Grinding toothpicks on a BMX bike: a step-by-step guide (in 6 easy steps)

Crank Up Your BMX Game with the Toothpick Grind

hierarchy of learning, here's your indispensable guide to cracking the toothpick grind and standing out among the BMX pack.

Get ready to ride high and show off your front peg mastery.

Let's Talk Grinds:

Step

If you're hankering to elevate your BMX prowess and leave a trail of jaws dropped in your wake, the toothpick grind is your ace in the hole. A toe-curling trick that combines grace, strength, and a dash of audacity, the toothpick grind is the perfect way to make your mark.

Action

But, like any captivating trick, it ain't a walk in the park. Fortunately, we've got the lowdown to help you breeze through the learning curve. Saddle up, and let's dive right in.

1. Safety first

Pump Up the Pedal Power:

Wear a helmet, knee, shin, elbow pads & gloves

You might've dipped your wheels into various grinds, but the toothpick grind defies the ordinary. Here's the down-low on this epic trick: while your front peg glides effortlessly over the grinding surface, the rear wheel hovers in the air. With just the right mix of control, balance, and athleticism, you'll conquer this incredible trick in no time.

2. Warm-up

Let's Get Safe:

Do some smith grinds & nose manuals to prepare

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, gear up with the right safety 'fit: a helmet, kneepads, elbow pads, gloves, and rugged skate shoes are your golden keys to preventing scrapes, bruises, and worse. Practice is all about progress, but safety helps ensure you stick around long enough to reap the rewards.

3. Approach & speed

Warm the Wagon:

Go at a moderate speed, angle bike towards the rail or ledge

Take a few laps to loosen up those muscles, joints, and tendons. A quick spin around the block will set the stage for smooth transitions and a successful grind. Here's a pro hint: warm up your front peg skills with a few roundups of bunny hops and nose manuals. The more comfortable you are with your front peg, the easier the toothpick grind is to learn.

4. Hop & position

Alignment is Everything:

Bunny hop & align front peg with the grinding surface

Approach the ledge or rail with confident sass, maintaining a moderate pace. Aim your bike slightly toward the grinding surface for a sturdy foothold. If you're feeling wobbly, drop the throttle and embrace the "kiss the rail" technique. No shame in baby steps!

5. Engage the grind

Taking Flight:

Keep weight on the front peg, grind with control

Boost off the ground with a bunny hop, landing with your bike's front peg squarely on the ledge or rail. Raise the rear wheel off the ground as you shift your body weight onto the front peg for smooth sailing.

6. Look ahead

The Art of Balance:

Focus on your direction to maintain balance

Ensure your posture is pro-ready by keeping your eyes focused on the horizon and your upper body relaxed yet engaged. Pro-tip: slightly leaning forward will help you maintain balance on the front peg.

7. Disengage & land

Exit Strategy:

Pull off a small nollie to land both wheels smoothly

The toothpick grind might be like a romantic fling, but it sure doesn't end quickly. To safely disengage from the grind, carefully ease your way off the ledge or rail with a nollie, landing both wheels simultaneously. Don't forget to bend those knees for a soft landing and continue rolling with style.

8. Practice

Practice the Art ofPatience:

Repetition is key for smooth & confident grinds

Get comfy with your toothpick, as practice makes perfect. Remember, you reap what you sew, so invest time and effort into honing your skills and improving your technique.

Welcome to the Show:

Congratulations! You're now ready to ride the line between heaven and earth. Go out and flaunt your newfound toothpick skills at the skatepark or on the streets, leaving spectators spellbound and kids kvelling in admiration.

Next-Level Toothpick Grip:

Go beyond the basic toothpick with this list of combos:

Toothpick grind to over crank arm grind
Toothpick to hard 180
Longer or higher ledges and rails
Toothpick hangover grind (otherwise known as hanging off the ledge or rail)
Toe-side and heel-side toothpick grinds (spinning around the axle)

Remember, there's always room for improvement, so challenge yourself and examine your progress. You've got this!

Sources

[1] "How to Toothpick Grind on a BMX". YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H_bts_Fhqc

[2] "How to Toothpick Grind with Dan Conway". YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9FnbxXMr6Q

[3] "How to Toothpick Grind on a BMX". BMX Pro Tips. http://bmxprotips.com/bmx-tricks/toothpick-grind/

[4] "10 Pro Tips for Toothpick Grinds". Peaty’s Products. https://www.peatys.com/blogs/news/10-pro-tips-for-toothpick-grinds

[5] "BMX Toothpick Grind Tutorial". Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOpskppZFtY&ab_channel=Lilblackybmx

[6] "Next Level Toothpick Grinds". BMX Pro Tips. http://bmxprotips.com/bmx-tricks/toothpick-week-next-level-toothpick-grinds/

[7] "Toothpick Grind Tutorial". Crust BMX. https://collinaxel.blogspot.com/2017/12/toothpick-grind.html

[8] "How to Toothpick Grind with Alex Hiam". YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXkXbTVGeIs

[9] "Ultimate BMX Toothpick Guide". Florence Bikes. https://www.florencebikes.com/blog/ultimate-bmx-toothpick-guide/

[10] "How To Ice Pick A BMX Rail". Pro BMX. https://probmx.com/how-to-ice-pick-a-bmx-rail/

Practice during your BMX training sessions to perfect the toothpick grind, a trick that will elevate your BMX game and leave a lasting impression on the BMX community.
Master the toothpick grind and challenge yourself with advanced variations like the toothpick grind to over crank arm grind, toothpick to hard 180, and longer or higher ledges and rails, to continually raise the bar for your sport.