Friday, 30 April 2010
Viki Gomez launches Fenix
Great interview and photos (bike check) by Fat Tony, click the link...
http://bmx.transworld.net/1000101314/features/the-friday-interview-viki-gomez-with-complete-bike-check/
Claude Hickman JoMoPro 2010 2nd Place Vet Class
Claude is a living legend in flat, producing the classic hardcore radness vids, stoked to meet him after all these years at Jomopro.
JoMoPro 2010 2nd Place Vet Class from BMX Freestyler on Vimeo.
JoMoPro 2010 2nd Place Vet Class from BMX Freestyler on Vimeo.
Cream 38 review
Cream 38 is out and bursting with great flatland content.As always, setting the bar high, these magazines are like collectors items for flatlander!
So what’s in this issue?
Terry Adams gets the content page, cracking shot of a studio lit whopper.
The first main flatland related article is an interview with Taka, with great shots from Green G, I don’t really know much about Taka, so that makes for an interesting read, although the interview was a lil short…
The caen extreme contest gets 4 pages, with good write up on the flatland side of the contest.
Bobby Carter and Richard Agauyo take you on a “day in life in LA”, sunshine, burritos, hanging out at bike shop, and riding of course, nice full page shot of Bobby C laying it down….I miss LA…
By far the highlight of this issue, is the 6 page interview with Raphael Chiquet, when was this guy ever interviewed? Beautiful photography by Anna Gorvits, shot right at the Louvre, and great interview by Alain, discussing his life change now he works for Monster, “Now I am really busy, I have responsibilities, a team of 10 people to manage, pressure, emails coming all day and night on my blackberry, you know a real job…This new occupation has obviously led to consequences for my other job as a professional bmx rider.”
Raphael is a breath of fresh air, a real character, lets not forget he is the current world champion, I find that sad that he is the world champion and working full time, that’s a sign of the times I guess, but also sounds like he enjoys his life to the fullest, which is great…
“World Champion! The world, damn it…Fucking World champion! It’s pretty crazy! I think I still can’t wrap my head around it, or maybe I haven’t had time to get my head around it.”
The rest of this great interview discusses how important contests are, where he thinks his riding will go, how much music plays a role in his life, the Parisian lifestyle. Great stuff!! Very good read, if nothing else, Cream 38, is worth it for this 6-page interview. But of course there’s more flat..
Luis Elias Benavides writes on the annual Ticos jam, which also features in La Gazette along with Circle Cow 11 report..
There’s a great article on Simon O’Brien and Australia by Nathan Penonzek, interesting story on Simon’s lifestyle, and family life.
Bo wade has full page shot of perverted decade in a bar, pretty cool!
Of course there’s much more besides, but lets keep this short and sweet, go get this for the Raphael interview, amazing stuff from the Cream team. Bravo!
I’m feeling the sunset cover! Lets go ride!
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Matthias Dandois clip
Last week Matthias had this clip exclusively for the first 100 viewers of his blog, heres that clip, gnarly first jump switch! from www.agoride.com
Viki Gomez solo vid online
This is kinda hard to get ahold of now, so check this out, be some news coming soon from Viki....
Viki-kgb from Max (LiveBmx.ru) on Vimeo.
Viki-kgb from Max (LiveBmx.ru) on Vimeo.
Chad J & Bobby C in the place..
This featured on Impacqued, maybe you missed this, great stuff!!! Check it if you didn't catch this!!
Video Producers Spotlight - Chad Johnston & Bobby Carter from Ganji BMX on Vimeo.
Video Producers Spotlight - Chad Johnston & Bobby Carter from Ganji BMX on Vimeo.
Waldemar Fatkin short interview on MD blogspot
http://matthiasdandois.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Effraim Catlow Flatmatters exclusive!!
Work in progress, pulled 6 bar flip cowboys for the first time yesterday, gunning for ten flips next.!!
Thanks to Ciaran Perry for the inspiration!! Flatmatters!!
Thanks to Ciaran Perry for the inspiration!! Flatmatters!!
Deja Vu trailer by Simon O'Brien
Simon O’Brien’s new solo DVD…
The highly anticipated sequel from ‘Made You Look’ by Simon O’Brien. ‘Deja Vu’ is due out early 2010 & this is the trailer for it. Simon’s second solo DVD features ground breaking flatland riding from Simon with guest appearances from all forms of BMX riding as well as other lifestyles. Produced by Mason Rose & Simon O’Brien.
