When we talk about BMX racing and Horse racing you might think that these are two distant worlds apart, but actually, they do share some similarities. The first one involves human-powered bikes through dirt tracks, while the other features horses galloping towards the finish line. Yet, when you peel back the layers (and the mud), the similarities between the two are not only surprising but also wildly entertaining. Yes, it might sound confusing to compare BMXing to horse racing, but let’s see what these two sports have in common.
The Start
The start of BMX racing is very similar to horse racing. All the bikers are lined up, their muscles are tensed, their legs ready to spin the pedals, and they are waiting for the gate to drop. The start is crucial and can determine the whole race. In horse racing, we have pretty much the same thing. All the thoroughbreds and riders are lined up, the pulse is going through the roof, and they are all waiting for the barrier to be lifted. So, they have more in common than you might think. After the start of the race, it is all fast-paced action down the finishing line. Though, there is one evident difference. In BMX racing betting still isn’t very popular. In horse racing, betting is quite popular. In fact, you have to learn how to read the odds in horse racing before going to an event, which is not the case with BMX racing. Even if wagering on BMX racing becomes more prominent, the deciding factors will depend more on athletes, while in horse racing the factors depend on the horses.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.