Too much going on. Seriously.

Van Homan interview by defgrip... HERE

Davey Watson interview by fuel... HERE

Lotek dropped this overly epic shirt in spirit of Chase's new shoe. I don't care about the shoe much, though I haven't tried it so don't listen to me, but that shirt is win and I want it on me... gallery.

rideUKbmx issue 131 is out... click here for their web feature on it and then pick it up. seriously.

I didn't know Volume had a UK team, but apparently they do (if this edit of them riding is anything to judge by). Also, they are re-releasing the Hellion frame (which I first thought was a joke on Colony's Hell Stallion frame) from when they first started pretty much. Cool. Check gallery for image...



A trails edit from Deluxe's Mark Mulville. Never disappointing. AGH, I have got to move somewhere green...



T-Mobile hosts a lot of contests. In Germany. Or something. FreedomBMX released this video of a recent contest in Germany by T-Mobile with the help of Marcus Wilke. It ain't bad... watch it...



Not sure about the backstory of this video, but it is apparently a demo from this year at Piret... ? It's trails, okay! Watch it!

ARF is a non-profit corporation that supports action sports athletes in times of financial need due to injury. With the impossibility of health insurance and high costs of medical for these athletes, somebody needed to step up and create a more global way of helping these athletes through the most difficult times in their careers.

BallPark (yes, the hotdog company) is willing to donate up to $100,000 to ARF in accordance to views on the video below. See, each view earns a dollar towards the fund. So essentially we all need to watch this video and make sure it gets to 100,000 views (the max) and make sure every dollar gets to the athletes that make us laugh, cringe, and drop our jaws...

So, short and sweet, watch the video, support the fund, and don't let BallPark donate one dollar less than a hundred thousand because they set that limit for a reason!!!

(disclaimer: it only counts if you watch it beginning to end so at least let it run through if you don't want to watch it all... here is some more info from TWbiz HERE)

He does it again. I told you that Ryan Nyquist had a way of knowing exactly what the judges are looking for. He just impresses to the max. Nyquist pretty much let out a banger run that took the lead and could not be topped by any other rider. Though seemingly redundant, his run was a double truck, opposite double truck, truck, and then a 720 truck on the last set.He is the truck driving master. Ryan Nyquist wins Dew Tour Portland.


Dennis Enarson steps up to the task and takes second. Once thought a park and street type rider, Enarson proved that his skills were easily taken to the dirt. He is the whip master. Flip whips, triple whips, nothing TO whip... please, stop the tailwhips!!! Scotty Cranmer takes third and proves himself in a way similar to Dennis as a well-rounded rider. I would almost give Scotty the win with his diversity. Flip whips, no-handed fronties, truck drivers, everything! Brandon Dosch, last event's second placer, takes fourth and Corey Bohan (the qualifying winner) takes fifth...




I told you. But was it ever in question? Sir Jamie Bestwick takes the vert event again. Simon Tabron injured himself in competition, which essentially left the podium up for grabs. Chad Kagy, who wasn't visible much in the last Dew Tour, did what I thought he would and took second place. Steve McCann takes third. Zack Warden takes fourth. And Jimmy Walker takes fifth.

If you haven't seen Bestwick's runs, go see them. Nobody goes higher, harder, faster...



When I gave you a pre-contest blog on this event, I told you to look out for Garrett Reynolds. However, I was just sort of putting him in the race against who I really thought would take it (Dhers or Cranmer). Well, Mr. Reynolds continues his dominance by beating out the Miracle Boy (Dave Mirra) who took second and Daniel Dhers getting third. Mark Webb took fourth and Dennis Enarson took fifth (a good weekend for Enarson no doubt).

This is Reynolds first Dew Tour win, and I think that is because he is competing in park here. There is no street event. But lately we have seen him riding differently and applying more air and even gnarlier combinations that go well with park judges. I don't know what to say about this kid. He's got it. Whatever "IT" is...

This story is just too much for me. I'll try to let the videos do the talking. Mike Aitken is a professional BMX rider who took a really bad crash a few months ago. Apparently, he was riding some jumps without a helmet, doing the tricks he always does and the sets he always hits. But one thing went wrong, and he was in the hospital for many weeks. He was in a coma for a while, came out of it, got on rehab, and now (about 3.5 months after the crash) he has the ability to ride his bike again.

He suffered a laundry list of injuries from blurred vision to being paralyzed on his entire right side pretty much. Mikey fought hard and well, however, and is back on his feet, on his bike, with the help of his loving family, trusted sponsors, friends, and fans all over the world.

Plaese watch these videos of Mike Aitken from his website, sort of outlining the last few months he has gone through...

Dew Tour seems to be the most successful action sports event other than the obvious X Games. The Wendy's Portland stop of the tour is always an exciting one as it is sort of the West Coast stop. We here on the West Coast go bananas over an action sports event, so let's see if these athletes go bananas on their bikes for us.



