Preview: Mongoose Returns to BMX Racing

It’s been a minute since we have heard the words “Mongoose” and “BMX Racing” uttered in the same sentence. Later this week, BMX News will join media from the MTB and general cycling press at Pacific Cycle headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin for the launch of the 2018 line of Mongoose bicycles. Read more

Letter: What Does #AgeOfTheBeginner Mean?

For the past couple months, I have noticed you and Donny Robinson and a few others using the hashtag #AgeOfTheBeginner in your Facebook posts. What does that mean? Is it something to do with your BMX Beginner League?

JP, Florida

Thanks for writing JP. As you are aware, an “age” Read more

Podcast: BMX Racing League Update

For the past eight months, BMX Racing League has been testing and proving-out the concept of a Beginners-only program for new families coming into BMX Racing, with great success. The League sets up a program where families pay a single entry fee, which includes five sessions of instruction, five races, a League jersey, number plate, season-end award and pizza party on the last day. All participants are USA BMX “trial” members, which sets-the-stage for them to eventually join the “Open Racing” program at the local track (AKA the regular local program).

In this, the 139th episode of the Announcers Tower Podcast, Donny Robinson fills-us-in on the details of the League, as well as his success at his own local track, North bay BMX in Napa, CA.

This episode is unique, among the other episodes, in that I, as host of the program, act as both host, and somewhat of a “co-guest,” since I also ran three “test seasons” of the League program at one of my local tracks, Steel Wheels BMX in Hobart, IN.

The reason we decided to do this show is because Track Operators, industry-folk, and many BMX families interested in growing the sport have sent-in questions—to BMX News, to Donny, and via the BMX Racing League Facebook Page (link below).

Donny answered as many of those questions, individually, as he could, but a central place to hear about the program, and its nuances, will help a broader-audience understand the scope of the program, and (hopefully) spur-on deeper discussion, as the program wends its way through to a larger rollout.

Listen now:
http://www.bmxnews.org/podcasts/at139-bmx-racing-league.mp3
iOS users: paste this URL into your device’s browser
http://bmxurl.com/at139

Bonus Clips

“BMX Goggles: Bike Sizing”
“The BMX Goggles:” Bike Sizing
iOS users: paste this URL into your device’s browser
http://bmxurl.com/at139a

“BMX Goggles: Transfer System”
“The BMX Goggles:” The Transfer System
iOS users: paste this URL into your device’s browser:
http://bmxurl.com/at139b

It was a lot of fun doing this episode. There is SO much more to say, but both Donny and I really enjoyed sharing our experience with the League, and the details surrounding how it all works, and why.

If you are an interested Track Operator who knows that Beginner programming is needed, reach out to Donny (donny@donnyrobinson.com) to get on the list of tracks that will be among the first to be trained in running the BMX Racing League program–according to the “recipe.”

If you’re NOT a track operator, but know this program will be a game-changer for your local scene, contact Donny as well. The position of “League Coordinator” is open, and ready for you to fill.

—Mike Carruth

Links

BMX Racing League on Facebook

Reader Letter: Pump or BMX Track?

Next Spring, I want to present something to my city that might be either a pump track or a BMX track. We are BMX racers, but I think a pump track might be easier to get approved due to cost. What should I present that has a better chance of growing the sport and getting approved?

-JS, Midwest

Thanks for writing, JS.

First, big props to you and your crew for working to get ANY “dirt cycling” program going in your town. We need more people like you out there!

Regarding which format to pitch to your city leaders, there are two questions you need to answer:

1). Do you want to get more kids on bikes?
2). Do you want to get more kids on BMX bikes to race BMX?

A pump track MIGHT be good for #1, but the problem, if your goal is to grow the sport of BMX Racing, is that the new riders at the pump track will be influenced by riders who may or may not be racers.

Most importantly, and as you know, BMX Racing is a FAMILY sport. It is not uncommon to see three generations of a given family at the track to cheer-on their racer. That is massively-appealing to city council members in almost-any municipality in America. This is not necessarily the case at a pump track.

Everyone wants more family time these days, and BMX Racing is a rare activity that provides that. At BMX News, we like to say “Fun, Fitness and Family” are the three points that make a BMX Racing track important to any community.

BMX Racing is the perfect sport for kids who are too young for other sports. And, of course, just as perfect for kids who are not interested in team sports (all stuff that you know, but we’re giving you ammo for the presentation).

The MUCH better way to go (for your presentation) is to use the same land you had in mind, to create a beginner-level BMX track. One track builder told us he can take a piece of unused municipal land and build a beginner-level BMX Track for about $15k (plus the gate).

Once you have that ready, you need a bunch of new families. Run the Donny Robinson “Beginner League” format on your new beginner-level track. The riders you enroll for your new program are directly-accretive to BMX Racing numbers. If your goal is “growing the sport,” this is how it happens!

Set your sights on six teams-of-10 for the first “season” (60 riders, or about 12 motos, all showing up every week for five weeks–that’s what the beginner league is all about).

The key is: Don’t over-think it! Take the “BMX Goggles” off and stop worrying about a perfectly-groomed facility with lights and “progression” features. Do not promote your new track to BMXers outside your town. You are here to build a local program from scratch. Tune out what existing BMXers say about your track and you, personally, and get local families involved!

Lean on USA BMX for help; they know exactly how to get this done.

I hope this helps answer your question, and we look forward to seeing your new track on the map in 2017.

—Mike Carruth

Top photo: rjp, via Flickr (News cropped and re-sized the original image).

Links

“BMX Beginner League” Format a Success in Napa