The Cost of BMX Racing

Why are we (mainly me) writing this? Because we want prospective riders and parents to know what they are getting into with BMX racing. It takes passion, dedication, training, willpower, and focus. And time and money. I ask that you don't total up theoretical expenses in BMX and then decide to not try it because you think it will be too expensive; rather try BMX racing first. If it is something your kid, and you, want to do then keep reading.

You can buy a freestyle (park) bike and grind it, jump it, hop it, and roam the skatepark or streets for free. If you go get a mountain bike you can shred the gnar for free, or pay to use purpose-built bike parks all day. If you buy a road bike the roads for free and you can play real life Frogger (roadies get no love). Buy a BMX race bike, and nothing is free. This is based on our experience, observations, and being involved in the BMX race community.

First, let's talk about bikes in general. If you have any type of bike meant for cycling sports, then upgrading and maintaining go with it. That costs money whether it's a park, race, MTB, road, or gravel bike. The post-covid oversupply with rock bottom prices and lots of inventory from a few years ago is gone. Cycling is back to low demand, low volume, and that means higher prices. There's still deals to be found, but overall things aren't getting cheaper. BMX racing is a niche of a niche. The post-covid cycling collapse also hastened the disappearance of brands and parts as the parent companies don't like to spend $100 to make $10. To avoid a class in economics, let's just say market conditions aren't good for the cycling industry. Used market aside, as that follows its own local trends. What this means is don't expect every color, model, brand, or size will be available or priced at what you think it should be priced at.

Next, a big one: BMX racing is not a 'drop-off' sport. BMX racing is not always compatible with dropping your racer off and then doing something else on the other side of town. There are no coaches to babysit your kid or you. You might have to volunteer to score, drop gates, work a corner, or help run the race. The track has to be maintained as well, and it is volunteers that do it. BMX racing is the parents as much as it is the kids. You don't have to be an all-star at anything to help out. Working a corner means watching it for safety. Scoring is writing down the bike numbers as they cross the finish line. There is nothing difficult, and each volunteer is very important. Everyone is involved in BMX racing. If you're an adult racer, switch the word parent for spouse... wives, this is not a drop off sport; your manly mama's boy needs someone to drive him to the ER and have sympathy for his boo-boo's after he crashes. BMX is not a very good babysitter. You'll need to be there. I have found a kid's success is often tied to the parental involvement. It will cost you some of your time.

The BMX race leagues are fun. They are a great introduction to the track, BMX race bikes, and how BMX works. Your one-time league fee gets you coaching, mock races, gear usage, and a pizza party. It's basically like fun intramural sports. Leagues usually come with a paid membership to USA BMX too. Racing and league are not the same. The fun line gets distorted. Coming from the leagues into racing makes leagues look like bait-and-switch. BMX racing is an individual sport like track, golf, or swimming. It's not like traditional ball sports. For example, your kid can hit but not throw, his teammate can throw but not hit, and another can catch anything; together they win the tournament. If you think of BMX racing as baseball then your kid will need to hit, throw, catch, and run. The individual aspect of racing doesn't really hit until a rider is a few races in. Bob Ross once said, "Talent is a pursued interest." BMX racing is a talent that must be pursued. The rider that races here and there when they feel like it isn't going to go as far in BMX. It takes some determination and dedication. Getting last place is part of any kind of racing. It is important to have a mindset of you're not losing, you're learning. The fun comes and goes, and passion really has to be a driver. Pursue BMX and you will get faster and better. Winning is fun, and winning takes work. We've seen kids use expensive personal coaching programs and we've seen kids just ride every day and figure it out as they go, but both are putting in the work. We've seen both win #1 plates. Each individual is different in how they train to get results. Put in the work and be proud that you are doing what few will do. Success comes down to not quitting. Riding fast with 8 others on a track isn't a skill that we are programmed with. That sorta leads to this: racing is dangerous. No lie, no cap. Some age and skill groups are more dangerous than others. I know kids that do wrestling, football, and hockey and they tell me BMX was the sport they actually got hurt in. It is classified as an extreme sport after all. The majority of injuries are just scrapes and bruises, but the percentage of breaks, tears, sprains, and concussions are higher than other sports. Olympic BMX racing is the most dangerous bicycle sport according to UCI studies. More than downhill mountain biking. That's pinnacle level going for Gold though. I do have helmet mounted Go-Pro video of a crash where one of my team riders inadvertently rides over another rider's wrist, breaking it. In that same crash I had another team rider who went down and pure adrenaline got him up and across the finish line; 15 yards beyond that he collapsed unconscious with a bad concussion. It's hard to say how tough your kid is but make sure they have a good helmet and some insurance. I try not to think about this aspect of the sport too much. Still with me?

