Kayley Ashworth is a major rising star in the UK Girls BMX scene.  A couple of weeks ago she was wowing the crowds at the Relentless NASS Action Sports & Music Festival with some backflippery, and her latest edit for Superstar BMX has racked up an amazing 40,000 views this month.  We thought it was high time we got to know her a little bit!

How long have you been riding BMX?
About 6 years

What made you pick up a bike for the first time?
The local skatepark is not too far from my home, me and my friends used to walk through the park after school. One of my friends was in a relationship with a skateboarder so we were there most days; I’m not one for keeping still, she wanted to learn how to skateboard so I wasn’t the only girl trying to get into an ‘extreme’ sport, I was told I couldn’t drop in on a bike…so I did, and here we are today.

Did you find it hard to get started?
Been with my friends on a daily basis and just riding because I enjoyed doing it was a great help when I first got started, my father got me my first bike (£17 Diamondback from ebay) got it sprayed up and off I went. I had a great bunch of people to ride with who were constantly pushing me to just ‘have a go’ and I was always reminded to simply enjoy the sport. I think the most difficult part of starting was coming home to tell my parents I had another broken bone or another gash in my face, ha!

Do have any advice for girls who fancy giving it a go?
A flatbank = A hill, there’s nothing to be afraid of.
Once you’ve got over that, spend time with your friends and enjoy what BMX has to offer, how do you know you don’t like it if you’ve never tried it?

How long had you been riding when you started going to competitions?
My first ever competition was in 2010 in Canada, so I’d been riding for 5 years

Who are your role models?
Van Homan, Mark Webb

You recently took part in the Girls BMX Tour, how was it?
The tour was pretty cool, big shout to Relentless, Superstar, Zeal and Nephilim for making it all happen, traveling around the UK to all the biggest indoor skateparks really gave some of the girls an insight to what they can actually achieve, was great to be a part of. Next year I hope to do a similar tour across Europe, incorporating inline, skate and BMX.

How is the girls BMX scene in the UK?
There are more girls popping up all over the UK and it’s amazing to see, I try my best to meet with any girl who is thinking about going to a park that I am near too, just to give them a little confidence rather than entering a park alone with no idea what to do.

Where do you think the future is going for womens BMX?
The scene is growing at a rapid rate and on a worldwide scale; it’s only going to get bigger, the tricks that some girls are trying already are unreal, check out BMX Masters in Cologne and FISE in Montpellier! If it continues the way it’s only a matter of time until a girl bmx’er at a skatepark isn’t a rare sight.

What do you enjoy most about BMX?
The riding, the people and the travel.

What do you get upto when your not on your bike?
In currently in Bangor University studying ICT, so when I’m not on my bike I’m either studying or trying to organise trips for girls in BMX.

What three tunes make you want to get rad?
1. Wretch 32 ft L – Traktor
2. Florence and the machine – Drumming Song
3. Lloyds TSB Advert – Dubstep version

What are your plans for the future?
1. Smile and ride
2. Meet more girls who ride
3. Organise/Be part of the girls biggest roadtrip
4. Be invited to enter Nass

Who are your sponsors?
Fox Riders Co, Superstar BMX and Zeal Distribution