Mine's in the post, review shortly, this looks amazing!!!!
Deja Vu by Simon O'Brien from Colony BMX on Vimeo.
Rad dads first switch hand steam
Click the link below, this is beautiful, I smiled and got pumped after this, this is flatland!!! Yes Rad dad!!
http://www.bmxfreestyler.com/2010/04/rad-dads-1st-switch-hand-steam-roller.html
Rad Dad's 1st Switch Hand Steam Roller from BMX Freestyler on Vimeo.
http://www.bmxfreestyler.com/2010/04/rad-dads-1st-switch-hand-steam-roller.html
Rad Dad's 1st Switch Hand Steam Roller from BMX Freestyler on Vimeo.
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Vet class highlights Jomopro
This was a blast, had fun watching this!!! Nice edit from Rad dad!!
JoMoPro 2010 Vet Class Highlights from BMX Freestyler on Vimeo.
JoMoPro 2010 Vet Class Highlights from BMX Freestyler on Vimeo.
Monday, 26 April 2010
Flatware comp in Luton this weekend!!
"So people have been asking wha gwan with this ting? Well here are the details.
If you type in; Park Street LU1 3EP into google maps (I tried, but I'm not internet geeky enough to get a photo). You will find out where it is in relation to...the rest of the world. Its a 10 minute walk from Luton train station into the town centre.
Above is the picture of the spot. The ground is cobbled, but hold on before you get all ground pretentious. We are getting hardboard to cover the spot so, all will be good my friends.
Were the stairs are will be the DJs on a small stage and you my flatland buddies, have the rest to play on. Looks good huh?
So what about the format?
Well, this all depends on how many people turn up. However it will run something like this for both Ams and Pros;
2 x 2 minute runs from each rider until we get into the top 3 where riders battle it out for 1st 2nd 3rd place pulling out all the stops. Simple huh? Well, no point making it complicated.
Afterparty so mans can get liquered up?
Well there is one if you want to go, but I'm not allowed to have my own now, the university have decided to have one big one with some random bob DJ...great!"
See you all there-flatmatters!
Terry Adams wins a very wet Twilight jam!!
Just caught this on Terry's twitter, congrats T!
photo by Robby Klien.
"Just took first at da twilight contest.. Dane 2nd , Isaiah 3rd, Mickey 4th... So cold right now.. First comp in the pouring rain.."
Same thing daily 2 also premiered after at the party, looking forward to seeing this!!!
Sunday, 25 April 2010
Saturday, 24 April 2010
How to backwards hitch by Darin Wright
Thank to Darin for sending this in, great stuff. Check the ganji site: http://www.ganjibmx.com/
How-to Backwards Hitchiker from Ganji BMX on Vimeo.
How-to Backwards Hitchiker from Ganji BMX on Vimeo.
Friday, 23 April 2010
Mike S "Code" Bikecheck on Freedombmx
http://freedombmx.de/cgi-bin/adframe/artikel/article.html?ADFRAME_MCMS_ID=16731&id=1272040002851825222328321
Adam Kun back on his bike edit!
Adam has been off his bike since Circle Cow, badly damaging his left thigh, just back on before Game of skills, Sevisual Tom just sent this nice edit in, enjoy! Check out the new bars Adams rocking, prototypes....
Adam Kun 2010 spring easy practice from sevisual on Vimeo.
Adam Kun 2010 spring easy practice from sevisual on Vimeo.
Fabien Stephan edit
Just found this on my phone, thanks to TJ Perry for sending this....Xft no handed two footed frontyard, tighhtttttt!!!!
Fabien Stephan from AFphoto.fr on Vimeo.
Fabien Stephan from AFphoto.fr on Vimeo.
Martti Kuoppa organises the Worlds!!!
Rayk Hahne freerun edit
Hello BMXers and sports enthusiasts,
now everyone has received the message that in Cologneshould be no Flatland.According the to Prague was the cancellation, this is the nextBad news this week.
In the official justification refers to the Masters teambecause of our high standards of the area.We need to find an alternative!
Let the contest unsubscribe at LVR (Hyatt-Spot).If we take the initiative and allow theContest at the LVR hold, then we may have theoption to bring Flatland to the Masters.
Ronny Engelmann and Rayk Hahne are committed to work with yourto help preserve Flatland.
Help us and mail your opinion to l.schiffner@spielbetrieb.com . If so, please factual.
Send the mail to your friends, relatives, and ensures yourCommitment to ensuring that Flatland is a part of culture.
