PROJECTILE COMMENTING

2010-08-30T21:24:00.001-04:00

I guess I need to re-iterate, it's been fun, bro.

The Last Night in Town...

2010-08-29T22:57:00.008-04:00

Beautiful Sean Newton photos of the Etnies shoe colorway I designed. This shoe never made it to production but for it to make it to the sample stage is unreal to me. The Etnies Cobras Local 77 tee shirt made it into the line and I can't tell you how weird it is to see skateboarding super star Ryan Sheckler wearing it on TV. A long way from where the spirit of the Cobras Local 77 (no Etnies attached) all started, that's for sure. I wonder if Chris Yankee knows who Ryan Sheckler is?

Another Sean Newton pic, from a couple weeks ago. Me at Birdland. Me, me, me, my, my, my, oh me, oh my. This blog has always been self-serving. I take some heat for that but make no excuses. I remember someone referring to my "blog" and I had no idea what they were talking about. A "blog" is like an online diary. A ridiculous notion. Who fucking cares? If I go back to old blog posts, some of them are brutally long and bogged down with every last detail about every last thing that may or may not have mattered. At that time I was promoting Deliverance Clothing, a tee shirt and accessory brand I was trying to make work. It was fun to come up with designs and make them real. Eventually I changed the name to the Deliverance Project as the the "Clothing" part of the deal was more of a burden than an asset. With the exception of a few high points where I sold a shitload of mesh hats to Dans Comp, Deliverance lost money from day one. Things were different back then. I made a lot more money in my real job, didn't have any kids, less responsibilities, different priorities... Times got tougher, right along with a family forming before my eyes. The best of times in the worst of times. I couldn't gamble hundreds of dollars on poorly executed shirt graphics any more. I still have dozens of 77/Butterfly hooded sweatshirts--hundreds of dollars just sitting in boxes, going nowhere. It was a good run, no regrets. I've kept the blog going to document BMX as I see it, I suppose. Mostly I see the trails in my backyard as I ride them by myself. Birdland, as I named said trails, provides absolute joy in my life and sometimes an escape from reality. Most of the time, Birdland is an enhancement of reality. I ride out there almost every single day that I am home, weather permitting. Usually it's for about 20 minutes but that is enough. It's just me, so as soon as I catch my breath, I'm in for another run. Birdland has been running great lately, I might add, but it's not much to write about. I don't really do any tricks, besides an occasional tire grab or something of a similarly intermediate level. Tricks are so not important to me anymore. I guess I contradict myself because at the skatepark all I want to do are technical little jib tricks, but at the jumps, flowing through is all I got and all I really want.

Anyway, getting off subject. This blog has been fun. It's been a good run. Not sure what the purpose is anymore though. As of August 16, I am officially 100% involved in BMX again and I couldn't be happier. Where ever we are in life, we are no more than the accumulation of our experiences. In the time since Deliverance started in 2002, I've experienced so much that I can barely get my mind around it. To a point, I'm sure that documenting a lot of those experiences here has led me to where I am now and for that, I am truly grateful. Deliverance was never more than an idea. The idea that I could do things my own way and on my own terms. It was my gig and however weird or wacky it became, it stayed the course of my vision. I saw it through and I think now is a good time to shut it down. Whether this is your first time reading this or you've been here for the whole ride, thanks. I appreciate it. It's been fun, bro.

The wheels are off.

2010-08-22T23:01:00.001-04:00

Not sure if it's just a happy coincidence or the stars aligning for a full-on BMX experience, but Noah's first trip on just two wheels, following a week of neck-deep BMX business for me is pretty friggin' awesome.

Happy Bird(land)day

2010-08-19T00:09:00.002-04:00

to Jared Ball. this pic taken a week and a half ago when he was still young. Sean Newton photography.

Not gonna listen to a word you say...

2010-08-10T21:32:00.006-04:00

Jeremy Ball

Old dudes

Jared Ball

Brian Block

Birdland digital crunch by Sean Newton. Just to Get Away by Poison Idea.

Styley went sketchy

2010-08-09T10:39:00.002-04:00

At a glance, this looks like a nice, styley jump, but Dave Rino's left hand is dictating otherwise. He managed to not get too badly worked, but holy crap, this photo is just insane. Sean Newton on the shutter.

How could I not?

2010-08-05T23:36:00.004-04:00

Rode Birdville with Turbo Todd Britton today. That's him up there. I couldn't tell you the last time I rode the jumps during the day and it was windy and kinda sketchy. I'll take windy and sketchy over not riding anytime though. I would expect Todd or any real friend of mine to post a photo like this of me if they took it.
How could I not?