You need the right bike for BMX racing. Modern BMX racing is a technical sport requiring technical equipment. Your first bike may cost anywhere from $250 to infinite and beyond. If you find the '100 dollar special' it will need $100+ of work. For young riders be prepared to buy a bike, parts, or frame every year. Up until they are teens it's not unusual for kids to get 1 or 2 race seasons out of a bike. Usually, parts can be transferred to the next frame size to help keep costs down, but parts do wear out. You'll go through a lot of tubes, and some are special sizes used only on BMX race bikes. Some tires last three months, some tires last 2 years. Tires aren't cheap. Grips wear out fast. You get the point. The good thing is your BMX race bike is rebuildable. Many of the race bikes buy and sell amongst BMX'ers so you know what you're getting. Our advice is to start with the track bikes until you are certain BMX racing is what you and your kid want to do. As the rider gains skills, they will need better equipment. Better costs money. The expensive bikes cost more money to maintain too. Riders can start in a Ford, but eventually they're going to need a Ferrari. And maintenance costs follow the purchase price. For gear, helmets are required. Helmets can cost anywhere from $50 to $700. A basic full-face helmet works to start out, but eventually you'll want to buy a better helmet. Racewear is another cost. A pair of pants and long sleeve are all that is required per the rules, but riders want to look good. Jerseys can be from the closeout bin or the newest releases. Pants can be athletic joggers or purpose made for bike racing. Van's or gummy sole flat pedal shoes from 5.10 or RC are the de facto shoe choice. Racewear doesn't last forever either. One crash on a glued track can shred racing pants. Foam padded vests are another cost. Motocross gear is not used in BMX today, so there is no need to buy protectors and roost guards as these limit mobility.

Races have entry fees. The fee goes for awards, USA BMX fees, track improvements and maintenance. Race fees can run between $10 to $70 per race, per rider, per bike. The average local race fee is typically $12-15 per rider. One race a week, 36 weeks of racing: $432. State races? Add a few hundred more. Gold Cup? A few hundred more. Nationals? We can't count that high. Worlds? You need Scrooge McDuck's gold vault. Throw in lodging, food, camping, gas, and time off. We've been told stories of families that spend $60,000 per year chasing National and World races. A big State or Gold Cup race weekend can easily total up to $1,000. Depending on your stockbroker and portfolio, BMX racing may or may not be affordable. If local single point races and practices are all your budget supports, do it. And volunteer because that's free. Become 'track family.' We see family helping family all the time. Many tracks are in public parks which means you can practice for free on days without races. Practice and practice more. Incorporate a workout routine and always stretch before riding. By the way, if you're at the track during public hours, police the track when you're there because the public may not know they shouldn't ride their e-bikes on it. BMX tracks are not MX tracks. Eventually you'll need to travel to other tracks to keep it interesting. Go to local races at other tracks. Plan your trip and make it a day. Meet new people and expand your BMX community. If you really want to be creative, blend in some off-grid survival into your travels and sleep in your truck and bring primitive camping supplies. It's not uncommon actually. Some use campers, some stay at Hampton Inn & Suites, or some chip in with friends on an Air BnB.

In BMX everyone gets out what they put in. You make your own adventure. As much as it is an individual sport it is a family sport. If anything, we've probably scared you off, but we want people to know what they are getting themselves into. If BMX isn't the 'thing' then find what is. Just be prepared to invest in whatever the 'thing' might be. Invest in your kids because you don't get much time with them. You only get a few years with your kids before you're not cool anymore, if you ever were. If you really really wanted something like a new LED light bar, lift kit, pew-pew, purse, shoes, or whatever you'll find a way to get it. Every one of us can self-justify our own wants and the means to those wants. We'll pull out the stops to get what we want. Keep that in the back of your mind. The cost is the cost; worth is defined by you. Can you sacrifice some of your toys for your kids toys? This doesn't mean you have to spoil your kid with everything, but sometimes choices have to be made. Not like the choice of sacrificing house utilities for a carbon fork though. Once you know BMX is for you, things like teams, points, track politics, and all the rest are part of the ride. Enjoy it whether it's your kids racing, your spouse, or you. BMX is a journey that flows out like a rhythm section. At times it is an adventure in insanity. I don't know where your BMX journey goes or ends, but all I have to say is enjoy the ride. Peace be the journey.