2020bmxmag.com.au
WIN A UNITED
DINERO FRAME INSIDE
ISSUE 50 MARCH 2014 PEWL AN INDEPTH LOOK AT LIFE IN THE DEEP END AUS $9.95 NZ $12.95 INTO THE ABYSS | JAPAN | INTERVIEWED COCO ZURITA
1 Colin Mackay
2 Joe Morris
3 Steve McCann
4 Russel Tranter
5 Corey Bohan
11 Kym Grosser
12 Colin Mackay
13 Ryan Guettler
14 José
15 Luke Fink
21 Josh Stead
21 Subscriber only cover
22 Alex Liiv
23 Clint Millar
24 Simon O’Brien
30 Zac Miner
31 Jaie Toohey
32 Luke Gorecki
33 Mitchell McDonald
34 Beechy
41 Mike Vockenson
42 Dane Searls
43 Mike McMah, Josh Kathigitis
44 Kyle Baldock
58 40 Russell Brindley
6 Russell Brindley
7 Luke Fink
8 Kym Grosser
9 Adam Hough
10 Lindsay Brown
16 Luke Parslow
17 Stuart Dolley
18 Nick Cooper
19 Corey Bohan
20 20 rad dudes....
25 Nathan Saunders
26 Sam
27 Brendan Hansen
28 Troy Jackson
29 Mick Bayzand
35 Kym Grosser
36 Josh Kathigitis
37 Liam Fahy-Hampton
38 Chris O’Donnell
39 Jay Wilson
45 Ryan Lloyd
46 Dean Anderson
47 Calvin Kosovich
48 Jack Birtles
49 Jason Watts
59
The Abyss
INTO THE ABYSS
60
T
here’s a photo hanging in the hallway at the bike shop, it’s one of those iconic images, an image that is definitely bmx, grainy and dark it depicts a small figure carving high into the over vert of a rough concrete pipe. Riding photography has produced countless images that look similar, strange concrete structures photographed by rider explorers, for many this exploration into the unknown is the key reason for bmx. After seeing the photo so often it inevitably lost its edge, I used to stop and study its mysterious curves and contours for clues, over time my trips past the grainy photo brought less interest, it became just another grey blur on the way to the toilet. I hadn’t thought or really seen the photo for many months, it still hung on the wall the same as always, except for a new layer of dust. A single phone call is all it took to re-spark my interest for the photo, a phone call packed with motivation and adventure, plans for a trip into the mountains, a journey to the mythical pipe, the very same pipe that had existed for many only in dreams, random footage and for me, a dusty photo hanging in a hallway.
The Abyss
TWO HALVES OF ONE HOLE A NEW YEARS ADVENTURE ONE INFAMOUS SPOT
Our voyage into the high country was set for new years, those involved in the journey cared little for the city and its customary midnight mania, the prospect of concrete transition, camping and the unknown far outweighed anything offered by sky scrapers and neon lights. The atmosphere was once in a lifetime, in the grand scale of things it seemed this pipe had only been explored by a privileged few, it was their videos and photos that formed our research material, there was a general idea of where to go and what may unfold, beyond these rough plans and group messages our hopes of riding the beast were placed firmly in the hands of adventure.
Words: Will H Photos: John Young Dave C Billy Brooks Will H
58.Dave C.Into The Abyss 60.Trent.Table At Nine 62.Beech.Slider At Nine 67.Dave C. Up & In
It had been a Melbourne Christmas fuelled with beer and BBQ food, I was ready for some fresh air when my phone f lashed with a call from Dave C, the following conversation offered me no real option other than making it to the mountains for new year, Dave has that skill, convincing me was made easier again by the list of good folk already set to make the journey. My issue was that I was in Melbourne, their convoy was leaving Sydney, I was left to consider the dilemma for about a minute when my phone vibrated from the table and hit the f loor, picking it up I answered to the voice of Cairns, “W hat’s going on geeza? ” Straight away I told him of the new year plan, convinced even easier than myself, Cairns exploded with a list of supplies, times, dates and thoughts, the phone call lasted about two minutes, from what I could decipher we were set to go and it was going to be amazing. I had gone from having a mild Christmas hangover to fully laid out plan in five minutes. Plans continued to snowball, crew from Melbourne joined the trip, more folk from Sydney, a van already on the road would meet us, it seemed the mention of the mythical pipe was enough to get people on the road. I sat waiting in the shade for Cairns, my packed bag rested against the wall as his sunshine yellow Corolla screeched around the corner letting out shotgun fire as Cairns performed another key banger. A quick mission into the supermarket for batteries to power the in car boom box and we were on the road, with L ola, Cairns’s dog planted on my lap and a stereo probably liberated from the salvos blasting tunes, Melbourne soon disappeared into the rearview mirror. Our destination was Beechworth to stay the night and pick up Beechy. The drive was chilled, conversation and music only interrupted now and again by Cairns dropping another key banger and the insane laughter that followed. Before long we pulled onto the dusty track that wound between trees and brush towards Beechy’s family home, we were met by amazing hospitality, food and beers, but strangely no Beechy. We sat talking to Beechy’s mum for about an hour, I had almost forgotten that we had come to pick up her son when a car rolled down the hill and pulled up in a cloud of dust, out rolled Beechy, clearly hangin’ from the night before and an hour late he grinned, rolled a cigarette and began the tale of his night out in town. Formalities out the way we got our shit together and headed for the bowl to ride before food and bed. My gut was filled with fine food and beers as Cairns’ and I rolled out our sleeping pads, we slept out in the clean bush air waiting for tomorrow and the final push to the mountains and the pipe.
