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CONGRATULATIONS FROM EVERYONE AT DC. DCSHOES.COM
Daniel Donges taking some time out between spots in the recent 40째 heat down south. PHOTO Nick Gascoine
Issue 31 March 2009
Premium 20 Kiama jam Jam action from down south.
54 2009 BMX Games The annual shredfest just got bigger.
66 The list... Colony and Forgotten get their road trip on.
76 10 years... A little retrospective.
90 Cams Hillside Jam 3 The biggest dirt jumps in the land revisited.
98 The ‘Goose is loose 40° is the shade with the Mongoose road crew.
106 Bio: Todd Edinborough Some words and photos from Michael Harris.
The crew
Regular 12 Spoken New media versus the old. 16 The Low Down Jams, comps, stuff! 50 Reformist Down Underground. 112 Behind Bars Remember these faces. 120 Beats and Pieces Music, DVD’s and more. 122 Tech 101 A little insight into BMX innovation: KHE. 124 Frame Check If it’s a frame you desire... 126 New Proddy Enuff said. 132 Picture this The money shots. 142 Inbox We’ve got mail, winners and more. 144 Snapped Reader photos. 146 Wrappin’ up Lester Perry.
Instigators//Matt Holmes, Mike Daly
2020bmxmagazine is proudly printed in Australia by The Quality Group www.thequalitygroup.com.au
Feature Design//Phil Townsley
All material copyright ©2008 2020bmxmagazine Pty Ltd.
Creative//Holmes
Getting busy with design//Alex Liiv
Contributors//Clint Millar, Steve Morrisey, Steve Gorak Taylor, Caleb Mondon, Cooper Brownlee, Shaun Jarvis, Raine Turnbull, Devin Parker, Mike Davies, James Wade, Paul Chamberlain, Michael Harris, Brock Beadman, Rob McCann, Sam Orchid, Michael Puniard, Shane Badman, Zac Miner, Polly Cooper, Tom Boorman, Tim Pierce, Haimona Ngata, Jake Hammo, Heath Holden, Angela Dobbie, Sam Minnell. Photos//Nitai Whitehurst, Nic Gascoine, Steve Morrisey, Raine Turnbull, Gorak, Seaton Spratt, Caleb Mondon, Adam Sheedy, Michael Harris, Mike Davies, Sam Orchid, Zack Musarsa, Brock Beadman, James Wade, Alex Kuzewicz, Chris Cooper, Tristan Cardew, Jake Cannon. Photographic inspiration//Tony Nolan Publishers//Holmes & MikeD
Dubdubdub//2020bmxmag.com.au
Nitty gritty Distributed in Australia by Gordon&Gotch. For bike shop sales in Australia hit up 0415 585 243 or email sales@2020bmxmag.com.au New Zealand distribution is taken care of by Independent Magazine Distributors (IMD) For bike shop sales in New Zealand call 09 5270500 To subscribe in Australia use the subs page in the mag or check out www.isubscribe.com.au For New Zealand online subs go to www.emags.co.nz Change of address? Let us know ASAP!
Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher, but possibly that of the author. So if you’re pissed with something, hassle them or get over it. Respect yourself and others, when riding and in life, you’re always responsible for your own actions. Always wear protection regardless of what/where/ when/who you’re riding. Become part of the mag//Every issue more crew get themselves involved in the evolution of 2020bmxmagazine, making it the riders manual for the whole of Australia and NZ. If you think your scene is going off, let us know with words and photos. We’ve only got one prerequisite; everyone that writes, shoots or does anything for the mag must ride. Editorial and photographic contributions are more than welcome, we even pay for words and photos. Send a stamped self-addressed envelope if requiring return of slides or otherwise. And label it good cause piles of slides, CD’s and photos with no names or details on ‘em get lost quick. If you wanna send 100 RAW files on a disk, please name em! Hit up our website for the run down on contributing. 2020bmxmagazine is published four times a year by 2020bmxmagazine Pty Ltd. We are a 100% Australian rider owned and operated publication, dedicated to documenting the Australian 20inch riding experience since ‘98. Correspondence and competition entries to// 2020bmxmagazine PO Box 498 Newtown NSW 2042 or email bmxrules@2020bmxmag.com.au Advertising info//Advertising rates and info is available upon request: sales@2020bmxmag.com.au
2020bmxmagazine RRP AUD$9.95 NZD$12.95 ISSUE 31
9
SPOKEN DEDICATION
A decade of radness?
10 years is a fairly long stint at anything you choose to spend your time smashing away at. Somewhere along the line I was even told that ‘you won’t be good at anything until you’ve done it for at least 10 years’. So given that, I’d like to think this little mag has made it somewhere, where exactly, I’m still not sure, but that said, I for one am amazed a BMX mag could make it this far. And even more so, that I would stick it out for this long. Deep down, I always figured that if there was a mag from the riders perspective covering what we’d grown up doing, then everything in turn would grow and benefit. I grew up riding with some amazing riders around this country and as you do, you shoot some pics so friends and family could see what you were up to. Of course reading mags from OS, we eventually figured that we were as good as the riders in mags overseas (or maybe not?) so we needed coverage, we needed our own document. So the urge came to start a mag. While I’d made 3 issues of a ‘zine in my younger years with the aid of a few photocopiers, scissors, tape, pens and a mate who worked at a Snap printing place, making a real mag in full colour that was supposed to go around the country was a whole new ball game and one that had me learning the hard way from the start. While I could go down the path of every up and down that the mag and myself have encountered, let’s just say that the last ten years has had many of both. In a nutshell, it’s been a long haul. But one that has kept me thoroughly entertained and inspired throughout. Mainly thanks to the many faces that are a part of the greater BMX community both here in Australia and overseas. There’s so many that have been involved with 2020 over the years. Straight up amazing photographers, incredible riders, great writers and a lot of phenomenal souls in general. Without their help, support, hard years, constant words of encouragement and energy, 2020 would have never made it this far. So a huge thanks goes out to all who’ve taken the time to be part of documenting the Australian riding experience. It hasn’t ever been easy, but we’re still here ten years later. We’re still rocking and we’re still all about one thing: BMX. So thanks. Holmes
We’ve had the chance to watch BMX grow in Australia through some amazing photos. For a better look, check out the spread further into the mag, theres a few there!
12 ISSUE 31 MARCH 2009
THE LOWDOWN NEWS & STUFF Rob McCann keeping it tuff between endless rain, wind and beer... PHOTO Cardew
BMX Bandits 25th Anniversary
So it’s been 25 years of people yelling ‘BMX Bandit’ at me from their shitheap Commodores? It sure feels longer! Story by Holmes It was a few months back that I was quietly laughing with a friend after he told me BMX Bandits was 25 years old. Of course that night, we came to the conclusion that we should organize some kind of jam to celebrate this momentous occasion. And there was no question that Manly was the spot. Picture those scenes with the OG Bandit crew riding along the beach front busting 360’s and wack sit down monos...
With most of the mornings action taking place under cover or in the pub, the mid afternoon saw a reprieve from the rain (but sadly not the wind) and the quarter pipe jam got underway and was, to put it simply, a damn good time. Which is what this whole BMX thing is about. Screw the politics, fashions, collectors and shit talk, Freestyle is alive and well on these shores and now spans multiple generations.
So after a council knock back on our chosen date, we finally got our way on an earlier weekend, mainly thanks to the help of Manly Youth Council ruler, Kate Munro. That was great, except we now had a few weeks less to sort out what we had (loosely) planned... Namely an old school quarter pipe jam, old school bike exhibition and generally a good time down at Manly to honour 25 years of Australian BMX history since this epic movie was released.
Tom Boorman blasted the ramp bigger than anyone, Damon had more old school stories than anyone and Nigel Begg got back on a BMX for the 1st time in possibly 20 years, which was radder than rad. Unluckily Nicole Kidman had to leave the country the day before the jam and couldn’t make it, and we almost had James Lugton (who played Goose) down, but was tied up with a theatre production. ‘Goose’ did manage to sign a stack of DVD’s and T’s for us (which we have elsewhere in the issue) which more than made up for Nicole’s poor form.
Anyways, regardless of date changes, pouring rain and gale force winds, we carted our ‘built in the backyard’ 80’s inspired 8 foot high goliath of a ramp to Manly beach. While many bailed on crossing the bridge due to the absolutely shithouse weather, a select few ‘core old and new school rippers made the day a rocking one that we intend to make (somehow?) an annual event.
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Thanks go out to Paul Begg, Kate Munro, 2020, Hell on Wheels, Bronwyn at Manga Pacific and all who rocked up. The Bandit day came together in pure punk rock, freestyle fashion and was a great time. We’ll see what we can pull off for next years event...
THE LOWDOWN NEWS & STUFF Bringing the Colony empire back home, Clint Millar PHOTO Guettler
Taking control
There’s been some big changes taking place behind the scenes at Colony, but fear not, Clint has got it all under control. Recently some big changes have happened with Colony, can you tell us about them? Yea, some really big changes took place recently. They have been in the works for a while now with discussions between Chris Harrison and myself since early 2008. It all finally came to a conclusion late last year. Basically, I have taken over sole ownership of Colony from Chris and now own 100% of the company. It was a difficult and rather painful thing to do with Chris being a long time friend of mine but it is something that needed to happen. Colony will now be able to move forward in the direction it needed to go. Will Triplesix Distributions still sell Colony in Australia? No, that is one of the biggest steps of the whole change. Colony will now distribute itself out of Brisbane. I have set up a warehouse and will deal directly with the shops across Australia. The plan is to get Colony in a position to where it can provide a level of service second to none within Australian distribution houses. With a good mix of product supply, after sales support and marketing, Colony will be a strong brand for retailers to depend on and for riders to trust. So for any stores out there wanting to stock Colony please contact me directly via our contact details on the website.
Yes, these will be announced in the coming weeks and months. Nothing too crazy, just some re-evaluations of where some riders stand within the team. What new products can we expect from Colony in the year ahead? There will be a Mick Bayzand signature frame and possibly 2 or even 3 models of grips released during the year. I also will start work on a few other products like tyres and rims as well. Sounds like you will be very busy over the next year. Any last words before we wrap this up? Yeah it’s gonna be a crazy year but one that will see Colony move forward in leaps and bounds. I would like to acknowledge and thank Chris Harrison for his efforts over the years with Colony. I would also like to thank Triplesix for their support from the beginning, all the shops in Australia that support Colony and last but not least, all the riders out there who support Colony by purchasing our products or just being down with what Colony is all about… BMX.
Will you look at distributing other brands as well? No, that is something I am not interested in doing. Colony will keep me very busy and it needs 100% of my attention at this point in time. Perhaps one day down the track I will look at doing more brands for distribution but if I do, they will be brands that I start up myself, not established foreign brands. Is art direction something that will change? Most definitely, I am proud to say that Cooper Brownlee from Focalpoint will fill this job. We have started to re-vamp the entire look of the company with a new logo to be released for the 2010 product range. This will take effect from July this year. Will there be any team changes?
Fantastic Plastic comp!
To help Clint celebrate his going solo, he flowed us eight pairs of the new Colony Fantastic Plastic pedals to giveaway. The Fantastic Plastics are super lightweight (polycarbonate’s run 176grams!), shin friendly and of course coloured in translucent or solid colours to suit your current co-ordination dilemma. So to win yourself one of eight pairs of Fantastic Plastic pedals simply answer this simple question: Q: Name 3 Colony team riders Email your answer into fantastic@2020bmxmag.com.au before the 1st of May to go into the draw. Remember to put your details along with your answer in the email! The first eight correct answers will win a pair of slick as Fantastic Plastic pedals. Simple as that. For more info on Colony, hit up www.colonybmx.com.au
18 ISSUE 31 MARCH 2009
THE LOWDOWN NEWS & STUFF Blake boosting outta the park. PHOTO Michael Harris
Kiama Jam
It’s been years since the last Kiama comp and Heath from Identity Clothing Co decided it was time for another one. Words and photos by Michael Harris What was your motivation to try and get some more comps and jams going on down this way? Just watching all the young kids shredding. There are so many and there is nothing in the way of jams or comps down south for them to get to. It’s good to see them go big, have some fun and take some prizes home. The first one got rained out and the second time around looked like rain again, what were you thinking when the sun poked its head out? I was stoked to see the sun come out for everyone that turned up. I was so bummed the first time it rained and the second one I thought I was cursed. I think Beatie brought the sun out for us… RIP BRO.
20 ISSUE 31 MARCH 2009
The day didn’t run exactly to plan and it turned into a jam, why was that? The ambulance people wouldn’t hang around for an hour which meant I couldn’t run the comp format, so we ended up turning it into a jam. The sun was out, there were people there, we had some prizes to give away and the BBQ was going, so we ran with it. Were you happy with the turnout and how the day went considering everything? Yeah I was happy with the way it turned out, everyone still had fun and some good stuff went down. I’d like to thank everyone that supported the jam, Eastern Bikes, Direct Bikes, Tippos Cycles, Bike Hub, Focalpoint BMX, Summa and everyone else that helped out.
Photo: Leigh Ramsdell Rider: Seamus McKeon
CRAIG MAST 2009 BMX GAMES Winner
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www.easternbikes.com
MEDUSA LITE SPROCKET
Eastern original Medusa Light design with 4 sprocket bolt positions. Forged, then CNC’d 6061 aluminum construction. 15/16” bore. 1/8” Teeth. Available in multiple tooth sizes, see website for details. Available in red, black, blue, purple, white, titanium, green, and brown. Weight: 1.7 oz. (25T)
HEADSET
Getting aheadset in life isn’t that hard. It’s pretty easy. Just like slapping this Eastern intergrated headset into your frame. No hammering. Man life is easy. Features Sealed bearings and compatible with Odyssey GTX Gyro only. Check with your frame manufacture to find out what style your headtube uses. It should be either a 45/45 or 36/45. Weight: 2.30 oz.
DECEPTIKON STEM
CNC’d 7075 Heat-treated alloy. 48mm reach. Removable gyro tabs. Internal wedge clamping system. Looks like it is from the future Weight: 8.2 oz.
CHECK THESE EASTERN DEALERS FOR ALL YOUR EASTERN NEEDS... NEW SOUTH WALES
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RIDE WITH US
THE LOWDOWN NEWS & STUFF Stephan PHOTO Revo Sam
Frew Farm Jam
Just incase you weren’t in the deep south of New Zealand in December... words and photo by Sam The Frew Farm Jam was held again on the 27th and 28th of December, in Otapiri Gorge, just out of Winton, NZ. It was bigger and better this year, with a superbooter, that had six adjustable length kickers, including one you could hit on a BMX. The Revolution NZ BMX jumps consisted of 3 10ft dirt tabletops, with wooden kickers transferring you in and out of the tabletops. The MTB line was rideable by BMX as well after a gnarly step-down setup jump, it went into four 15 to 20ft doubles, ending in a 15ft dirt quarter. We rolled up for the practice day and the weather was perfect, so a little session went down, it was pretty chill with everybody saving themselves for the next day. After that a few brews were sunk in the paddock where we were camping. Later that night we all woke up to a massive storm with gale force winds. Next day the wind was still going but
Cam Pianta frontie at height. PHOTO Morrisey
the comp still went ahead. The day was Kane O’Hagans, who constantly threw down all day, 360s, 720s, double tailwhips and supermans. Kane was followed closely by Jeremy Gray who destroyed the 15ft dirt quarter with 10ft out inverts in the 60km/h wind. Third place was a tie between Karl Bensemann and Robbie Brown. The wind let the comp down this year with the FMX and MTB being held off and closing the bigger jumps, but keep an eye out next year for the 09 Frew Farm Jam, it will be bigger and better once again and hopefully wind free! Thanks to the Frew’s and Southern Freeriders for putting so much time into the Frew Farm complex, Rockstar for providing so much energy drink that everybody was wired constantly and Revolution NZ for the BMX prize pack.
DK King of Dirt
2008 was a very hard year for the DK King of Dirt. The 4th annual event had to be delayed due to the floods we had in Queensland and during one storm, the jumps actually went underwater! Once the rain had gone we started to rebuild the course with 300 tonnes of new dirt but the competition was still postponed up until 4 days before Christmas. Story by Ange Dobbie (Boo) Riders from all over Australia turned up to enter and a great crowd came down to support them. This year, the competition ran a bit differently because we used an open scoring system. This way the competitors were told their score after each run and what place they had received so far. The idea was that this would help riders plan their runs and know when they really needed to throw down some big tricks and it certainly made the competition more interesting! With a total Pro Purse of over $2000 thanks to DK Bikes, plus heaps of prizes and giveaways from Loosekid Clothing, every rider was keen to take home some prizes! The Beginner class started the comp off with a few backflips, tail whips and tyre grabs here and there. In the end Ben Richardson got first, Chris Stahlhut came in second and Jake May third. We then moved onto expert with huge supermans, 360s and big tuck no-handers. Expert was taken out by Matt Mackellar, with Luke Bowerman second and Ammon Chesworth third. As if this wasn’t enough to get the crowd pumped we had the pro class riders firing off some massive tricks all day long. There were a few well known names in amongst them, Jaie Toohey, our winner from last year, Nick Cooper, and Cam Pianta just to name a few. There were also some newcomers to the Pro ranks who really stepped up, such as Chris Courtney (2007 Expert winner) and Brandon Burt. These 5 all ended up in the Pro Final with Daniel Taylor and Dean Manson making up our 7 finalists. Coming into the final, Jaie Toohey had qualified first with runs that included huge inverted 360’s, double-whips and superman backflips. Once again, Jaie was looking like the favourite to win. First run through in the final, Nick Cooper put on an awesome run of 360 tabo-to-Xup, cannonball and 360 whip to get a score of 90.3. Then, straight after, Jaie had his run and with a huge lookback 360, barspin-to-no-foot-can and downside doublewhip pulled off for a score of 91.3. With the open scoring, every finalist knew that Jaie had set the run to beat but Jaie had set the bar high and ended up taking the win for the second year in a row, with $1000.00 thanks to DK bikes. Close behind was Nick Cooper who received $500 cash and then Cam Pianta in third for $300. Fourth was Chris Courtney taking $150 and 5th, Brandon Burt with $100 cash to take home.