Nam Flashbacks

2010-08-04T22:06:00.003-04:00

Trying to dial some lips after the sun had dipped brought on flashbacks from Nam. I have never, ever experienced mosquitoes in such a quantity and with such an aggressive attack. Ears, eyes, arms, mouth (breathed in several just inhaling). Absolutely insane.

still here

2010-08-02T23:21:00.006-04:00

July 15 was the last time I posted on this here piece. A lot has happened in that time. Some bad and some F-ing awesomeness that I can't get into yet. My laptop shitting the bed was one bad thing. A decent analogy might be this: Let's say I'm a cab driver and I blow the engine in my cab. While my cab is being fixed, the only vehicle I have to use to do my job is a 1994 Honda Spree. That's pretty close to what it has been like. In the meantime, I've been trying to hold it down and fighting man-eating weeds at Birdland. I've left a couple to grow, just for sake of perspective. Friggin' shade trees!
I can still do this,

so I'm stoked.

Captain Shitty

2010-07-15T09:54:00.003-04:00

Captain Clancy Baker a.k.a. Shitty the Clown on FAT BMX.

Dream Machine

2010-07-10T20:28:00.002-04:00

I love this bike, for real. Got me some new tires which I'm stoked to try out. Fly Bikes Sergio 2.35 in front and Ruben 2.00 in the rear, here in two days from Dans Comp. Thank you very nice.

OM Flying

2010-07-10T11:37:00.002-04:00

The original "Old Man" of BMX, Scot Breithaupt, getting super styley in 1977 when he was already too old to be riding a little bike...

Work and pleasure.

2010-07-02T13:49:00.008-04:00

When I get my new season of work samples, I have a mountain of boxes to dispose of. They are unprinted, white boxes and regular cardboard, so it's a clean burn. Shit was hot! Birdland is running good. Dave Rino did some weedwhacking out there the other day and I'm ever so grateful, here he reaps the fruits of his labor. These pics by his better half, Michelle. Not her fault, the batteries in my big flash were dead...

Cobras Local 77

2010-06-29T21:09:00.002-04:00

Found these both on Solan's Facebook pages. Vintage SF in full moto action and a Cobras graphic I barely remember.

Haro

2010-06-26T19:53:00.003-04:00

I don't like to "borrow" web content, but this very organic Super 8 footage of Bob's Haro and Morales is just too good. Check out the inward slider steez. I got to see Bob Haro ride during this era and it was incredible. He was so stylish and his riding absolutely unique. I am directly influenced by him to this day.

Starbucks guy

2010-06-24T11:50:00.002-04:00

Starbucks drive-through guy: "Are those your kid's names?" Yes. "What is that one?" Uh, a bike wheel. "Did you used to ride?" Yes.

Casualties of war

2010-06-23T21:41:00.005-04:00

The war on weeds, that is.
Hacked into this bird's nest which was deep in these giant weed stalks at Birdland. Luckily, it was unoccupied. Sometimes I daydream about becoming some kind of agricultural engineer. Drainage at Birdland is a huge issue--especially when it rains every day like it has lately.

9:53pm

2010-06-21T22:04:00.002-04:00

that's the time of my last lap around Birdland tonight. I wanted so badly to ride past 10 pm, but good sense over-rode ego for once. Summer is already a blur...

Best sign altering ever...

2010-06-21T20:59:00.002-04:00

Normally I wouldn't run a pic with a swazi on it, but it's twisted in the wrong direction anyway... You see exactly one half of the obstacles that my local skatepark features in this pic. The other is an identical three foot high quarter.

Bombing B avenue

2010-06-21T20:51:00.003-04:00

I grew up on this street and really started skateboarding right here. It's over a half mile to the bottom and you get hauling ass between the Bragington's house and Fat Ben's. You could coast all the way to 12th street back then. I made a poor board choice when I decided to bomb it today (Go Skateboarding Day). Hard wheels were chattering and my feet were numb by the bottom, not to mention I had to push going down hill. Man, back in the old days, it was a hell ride.

Rockford

2010-06-20T21:58:00.002-04:00

If you know how to throw a Rockford in your car, you are bad ass. A gold Firebird is the optimal vehicle for said maneuver.
The Vintage BMX event at the Rockford, Illinois ABA BMX national was a really big deal to me for a few years there. Vanloads of dudes, trailers full of old (and new) bikes, three days out, party time, yeah yeah yeah. I haven't been in a few years but I did make a day of it yesterday. Some cool old bikes and a great presentation by the legendary photographer Windy Osborn at the banquet, but mostly nothing extraordinary. This dude was awesome. He must have shot a thousand photos and his crew was running hot all day. They had some dialed, shiny bikes too. I wanted to talk to them but they didn't really speak English. I wish I could have harnessed some of their enthusiasm. A long ass day and night but a good time. Riding Birdland tonight was a better hour spent anytime though...

so not Gary Young

2010-06-18T00:09:00.003-04:00

in the post below. My apologies to Anthony Napolitan, who is doing a no handed front flip in the pic. He is rad.
Camping trip with the boys this week. Dylan getting it. I rode Birdland Monday night and returned tonight to the most insane weeds ever. Inch-thick stalks and so tall I had to cut them to even ride. Mother-Fer.