61
PRESENTS
Words:Senrab photos: Mamie Jauri & Barnes artwork: Dowza & The Swooping Cardinal.
Montage credit: joel Ruggerio, Andi Fortini, Tony Krause, jake Milburn
76
Pewl
DEAN DICKINSONpot
shots
In the past year there has been a lot of exposure for Bonedeth team rider Dean Dickinson. A year ago he released a book named ‘You won’t: 100 pools by Dean Dickinson’ and ever since there has been an increase in footage, photos and interviews with the bowl veteran. His effort at producing the most official pool book in bmx history has not gone unnoticed. One hundred defines success, akin to a graffiti writer earning immunity upon their 100th train. Dean already has another 60 something pools under his belt since his book was released. A bona-fide pool boss, a title that can only be achieved through complete devotion to ‘the search’ and a style that is timeless.
“In January the Federal Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, granted WA exemption from national environment laws to allow the cull to go ahead. This means species like the endangered Great White Shark is included in the cull provisions”. Ref. www.abc.net.au pic: MAURI
“Nothing like a pint of pool
How many games of pool do you play a month?
It all depends on the time of season. Usually during the summer I get a lot more pool action. But lately I’ve been finding a ton of pools. So I’d say on average at least once a week.
Do you have a hot tip for siphoning pools?
What’s the grossest thing you’ve scooped out when draining?
Don’t do it! I’ve sucked down sooooo much shit trying to siphon pools. Nothing like inhaling a pint of pool scum. Yuck!
A pile of syringes or diapers. Favorite album of 2013?
Dead Moon “Echoes of the Past” So good!
Favorite pool riding section?
Sean “Fish” Hoskins - “In The Life” RIDE BMX Favorite pool skate section?
Has there ever been a near death experience for you in a death box?
Al Partanen - “Hesh Law” Creature
Not really but one time at the Fisher Pool a crazy redneck chased us out of the pool and fired his pistol in the air. Luckily, that’s the closest for me.
How do you feel about ‘BMX Jihad’ since Osama Bin Laden died?
Not sure, it’s been a while. But I did take swim lessons up until life guard. So I must be a decent swimmer I guess.
Ha ha ha! That’s a good question. It’s been a while since I’ve seen the spirt of “BMX Jihad.” I think that mentality is becoming a thing of the past. Pretty rad to see BMXers and skaters push their petty differences aside and shred together.
Ever considered work in a pool construction company?
Do you collect things from the pools you shralp?
Not really. I’d be a terrible employee because I’d get so distracted with the shape of the pool. I’d rather just find and ride them.
Not really. I have a couple blocks of coping and a little tile but that’s about it. I’m more drawn to photos and video.
How many laps can you swim?
What else do you enjoy filming other than riding?
Narrative projects or music videos are always fun. How long did it take to create ‘You won’t’? When did you first conceive the idea? How many pools had you hit when you thought, i can plausibly make a ‘100 pools’ book? That’s quite an achievement.
I starting archiving photos and videos from my pool experiences since day one. But it wasn’t until I rode my 100th Pool back in 08 that I thought that I should produce a book. It took about three years to put everything together. I had a lot of help and I’m really grateful for it all. STOKED!
71
Japan 80
Daniel Watson on the streets. Photo Kyle Jacobson
Japan
J A P A N
Group text messages frustrate me beyond belief; they really do seem like a productive idea at the time, but when your mates are a bunch of delinquents, the chime of an incoming text for the four thousandth time that day really starts to scratch at your nerves. However this particular Wednesday, Drew sent out a text simply asking if we wanted to go to Japan in November. The deal on the flights was simply too good to resist and I kid you not, within the hour we were booked for Japan. If you know us as a group, you would know that this was nothing short of a miracle. Organisation definitely isn’t our biggest strength! STORY BY KYLE JACOBSEN AND JACK BIRTLES
81
Interview Coco Zurita
DREAM LIKE YOU’LL LIVE FOREVER, LIVE LIKE YOU’LL DIE TOMORROW
Darling Harbour // Sydney Australia
Chilean Bmx // Background In the mid ‘90s BMX freestyle in Chile was seen as a sport taking a spot in the country, gaining attention and curiosity. The internet was not yet popular with the youth; it was something new to the country. That’s why a few BMX Plus magazines from a small local bike shop were the greatest motivation we had to explore this new world. With a group of friends, schoolmates and neighbours we started to immerse ourselves in the sport. Picking up and collecting the parts and frames, we’d build what would shortly become our first bikes from old BMX bikes and parts from the ‘70s. In a few years this curiosity led to us forming a group of 13 united friends who spent all our weekends building trails and having cheap sandwiches for lunch. Mostly consisting of bread, tomato and mayonnaise (Pan, Tomate, Mayo), which is how we got our name of PTM crew.