24 ISSUE 31 MARCH 2009
All in all it was a great day and it couldn’t have happened without the help from our sponsors, especially from the Moreton Bay Regional Council, who provided the awesome facility and DK Bikes, LooseKid Industries, Peter Campbell Realty, 2020, Freestyle BMX Australia, CORE Operations and Skuff TV. To see all the highlights make sure you check out the DK KOD video at www.skuff.tv and for more information on the DK King of Dirt and upcoming events go to www.myspace./kingofdirtbmx Till next year!
THE LOWDOWN NEWS & STUFF
Nathan Charles
The recent bush fires devastated rural Victoria and took many a friend and family member from loved ones. To hear the news of the passing of one of the BMX communities ranks was a shock to the system and brought home even harder just how brutal mother nature can be. Our thoughts go out to all those affected by the fires. What can I say about Nathan? He was a friend, he was a mate, as much as he was my son. Our time together was short but always with heaps of laughs and jokes. Looking at your pictures, your riding amazed me, you did it big all the time. It is truly an honour and privilege to be your dad. Love you mate, R.I.P. son.
Rob Charles (Nathan’s Father)
We couldn’t ever forget a mate like Charlzy. He’s the most loyal and the most generous person we have ever known. It was either a love or hate relationship with Charlzy but if you were close to him he would do anything for you. He’s an amazing rider, always pushing us to the next level and always riding with a crazy style and no fear attitude. We will never forget you and you will always be with us when we’re riding.
I can’t find the words for Nathan, how do you describe the most genuine, happy and talented person and rider you know? He always made me feel welcome and was always checking in to see how life was because he wanted to know! Because he cared! He was honest, kind and one hell of a rider. Rest In Peace mate. Rest in Peace!
Mulligan and Locky
Steve Gorak Taylor
PHOTO Gorak
26 ISSUE 31 MARCH 2009
THE LOWDOWN NEWS & STUFF PHOTO Tony Nolan
Mongoose giveaway
You asked for more chances to win bikes, so with two up for grabs this issue, we better cut to the chase!
The Menace has been around for a long time in the Mongoose range. And while it’s a long term player in the Goose line up, for 2009 the anté was seriously upped, making this years Menace a serious contender for any young rider starting out in their BMX journey. While it’s an entry level machine, it’s built tough with a solid hi-tensile frame, 74.5° head angle, 3 piece cranks, 36T/13T drivetrain, 36 hole front and 48 hole rear alloy rims and a bunch more. Of course here’s where it gets good, we’ve got one to giveaway! All you’ve got to do is answer this simple question:
Q: Name two other bikes in the 2009 Mongoose BMX range. Email your answer to mongoose@2020bmxmag.com.au Get your answers in by the 1st of May 2009. The first correct answer drawn will win the Menace! Hit up www.mongoosebikes.com.au for clues! And while you’re at it check out the webclip of Vince Byron killing it on the recent ‘Goose roadtrip.
BMX Bandits Pt II!
OK, you heard about the 25th Anniversary of this seminal Australian movie, so why not get yourself a signed copy? If you couldn’t make it to our 25th anniversary jam, then we’ve got the answer to your woes. We’ve got 20 copies of BMX Bandits to go. And to make it even better, they’ve been signed by Goose, or in the real world 25 years later, James Lugton. While we almost had Nicole Kidman signing for us, she had to bail back to the US for important Hollywood stuff, but then she used a stunt double the whole time anyways... To get your hands on one of the 20 copies we’ve got, simply shoot your name and address, through to: bmxbandit@2020bmxmag.com.au by the 1st May 2009. Simple as that!
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PHOTO Tony Nolan
THE LOWDOWN NEWS & STUFF
New world order
Cory Bohan pulling Jedi mind tricks on you. PHOTO Dan Vojtech
25 years of BMX events in Cologne means there’s a big party coming up...
After 25 years of BMX events at Cologne’s Jugendpark, there had to be a massive celebration for this historical anniversary. The longest contest series in the world spanning this massive 25 years included the 1994, 1996, 2000, 2002 and 2004 Freestyle BMX World Championships. And come 2009, the Worlds will return home to Cologne for the sixth time. From the 10th to 12th of July 2009, the official BMX Freestyle World Championships of the iBMXFF (International BMX Freestyle Federation) will take place at Jugendpark in what should be the biggest event there yet. With over 300 participants from about 40 countries, the event is truly international! And from tales of the event told by many an Australian who survived previous trips and the ever present video coverage, it is fast becoming a must go to comp/party on the annual calendar. Vert, flat, dirt, spine mini and park will all be going off along with a million all night parties. For more info, hit up www.bmxworlds.de Get your crew together and book those tickets...
FUEL TV. 24/7 Action Sports Television Heres the BMX gold you should be watching on fuel BMX GAMES 2009 We are back doing the coverage and it’s going to be bigger than Jaie Toohey’s Indian tail whips! Hosted by Ryan Guettler, the BMX Games 2008 will air on Fuel TV on Wed 18 April at 5.30pm. THE DUKES Featuring dudes like Cam White, Dane Searls and more! Weeknights at 7.28pm PROPS Friday nights at 8.30pm FIRSTHAND Get to know your favourite freestyle sports athlete more than you ever thought possible. This in-depth show dedicates a whole half hour to really getting to know the most interesting competitors out there. Tuesday nights at 7.30pm LG ACTION SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP Monday nights at 8.30pm on FUEL TV Plus there’s other random stuff you will probably like… ED THE SOCK Join this perverted little sock puppet talk about chicks, pornstars and everything else low brow… Warning; it’s trashy as hell, but you do get to see more boobs than an SBS movie without having to wait till the end. Weeknights at 11.40pm on Fuel TV. PULP SPORT Two kiwi dudes doing some funny shit and making fun of main stream sports stars. It’s more awesome then the time Christian Bale blew up at that dude on the Terminator set. Weeknights at 7pm …and don’t forget, the Action Sports Tour begins in June with LIVE coverage. Featuring the biggest names in the game.
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And remember...
www.fueltv.com.au It’s new and improved!
THE LOWDOWN NEWS & STUFF Jon Byers blasting big back in 91. PHOTO Spike Jonze//Freestylin’
“it burns, it burns!!!” from the paint thinner. He went outside and spray painted the frame in the parking lot (Mike is a pro at painting stuff because he restored old Karman Ghia’s when he was a teenager). So there we were sitting like a couple of shit asses waiting for customers, I remember seeing my childhood hero, Greg Hill, in the booth across the aisle sitting for hours with no customers and I was thinking… “I don’t ever want to wind up like this guy”. So after a while, this grungy Japanese kid comes by and wants to know about our product. He asked if we could make complete bikes and we said yes even though we had never made complete bikes. Mike and I were friendly to him like we would be with anyone and didn’t expect to see him again. Two weeks later we received an order from him that was 10 times our annual sales! We hopped on a plane to Taiwan, specked out the bikes, and delivered the product. This was enough to pull us out of debt and gave us enough money to order our own complete bikes for the USA. This was the most pivotal moment for Eastern bikes and I would not be writing this now if not for this event. I owe so much to these Japanese customers. There are many more events, but most are not suitable for 15 year old kids. I’m sorry, but we are pretty much international rednecks.
Pioneer: Jon Byers
We were lucky enough to catch up with one of BMX’s true vert pioneers and more recently BMX company founder Jon Byers who was checking out the Aus scene. We hit him up for his views on starting a bike company and more. Interview by Holmes Eastern Bikes has been doing its thing for more than a few years, so for those that don’t know, when exactly did Eastern start? Mike Corley and I started Eastern Bikes back in 1996. And what was the motivation to start a bike company? Mike bought a bike from a rider owned company and the frame cracked the first day he got it, he called the company and they wouldn’t replace it. Looking back, it was a total defect and they should have replaced it. Anyway, Mike welded up a few frames in his garage around 93/94 and he called them Fatty bikes. He and I rode them, but we kind of left it at that and didn’t stay in contact for a year or so. Then Mike called me in 1996 to tell me he was starting a real bike company, I was on board... I had just graduated college and started a job I totally hated, so we formed Eastern bike company (EBC) after Mikes late fathers initials. I worked that job for 5 hard years to help get this company off the ground (Mike managed a furniture store). I would do sales on my lunch break and Mike shipped bikes out on his. While California seemed to be the epicenter of BMX back in the day, it seems the East Coast of the US had more than its fair share of rider owned companies popping up. As far as I’m concerned it has always been where the kid’s are riding and doing their own thing… Building ramps and jumps, creating their own styles of riding and not following a trend, especially not feeling like they have to do certain things because that’s what the media implies. Australia is in a sense a petri dish incubating great riders and even company’s like Colony and TripleSix. As far as starting companies, that could be anywhere! So a couple of riders get together and start a company. Sounds like the dream deal. I guess you’ve had more than your fair share of ups and downs over the years though? What’s one of your best and also your toughest memories or experiences? It’s been near 14 years and it’s all a blur, it could be a dream, but closer to a nightmare. Running your own company (as you know) is not what I would call a happy life. Nobody knows this and nobody can ever tell you. You just have to learn for yourself. Anyway, one story was back in 1998 or 1999, we were flat fucking broke and in debt. We had booked a booth for our first interbike. My Mom had to pay for my plane ticket to Vegas, Mike’s Mom paid for his and my brother felt so sorry for us he came out to help (and later vowed never to help again). We took a crappy Southwest flight from the east coast and 12 bus stops later arrived in glorious Las Vegas. We were making frames in the USA at the time and the maker showed up with the prototypes minus a few welds. Mike had to strip the paint off the frames in the bathtub of our hotel (in his underwear), I remember him screaming from the bathroom
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So from your years of going bigger than everyone on vert, what were the biggest things you wanted to see in bike design for Eastern back then and of course now? That’s an interesting question because I never wanted a bike for me. We always knew vert was a small group of riders and so we couldn’t make a bike specifically for this crowd. My favourite vert bike was a 1988 Haro Sport, but times change and street, park and dirt are where designs need to be focused. For vert, a longer top tube and a slower head angle is what I always wanted, but I would never make a bike like this because there are only a handful of riders who would want this. It’s just not practical. For our products we always try to keep the geometry neutral and easy to ride. We don’t want to make weird geometries that are too narrow in scope. Come 2009, Eastern has become much bigger than a few Hercules frames and you’ve pushed the innovation envelope, did you think you’d make it this far? I remember when we first started, we thought we were so righteous and that big companies with stupid geometries and 40+ year old product managers were the enemy and destroying the future of BMX, because any kid who had a bike like this could never really learn to ride. I mean the bikes had geometries that were too awkward to ride and the kids who owned these bikes would have a hard time progressing to the point of wanting to get a better bike and sticking with it. I think we’ve helped catch the larger company’s attention to make their bikes better and that’s a good thing. The Grim Reaper definitely stepped things up with ideas that while at first were too much for some, now seem to have become tried and true designs. Do you see this frame as a defining moment in the Eastern history books? Yes, I think this frame has definitely set some standard. This is Mike’s baby, but the sad part is what people notice are the holes. They don’t recognize the engineering part of it. What I think is funny is the competitors who randomly cut holes in products now. I think the Ascent frame was far ahead of its time and we went to great lengths to produce about 250 frames. We had the tubing made in England, shipped it to Taiwan for welding, heat treated it, we even tested some of the frames with x-ray machines. And few people even cared or noticed. You guys have taken it as far as using your own tubing in Lighting Rod tubing. What’s the story behind this? This was a struggle to get manufacturers to do this. It took a couple of years to bring this around. Special tools had to be made and everyone was resistant to this, but once it got out everyone wanted to claim credit. So what’s instore for Eastern in the next few years? We will continue to do what we have always done, making the product the heart of what we do. Leigh is working on the team and a full length video. Mike and I have never been coverage jockeys, but I think it’s weird to see these blogs about us being Taiwanese. I mean I can speak some Mandarin, but we have always been Americans. I have green eyes and cuss and drink like a sailor. Anyway, we will focus on the product and business side. We have a lot of products that we are working on including freecoasters, cranks and frames. We will continue to give our complete bike customers who are just starting out the best value possible, so they can enjoy riding their bikes long enough to learn a few tricks and progress to the point of staying in the sport for a while and upgrade to higher end parts when they are ready. And finally, when can we see you boosting 12 foot on vert again? My vert days are over, but I enjoy riding with my kids. They think a cherrypicker is the most amazing trick, but I always catch myself daydreaming about riding vert again and I’m sure my employees are tired of hearing about the old days. I really admire the old vert guys who have been around for a while, but weekend warriors always meet their maker and that’s all I could ever hope to be now. My goal these days is delivering quality products at a decent price to riders.
THE LOWDOWN NEWS & STUFF Peta Shepard holding her own amongst the guys. PHOTO Morrisey
Power Surge
Redcliffe in northern Brisbane is the home to a few things. In particular, lots and lots of Commodores, Dave Dillewaard and the setting for the 2009 Surge competition. Story and photos by Stephen Morrisey The Surge comp was held at the Redcliffe skatepark, and although the park isn’t a five star park, it’s definitely fun on a 20inch bike and has a strong local crew of riders that have make a solid scene up there. The comp was held on a Saturday and although it looked like the rain would put an end to the day, it held off. They had BMX and skate classes and regrettably a scooter competition that was obviously a ‘must have’ for council approval. Regardless, all involved on whatever they chose to rode ripped. Double whips, backies and all sorts of stunts were thrown down in the beginner, expert and pro classes. I must say the expert and pro riding was better than some comps at much better parks, so a big high five goes out to all who laid it on the line. Some definite lines that stood out for me was Sam Jordan sliding the Monster Rail that is nearly five foot high! I think Josh Harrington is the only other dude to slide it on a bike so big effort on that one. Peta Shepard was on fire letting whips and bars loose as well. Dylan White definitely showed his local knowledge, he laid down some serious tricks and flow and impressed all. Chris Courtney took the win with a bunch of wild shit that I can’t exactly remember but he went fast and high. Big thanks go out to local Zac for pulling some strings and helping make it happen as well as Redcliff City Council, Skatebase and Ride On BMX store.
Wizards of Oz tour
FBMs whole crew is on route to Autralia for the long overdue and much anticipated Wizards of Oz Tour! Heres the Crew: Steve Crandall, Garret Guilams, Kenny Horton, Kie Ashworth, Mike Corts, Pat Oneil, Peter Koh, Lou Reeves, Kelvin Pentland (Canberra only), Jamie Moore (driver + photographer), Dave Rubinich (photographer) and Kane Chappell (driver + filmer). The tour starts in Canberra on the 6th of March and winds up on the Gold Coast on the 17th of March. Kenny and Steve are making a short DVD of the trip that will be available to all FBM complete bike dealers later on in the year and also as a web vid on various sites across the globe. The tours main focus will be to ride with as many kids as possible at the best spots and to have the most fun that we can have! BMX tours need to get back to the reason why we all started riding in the first place, freedom and a bloody good time! Tour t-shirts will be on sale and available from the van on the tour and will be helping fund the fuel tank and also the BBQ. We will be posting the finalized tour dates and locations as they are set and will post all the info on the Stowaway site ASAP!
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Our own tradeshow
After many a year with no tradeshow, Ausbike Australia is set to bring the bike industry together come August... In an effort not to be confused with the very successful Interbike USA trade shows which originated in the early 90’s, the organizers are pleased to announce that Interbike Australia is now called Ausbike Australia and fits within the international ‘grand slam’ bike expo circuit of EuroBike, Interbike, Taipei Cycle, etc. The trade only event will give the opportunity for hundreds of brands and thousands of manufacturers, suppliers and buyers from around Australia, NZ and Asia to come together at one location at one time; a mix of business and products of the Australian bike industry not to be missed! The 2009 expo will take place on Sunday 16 to Monday 17 August. The Ausbike Australia trade expo has committed to the next 5 years in the Exhibition Pavilion at the Melbourne Showgrounds in Melbourne, Victoria. The Pavilion is a striking new feature of the Showgrounds and offers a versatile 10,000m2 exhibition space. For more information, www.ausbikeaustralia.com.au
THE LOWDOWN NEWS & STUFF Back in the saddle. PHOTO Morrisey
Raph broke off
A good friend of mine, Raph, got hurt pretty bad last year and now is back on the bike after a fairly long stint off. So I threw him a few questions to see how he got through the injury and recovery and to get a bit of an insight. Story and photo by Steve Morrisey Well I did it last year in April, a week after my 21st birthday at the Tempered drains jam. There was this wired kicker that you had to jump into then jump straight back out of onto this slanted bench, then after that was a lander. I tried to 180 the bench to the lander and about half way through I knew I wasn’t gonna make it so I bailed, landed side ways and just tucked and rolled and didn’t think anything of it till I jumped up and saw my leg just swaying there. That’s when I knew it was real bad and the pain hit. I think my leg got stuck in a pallet. What technical term did the doctors use to describe your break?
They called it a open compound fracture. Pretty much both bones in my leg snapped, shattered and stuck through my skin, it was the grade most common from motorbike crashes. So you spent a while in hospital and had a few major operations, how was that and how did you get through it?
I spent a month in hospital and for a week I wasn’t allowed to get out of bed at all, not for nothing, that drove me fucken crazy! All I wanted to do was get up and move around but I couldn’t. I had five operations to clean out and put rods and screws in and what not. I got through it just by having all my mates, ex girl friend and family always coming up to see me and cheer me up, watching hundreds of DVDs, reading books, mags, anything to keep my mind off what was happening. Apart from riding, what were the other major downfalls of having a broken leg?
