Articles

PRESTON PIRATES BMX CLUB.

FISHWICK RECREATION GROUND,

LONDON ROAD, PRESTON.

PR2 5AN.

Directions : Junction 31 M6, (Tickled Trout turn off). Bear left heading towards Preston, carry on up the hill untill you come to a roundabout. At roundabout carry staight on. onto New Hall Lane. Once on New Hall Lane go through 2 sets of traffic lights and at the 3rd set off lights turn left onto London Road. The track is situated approx 500 yrds on the left as you go down the hill. (Just before Olympia Car Auctions)

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WELCOME TO THE PRESTON PIRATES BMX CLUBS OFFICIAL WEBSITE

This website has been created to promote the club and any future events we may hold. I hope you find the information contained in it useful.

Preston Pirates BMX Club was established four years ago. After many hard years of liasing with Preston City Council trying to find a suitable venue it was decided that the track should be located at London Road, a site that is under construction at the moment with the Fishwick Bottoms nature reserve. The club is only very young but already has in excess of 100 members. Preston Pirates is affiliated to the British Cycling Federation, the sports governing body which will allow us to develop the track and facilities at the London Road site. Our aim is to promote grass roots riding throughout the region, with resident qualified training instructors who take regular coaching sessions for schools, cubs and beavers amoung others.

Preston Pirates regularly hold club and regional events at its track on London Road and this year the club will be playing host to the final round of the British Cycling Federation National Series. The club can boast to having a number of talented riders within its membership with current British Champion Ross Cullen and World Champion Tony Fleming amoung them.

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Preston Pirates BMX Club - An Overview

 - Preston Pirates is a GO-RIDE accredited club

 - Preston Pirates works to encouraging people to get on a bike for the first time

 - Preston Pirates was involved in running over 20 events in 2008

 - Preston Pirates encourages and develops children's cycling talents through its club coaches

 - Preston Pirates is funded by membership, Barclays Spaces For Sport, British Cycling Federation and

   Preston City Council

About BMX

BMX racing is an extremely exciting sport open to riders of all ages, making it great fun for all the family. Up to eight riders race, Moto-Cross-style, around a 300-400m track, with jumps, bump and berms (banked corners). The excitement and popularity of BMX racing have caught the attention of the International Olympic Committee and BMX is now an Olympic sport.

Got a bike?
There are two different types of BMX race bike: the 20 inch (your everyday BMX bike with 20 inch wheels) and the 24 inch cruiser (a slightly bigger bike with 24 inch wheels). You don't need a top of the line race machine to start with, you just need one that can get you around the track and meet the basic requirements (more of which later).
Who races BMX bikes?
Riders come from all areas and backgrounds, starting from four years of age and running up to forty plus. They race against riders of their own age or ability group. Families involved are usually interested in bikes, competitive sport and the physical and mental benefits of being active. It is common for the whole family to be involved with the parents acting as coaches, mechanics, chefs and cheer-leaders. This family angle turns race days into real Events!

Is your bike OK?
Before you go out there on the track your bike needs to meet some basic requirements. You will need to remove any pegs or chain guards. Your brakes should work well and your tyres should have good tread on them. If the ends of your grips are torn, you will have to use bar end caps or replace them. You will need a number plate to race with; the club may have some spare ones for you to use.

Get some safety gear
Now that you know where to go to race your bike, all you need for racing is a helmet (sorry - not one designed for road use or Dirt Jumping!), a long sleeved shirt, long trousers or jeans and gloves. Rubber soled skateboard or tennis style shoes are recommended and although elbow pads, knee pads and shoulder pads are not essential, they are always a good idea! If you have an open face style helmet, a mouth guard is recommended. Most clubs have helmets that you can borrow when you first start riding.

Getting signed up to race
When you get to the track the first thing to do is to find where to register. Usually it's inside a small building or trailer/container. Here you can sign up to race and also become a member of the club and British Cycling. If you are under the age of 16, you will need parental consent.

