Race Day at Cumbernauld! | BMX Nationals Scotland – British Cycling UK BMX Ep 7 (Part 2) 4K

It’s Race Day at the British Cycling BMX National Series in Cumbernauld, Scotland! This is Part 2 of our weekend series, and things get serious on the gate.

Watch as I line up alongside some of the best riders in the country in my first season racing Nationals—and my son Cody also takes to the track! We’ve captured the full day: warm-ups, motos, and everything in between, with plenty of GoPro race footage and real behind-the-scenes action.

This episode shows what UK National BMX racing is really like, from a rider’s (and parent’s) perspective. If you’re new to BMX or thinking about stepping up to Nationals, this one’s for you.

📍 Event: Cumbernauld National – Round [insert number if known]
🏁 Motos, Practice, and Big Moments
🚴‍♂️ Racing with my son Cody
🎥 POV Osmo Action 5 pro + Trackside clips

Don’t miss Part 3 where we wrap up the weekend with Sunday racing and reflections!

#BMXNationals #BritishCyclingBMX #CumbernauldBMX #UKBMXRacing #OsmoactionBMX #FirstYearRacer #BMXVlog #RaceDay #BMXScotland #FamilyRacing

looking for one. Look at that. We have Nigel Smith out of Bradford on the [Music] Okay, so good morning. You join us for round three of the uh British Cycling National Series over in Cumbald. Um so dramas from last night then we did manage to stay in a hotel that uh that we booked. We managed to convince them that the bikes were nice and clean and they fortunately did let us stay which is uh absolutely wicked. No last minute changes. Um weather’s good today. Nice and sunny. Practice is about to start for about 9. We’re just going to go and grab some food and bits and pieces. Um get practice underway. Motos are at 11:00 and then we’ve got finals at 4. So it’s quite a long day and I probably will have a bit of a gap to be honest. So, we’ll see how that goes. Um, excited. Looking forward to today. It’s uh Yeah, it’s it’s going to be really good. It’s Yeah, seems like it’s going to be a good day for it. Bit windy, but we’ll see how that affects the racing. Okay, so practice is done. Um, nice to see all the other lads in the pens, even from the other age groups. It’s uh strictly 40 to 44 cruiser today, which will be good to be honest. um some of the other lads so so quick. It’s nice to be in with the uh same age group to be fair and I think I know roughly where I am u with the other lads which is really good. So everybody got the same sort of similar complaints for today. Surface has uh changed slightly with come and hold. I’ve never raced it but the other lads that have are saying that effectively it’s very lippy, very sharp. Um and it’s certainly what it feels like when I’m riding around the track as well. The wind is picking up. I’m hoping I’ve come to a place where you can’t really pick the wind up too much. So, I’m hoping you can hear me. Okay. But we’ve all got the same wind, so it makes no difference. It’s um just a bit of a a wind that’s affecting you, but on first and third, but the actual effect of it is a bit different depending on uh depending on where you are. It’s almost like a bit of a side wind. Yeah. It just kind of catches you. So, I think it’s going to be an interesting day today. I’m going to feel it out for today. see how everybody else is basically getting on and then uh yeah just try and enjoy it. Um there are 12 of us in the group. So it looks like we’ll have an A and a B final anyway. We’ll go through I think motos will be effectively six people per gate which would be cool as well. And it’s a bit more fair to sometimes you get five and four. It’s a bit it can be a bit harsh on some of the riders just due to luck. So yeah, we’ll uh see how the rest of the day goes. You’re not They used to love it. I’ll tell you, but they’ve just made it a quarter pipe. Everything everybody’s saying that to be fair. They feel good. Yeah. No, I think we just ride it out and see. Are you racing with the children? Yeah. Yeah. Come on, stay. You’re before us. Age before beauty. Where are we going? I don’t know. Are you in 14 or 13? 14 or 13. Yay. Together. Boys, good Chris Evans. You have to be really old to be in here, mate. Really old. He’s going to pick up the top four spot as he exit that final turn. Talk about nothing at all on track on the seven plate ice bikes. He’s being chased down really awesome. Watch the [Music] game. Watch the game. Okay, so moto one done. Um, that was a bit of a rude awakening to be fair. So I had Matt Eaton was in mine. Um, Dylan Dixon, uh, Andy Groves, and yeah, they’re all out the gate really quick, straight over that first feature and then into that first corner. It was just a case really of hanging on the back. um two new lads that I don’t I don’t particularly know very well. Uh I’ll find out their names and details in a bit and nice and quick as well. So, six out of six. It is what it is. I’m just happy to have got round. It is really lippy. It is um it’s interesting on full chat. It’s going to be an interesting day cuz nobody’s really favoring this at all. They are just all trying their best with it. So, motor two to go. Uh, worth mentioning, uh, Paul Lee Grant