Not working and having to go to centre link for money, never again, that place sucks. Trying to do any day-to-day task like getting up to make something to eat hurt
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and took for ever, showering was such a mission too, with all the bandages that I had on. I had to take them off to shower and then I wasn’t allowed to have my foot hanging down, I had a wheel chair so I could sit down and keep my leg up. It used to take an hour and a half, plus it put a bit of grind on my relationship at the time. Now this seems like a weird question, but did you gain anything positive from the injury?
It made me want to get as much out of a day as possible cause sitting in that hospital, all I wanted to do was get out and do something. Also that the doctors can fix nearly everything haha. Any words of encouragement or advice for someone who might be reading this in your same type of situation?
You have to just hang in there, keep your spirits up and try not to get down on yourself for what happened. Keep your mind occupied, hang out with ya mates, cause they always make you feel good and help you forget about that shitty injury. Don’t rush into riding and just chill plus Tube 8 will get you through those long boring days haha. Anyone you might want to say thanks to while we’re here?
Hell yeah, the doctors and nurses that put my leg back together again and looked after me. Susie for coming up nearly every day to the hospital to see me and keep me sane, all the boys and family that came up and gave me DVD’s, food, mag’s and laughter. My parents for putting up with me and helping me out through the time I couldn’t move around. And everyone that helped me out, thanks heaps!
THE LOWDOWN NEWS & STUFF Screw just running the event, ride harder than everyone there. Jed Mildon PHOTO Mike Davies
You got the invite right?
The Jed Mildon invitational jam is definitely shaping up to be one of the best BMX comps in New Zealand, and with the loss of X-Air it’s much needed. This year was the second year the jam has taken place, last year’s event was awesome, but Jed outdid himself this year with the addition of dirt jumps. Story by Mike Davies and George Bolter The jam is held in Jed’s home town of Taupo which is located in the centre of the North Island. It’s the perfect location for a BMX event for many of reasons. Taupo has one of the best skate parks in the country, it’s central so riders from all over New Zealand can make the drive, and Taupo is a tourist location which makes it a bit of a party town, which goes perfectly with BMX.
1 Aside from the riding, the Waikato river which
The jam was run over three days, the first day was practice, the second dirt and the third was park. Riders from all over New Zealand and a handful of Australians turned up to ride. Everyone rode super well and there were far too many tricks that went down to list. But most importantly, whether they were relaxing in the sun or shredding the park, everyone was having fun! One of my highlights from the weekend would have to have been Jaie Toohey, that kid is bananas, his flair whips had most New Zealand riders guessing! Nick cooper was also amazing to watch, he has such a rad original style and his 360 superman seat grabs were gnarly. Taupo local Billy was also amongst my favourite’s to watch ride, he threw down some sevens and learnt front flips during his dirt run.
of effort in to organising the whole weekend, and riding more and harder than anyone else!
Far too much great riding went down to mention it all but what is worth mentioning are the parties. Ridiculous cheap drinks, like $2 shots, cheerleaders, hardcore bands, underage kids losing their bikes and all at a darts club... that’s right darts, not dance. Anyway it was a great weekend and I would just like to thank Jed Mildon on behalf of all the New Zealand riders for putting on an amazing event, it’s much appreciated. I leave you with a top ten from the weekend by George Bolter.
is just a stone throw from the skate park, had a sweet rope swing and a hot spring. This was more than just a refuge from the heat, for some sleeping in their cars, it was a place to get clean!
2 Massive props to Jed Mildon for putting months 3 Dirt Nationals were in Taupo for the first
time. Local Taupo rider Billy took third, Paul Langlands a well deserved second (for the second year in a row), with so many original variations like bar hop to no foot can and the warrior Jed Mildon winning for the third time with some dialled flip whips and fronties.
4 The Hummer cranking sweet tunes all weekend
thanks to RedBull and Justin shredding on the mic.
5 Ewok was named shredder of the weekend with some original lines gaping across the park that no one else did!
6 The Forgotten team of Scottish John, Matt
Whyatt and Jaie Toohey came down to Taupo to ride and support fellow team rider Jed Mildon.
7 Both Jed and Matt handing over their first place prizes of Forgotten completes to deserving kids, one kid was even riding round without a seat post! 8 Under 16’s jam had riders from all over the north island. Stand outs were Jono Hopping still shredding on Louis’s bike, since his got stolen the night before! Jaden Lemming, who was ripping the big bowl and airing higher than he is tall, local Ginge (sorry can’t remember your name), and Jakie Liu who flat out ripped with more bike control than anyone else! 9 Van of about 15 locals with couch’s on the roof getting rowdy in support of the Taupo riders, I’m surprised the roof didn’t cave in!
10 The open park class saw most of the big tricks go down. Nic Cooper come in third with some badass originality, superman seat grab 180 over the spine and a massive 180 over the 5ft lip to lip box. Second went to the warrior himself showing the local knowledge with massive bowl to bowl flairs and a whip transfer over the entire 2ft bowl as well. His jam ender was a fronty and almost pulling a 360 flip, maybe next time mate.
Blackeye giveaway
The Killorado is one hell of a new school low rider and much like its signature owner, Cory Jarman, it’s thinking outside the traditional BMX train of thought. WTF? Someone doing their own thing? Anyways, we’ve got one to giveaway! 100% lightweight, low slung and ready to rock. Love it or hate it, the Killorado is here to stay, and here to make sure that there are new ideas and designs out there to ease the boredom of the mainstream. Even better and more progressively thinking than that, we’ve got one to giveaway thanks to the crew at Classic here in Australia. What you’ll be going in the running for is one 100% seamless Japanese 4130 chromoly Killorado featuring an integrated head tube, low slung top tube, integrated seat clamp and comes complete with no brake mounts or cable guides for a clean brakeless look.
It weighs in at a measly 4 lbs. 12 oz. (20.5” size) and should help with any cancan variation you can think of! All you gotta do is answer one simple question. Q: What’s the head tube angle of the Killorado? Simply email your answer to killorado@2020bmxmag.com.au by the 1st of May. Maybe check out www.blackeyebikes.com for clues eh?
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THE LOWDOWN NEWS & STUFF
Down Underground Imax edition
The French flatland connection, Micheal Husser took the win in Melbourne’s D.U.G. PHOTO Holmes
I love random events, even better when they sync up with an already planned roadtrip... Story by Holmes After 10 or so long hours on the road on route to the BMXGames, I rolled into Melbourne high on caffeine and a steady diet of soy milk and fruit, pretty much shaking at the wheel. With the option of checking out Saturdays early morning practice sessions and junior qualifying down on the docks or heading Brunswick street way for a solid breaky, I took the 2nd option. You could say I was pretty keen to give myself some chance to make it through the day. Carving my way through traffic still in highway mode and possibly still on cruise control, I headed up Victoria street towards Brunny street when I saw a rider roll casually across traffic. It turned out to be Mike Steingraber and somehow I caught up to him and pulled up alongside. He asked me casually where Imax was like it was only yesterday I last saw him. Anyway, it seemed there was a jam on, and it was only a block away, so I headed there. Rocking up, I was stoked to see so many crew already rolling around and digging the vibe. Imax really is the Melbourne flat mecca these days. So with minimal sleep, trucks and whitelines still burnt into my retina, Paul Chamberlain and Ali Finlay decided I was riding in the jam. It was easy 12 years since the last flat comp I hit, but it felt the same, straight up good times with some old faces and a stack of amazing new riders killing it in whole new ways I still can’t quite comprehend. The only bad thing for me is that in those 12 years I’ve ridden sweet FA flat, so my skills were lacking more than a little, especially after rolling my ankle into a swollen black oblivion, but I’ll blame that on a lack of power naps. Still it was a damn good time with some crew there riding that I hadn’t seen in maybe 18 years, so I was stoked. There’s some amazing flatland talent busting out of the woodwork! A massive props go out to all those involved in making the Down Underground events come to fruition, as for the Melbourne event, it rocked! Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming event in Sydney on March 14th. For more info, hit up www.flatlandaustralia.com
On the cover
Late breaking news
Photographer: Dan Peters
Strictly Business.
Rider: Jaie Toohey
Location: Docklands
Camera: Canon EOS 1D MKII Lens: 70mm-200mm
Settings: f/3.2, 1/2000 sec Lighting: All natural
The shot: Well I guess I saw everyone squatting next to the ramps with their fishy wishy lenses on, so I grabbed a beer and sat in the back rows. I dropped the foreground out of focus and tried to frame the riders against the cityscape backdrop which was looking pretty amazing in sidelight. I was watching Jaie all morning, he easily aired 2 foot higher than the other homies, so it’s not difficult to make a photo look good with that standard of riding...
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Revolution NZ break in.
Revolution NZ has been broken into overnight! Yes by some spineless arseholes who will be trying to move the stock however they can. Around $9000 worth of goods from tee’s to parts have been taken. This is a serious blow to the shop and we as a pretty close knit BMX community can try to do our part by keeping an eye and ear out for any word of cheap tee’s and/or parts. If you know or have heard about something regarding the break in give Sam or Ben a ring at Revo and let them know. This sucks!
Strictly BMX has rocked some amazing customized parts over the years, but finally are about to launch a full line of parts with quality on par with any brand out there, but at a more affordable price. And to add more fuel to the fire, rumour has it they have been looking at a new, huge premises for an even bigger shop.
Coconet Classic
The Coconet Classic makes its return this year with the BMX comp at the park taking place at Boyne Island skate park on Saturday April 11th. And to make the journey worth it, there’s a massive music festival Easter Sunday 12th April from 10am to midnight. Bands performing will be The Living End, Spiderbait, The Butterfly Effect, The Herd, Dukes of Windsor, Butterfingers, Dead Letter Circus, Mammal, Diana Anaid, DJ Jimmy Z, Melodyssey, Ellington, Epidemic… Over, MilitiA, Whyte Zebra, The Silence, Fusillade, Kissing the Blue Lady, The Shortfall, DJ Lawrie POP. For more info, entry details and registration forms for all competitions, check out www.coconetclassic.net.au
THE LOWDOWN FIRST THINGS FIRST
Billy Harris
The 28th of October started out like any other day for my younger cousin Billy. Wake up, eat some food, say goodbye to his parents and then a day at school. Billy goes to school in Ferny Grove on the north side of Brisbane, not far from the infamous Ferny Grove trails. By Michael Harris This particular afternoon, before heading home from school, Billy, his mate Tom and a few others decided to stop in at the trails for a ride. This decision would be one that would change his life and the life of his family and friends forever. While riding that afternoon Bill fell, and as a result was rushed to intensive care where he remained in a coma for weeks. The damage to his brain was so severe it is likely to take years for him to recover, if at all. Billy’s a very confident rider, I’ve seen him ride and there is no doubt about that. The trails are a place he has ridden before and he was wearing his helmet. Unfortunately this was nothing but a horrible accident and something like this happening to someone so young is a terrible thing. Totally by chance I was lucky enough to hang out with Billy at Kuraby a few weeks before his accident and have a ride as well as catch up, good times for sure. I’ll be back up to see you again soon mate, we are all thinking of you.
There was a great line of sponsors including Colony BMX, Proper bike co, Fly bikes, Mankind, We the people and ABD. We owe all these sponsors a big thanks for hooking up the prizes for the comp. But sure it’s not all about the prizes and winning because the trophy for the Bent Fork award goes to the rider who takes the hardest crash. Aussie team rider for Mongoose, Primo and Lotek, Vince Byron made an appearance and rode a little demo. Vince was throwing 360 tabos and 360 tucks over the spine and showing off with flip whips and a flair whip, everyone was amazed. With the comp ahead and people signing on for a great day right from the start there was someone who was guaranteed a top spot. Doing Chase Hawke impersonation airs and tucks and boosting the hip, he’s a crazy six foot kid who goes by the name of Lockie. By the time the comp started, no one would have thought he could go higher but that changed when he rode in the 15-18’s. In the opens there was also another amazing rider who goes by the name of Levi from Cairns. He showed why he is riding for Nightfall bike co. Not only did he just make it to the comp in time but it was also his first time riding the park. He impressed everyone by throwing out flairs, huge tabo airs and baring banks like it was nothing.
Bent fork anyone?
Grafton is a little town with a nice chilled park and the 18th of January was the day to be there. With people travelling from as far as Port Macquarie and Cairns and some riders dropping in while driving south towards Melbourne for the BMX Games a chilled out comp went down. Story by Brock Beadman
This comp was set to be a good one with around 170 people including spectators and a generous 40 or so riders, including plenty of out of town talent entered in the comp. By about twelve o’clock the 10 and under’s had started with very few competitors compared to the older aged groups, so some older riders lent their bikes to the young kids to get them to give it a go. Those little guys fought it out hard to try and win some prizes. Next up in the age groups were the 11-14s with Lawson Ney dominating this age group and taking the win. This kid has to be one of the little guys with the most style. The way things change these days with little kids going big and brakeless, Lawson sure shows what the age of progression is like, riding big, smooth and stylish for his age. Next up was a banging class of local and out of town talent. The 15-18s sure showed they belonged in the opens group and some even entered in it. This age group went off with crazy lookbacks, tuck no-handers, flips, double whips and many other crazy things not to be missed. With Cody Lye landing his first double whip and Lockie cracking big turndowns, lookbacks and height out of nowhere. Other shredders were Nathan Murtha and Jack Gibson, these kids have two completely different styles of riding with one doing lookback airs to die for and the other coming so close to a 360 flip. The level of riding was great for sure but the next group was the opens and was set to be a big one. Levi from Cairns was still blasting it like it was his local along with Lockie and Llama and with practice done every one sat back and watched a load of crazy stuff go down. In his first run, Lockie got fazed out after he tried to do the biggest flip of the day and bailed, but somehow still landed on his feet. Levi Jackonia was super dialled, like he was riding in a video game, busting out crazy bars, flairs and clean down side whips over the hips. It’s hard to write about how good his riding is. In the end Levi took a Mankind Neworld frame and was totally stoked on doing so. After the comp was done, it was time for a sweet little chilled jam with a good vibe and fun had by all. With this year’s Bent Fork Fest over now it is time to look forward to the next one. So be sure to make your way to Grafton next January if you are on your way down to the BMX Games or if you are even just wanting to come to a really good relaxed comp. Thanks to all that helped!
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THE LOWDOWN FIRST THINGS FIRST
Straight ‘outta Compton
What can I say; this was about to be the trip of a lifetime for me. I was on a journey to meet some of the most inspirational rider’s from past and present. My trip would take me to Orlando for the Dew Tour Finals, The U.S.A. pro town Greenville N.C. and over to L.A. for a week. Story by John Buultjens My first stop was the Dew Tour Finals in Orlando Florida. I wasn’t sure what to expect, all I was looking forward to was seeing so many of my friends ride in the finals, Including my own two riders Luke Parslow and Jaie Toohey. The first day was prelims for vert so I went straight over there. Stevie McCann saw me straight away and I was on the deck of the vert ramp within minutes. I caught up with Jamie Bestwick, Simon Tabron and one of the best freestyle rider’s of all time Dennis (DMC) McCoy. I was stoked to see young Vince Byron riding the vert also. Jamie was hitting 14ft without even trying; travelling the vert ramp like it was a piece of cake. You have to see Jamie ride in person to appreciate his skills and consistency on a vert ramp. About half an hour into the ramp session I here someone shouting my name, it was an old friend from Scotland (Paul Sale) He had brought his young son Cameron over to watch the tour. His son Cameron is six years old and rides a 16” Mirra co bike. Paul asked Cameron if he wanted to go to Disney Land or the dew tour, without hesitation he screamed ‘THE DEW TOUR DADDY!’ So here we are sitting chatting away and I get a tap on my shoulder, it’s my boy Luke Parslow. I turn and there is his Mum and Dad with him. This was awesome as I new they were coming over for the finals. We all went out to dinner that night and had a great catch up. Friday morning, I headed over to Luke’s hotel were I caught up with Jerry Badder’s and Ryan Guettler. Luke asked me if I wanted to go to the children’s hospital with him and a few others. I was keen for sure. The dew tour van picked us up outside the hotel. I was stoked to see that Bucky Lassek, Gary Young and Chad Kagy were also coming to the hospital. We ended up seeing over 60 kids and we all were so happy to make their day. This visit was amazing for us all, I know the kids got a lot out of the visit but I think we got even more out of it. We left about 2 hours later as park prelims were about to start and finals were to be a few hours afterwards. I was stoked for this event as I new some crazy shit was about to go down. Daniel Dhers and Mike Spinner were so close that either of them could take this stop out. Every trick possible was getting thrown down. Dave Mirra ripped the park up with his huge signature trick his 360 no hander backflip. Mike Spinner was ruling as usual but he was having trouble on the 16ft box jump. Daniel Dhers was crazy on the park travelling everywhere but sadly he did slip the pedal on one of the quarters. He did come back with a front flip over the spine straight into a flair whip, but that was still not enough for first place. Ryan Nyquist took out the day with a flawless two runs. He pulled a 540 double truck, which was a new trick for Ryan. As well as many other variations, but Daniel still won the dew tour series. Saturday was to be dirt prelims as well as the finals in the late afternoon. I was so looking forward to this dirt event as Jaie and Luke were both riding in this. Jaie had to ride prelims and Luke was already through as he was sitting in 2nd place in the overall points. Sadly Jaie didn’t make it into the finals but he was still killing it over the dirt. He came an equal 10th place with Chris Gerber and Scott Wirch with a score of 88.33. To get into the finals you needed to place in the top 9, Jaie missed out by .35. Next up were dirt finals. Australia was in place to take out all three podium spots. Cameron White was sitting in first place, closely followed by Luke Parslow in second and Corey Bohan in third. I know this was on a lot of people’s minds; I so wanted to see three Aussie’s on that podium. Ryan Guettler and Colin Mackay were also in the finals. All the boy’s had some great runs, but Dennis Enarson took out first place. That kid rode so well. Another rider that impressed me immensely was Anthony Napolitan, his front flip no handers were so dialled and smooth.