Everyone can help in its own way.
With the consent of the LVR and a city permit, which wouldMasters team will be to convince.
Help yourselves!
Cheers
Rayk Hahne (Just Freerun) & Ronny Engelmann
Lea Dobrowski flatmatters exclusive!!
This is the first of its kind, Lea just sent this, great progression since jomopro! Much respect!! Keep em coming Lea, and
anyone else who wants to send in, please do so, you know the deal! Flatmatters!
anyone else who wants to send in, please do so, you know the deal! Flatmatters!
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Flat doesn't matter at the BMX Masters!!
I guess like many of you, you received the BMX masters press release today, it's kinda weird after the "flatland eats itself" post today, that one of the longest and biggest flatland contests of the year is now no more.
"Flatland has been growing and the demands on the right surrounding area and surface with it! It has become very specific up to a point where we are unable to fulfill the needs of the today´s flatlander at the Jugendpark."
It wasn't just flatland, vert has fell victim as well, despite being one of the best events last year. So there will be only Dirt, Park and Super Ramp. It's a sad week for flatland, with the news of no worlds and now this. But i'm not surprised after the fallout from the (worlds) masters last year, the organisers had a lot of complaints about the floor, another one bites the dust! This is real food for thought! What's next to go, Fise?
Martin at global flat messaged me with this news:
http://www.global-flat.com/news/showNews.php?ID=1299
Perspective: Flatland eats itself...
Few days ago, I got this article from someone who wishes to remain Anonymous. A lot of interesting points maybe from a different perspective than you.
Flatland eats itself.
I have been observing a downward spiral that a lot of people aren’t seeing. People everywhere that ride flat aren’t recognizing what is happening and are definitely not looking at the big picture. I hope that me writing this at least has one person take a step back and realize the big problems. Yes I have left my name out, because I do not want to be attacked for the things I have to say.
* Old School Flat riders are what killed flatland.
The lack of respect in this statement alone is astounding. On numerous sites conversations are happening saying old school riders didn’t progress enough and that they killed the sport. I wonder how anyone could be so blind. Look at Kevin Jones or Chase Gouin. If you say they haven’t progressed flatland then you are off your rocker. How do you think every trick came to be? Old school riders invented them. Those “New School” tricks where done a decade or more ago… they have just advanced into a new stage. Yes they have been altered, put in different links, scuffed and pumped beyond belief, but think about who first discovered that trick. If you think old school tricks and riders didn’t progress think again. It’s similar to this… We started having light with a flame, and then Ben Franklin invented the light bulb. Which we have now taken and “progressed” it to a light bulb that can last for years on barely any electricity. Just like flatland. We went from one whiplash to Chase thinking up unimaginable ways of whiplashing. From singular tricks, to scuffing and pumping, slow to super fast speeds, links made up of 10 tricks. Old school invented new school. It is Progression! One day our new school will be old school and a new generation of flatland will appear. All riders are inventing new ways to link and new ways to progress. Stop putting down old school riders. Without them, you wouldn’t have 90% of your tricks.
* Old School vs. New School has got to stop.
If you want a sport to keep moving forward you all need to come together and stop comparing, asking each other to change and trying to force beliefs on each other. To be honest it would move the whole sport forward if there were not any categories. Look at a sport like Football. They look up to the players that started the sport, applaud the men that walked that field before them. We should be doing the same. No old vs. new, no categories, just flatland! We ride how we want to because it is FREESTYLE! Let one another have passion for the way they ride and have respect for it!
*New riders seem to believe they have to learn to ride “new” school.
Think about what that means. That you are riding the way someone makes you feel you should ride. Stop. Just ride how you want and progress towards your OWN goals, no one else’s. If you aren’t enjoying what you are learning and aren’t riding how your heart desires then you will stop progressing and / or stop riding. Don’t think that you have to pick a side or ride old school or new school. There shouldn’t be any pressure towards a new rider to ride one-way or the other. There shouldn’t be teasing over riding with or without brakes. A new rider can ride however they want… but to push them to follow a trend.. Like brakeless is bad… they will loose passion for it because the amount of tricks will go down and the tricks will be harder for them to learn brakeless first. I am all about riding whichever way feels right… but learning building blocks usually with brakes will let a new rider learn quicker and will keep them in flatland. Rather than pressured to do advanced tricks that are so hard and frustrating already and then minus the building blocks will only turn them away. Every rider has a style and a goal… don’t push each other to ride a certain way or to follow a certain trend. If they want to learn an advanced trick before they know the building blocks go for it…but we need to motivate each other in positive ways that can help our riding rather than limit it.