More Stomping...

2010-06-14T10:09:00.004-04:00

Gary Young, no-handed flip.

Train it.

There's a video from Ride BMX here, that Brandon Dosch gap whip at the end was insane:

the Silver Fox

2010-06-13T23:38:00.006-04:00

Crazy week of California dreamin', Rhymin' and schemin' and Dirt Jump screaming. My plane landed from LA on Friday night and I left first thing saturday morning for Chicago for the Red Bull Stomping Grounds event. Rain made it rush rush (Fro Ardelean staying dry) but the course was rad and the riding was insane. Here's a quick pic of the Blue Falcon, styling it out over a retired and buried taxi. Watching Brian Foster ride is a sight to behold. I stopped at System Cycle/DK a few weeks ago per the request of my old buddy Jered Raflik. I left with this bike in my van. Yes, it has suspension front and rear. Jered restored and dialed this bike to perfection (I sawed the reflector mount off the rear frame loop and painted that spot, but it's Jered's spec otherwise). Not only is this bike a crazy piece of early BMX history, it's the same brand and nearly identical to my first ever BMX bike, which I got for Christmas, 1976.

fORTY Distro

2010-06-03T11:33:00.001-04:00

40 Distribution is the new distribution company for Deluxe, BSD and Life?. Eric Block is heading it up and this is the first web edit for the company, featuring Kzoo locals and lots of shredding.

Forty Flip episode 1: Chicago Vs. K-Zoo from eric block on Vimeo.

Bravo Big Block!

Lukeback

2010-06-03T10:52:00.001-04:00

Birdland is officially the new home for Bicycle Motocross. The new line is so moto. The White Lotus is not riding it here, he is on the Big 6 and never looking back. Luke quit his job and is moving home. Stickin' moves.

LIFE?

2010-05-26T23:34:00.002-04:00

TBVO is a hero to many. I wish I knew him better. He is an enigma. He said the best thing to my son Noah at the Griz a year and a half ago. He said "Have fun being a kid". That is some good advice right there. This photo of Dan Closser is from a Life? postcard. Makes me want to build weird shit. You can buy a Life? sprocket at Dan's Comp or Albes. Wouldn't be a bad idea. I would run one but my quirky ass is running a 26/9.
PS congrats to Dan on his recent Hawaiian wedding nuptials.

Publish Post

shout out louds

2010-05-26T22:52:00.007-04:00

No one wants to get the text that says "Hey man, big favor, can you help me move a refrigerator on your only day off?" To compound this inquiry, the question really means "Can you help me move one refrigerator out, load it in a truck I don't have, drive it to Detroit, load out another, load this one in, drive back here (2.5 hours each way) then load this one in to my house?" Dave Rino not only graciously agreed, but volunteered his Dad's truck, saving me renting one and making it all that much less a hassle. Dave rarely gets on the line, so I'm not kissing his digital ass, but dude deserves a man hug and major props. The return on the favor? "Will we be able to ride?" An Ann Arbor public trails super sweat half hour on the way out and a slightly less sweltering hour at TRP on the way back. I must give Jason Suchan a shout out too, as TRP is better than ever. New jumps and hips and the box line is big and wide. So fun. I wish I lived closer. Correction, I wish TRP were closer to here. Bike friendly, no questions asked, and bike-specific builds. The stuff in the "skate room" is better than ever too. Support BMXers who support you. And shit. Yeah.
PS The refrigerator we spent the entire day acquiring is approximately .375 inches too wide for its allotted space between two permanent cabinets.

Uncanny

2010-05-25T23:50:00.002-04:00

If you know Jason Burton at all, you will notice immediately the uncanny resemblance this rider has to him, right down to the green shirt and jumping style.

Pillnitztrails spring teaser from 130ll3 BMX on Vimeo.

Where these jumps at J? You holding out?

Movin' on up,.

2010-05-25T23:31:00.002-04:00

It's crazy to look at early photos of Birdland, like this one. The jumps are so small, narrow and half-assed. Not like they are Empire of Dirt sized now, but they have grown significantly. I jumped the new set (which would be in foreground of this pic) tonight. Getting close to "no pedal" status. Still have to get one good crank in off the roll-in but that is it. I haven't posted many pics because I wanted to at least have complete lines running. I finally do but now the weeds are in full effect. The whole thing is quite overwhelming, to be honest. I don't have a lot of time to work out there and when I do, I want to build new jumps or keep the existing ones dialed. I tried to mow some of the weeds today and had a full allergy onslaught. The half hour I got to ride tonight, as the sun was setting, made it all worth it. I can't get enough saddle time. I'm obsessed...

