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Vegas' Desert Environment Makes it a Perfect Spot for BMX

Given that the primary feature of BMX racing is the off-roading element, it make sense that there’s a mountain of BMX tracks available in Southern Nevada. From Boulder City to Kyle Canyon, these parks are all unique, featuring a variety of twists and turns, thrilling jumps, and rugged terrain. BMX racers line up at the top of a steep hill, each separated into their own lane. Once the starting gate comes down, the fun begins.

But even with its reputation for high-octane excitement, patience at the beginning is the key to success. As Connor Fields explains on Vegas All In, even after the starting gate is released, racers have to stay in their lane for the first thirty feet. This distance is marked by a white line at the bottom of the hill. Only once they make it past that threshold can they start to maneuver around their opponents. “The start of the BMX race is all about strength and explosiveness,” Fields says. “We are the engines for the bicycle.” Before you can think about passing or executing any cool tricks, you need to make sure you’re stable and at speed.

In a way, that seems to have been the trajectory of the sport itself. BMX started in the 1970s as kids in Southern California emulated their motorcross heroes, using their fixie bikes in place of 250cc dirt bikes. As they launched off ramps and navigated tight turns, perhaps dreaming of one day trading their Schwinn for a Kawasaki, they were unknowingly the vanguard of a new competition. And once they got past that white line, now the excitement comes to life.