* Respect is what keeps a sport alive.
Talking badly about other riders, other techniques, judging and styles is what kills flatland. Opinions are good to have, IF you can voice them diplomatically and without putting someone down. If a forum is up and all people see is bad mouth about styles, judging, riders, contest floors, media and so on…Why would any sponsor, venue, park, contest coordinator or big contest want to include us. The first thing they assume will happen is that the flatlanders are going to put them down, damage their reputation or make them feel horrible when they worked their ass off and spent a lot of money to try and help out the sport. We need to recognize that whenever we complain about something put together for us, there are serious consequences. And of course no one will EVER be happy with how judging goes down but you have to try and view it from all sides. As hard as that is. And even if you still don’t understand or agree is there a reason to go on and on for a month or more? Not only are you preventing sponsors to want to provide for the next contest, you are in a way disrespecting riders who have no control over the judging. It also may make other riders not compete the following year because they don’t want to be talked badly about if someone doesn’t agree with their placing. You should really just look at all of the contest and remember how great it was to ride, or to jam with other riders. Look at the BIG picture! That is what really matters. Remember no matter which way a contest is judged that there is always going to be someone unhappy about it. Get over it.
* Live feed should be prohibited because it prompts more riders to come and support the contest. Live feed only ignites bad talking on forums. These people don’t get the feel of all of the riders together. Also this shows supporters (non-riders) that flatland is a family and we came to support fellow riders. This will probably also stop the flood of bad mouthing by people that weren’t even there. Show sponsors for contests, the coordinators and the venue that we really do appreciate it and their efforts. Which in turn will get us more contest, which means the sport, will grow larger and more appreciated. We need to always show the coordinator respect. They have taken time out of their life, spent months of planning and money on us. So no matter what happens at a contest we need to show that person we are grateful.
* Respect other riders.
Respecting other riders, helping and encouraging others rather than putting each other down or talking smack is what builds momentum for flatland. Sadly, I’m noticing more and more that respect and tactfulness have been lost. If you don’t like another rider why is it that you have to belittle them, why not just leave it be. Most of the time people talk down about other people to see if others will respond because in a sad way it makes them feel better about themselves. In the nicest way…. Grow up. I don’t ride for approval, but for the love of flatland. It is a small community and supporting and encouraging will let it grow. New riders don’t want to be afraid of getting talked down to, or to ask questions. So we should show to ourselves and others that the passion we have can be transferred and that will welcome new rider, more contests and more jams.
* Global Flat needs to be monitored.
This is a big problem. I’m sorry but talking shit and ungrateful comments should be taken down. We are adults and should know how to talk about things, and if you don’t have a good thing to say don’t say anything. If there is rumor talk or hatefulness it should be removed. Realize that all the negativity is de motivating. It helps nothing and kills the sport. I know some wont agree but it is fact. On numerous occasions riders, without me saying anything, talk about how depressing global flat is to read and how they don‘t want to ride after reading the negative comments. I already know your response… “Don’t read it then”. Well that is just bullshit to be frank. Global is for flat riders so we shouldn’t have to “not read it“. Just remember everything has a consequence. Negativity is diminishing this sport. Why would someone want to be involved in a bad mouthing sort. They want to see the passion and positive feedback. Let’s face it, Global is in need of serious monitoring.
I hope that you all have actually read this without bias and understand what I am pointing out. We started riding for fun and then love. We need to remember this and motivate each other, teach others and keep flatland alive. We need to respect flatland and each other. If we were to bring other riders up and not bad mouth, think of were flatland would be and what level it would take us.
Thanks for reading.
Flatland eats itself.
I have been observing a downward spiral that a lot of people aren’t seeing. People everywhere that ride flat aren’t recognizing what is happening and are definitely not looking at the big picture. I hope that me writing this at least has one person take a step back and realize the big problems. Yes I have left my name out, because I do not want to be attacked for the things I have to say.
* Old School Flat riders are what killed flatland.
