More emails

We at Singapore BMX love getting emails. We reply to every email we get. Here is one we got recently:

Hey,

My name's (name withheld) and I'm 16. I came across your site a couple of days ago and have actually been really interested in taking up BMX for more than a year now. I've seen a BMX race on TV before and have watched YouTube vids and all. However, with school and all that, I never really had the time and didn't know where to start. I'm Singaporean and have been living overseas for the past few years because of my parents jobs. I just finished my O levels (school year the august - June) and now am on summer holidays and in Singapore for 2 months. With these 6weeks left, I don't want them to go to waste and would like to pick up BMX. So, can I have some advice on getting started? Where could I get a bike? should I buy a bike and just self teach myself? or is there any place where I could get lessons?

Thanks so much (: ,

Some UCI BMX news.

Got this in my email recently

The UCI introduced on 1st August 2006 a permanent number system for Elite Men & Elite Women. With this system, riders can choose a “career number”, which they have the exclusive right to use for their entire Elite class career. This will give riders a possibility to market themselves and to give media and spectators an easy way to identify riders. Now for the 4th time, riders are given an opportunity to apply for number not yet occupied. Rider’s which number has expired (not scored any UCI points in the last 2 seasons) will become vacant again. Rider’s may re-apply for their number, although it will be subject to the normal procedure mentioned in the UCI rule book. The National Federation shall submit a list of all their (Elite Men & Elite Women and Juniors moving up) riders born 1991 or earlier, wishing to receive a permanent number before July 15, 2009.

More interested emails

We get lots of emails and we love receiving and replying to them. I got one such email from this gentleman yesterday and I can tell you, I know how he feels. Here it is:

Hi,

I happen to chance on your website when I was reading up on the local bmx scene. I'm a working adult by the way and started mountain biking about 6 months ago (have ridden market bike around Singapore when I was younger, when I had not much money at that time). I've watched the Olympics coverage on bmx racing and am amazed by the speed and grace the riders are tackling the track. Sad to say, the local track in Tampines is in shambles and it is not even a complete circuit. I tried the track when I'm mountain biking in Tampines trail and find that you've got to improvise to do laps on it as the ending point leads to the side of the starting gate. The YOG is next year and since Tampines is the venue for BMX and mountain biking, I'm not sure what plans the authority has to spruce up the place. Will the track be of international standard? I sincerely hope so.

That aside, I'm still heartened to see locals using the track. I hope more people will be more aware of the various disciplines in BMX after the YOG and more young people will step up and be involved in the sport. I myself have taken an interest and would like to know more.

As I wish to try out the sport, I would like to seek your advice on what bike I should get. I would prefer to get a second hand bike and wouldn't want to spend so much on it as I'm just trying out. There's some people selling their bikes in the another forum and I'm interested in getting any Haro bike there. Although I'm more inclined to the racing element, I'm also interested in the freestyle and would like to learn a few tricks myself. Been trying wheelies, stoppies and bunny hops on my mountain bike and hope to do more stuff on a bmx bike.

Another thing. Are there any middle aged or young adults group where I can learn from? I thank you for reading my e-mail and hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks for the email and letting us know how you feel. And to all out there...keep those letters coming in!