US Weakly

2010-05-24T13:31:00.003-04:00

Etnies tee shirt of non-Etnies design (it's the Cobras Local 77 shirt I did years ago, updated by me with Etnies branding to go with the Cobras shoe) spotted on Ryan Sheckler in Beijing, China, but my good friend Mark Lewman. This is like US Weekly.

Nothing new under the sun

2010-05-24T13:04:00.002-04:00

On Tour...

2010-05-22T12:02:00.009-04:00

The Etnies BMX team rolled through this past week, first at Ollies in Florence, KY and two nights ago at Modern in Royal Oak, MI. I got my camera out in Kentucky, only to realize my battery was plugged into the charger in Michigan. No photos from Kentucky, but Joe Gall remembered his battery and photography skills, so here goes: Brian Stewart lets 'em fly.

Sergio Layos has long been a favorite of mine. It was a pleasure to watch his flowing style in action.
Stewey again, bonking the heater duct. I saw Morgan Wade hit this same duct, mid-flair, with his back wheel. He dropped from the sky, but laughed it off.
Speaking of Morgan, he flew in right before the Modern stop and went right to work. This huge transfer is one of four ridiculous, hauling ass dot-connections he made. Morgan is a beast.

Corey Martinez let loose with a bevy of technical up moves, include this up Smith to bars on the very long and tall ledge. Autograph sesh. The Detroit kids were amped! Tony Hamlin, Aaron "mob scene" Ross, Brian Kachinsky and Jamie Bestwick were all on board as well. Good times and heavy shredding. Now, go buy some Etnies!

Twilight flights

2010-05-17T10:25:00.004-04:00

Last minute session at Birdland last night. These dudes did the Kzoo trails circuit and got here just past sundown. Some incomplete jumps prevented full line usage, but shredding ensued regardless. 40 Distro bossman Eric Block tweaking his Deluxe (plug?). Jonathon Ericsfriend made the most of his 40 minutes and dialed in the "Big 6" to boot.
And of course, any appearance by the White Lotus is marked with ultra-stylish presentation.

holeshot

2010-05-14T11:05:00.003-04:00

There's a lot of great content in the new Holeshot zine, but this spread is my favorite. Beetlejuice and an upgraded version of Gravedigger. A zine is like a blog, but it's printed on actual paper and doesn't disappear when the power goes out. Ironically, you can learn more about this fine printed media at www.holeshotbmx.net

have you ever seen the rain?

2010-05-13T19:11:00.002-04:00

coming down on a sunny day....

Etnies tour stops

2010-05-13T10:02:00.001-04:00

The Etnies BMX team will be coming through our region next week. Tuesday at Ollies in Florence, Kentucky and Thursday at Modern in Royal Oak. Last year the riding was insane! Here's Morgan Wade at Ollies in 09. More details at Etnies.com

southern man

2010-05-11T23:12:00.002-04:00

I did a google search for "Louisville Extreme park" and found this photo. I'm pretty sure this kid was there tonight. A least a kid that was emulating this steez was there. A couple of them. There was also an old guy on a race bike with V brakes cruising around. Wait, that was me. I haven't had a good session at The 'Ville for a long time. It still rules. Lack of posts here equals more time spent with the following: Children, shoes, steering wheels, shovels, handlebars, tools, motorcycle wheels. I've been being about it instead of talking about it. That's a good thing. Maybe coming to terms with my narcissistic tendencies as well?

Danny Magoo Chandler

2010-05-05T23:26:00.006-04:00

Danny "Magoo" Chandler (not to be confused with McGoo of Snafu/Biltwell) was one of my favorite motocross racers as a kid, along with the likes of Bob "Hurricane" Hannah and Marty Smith. Watching the US Grand Prix of Motocross on ABC's Wild World of Sports was a huge inspiration for me and fueled my obsession for BMX and the importance of style. Magoo had wild style and was known for his crazy jumping antics. He was paralyzed in the mid 80s but his legacy and influence have lived on.
He passed away yesterday. God Speed Magoo.

All I know...

2010-05-05T22:34:00.000-04:00

...is that I don't know nothing.
And that's fine.

Numerous shredderings

2010-05-04T20:59:00.003-04:00

A nice video by Jeff Tabb, spanning a few years of riding, mostly in the Detroit area. Lots of F.O.D.s (Friends Of Deliverance, lest ye forget) and appearance by captain fatass toward the very end. Good on ya mate.