actually had a bit of a crash in the third straight. Uh, came out of turn two and ended up, uh, eating the second roll, unfortunately with his head. But, well, tough as tough as old boots, hard as nails. He’s, uh, he’s back on the bike and he’s, uh, he’s going to be ready to go. So, we’ll see how Moto 2 goes. Um, it will be motos and then into finals. So, let’s see what the day brings. [Music] [Music] more blonde than he’s more grave than he is. Ginger more good on the lap. Sketchy as anything, bro. Hey, big boy. How do you find that? We’re all right. You get that first straight right. You get into the corner. You’re all right. Really? Have we got Craig Corning? No, not yet. We We only come here for the social. Yeah, the riding round bits and minimal part in it. Come on, Dylan. Quick, quick turn around. Whitaker. Yeah. Come on, Groves. Come on, bro. You broke your wrist last year, didn’t you? Yeah. Yeah. So, I rode this one. I felt like I was going right at that point and then um yeah, from my level, I felt like I was going right and then yeah, did a jump over bars to all bouncing down the track. to tell him how unconscious you actually was really unconscious. I whacked my head. I whacked my head sometimes in the past and this one was this one was like next level. I was my speech and you could I could blur vision back to the van. I was crossing the track to get there. I couldn’t even see coming. It was like so blurred. It was ridiculous. It was went straight on his chin. He went chin straight into bowler two. Uh I think he came last as well. Sure. I needed that. You don’t want to run the truck as well. Try mate. [Music] Okay, riders. Start. Riders ready. Watch the gates. [Music] Okay, so Moto 2 done. That was a bit better. I think a bit better on all accounts to be honest. So, gate was better. Uh, it looked quicker. I think first lap was a 43, second one was a 42, which is, you know, it’s quite a big difference to be honest on a track like that. It’s a very long track. So, yeah, came fourth and and I’m absolutely kind of made up with that. I think I’m still trying to find out where I’m sitting with some of the other lads that have come along um and and come back into the group following the indoor. So hopefully um I think I’m seated ninth at the minute because I came sixth in the first moto and obviously fourth in this one. If I can kind of maintain that midpack, I’ve got that good chance really of getting through to the um to the A final out of the two which to be honest that’s kind of the aim for the day. If I can get through to the A final, I think I feel I will feel like I’ve made it no matter what I’m going to kind of land in that that I’m quite happy with being in the A final. Um, yeah, really kind of looking forward to the next couple of miles. We’ll see how we get on. shouted. Have I been shouted? Mike Whit. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Apparently, so well, I need to be in front of you anyway is the honest answer. So, I might as well get it right in the pens. I’ve noticed on the edge of Who have you got? Yeah, you won’t be an At least it would have been a straight shoot out. It’s just old age reminding you it’s there. Is it knocking out and Harrison? I reckon you’ll make your final. Fingers crossed. Seven. Thank you. Okay, start riders ready. Watch the game, mate. I’m absolutely like beyond chuffed. I don’t even really know how to put into words about how excited I am that it’s National A final. that last moto, then moto three for me. Um, I came third. Yeah. And that was just enough to push Andy Lockwood off that off that spot. So, yeah, I’ve managed to I came in I came into that moto ninth and I’ve come out of that moto now uh eighth. So, I’m in the national a final. Well, that is m second national. Second national. I mean, so the first national I ended up with a finals, but let’s be honest, that was because there isn’t enough people to be able to ride in. So, if there was eight of us effectively, well, there was nine of us, and it it doesn’t feel quite the same as this, cuz this was quite hard. I didn’t find this easy this time. Yeah. More people. Yeah. And like that sixth place, uh, the fourth place, it took it right down to the line. So, it wasn’t it wasn’t a done deal. Yeah. Yeah. So, what do you think then? So, I know I’ve been trying to work on consistency. I don’t know if that really shows through. That’s Yeah, that’s where I’m trying to be, I suppose, consistency. Not focusing on just beating the people in front of you and just beating your time, cuz the time comes with the people. So, if you’re just focused on getting a different time every lap and beating it every lap, then I’m sure the people will come with the time. Yeah. And I think that’s what’s happening. I think effectively I’m getting round there in in a 42 second lap. I know from Dave Kane telling me that the uh the times for the the gates are getting better and I feel like the gate’s getting better. The only So the the thing with that gate is it’s really steep. Yeah. The positive with that gate is it is really steep. So it’s actually quite a good position to be in and push off in if you get your