At its most basic level, 4X and riding our mountain bikes on BMX tracks capture the essence of our sport - carefree, easily accessible on any bike (Hardtails rule!) and a fantastic way to develop skills. Did we mention that both Aaron Gwin and Danny Hart started out in BMX?
At this point we need to introduce Euan Rossi - A bike riding doctor who races the 4X pro tour and organiser of the 4x Wednesday nights held at Cumbernauld BMX track, just outside Glasgow, in Scotland's central belt. #4xWednesdays is a regular Wednesday night meet up for mountain bikers and BMX riders of all abilities. It is designed to get everybody and anybody on a bike having fun. Euan and Leslie Bike Shop managed to rope in some pro riders to help with coaching at Cumbernauld’s BMX track - Luke Cryer, Greg Williamson, Duncan Ferris and Joe Connell to name but a few and there were all sorts of bikes on show - hardtails, BMX's, race Enduro bikes - Anything and everything goes at 4x Wednesday!
With over 100 riders making an appearance the nights are proving to be a roaring success - not bad for mid-week, winter nights in Scotland! Euan has pretty much single-handedly made this happen and is a shining example of the unsung heroes who bond the mtb community together "It's difficult in Scotland to have regular meetups during the week. The BMX track is a great facility as it's floodlit, runs consistently no matter the weather and has something for riders of all abilities."
"We have a wealth of bike riding talent in Scotland and the rest of the UK. It's been amazing to see this group in action and showing the public what's possible on a bike. The kids especially have loved it and we get more along every week. Hopefully it inspires them to give 4X racing a try"
"I think there is something for every level of rider at a #4xwednesdays night. We do some basic skills and tips, games to keep pushing your skills whilst having fun and the track has loads of line options to keep the elite level riders on their toes."
Look out for Euan (@4xeuan) especially at the 4X Protour in Fort William this year. He's always happy to chat to people about riding and how they can get into racing.
"I'd like to say a massive thank you to the guys at Descent World, the track staff, Sam Flockhart from Xtreme Bikes, Spartan Protein, Roost MTB Holidays and the Fort William Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup/4X Protour Team for supporting the group."
You can keep up to date with happenings over at the events Facebook page.
cool as. In mountain biking there is way way waaaaaaaaaaaaay too many people who are all power and no technique, especially in 'enduro' so its great to see people learning to jump, pump, manual etc. Just need some tracks in Ireland now and we could do the same haha
Great night had by all and it was also really good to see all the young kids enjoying themselves too. Thanks to Euan and the lads for organising the Wednesday nights. The main reason I started going along to these sessions, learning how my jump, manual,and pump.Its has brought on my biking skills a huge amount along with my fitness #yournevertoold, #4xWednesdys
Does anyone know anything like this, or even a BMX / Pumptrack in, around, or within even an hour of Oxford?! Seems to be barren lands (or a business opportunity)
Trail forks says you have a pump track in Kennington. There looks to be a few BMX tracks in Reading too. Not sure how far the 417 project is from you, but they have a pump and dirt jump barns which may be worth a look?
www.facebook.com/bmxandpumptrackdirectory Your'e not too far from Chicksands Bike Park either and they have a National 4X Track, Dual track, loads of dirt jumps and bigger jumps for trail/dh bikes. Plenty of friendly 4X racers there and a very well maintained park.
Chicksands bike park Bro! Or Aston Hill. Both have 4x courses, the one at Chicky is well maintained and there are regular gate nights for racers practicing their starts.
i kinda think it should say 'in glasgow' instead of 'in scotland'... (aye, aye, I know, glasgow's in scotland) anyhow, it's a brilliant idea/event, looks like tons of fun! would be really awesome to see this becoming a 'thing' scotland-wide. or worldwide even... props @4xwednesdays!
It would be fantastic to see 4x back. I get asked a lot but time is the main problem. Venues are the key thing here. Once you get a good local venue and people who want to run regular events you will see aassive growth in the sport.
When we started it all off when it was called BSX we ran a full uk series and regular races and it was heaving. Love to help bring it back. Also and importantly. We opened it to any bike, any ability, kept prices down especially kids. No British Cycling Rules. If you run 1 gear and 1 brake good on you. The sport is the best mtb format out there. Affordable. Easy to setup and FUN!
Just turn up 6:45pm, get your ticked from the main building £5, any bike will do as long as it has a working back brake, if you are bringing a BMX take the pegs off if it has any, failing that you can rent a bike for the night £5, full face helmet is mandatory, helmet hire is £1 as is pad hire
Yeh we have a great group of female riders there each week. We will also be launching our Female Racing Development programme in March so get involved ladies
@4xwednesdays: Team Leslie Bike Shop / Bikers Boutique Downhill riders Debs Primrose and Hope and Téa Jensen have been known to fly the flag for the girls too????
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The main reason I started going along to these sessions, learning how my jump, manual,and pump.Its has brought on my biking skills a huge amount along with my fitness
#yournevertoold, #4xWednesdys
Your'e not too far from Chicksands Bike Park either and they have a National 4X Track, Dual track, loads of dirt jumps and bigger jumps for trail/dh bikes. Plenty of friendly 4X racers there and a very well maintained park.
anyhow, it's a brilliant idea/event, looks like tons of fun! would be really awesome to see this becoming a 'thing' scotland-wide. or worldwide even...
props @4xwednesdays!