A 4X/DS fool with nowhere to race

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I want to get into any racing that includes bikes like 4x and dual slalom however there are absolutely no compettions in Ontario
I live near Toronto
any suggestions…cause it would really help
Jake

Hey Jake,

What do you do when you’re a 4X/DS fool with nowhere to race?

That’s a common issue. Here are some ideas:

– Build a pump track. Race on it. Pump track racing is getting big. Sea Otter had it. Crankworx had it. Worlds had it (down the street in a guy’s yard).

– Race XC. That happens everywhere.

– Rip some Super D. That’s like 4X, only it’s more like 30X. Super D might actually be the ultimate test of all-around bike fu.

And best of all:

– Get into BMX. While there are maybe dozens of 4X/DS race venues in North America, there are hundreds of BMX tracks. If you wanna pin it to win it, BMX is the most accessible way to do it.

If none of those ideas work:

– Go grassroots. Find a fun place to ride. Find cool people to ride with. Race each other. We used to hold informal races at our little training spot. We made medals out of old chainrings. It was super fun.

Find a way to race your favorite bike. Give it your all. Have fun!

— Lee

Know more. Have more fun!

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8 replies
  2. Rob says:

    Head to Milton BMX Track, typically Thursday’s is open practice.

    Some Sundays are open racing and mtb’s have been allowed to race crusier class.

    See attached link: http://www.mbmxracing.com/

    There has been a winter series run in Orangeville, but not sure about 2010.

    Other then that contact SirBikeAlot Racing and talk to Pete about 4x again. ON ran a 4x series (bmx tracks), but due to poor turn-out it was stopped.

    I am in the same boat as you. I have been thinking of crossing over to bmx and racing cruiser.

  4. ChrisQ says:

    I’ve been a massive fan of dual slalom for fifteen years now and in all that time I’ve managed to race it properly twice.

    I really enjoy the old school on the grass slalom so what I do is get some pvc pipe from the hardware shop, cut it into 30cm lengths (you should probably start out with 12″ pieces though!), and put them in a grassy hill as gates.

    I’ve done this a lot with my friends and if you find that one rider is significantly faster than the other rider you can do all sorts of things to even up the racing and inspire competition: Have the faster rider start with a foot on the ground and only start pedalling once the slower rider is on the pedals or up to their 2nd stroke etc. Or, you can pull one or two gates on the faster riders course out further to the sides. This tightens up the turns and increases the distance they have to ride.

    Also, get a DMC moto trainer stopwatch on your bars, that way you can race yourself on pump tracks, through singletrack, on urban sections, around the house or anywhere you like.

  5. Rob says:

    Chris,

    Very cool idea.

    How about using orange cones??

    You have me thinking about locations with a nice slope to have some fun.

    Rob

  6. Mark says:

    Hey great idea…home made (on grass) dual slalom courses using cones. I have often thought about that when I have seen a nice slope in a park

    Ok Lee…give us some ideas on how we should strategically set the cones up …distance apart, how many, location etc

  7. leelikesbikes says:

    Hmm …

    I could get lost in detail here, but quick notions:

    – How much space do you have? Use it all.

    – Try for a 30-40 second run. That’s about as long as a human can pin it full-out, like a BMX or 4X track.

    – Arbitrary number of turns: 10-15

    – Given your space, arrange the turns so it takes 30-40 seconds to pin a run.

    – If you have a long run like Sea Otter, your turns will be far apart and wide open. If you have a short run, your turns will be closer and tighter.

    I hope that makes sense. I hope it helps.

  8. Ian says:

    You know I have recently started racing 4X and the racing is 300+ miles away just to do it. I am a former BMX’er (ok still get out now and then) and really like the rubbing and bumping. I really wish it wasn’t so hard to start something so there were more around. I have been trying to work with a local establishment but still no luck. These are some good ideas to just get out and ride.

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