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Cornwall
BMX
British
Cycling
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| FACTS |
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BMX
dirt racing evolved in the USA from the sport of motocross
and still retains many of its facets. Essentially BMX dirt
racing is motocross without the engines.
The
clothing worn is all from motocross; race pants, long sleeved
shirts, full face helmets and gloves.
The
bikes are nothing like standard BMX bikes that you may see
on the street. They are usually light weight, built with aircraft
aluminium, carbon forks, skinny tyres, one back brake and
pad set for rider protection.
Bikes
can cost anywhere from £75 second hand to £1200
for a "Staats" or "One" bicycles.
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The
club was started in the mid 80's by a farmer who built some jumps
for his nephews to practise on. Since then it's membership has gone
from strength to strength.
Since
opening, the club has produced many regional and national BMX champions
from the area. The club has members ranging from 4 years to 40 plus,
so you're never to old to get on a BMX and ride.
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| And
they're off! |
Chairman
Andy Green says: "The club has grown and grown, each weekend
we get more people joining to practise jumps, dirt riding and get
involved with BMX biking and racing. It's such a great sport and
it's even going to be in the next olympics."
During
the summer, clubs in the South West region each hold an event which
becomes the South West regional BMX championships. It also serves
a qualification to race at the British Championships.
The
national championship is run every year by British Cycling and over
320 riders take part, travelling to as many as nine different venues
countrywide from Blackpool in the North to Ipswich in the West and
Bristol in the South West.
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| Preparing
to race |
Most
tracks are between 350 - 400 metres long with several obstacles
and jumps throughout.
Each race takes about 45 seconds of extreme effort and is exausting
but exhilarating for the riders.
Cornwall's
BMX track is known as Kelsters Farm Raceway, which is at Besore,
between Truro and Wheal Jane.
It
is open all year round with weekly meetings from Easter until September
and from then fortnightly meetings are held during the winter period.
Last
November the club applied for planning permission to build a new
track at Blackwater, near Truro. They are currently waiting for
environmental planning conditions to be agreed and within the next
five years hope to run a national event, attracting more than 300
riders to Cornwall.
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