[music] Hank: You didn't think that was me, did you?
Commentator: Riders ready. Watch the gate. Hank: BMX. One of, hands down, the scariest
disciplines of cycling. Violent, ferocious, fast, and bloody terrifying. Oh, and my next
challenge. [music]
I made it here to Bristol, which is in the southwest of England, to a BMX track. BMX
just doesn't fill me with any sort of confidence. I mean, the starting ramp is very steep, the
jumps are very big, the bike is very small, the wheels are small, no suspension, and one
brake. It all really began in the United States in the 1970s. Kids were getting inspired by
their motocross starts and decided to grab a bike and hit the dirt. I guess kids were
really buying into the lifestyle that freestyle BMX and racing BMX offered. 1993 is where
the UCI integrated BMX. 10 years later, in 2003, the International Olympic Committee
made it a full-medal Olympic sport. BMX does have some heritage. It's always been
my interest to give it a go, give a discipline that I've always been quite fearful of and,
well, put pedal to the metal. You think I was going to get let loose on that track on
my own, did you? Well, no. I've drafted some support. That support is Trey White.
[music] Starting at the age of 9, Trey White has risen
the ranks of BMX, becoming British National BMX champion in 2016, also claiming bronze
medal at the BMX World Championships in 2014. Yes, Trey is a man with all the credentials
and a perfect candidate to put me through my paces. Trey.
Trey White: Nice to see you, mate. Hank: How's it going?
Trey: How are you? Hank: I'm nervous.
Trey: Yes? Hank: Really nervous. There's big jumps there,
there's small jumps there, there's steep ramps, small bikes. It's terrifying, this.
Trey: Mate, I wouldn't be too worried, I mean I'm looking out for you. I reckon you got
it in the bag. Hank: Right. Fingers crossed, mate. We better
not talk about it, we better just get straight to the point. We just got to get suited and
booted, don't we? Trey: Let's get cracking, mate.
Hank: Let's go, mate. Trey: Let's get cracking.
[music] Hank: Oh, Trey. It's a bit nerve-wracking,
this. Trey: Not surprised, mate.
Hank: I'm all set. Trey: You're all set?
Hank: Yes. Trey: I think you'll have to take it off again.
Hank: Why? Trey: You got your elbows out.
Hank: Elbows out? Trey: You got your knees out.
Hank: Knees out? Trey: Your legs are probably shaven. You're
in the wrong place, mate. Hank: Really?
Trey: Yes. Hank: It's aerodynamics.
Trey: You don't need that on a bike, not on this bike. You must go and get changed, honestly.
Hank: All right, one moment. [music]
Hank: Luckily, Blake [unintelligible 00:03:42] right out from GMBN, because GCN doesn't come
in baggies. Trey: Oh.
Hank: What do you make of that? Trey: You're [unintelligible 00:03:48] part,
mate. Don't worry about that. Hank: You'll blend in.
[laughter] Trey: We better see you be going that quick.
You're ready. Hank: All right. I'm ready to go, mate.
Trey: Yes? I think this is the final bit. Hank: Oh.
Trey: A bit to the puzzle. Hank: Full-face helmet. Going to need that.
Trey: It's going to be needed, trust me. Hank: All right, guys. We're all set.
Trey: Yes? You reckon? Hank: Let's go. Yes. Now we're set.
Trey: Now we're set. [music]
Hank: What are the first basics that I need just to get around the track?
Trey: The basics, when we first start off, obviously we start at the gate, but today
we're not using the gate. Three basics I want to talk you through is, first of all, when
we're going down the track, I need your pedals level at all times. If you're not pedaling
and you're going to have the jump, your pedals need to stay level just so your pedal don't
hit and you don't go over the handlebars. Second, when you're going around, one finger
covering the brake just to maintain your speed. Then third is a basic move we call "pumping."
When you're going up the jump, your arms and your legs compressing at the same time. That
basic keeps your wheels on the ground. Hank: I'm pretty good at pumping.
[laugher] Hank: I reckon helmet on, roll down.
Trey: Let's get it done. Hank: All right, fingers crossed. I've never
ever been on a BMX track. This is the first time ever.
Trey: I reckon you got it, mate. Hank: That's right, we got it. [laughs] [music]
Hank: Just to show you how confident GCN on my ability riding a BMX track. Luckily, Killian's
over there. He's our paramedic. Fingers crossed I don't need him on this lap. Hardest bit
of BMX, getting my feet in the pedals. Oh, shoot.
Trey: [laughs] Hank: Oh. [sighs] I'm in.
Trey: A bit of a breather. Hank: That's all, I'm out. Oh. How do you
get out here? Trey: I told you that's-- [laughs]
Hank: I forgot I was going for a brake, I got to balance it.
Trey: I told you that's on the track. You might want to start leaning here so you can
clip in both feet first. Hank: Oh, okay.