The lack of respect in this statement alone is astounding. On numerous sites conversations are happening saying old school riders didn’t progress enough and that they killed the sport. I wonder how anyone could be so blind. Look at Kevin Jones or Chase Gouin. If you say they haven’t progressed flatland then you are off your rocker. How do you think every trick came to be? Old school riders invented them. Those “New School” tricks where done a decade or more ago… they have just advanced into a new stage. Yes they have been altered, put in different links, scuffed and pumped beyond belief, but think about who first discovered that trick. If you think old school tricks and riders didn’t progress think again. It’s similar to this… We started having light with a flame, and then Ben Franklin invented the light bulb. Which we have now taken and “progressed” it to a light bulb that can last for years on barely any electricity. Just like flatland. We went from one whiplash to Chase thinking up unimaginable ways of whiplashing. From singular tricks, to scuffing and pumping, slow to super fast speeds, links made up of 10 tricks. Old school invented new school. It is Progression! One day our new school will be old school and a new generation of flatland will appear. All riders are inventing new ways to link and new ways to progress. Stop putting down old school riders. Without them, you wouldn’t have 90% of your tricks.
* Old School vs. New School has got to stop.
If you want a sport to keep moving forward you all need to come together and stop comparing, asking each other to change and trying to force beliefs on each other. To be honest it would move the whole sport forward if there were not any categories. Look at a sport like Football. They look up to the players that started the sport, applaud the men that walked that field before them. We should be doing the same. No old vs. new, no categories, just flatland! We ride how we want to because it is FREESTYLE! Let one another have passion for the way they ride and have respect for it!
*New riders seem to believe they have to learn to ride “new” school.
Think about what that means. That you are riding the way someone makes you feel you should ride. Stop. Just ride how you want and progress towards your OWN goals, no one else’s. If you aren’t enjoying what you are learning and aren’t riding how your heart desires then you will stop progressing and / or stop riding. Don’t think that you have to pick a side or ride old school or new school. There shouldn’t be any pressure towards a new rider to ride one-way or the other. There shouldn’t be teasing over riding with or without brakes. A new rider can ride however they want… but to push them to follow a trend.. Like brakeless is bad… they will loose passion for it because the amount of tricks will go down and the tricks will be harder for them to learn brakeless first. I am all about riding whichever way feels right… but learning building blocks usually with brakes will let a new rider learn quicker and will keep them in flatland. Rather than pressured to do advanced tricks that are so hard and frustrating already and then minus the building blocks will only turn them away. Every rider has a style and a goal… don’t push each other to ride a certain way or to follow a certain trend. If they want to learn an advanced trick before they know the building blocks go for it…but we need to motivate each other in positive ways that can help our riding rather than limit it.
* Respect is what keeps a sport alive.
Talking badly about other riders, other techniques, judging and styles is what kills flatland. Opinions are good to have, IF you can voice them diplomatically and without putting someone down. If a forum is up and all people see is bad mouth about styles, judging, riders, contest floors, media and so on…Why would any sponsor, venue, park, contest coordinator or big contest want to include us. The first thing they assume will happen is that the flatlanders are going to put them down, damage their reputation or make them feel horrible when they worked their ass off and spent a lot of money to try and help out the sport. We need to recognize that whenever we complain about something put together for us, there are serious consequences. And of course no one will EVER be happy with how judging goes down but you have to try and view it from all sides. As hard as that is. And even if you still don’t understand or agree is there a reason to go on and on for a month or more? Not only are you preventing sponsors to want to provide for the next contest, you are in a way disrespecting riders who have no control over the judging. It also may make other riders not compete the following year because they don’t want to be talked badly about if someone doesn’t agree with their placing. You should really just look at all of the contest and remember how great it was to ride, or to jam with other riders. Look at the BIG picture! That is what really matters. Remember no matter which way a contest is judged that there is always going to be someone unhappy about it. Get over it.
* Live feed should be prohibited because it prompts more riders to come and support the contest. Live feed only ignites bad talking on forums. These people don’t get the feel of all of the riders together. Also this shows supporters (non-riders) that flatland is a family and we came to support fellow riders. This will probably also stop the flood of bad mouthing by people that weren’t even there. Show sponsors for contests, the coordinators and the venue that we really do appreciate it and their efforts. Which in turn will get us more contest, which means the sport, will grow larger and more appreciated. We need to always show the coordinator respect. They have taken time out of their life, spent months of planning and money on us. So no matter what happens at a contest we need to show that person we are grateful.
* Respect other riders.
Respecting other riders, helping and encouraging others rather than putting each other down or talking smack is what builds momentum for flatland. Sadly, I’m noticing more and more that respect and tactfulness have been lost. If you don’t like another rider why is it that you have to belittle them, why not just leave it be. Most of the time people talk down about other people to see if others will respond because in a sad way it makes them feel better about themselves. In the nicest way…. Grow up. I don’t ride for approval, but for the love of flatland. It is a small community and supporting and encouraging will let it grow. New riders don’t want to be afraid of getting talked down to, or to ask questions. So we should show to ourselves and others that the passion we have can be transferred and that will welcome new rider, more contests and more jams.
