Hints and Tips to Help Prevent Arm Pump While Riding Motocross

Arm Pumping While Riding Motocross

If you are a true Motocross rider, even if you have high levels of Motocross fitness, at some point you should have felt the strains of arm pump.

Arm pump takes place when the blood flow entering your arms is greater than the amount of the blood flow out, this creates a backlog of pressure, as well as a lot of pain. Don't worry though, by making a few bike modifications and increasing your Motocross fitness, you could be getting rid of arm pump for life!

Luckily, there are a few ways you can try to prevent arm pump:

Riding Regularly Although this may seem slightly basic, the logic is not. By riding regularly you are exercising the same muscles that are causing your forearms to pump up during motocross races or practices, as well as increasing your level of motocross fitness. By working these muscles of a regular basis, you will be constantly building their strength and stamina, increasing your level of motocross fitness and decreasing the amount of pain for you, the rider!

Staying relaxed Many riders do not realise that most cases of arm pump derive from holding on to tight, rather than their level of motocross fitness. As you can imagine, the scenario here is pretty basic, instead of tightening your grip, focus your brain into allowing you to ride with more flow, and relieving some of the pressure from your forearms. The seat time you build up here will also increase your motocross fitness!

This may seem difficult and believe me it is, as holding on tight is human instinct. Many riders spend short sessions every time they ride literally practicing to relax on the bike, which may sound silly, but you will reap the rewards when arm pump disappears for ever!

Work it out An important part of increasing your motocross fitness is visiting the gym every now and then. One mistake many motocross riders make when trying to increase their level of motocross fitness is lifting weights that are too heavy. When I say to heavy, I mean for what they are trying to achieve, rather than their capabilities.

Motocross relies on cardiovascular endurance more than anything, faster blood flow and a greater supply of oxygen to muscles, so light weights, running, cycling, jogging and swimming are all good options to increase your motocross fitness. Lifting heavy weights in small sets is training your body to go all out for a short space of time, rather than maintain pace, something you definitely don't want as a motocross rider.

Simple stretches and rotations for your fingers, wrists and forearms can reduce arm pump a greater deal, so ditch the weights!

Bike modifications Personally I have made a few minor modifications to my bike, all aided by trial and error and all have decreased my level of arm pump, even though my motocross fitness has stayed the same.

Seat Cover/Rad Shrouds - My bike now has a seat cover that uses a gripper material. Previously I was using force via my arms and legs to keep myself stable, but I find that the seat cover relieves some of that pressure. The same goes for my radiator shrouds, which have now been fitted with gripper material which comes into contact with my knees.

Suspension set up - While it's nice to blow a few hundred dollars buying graphics plastics and new riding gear, the best money you can spend is setting up your suspension for your size and weight. This is the key to a faster lap time and decreased arm pump, without increasing your motocross fitness!

My solution! I have been using a Powerball now for around 2 years; I use it on a daily basis and also use it to as a 5 minute warm up for my arms before riding. Since starting the gym and using the Powerball I have a lot more strength in my wrists as well as a lot less arm pump.

Obviously the Powerball is not perfect, but it has definitely worked for me. (Don't bother with my more expensive versions; they all work in the same way!)

Guy Draper

For more hint and tips on how to keep yourself fit for motocross as well as bike maintenance tips, please take a look at my Motocross Forum

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History of European Motocross

European Motocross

Motocross developed as a kind of motorcycle or all-terrain racing sport that took place on off-road tracks including muddy, hilly, slushy or rocky routes. It was in the early part of the twentieth century that the sport had its origin in Great Britain. Known then as 'Scrambles', Motocross was a word that derived from the combination of the French word motocyclette meaning motorcycle and 'cross-country'. Since then the sport gained and grew in popularity as motocross.

The first known Motocross event was held in 1924 in Camberly, Surrey and was called the Southern Scott Scramble. This is the event that led to the initiation of Motocross in the sporting world. After this event, scrambles started becoming quite a rage with sporting events and this fad continued through the 1920s and 30s. Motocross racing spread wildly as a highly popular sporting event throughout Europe in the years to follow.

