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Been wanting to get into some 4x the last few weeks and thinking about making a trip up to aston hill but wanted to know what the course would be like for a beginner? is it worth it or should I just stick to my local bmx track to get a bit more confidence??

Its short, steep and has lots of sticking out flints. Its basically a few table tops, a cfew burms, a step down gap, and a table at the bottom. that said its fast and a lot of fun if you like rollacosters. If i was trying to learn Id probobly stick with my local track and build up the confidance and treat aston as a fun day out, as its probobly not worth traveling just to hit on its own.

Thanks for the info, This is the problem its seems with 4x the lack of facilities. Aston or Chicksand are the closest to me (im in south london) and thats around hrs drive which i dont mind for a days riding.. There is redhill back home which I think has a 4x track but down south there seems to be nothing. I got herne hill bmx track about a 10mins cycle from my house so I will check that out.

thanks once again for the info though!

You been to brixton yet? havent been there for years but ive heard it alright. Not as close and not pure 4x but theres hagarston pump track as well which is a great ride easpecially if you can get a train into london bridge?

Yeh brixton/herne hill its the same place i think in brockwell park isn't in? not been to hagarston yet but its not far from work I know there is a pump track in tottenham as well but I haven't been yet.

Hi Joe,

I have raced National 4x for the past 3 years and from my experience 4x is a very mixed discipline, it takes BMX style races to a gravity fed DH style track.

I train on both BMX tracks and DH runs. If you are looking to get a feel for 4x tracks i would visit somewhere like Chicksands. They have a nice 4x track there that will get you used to the style of 4x tracks.

The National 4x Series has visited this area of England twice this year at Leamington Spa, and PORC. Chicksands is a national level track but due to camping issues is not currently on the circuit.

If you have any specific 4x questions drop me a message!!!!

Aston hill has an OLD 4x track, it's more like a name for one of the DH runs these days. Go to Chicksands for a 4x, Aston for down hill.

Cheers for all the info people. Been checking some videos and Chicksands doesn't look too hard to me it seems a bit like a typical blue run on a downhill course. I will 100% have to get down there on a weekend.

Thanks for the advice Matt, right now im riding a bit of down hill (warley and such) but really getting the urge to hit up some bmx and 4cross tracks. Currently im running a pretty much stock blender (apart form wheels and bars) anything I should be looking to change to make it better suited for 4cross?

Yeah 4x courses are not as tight and technical as DH courses as they are designed to be more open to enable a close bar to bar race. The courses are generally only about 40sec-1min long.

DH is a great training tool as it gives you better skills through the loose corners.


A basic 4x set up for me would be:
- Hardtail frame
- no more than 100mm fork
- A 34-36 single front sprocket

The Blender covers all those bases, the only thing is I don't know what size frame they are but may want to look a long low race specific frame such as the Identiti Krisis SL,

Just means when you take on some of the jumps etc, the bike can be moved about more easily. the lighter the bike the better too but not to the detriment of strength as you will need a bike that can take a knock but light enough that you can make use of all the power you put through the pedals out of the gate.

If you want i can do a bike check on mine so you can get the idea of what i run??

Hi, I would say PORC's 4x track is suitable for all levels of rider. Just go slower until you get the confidence. I live near croydon and its 45min drive or 30 mins on the train and a 15min cycle. There is also the new regional standard Bmx track in mitcham!

Yeh Matt that would be cool, Im pretty much running the basics you mentioned the blender is about 15" frame but I think ideally I would love to get a dartmoor phantom which I may do depending on how far much I get into it and if I can persuade the girlfriend to let me have another bike.

cheers for the video jay, I have no idea porc was so close its about an hr from me according to google maps (im in east dulwich) which is about the same as going to Warley, chicksands and aston hill.

thanks for all the info everyone so stoked to get out now and ride!

If you do head down PORC let me know and I'll grab a few guys and head down and spend the day hammering down the 4x track with you!

If you go PORC any chance I could tag along with someone, haven't been there for years and years.

I don't drive, well I'm not allowed to.

I'm in the Epping/Chingford area

Cheers

To sum others up, go porc.