Trey: You got it? Hank: The saddle's so low.
Trey: [laughs] We don't use that at all. Hank: [laughs]
Trey: We don't sit down. Hank: I'm a bit nervous, though.
Trey: All right. Remember the steps? Pedals level.
Hank: Pedals level. Trey: Finger over brake.
Hank: This is going to be an absolute revelation if I don't crash this lap.
Trey: You got it, mate. [music]
Hank: All right. Trey: Take it nice and easy. Nice and easy.
Hank: Here we go, confident. I'm over the first one and the second.
Trey: He's got it. He's doing all right. [music]
He looks like a natural, he's pumping well. He's getting pedals in there right. Oh, he's
picked up a bit speed here. Oh, he's going to be knackered by the time he gets to the
finished line, I'm telling you. [laughs] We've got third straight.
[music] The wheel even came off the ground.
[music] Nice work.
Hank: Legs are tired. Trey: Finishing straight.
Hank: It's pretty hard now. Here we go. [unintelligible 00:06:44]
Trey: Nice work. Hank: It's like nothing I've ever done before,
because quite so unnatural. I'm on a small bike, and you're using your whole off body.
I'm used to focusing all that energy into leg, speed, and power. Slightly different
to a road bike, this is a race BMX bike. Trey, you're going to talk us through, aren't you?
Trey: Basically, we have the wheels. These are 20-inch wheels, frame 21.75, also we have
one brake. This a disc brake. Not all BMXs have a disc brake, but obviously, BMX racing,
you only have one back brake. My gear, single speed obviously. We got a 44 at the front
and a 16 at the back. Some similarities, we got the carbon forks, carbon rims, [unintelligible
00:07:45]. Hank: Slightly used to what I'm riding. I
guess that's why I feel so agile when it's on you because it's just so small. You've
got the small wheels, and it just turns on a dime. I guess we should stop looking at
it, and let's go ride in there. Trey: Sounds good to me.
[music] Hank: With some more pointers from Trey, I
had it for some extra practice laps before we have the big one, the race. Me versus Trey.
[music] Trey: Whilst Hank is going around the track,
practicing, getting his groove on, I just saying that this track, for me personally,
it's so weird being back here as this was the last stop of my first ever national series
when I was 11 years old. There was eight guys and a girl actually. I was racing the girl
called Abbie Taylor, and whoever won here took over the national title. I got second,
but it's just a great place, a great track. BMX is so good for young kids to get involved
in. The track's closed off so you're not out riding on the road. The bikes are fairly cheap,
you can get a good race bike for £500 and get the kids into it.
Weekends, if it's nice, I used to camp, me as a family. There's four or five of us, and
we used to camp on weekends. Everyone's racing, barbecues, everything. If anyone was ever
looking to get into BMX, there's loads of little clubs around England. For example,
like this one. I know that my home club, the guys offer bikes and helmets and we have qualified
coaches. Of course, it's sport, and it is a bit dangerous, but look at that. You learn
to jump, we say like, "Fly through the air." I would say it's worth the risk. Hopefully,
have fun, and that'll be worth it. [music]
Hank: Just getting my breath back. It's super hard work.
Trey: I'm not [unintelligible 00:09:54] this, but you make it look easy for a first time,
honestly. Plus, endurance. I've never seen someone just keep going round and round, and
round. Hank: [laughs] I guess, that's where road
cycling really does come in hand and hand, I guess. It's a little bit crossover when
it comes to fitness side of things. Trey: Of course.
Hank: But when it comes to BMX, I guess, it's all about commitment and confidence in yourself,
isn't it? Trey: Yes, mental and the main thing is, it's
like a strong power of that-- the main thing we focus on is the gate so that the strength
and the strong burst of power, but endurance wise, you're smashing-- [crosstalk]
Hank: Is that why you see a lot of crossover between the sprinters and BMX?
Trey: Yes. Hank: Because it's all about that burst power.
Trey: A lot of us, sometimes, in the winter. We train on the velodrome track sometimes
just sprinting, just raw power and try and bring it from there, onto our bike, bigger
gears. But obviously we need to spin as well, there's a lot to it but it's just the raw
power and the gate is the most important one. A lot of people say the gate is the most important
one. Hank: What kind of power are you putting out,
from the start? Trey: Depending on who you are but over 2000
watts. Hank: 2000 watts man, I've only got [unintelligible
00:11:00] in the locker. [laughter]
I'm not going to be coming anywhere closer to you guys.
[music] Hank: We've done a few laps. I've had a few
basic's drilled into me. I've managed to get clipped in, although it's taken a while so
I thought, now is the time to do a time-lapse just to show you what a very novice beginner
can do and what a professional can do. Yes, I'm not expecting to win this. I hope you
guys realize that but I thought it would be fun anyway. Right, Trey, are we ready? Three,
two, one. Let's go, let's go. [laughs] Trey: I think you won.