It was after the Second World War that the sport gained recognition at the international level. Towards the end of 1950, a proposal for the launch of a motocross event of international standing was submitted to the F.I.M. (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) or the International Motorcycling Federation, by the Belgian Federation. In 1952 the F.I.M. created the European Championship in which motorcycles with 500cc engines were used. This was a major turning point in the history of motocross racing and the sporting events associated with it. By 1957, this event had been upgraded to World Championship status.

The first of the motocross racing events of the championship series was held in 1952 in the 500cc category and had heavy Belgian dominance in that year as well as the years to follow. Auguste Mingels, Victor Leloup, René Baeten and Nic Jansen were some of the motocross riders that occupied the winning positions in those years. Great Britain's presence was also felt in the motocross championships during this period with Les Archer, John Draper, and Jeff Smith as some of the famous riders of the age.

In 1957, the 250cc engine category was introduced to the F.I.M. Motocross World Championships. The first series in this category was won by German motocross rider Fritz Betzelbacher, followed in second position by fellow countryman Willi Oesterle. German dominance was overtaken, in the years to follow, by the British in the first few years of the 1960s. In fact, in 1961, the first three winning positions were all occupied by British motocross riders Dave Bickers, Arthur Lampkin and Jeff Smith, respectively.

This period also witnessed Swedish dominance in the 500cc category, with motocross riders from the country winning the first three positions in three consecutive years starting 1960.

It was in 1975 that the 125cc motorcycles entered the Motocross World Championship arena. Belgium was once again the dominating country in the initial few years. This was also the period when Japanese manufacturers started entering a domain that was largely dominated by European companies. Suzuki was the first such company to enter the motocross world with their 250cc engines.

The 1960s are also best-remembered in motocross history as the era in which the sport crossed international waters to be introduced in the United States.

Over the years, motocross has become one of the most popular motorcycling events in the world. It has also led to the development of variations such as Freestyle, Superhot, Super cross and Sidecars. All these developments are manifest of the excitement and adventure the sport continues to generate among riders of all kinds.

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More Essential Motocross Gear

Essential Motocross Gear

Motocross is becoming more popular by the day. The nature of Motocross requires a large amount of safety gear to prevent injuries. Some of the gear is not required, some of it is, but all of it is a wise idea. When used properly, the gear will prevent many common Motocross injuries.

The helmet is perhaps the most important piece of motocross gear. Preventing head injuries of all types, the helmet should be specifically designed for motocross use. A good helmet fits the rider snugly without compromising vision or ventilation. The helmet should be worn with a snug-fitting pair of motocross goggles.

A neck collar should be considered for motocross. The neck collar supports the neck, preventing exposure to the shocking movements experienced in hard landings. A quality neck collar will have a washable cover, and should have the option of being worn alone or attached to the chest gear.

Motocross jackets and jerseys are constructed of tough, breathable material to keep the rider cool. The rider may choose which they prefer. They function to protect the rider's body from chaffing by the chest protector.

The chest protector should be worn over the motocross jacket or jersey. Despite the name, the chest protector covers the rider's entire core body, front and back, as well as providing protection to the shoulders and upper arms. Quality chest protection will be made of plastic, have good ventilation, cooling moisture control and is equipped with quick release buckles for ease of taking off and putting on.

Wrist supports will prevent wrist injuries caused by jarring motocross landings while still allowing full wrist movement. Wrist injures while riding are common, so a good pair of wrist supports are recommended.

Gloves should be worn in conjunction with wrist supports for motocross riding. The gloves should be specifically designed for the motocross sport. Gloves provide protection from minor abrasions and allow better grip on the handles of the motocross bike.

Riding underwear is another consideration for motocross riders. These padded shorts protect against injuries to the hips, thighs and tailbone. High-end pieces come with moisture control and ventilation to prevent excess sweating. The padding should be sewn into, rather than attached to, the fabric to keep it in proper position while riding.

