Leah Puttcamp is a 5-Year-Old BMXer Who Knows the Importance of Friends to Ride With!

Leah Puttcamp might only be 5 years old, but she can shred around a pump track and race BMX with the fastest kids in her area. She and her sister Hannah, a mountain biking trail builder, both know that getting fast on the bike comes down to regular practice—and getting past the scary parts of the sport, like the starting gate at BMX races!

When and why did you start racing BMX?

Since when I was 4 [years old]. Because I wanted to when I saw other kids on the track.

(“She wanted to be like her sisters and she was riding a balance bike and then a pedal bile without training wheels at a very young age – 3 years old,” says dad Aaron Puttcamp. “When she was 4, she was riding real well and I decided to take her and her bike to the BMX track to just watch … as soon as we got there and she saw other kids on bikes she said immediately ‘Dad! Get my bike!’”)

What is your favorite part?

Riding around in circles and going over the bumps.

What is the hardest part?

Balancing at the [start] gate.

What makes you most excited about riding?

Riding with my friends.

What was the best tip or trick you’ve ever been told?

Look down the track [not right in front of you]

Proudest accomplishment/favorite race moment?

WINNING MY BIG TROPHY!

(From Aaron, her dad: “Her very first 1st place win was on ‘huge trophy night’ – and Candy, the track coordinator, went and found her the hugest trophy she could find …. Leah was ecstatic!)

Have you made friends riding?

Yes, Aliana, Matthew, and Jace.

any secrets you have for how to make friends?

I would just play with them.

Advice for other young girls interested in riding?

Learn how to ride a bike!

(We have some great resources for you here!)

Favorite piece of gear?

My race bike! (Leah has the coolest GT 18” micro race bike)

Were you nervous about your first race?

Yes, because the gate was loud and I was riding right next to others.

How did you get over it?

Because I practiced.