How to Put Together a BMX Bike Track

Catch good air off a well-made jump.

With BMX a growing sport, now can be a great time to learn how to build a BMX track. With a few friends, some basic tools and a large outdoor area, you can have your own customized BMX track. Once you have completed your project by following some fun, simple steps, you can enjoy countless days of outdoor fun.

Things You'll Need

• Large dirt area
• Flat shovels
• Spade shovels
• Wheelbarrows

Instructions

1. Determine the flow and direction the track will go. Imagine the track in completed form, keeping in mind factors that will affect the track such as trees, rocks, steep inclines and the amount of space between each individual feature. Here the creative process comes in and you get to imagine your dream track and make alterations to turn the dream into reality.

2. Start digging. Use shovels to accumulate dirt and the wheelbarrows to transport it. Begin forming piles of dirt in the areas where you want the features, as determined in Step 1. Use caution, and don't become carried away with massive jumps; a 4-foot jump will be adequate for the beginner-intermediate rider. Get creative and add a rhythm section, or a series of small jumps, in order to keep proper flow and speed within the track.

3. Pack the dirt and shape the jumps. Once you have the general idea of the jump formed, pack it down with your shovel, tamping it to form compact mounds of dirt. Walk around and stomp on the dirt, then shape the takeoff and landing to your liking. Pay special attention to the landings, which cause many BMX accidents.

4. Water down the jumps until they become rock hard. After the wet dirt dries, the dirt will be harder than before and much better for takeoffs and landings. If you don't have water available, wait for rain to do the job.

5. Take a ride around the track once the general shape comes together. Ride extremely carefully on the first run, and approach each feature with caution and proper speed. Pay special attention to the flow of the track and areas where you gain too much speed or slow down excessively.

6. Make final changes. Don't settle for mediocrity. If the landing lacks form, build it up; if a jump has too much dirt, shave it down. Make this track your own personal creation that you are proud of. Once it reaches perfection, you and your friends will have hours of fun on something you built yourself.

Tips & Warnings

• BMX biking is a highly dangerous sport. Always wear the necessary protective gear and observe any building rules in the area you are considering making your track.

References

• BMX Track Building

Resources

• Gene's How to Build BMX Dirt Jumps