Numerous Occasions of BMX Shredding from jeffbmx on Vimeo.

new lid

2010-05-03T00:45:00.001-04:00

I got a new helmet. I've been rocking the same shitty, grimy, dirty old helmets for so long. Besides a couple wacky lids I've acquired through my rep gig (none of which I used more than a couple times), this is the first new helmet I've had in almost ten years. It's Bucky Lasek Pro Model Pro Tec. The plastic is softer so the shell flexes more, which allows it to fit my gigantic melon. The funny part? The last new helmet I bought was also a Bucky Lasek Pro Model (for the same reason).
I had a great session at Birdland last night. I jumped the new set, which is pretty big by my standards, but couldn't pull the trigger on the next set. I think the lip is too steep. It dawned on me as I started stressing about jumping it that it was the five year anniversary of my crash in Dearborn where I landed on my head and shoulder, resulting in a level 5 shoulder separation and mental scaring that was off the charts. I didn't let the harsh memories get into my head too much and rode until it was dark. I can't describe how much satisfaction I get out of riding those jumps. Standing in line at the store to buy a couple beers afterward, dirty (probably more from mowing the lawn earlier) and soaked with sweat, with a big grin on my face. Each person I saw, all I could think was how much they were missing. If they only knew what I had just finished doing. Not that they would be impressed with my riding, just that what I experienced had to be better than anything anyone else did on their Saturday evening. I wouldn't trade it for anything...

how 'bout...

2010-04-27T00:08:00.002-04:00

fuck you

torture

2010-04-27T00:07:00.001-04:00

being at Ollies Skatepark in Kentucky with no bike? torture. I did borrow a couple dudes' machines for some runs, but it ain't the same.

everything new is old again

2010-04-27T00:00:00.003-04:00

the best ideas can be recycled

tools of the trade

2010-04-26T11:53:00.003-04:00

Kim Boyle sent me this. I want one!

Double Ought Eight

2010-04-25T11:18:00.001-04:00

That jump is so tiny! White Lotus, High Life Grand Prix, 200o and Ape.

Are you punk or Nu Wave?

2010-04-25T11:11:00.001-04:00

That was the big question in the early 80s. I guess we know what I was...

Little Steven

2010-04-25T09:36:00.002-04:00

bridget riley bmx from Steven Hamilton on Vimeo.

I'm so intrigued by Steven Hamilton. Seems too crazy to be an act. I am a true fan of his creativity. Check out his blog for more merriment, including DEVO. Disguise Disguise. Someday I'll post the "skate sponsorship" presentation from Steven.

primo berm shot

2010-04-24T21:28:00.000-04:00

I may have posted this before, but it's worth not watching again.

fOUR and Twenty black birds baked into a pie

2010-04-20T19:38:00.002-04:00

Dave Rino, racey-styley over Ol' Number 1.

new shirt?

2010-04-19T13:38:00.002-04:00

bobcats

2010-04-18T20:34:00.003-04:00

A friend of mine had a dude come to his house with a Bobcat to build jumps for his son. I stopped by yesterday to check it out and he has a good start. Big roll-in and some jumps that could be shaped pretty easily. They offered to have the guy come over here and move some dirt for me and I won't lie, it's a tempting offer, but I can't do it. After all of the shovel work over the last three years I feel like it would be breaking principal to bring in machinery. That said, the above line would probably be already done... Dave Rino put in some shovel time today, I dug into darkness last night and it's coming together. We rode the bigger line today too. Yeah, man.

Don't look back

2010-04-16T12:36:00.002-04:00

I guess I need to be more specific. THIS blog is not done, Deliverance is not done, just the lame "Deliverance Clothing" website that has been costing me hundreds of dollars over the years and for the last few, only pointing folks to this here blog. Deliverance Project forever. Don't look back...

for real this time

2010-04-15T14:00:00.004-04:00

www.deliveranceclothing.com is dead, for real this time. Hope you can find your way here without it.

smokin' lips

2010-04-13T21:23:00.002-04:00

Throwing elbows

2010-04-13T11:06:00.003-04:00

Sean Newton has been expanding his photographic prowess to more natural happenings. This amazing moment in time reminds of both the first straight on a BMX track and observations at Birdland. The jumps are coming along, riding is good (except for a double-pedal blower that left me with a seat to the guts on Sunday) and I still heart BMX.
Krafty Bike Distro has a new site. Deluxe and BSD frames are under just about every rider around here right now.

progress

2010-04-08T12:14:00.002-04:00

I made a ton of progress on Birdland V.4 yesterday. It started pouring rain not long after I started digging but it kept the gnats away and was actually quite pleasant. I'm looking forward to these six jumps being four. Wait, there were seven jumps here? Seven minus two equals kick ass.

don't be something you're not

2010-04-06T20:14:00.003-04:00

I've loved the Deluxe frames since I first saw them. I built up this 21.25 V-brake edition last week and it is amazing. It's long and lean, pulls up easy and handles so well. I've never felt so instantly comfortable on a bike. I was a little sketched on the V brakes but at the jumps, they work better than "U-brakes" anyway. They kinda suck for manuals, but man do they stop. This feels like a race bike, but is much more nimble and easy riding. I frickin' love it. I don't feel like I've been kidding myself by riding more "modern" bikes, but this thing is all me.
I also received the Deluxe video yesterday. It was so nice to sit down on the couch and watch an actual DVD on the TV. Trails are what it is...