* Global Flat needs to be monitored.
This is a big problem. I’m sorry but talking shit and ungrateful comments should be taken down. We are adults and should know how to talk about things, and if you don’t have a good thing to say don’t say anything. If there is rumor talk or hatefulness it should be removed. Realize that all the negativity is de motivating. It helps nothing and kills the sport. I know some wont agree but it is fact. On numerous occasions riders, without me saying anything, talk about how depressing global flat is to read and how they don‘t want to ride after reading the negative comments. I already know your response… “Don’t read it then”. Well that is just bullshit to be frank. Global is for flat riders so we shouldn’t have to “not read it“. Just remember everything has a consequence. Negativity is diminishing this sport. Why would someone want to be involved in a bad mouthing sort. They want to see the passion and positive feedback. Let’s face it, Global is in need of serious monitoring.
I hope that you all have actually read this without bias and understand what I am pointing out. We started riding for fun and then love. We need to remember this and motivate each other, teach others and keep flatland alive. We need to respect flatland and each other. If we were to bring other riders up and not bad mouth, think of were flatland would be and what level it would take us.
Thanks for reading.
Jim McKay interview on bmxfreestyler
Nice interview and video clip of Jim McKay, winner of intermediate class at jomopro.
http://www.bmxfreestyler.com/2010/04/jim-mckay-1st-place-intermediate-class.html
http://www.bmxfreestyler.com/2010/04/jim-mckay-1st-place-intermediate-class.html
FÄDD-Thore Saggau edit
Nice and chilled, loving the tune, Souls of Mischief, taking me back!!!
FÄDD-Thore Saggau edit. from fädd on Vimeo.
FÄDD-Thore Saggau edit. from fädd on Vimeo.
Terry Adams busting out at the Smart bar!
Thanks to Terry for sending this in, tight lil edit!
Terry Adams riding at Smartbar! from Buck on Vimeo.
Terry Adams riding at Smartbar! from Buck on Vimeo.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Effraim Catlow Flatmatters exclusive!!
Alright here's the first FM exclusive from yours truly, a lot of people have been asking for more footage of me, so I'm going to publish my progression as and when, I had to re-film again this morning, as the previous attempt came out at 90 degrees, so this is fresh from this morning session! The sun is shining, I'm stoked! enjoy!
Stephan Hearn clip from Create
Stephan Hearn had the banger section on the classic Create dvd, enjoy this clip!
Short clip of Stephen Hearn from Ganji BMX on Vimeo.
Short clip of Stephen Hearn from Ganji BMX on Vimeo.
Greece in the house, Michalis Giannoulos
heers to Bobby D for sending this in!
greece flatland,michalis giannoulos from mike giannoulos on Vimeo.
greece flatland,michalis giannoulos from mike giannoulos on Vimeo.
Travis Collier bikecheck on Transworld...
http://bmx.transworld.net/1000097808/features/travis-collier-bike-check
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Jomopro story by Effraim
Just got back from the Jomopro contest last week, what a awesome time!! My trip started out on the Tuesday before the contest, when I flew out to Tulsa International airport via Chicago. Bobby Downing kindly picked me up, Ucchie was there fast asleep in the baggage reclaim area as I arrived. We took the two hour trip to Joplin, Missouri, on the way the cops pulled us over for a routine check, which was an experience. Think they quite surprised to hear my English accent haha.
The Bridge is the skatepark where the Jomopro contest is held, the place looks like a cinema or something from the outside, it was super close to all hotels, this gave a real community feel to the event. Everything was basically on one strip of road. All the locals were rad as hell, and the park is epic. Run with Volunteers, Jeremiah the owner does a great job holding this together, one of the best parks I’ve ever seen! I still can’t believe its in Joplin, middle of nowhere!
Myself and Ucchie were the first riders there, the first day, Wednesday, we rode in between the ramps and had an awesome session, even a lil decade contest, which Ucchie lost haha. All good fun! There was a banquet in the foundry where the flatland contest would be held so we had to wait till Thursday to ride there, but it was all good.
Part of the best thing about travelling is meeting new people, getting to know them better. Ucchie was my room mate all week, whether it was his crazy Japanese i-chats with flatlanders at 4am, the awesome riding sessions we had, or watching him do his warm up workouts with the bad thing guys later in the week was funny, Ucchie was fun to hang out with….