Hank: Three, two, one.. He's off the line. [music]
Bloody hell. Holy molly, he's flying. 15 seconds. He's flying. Clean it. Not again. He's on
the straight, he's coming. Up, up, up. Trey White, that was formidable. That was
unreal. You looked pretty good there, I'm not going to lie. Your time was 35 seconds.
Trey: I'll take it. Hank: 35 seconds.
Trey: I'll take that. Hank: That was outrageous. Right, my turn,
give us your bike. Trey: It's all yours, mate.
Hank: [laughs] Here it goes. [music]
Trey: This is it. Hank: Give me a heads up, mate. Any words
of wisdom before I drop in. Trey: Yes, Enjoy yourself. [chuckles]
Hank: [laughs] Is that it? Trey: Head on to the finish line.
Hank: Just keep smiling. Trey: Keep smiling, focus on your lines in
the turn. This is the big event, mate. This is for all the roadies watching at home.
Hank: This is for all you roadies out there. Trey: This is what your career has led to.
Hank: [laughs] Trey: Are you ready?
Hank: I'm ready, mate. Trey: Three, two, one. Go.
Hank: Right, it's a slow start. It's a slow start, gaining some speed.
Trey: He's got some good speed there now. ?Killian: He's over the first jump.
Trey: Pumping, nice and controlled. What lines are going to take in the turn?
?Killian: Picking up speed now. Trey: He's now in the middle of the turn.
?Killian: Pumping away. [music]
?Killian: He's got some slide on there. [unintelligible 00:13:35]
[music] Hank: Home straight. I
went for the faster line, which is obviously not to jump.
Trey: Yes, just pump in. Just nice and safe. ?Killian: Yes.
Trey: Hard choice. Hank: How did it look?
Trey: Looked good, you did a little jump in there.
Hank: That's not my helmet. Trey: I mean, at least it's the only time
it's hitting the floor today, I'll take that. Hank: What was my time, mate?
Trey: What do you reckon? Hank: You did 35 seconds. I reckon I did,
let's say, another 20 seconds. Trey: No, 45 seconds, yes.
Hank: [unintelligible 00:14:27] Trey: That's sweet, mate.
Hank: 10 seconds off. Trey: 35 seconds-- 10 seconds off.
Hank: Mate. Trey: Good work.
[music] Hank: As a roadie coming into BMX, have you
seen any roadies turns into BMX or MBX turn into roadies?
Trey: Honestly, I've not seen anyone go from roadie or velodrome to BMX but we've got quite
a few famous cyclist that have done the transitions. I know of-- Chris Hoyer used to race when
he was young, only young, I think like six, seven. He used to race BMX. Jamie Staff, he
definitely used to race BMX. Big in the scene, seen him-- me personally have seen him race
in nationals, has not seen him race big events but he was a big BMX racer. I think one of
the biggest is Shanaze Reade, multiple world champion in BMX and have transferred to velodrome
and got more championships as well. I think just the basic fundamentals of riding
a bike, I just said it's so small, agile. I think if you could pick up the skills and
throw that back about when you get bigger wheels, a bit more easier control. You can
get away of a little bit more. I feel like it's just a good a good basic fundamental
to start and then go to any cycling sport, really.
Hank: Yes, I guess it just shows those British sprinters that have gone to do great things
in the Olympics have got their skill set from a track like this. I've got a long way to
go before I get on the track and win an Olympic medal, probably never. But it does just show
you that all these skills you learn, you pick up from different cycling disciplines can
take you further on the discipline you choose to do.
Trey: Of course, for sure. [music]
Hank: Guys, I managed to complete a course on a BMX bike, something I never thought I'd
be able to do. Absolutely loved it, Trey, thank you so much man. It must be your instruction
and your guidance that helped me get around without breaking anything.
Trey: You had it easy, mate. I'm not going to lie. Speaking from all BMX's, I was quite
proud of you. You did yourself well today. Controlled. Mate, you didn't hit the floor.
I [unintelligible 00:16:36] came off the ground, so that's a plus. [crosstalk] It's a big plus,
it's a big plus. Hank: If you guys want to see me try something
out, maybe another cycling discipline, then let me know in that comment section below.
Trey: Guys, if you like the video, give it a big thumbs up, make sure you subscribe.
Hank: Yes, and maybe I might be ale to get Trey in some lycra on a road race. Yes, get
him out of his comfort zone, here you go. Trey: Yes, I'm not too sure about that, mate.
Hank: What? Trey: Honestly, not too sure about that.
Hank: No? Trey: No, give that one a miss.
Hank: I'll work on it, I'll work on it. What a day, mate.
Trey: Thanks for having me. Hank: Yes, completed.
[00:17:12] [END OF AUDIO]