Welcome To Deluxe: Trailer from Deluxe Bmx on Vimeo.

religion

2010-04-04T12:13:00.004-04:00

After a rough and busy week, I was happy to have a little time before sunset last night to dig at Birdland. I was chopping away at a jump, still pretty wound up from the week, maybe cursing the world a little bit, but truly exorcising demons with each shovelful. I heard some geese, comin' in hot, right overhead and paused to watch them. They were low and loud, honking and flying fast. They were so low I could hear each flap of their mighty wings as they passed over. I stood, leaning on my shovel, pondering their majestic flight as they faded into southern twilight. I then realized I was surrounded by birds. In the top of trees, blending into the pines and fluttering about all around me. The sounds and songs of Birdland. Dare I pronounce, on this holy day, it was a damn-near religious experience...

Turbo Harry Leary

2010-03-30T23:33:00.001-04:00

I try not to poach too much content from the web, but this is amazing...

Darin Read Diamondback Web Teaser from brennen britton on Vimeo.

The Lotus

2010-03-30T00:40:00.002-04:00

White Lotus at Arcadia. Dude flows with a shovel like he does on the jumps. Get wit it.

Trails time.

2010-03-28T20:11:00.005-04:00

A hike in the woods took the boys and I to the Arcadia trails yesterday.
White Lotus with an NFCC.

Jeremy Ball is the subject of this crappy photo with a very un-crappy table. Noah ignoring the Lotus' flowing run.

trail boss Chris Ballard and Griz boss UP Mike. Trail dad. Much thanks to the Lotus machine for doing most of the addition today. I finished it up and took a few runs. It rules.

swallowing tough pills

2010-03-28T11:39:00.005-04:00

Reality bites.
Going...
Going...

Gone.

Davey Coop

2010-03-22T23:42:00.002-04:00

west bound and down, loaded up and truckin' Somewhere in Tejas.

my desktop

2010-03-20T22:46:00.000-04:00

if you know who this is, I don't need to explain. If you don't know, it wouldn't matter anyway...

It's alive...

2010-03-20T22:26:00.001-04:00

...or so I'm told. Took this from the Sidewall Distro site. Apparently in stock?

dialin'

2010-03-19T22:55:00.000-04:00

"this is the best thing ever for packing"--Lotus White
The new jumps are great.

ill communication

2010-03-18T20:43:00.002-04:00

the White Lotus is very difficult to get a hold of via telephone, so I am leaving this note under his windshield wiper. I hit the new jumps at Birdland today, right after he left. Common sense would tell me to hit the new jumps for the first time while the paramedic was still on hand, but it doesn't always work out that way. I think we're going to be back to pedal-less pumping.
Also, a little bird tells me that the SNAFU VST stems have landed...

Block pass

2010-03-18T10:50:00.003-04:00

I found this on Ted Van Orman's always awesome blog, but I don't feel too bad about stealing it

new jumps

2010-03-17T20:27:00.002-04:00

The White Lotus has been hard at work. I haven't done much. My back is whack, Jack.

groundcover

2010-03-16T23:56:00.001-04:00

filmed by the White Lotus less than two weeks ago. I think he hit the first couple (new) jumps at Birdland today. Tell tale tracks.

Out in California, they're changing the world*

2010-03-15T21:41:00.005-04:00

Davey Cooperwasser, pitstop on the road to California. Good friend, good dude.
*Jim Morrison

the new guy

2010-03-15T20:19:00.000-04:00

secret 77

2010-03-14T13:45:00.007-04:00

Team KBD

Jeremy Ball tapping the Glen Seals tribute wall at height.
See that pipe right above Brian Block's helmet? He hit that pipe on this air and ate shit.
Yanky my cranky. After a couple of days of digging at Birdland and a semi-structured weight/excercise routine of late, my back felt better than it has in weeks. Sean Newton photo, natch (I took all the others).

Racer technique over the roller. B. Block with second straight pull.
Street Kyle with a Krafty-style tooth pick.

wasssup haters

2010-03-14T13:05:00.003-04:00

Ever in the hot-seat amongst the minions of courageous keyboard commandos (sitting in the bedrooms of their parents' houses), SNAFU has some sweet new gear 'bout ta drop. Pictured here is sample version three of the VST stem, designed by yours truly. I'll be excited to see this in real life. SNAFU also has new "urban" bikes that look fun to ride. To anyone who thinks expanding into different markets is "selling out", who can blame them for venturing from the extremely fickle trend-sheep of BMX and into other progressive aspects of the bicycle world? At least they ain't making fixies.

burying the snow

2010-03-12T00:43:00.003-05:00

It's on like Krylon. Yes, there is snow in the berm. I buried some snow with dirt during my official 2010 groundbreaking today. It was raining, but the dirt was mostly thawed and it felt good to be tearing into it.