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Sunday was the awards for the whole Dew Tour. Jamie Bestwick took out best vert rider, but we all new that was coming! Daniel Dhers took out park and our own Cameron White took out the over all dirt which was well deserved. So with the contest was over and there was only one place I wanted to head to; Pro Town Greenville North Carolina. Most of the guy’s drove back in the morning but I got a flight straight there from Orlando Via Charlotte. Jaie came out to the airport to pick me up in Ryan’s Chrysler 300. As he drove up all I could think of was I wondered what his parents would think of him driving around in this car. We went straight back to Ryans were I was to be greeted with a great gift, the freestyle generations book. I would say most of you who are reading this story wouldn’t even know how rare this book is. I would say there would have to be a maximum of 10 in the whole of Australia. I was speechless when Ryan handed it to me. A big thank you goes out to Ryan Guettler for this most amazing gift. Another thing about Ryan’s house is you must play poker when you get there. I had never played before but that didn’t stop Ryan and his friend Josh getting the chips out and start a game. I think I caught up on it pretty quickly. The week went so fast in Greenville, riding Ryans backyard ramp and catching up with all the Greenville crew. On the Wednesday night we were invited over to Colin and Kelly Mackay’s for dinner. Kelly was cooking a roast dinner, what Aussie would say no to a roast. There is one rider, Jaie Toohey. I couldn’t believe he choose to go MacDonald’s over a beautiful home cooked roast. Colin took me around on Thursday; we went to the Unit and drove around Greenville. We went over to Nyquist’s house were Dave is living and then over to see Josh Harrington’s were he gave me his new DVD, Endsearch. This movie is amazing; it did win best video at the Nora cup this year. That evening Ryan, Jaie and Myself went over to Dave Mirra’s house to have a wee Chardonnay. I wanted to catch up with Dave to talk to him about my Generations Of Freestyle reunion I am putting together in Jan/Feb 2010. We had a great chilled night with Dave and he managed to help me with a little promo for my Generations project. Friday I was to head to L.A. to catch up with some old school rider’s. My old time friend Xavier Mendez picked me up from LAX airport and we headed down the beach for Greg Hills 45 birthday bash. I thought this was going to be a BBQ with drinks, but no it was to be a 45km ride on my 25t x 9t set up... We had to get up early on Saturday as we had a pre Generations Of Freestyle BBQ to go to. Another old school rider put this afternoon on, by the name Alvin Mullins. His house was amazing. He has a huge pool in the back yard with a 6-½ ft midi ramp behind it. We had some great food and some amazing people, Eddie Fiola, Mike Domingez, Rich Sugur, John Povah, Steve Caballero, Tony Murray and many more. These guy’s were responsible for bringing freestyle into all our lives. I felt so privileged that they all came out to meet me. We woke up bright and early Sunday to a few messages on Xavier’s phone; there was a contest on today in San Diego. So we decided to head down there. We went past Brian Blyther’s house to pick him up. We were about an hour late so we just walked into Brian’s house as he didn’t answer our the door after knocking several times. We walked in the house and Brian jumped up out of his seat and grabbed his handgun and pointed straight to us. We were like ‘holy shit, Brian it’s us’. The poor guy waited so long for us he fell asleep. We drove down to San Diego for the contest; it was really cool to see Colony banners everywhere. We didn’t stay to long as it was a long drive back to L.A. When we got back to X-mans (Xavier) house we went into his attic to find some old school gear. I couldn’t believe the first thing he hands to me is a right hand Haro Group 1 crank arm. These cranks are as rare as me riding brakeless. He handed it to me and said you need this? I can thank Xavier for his hospitality and for introducing me to so many cool people. Thanks mate, I owe you one! Monday morning we headed over to Luke Parslows house. I was looking forward to a week with Luke. I wanted to see what his day-to-day life was like living in L.A. Next morning we headed over to see Stephen Murray. When we got there, there was like ten cars in the driveway. I don’t know why but I always thought since Stephens accident that he would be lonely. I guess
I was wrong; his friends will never let that happen. People like John Jennings I take my hat off to. This guy is there every day for Stephen. Helps him with all his day-to-day needs. Stephen was in great spirits. Luke said it was the best he had seen him in a long time. The rest of the week we relaxed a bit. That night we had a dinner with all the old school crew. Luke didn’t want to come as he thought he wouldn’t fit in. I thought if I were to make Generations of freestyle work I need to start on him. There was like 18 of us for dinner. There I am Woodie Itson and Brian Blyther in front of me, Parslow on one side and Eddie Fiola on the other. The funniest part of the night is when Eddie told Luke that he was an amazing rider and Luke replied you are a fucking legend mate. Typical Aussie comeback. If it were not for you were would BMX freestyle have ended up. After dinner a few of the guy’s headed off. I had a great one on one with Woodie for about an hour, talking old school and were BMX is going. He told me if I had time to come past his house on Friday and check out his collection of bikes. So Friday morning, Luke said he had a few thing’s to do and that he would drop me off at Woodie’s house as it was only 10 mins down the road. I got to Woody Itson’s house around 1pm and was not surprised to see all these portable ramps in the drive way and a three story house in front of me. Woodie greeted me at the door and took me straight up stairs to his bike and pool room. First thing I noticed was the most famous BMX of all time, the signature 24k gold Hutch Trickstar. Research this bike kids, it is amazing. The bike itself has an amazing story it’s self. In 1987 Woody was riding for Diamond back and he gave his 24k gold Hutch away to a kid in his street. A few years ago that same kid contacted Woodie and told him he had been offered thousands of dollars for the bike and he only felt right giving it back to Woodie if he wanted it. You have to see this bike in the flesh to see it’s worth. It even has the Hutch prototype 990 brake on the front. Only 10 of these were ever made. He has another Trickstar with a hammer tone finish and 24k gold parts. This bike was stolen years ago but again recently he got it back. Some kid came up to him at a contest and said I believe this bike is your’s. The kid told Woodie that he bought it for $300USD, Woodie gave him $500USD and said thanks kid. The last few nights in L.A. were just chilling pretty much. There was one last thing I had to do. I needed to go and get a photo of me in the worst suburb in America, Compton! Luke and Moses looked at each other and said are you crazy? I told them I grew up on all the music from the hood and I had to go there. We came off the freeway and straight into a quiet ghetto street. Have you ever had that feeling when you are driving and then you think to yourself holy shit were the hell are we. You have butterfly’s in your stomach and you really don’t know if you are going to get through this alive. We pulled over to a 7Eleven and had to get a map of the area. The guy behind the counter must have thought we were idiots. Anyway we found Compton Boulevard and headed straight down the road. We drove through Inglewood, Crenshaw, Watts and then into Compton. Man I was peaking and buzzing at the same time. I felt all this adrenaline pumping through me. I was really here, I was in South Central L.A.. We see this Liquor store and there are like 15 guy’s outside. Moses says, ‘OK John jump out and I will take a picture of you in front of Compton Liquor Store’. I was like nah that’s cool lets just keep driving. I could see Luke was relieved but Moses started to call me a pussy and that he thought I was a man. I said to Luke turn the car around I want to do it. Luke shouted F**K and Moses was laughing and screaming in the back seat. We went around the block and came back to the Liquor store. I was pumped and ready. We pulled up and there were only two guy’s standing there. They must have thought what is this white skin head doing in our neighbourhood? I ran over to the store and he took a few shots. I think we were there for like 1 min but it felt like half an hour. We jumped in the car and we all had a great laugh. I think I received some respect from the boy’s that night. We headed straight out of Compton and then Luke drove me straight to the airport to catch my flight back to Australia. We said our good bye’s and the drove off with me holding my bike bag and buzzing like I hadn’t done in years. I then realised this was one of my best trips I have ever taken in my life!
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THE LOWDOWN NEWS & STUFF We’re relocating to Queenstown yo! PHOTO Sam Minnell
Gorge Road trails
Nathan Greenwood and the Queenstown Mountain Bike Clubs latest project, the revamped Gorge Rd dirt jumps in Queenstown opened on December 6th. Nathan did an amazing job of the jumps and completely transformed the park into one of the best public dirt jump spots in NZ. Story by Sam Minnell We rolled up to the park at 3pm, there was zero wind and it was 30 degrees with no shade in sight. There weren’t too many tricks being thrown down over the course of the day with most riders just getting used to the jumps. The set up has plenty of flow and tons of lines with most people having to pull out after getting lost mid pack. Plenty of riders rolled down from around the South Island. Standout riders on the day were Jake Prebble and Las Vegas local TJ Lavin with some massive transfers, pretty much across the entire park. Ben Seek was shredding everywhere with plenty of style, clicked turndowns tables and one foot cans. Thanks to Nathan Greenwood, Revolver and the Queenstown Mountain Bike Club, it was a great day, with everybody ripping and enjoying themselves, so if you’re in Queenstown get down to Gorge road and check it out.
Mikey Aitken Jam! Mike Aitken, a true inspiration to all riders out there, a professional BMX rider who has a passion only outdone by his style. An over-rated a 360 left him unconscious and with life changing injuries. Story and photos Anthony Brown
Luke ‘Fitty’ Wainman a well known Canberra rider, called Rob-o Morales at Fit and decided to hold a jam to raise funds for Aitken’s huge medical bills. Fitty chose one of Australiaí’s best skate parks, Weston Creek for an 8th of November jam. A massive turn out showed up for the jam, from little shredders to parents, all came to ride and watch the full day of sessions at the park. The jam started at 10am and didn’t finished until late Saturday night. B-Dog with the microphone made the day even better with his comedian skills as he commentated the day, also organising competitions; loosest tricks, longest jump, and the highest air comp was knocked out at 9ft by a young local shredder. Fitty himself dialled the highest hop at 1.10m. Most riders competed for free stuff from Rhysty at Backbone BMX. Some riders where keen enough to auction off some of their old gear to donate towards the procedures. It was a great day, I’m glad it all went down as planned, we raised a lot of money which will go towards Mike Aitken’s medical bills. These contributions to BMX show how strong the international BMX scene is, more jams like these wouldn’t go astray to help out a fellow rider. Keep on riding!
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THE LOWDOWN NEWS & STUFF Dempsy whip jammin! PHOTO Lloyd Dean
Livewire Jam
The Livewire Jam, held in remembrance of Chadd Walton is now in its fourth year. Story by Shaun Jarvis Riders start talking about it months in advance and this time around riders travelled from Kalgoorlie, Esperance, Geraldton, Bunbury, Manjimup and all over the metro area. There would have been about 150 riders in attendance. It was packed with many tricks going down. There was no formal plan for the day except for the bunny hop comps. Not sure who took out the win in the height, but props to Tim Rose, Calvin K and Rex at about 97cm. The height and distance comp got wild. The portable rail was moved higher and further away from the ledge with it finally set at 1.5m gap. Dempsey and Sebbi were rulers on this one. With the day coming to a close and most of the product from the supporters given out, there was one set of bars left to give away. When it was called best trick over the small box, but no whips or barspins would be allowed, the call came out “well what am I supposed to do then”. Turned out the same dude got the bars from doing a sick turndown. Strange how you have to force people to think some times. Thanks need to go out to Stowaway Distribution, Glen Parker south bike shop, Small Change clothing and Freestyle Now…
NQ BMX park series
Nobody really knew what to expect with this being the first real BMX event in Townsville and with the recently completed Bushland Beach park we had a perfect venue for the first round. Story by Jake Hammo The comp was broken down into two events, rhythm, which consisted of three box jumps with a wall ride at the end, and bowl which was a three foot capsule bowl that opens up to the 9 foot “deep end”. There was only a small turnout for the under 16’s comp with only 7 riders entering bowl and rhythm. Emerald transplant Ioan Wilson dominated both the bowl and rhythm sections with stylish runs that netted him the win and a brand new Almost Dead frame from rider owned Mackay Company Flatline BMX. Other notable mentions from the 16’s were Brendan Lee and Jason Brown who both rode well and had some solid flair attempts. Next up was the open category where there were around 15 entrants that would be culled to a 5 man final. Rhythm saw some competitive riding with Mackay local Jarem Dravitski take the win with Jake and Tom rounding out the top 3. Bowl was a one sided affair with local ripper Jason Drury dominating with some big airs and a back rail fuf. Second place went to Jarem Dravitski and third was tied between Draper and Jake. All in all it was a good day with only positive feed back. I’d like to thank Pete and Derrick from Flatline BMX for donating one of their new frames (check www.myspace. com/flatlinebmx for more info), Wes from the Bicycle Centre for his support, the PCYC crew and all the judges.
PHOTO Jake Cannon
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REFORMIST FLAT YO!
Ben Moran blazing. PHOTO Lindsay McDermott
Down Underground Rnd 1
The weekend of the 8th of November saw round one of the Colony Down Underground comp series in Perth and it was the best weekend I’ve ever had, the memories will be etched in my mind forever. Story by Shaun Jarvis The Down Underground concept is awesome. Riders from all over Australia get to travel to different cities and compete for a year end title. Competition will breed progression, but this series is not just about competitions. It gives riders an excuse to travel and catch up with mates that you normally don’t get to see often, ride with new riders and promote flatland to others. Come Friday morning, it was a day of sight seeing and riding. We all boarded the train and headed to Perth city to converge at the concert hall location. Tricks started to flow and riders started to chill and enjoy the moment. I was again full of excitement, this many riders here riding this spot in Perth, wow was I dreaming. Later that arvo we trekked up to Kings Park to take in the panoramic view of Perth, relax and get ready to hit up Hogs Breath Café for a good old steak dinner and some fine amber liquid. After a great meal some of us got a small jam going out the front of Time Zone on the side walk. An unplanned jam in a tight area turned out to be hella fun. The legendary Scarborough beach multi level carpark was the location for Saturday’s competition. The carpark has many levels with the top few blocked off so no cars can use them. The work of sweeping and washing the whole floor of level 10 paid off when the riders showed up to get the habitual ritual under way. Stage one got underway by way of a two hour jam session. This allowed riders to be more relaxed and try their harder tricks but more talking and less riding was the order with only a select few busting it out hard. At the end, all riders scored each other from first to last. After lunch stage two started. Riders were judged by four judges as they each had two runs of two minutes long to show how dialled they could be in a competition format. Aaron Bandy was hitting the sweet spot with steamrollers on the knees but Andrew McDermott was right behind him with many rolling tricks. Both riders were secretly pushing each other with Aaron taking first. Jason Parker was just as surprised as everyone else when he got 3rd place. He was the guy that looked like he was having the most fun. The advanced class saw some of the most progressive riding seen in Australia. Rhys Mason was unsure about riding in the advanced class but to get a second place behind Paul Chamberlain’s first should have been enough proof. Rhys was on it with rolling and scuffing manoeuvres but Paul was at his prime rolling and spinning like an English man in Australia should. Brett Dighton getting third place was about right as he was showing some very progressive moves but a few too many touches hampered him placing
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higher. In fourth place was the infamous Ben Moran who was the talking point of most conversations. He is one of the most innovative riders out there who rides his bike unlike anyone else. He doesn’t just think outside of the square he lives outside of the square. Rounding up the advanced class in fifth was the ever stoked Roni Rampton. The presentations were made later at a sunset beach BBQ. Everyone ate and drank and got some product from Colony and Backbone BMX with the top 3 in each group getting some custom made trophies from Freestyle Now. From the beach every one was invited back to the after party at my house with many drinks being drank. Awesome party but next morning I was saying ‘tequila, why?’ With everyone wanting to hit up some more spots and to do some sight seeing I only wanted to do one thing, to get rid of last nights liquids in the reverse manner that they were consumed. First stop was Cottesloe beach for lunch and a bit of riding, then off to Fremantle. On our way to the chess board in Freo we got to see a priest in full robe gear with beads and all skateboarding at the ledges, random. A good vibe was rolling at the chess board until Roni’s tyre at 150 psi decides to blow. The whole of Freo was quiet as everyone thought a bomb had gone off. We thought it would be a good idea to leave that spot so we transported ourselves to the beach spot for a lazy ride as most of us were still a bit seedy from last nights merriment. That night after seeing another the wonderful west coast sunset it was a good old fashion pizza night, again at my house. Monday arrived all too quickly and it was the Brissy crew to the airport in the morning. The rest of the riders had a session down at Hillary’s marina before it was time to get the Melbourne and Launceston riders to the airport. As I drove away from the airport for the last time the amazing weekend came to a close. I was sad until I realized that it all happens again in January for round two. Round one of the Colony Down Underground was more than a simple competition, it was a gathering, a bonding of mates, all sharing one familiar attachment to a two wheeled machine. Large thanks to Colony BMX for sponsoring the series. It’s great for an Australian company willing to support flatland in such a big way. Also thanks to Rhysty at Backbone BMX for a stack of product for prizes. The world needs more like Rhysty. Thank you to all the riders who rode and smiled and had such a blast of a time.
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The last 6 years has seen the growth and growth of our very own national event, the BMX Games. From humble beginnings in South Australia in 2004, the event has consistently grown into what it is today; the must go to event ir for all those wishing to showcase the e tricklist to the BMX community at larg and on mass. Come 2009, the big move was finally made out of Sydney to Melbourne and in more ways than one, a whole new life was breathed into the event.