You're on your way so read on.......
Study the Track

After you've completed the forms and signed up to race, there are a number of things you should do before you get on your bike. If you have not checked out the track by now, you should do this next. If practice is going on, it is a good idea to watch the other riders and see how they deal with the track and the jumps. This way you'll not get caught out when it is your turn.

Races
A race is contested by up to 8 riders, with the first over the finish line winning. A race meeting usually consists of a series of "Motos" or qualifying races, from which the most successful riders in each category will progress to a series of ride-offs, culminating in a Final to produce an overall winner. At big events, races start in quick succession, with the riders from one Moto hardly completing their race before the next race is charging out of the start gate. This non-stop action and the sheer number of riders make BMX a compelling spectacle and a great day out for riders and spectators alike.

Race time
It's time to Go Racing. This is the moment you have been waiting for. It would be impossible to tell you not to be nervous - Pros who have raced for years still get nervous every time they line up on the gate, but that nervous feeling is part of what keeps people coming back to race BMX over and over again. Make sure you are ready at the back of the start hill for your race in plenty of time, around ten races before yours if it is a big meeting. Do not be frightened to ask the other riders what to do - it will be a good way for you to get to know them. The start is the most important part of any race. When the start gate drops, 'snap' (i.e. a quick start) is essential. However, skill is just as important as power and the best riders combine both qualities.
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Get Into BMX

Introduction

It is very easy to get yourself on track for BMX - comparatively little equipment is required and BMX bikes are simple and robust (which means they're not too expensive), with powerful brakes and no gears.

BMX is perhaps the most family-friendly branch of cycle sport - often the whole family will compete at an event and there are an amazing 22 categories plus 3 Novice categories covering all ages and abilities in the National Series.

There is a thriving club structure nation-wide - click on the Club Finder option in the BMX menu to find your local club. Most clubs have their own BMX track, which they use for club events and practice days and evenings. Regional series take place in most parts of the UK, allowing you to develop your skills on other tracks. So, why not get down to your local club and give BMX a try?

BMX FAQs

I want to race BMX in my own region, but don't feel ready for nationals. What level of membership and licence do I need?
Probably the most confusing area for riders, parents or guardians. Go to the membership section for a full breakdown of each level of membership and what benefits you can gain from Bronze, Silver or Gold membership. For BMX regional events, all participating riders in the Expert categories need to be Silver or Gold members of British Cycling. Your BMX Regional Secretary will be able to explain to you how many races you can attend as a Novice before moving to the Expert categories, but as a guide, one season in Novice should be enough. 

 

For BMX national events, all riders need to have Silver or Gold membership and a racing licence.

I'm unsure which region I am supposed to be racing in?
BMX Regions differ from those of other British Cycling disciplines. For an overview of BMX Regions >>>>

I feel ready to race national events, but I'd like to race against other beginners. What do I need to know and what categories are there for me to race in?
Novice racing at national level is not delivered consistently and it is up to the host event organisers to decide if Novice racing will take place.  If Novice racing takes place, the categories are defined on the day based on the age of the riders wishing to compete.

 

A Novice rider is defined as: Any rider who has not competed in a full Regional series as regional "expert" in the previous year or Any rider who has never competed at National level as "expert" or Any rider who has not competed in 3 or more National events as "novice".

 

Novice registration will take place during normal registration on Saturday morning. Except in exceptional circumstances and where practicable, no registrations will be taken on Sunday. Novice Plate numbers will be the last three digits of the riders British Cycling Membership if they have one, or any random three digit number starting with #9.

