BMX rider Jordan Lecher
BMX is not just for the boys.
Two girls and two women from Penrith Panthers BMX Club recently made the finals in the Champbikx and Probikx held in Canberra.
Kristy Lee Martin, 19, of St Marys, was the most successful rider, finishing second in the Women's Cruiser and coming fourth in the 19 to 24 women's section.
"I felt good coming second," Kristy said.
"I've been riding for about 10 years; I got into it because my brother was doing it.
"But there are more girls doing it now."
The youngest of the four, nine-year-old Natalie Shaylor of Cranebrook, has been riding for two years.
In Canberra she competed against other girls her age and made fourth place.
"I was happy coming fourth; it was my best ever," Natalie said.
Kristy McDonald is 14 and lives in Bullaburra in the Blue Mountains.
Although Kristy finished a disappointing eighth in the 15-year-old girls' section, she said competing in Canberra had been a worthwhile experience.
"I felt sad about it but it's not all about what you get," she said.
"It's fun riding and I get to meet friends from all over Australia."
Nicole Docherty, 18, of Leonay, came fourth in the AA Open Ladies competition against riders from interstate and New Zealand.
"It felt really, really good," Nicole said.
She has been riding since she was three. In 2011 Nicole won the AA Open Ladies NSW title.
"I'm big on achievement," she said.
"I love the speed and the adrenalin rush I get from BMX.
"I love the social aspect of it too; everyone in BMX is like a massive family."
Roderick Shaw