A lot of riders started showing up late Thursday, I spent Thursday from 1pm getting used to the floor with Ucchie, the skatepark staff along with Pat Schoolen regularly cleaned the floor the whole entire weekend, which was awesome! Thursday night I had session with Bryan Huffman, Issiah Jordan, and some intermediate riders, did a spot of filming with Rad Dad, and then called it a day.
Friday was the start of the contest, first up were the intermediates, flatmatters contributer Joe Miller took care of the Mic duties and of course has taken care of the intermediates, expert and veteran write up.
Pro qualifiers took place Saturday evening, so there was plenty of practise time for all the riders, 15 riders in attendance, as everyone is well aware this contest had some added spice with the return of Trevor Meyer, everyone was psyched to see him ride at a contest again. His first in seven years! I could write forever, so I’ll just keep to the finals.
The atmosphere at this contest was great with Catfish on the Mic, things went off!, All the riders supported each other in the pits, like I said this was new for me, I’m not really a battle rider, but I enjoyed this! Part of what I like about jomopro, is that flatland is with the rest of bmx, flatland was the last event of the weekend! Thus all the park riders were watching, which you don’t normally see, Dennis McCoy was in attendance even!
One of the standouts of the whole contest was the riding of Jean William “Dub” Prevost, his riding has a real feel of authority and power, multiple carving xft jugglers to two footed xft steam pivot halfpacker whip to halfpacker, crazy back wheel combos, like 360 bike varials out of forward g rolls, back into long combos, the man is definitely on the come up, if not already there, and took Viki all the way first round, one of the closet battles. Viki the man of many recent edits, and in possession of a huge trick bag, used his experience well against Dub, I believe it fell down to the last combo “last trick”, where Dub fell right away, Viki boshed out a massive combo, taking him through to the next round.
The next battle was between veteran Alex Jumelin, and Mr Smooth, Dane Beardsley, a great contrast in riding styles and a hard one to judge, Alex is very quick around the bike, Dane kind of floats, beautiful to watch if you pay attention. Alex concentrated his moves on the front, lot of peg boomerang variations, turbine xft karl kruzers, Dane was mixed front and back wheel, long combos, lot of one kick switches (check the videos), many have disagreed with this judgement, Alex advanced to meet Matthias…
The next battle was a complete contrast in styles, the pegless Chad Johnston vs the human tornado, Matt Wilhelm, there’s something great about flat when you see two such contrasting styles such as this, brought a wry smile to my face. Chad’s riding is awesome, rollback 180 to one footed carving manual to pedal megaspin, pedal 5 turbine kick back pedal 5, rope a roni on pedal to pedal straddle walkover footjam overtaker out, Chad just missed this in the contest.Matt in practise was a monster, no other words, everything first go pretty much, dropping all his new tricks in the contest for the first time, bike flip to upside down megaspin back to spinning death truck, fire hydrant to no handed spinning foot on bar cliff jump to spinning crackpacker, Matt went through to the next round. Definitely one of the heavy hitters.
The next battle was myself vs. Ucchie, this was my first major battle at a big contest, nervous yes, scared of getting arse kicked, yes! I decided I was on a win win situation, hit my back wheel combo, which I was stoked on, I made to many silly mistakes to advance, but learnt a lot during this battle with the No 2 in the World. Maybe I should believe in myself a lil more as only lost three decisions to two, Ucchie had a few touches also, close battle….
Next round was battle of as Catfish called it the battle of “master” and “sensei”, Alex Jumelin vs. Matthias Dandois, Alex rode well in this battle lacing together a nice no handed xft karl foot on the back peg to inside steam to no handed one footed spinning fork wheelie with his foot on bar, but nothing was stopping Matthias, he seems to thrive on the crowd, and the rock n’roll music, his variety of long front wheel combos and back wheel combos was too much for his master, and the sensei went through to the last four.
