Brian Tunney, the ESPN BMX blogger, did an article about why pros stop riding professionally and an interview on Anthony Napolitan's growing professional career. Ironic! Both are great though. Check the links below...

Leaving the Pro Lifestyle (Ian Schwartz and Eli Platt references)

Anthony Napolitan on Red Bull (and how Twitter is quicker than the industry heads, heh!)

And here's a shout out to another great blog (actually a magazine) RIDEbmx. This dude is more stoked than I am!!!

from sundaybikes.com:


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Words from Ian Schwartz,

About 6 months ago I reached a point with riding that it
just didn't feel the same as it used to. Although its been a dream come
true and I would never trade any of it, I'm certain it's time for me to
move on.

I was raised on a family farm and enjoyed it as a kid, but lost
interest as I grew older and found other things. Well a couple years
back I started to find enjoyment in the goings on of it again and began
to read and learn about it. I've been able to meet and work with many
area farmers and found an entire world of ideas and opportunities to
explore. My family has allowed me to lease a small 17 acre field on our
farm and I've begun implementing my ideas for responsible, respectful
and productive food growing. I hope to grow (but not too big), either
on our farm or on my own somewhere else in or around my hometown of
Lancaster, Ohio.

I still love riding, and will continue to ride, just not in the same
way as I have for the past 4 or 5 years. I appreciate the kids that
have had nice things to say online and in-person, and I've had an
awesome time with the guys on the team.

Take care,

Ian

This is definitely a sad day for Sunday and BMX.
Although we fully support Ian's decision, it's tough to know that one
of the most creative and unique guys in BMX is moving on to different
challenges. I've always appreciate his take on riding, it's always
been smooth, effortless, creative and it felt good. The thing I always
got from his riding was that a trick looked good from beginning to
end. The whole thing seemed like it looked effortless not just the
trick itself. I've been lucky enough to have ridden with him so much
over the past 5 years. He's definitely been a great influence on my
riding. Ian, you'll be missed here at Sunday and good luck to you!

Jim Cielencki

More news on the Robbie Morales' crew changes. Shawn Garrett, one of the RAS CATS, has officially left Fit and you kinda expect the other cat, Russell Barone, to follow suit as they're both lifelong friends of Robbie. Trey Jones is on the VANS flow team, Robbie's shoe sponsor, after quitting Nike 6.0

The kids' favorite rider IAN SCHWARTZ has an exclusive interview on THE COME UP. Click HERE!

Ben Hittle, aka the best rider in the world, is officially on KINK. Here's a bike check...

Lotek dropped some new shirts, a new website, and a new web video featuring Kurtis Elwell, WOLFMAN, and Dustin Mata aka DIRT.

rideBMX released this cool feature, one I should use, about buying complete bikes. click HERE.

Do not miss this video of Anthony Napolitan, call him Mr. Double Frontflip, and Kevin Robinson doing a MEGA RAMP DEMO in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

First video. Sunday! Bikes put out this video of Ian Schwartz doing what he does best. Impressing people in a casual manner. I love this video because the first time I watched it I did not realize how epic it was because of Ian's face. He looked so calm and cool during the entire clip, I did not realize he was going backwards off an overhead drop... enjoy folks.



Nike 6.0 puts out ANOTHER great web video of the dudes ON A BOAT!!!
No seriously, watch this video for talented art direction, filming, editing, riding, EVERYTHING. This video has got it all... that's what Nike does...

Ian Schwartz discusses the stories behind filming for Sunday! Bikes' new DVD Up, Up, and Away
Ian is a unique that rides a very simplistic bicycle, no brakes no pegs free coaster integrated seat tube near slammed and two big fat tires, that sort of dictates his riding style. Obviously with his free coaster he has opened up an entirely new bag of tricks and lines involving rolling backwards. Without riding pegs, he grinds a lot on his pedals, cranks, axles bolts, or the chain guard surrounding his sprocket. A lot of people have a love him or hate him attitude towards Ian because of his unique riding, but isn't that always the case with someone or something different.

Sunday! Bikes, Jim Cielencki's company, is nearing release of their latest film work Up, Up, and Away!
Watch the video to learn mroe about where the Sunday team and Ian personally went and how the video is coming along...



Sunday! wrote:
"Ian Schwartz is one of the more unique riders in BMX today. And I' (TM)m sure after you see his video part in the upcoming Sunday video Up, Up and Away,
you' (TM)ll agree with me. As a teaser I did a simple interview where he
discusses the trials and tribulations of traveling, filming and making
his upcoming section, this is the first of a two part interview. Look
for interviews with the rest of the team along with other random tid
bits over the course of the next few weeks."

ALSO, check out Ian's new maroon colorway on his bicycle...
http://www.sundaybikes.com/v3/2009/04/27/new-ian-schwartz-color/