Anthony Napolitan front flipping the massive flat wedge box. PHOTO Nick Gascoine ISSUE 31
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Chris O’Donnell rode the park with 100% street flavour. PHOTO Nitai
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With the event moving south, FBMX had more than a few huge hurdles to tackle. Firstly, a location to hold the event and secondly, they needed ramps along with some serious dollars and people power to make it all happen. While I won’t go into exact details, this was a massive effort that saw now FBMX head Dinny Spicer and ring-in Mike Daly over in China making it all happen with their bare hands. From buying shipping containers in back alleys and industrial backstreets of China to building the street course with barely a power tool in sight, you can’t get much more hands on and dedicated to the cause. Along with international escapades, the new 2020 studio saw more than its share of endless days leading into nights
with Dinny and Mike organising everything from wristbands to engineering approvals. I’m pretty amazed this mag survived the mayhem. With a budget completely blown out before organising the event itself even began, a group of solid sponsors slowly came on board. Without their input, this event was pretty much not going to get off the ground. So to Rockstar, Victorian Sport and Recreation, Strictly BMX, Haro Bikes, Footlocker and Backbone, plus all those that put their financial back in, a massive thanks goes out for being a part of this much needed event on Australian soil. Come January 2009, Melbourne’s revamped Docklands unveiled the FBMX course for the first time in its complete form. With a split level area for the park course itself, grandstand area and tradeshow zone, massive dirt course just down the road and one serious flatland area under lights, the BMX Games really came of age. And that’s even before the riding started... Melbourne’s Docklands have undergone some massive renovations in the last years.
Jaie Toohey looked at home on everything over the course of the weekend. Even in high winds... PHOTO Nick Gascoine
Looking more like a futuristic cityscape than the old ratty docks I remember riding through to a job in Williamstown, the background was straight up amazing for an Australian BMX comp. While the park, dirt and flat events were in separate venues, they were all in walking distance from each other and really made the event feel like something special. Definitely no more painfully boring commutes down Parramatta road to the epicenter of boredom at Homebush. There were some sacrifices to make however, namely spine/mini and vert which were dropped off the event schedule through space and money constraints much to some peoples dismay. But park, dirt and flatland were all representing, and they were representing hard.
Paul Langlands, toughest rider of the weekend? PHOTO Dan Peters
Riding kicked off on the Saturday morning, with the newly introduced junior class. Basically, expert class last year was full of riders that should have been in pro if the US based Aus riders weren’t here, so junior was an attempt to draw new faces to the event. While I missed most of the mornings action through getting thoroughly distracted by a kick arse flatland jam happening at Imax. I did rock up in time to see one little junior eat it hard to the face in what had to be one of the biggest crashes I’ve seen in the last 12 months... ISSUE 31
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Micheal Husser making the most of the lights and atmosphere. PHOTO Nick Gascoine
This minor detail didn’t deter the other young-uns from upping the ante every hit of the Haro Bikes park course. With over 50 riders to get through in junior, it was a long day and screw having to pick 10 riders for the following days final! The same went for expert, with an even bigger field. These kids rock and are the future of Australian BMX in the competitive sense. With riders as young as 12 killing it in junior and expert, and with many at pretty much at pro standard already, I can’t wait to see how far these guys can take stunts on BMX’s. A day in the sun after an 11 hour drive had me pretty much blazed, so a serious feed and sleep was in order. Sunday, bloody Sunday... Not that there was as much blood as Saturday, but it sounds so good. In a nutshell, Sunday ruled from its bleary eyed, early start to early Monday morning stumbling the streets, again with bleary eyes... I swear I’ve never seen so much amazing riding in one day anywhere in the world. Probably never seen that much riding in one day full stop. The top 10 juniors battled it out in what was going to be a long hot day. Standouts were definitely Josh Druce from Sydney’s south. Josh owned the course with more flow and height than any other of the juniors. This kid rules on local turf and showcased his versatility
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on the course taking the numero uno. Also killing it in the junior final, West OZ ripper Laurence Bakewell, who stomped in some big runs for a second place. With no time to spare and a packed as hell schedule, expert final took over the course and shit got hectic. Without any doubt, half this class would turn heads at any event around the world. Brannon Whyte nailed the win, Jake Condron pulled into second and Lee Mans scored a well deserved third place. Alex Hiam got a little unlucky and ended up tenth, but seriously, at his age, there’s plenty of time for more comps. Not to be outdone, the all girl jam went off and for this we’ll hand you over to Boo. The girl’s class at BMX games went off again this year. We had a total of 10 girl riders from all over Australia and even different parts of the world. Most of the girls from last year’s competition in Sydney were able to make it to Melbourne including our top 3 winners from last year, Peta Shepherd, the first girl to do a backflip at last year’s event, Sarah Mitchell and Crystal Shepherd, who was riding with an injured collar bone. We also had some awesome new comers, Natalya, just 11 years of age, who got 4th place with some big tucks, 360s and no foot cans onto the box. Park Mint (good name for a BMX rider) from Korea took out the competition coming in first place. She was the only girl to clear the box jump and went huge with a turndown and an x-up one footer as well. She also tried to jump the spine and took a few big falls but got straight back up and kept riding which is something to be said for wearing protection and a full face. Second place was Peta Shepherd with an awesome run, barspins, whips, downside whip to disaster and a backflip, setting the standard high for the rest of the girls.
Crystal came in 3rd, she double pegged the big wall, no foot can to no foot can back and a backflip all while being injured. The girl’s class was set in a jam format which always helps the girls with nerves and gets a lot of the beginners to give it a go as well. We hope to see more girls enter next year and a huge thanks to all the girls who entered this year. Of course, the main event on the Haro Bikes Park course was the pro class. Holy crap. With big names from OS stepping into the ring including a few big local players who are now based OS it was on from the get go. Add to the mix those who stepped up out of expert to make their names in the pro class. Qualifying was rad. Straight up ridiculous riding from all involved. But with only the top group taken into the final, the heat was on. Basically, my head went into overload (either from the previous night on the road or the sun that was beating the absolute crap out of me) and while I watched qualifying go down, it was a blur. Pretty much write down every trick and transfer you can think of on the course and that’s what happened! Although Craig Masts use of the taco thing on top of the flat wedge box thing was killer, barspin in, front flip out seems to stick in my head. As does Ryan Guettler’s run, cranking all run until coming down hard on an over rotated double backflip in qualifying... A crash that would leave him spinning enough to not ride the final. Those that made the finals made it for a reason. Although that said, Dean Manson almost missed the final after figuring he had no chance of making it up against the level of riding he witnessed. So in true Australia Day weekend form, he hit the closest pub for a drink and a meal. That was until he found out he had to ride the final... Dean made it back straight enough to kill it in his runs and could have almost scored a little higher in our books. Kick arse riding!
Stepping into the pro ranks is a hard task for anyone. But Andrew Mini Ahumada, Matt Whyatt, Josh Mete and Ryan Brown all decided it was time. And against the likes of Anthony Napolitan, Ryan Guettler, Craig Mast and Jaie Toohey, that was a big step, still they all threw down solid runs. Speaking of the big guns, it really started to show just how much the US scene has to offer (in terms of inspiration and facilities) the Australian riders who make the trip over. While it was Craig Mast who ultimately took the win with a run that included front flip flairs, triple whips, massive nofoot cans and more, it was his front flip down the stairs that blew minds. Straight up, no one saw it coming! But as I mentioned, it was the Australian young blood that really caught the imagination. Jaie Toohey blew minds with his height and flow. Massive barrel rolled flips, dipped threes and ridiculous stretched whips were good enough for second place. Fellow central coast ripper Andy Buckworth went just as big, he too stepping up in bigger than big leaps and bounds in the last twelve months, he scored fourth. Only just edged out by a hard firing Vince Byron who was on a mission the whole BMX Games weekend. From picking up basically every night, he stayed on point and threw down some amazing park skills including dialed flair whips, 540 no handers and more. With Vince hitting his tricks with the consistency of a robot, it’s only time now that stands between him a big win here or OS. Anthony Napolitan was out here on holidays with his lady, but still managed to throw down some signature front flips, including one across the whole length of the flat box. Nuts. Clint Bensley and Nic Cooper both put their originality on the line with some great riding, with an 8th and 12th respectively. ISSUE 31
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Another taste of the ridiculous level of riding going down. PHOTO Nitai
So, just when I thought the day was done, the crowd started the short walk to the flatland arena for the Footlocker flatland event. And again, we pass the baton, this time to Paul Chamberlain... This year the BMX Games came to Melbourne. A massive upgrade on the previous year’s location. Let’s face it. Nobody in their right mind relishes the thought of a day out at Homebush. Driving out to Homebush separates peole too much. The only people that would go out to Homebush for a BMX contest are people that already ride BMX or are in touch with the culture. That’s not really the point of a large scale national BMX contest. Bringing the event to the centre of Melbourne exposed a lot of new people to BMX. Some of them are out their riding BMX now, some of them are making their first trip to their local skatepark in trackpants and blunnies, some of them are
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on their way to their local bikestore to check out BMX bikes. That’s BMX. Well done Dinny, you put a double dose of BMX into the games this year. Onto flatland. Flatland is a very private thing for most riders. If you want to improve, then you have to go out on your own and practice relentlessly. Sometimes we put a month of riding everyday into a trick before we realise that we can’t do it or that it isn’t possible in the way that we had imagined. If you want to win a contest you have to learn the new tricks and perfect them at the same time. Holding onto a contest run and adding tricks to it is very difficult. Most mere mortals have to choose one or the other. Flatlanders make a lot of sacrifices to get good and are often solitary people. Solitary people become different from the average Joe. Solitary riders become different from the average rider as they get absorbed in their own little bubbles. Riders who don’t ride flatland get bored when they see it in videos because of the lack of variety – It’s all on the ground! They also don’t know what’s going on a lot of the time and often don’t really care. This is why it is important that there are flatland contests. “It’s so much more impressive in real life eh?” is something that I heard all weekend. Some of those guys might even start riding flatland now. Who knows?
Onto the BMX Games. Every year flatland seems to be at the BMX Games. Come hell or high water it’s there. Many big contests canned flatland a long time ago because it wasn’t extreme enough. Many events became gimmicky extreme spectacles. I appreciate the need of financial backing but there is a point where an event stops being a BMX contest. The point at which they can flatland for whatever reason. This devolution has made flatlanders elitist and reactionary. They started to try and distance themselves even more from BMX and create their own reactionary events. It’s a terrible era, especially from the point of view of somebody who tries to ride everything whether they’re good at it or not. The BMX Games is better for standing by flatland. This year FBMX made a concerted effort to present flatland in a way that other people, who don’t ride flatland, could appreciate. This is something that is not always considered and the event was better because of it. Onto the event itself. This years contest took place at night. There were spotlights and large steps-come-bleachers for the crowd to sit on. It was an intimate affair in a small rectangular area with around twenty riders competing. Each rider got two 1 minute runs as part of a jam format contest. This kept it fresh for the riders and the spectators. The
only people who enjoy seeing a rider repeat the same trick for 2 or 3 minutes are other riders. It was a great atmosphere that was complemented with a great mix of styles. Andre the busker brought the show in the ams, he really engaged the crowd and he rode well pulling out all of his usual tricks that he busts when working in St Kilda. Other standout riders were Jason Parker from Perth, Lenny from Launceston and Andrew ‘Buff’ McDermott from Perth. Andrew rode really well and pulled some hard combos, he definitely could have beaten a few of this years pros! Props to him his riding has come a long way. I had better practice harder! Pro flatland was the usual affair, Simon O’Brien vs Mike S, plus the rest vs each other. Many of us have been inspired by Mike and Simon over the years and it’s always a pleasure to watch them ride and ride with them. This year Mike took the win. It’s been a few years in the making and was well deserved. Simon pulled some very hard combos but overall Mike was way more consistent. Standout riders in the rest of the contest were Eric Ettinger from Kitchener in Canada. His first run consisted of clean front wheel switches that were good but not fantastic. In his second run, however, he brought the OG backwheel steez into the mix and took 3rd place for his efforts. ISSUE 31
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Andy Buckworth goes higher than you. PHOTO Nick Gascoine
Ben Moran. Ben Moran… The current Emperor of Melbourne flat. If he’d pulled the brakeless rollaid to end a run that started with his OG barflip combo who knows what might have happened. Ben is staying slightly underground for now in 4th place, currently residing just below the Earth’s surface waiting for the opportune moment to blow up onto the flatland scene. Tomascz also rode well after a shaky start. He found his feet in the second round and put them back onto his pedals enough times to take 5th. This was a great achievement for a man who felt like he wasn’t good enough to ride in the contest at all last year. Overall It was a great contest, a vast improvement on last years one. I wish the DJ had made a little more effort and mixed some music. Some guys were riding to almost silent intro’s of songs for the first 20 seconds of their runs. However, it was vastly better than no DJ at all! Thanks to Stumpy for putting a lot of it together and thanks to Nick Watts for judging, albeit from the bar at first! Roll on 2010! So with flatland done and dusted, the only thing left was to hit the bar for the official “Rockstar energy drink, 2009 BMX Games presented by Strictly BMX” after party. It was just upstairs from the flat event, so it was a must for all in attendance. In 25 words or less, a good time was had, some got loose and the night was very long... Come Monday morning, heads were sore... But there was a whole nutha day to go. After what may have been one of the most slam packed days in the history of BMX on these shores, it seemed like the Back Bone dirt event had everything going against it. It was hot again, but more brutal than that, there was an ever growing wind over the docklands. So while the jumps themselves were groomed to perfection almost entirely by Bentley from Back Bone, it seemed that mother nature had decided against a full days riding. Expert took place under less than perfect conditions and this saw a few of the little dirt rippers take some big hits. That said, it was those that could overcome and adapt to the conditions that shone. Luke Bowerman cut through the gusty winds for a great first place result with Cory Clark and Luke Taylor rounding out the podium. With expert over, it was pro practice time, and it was becoming ever more clear that the wind needed to blow and that the Back Bone pro dirt event would need to be postponed till the afternoon. Of course the gathered crowd were a little bummed, but with absolutely nothing anyone could do ‘cept wait it out, that was the answer. The day ticked by slowly until an agreement came between the riders and the FBMX crew that the show must go on regardless, albeit it at seven in the evening.
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Dean Manson kicking out the cans. PHOTO Dan Peters
Craig Mast mid one of many mind blowing frontflip variations. This time outta the Taco PHOTO Nick Gascoine
Still, it need not be said again, competitions are never about having the perfect course or conditions, it’s about showcasing ability within a given environment. So with that understanding, know that Cam White shone in the treacherous conditions. While he may have held back early, if you can call flip tailwhip barspins mid run holding back, then I’m tripping! Jaie Toohey again put himself up as Australia’s newest contender for the BMX dream, more style and flow than anyone out there, plus a big bag of bangers to boot. New Zealand’s warrior BMX ripper Paul Langlands stepped up to the challenge and stomped his way convincingly into third place with some big moves and some big slams in the jam format session. I’m still amazed he walked away from some of his offs. Full props to a rider we’re going to see a lot more of! All up, the Rockstar Energy Drink 2009 BMX Games presented by Strictly BMX were something pretty special. Simple as that. Beyond the ridiculous level of riding on show, to see a BMX event in Australia that is not only rider run, but at this kind of scale is something that all involved in should be very proud of. Regardless of insane problems faced in the lead up, sponsors pulling out at last minute and an endlessly growing bill, Dinny and the crew pulled together an event that showcased exactly where BMX on these shores is today. I can’t wait for next years event. See you there.
Tiz throwing a big big nohanded three over the spine to wedge gap. Whoohoo. PHOTO Nitai
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Zac Miner telling it how it is. ALL PHOTOS Cooper Brownlee
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Zac Miner. A man of many skills on a bike, he wrecked himself early on with a foot injury but still managed to produce! He lost his long locks for ‘The List’ and kissed a prostitute in a case of mistaken identity in Brisbane. At the last instore he randomly threw out his pants during the giveaway. Ryan Guettler. I had never really met Ryan properly and was quite interested in what he would be like, mainly because he lives quite a different lifestyle to most other BMXers. Ryan was super cool and down to earth. He knows how to shoot a rad photo, loved ‘The List’ and made sure as much of it got completed as possible. He rode the whole trip with three broken toes and a dislocated finger. Alex Hiam. The young gun! Alex kept us amused on the long bus trips with random games which resulted in me getting punched a lot! He lived on a diet of lollies and Red Bull and shredded the shit out of every park we hit. While we were at Five Dock he had somewhat of a fan club of young girls surrounding him and he barely blinked an eyelid at them, he was too busy riding. He even got his street on a few times on the trip. Alex pissed a lot of random people off with his pocket laser light and experienced “The Cross” first hand whilst we stayed in Sydney. Josh Mete. This dude loved to cause trouble. A “nut slap game” enthusiast, he was not phased about touching you anywhere. He stirred up a lot of shit with the crew and ticked another one off ‘The List’ by making John crack. He does some of the best un-lookbacks in the game and buzzed the shoulder many times on this trip. Josh’s parents own a Subway, so thanks to Joshy we scored a rad free lunch on the way to Melbourne. Jaie Toohey. Whirlybird, as we all know him, ate McDonalds everyday and I’m pretty sure he would eat anything else before he ate a salad sandwich. Jaie flair-whipped something at every park, abiding by ‘The List’ requirements. A man of little words but a man with an abundance of talent on a bike. Randomly one night, the silent shredder super-glued Josh and Ryan’s hands together.
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Josh Mete is a crazy kid on and off the bike, up ledge to 3 whip at Varsity park in Queensland.
