all you need is a bike, a long sleeve shirt, something to cover your knees, and a helmet, and you’re ready to go. The first race is free.”

Some racers only compete at Oak Mountain, while the more serious participants travel across the country. Kuykendall emphasized that while some might be more serious and competitive than others, the atmosphere at the track is fun and friendly.

“It’s like when you go to the lake,” he said. “You have a big socioeconomic range, but there is great camaraderie. You’ll be out on a boat at the lake, and everyone is having a good time and waving to each other when they pass. It’s the same way with BMX. It’s competitive, but it’s also family-oriented and competitors will help each other out. If a kid’s chain breaks, someone will help him replace it.”

Barrette emphasized that the family atmosphere isn’t confined to the stands. Sometimes, he has seen three generations racing at one event.

“The most unique thing about BMX racing is that it’s for all ages,” he said. “With the Strider push bikes, we see kids under 2 years old racing. Training wheels are being thrown out the window. You see grandparents out there too, so sometimes there are three generations racing at once.”

The focus for USA BMX nationwide, according to Barrette, is to keep putting in new tracks and retain beginners to make more long-term riders. Meanwhile, many are thinking about who will be on Team USA for the 2016 Olympics.

But in Birmingham, those thoughts are long from most riders’ minds. At the Oak Mountain track, it’s all about giving people of all ages the thrill of flying through the air on a bike.

“Everyone loves that feeling of hitting jumps and turns on the bike,” Track Director Shannon Sikes said. “And if you mess up, you don’t get benched. You just get back out there and try again.”

To find out more, visit the oakmountainbmx.com or call Sikes at 259-3388.