How to Make BMX Ramps

BMX ramps are the seen in the annual Summer X Games Extreme Sports competition from coast to coast. BMX has come a long way from wannabe motorcross. Held in serious esteem as an extreme sport, in January of 1993 BMX joined Union Cycliste Internationale. In this article you will learn how to build a BMX bicycle ramp.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Plywood
• Nails
• Tarp
• 8'-10' long boards
• 2x4 boards

Build your BMX ramp

1. Draw a ¼ circle onto plywood board. Your line must start from the bottom of the plywood board. This line will touch the ground when the ramp is completely assembled.
2. Cut the¼ circle out of the plywood board.
3. Lay the cut-out over another plywood board. Use the cut-out as a stencil to trace another ¼ circle in the next board of plywood. Cut this board out. You now have two side panels for your ramp.
4. Lay your 2x4 boards out on the ground, and space them 8" apart.
5. With a friend to help hold the plywood sides of the ramp, secure a 2x4 in 3 corners of each plywood side panel.
6. Lay each 2x4 rib across the curve of the ramp. You repeat steps 1 through 6 to create the second quarter ramp. After you have done this, go to step 7.
7. Make the flat bottom of your ramp by simply laying out two parallel boards of the desired length. Tilt each quarter pipe on its side, and then nail the long boards from the bottom of one ramp to the other. The result should be two ramps facing each other with a length of wood on the bottom of each side.
8. Fill the gap between the ramps with 2x4 boards. Nail each 2x4 to the flat bottom that you made. Basically, you are connecting each board as if you were laying out a railroad track.
9. Lay out soft plywood over the 2x4 boards. This is the final layer. It is recommended, however, that you cover your ramp with a tarp to prevent rain from damaging the plywood.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear protective clothing and helmet when using the BMX ramp.