Jed Mildon. The big New Zealander loved to go big on everything but copped a blow to the head half way through the trip which resulted in him having to fly home. This gentle giant may have been tame but I’m happy I was on his good side. Stu Munro. Shit talker extraordinaire, Stu kept myself and the rest of the crew in hysterics most of the trip with quick and constant disses of anyone and everyone. Also with prank calls to a bunch of random people to pass the time, trying to buy their cars or tell them they have been dropped from their sponsors. The head filmer spent more time talking then he did filming. Clint Millar. Running the ship, Clint drove most of the trip and still killed it! The ramp whisperer has definitely still got it. He nose-picked everything in his path along with ice-picking some solid rails. One night Millar took the van on a 4x4 mission at Cam White’s house, weaving through trees and ditches when all we needed was for him to turn the bus around. Thankfully a small tree was the only casualty! Scottish John. Came on the trip to get away from it all and help keep the trip moving. Scottish rode shotgun the whole trip and got his hand crushed by a swarm of kids at an instore wanting free stickers. Liam Fahy Hampton. Only on the trip for a couple of days, he clocked some footage while he was there and managed to have a messy Wizz Fizz fight with Alex in the bus (some of which ended up his nose!). Liam jumped a car and front flipped out of old Mordy half pipe.
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Alex is one of the nicest kids I have ever met, but man kids your age shouldn’t be doing inverts this high, this smooth and pretty much in the dark! Matt Kings ramps early into the trip.
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The Canberra locals were nice enough to show us some of their spots, Liam put the recent addition of a drive train to his bike to use and hauled arse up the drain to hop a car. PHOTO Ryan Guettler
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A shit foot wasn’t stopping Zac from killing every spot we rode, bank to wallride whilst dodging passing cyclists.
Alleyoop whip air with Steeeezz, Whirlybird putting on a show, another day another rad park.
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Clint first got a photo in a mag in 1991 doing a no-handed hitchhiker. Here he is keeping it real on the streets in 2009.
Varsity makes another appearance this time with Joshy banging a flair invert, keeping in line with the list.
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Ryan booming something different with a grizzz air at slam, or as Stu called it “Whirlybird World�
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2020 has been showcasing some of the best BMX photography in Australia for right on 10 years now. These images are documented moments in the history of Australian BMX. They inspired some to step their riding up to the next level, some to chase their dream a little harder and some to even pick up a camera. Watching the progress of a rider who sends in a shot of a mate realise their talent is still one of the most inspirational aspects of making the mag. And all bar a few photographers featured in the pages have all followed this simple path. So with ten years under the belt, we figured why not pull together some of our favourite images that have graced the pages of our mag over the years, both those that ran and some that didn’t. The faces, places and spaces that have made 2020. We hope the next ten tears of images will continue to inspire.
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Featured photobro’s: Steve Gourlay Mike Daly Matt Holmes Steve Morrisey Zac Musarsa Ian Robinson Dao Radivo Greame Periera Chris Polack Jamie Mahon Raine Turnbull Nick Gascoine Nitai Whitehurst Brett Stanley Jamie Moore Chris Moore Chris Raethke
Chris Samuels Simon Patience Smiley Paul Kim Seaton Spratt Cooper Brownlee Steve Gorak Taylor Heath Holden Ryan Guettler Colin Mackay Mike Davies Tim Pierce Sam Orchard Caleb Mondon Micheal Harris James Wade Adam Sheedy
Thanks to you guys and everyone else that has captured a moment in the BMX experience. Rock on.
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Jaie Toohey. Thats all. PHOTO Raine Turnbull
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AFTER 3 YEARS OF PUT TING ON THE HILLSIDE DIRT JAM, CAMERON WHI TE DID NOT DISAPPOINT , AND THIS YEAR PROVED TO BE THE BEST SO FAR. THE JUMPS WERE MORE DIALLED THEN EVER, SMOOTHER THAN LAST YEAR AND HAD EVEN BEEN BUILT UP, MAKING THEM EVEN MORE MASSIVE. THEY ARE EASILY SOME OF THE BIGGEST JUMPS IN THE WORLD. THE HILLSIDE JAM IS A CHARITY EVENT AND THI S YEAR PROCEEDS WERE GOING TO THE CHILDREN’S HOSPIT AL FOUNDATIONS AUSTRALIA , WHICH IS A CHARITY GROUP WHO HELP OUT THE 5 MAJOR CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS IN AUSTRALIA.
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Saturday the 31st January 2009 In the afternoon as everyone turned up it was clear that there was a much larger turnout of riders and spectators this year. There were even a few riders that made the trip over from America including Mike “Hucker” Clark, TJ Ellis, Nate Berkheimer and Anthony Napolitan. It’s pretty awesome to see riders travel from the other side of the world to ride some jumps in rural Canberra! The format for the jam was simple. A one hour jam would take place and at the end the riders would vote for the winners of best trick, best style and king of the hill. The jam got under way just after dark, and straight away the riders were killing it. It is so hard to name everyone who was shredding, because everyone was riding amazing, but here are some of the main high lights:
*Young local Chris Harti has stepped it up recently. He is one of the only true locals at Cam’s jumps, riding the place just as much as Cam does and it shows. He boosts every jump so high with awesome style, and was even flipping the last set and 360ing mid rhythm. The kid is so good, and so young I cant wait to see his riding in a few years.
*Jaie Toohey is unstoppable, even in practice he couldn’t help but throw down. He was lofting these amazing dipped 360’s on the second set, and big flip inverts over the 40 foot fourth set. I’m pretty sure I saw him triple whip the last set in the jam and maybe even flip whip as well.
*Dane Searls is the back to back winner of king of the hill from 2007 and 2008, but had a bit of bad luck this year crashing on the last set splitting open his chin. But before he crashed he was putting on a show. Dane is so comfortable on real big jumps its ridiculous, I guess he just loves going high and I don’t blame him. Big stylish no foot cans, superman’s. And he was throwing these amazing off axis 360 whips on the last set. So good to watch!
*Cam White was so busy running round organising everything you wouldn’t even think he would have the energy to ride at all, but he still rode and was doing all his usual bangers. Keep in mind Cam’s usual bangers are insane, it is incredible that he can keep such massive tricks on lock. Big flip whips, double whips, and the Cam White original: Backflip barspin to tail whip. Cam also front flipped the 40ft set, which I don’t think any one has ever done before over that massive jump. 68 92
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Hucker! PHOTO Raine Turnbull
*The Las Vegas crew was in full effect, TJ Ellis and Nate Berkheimer made the trip out and did not hold back. Nate was quick to adapt to the massive jumps, doing big slow flips over the 40ft and 360’s mid rhythm. TJ Ellis is a straight up badass, I saw him flip tail whip the 40ft set and go straight into a massive front flip on the last set. He also did a 360 double whip and a double back flip on the second jump, which was voted by the riders as the best trick of the jam.
*Mike “Hucker” Clark was also over from the states and was quick to become a crowd favourite. Every time he rode there was a big grin on his face, like he was having the time of his life. Rumour has it that two days earlier when Hucker had his first attempt at the jumps, he made it thru first go and back flipped the last jump. Before he had even jumped it straight… WTF! In the jam he was the only rider 360ing the 40ft set, and the only rider to ever do it. It seemed that he enjoyed 360ing that jump so much that he basically did it every run. Couldn’t help himself. He was also doing massive 360’s on the last set both ways, and massive flip whips. These insane dipped 360s on the second set that looked more like crazy barrel roll flips. And then to top it off, Hucker fired out a perfect double flip over the last set, spinning amazingly slowly since the jump is so huge. The kid is crazy! This insane riding scored him king of the hill, a well deserved title. ISSUE 31
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When all was said and done it was TJ Ellis winning the best trick, Josh Stead winning best style (the second time he has won this) and Hucker was crowned the King of the Hill. In the three years that Cam’s Hillside jam has been on it has quickly grown into one of the biggest dirt competitions in Australia. The charity side of things was a great success with $16,789 raised for Children’s Hospital Foundations Australia. A big thank you has to go out to Cam White and his family for putting on such an amazing event. Raine Turnbull
Cam White PHOTO Nick Gascoine
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Mongoose RoadTrip (sort of)
Most things in BMX never really go according to plan and the Mongoose trip was no exception.It was looking good from the start though,with email’s flying around talking about a no-plan trip leaving Melbourne after the BMX Games and ending up in Canberra the following weekend for Cam White’s Dirt Jam. A van and crew of Mongoose heavy hitters were organised along with Big Salad, AKATroy Charlesworth,along to film. Story and photos Nick Gascoine
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540 Hurricane Barspin Of course the whole trip went to hell before we even got going. If it wasn’t one of the Mongoose riders getting hurt riding in the Games, it was one of them getting hurt before the Games even started. Basically this left Vince Byron as the only rider until we managed to recruit Daniel Donges along for the trip. This didn’t make his girlfriend very happy though because she would be enjoying the 11 hour drive home all by her lonesome. After spending a night on the teams Formula 1 floor, we all got an early start by sitting in the van while big Neil took Vince on a mammoth walk to get his leg looked at by a doctor. It was horribly infected from continuously putting his pads back on over a bad cut. With antibiotics in hand we headed off to Rampfest to get some clips with more people who weren’t on the trip than there were on it. At least we did manage to get our lenses warmed up with the untouchable flow of Donga boosting the shit out of the box jump, with clicked as hell turndowns and tables, massive to say the least. As quickly as it started, the fun was cut short when on re-entry we all heard a loud crack from his forks that ended the session and subsequently most of the riding for him on the trip. So with not much going for us at this point in time, apart from Salad’s insane sense of humour and split personalities, we called it off and headed for the closest McDonald’s to find the free WIFI so we could find our next destination. This would become a staple point of our days to come, trying to find free WIFI while eating shitty food.
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The next thing I know, I wake up in the back of the van with recollections of being in Melbourne CBD, only to look around and all I could see were paddocks. Phil, our driver and Mongoose team manager, had decided our best bet was to hit Warragul Skate Park. Warragul has a great park but has some weird locals. Most notably the scooter brothers who turned out to be twins. I turned around at one point and found one of the twins standing right next to me with my face and his being the best part of two inches apart, this in turn really freaked me the f*ck out. Seems like this was their signature move, and they proceeded to freak out everyone else in turn. In a short time, Salad had become buddies with the creepytwins and kept them out of the way while I shot Vince destroying the big bowl quarter with flairs, tables, old school no-handers and 540’s. We eventually packed all our shit up and piled it all into the van, but before leaving and trying to find our accommodation for the night, Salad had enough tome to hand out some stickers, sign a copy of 2020 and also sign the back of some kids phone. Pro. Day two of the trip was looking promising from the start, everyone was keen and we hit the road to find our next skate park for a possible clip. But then the realisation hit that it was so f*cking hot outside that no one wanted to be out there. So riding was now kept to the evening where it was at least 5 degrees cooler and you didn’t melt in the sun. On the plus side, Donga did find a fishing rod next to Sale skate park. So from there on every time we stopped in a town, the question would be asked ‘Where’s Donga?’ and inevitably we would see him walking out of the local fishing tackle store. After getting our Macca’s WIFI hit, we cruised into town to get a headset for a broken bike. Thanks goes out to Glen at Rawsons in Bairnsdale for sorting us out. Leaving town, we soon spotted what seemed to be a BMX track from the 80’s, which had turned into just a track of large grassy, rocky mounds. We all got excited and swerved the van in to check out the ‘local shred spot’. We all got our bikes out and chopped like mad around the course with Donga leading the
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charge by boost jumping from one jump to another more or less while the rest of us sat in the shade of the van drinking beer. The highlight was most definitely when Salad strapped into Vince’s full-face helmet and slayed a one hander over a jump for the camera. After that we decided that our resting spot would be Lakes Entrance, which we knew had a skate park and at least some sort of fishing facilities that Donga could get right into. We hit up the local park in the late afternoon and once again ‘Big Salad’ was on, riding nothing other than a borrowed Mongoose. Troy chopped at the bank-like quarter and busted a suicide no-hander, a tailwhip to one foot lander and the all time best, a bar spin to landing so hard the bars moved back into his lap. We finished the session by having a cast down on the dock with Donga and called it a night heading back to the ‘accommodation’. After drinking a few beers and solving all the worlds problems we headed to bed in a one bedroom thing which six people were going to sleep in. Day three shaped up to being an interesting day with more driving and small towns but ended on a high with us hitting up Pambula skate park. If you ever head this way, make sure you head down to Pambula beach and sneak a bounce on the big pimple down at the caravan park. This thing was probably the most entertaining non-riding-thing we found on the trip, and had all of us laughing so hard. With our boosted morale, we hit the park for our most productive day so far with Vince getting a number of tricks locked down. 540 hurricane bar spin, a massive downside whip over the large hip and he also boosted the shit out of the BIG vert quarter. The fourth day being the last day of the trip we found ourselves doing some driving to make it to Canberra for Cam’s jam on the Saturday, but we did find time to hit another small town skate park. Eden has one of the worst parks I have ever seen, there was not a lot of motivation to get out of the van and into the heat, but the-machine-that-is-Vince got out and fufanu’d the back rail of the strangest flatbank spine/ bank/tranny quarter combo.
Fufanu Always keen to steal the banger though, Vince called 10 bucks for Salad to rail-ride-tobarspin a one foot high shotgun flat bar in the middle of the park. Never scared to earn the cash, Troy proceeded to ride at the rail on an angle and managed to hit a pine cone that had been put on the ground for foreground effect in a photo. This threw him into death wobble mode and he ended up with wheels on opposite sides of the rail. As we all watched in almost slow motion, he ate shit on top of the rail with his arms by his side, swan diving into the ground. I can’t remember laughing so hard. Props to you Salad for getting amongst it brother!
After making it to Canberra in decent time, we headed to Weston Creek where Vince once again found some form and banged out flair no-handers and flairwhips like they were nothing until myself and Troy were happy with the photos and the footage. Apart from the sometime small, smelly and hot conditions on the trip, a great time was had hitting the more unknown places for BMX up the east coast and having a good laugh along the way. A big thank you has to go out to Mongoose Australia for letting us do this, and an even bigger thank you goes out to Phil Townsley for organising everything and making sure it all went to some sort of plan.
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age, loc ation, fa vourite place
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There is no
better time th an
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now to thank s ome
people , who a re the lucky o nes?
BEHIND BARS BMX 4 LIFE
Paul Langlands
Resides North Island , NZ Words & Photo by Tim Pierce
Say this name around anyone in New Zealand that rides BMX and you’ll get an ecstatic response. Paul hails from the depths of the central North Island and has been turning heads for many years now. He’s currently welding in his home town Cambridge and when the torch is down he continues to fine tune his riding. I spent a day with Paul in and around Cambridge and came out with a whole bag of hammers. It’s time to ask this quiet soul shredder a few questions… So how about letting all the readers of 2020 know who you are? I’m 19 years old, I used to race BMX from age 5 to 12 until I realised how much I enjoyed the jumping compared to the racing. Since giving up racing BMX I did a bit of mountain biking, downhill, BSX and cross country. From age 17 I sold my mountain bikes and started focussing solely on freestyle. What is an ideal day in Paul Langlands life? Waking up to a sunny day and riding my bike, chilling out with mates when the riding isn’t going down, having fun whilst getting a bit rowdy. Who hooks you up, do you have any sponsors? 4:24 Threads, a NZ clothing company hooks me up with clothes etc and helps out where they can. What are your other interests outside of BMX? When I’m not riding I enjoy working on my Mazda, welding and relaxing / recovering. You shred the Cambridge skate park, tell me about that piece of concrete? Haha, Cambridge skatepark is pretty unique, all the quarters have random lumps and are uneven. I ride it about 5 times a week but due to the way it’s built it doesn’t get too boring, better than riding the exact same quarter over and over again. And when you’re not riding there, you’re digging right? Your latest creation ‘The Patch’ at Te Miro has a bit of history? In June 07 we started building ‘The Patch’ trails in a section on pines out in the country behind Cambridge. We had one run with 16 jumps in it. It was a tight and technical line, but heaps of fun. In June 08 the council decided to harvest the immature pines to create a mountain biking reserve with native trees, our jumps were demolished without warning. A couple of months after this we went back up hoping to start rebuilding. We “borrowed” the contractors bulldozer which was parked down the road and within a few minutes had ourselves some machinery to speed up the process. I heard a gnarly story about you crashing in Auckland, puncturing your spleen, and driving back to Hamilton? Are you tough bro? I came up short on a flip which blew my hands off, sending my stomach into the handlebars, I’m not sure about tough but a lot of doctors told me I was stupid for driving home. At the time when I didn’t know the severity of my injury it seemed like a good idea… What are your future goals with your riding? I plan to continue having fun riding and see where it will take me, I thrive off pushing myself and learning new stuff so travelling around the world riding is definitely on the cards. What do you think of the New Zealand BMX Scene? I think we have a good scene in New Zealand, it’s not much of a competition scene so everyone’s pretty easygoing and keen to have a good time riding. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of you soon, cheers for talking, anyone you wanna say thanks to? Cheers, I’d like to thank my parents for their support, Brody from 4:24, all my riding buddy’s and girlfriend Shelesha.
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BEHIND BARS BMX 4 LIFE
The Wazman
(aka Warren Gill)
Resides New Zealand e Davies Words by Haimona Ngata Photos Mik
So America has a ‘Wolfman’, the dude who rides for Macneil and can do crazy shit on street, Australia also has a ‘Wolfman’, the backbone of the Beenleigh scene in Brisbane, and I’m proud to say that New Zealand has its very own; ‘The Wazman’. Wazman’s passion for riding can only be equalled by his love for the bulbonic chronic, that sticky icky icky, the pur pur pur purpleee, the maui wowie, yes, I’m talking bout dope, buds, weed. Both of these things go hand in hand for the Wazman, one cannot exist without the other. That green stuff has even spilled over into the colour scheme’s of his bikes, going from a completely green themed machine, to the more subtle, Bob Marley inspired assortment of Rasta colourway parts. Wazman is the simple man’s rider, nothing but roasting tables, nac nac’s, abubaca’s, some spinning tricks with the odd one footed flattie thrown in there for good measure, and of course manuals and bodacious bunnyhops. In an age when everyone is following the trendy thing to do, Wazman will always do the complete opposite. He idolizes ‘The Lord’ Dave Voelker, pours concrete for a living, drives a Hilux, lives by the beach, listens to heavy metal and loves an ice cold Woodstock with a side of pizza. This is the legacy of the enigma known as ‘The Wazman.’
