The sport of BMX or Bicycle Moto- X to give it its original title dates to 1970’s California when kids took their Schwinn Stingrays off-road for some pedal powered MX action. Kids built tracks with MX style jumps and berms and organised races that attracted like-minded kids from far afield.
The origins of BMX Racing in 1970’s California
As the sport progressed riders we’re experiencing continual failures and breakages with their ‘modified’ Schwinns, this lead to the development of a purpose built bicycle that could take the punishment that BMX delivered. A bicycle constructed from high quality steel with straight forks, support gussets in critical areas and cast moto-mag wheels. BMX was born.
It wasn’t long before burly purpose-built BMX bikes hit the scene.
Over the past five decades the sport of BMX has exploded and diversified in multiple directions. BMX racing, Flatland, Street, Vert, Park, Trials and Dirt Jumping with bikes being designed specifically for each discipline. As a testament to the popularity of BMX worldwide, it will now be included in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
With the exception of Flatland, getting air is still at the heart of BMX riding. It is the thrill of jumping a bike that becomes so addictive for young people looking for an escape, a thrill that can’t be described, only experienced. A thrill that connects millions of people worldwide.
Over the years BMX jumping has become an artform with increasingly difficult tricks being introduced.
To gain this experience, you’ll first need a ramp. While some riders may be fortunate enough to live beside purpose-built facilities, most BMX riders have grown up building their own ramps from scraps of timber they can salvage from wherever they can. A ramp that can be dragged a few meters from your property on to the street before being dragged back for storage. While the equipment BMX riders use has evolved and improved exponentially, the ramps have stayed largely the same.
Traditionally BMX ramps have been heavy home-made wooden units.
This was until August 2018 when Jumpack, a BMX ramp company from the UK launched (literally) the worlds first lightweight portable BMX ramp. Jumpack is an ingenious piece of kit that took over five years to develop with the help of engineers from the aerospace industry.
Jumpack transforms from a backpack to a kicker ramp in seconds.
Jumpack is a ‘transformer’ style ramp that can be carried like a backpack as you ride from location to location, and at only 6kg, can be carried comfortably all day. Once you’re ready to catch some air, Jumpack simply ‘unfolds’ from its harness into a substantial kicker in a matter of seconds with zero assembly. Jumpack looks like a product designed by the boffins at Wayne Enterprises and wouldn’t look out of place being carried by Batman, it’s that type of product.
In addition to the portability, Jumpack boasts a selection of clever features including;
• A built-in suspension system that prevents the ramp from sliding or moving during use.
• A modular feature which allows multiple ramps to be connected to make larger ramps.
• Three height settings.
• GoPro connectivity so you can film the action.
The patented anti-slide system makes sliding ramps a thing of the past.
BMX rider and World record Holder Brandon Schmidt stated that the Jumpack ramp “changes the game for action sports” and we are inclined to agree. This ramp creates so many opportunities for BMX riders, especially in the street environment. Imagine you could make a ramp appear anywhere with a click of your fingers? Jumpack essentially makes this a reality! It will change how we look at our environment forever.
BMX star Spencer Foresman with his Jumpack ramp.
Bmx riders are loving the freedom Jumpack provides.
We are so happy to see that BMX ramp technology has now caught up with bike technology, a lightweight kicker that goes everywhere we go. A new ability to Get Air Anywhere.
If you’d like to get more information on the Jumpack BMX ramp you can read about it here www.jumpack.com