The next battle was a biggie, Matt Wilhelm vs. Terry Adams, two contest machines go head to head, and who would fall? Neither!!! Both rode almost flawless as I recall, Terry somehow saving his opening 360 karl flip to xft flip with a few scuffs, mad control! Inside karl 360 pivot to right hand halfpacker pivot to xft hitch combo, the signature Katrina, all this wasn’t enough to pass Matt Wilhelm, in the pits he asked me, what do I do? “all your hard shit, no fucking around”, wow!! Matt went off and blew the house down in this battle, flip to upside down flip back to spinning death truck! Flip to forward rope turbines jump to xft upside down turbines back to no handed pedalling upside down mega spins to no handed Wilhelm spin body varial out. Banging!!!! Matt is so good! The fastest Miyaki spin I think I’ve ever seen him do, lot of variety in Matt’s combos, although I have to say his back wheel level was so high!!!, this level of riding took him rightfully through to the next stage. Terry was out and watching with us.
I had Viki down before the contest as one of the top three, rocking his new frame being made direct from quamen, he met his match in Shintaro, who is coming of age as a contest rider. Viki mixed things up well with nice back wheel pivots, spinning death trucks, hang five no handed jump to steam. Shintaro is like a ninja on his bike, quiet, reserved but deadly combos! His walkaround messiahs with out hands on bars were one of the highlights of the contest! Good to see Shintaro get what he deserves in the contests.
The next battle was huge and will be one of the most talked about battles ever, Ucchie vs Trevor. The argument from the judges was that Ucchie’s variety was low, and the riding level was so close that that alone swayed the decision towards Trevor. I have to admit I was blown away by that decision, that is to take nothing away from Trevor, Trevor rode awesome, but Ucchie was on fire! This made me think, how can we improve this judging system? Ucchie doesn’t scuff, thus there is very little room for error or break in his riding, he also does a lot of pivots, bar spins, rolling, turbines, pedal spins (forward and backwards) backwards spinning, which adds variety in my eyes, Trevor scuffed a lot, thus much easier to control on the slippery floor. Ucchies originality was higher than Trevor’s. How can this be reflected more, I think the answer is to go back to judges being responsible for just one category, having judged myself, when it’s a tight decision minor details need to be taken into account, for me the length of links for example which also added to Ucchie’s variety, there were so many subtle things going on... What I do respect is that the judges they had a system and beliefs and stuck to it, in hindsight, of course the flaw was that riders were not aware of the judging criteria. Essentially Ucchie could have done one front wheel trick and advanced…this debate will run and run. And I was sad to see Ucchie’s face, the picture below says it all. A lot of the crowd at this point left. Trevor advanced, the atmosphere changed, and perhaps flatland changed forever right here, pivotal point perhaps?(more on this debate to follow soon in separate post).
Matthias vs. Shintaro was up next, two of the biggest names in flatland right now, Shintaro busted out, so consistent, effortlessly linking no hand messiah walkarounds to spinning circle to halfpacker inside steam pivot to steams for example, but nothing was stopping Matthias, who worked both wheels flawlessly with a look in his eyes like he was going to kill someone after the Ucchie decision.
After some crazy battles, so battles don’t go off as you’d think, riders tired, nerves, whatever it is, it happens, and I think this applied with The Wilhelm vs. Trevor battle. Matt was going all out, the upside down flip to spinning death trick is epic, sadly Matt crashed a few times, Trevor rode a lot calmer, almost holding back, but so dialled!! Gadget whip to One foot on bar pumping cliff ala’ Jumelin. Trevor went through the final! Matt to battle Shintaro for 3rd place finish.
Matt was noticeably exhausted and pretty beat up (swollen elbow) from a few harsh crashes, I’m stoked that Matt pushed himself at this contest, he definitely raised the bar, just wasn’t his day. Shintaro as ever rode so consistent during the 3rd place battle and won.
The atmosphere you could cut with a knife, Matthias had the look of a mass murderer, never seen him look like this ever, normally lil show boating, nothing, head down, focussed, eye of the tiger. And once again rode flawless, mixing up his runs nicely, adding his pumping spinning karl kruzer on the bar almost as an answer to trevors cliff spin, Trevor looked unfazed by anything Matthias threw at him, many would have crumbled under Matthias heavy barrage of flawless combos, it was great to have Trevor back on the contest scene, I hope after all the fallout from the Ucchie battle this wasn’t the last we see of him. Matthias ended the contest with a half cab whopper to peg wheelie double bar mega spin out, the evil eyed Frenchman was on fire and deserved the win! Catfish was going off, his announcing certainly added to a crazy good contest!
It was a fitting end to one of the best weekends I’ve ever had on 26 years flatland riding, the crowd were into it, the riders stoked, much respect to Jeremiah and all his staff, Pat + Katie Schoolen & Paul Couvey for all their hard work making this happen. Bobby D for driving me around, flatmatters!!!
Contest of the year??
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