IN the shadows of Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, the night is a buzzing hive of activity. Out on the national BMX track, a group of riders are being put through their paces. They soar through the air, flying round the course with such impressive ease it's as if fairy dust had been sprinkled on their wheels.

Scotland has a rich history in BMX racing. It is the sport where six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy cut his teeth before making the move to track cycling.

Costing £420,000, the Broadwood track was opened to the public in June 2014. It was funded by North Lanarkshire Council, the Commonwealth Games Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund, sportscotland, WREN and Cumbernauld Centurions BMX Club.

It is Scotland's only international standard BMX track. The facility is managed by North Lanarkshire Leisure and was designed and built by Clark & Kent Contractors, the company behind the design for the London 2012 track.

Broadwood can host racing up to and including Pro Circuit and Youth Olympic level. It is already set to welcome a clutch of top events in 2015 with rounds five and six of the British BMX Series coming to Cumbernauld from May 23-24 and the Scottish BMX Championships from September 12-13.

But this is more than simply a venue for elite level riders. The floodlit track is open to the public seven days a week. A 90-minute session costs £3 for children and £4.50 for adults. Equipment hire is £5, although for families that cost is capped at £10. Beginner induction courses are available.

See our full Cycling in Lanarkshire 2015 supplement here.

Already the first shoots of grassroots development are in evidence. Cumbernauld Centurions BMX Club has seen membership numbers double since the track opened. In addition the NLL HARO BMX race team, aimed at up-and-coming riders, was founded in early 2015 to further nurture new talent.

Among the regulars are Fergus Whitehouse, nine, and Austin Goldberg, 11, both from Cumbernauld. They have been doing BMX for three years.

"This track is much better than our old one, it's bigger and a lot more technical," said Fergus. "I can learn new skills and put myself to the test."

It is already capturing the imagination of future stars. "I chose BMX rather than another type of cycling because it seemed more exciting," said Austin.

"I want BMX to be my job and I would love to go to the Olympics one day."

Graeme Atkinson, general manager at Broadwood NL, said: "The BMX track is located within an hour's drive of 95% of the Scottish population so in terms of hosting events or people popping along to give it a try, it is easily accessible."

His sons Adam, nine, and Paul, 12, are keen cyclists and Graeme speaks with pride about seeing them blossom.

The track has been particularly good for Paul who is profoundly deaf. The youngster has cochlear implants and has found that on a BMX track he doesn't feel as self-conscious among his peers. Paul now trains three times a week at the facility.

"We always cycled as a family but when the BMX track opened Paul went to a summer camp and joined the club soon afterwards," says Graeme. "He saves up all of his own money to buy new kit and things for his bike.

"The last time I raced Paul he beat me four times in a row and they did commentary over the PA system. I still haven't lived that down."

The Broadwood Stadium BMX track is featured in the 2015 Lanarkshire Cycling Guide. Whatever your age or fitness there is a cycling route to enjoy in Lanarkshire. If you love cycling, you'll love the 2015 edition of Cycling in Lanarkshire.