If you are looking for a new sport to try, then we have one in mind which you might not have considered. Motocross can be a great pastime for those with a little passion for great speed. If you have not heard of it before, it is an exciting and adrenaline-fueled sport which is sure to get your heart pumping. However, it might be one of the harder sports to get into. To get to a place where you are truly competitive requires a lot of time and patience. Practice, as with most sports, is key to success here, and you will need plenty of it. Nonetheless, it is a viable and exciting way to spend your weekends, should you be interested. This is a great sport for those who already have some experience in riding. If that sounds like you, then it might be worth a shot. If you do decide to get into motocross, then there are some things that you need to know. Towards that end, we have put together this guide on getting into motocross. Have a read through this before you do anything else.
First Things First: Is It Right For You?
Motocross requires a very particular set of skills and manner of being if you are to fully enjoy it. The good news is that there are absolutely no restrictions other than whether or not you think you can handle it. People of all ages, genders and background come to motocross, and the skill set is dispersed evenly amongst all people. At its most basic, motocross involves you chasing other bikes around a man-made track. If you get really good, you might even end up leading one day. If you think that you could enjoy high-speed racing on an MX bike, then you just might have a shot at success.
What You Need
If you do decide that you would like to get into motocross, then the next step is to get hold of your equipment. It goes without saying that you will need a Motocross bike first of all. Choosing a bike can be a challenge in itself, especially if you are not versed in them already. With that in mind, it is always a good idea to go shopping with someone who is already in the know. They can then hopefully help you to pick out a suitable first MX bike. But it’s not just a bike that you will need. Retailers like POA Racing sell all other Motocross equipment, from helmets to boots and all other safety gear in between. Before you get started with even your first attempt, you will need to ensure that you have stocked up on all the essentials. This is primarily a safety concern – Motocross is an extreme sport, and there is a genuine risk of danger. Of course, for its practitioners, that is all part of the fun. But you do still need to ensure that you are protected.
Learning To Ride
It goes without saying that you will need to learn the basics before you can go any further. If you have ridden any other kinds of bike, such as a motorbike, then you might have a bit of a head start. However, even if that is the case, you need to bear in mind that Motocross is its own skill which does need to be developed independently. It would be a mistake to assume that, because you can ride a motorbike, you can ride Motocross. To start with, it’s a good idea to spend a good deal of time practicing. It is a good idea to find and sign up for a beginner’s course in Motocross. Most people find that they probably cannot learn very much without some kind of professional guidance, so this is essential. Take the beginner courses as many times as you feel is necessary to get a feel for the sport.
Train Hard
Remember: there is no such thing as too much practice. With that in mind, it is a good idea to spend as much time as you can training. It is vital that you get as good as possible before you start attempting to race or compete with others. The last thing you want is to suffer the pain and embarrassment of not coming up to par. Of course, training is, for most people, all part of the fun. You can train alone, or with a group of people. It really doesn’t matter – as long as you are comfortable with anyone you might be riding with.
Discover Tracks
Part of the fun (and challenge) of Motocross is that you get to discover lots of new places. When you are starting to get a feel for the technique and handling of your MX bike, it might be time to start looking further afield. Have a look around your area for any more tracks which you can practice on. Remember to ask other riders; they are likely to know where the good tracks are. Finding new tracks is important, as it helps you to gain experience riding on different kinds of terrain. When you are just starting out, this is a fine idea indeed. The more varied your practice, the better.
Find A Group
As you go around different tracks in different areas, you will meet a lot of riders. When you get to a certain level of proficiency, you might decide that it is time to ride with a group. This marks an important stage for most people. If you are interested in that idea, then spend some time getting to know the people at the tracks you are riding. Start to ask around with these people and see if there are any spaces going in any groups. Alternatively, you could start one of your own and start to draw people in. Riding with others has the significant benefit of giving you more opportunity to practice with others. Before you know it, you will be in a great position to start racing.