Abubaca. Yep Voelker inspired! PHOTO Mike Davies
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BEHIND BARS BMX 4 LIFE
Anthony McCullagh
Resides Tasmania Words & photos by Heath Holden
So who is this guy who stands before me in a tree? Anthony Dean McCullagh... Excellent, If you weren’t Anthony Dean McCullagh, who would you be? Umm... Mr T! What do you think of the North West Tassie BMX scene? Well, the Devonport park is getting some extensions as we speak, and Burnie Park is pretty sweet so hopefully it will make the small scene grow a little just in time for summer, so the newbies might ride more. You’re about to finish your apprenticeship as a diesel fitter, what’s going on after this? Hopefully save heaps of coin and check out the world and then retire in the Caribbean... Bugger, that will be tough... Where are your ear stretchers? Haha, yeah it’s almost like you gotta have them these days to fit in, they are cool but not for me. So... I understand you like the television? What are your top 5 TV shows? Haha, who told you that... 1, The A team. 2, Mighty Boosh. 3, Seinfeld. 4, McGuyver! 5, Anything else with Chuck Norris in it! So now that we’ve drank a load of rum, how long have you been riding that little bike? Ah yeah maybe 6 years or so. Good job. Time to finish that rum? Yes.
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BEHIND BARS BMX 4 LIFE
Steve
Lyons
Resides Brisbane Words and photo by Morrisey
I have known of Steve for a while via the local Fairfield skatepark and always thought he must live just around the corner as he is always there. One day I asked if he lived close, only to find out he lives a good half hour away in a region of Brisbane that sucks public transport wise if you have a bike. So just to get to Fairfield is a mission, in other words one hell of a pedal on the BMX! I guess that’s one of the reasons I have started to help him out through the shop, cause it’s evident he is dedicated to be on his bike. He is always riding every chance he gets and his bike was always breaking and generally thrashed. I still forget he is only 17 cause he definitely doesn’t show that with his riding skills.
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BEATS & PIECES GIG’s, DVD’s AND CD’s
PHOTO Mr Greggles
Live and direct
Black Francis 3rd October 2008, Metor Theatre, Sydney. Story by AstroBBoy
The man of many aliases, the front man for the legendary Pixies, the guy who inspired Nirvana? I’ll preface this review by coming clean, I’m biased, REALLY biased. I love the Pixies and all their solo projects. Tonight was going to be special for a lot of people as Frank had not played solo in Australia for fourteen years. Back then he had two albums to pull material from, these days he has more than ten, and that’s not including releases by The Pixies. Frank strode on stage, by himself, no fanfare, straight down to business. Guitar in hand the next half an hour was Frank solo without any backing. Last time I saw Frank play was in London a year ago. I took my girlfriend along and she could not get over the way he seemed to treat his backing band, barking out the name of the next track to be played. She then dubbed him ‘the arrogant guy’, while I still referred to him as a genius. I guess there is a fine line between the two. After running through eight or so tracks tonight, my girlfriend had a chance to see if Frank would be up to his old tricks. Luckily (for me and Frank) he was on his best behaviour as a bass player and drummer joined him on stage and everyone seemed happy jamming away. He went the gamut of country twang to venom spitting punk, and sometimes within the one song. Frank makes country music cool, besides Johnny Cash who was always cool, and oddly enough was also known as the ‘man in black’.
personal highlight. The crowd went wild for the two Pixies tracks ‘Wave Of Mutilation’ and ‘Nimrod’s Son’, which was surprising as he had been quoted recently as saying ‘As I just finished an extensive tour with my old band mates in the Pixies, I am not inclined to perform that material”. ‘Abstract Plain’ from the second album would have been excellent, but I can’t complain as I did get ‘Los Angeles’, ‘I Heard Ramona Sing’ and ‘Headache’ from that era. Although a cult hero with rapid fans, he still does not sell out small club gigs let alone play larger venues here. As a selfish music fan, that’s fine with me as I get to see intimate shows without ridiculously expensive tickets. I have to say that this gig was not for the casual fan. It was not a ‘best of’ compilation of tracks, and I appreciated that. Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait another fourteen years.
With small amounts of mumbled talk to the crowd, he was not so much entertaining as he was mesmerizing as we were treated to his tender crooning, which built up to the howl that we were all used to. All eleven tracks from the last major album ‘Bluefinger’ were played tonight, although ‘The Seus’ from the latest EP was missing, and that was something I would have loved to have heard live. ‘When They Come To Murder Me’ was fantastic and a
FBM
Kink
Whoa, a real roadtrip DVD! No ‘we’re going to throw a million riders, teams and spots into a DVD megatour’, just a bunch of riders intent on a good mission, fun, friends and some riding along the way... Forget mysterious gypsy’s trying to alleviate your pockets of cash, the crew gets down to the nitty gritty with a roadtrip worth it’s salt. It ain’t only FBM heads, the DVD includes riders from the Recycles/Blacken, Shitluck/Team Major Air, Sun Ringle, Savage South and the Credence crew all rolling the highways and byways. Definitely a DVD worth watching. It’s got road trip planning inspiration written all over it. It’s pack your bags and check the oil time...
Kink’s new video title “Safety First,” was a year long project and Darryll Tocco’s third full length edit. Featuring full sections from Tony Hamlin, Sean Sexton, K.C. Badger, Albert Mercado, Landon Anderson/Lil’ Jon split part, Aaron Smith and Chris Doyle riding the Northeast United States to the West Coast and everything in between. Even Darryl Tocco gets his killer styles on the other side of the lens/edit suite. All that really needs to be said is that Doyle kills it. Straight up kills it on dirt (duh?), street and park. Watch it!
Nike6.0
S&M
With Nike’s 6.0 range expanding by the day, it was inevitable that the massive funds behind one of the worlds biggest companies were sunk into a BMX team and a DVD. Writing on the wall is 6.0’s team DVD, and to say that it runs high production standards and bullshit riding to boot is an understatement. With Mike Spinner, Nigel Sylvester, Dennis Enarson and Garret Reynolds on board with full sections, it’s on from the second you hit play. Filmed over a year, the DVD travels the world, from China thru the US, Spain and a fair chunk of Melbourne (on a stealth trip mid last year). It’s possibly the most solid production we’ve seen in years and the level of riding puts it in a similar light as Criminal Mischief from a few years back. Straight up defining what’ll be going down in the years to come. While Garrett Reynolds section may just be the banger of all bangers, Enarson throws down the biggest shit you’ve ever seen. Check this DVD out.
It’s been a while since the crew at S&M have released a full length flick, so the news of ‘I wanna live’ being released over here got more than a few crew stoked. And upon pressing play, it didn’t disappoint. The DVD features the whole S&M team and is edited (with true dirty BMX vibe) by Jordan Utley. Standout riding from Randy Brown, Tony Cardone and Adam Baker. Matt Berringer unleashes a whole bag of WTF riding that inspires to think outside the square and Camerwoon Wood shuts the DVD down with more of the same including a kickarse ninja drop that Eddie Roman would be proud of. While it sure ain’t the biggest trick banger DVD, it is pretty much an instructional DVD on how to have a better time than anyone else on a bike, riding weird stuff how you want and doing it all with a crew that love it. Word up to the crew at S&M for once again keeping BMX on the right track!
Gypsy Caravan
Writing on the wall
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Safety First
I wanna live
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Missing issues of 2020? Well stress no more, back issues are now available. Each issue $8.95* inc. postage, which will get ‘em delivered to your door! Simply let us know what issues you want and fill in the rest. SEND ME ISSUE/S ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ MR/MRS/MISS/MS: ___________ FIRST NAME: __________________________________ SURNAME: __________________________________ ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SUBURB: _____________________________________________________________________ STATE: ____________ POSTCODE: _______________ DAYTIME PHONE: _____________________________ E-MAIL: ______________________________________________________________________ ENCLOSE A CHEQUE/MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO 2020BMXMAGAZINE (No cash please!) PO BOX 498 NEWTOWN NSW 2042 * In Australia only. And get the maths right if you’re ordering multiple issues! Photocopy or scan this and save a mag, a tree and a sharp scissor blade...
TECH KNOWLEDGE INNOVATION 101
Leaders of the new school
The quest for lighter, stronger bikes has never been more in effect than in 2009. Many are delving into new trains of thought over traditional BMX design, but none more so than Germany’s KHE Bikes. We caught up with KHE’s founder, Thomas Göring and hit him up about his path over the last 20 or so years, along with his latest creation, the incredibly tech Specter. A bike that showcases so much of his design work... Interview by Holmes
And in the blue corner, KHE’s Specter complete, weighing in at... PHOTO Tony Nolan
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You’ve dedicated a large portion of your life to designing innovative parts and bikes, what keeps you motivated to keep on doing this twenty years on? In the beginning I was simply a rider, starting to ride back in 1980. This sport motivates me everyday. When I was 17 I started to learn micro mechanics and this brings the two things together. I was thinking the whole time how to improve parts, then talking with my friends I rode with about them. I really love my job and love to be in this sport for such a long time. Today I don’t have so much time to ride, but I’m always in contact with team riders, other part designers, our graphic designer Timm. All of this motivates me a lot, even after 20 years of running a BMX company!
So, stepping back, what was your first BMX product? The Do-Pegs. At this time the peg had a thread and was way smaller than today. This peg had a special concave design. We followed that with the double seat clamp, then the Grinddisc. For the kids that think innovation in BMX design is a slammed seat and wide bars, run us off a few parts that you’ve invented or brought to the BMX community first over the years? Firstly the Grinddisc which basically abolished the bashgard frame market. This design idea is still used today from Odyssey with the Million Dollar chainwheel. Then there was the first real Freecoaster hub with sealed bearings and 14mm axles. Butted Bars, this really changed the bar market! The first folding freestyle tire, the first seat-post combo that works for freestyle. The new Anchor bar, our outside adjustable Freecoaster and many other parts.
it’s always hard to change set ideas if you do something new TECH KNOWLEDGE INNOVATION 101
In the last years, it seems most companies are content to just rehash others designs or blatantly copy (in Taiwan or elsewhere) once new ideas become accepted. How do you keep your head above that?
I try to look outside of the bike industry and many things are already there. You just have to adapt them for use in freestyle. Folding tires were something old, but why weren’t they used in BMX? The same goes for the saddle post combo. Copying is not a bad thing, as in the end everybody copies something from somewhere. The important point is not just to copy, you have to try to make it better. The good thing with Taiwan makers is that they have mostly no knowledge about BMX, so if they copy something then they always miss something crucial and that’s what makes a product bad. In the end, as long as other companies try to copy you then all is good!
You’ve always had a strong link with flatland riding, come 2009 do you think that designs you’ve worked on for flatland products have paved the way for street and dirt products? Yes you’re right, flatland, street and park has never been closer together than it is now. Many flatland parts (or the idea behind them) helps us to adapt them to street, like the freecoaster for example. And on the other side of the coin, there are a couple of real good flatland riders in Germany who are riding the Anchor street bar and low saddles. On from that, your new Anchor stem bar combo is something years ahead of its time for BMX in general, what’s the response been to this set up from the street/park kids? The point that the stem and bar is welded together is just different to normal bars and stems but doesn’t change the feeling on riding at all. It’s still a 48mm extension and the bar is parallel to the fork. All in all it looks clean and the patented clamp design works with one bolt. The stem is made with a mold made of forged cromo to make them strong and stiff. Because of the stronger cromo we can make the wall thickness of the stem much thinner than if we use a normal alloy stem and save a good amount of weight. As for the response from the riders, it’s way better than I thought it would be. I know that it’s always hard to change set ideas if you do something new, especially on the street side of BMX. While weight has become the holy grail again for BMX, can you see this being a problem down the track with the styles of riding going on today? I think the style of riding today has changed a lot thanks to the bikes becoming much lighter. There are so many young riders doing crazy stuff that is just not possible on heavy bikes from the past. In flatland it’s the same, riding has become so fast and technical. You do have to get used to the weight, or lack of it. The good thing is that you have the option today to make your bike real light if you want. On the Specter complete bike, it seems to have brought a lot of your ideas together into one package. Engineering, materials and ideas. Is this the pinnacle of KHE’s history in one package? The idea of this bike was to showcase what kind of bike you can build up with KHE parts. I don’t think that it will be a bigger seller, mainly because of the price. That said, we got a lot of orders in because if riders add up all the individual part prices, then it’s a real good deal and pretty much the lightest complete bike you can buy. There are still a few things where we can save weight without loosing strength like bush bearing hubs, lighter pedals and a few other parts. Run us through the Specter’s highlights: Nearly each part on this bike is a highlight. Anchor bar, Specter frame, Titanium crank, DT spokes, Astral front and Hure rear hub, KHE/Alienation rims, Loyal saddle, Affix bush BB, KHE folding tires, Twiggy tubes, CNC KHE brake, Alchemy pegs… And finally, what’s in store for KHE for 2010 and beyond? I’m nearly finished up with the 2010 bike range and new parts. But right now we’re setting up a new computer program, trying to be more and more organised. That’s not really that easy with so many bike specs and parts that we get from many places around the world. Thanks for your time and good luck with the 2010 range, can’t wait to see what’s in store for next year! Thank you Matt for the Interview! Thanks to our Australian KHE Distributor Rodney from Supersports.
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NEW PRODUCTS FRESH IS BEST
S&M LTF
www.sandmbikes.com
The LTF is made in the USA from double butted, SuperTherm crmo tubing and comes in 20.5”, 20.75” or 21.0” top tubes. They are available in black, clear or chrome and weight in at 4.45 lbs (for the 21”). Spec wise you’ll find a 75 degree head angle, seat stay 990 mounts, an integrated headset and mid BB in one of the most well built frames you’ll find on the market today!
FBM Exodus
www.fbmbmx.com
The new FBM Exodus frame is made from SuperTherm 4130 crmo and is available in 20.5”, 21’ or 21.25” top tubes with a 74.5 head angle. Colours available are gloss black or maroon spice (dark red) and it weighs in at 5 lbs. It has 5mm drop outs, a mid BB and seat stay 990 brakes.
Sputnic satelight V3
www.sputnic-bmx.com
The satelight V3 is made from double butted Japanese Sanko tubing, weighs in at 4.8 lbs and comes with a mellow 74 degree headangle. You’ll also find a Spanish BB, 5mm dropouts and short u-brake pivots under the seat stays. It’s available in 20.3”, 20.6” or 21” top tubes in a stack of colours including black, white, light green and orange.
Premium Josh Harrington
www.premiumbmx.com
The Josh Harrington frame is made of Japanese seamless 4130 crmo and comes in 20.5”, 21” and 21.25” top tube. You will find an integrated, heat treated, head tube, mid BB, lowered chain stays for extra chain clearance and low profile 5mm laser cut dropouts. Weight comes in at 4.3 lbs and it’s available in green, blue or copper.
DK Kachinsky signature
www.dkbicycles.com
Made from heat treated and butted crmo, with an integrated head tube and seat post clamp, internally fluted seat tube and small lightweight dropouts. The Kachinsky comes with a regular 74.5 head angle in 20.1”, 20.6”, or 21.1” top tube sizes and weighs 5.2 lbs. Colours are trans black, trans green, or white.
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NEW PRODUCTS FRESH IS BEST
ALL NEW PROD PHOTOS Tony Nolan
Fly Luna
www.flybikesbmx.com
Fly’s Luna frame is one new school piece of 4130 goodness for team rider Dylan Smith. Running a 75° head tube and the choice of 20.6” and 21” top tubes with a 13.75” rear end. Also available in a short 20.4” with an even smaller 13.25” rear and a super steep 75.5°. Removable mounts for pretty much everything including a bash guard option. Big tire clearance and a paltry 4.82 pounds...
Flatline Almost Dead
flatline_bmx@hotmail.com
Flatline BMX is a new Aussie company from north QLD and the Almost Dead is their first frame. It’s available in 20.5” or 21” top tube in black or green and weighs in at 4.5 lbs. You will find a built in seat clamp, 74 degree head angle and seat stay u-brakes, along with a integrated headset and Mid BB.
SE Racing Deville
www.seracing.com
The Deville is Chris Gerber’s signature frame and comes with a 20.75 top tube, 74 degree head tube and 70 degree seat tube. Weight is 4.7 lbs and it comes with a built in seat clamp, integrated headset and mid BB.
Superstar NewDeal
www.superstarbmx.com
This is the 2009 version of the NewDeal, it’s available in 20.7”, 21” or 21.4” top tube, but the combination of steeper 75 degree head angle and laid back 70 degree seat angle makes the top tube feel 0.2” shorter (so the 20.7 feels like a 20.5 and so on). Colours for the new model are black, royal blue or lagoon green and it weighs in at 4.75 lbs.
Proper TTL
www.properbikeco.com
The TTL is Mike Miller’s signature frame from Proper and is available in a 20.8” or 21.2” top tube in trans black, trans red or trans purple. Weight is 4.9 lbs and it’s made of seamless 4130 crmo tubing with 5mm dropouts, a built in seatclamp, internal headset and Spanish BB. The head angle is 75 degrees and you get removable gyro tabs, cable guides and u-brake mounts.
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NEW PRODUCTS FRESH IS BEST
EDH Grab ya bars
Eclat Complex seat
New Zealand pride! Grab Ya Bars are 8.3” tall, 28.7” wide, are 11 butted and made of heat treated 4130 Cromo to boot. They come in satin black and flat white with graphics by NZ’s own James Watson. The build quality and finish are top notch and feel rad.