Knee braces are required in some motocross arenas. The most common injury in motocross is the ACL injury. Knee braces should be snug yet comfortable, allowing full range of motion. Many knee brace models support the lower leg as well.

Kidney belts will protect your back and kidneys from the jolts of impacts while motocross riding. If the rider has back problems, the kidney belt is recommended. Good kidney belts have moisture control and good ventilation to prevent overheating.

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Motocross - Glamorous Apparel For Racing

Motocross Glamorous Apparel

Motocross: Breaking Boundaries

Many of us might not be aware that Motocross is similar to motorcycle sport racing. However, unlike motorcycle sport racing, Motocross racing is held within an enclosed off road circuits. Motocross originates from the British scrambling competition and is a very popular racing sport in northern UK. But like all good sports, Motocross gradually spread its appeal crossing the boundary of the United Kingdom. The United States of America adopted the sport in 1966 and from then on Motocross became a part of the racing sporting activities of the speed mania.

Motocross Apparels

Speed is not the only attraction of the motocross racing. As the popularity of this brand of sport increased and its visibility became more pronounced, lovers of the motocross also began to notice the clothing of those who took part in the motocross racing. Motocross racing has a predefined dress like that of the scuba drivers. The bikers taking part in the motocross racing competition needs to wear a specific kind of apparel that adds to the glamour of the racing game.

As the appeal and popularity of the motocross racing spread across the globe, big companies dealing in clothing accessories start to piggy- ride by offering its brand of motocross racing apparels. Not only that the companies also had on offer exclusively designed apparel for kids, men and women.

Popular Brand Offer

Cashing on the motocross racing popularity, the most respected apparels brands offer came from:

Fox Thor Answer Alpinestars Troy Lee SixSixOne One Industries O'Neal

Motocross clothing accessories includes:

Jerseys Jackets Boots Helmets Pants Goggles Socks Shirts Hats Shoes. These apparels are made of tear resistance and optimal abrasion material. Motocross bikers are extremely careful in choosing their apparel and the material that goes into its making. The apparels are designed not only to maximize your safety aspects but add to your comfort and glamor. For motocross bikers' footwear, gloves and hats are a must without which they become handicapped. Most of the apparel is designed to meet the quality of style and comfort. Here we will give you few tips that will help you choose the right motocross apparels:

Choose little loose clothes so that you can move freely while you ride the bike. As this is a contact sport, proper body armour like padding at elbows, hips and knees are needed to protect you from injuries.

Jackets:

Jacket also protects biker from dust and other debris as it is well paddle to protect you from bruises in case of a crash.

Leather pant:

Leather pants prevent riders from abrasion and serve as a wind breaker especially during winter.

Boots:

Right boots can protect your calf and burns caused by exhaust pipes or abrasion during the race.

Goggles:

Protect your eyes from dust or other harmful rays while racing.

Helmet:

Is a must apparel in the motocross racing as it protects bikers from severe head injuries in case of a crash.