timing right. Yeah. But our lads are quick down that hill. They’re quick to the first feature and they’re fearless when they’re going over it. So catching up with the fast boys is going to be quite difficult. I think this actually be quite interesting to see where I’m placing with the eight that are the quickest cuz there’s not one of them in all honesty that I think I can beat at this point in time. I’m just going to try and see how well I can do and and hopefully take a good position into that first corner and hold it. Yeah. Um that’s my aim. Yeah. Well, to be honest, if you’re feeling happy with an A final, then anything else is a bonus. Yeah. I made up and I I genuinely feel I genuinely feel like that that that’s that’s the case. Nothing will change it at all. I I’d be happy with R final any day. And I I know it’s harder on you boys cuz the bottom line is you’ve got you’ve got a crew of like 40 odd of you to get through. I didn’t realize that the lads that were knocked out of ours weren’t even getting the B final cuz I’m still quite new to working out when somebody’s getting a final and when somebody’s not, but there is no B final. So them lads are finished for the day. Yeah. Uh Lee, uh Chris and Andy. Um yeah, I just like like massively chuffed that how Andy Lockwood, me and him have got that that sort of battle of um where we’re trying to position for the for the championship. Yeah. And like his graciousness in defeat then was just absolutely mega. We both we were both on the line looking at his phone waiting to see who’d got through and then Yeah. hats off to him congratulating me and it was just Yeah, it was really cool. We go on to finals then. I’ve got a bit of a wait, mate, because they’ve got quarters to do. They’ve got semies to do. Don’t pay to be a kid. Yeah. Then then it’s B finals. Really? And then A. So yeah, finals at about 4:00, 5:00. Yeah. Be home late. Be home late. Try and get some food and then chill out. Thanks for running through that with me. Tom. Well done, Lex. See you down there in a minute. I squeeze past you, Luke. Okay. Excuse me, please. Sorry, mate. Right. It’s like warm up, warm down. It’s horrendous, isn’t it? National A final though. What are you doing here? I am a national a finalist, Chris. Do you know what I mean? It’s only my third national and I’m already surpassing the likes of you. Eclipsing what you got eight scripts his bike. Andy, if now’s the time to let his tires down, it’s now. Why? Cuz I look quite trustworthy. Come on, boys. Groy, thank you. Yeah, good luck, mate. I think me and you be gate seven and eight, I reckon. A little le at the moment. That looks like Peterson in New York for John O’Har doing it for the ladies in Evolution. But it’s all about Tell me what I’ve got. I don’t know. All right. Riders ready. Watch the game. [Music] drawers including runners [Music] car 37. You want to [Music] turn all away. Oh, it’s close. Could you feel me there? Well done, boys. [Music] Amazing. [Music] Well done, boy. that first tag. Right. What a cracking a final. I gave it my best there. Tried as hard as I could. Um but yeah, uh finished eight out of eight, but what an absolute blinder in a final. So, uh got to speak with a couple of the new lads. Um, so we’ve got Nick Lewis, uh, Rob Harry’s, uh, and Craig Cordin. All decent blogs and all quick. Um, some of them relatively around my my speed. So, I was in with a chance to get fifth, but it just didn’t happen unfortunately for me. So, focus on the win of uh, going around. You’re right, buddy. focus on the win of making it round, getting an eighth place, and uh living to tell a tale for another day. Milo uh living to tell a tale for another day. Uh just an absolutely amazing experience really with all of them. Um brilliant time. If uh if tomorrow is going to be similar, then it’s going to be hard. It’s going to be hard through them motos. It’s really going to depend on what I get as a pick. uh well what I get as motos in effectively who’s in them as to whether that’s going to be uh achievable tomorrow for the A final. Uh it’s never written in stone that you’re going to get one. So that’s a massive win for today. Consistency was also a massive win. Everything was around the 42 second mark. Yeah, didn’t have the greatest uh lap on the final because I was trying a couple of things really with the position I was left in from the gate. I think the other lads gate a bit better than me and it put them in a position where they ring uh in front really for that first turn. So I’ve got some things I can work on uh and hopefully can look to build on that from through to tomorrow. So yeah, but yeah, but just what a cracking feeling. A final sat on the bike, your name gets read out. Uh obviously on the telly which is fantastic. My wife was wife and daughter was watching at home which is brill and supporting me from there and it’s yeah it was just an absolutely brilliant experience. We go again tomorrow bring it on. I don’t know why but I’m I’m losing my voice as well. It is dusty here and really windy but uh I think it’s just all the excitement of it all to be fair. Been a great day. See you see you guys tomorrow. [Music]