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Learn the Secrets of Freestyle BMX

Freestyle BMX, also known as BMX trick riding, is a one of a kind daredevil sport that is pure excitement and 100% adrenaline rush. However, like the activities involved in the sport, jumping up and down rails performing various complicated tricks in midair, the sport has seen its highs and lows.

Ultimately, it is here to stay, and Freestyle BMX is no doubt more popular than ever.

Freestyle BMX is normally taken as a synonym to the term BMX stunt riding. It is a discipline with origins coming from extreme sports. In the same vein as professional skateboarding, Freestyle BMX is also composed of five distinct disciplines: flatland, trails, vert, park and street.

From Humble Beginnings...

The roots of bicycle freestyling can be traced all the way back to 1975. In San Diego, California, kids took their bicycles and rode them in concrete reservoir channels in Escondido. Some of the first photos of bicycle freestyling were published by Skateboarder Magazine in the same year. In 1976, bicycle riders were seen pulling tricks at Carlsbad Skatepark in California.

In a way, you could say California is the birthplace of Freestyle BMX.

It did not take long for Freestyle BMX to become mainstream. The extreme sport finally took off in the 1980s, and then eventually reached the peak of its popularity in 1987. During this period, new bicycle models were released almost every week.

The Tricks of the Trade

Freestyle BMX is at once an extreme sport and a performance art. Here are some of the tricks you'll normally see in typical Freestyle BMX event.

Grinds

When a biker slides his bicycle other than the wheels over a surface, it is called a grind.

Double peg. The biker does a bunny hop and then lands both pegs on the ledge or a rail.
Smith grind. Generally considered a bit more difficult than the basic feeble, the biker bunny hops then lands the rear wheel and front peg on the ledge or a rail.
Unluc-e grind. The biker bunny hops and then lands the pedal and front peg on the ledge or a rail. The back wheel must not touch the ground.
Air tricks

Air tricks are tricks performed in midair.

Tabletop. The biker turns the handlebars to lift the bicycle horizontally to his side making it look like a table top.
Barspin. The biker spins the handle bars in a full circle in midair.
Backflip. The biker does a backflip usually from one ramp and landing on another.
Flatland tricks

Tricks done on a flat surface with only one wheel touching the ground.

Wheelie. The biker's pedals with only the back wheel touching the ground.
Endo. The front brakes are applied to lift the bicycle and the rider must balance using only the front tire.

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