BMX: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How Senior Athletes Keep Riding

When you think of BMX, a type of bicycle sport focused on racing and stunt riding on dirt tracks or urban terrain. Also known as bicycle motocross, it started as kids riding off-road bikes in the 1970s—but today, it’s a full-blown sport for people of every age. In Nottinghamshire, you’ll find riders over 50 still carving jumps, racing in local leagues, and teaching newcomers how to drop in without wiping out. This isn’t nostalgia. It’s active, demanding, and deeply rewarding.

BMX racing, a timed, head-to-head competition on short, technical dirt tracks with bermed corners and jumps is one of the most physically intense forms of cycling. It doesn’t need miles of pavement—just a few hundred feet of packed earth and a lot of guts. Then there’s BMX tricks, freestyle maneuvers like tailwhips, barspins, and backflips performed on ramps, rails, and street obstacles. These aren’t just for show. They build balance, core strength, and reaction time—exactly what older athletes need to stay sharp. And yes, these riders are still doing it. Not because they’re young. But because they’re smart. They know their bodies, train smarter, and ride with purpose.

What’s surprising isn’t that seniors ride BMX—it’s how many still compete. Local clubs in Nottinghamshire have teams of riders in their 50s and 60s who show up every weekend, whether it’s raining or freezing. They don’t do it for fame. They do it because BMX keeps them moving, thinking, and connected. It’s not about winning every race. It’s about showing up, getting back on after a fall, and proving that age doesn’t retire you—complacency does.

You’ll find stories here of riders who switched from running to BMX after knee issues, of grandparents who started after their kids got into it, and of veterans who use the bike as therapy after life’s big changes. This isn’t just about bikes. It’s about resilience. About community. About refusing to let age define what you can still do.

Below, you’ll find real stories, practical advice, and deep dives into what keeps senior BMX riders rolling. Whether you’re curious about the gear, the training, or just how someone over 60 still lands a 360, these posts have the answers. No fluff. No hype. Just what works.