Get Tuff

2010-03-11T08:08:00.002-05:00

Instead of busting Jeremy's Balls, I'm now flowing him Etnies. The first new Etnies BMX "rep flow" rider in years.
My goal for today is to break ground at Birdland. The frostline is still high, but just scooping dirt will be some good medicine.

The 'ville

2010-03-08T18:00:00.001-05:00

weird timing on this. I'm sure Jason Burton didn't see my post from earlier, but he found his way to the Louisville Extreme Park.

bird's eye view

2010-03-08T11:19:00.004-05:00

Getting there...

2010-03-07T20:08:00.004-05:00

If I could somehow get to the top half of the jump, it's looking pretty good...

sometimes you gotta switch it up. Budweiser always makes my face hot? One from the archives. Solan Foster on a retro-mean machine, captured by Jeff Venekamp. Hit it and get it! The tiny berms and quirkly little jumps of 08 are ancient history.

Friends, Brother and Mates?

2010-03-05T21:09:00.004-05:00

Definitely not spring yet but I pretended it was today. Sweatshirt only and a delicious tofu/veggie swath cooked on the grill. Damn it was good, too.
It was very weird to be building up a non-FBM bike today. I haven't really worked on bicycles much lately and it was refreshing to easily assemble a complete bike in just over an hour. Working on rusty, 35 year old motorcycles doesn't go nearly as effortlessly. The BSD Forever frame fits all my requirements in terms of geometry and is very clean. I've wanted a bike with a built in seatpost clamp since the JMC Darrell Young came out in '84 and I finally got it. I rode it at Kzoo for a bit and it felt great, although the S&M event at Rays would have been a more thorough christening.
Back to the FBM part...I consider myself an FBM Lifer, whether I'm riding an FBM bike or not. Crandall is a good friend of mine (I talk to him more than my parents) and I know he understands what this change is all about. My involvement with Krafty Bike Distribution is a good opportunity to contribute more to BMX. At a glance, it may seem like I'm taking, but I really want to help this project grow organically, adding other core brands to the mix and helping these smaller companies find their way to the shops. The underdogs will rise up!

Skate and create

2010-03-03T09:53:00.003-05:00

One of the greatest, most influential and creative skateboarders of all time, Mark Gonzales. Stolen from the Krooked Chronicles.

the times they are a changin'

2010-03-02T23:13:00.002-05:00

In addition to the long list of other stuff I'm selling, including advertising for DIG BMX magazine (just got the new issue and it is kick ass), I am now a sales representative for upstart BMX Distributor, Krafty Bike Distro. Full story on Fat BMX. Here's my new tattoo...

Jeremy Ball on Deluxe

2010-02-26T21:10:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to Jeremy Ball for not only his new DIG profile, but also for landing a ride with Deluxe. Is that a cockney accent I hear coming in?

Living in the Ice Age

2010-02-26T20:54:00.001-05:00

It's so cliche' to complain about the weather, so I won't, but I need a Fresh Air Cure.

big dogs

2010-02-26T01:06:00.003-05:00

Just when it seemed like I might be off the road for awhile, I'm right back on it. Half way to my destination today, my power steering shit the bed. I called my mechanic the way you might consult a physician "Can I continue on or should I try to come home?" In too deep. Doesn't matter now, PS is BS. Muscle through the parking lots and gas stations. Whatever. If it's the worst thing I deal with this week I can take it. I got to ride The Flow tonight and although my back was not co-operating, at all, it was super fun regardless. The Flow is huge and has endless lines. I only got to ride for a little over an hour, but it was enough for now. All is need is a table here and there or a high speed line. I got both tonight. I have little barrel dog with me and he was getting tough with some real hood Rots behind a fence. These dogs were so bad ass they didn't even bark at him, they just vibed him into submission.

the BMX guy

2010-02-24T23:12:00.003-05:00

I was at my favorite Indian restaurant today and I saw a girl from high school. I stopped and said "hi" and the girl across from her, whom I didn't recognize, asked my name. I told her and she made the rocking-the-handlebars-back-and-forth-pretending to ride a bike thing and said "yeah, you were the BMX guy". I said "I have a BMX bike in my van right now". Girl #1 said "really?" and I said "yes...good seeing you" and walked back to my sacred cow vegetarian plate. Felt like 10th grade again. Not really in a good way. But kind of. I take pride in still being the "BMX guy". Number 22 is yours truly. Plainwell BMX, sophmore year. BMX got you no where with girls back then. Not sure it does now?

Sean Newton on Deluxe

2010-02-22T18:54:00.000-05:00

Great interview with Sean Newton on the Deluxe site.