88
Interview Coco Zurita
At that time in Santiago, the Chilean capital, there were only a few skate parks that had ramps but they were usually in a bad shape. The most renowned place was the Estadio Nacional, where we had some good ramps to ride built by the first generation of Chilean BMXers (Andre, Ehrmantraut, Christian Mateluna, Alfonso Mujica, Ariel Echeverria, Juan Carlos Morales, Maxi Arribas and more). Another park was Parque Araucano, a public place for skating and bike riding with wooden ramps but it was poorly designed. It was hard to ride ramps and be underage back then. We had to cross the city with our bikes that weren’t easy to buy (most were imported from the USA at a very high cost) and bike robberies were very common.
At the end of the ‘90s the PTM crew was more united than ever, making trips to other cities and riding most days of the week. Some of us were at an excellent level and were competing against Chile’s first generation of riders. Some even started doing demos and winning contests, making a name for ourselves. With all this happening around us we had to do something to show the world that in Chile BMX was growing. In 19992000 with internet in some of our homes, the first website for the PTM crew was created. It was a simple online gallery where we could upload all our media and share it with the rest of the country. As a rider you travel and meet people from other towns and you start to realise there are many more who are prepared to share their riding material as well. This was when the PTM website started featuring photos of riders from other places, and at the beginning of 2000 it changed its name to www.bmxchile.cl and made a name for itself as a well known web blog in the BMX community.
89
Make Do & Mend 94
Once a week the streets around here will be filled with treasure, leftovers from the rat race, hard rubbish piled on corners waiting to be looted by the curious and industrious. Homes are furnished, kitchens equipped, gardens built, bikes restored, it’s the tangent pathway that city living offers.
Make Do & Mend
WH
Make Do
&
Mend Melbourne
Photos: Leigh G, Jamie M, Will H Words: WH 95
News & Stuff Home Grown
Australian born&bred Home grown frames and parts are becoming a reality. Not content with manufacturing overseas or simply buying from a ditributor, we are seeing the beginnings of an Australian industry building what we ride.
IndustrailTTframe www.INDUSTRAIL.net
A conversation some time back must’ve sparked some creative fire, this frame the result. Industrail’s Elliot Barber is a master-craftsman when it comes to metal fabrication. So when a conversation about a double top tube frame in reference to a RL20II with modern day geo went down over a brew or two, and the general problematic nature of building such a bike became apparent, he didn’t shy away from the challenge. The result is one seriously beautiful frame that brings modern day spec to an old school icon. While it’s not on the cards for any more of these to make their way into riders hands, Elliot has hand built Hoon 20.75” frames to go right now. Check them out at www.industrail.net
InputBMXhubs www.INPUTBMX.com
The crew at Melbourne’s Input BMX have been busy over the last months. Stepping up their game from sprockets, pegs and stems to something thats been rarely attempted on these shores. Hubs. At present the front and rear hubs are in the prototype stages but being run by the Input team and a few others. Inside the cassette is a 4 pawl engagement mechanism that at present are using off the shelf pawls, but production models will see Input make those along with the driver and hub body. The only thing not produced in their workshop will be the bearings, which are Japanese NSK numbers which are far superior in both rolling and durability that the Chinese bearings that basically every company in BMX uses, regardless of the hub price. The chromoly axles are gun drilled on InNput’s old WW2 Pratt and Whitney gun drilling machine which was recently restored, then heat treated and black oxidised. Male and female rear axle models will be available along with hub guards to match as well. At the moment only 36 holes are in the pipeline, but there is talk of a small run of 48’s as well. As far as finishes go, expect anodised colours, polished and camo wrap, with different wraps later on. If all testing of the proto’s goes well, you can expect to see them in production by September this year. We’re more than looking forward to getting on a pair! Check out Input BMX here: http://inputbmx.com And read up on them here: http://2020bmxmag.com.au/?p=6926
26
The new DVD from Troy Charlesworth &
Available April 1st
In newsagents, your local BMX shop AND the 2020 store for $9.95 Download on the 2020 store for $5.00
Premiere For more info and trailer at: www.2020bmxmag.com.au/?p=5680
March 29th Normanby Hotel Brisbane Doors open at 7pm Screening at 830pm PROUDLY Brought to you by