Articles
By Ian
Published: April 20, 2007
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EmailPRESTON 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 in its 3rd year and 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. The club can boast to being the NUMBER 1 CLUB in the country after winning all club awards available to them including NORTH REGION CLUB CHAMPIONS, NATIONAL CLUB CHAMPIONS, BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP CLUB CHAMPIONS AND PRESTON SPORTS DEVELOPMENT CLUB OF THE MONTH FOR OCTOBER.
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WHATS HAPPENING WITH PRESTON PIRATES
IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS
PRESTON PIRATES BMX CLUB NUMBER 1 FOR 2009
Below is the British Cycling official final club results for 2009
Club Team Competition
| RANK | NAME | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preston Pirates BMX Club | 2019.5 |
| 2 | North East BMX Club | 2015.5 |
| 3 | Hayes Hawks BMX Club | 1971.0 |
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PIRATES MOVE FORWARD IN 2010
Following a very successfull 2009 Preston Pirates BMX Club will continue to move the club forward in 2010. With the Saturday morning coaching sessions proving very popular these will continue in the new year.See the news page for more details.
The club will also be introducing Intensive Wednesday night coaching sessions starting in March. These sessions will be controlled and structured by highly qualified British Cycling BMX coaches and Ex Pro riders. Again go to the news page for more details.
Plans are also in for an extra container to help us expand and grow our capacity and with the Olympic athletes due to train on the track in the near future it really is a good time to be one of the Pirates.
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16 years and under: £8.00
17+ years: £10.00
Family membership: £20.00
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All key Club committee members and coaches will have Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Checks to ensure their suitability for working with young people and also undertake Sports Coach UK approved Safeguarding and Protecting Children Courses. Additionally the Club has it’s own welfare officer who can be contacted if you have any queries or concerns.
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PRESTON PIRATES BMX CLUB
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
As a parent/carer of a member of the club, you are expected to abide by the
following code:
* Inform the coach of any specific health requirements or medical conditions of
your child in advance of the coaching session through the completion of a
participation/registration form or a coaching consent form
* If your child has to leave early or is being collected by someone other a
parent/carer, the parent/carer must advise the coach of the details of the
arrangement including who will be collecting your child and when
* Encourage your child to learn the rules and play within them
* Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials
* Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results
* Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good
performances of all
* Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes
* Publicly accept officials’ judgments and teach children to do likewise
* Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport
* Use correct and proper language at all times
* Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment, not yours
* Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities
* Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their
gender, ability, cultural background or religion
* Show appreciation and respect for coaches, officials and administrators.
Without them, your child could not participate
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR YOUTH AND JUNIOR MEMBERS
As a member of the club you are expected to abide by the following code:
* Arrive for training and competition in good time to prepare properly
* Members must wear suitable kit (including a helmet) and clothing for training or
match sessions, as agreed with the coach/team manager
* Always warm up and cool down properly
* All members must play within the rules and respect officials and their decisions
* Be a good sport. Applaud all good rides whether they are made by your club or
the opposition
* All members must control their temper. Verbal abuse of officials and other riders,
or deliberately distracting/provoking an opponent are not acceptable or permitted
behaviours in any sport
* Work equally hard for yourself and your club. Your club’s performance will
benefit, and so will you
* Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their
gender, ability, cultural background or religion
* Members must pay any fees for training or events promptly
* Junior members are not allowed to smoke on club premises or whilst
representing the club at competitions
* Junior members are not allowed to consume alcohol or drugs of any kind on the
club’s premises or whilst representing the club
* Treat all participants in cycling as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take
unfair advantage of another competitor
* Cooperate with your coach, club-mates and opponents. Without them there
would be no competition
* Thank officials and opponents after competition
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- 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 40 events in 2008/2009
- 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 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.
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 : 07584 088451
e-mail : rabracing@blueyonder.co.uk
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