Best Looking Boys

2010-02-22T00:00:00.004-05:00

I guess this tells you were I'm at. TV time. My old boss, Steve Giberson, interviewing Ryan Villapoto for VitalMX after what had to be one of the best Supercross races in years.

Parked in front of the TV on a Sunday night, watching my favorite BMX video segment of all time, Day 4, Road Fools 3, PA trails with Chris Stauffer, Jeremy Reiss, Kris Bennett, Nate Wessel, etc. "Best Looking Boys" by Promise Ring is the soundtrack. Luv it. Good luck finding Road Fools 3 on DVD. Hint: It's in the bonus section of another video that you don't have.

road life

2010-02-20T21:26:00.002-05:00

A glimpse into the last week of my life. That skatepark is Solutions in Muncie, Indiana. F-in' awesome!

playlist

2010-02-20T14:39:00.002-05:00

I haven't posted the "now playing" line for awhile, so here's a current top 17

just a reminder to myself

2010-02-18T09:57:00.005-05:00

Yeah, I know, posting photos of myself on my own blog is a little self-serving, but winter, along with my insane schedule of late, is wearing me out. These beautifully documented fractions of time, captured by Sean Newton, help to keep me inspired. Sean, thanks for sending these over when you did...

frozen in time

2010-02-05T23:29:00.001-05:00

I took this pic out at Birdland a couple weeks ago. If I could have stayed home long enough for it to get cold and freeze again (before the snow), I think I could have ridden at least parts of it. Unfortunately, I always be hustlin' and therefore was nowhere to be seen.

Big Block

2010-02-02T18:56:00.002-05:00

Good times. Spring 09. Eric Block at Birdland.

Supercross

2010-02-02T15:31:00.004-05:00

This blog supposed to be the BMX site (fUNBRO is for other shit) but Supercross is closely related, in my eyes.
At this weekend's San Francisco Supercross, rookie Ryan Dungey was half way home for his third victory of the year when this happened. He still recovered for fourth, but it was a pretty wild unload. This gift is for Turbo Todd Britton. The number one Excitebike fan ever.

found videos

2010-01-30T22:02:00.003-05:00

Just got back from another work trip (Denver). It went smooth but it's tough to be away from home and the family. I didn't take my laptop and was totally having internet withdrawals. I was checking out everything I could on my Blackjackberry and found this:

It's Dave Rhino on the flaming bridge late this fall. It was never as spectacular as we wanted it to be but this clip is pretty funny.
I also figured out why I keep pocket dialing Solan. Apparently I had assigned his number a Speed Dial location of "P" (no idea how I would have done that accidentally). P is the upper right key on the keyboard and therefore vulnerable to unintentional calls at all times of the day and night. I'm sure he and his family appreciate my discovery.
Not long after walking on the door, I was on LeastMost and ended up stumbling across this via the Metal site. I've posted this before but I still love to see it. I make a couple appearances (manual at 2:55 for one and I think that is me in the still frame you see before you click it) but more importantly it was one of the most fun and exciting BMX days of my life. It was the first "street" contest and everything going down was all new. "Street riding" is as old as the bicycle but a lot of this kind of riding was brand new. Wall rides were new to BMX (Voelker was going insanely high and doing them in both directions), a lot of the tech stuff, even manuals were just being figured out. The one I did in here was literally the third or fourth one I had ever done (not just riding down the sidewalk, but across a platform to the end). McGoo was going apeshit announcing, the music was a mix tape by Mark Lewman and all the heavies were there. Voelker won but the trick of the day was a wall-ride 540 by Craig Campbell, a trick BMX wouldn't see much of again for years. The excitement level was to the moon. It was all new and raw. I've never been to an event like it since... Much respect to Ron Wilkerson for being the renegade pioneer that he was (and still is).

"shitter's full"

2010-01-26T22:00:00.002-05:00

You can surf the net while using the toilet, but it's kind of disgusting. Reading a half-page format zeen is perfectly acceptable, however. Nick Ferreira's latest edition of Holeshot is his best one yet. Long live print!

2010-01-26T20:17:00.003-05:00

A trip down memory lane from Jeff Tabb. Crazy to think how many times I got to ride that park. It's a treat to ride the new Modern now, since it's 2.5 hours away. I got to ride it twice in the last week though, so that's pretty awesome.
Novi Modern Skatepark BMX Life '07-'08 from jeffbmx on Vimeo.

I also rode TRP yesterday for a little bit. The park is the best it has ever been and it was a super fun 40 minutes.

raging rooftops

2010-01-23T12:39:00.002-05:00

One night, mid-90s, after the bar, I somehow ended up riding past this church on my Mountain Bike. "It's a giant quarter pipe!". I don't remember who I was with, but I convinced them to help me climb up. It has a good runway to get speed, so a few cranks up, a few drunken, sloppy moutain bike airs and that was it. The big question to me now is why I was so far from home, drunk in the middle of the night, on a mountain bike...