Motocross Casual Wear - 3 Things You Must Have If You Love Motocross

Motocross Casual Wear

Motocross has become one of the most popular outdoor sports these days and because of such a high demand of equipment, clothing, racing gear many top brands now support and sponsor many motocross riders and they provide clothing for the bikers and the fans.
Motocross sports jackets
Motocross sports jackets are a very popular choice and always sell like hot cakes and because, not only are they made to look cool and also comfortable to wear, but they are great to wear on or around the track while boasting top name motocross brands. Nearly all of the big name brands offer a wide range of different types and styles of motocross jackets because depending the time of the year will depend on the type of jacket you will want to wear. In the warmer months you have light fleeces or jackets keeping you cool and in the colder months you have the thicker fleece`s that offer plenty of warmth and also the traditional leather jacket the will also keep you warm and give you the rugged look at the same time. Many of the jackets come in various colours and are very durable and are an ideal piece of motocross casual wear to be worn on or around the track.
Motocross T-Shirts
Motocross t-shirts are a must have for any rider or motocross enthusiast of any age and you should always have a few in your wardrobe. These days motocross t-shirts are an essential piece of clothing to be worn and even more essential for kids teens or youngsters. They c0me in various designs, colours, graphics and prints and you can even get customized t-shirts made which are great because you can pretty sure that no one else will have the same one and having a great t-shirt will be ideal if you want girls to drool over you in action either on or off the dirt track. Most of the motocross brands have there own line of t-shirts with there own designs and graphics and customized prints and all offer sizes for guys and girls.
Motocross Pants
Motocross pants are also very popular and most of the top brands offer a great selection of designs, colours and sizes for guys and girls. You can get these pants for wearing off the track as well and can be handy and offer some protection as well. As with many motor sports motocross riders also need protection from small cuts, injuries, scrapes and bangs so having a good pair of pants is always a great buy.



Many of the top brands have designed the pants in a denim fabric giving them a great look and an ideal item but at the same time they offer good protection for riders on the track. You can check out lots of awesome motocross casual wear clothing at the cheapest prices including jackets, pants, shoes, caps and lots more at http://MotocrossCasualWear.com/

Motocross During the 70s

Having originated as a sport among motorcycling enthusiasts in the United Kingdom in the early twentieth century, motocross grew to become a raging phenomenon in other countries in Europe as the decades progressed. It was the 1970s that marked the rising popularity of the sport at a global level. The sport that started out as a fun racing event called 'Scrambles' had steadily gained international stature.
The 1970s witnessed further changes in the way motocross emerged as the popular sport among all motorcycling enthusiasts across various countries of the world. This included rules in the game undergoing changes. Minimum weights for motorcycles were introduced, as were two heats counting points towards the Motocross World Championship, as opposed to only one previously.
The trend as far as the motocross champions themselves were concerned also underwent a drastic change in the 1970s. In the 500cc category, Belgium's Robert De Coster won the championship in 1971, marking the first of a series of five consecutive wins, broken only by Finland's Heikki Mikkola in 1974. The former half of the decade also witnessed Belgian dominance in the 250cc category, prominent names among whom were Joël Roberts, Sylvain Geboers, Roger De Coster and Harry Everts. Everts went on to win the championship in 1975, which till 1972 had been triumphed over by Roberts for five consecutive years.
1972 was also the year in which the first motocross event was held in a stadium. The venue happened to be the Los Angeles Coliseum. It was also in this era that the MX3 category of motocross racing or the 125cc category was introduced. This was in the year 1975. Belgium seemed to dominate the first few championships in this category. In fact, except for 1978, when Japan's Akira Watanabe won the championship, it was Belgium that dominated this category throughout the 1970s. Gaston Rahier and Harry Everts were two names that rocked the motocross 125cc circuit in this era.
The case was similar in the 250cc and 500cc categories, where Belgium dominated in the former half of the decade. Roger De Coster, Joël Roberts and Harry Everts remained some of the prominent winners of motocross racing championships. This decade also marked the end of Roberts' motocross world racing career, which was the result of a severe knee injury during the 500cc Belgian Grand Prix in Namur.
This decade marked the gradual dominance of Japanese manufacturer Suzuki in the motocross racing fraternity. In fact, in all the racing categories of the Motocross World Championship, Suzuki's machines were at some or the other winning position. Amid the European motorcycle makers, this brand was not only gaining recognition, but also delivering machines that had in them the winning streak.
The latter half of the 70s marked the advent of motorcycling enthusiasts from the United States into serious motocross at the championship level. This slowly developed into the American presence in the winner position as well. As far as motocross was concerned, America had finally arrived!
Formed in 1972, the American Motorcyclist Association held the first race in its motocross series, the AMA Motocross Championship. The 500cc and the 250cc categories were introduced in this championship. The 125cc category got added two years later. In the first motocross championship held by the AMA, Brad Lackey won in the 500cc category, while Gary Jones was the winner of the 250cc category.



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