I've raced events in my region, but I sometimes race riders a lot older than me. What categories are there at nationals and can I compete against riders my age?
The female categories are spaced in multiple year age bands until you reach the age of 16. Male categories are in single age bands until you reach 11 years old, then they are in 2-year age bands until you reach the age of 19. See the table below:

 

20" Wheel Classes Male	20" Wheel Classes Female
6 & Under - Male*	7 & Under - Female*
7 yrs*	8 - 9 yrs*
8 yrs*	10 - 12 yrs*
9 yrs*	13 - 15 yrs
10 yrs*	Junior Female (16 Plus Years)
11 - 12 yrs*
13 - 14 yrs
15 - 16 yrs
Junior Male (17 - 18 yrs)
19 Plus yrs
Masters (30 Plus Years)
Elite Men (Money Class)

 

Cruiser (24" Wheel) Classes

12 and Under*

13 15 yrs

16 + yrs

30 - 39 yrs

40 - 44 yrs

45+ yrs

25 + yrs Ladies (Includes 20)

 

 

Note:  Riders in classes marked '*' are not allowed to use clip type pedals

 

My birthday is in June. How do I work out which category I race in?
The age class a rider is eligible to ride is determined by his age, which shall be calculated by subtracting the rider's year of birth from the current year. Example: 2009 - 1998 = 11. A rider born in 1995 would race in the 11/12 Boys or 10-12 Girls.

If I wish to test myself against older or faster riders, can I just move up into the next age band?
No, a rider has to earn the right to "move up". Any rider who achieves a ranking in the top two of their own class may elect to "ride up" one age group the following year. Should the rider again achieve a top two ranking they may elect to ride up one further year.

• Any Male rider in his 15th year can elect to ride in either 15/16s or Elite Men.
• Any Male rider in his 16th year can elect to ride in either 15/16s or Elite Men.
• Any Female rider in her 14th or 15th year can elect to ride 13 - 15 Female or Junior Female.
• A Cruiser rider aged 30 years or over, may choose to compete at either the oldest level below that age level or in the appropriate age group in one of the 30 years and over Cruiser classes.
• A 20" rider aged 30 or over may choose to compete in 19+, Masters (30+) or Elite Men.

The choice of competing class shall be made for the whole Series. Any rider wishing to return to their normal age race class or move out of the Elite category may only do so by written application to the BC BMX Commission.

I've started racing nationals, but I can't understand how the points are allocated!
For every race (Moto) you complete, you are awarded points. The higher the position, the more points you get. If you get as far as the final, then you are awarded more points. The table below demonstrates:

Position	Moto	B Final	A Final
1	4	15.0	42.0
2	3.5	12.0	37.0
3	3	10.0	33.0
4	2	8.0	29.0
5	2	6.0	26.0
6	1	5.0	24.0
7	1	4.0	22.0
8	o.5	3.0	20.0

There were only 7 riders in my category, so there was no final as such. How are points awarded for these races?
This type of race is called a Grand Prix. When there are no more than 8 riders in a class, the riders shall compete as one group and race 3 Motos with the points awarded for each placing as in Table A plus a 4th GP Final Race with the "A" Final points based on the results of the four races.

I'm really enjoying my racing, but don't understand how the lane allocation is drawn. I won my Motos, but drew lane 6. Is this right?
The inside gate isn't always the best draw, so the following method is used. In Motos, Qualifier rounds and Main Finals, a rider's lane will be selected by the computer software, which will automatically and randomly allocate the rider's lane.

I've bought my own number plate. What is the correct colour for the plate and numbers?
To ensure we keep consistency with Europe, we keep the colours the same as Internationals. Regional coloured plates and Regional ranking numbers are not allowed at BMX National Series events, with the exception of current British Champions and World/European finalists who may choose to use their Championship plates and numbers.

• Male 20"   White Plates   Black Numbers
• Female 20"   Blue Plates  White Numbers
• Cruisers (Male and Female) Red Plates  White Numbers
• Elite Male (and Female)  Yellow Plates  Black Numbers

 Safeguarding Children

Preston Pirates BMX Club has a fundamental commitment to safeguard and protect children in cycling. We are working to improve polices, procedures, and practices to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience of children and young people in cycling.

Allegations of poor practice, drug use, equality issues and possible child abuse should be reported to the Club Welfare Officer(CWO)
 

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CLUB CONTACTS

Tracy Sharp - tel : 01772 465177

e-mail : sharpster3@btinternet.com

Ian Brookes : 0750 8000 712

e-mail : rabracing@blueyonder.co.uk

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