The Complex seat and post combo is constructed of a one-piece plastic core which forms the seat and post. Surrounded by the plastic core on the post is an alloy sleeve which insures that the post is not crushed when you clamp it down in the frame. Available in two options, regular and padded, along with an assortment of colours. And did we mention it weighs sweet FA!
www.edhbmx.com
www.eclatbmx.com
Pro-tec Classic Helmet www.pro-tec.net
OK, so it ain’t even close to Australian standards for on road use, but for use on the park, ramp or trails, the original Pro-Tec 70’s helmet is one of the best lasting helmets out there. Comfy two stage liner, iconic shell, stainless steel rivets, soft tubular webbing all in a limited edition transcalent neon green.
Superstar front wheel
Etnies Perry Mid
The stylin’ French cats at Superstar have been steadily building both their reputation for new school design and an ever growing range. Their latest offering in the wheel department is a lightweight brakeless front wheel featuring their Overdrive hub and Duty Aero rim laced up with 36 spokes. All up a paltry 920 grams.
Bringing back some 80’s flavour is what the Perry Mids are all about. Lots of ankle support and protection for you tailwhippin grommets, a thin cupsole for feel on the pedal and one kick arse, big tongue to make sure you can keep your jeans underneath.
www.superstarbmx.com
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www.etnies.com
NEW PRODUCTS FRESH IS BEST
Vans Whip 2
Demolition Vulcan Brake
The Whip-2 is Ryan Guettlers signature shoe which you probably already know, but you may not know that the latest model floating around is a Colonly/Vans collaboration, making it a true Australian pair of kicks. If you’d asked us ten years ago if an Aussie rider would have a pro model shoe colab with an Australian BMX company, we would’ve laughed. All props to Ryan and Clint for taking it to the next level!
Sparkling chrome goodness from Demolition, these stoppers are CNC machined from billet 6061 with wider arms for more pull. They come with a low profile top bolt and spring for better chain clearance and run a sealed bearing to reduce friction and help stop the dreaded 990 squeal... Of course there’s more colours available too!
www.vans.com
www.demolitionparts.com
Eclat Bondi rims www.eclatbmx.com
Now we don’t know why Eclat have named their rims after a certain Sydney beachside suburb, but that’s kinda irrelevant anyways. The Bondi rims are wide, real wide, hopefully meaning a lot less pinch flats and rims that last a lot longer thanks to them spreading harsh landing impacts over a greater area. These custom extruded 6066 alloy hoops have a double cavity inside and are flash welded for strength. They come in straight (for brakes 550g) or aero (no brake 498g) models and a truckload of colours.
ABD pivotal seat
S&M Challenger stem
ABD have been making sure NZ crew have a local BMX brand for the last few years and for this year, they’ve released a whole stack of parts including a range of Pivotal seats and posts. Check your AvantiPlus dealer for the whole range.
The legendary S&M Challenger stem is now better than ever. It was originally designed for racing but has become popular for riding trails and can handle everything else, including 9 inch rise bars... 53 mm Reach, polished or cool as hell colours from the crew that seem to keep on defining BMX.
www.avantibikes.com
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www.sandmbikes.com
NEW PRODUCTS FRESH IS BEST
Zoo York Cap www.zooyork.com
www.theshadowconspiracy.com
TSC Cap
Animal New Era Cap
Afends T-Shirt
Zoo York T-Shirt
Subrosa T-Shirt
Strictly BMX T-Shirt
Zoo York Spray Jacket
www.zooyork.com
Fox Hood
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www.zooyork.com
www.strictlybmx.com
www.animalbikes.com
www.subrosabrand.com
www.zooyork.com
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Josh Irvine on the ice! PHOTO Alex Kuzewicz
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Daniel Donges at Rampfest taking some time out from fishing. PHOTO Nick Gascoine
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Matt Lawton PHOTO Jason Starr
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Zack Musarsa big air in Northcote bowl. PHOTO Ian Robinson
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With scant regard for his own sanity, Nick spends hours setting up this crazy old large format camera for that one magic shot... PHOTO Nick Gascoine
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INBOX WE’VE GOT MAIL Heres a photos of me n my mates havin’ a sesh on the way to Rampfest... into the mag. PHOTO Brian Johnson
Inbox
Email, write or paint your thoughts to us. It’s pretty simple, address it to: 2020inbox PO Box 498, Newtown, NSW 2042 or send your digital communications to bmxrules@2020bmxmag.com.au
The helmet dilemma
Job
As an occasional reader, I am somewhat disturbed at the number of action shots of riders without helmets or any other head protection. Do you agree that this is a valid concern?
I am a passionate rider looking for a job in the BMX industry... Do you know of any courses or where I can start. Any help (or work experince) with my situation would be much appreciated.
Lars Newman The question of helmets being worn in mags has been a long talked about subject. And I reckon 2020 runs a little over 50% of shots with helmets on. As far as were 2020 stands on the issue itself, everyone should wear a helmet when riding. But with the law only stating helmets need to be worn on public roads, the choice is there for everyone to make their own decision once off public roads. That said, with the level of riding going up everyday, the argument has changed from helmets being worn at all, to crew should wear nothing less than a full face when blasting. Whatever the answer, it’s up tot the rider in question, but a quick look at the likes of Mike Aitken or Stephen Murray and the decision becomes a lot easier to make. There ain’t no warranty on heads.
Brian Johnson
Back issues
Pulling together
I was just wondering if there is a way of buying past issues? I love your magazine been reading it for a long time, but recently all the mags I had got wet from a leak that was in my roof and they are no good so was just wondering if I could buy past issues or something?
Duncan Riley. Hey Duncan, you can buy back issues, but you might need a mag to do it. Turn to page 21 and theres an order form there. We’ll have all back issues up on the web soon, but that don’t beat the real thing!
Young photog I thought I would send you in some photos and was wondering if you could give me some feedback/critique on them. I started shooting about a year ago with a little point and shoot Fuji but then I saved up my pennys for ages and bought a DSLR which is awsome, but I have to shoot everything with natural light cos I can’t afford flashes yet, anyway, In Naracoorte we have a pretty average skate park and some new dirt jumps that they just put next to the park which is always good to have some new stuff to ride and shoot, we also have some good parks in other towns around us, but we don’t get to go there very often. tWhen I leave school I wanna take photos for 2020 but I know I still gotta get better but If you give me some tips I would be extremely happy! P.S. hey to Nado, Jesse, Jake, and Jimmy if u read this
Courses... The usual route is to suss out what you dig doing that can be applied to the BMX industry. For example I wanted to shoot photos and make mags, so I did a bit of photography at TAFE and then a little bit of visual arts at Uni. Theres more and more options with BMX nowadays, so engineering, marketing, design (both graphic and industrial) sales, management and more are all valid courses of study that may end you up in the BMX industry if you want it bad enough. Luckily all study is going to benefit you outside of BMX as well. So get your head down to it! The only specific I can think of is in South Australia where you can do an accredited bike mechanics course at TAFE.
I’m a rider from Brunswick Junction in southern West Australia. I’m writing to you in light the current bush fires in Victoria, as well as being a great tragedy for Victoria as a state, these bush fires are also the worst in Australia’s history, so we as a nation need to do all we can to help relieve the pain on the families and communities in the affected areas. I know BMX keeps myself and every other rider happy, so whilst listening to the radio my mind turned to Stephen Murray’s situation and I had an idea. My idea is for riders from Melbourne and all over Victoria, possibly other states, to join together and pitch in to provide some kind of help or support for the families affected by this horrible disaster. Whether its holding a jam and donating proceeds or even going into the affected areas and putting on clinics or demos to help in any way possible. I’m sure the people in the fire ravaged areas would greatly appreciate any effort to help, by donating money, or giving parents a break and taking kids who may have lost family and friends, and showing them that BMX can bring people together in times of need. I felt that your publication would be the best forum to voice this idea, I just hope that we all realize how important and serious these past few weeks have been. I’m not writing to you to for personal gain or begging to be put into the magazine. I’m only asking that you take this idea into account and put the word around that something needs to be done with thin the BMX community to help everyone affected. If anyone can have an impact its your magazine, which is looked up to by a huge group of people.
Dillon Ingenito
Sam Forsyth-Gray
Hey DIllion, your shots look great. Don’t sweat the lack of flashes, many a good shot is done without em, just check this issues cover! Keep blazing away with the shutter and keep note of what works, find shooting styles you like and learn as much as you can. There’s always a place in 2020 for your shots!
Yep, we hear you, and at present theres a few jams popping up around the country raising funds. We’ve got a little plan for getting bikes to the kids left with nothing and have been dealing with Red Cross on a few ideas that we’ll have running soon...
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& subscribe online at: www.isubscribe.com.au Of course you can still subscribe through us with the form below! For NZ subscriptions go to: www.emags.co.nz
Win this >
100
Giveyouthechanceto win
EasternElement
an oroneof
pairs of grips
There’s a truckload of these to win >
Thanks to the crew at Dirt Works, we’ve got one massive giveaway! You can take on all elements of BMX with the... Eastern Element. A 20.75” toptube, Eastern original full chromoly frame with integrated chain tensioners, Grim Reaper style seat post clamp, replaceable 990 mounts and more. We’ve got one to giveaway to one lucky subscriber! And if you don’t win yourself this fine bike, then there’s 100 pairs of Eastern ID and OG grips going out the door for the first 100 subscribers who correctly answer the question below with their subscription. It’s never been a better time to subscribe!
subscribe sub //T TONY NOLAN
I’m down for the chance to win an Eastern Element or one of 100 pairs of Eastern grips!
Sign me up for a subscription for a year of 2020 delivered to my door. Q. Name one Eastern Bikes Australian rider: ________________________________________ __________________________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________
One year Australian subscription (4 issues) $A37.50 delivered to your door! For NZ subscriptions go to: www.emags.co.nz*
MR/MRS/MISS/MS_________ FIRST NAME:__________________________ SURNAME: _______________________________________________ ADDRESS:_________________________________________________________ SUBURB: ____________________STATE:_____POSTCODE:______ DAYTIME PHONE:____________________________________ E-MAIL:________________________________________________________________ [ ] I ENCLOSE A CHEQUE/MONEY ORDER FOR $37.50 PAYABLE TO 2020 2020bmxmagazine bmxmagazine (N (No o cash please!) PO BOX 498 NEWTOWN NSW 2042 *Please remember 2020bmxmag is published 4 times a year so it can take up to 3 months to receive your first issue *Terms and Conditions 1. Information on how to enter and prizes form part of these conditions of entry. 2. Entry is open to residents of Australia only. 3. Entry is open to people who subscribe between March 1st 2009 and May 5th 2009
4. The Eastern Element will be won by the first correct answer drawn, while the grips will be won by the following 100 correct answers drawn. 5. This competition is a game of skill. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 6. The first correct winner will receive one Eastern Element valued at $679, not transferable nor redeemable for cash thanks to Dirt Works. The next 100 correct answers will receive a pair of Eastern ID or OG grips, not transferable nor redeemable for cash. 7. The winners will be notified by mail/email or possibly by phone. 8. The competition closes May 5th 2009 with all last mail received on this date. 9. The promoter is 2020bmxmagazine!
INBOX READER PHOTOS
PHOTO Zac Mason
Brycen at Lawson PHOTO Ernie
PHOTO Stu McLeod
Inchy laying it flat.
One more shot of Jaie Toohey ripping.
PHOTO Daniel leBreton
PHOTO Daniel Pasquale
Reader photos
Dedicated to the next gen of riders and photographers in Australia.
PHOTO Dillion Ingenito
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PHOTO Byron Jackson
DVDDirect DVD Direct DVDdirect
2020’s DVD Direct mail order not only cuts the cost of DVD’s but we send ‘em straight to your door! Stoked. Prices as listed INCLUDING free postage in Australia! Get your BMX DVD fix with no mess, no fuss. Simply fill in the details below.
Flipside RIDE $29.95 F
I wanna live S&M $39.95
DownUnderTour UNITED $9.95
BMX Bandits $14.99
Grounded ETNIES $49.95 G
Insight RIDE $29.95 Insight
Ride’s latest DVD takes 4 NYC street riders and drops them in Greenville for a look at the protown lifestyle. Featuring big name’s like Dave Mirra, Josh Harrington and Aussie Dave Dillewaard ripping up the million dollar private indoor parks of Greenville, plus some cutting edge street from NYC.
Features the full S&M team; Matt Beringer, Randy Brown, Tony Cardona, Jeff Lantiser, Josh Stricker, and Cameron Wood; filmed in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, UK, and the USA. Some kickass good times on bikes!
As a rider, you have to have this DVD in your collection. It’s Australian as Vegemite and has enough BMX history to make your tuffs straight without even going near the freezer. Why Nicole Kidman didn’t win an Oscar, for this we have no idea!
Probably the most anticipated DVD of 2008, Grounded shows what the Etnies team has been up to since Forward. Featuring all the team riders you would expect including Taj, Joe Rich, Garrett Byrnes, Rooftop, Sergio Layos, Josh Stricker, Jamie Bestwick and Morgan Wade, as well as locations from all over the world, plus a 50 page book!
Livin in Exile RIDE $29.95 L
How To TWBMX $29.95 H
Mike Escamilla, Corey Bohan, Danny Hickerson, Will Love, Kurtis Elwell, Sergio Layos, Scotty Cranmer and Steven Lilly all blow up. Why, for so little reward, do these riders still push themselves so hard? Where does inspiration come from when you are... Livin in exile
Just staring out and want to learn how to grind or need to learn some new tricks cause the local kids getting better than you? Grab a copy of the How To DVD and learn from a bunch of pro’s that lay it down nice and simple so you can make the steps to BMX ruler in no time!
United recently came down our way to tour and film for 3 weeks between Sydney and Adelaide, this DVD is the result.
The latest and easily the best Ride video produc production since Thunder follows Dakota Roche, Chester Blacksmith, Darryl Tocco, Jared Washington, Mike Brennan, and Davey Watson through the making of a video part… Some banger sections and a good vibe make this DVD one for the winter months. Dakota Roche has skills. Serious.
Rhythm/DirtJumpRIDE$29.95
Ride BMX has combined two classic videos onto one DVD. Rhythm is a trails video that takes you all over the United States and the How to Dirt Jump is hosted by Fuzzy Hall, and stars T.J. Lavin, Cory Nastazio, Robbie Miranda, and many others teaching you everything you need to know to become a better dirt rider!
For Australian sales please mail a cheque to: 2020bmxmagzine, PO BOX 498, Newtown, NSW 2042 NZ sales: Paypal the $ to dvd@2020bmxmag.com.au and email your details to the same address. Delivery MAY take UP TO 21 DAYS depending on stock. FIRST NAM N E _______________________________ SURNAME E __________________________________________ ___________________________________________ __ ADDRESS ___________________________________________________ SUBURB_____________________________ STATE _____________ POSTCODE E ________ D DAYTIME PHONE _________________________________________ E-MAIL _______________________________________ [ ] I enclose a cheque / money order for $_____________ payable to 2020bmxmagazine Pty Ltd (No cash!)
Please tick desired box
Flipside I Wanna Live United BMX Bandits Grounded Insight Livin in exile How To How To Jump + Rhythm
Wrapping it up CAM WHITE
Lester Perry & noisy peace? I don’t know where the hell I’m gonna start with writing about Lester Perry, I reckon this guys been riding bikes since I was in nappies. When his hands aren’t poking into new pies they’re probably tapping away on a keyboard designing something fresh, or scoping out the latest news from every corner of the web so I’m stoked he’s got the last page of this fine publication in it’s 10 year anniversary issue. Interview by Tim Pierce
As I’ve grown up, I’ve got to know Lester through the tight scene that is New Zealand ‘action’ sports culture. Lesters been involved in pretty much everything under the sun, racing all sorts of bikes and dipping into other sports here and there. He’s worked on various projects over the time and it always intrigues me what’s on his mind. He definitely shreds and has no signs of holding back in the near future. His latest venture is a clothing company called Quiet Chaos. Primarily a denim company that also makes a variety of other clothing. I do like a good pair of jeans and it is true that Quiet Chaos denim has wrapped my loins. Let’s find out a tiny bit more with five simple questions. Ummm Lester, what’s good? It’s all good at the moment, except for a broken wrist.... Apart from that, everything’s good, working on some new bits and pieces for Quiet Chaos, got a couple of new projects on the burner too and still managing a good amount of time on the bikes (when I’m not injured) so no complaints! Why did you start making Chaos? I pretty much wanted some sort of creative outlet and I’ve always been interested in clothing as a medium for this. I’m also into all aspects of the bizzo, from actually designing garments to the marketing, graphics, ads etc and then of course the business side is interesting too, but can be stressful! I’m pretty lucky to have some really good people around to help things forward.
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Where do you pull your design inspiration for QC from? Hmm, I’m not really sure, definitely a bunch of places. I spend a lot of time on the internet looking at heaps of street wear stuff, and keeping eyes on the fashion world, heaps of it is pretty crass but there’s some serious quality coming out of everywhere too, so much good stuff. There are a few key people around the globe who I stalk on the internet and really look up to for what they are doing and their work ethic, but really I’m into anyone doing their own thing and pushing forward whatever it is. I manage to get some sort of inspiration from most keen people I come into contact with.... The internet is sweet for keeping up with the play and generally stalking people! I heard a story about a guy that fell asleep in tight denim, and as a result lost a testie, is it safe to sleep in Quiet Chaos Denim? Haha, yep sure is, I can vouch for that! Our ‘Driver’ jean is not too skinny, not too baggy, just right for people who want one pair of jeans for all occasions, from riding bikes to general pub duties, and of course sleeping in them is all good if you’re into that. What can people expect to see in the future with QC? Continual progression and eventual world domination! Haha, yeah we’ll continue to get further established in NZ, and push off shore ASAP too. Our women’s stuff should be getting a bit of a kick in the near future along with some new guys styles and accessories.