Let's start with the vert ramp, considering it has an often tyrannical leader by the name of Jamie Bestwick. He has already one the first stop (Nike BMX Open) and left common vert second placer Simon Tabron maintaining his reputation. So Jamie is 10 points ahead of Tabron already but you can't count out riders such as Steven McCann, Kevin Robinson, and Chad Kagy. Some of these riders may be beaten and battered from the mega ramp at the Games and such, leaving Mr. Bestwick with even more advantage. I hate to be boring and typical and right, but Bestwick takes it again... with ease.


On to BMX Park, where the seemingly greedy Dave Mirra took the win from common park podium artist Garrett Reynolds. Dave Mirra is a go big or go home rider with in ability to capture EXACTLY what the judges are looking for. Daniel Dhers had a surprising (ly bad) result in the first event leaving him in 9th on the tour. Maybe with his new trick (the CASH ROLL) he will take this contest and redeem his tour status. Ryan Guettler and Scotty Cranmer (considered a wild card) are also big names to look out for that have been seeing podiums as of late. Remember, Cranmer took the X Games this year in a come back predicted through his riding at the Nike HB BMX Pro. HOWEVER, I still say Daniel Dhers takes it with his well-rounded runs, unless Guettler fires off a perfect run with a double backflip or Cranmer does flip whips on everything in sight...


And now for the most underrated, and my favorite, discipline on the tour... DIRT. Josh Hult opened some eyes at the first event by taking first place over big names such as Nyquist, Bohan, Enarson, Darden, Nasty, Ellis, etc. Also, Brandon Dosch took second, breaking through in the same event. So right now two new riders are sitting 1 and 2 on the tour while the top pros grind their teeth waiting for revenge. Nyquist has been known as the master of impressing judges but as Bob Dylan sings, times they are a changin...

The dirt event is sure to be full of whips. So will Hult and Dosch return to the podium or will big names such as Guettler, Ellis, Nastazio, Nyquist take him out. In my opinion, TJ Ellis is the best dirt rider right now hands down by far no contest, but why is he 8th on the tour? He's better than that! Let's see him prove it...



SCHEDULE

We will find out who takes dirt Friday the 14th, or Saturday if you are lazy...
dirt (4:30-6pm)

On Saturday we will see how Jamie Bestwick wins... :D
vert (7-8:30pm)

Last but in no way least we will see the park winner on Sunday...
park (1-3pm)

I don't know if that seat stay brace is something funny or a spy shot of an upcoming frame, but I don't care either way. Bicycles are for riding, not cutting designs into for looks.

As much as I secretly despise TheComeUp and Adam, props to him on this shirt and having Rooftop sport it. Mike Escamilla had a huge impact on the growth of BMX and, whether you like it or not, so did adam22.

I wish I used this thing before painting my bike recently, because now it looks like sh-... or this.

KONY (King of New York) results are in... here's the verdict:
Oba Stanley completed a 43 inch HOP to take that contest. That is like 3.5 feet...???
Luke Malone took the flatland division of the contest...
Zac Costa (super good street rider from SF, Cali) took street and best trick...
"Black Rob" Deveaux took park and best trick as well...
For the photos (from TCU), click HERE.

Yes yes. I know you are excited. Another nothing short of amazing edit from Dave King. Watch and learn, my grasshoppers...

Bryce Toole's BMX bike for the crossing of America!

Why do so many things have to happen over the weekend? Lotek posted a video of the clocktower. I am sick of seeing that place. But here's the link... lotekbrand.com

Bryce Toole is going to ride his BMX bicycle across the great states of America in an effort to see the world, explore, have fun, meet new people and see new things. This story is truly inspiring and I hope his journey goes well... Visit MADERAbmx.net and scroll down to his blog for more info...

Mike Aitken released this video (IT ONLY TAKES ONCE) to describe his nearly fatal crash, the aftermath, and the importance of wearing safety gear and not taking your life for granted. Please watch this regardless of if you like action sports or are a BMX rider or anything. This is a video for everybody and can apply in so many ways...



This is pretty cool. Heath Pinter seriously lives the dream lifestyle. Fixes up old cars for fun. Gets a Mitsubishi Evo 10 (if I could have any car in the world this may be the one). And to top it all of, builds a seriously big dirt jump to take a couple hits at. Could it get any better?



I do not know why this has no audio and is such sh!t quality, but either way Pat Casey is a really good (and young) rider whom we first saw at Ryan Nyquist's Warriors of Wood contest. This is his youtube video entry for the Gatorade Free Flow Tour and people are already pinning him to win the trip...



Chris Martindale, a rather new rider for Macneil, has a bike check/riding video here. Peep the new Alistair Whitton frame and Chris' stylish riding in this video...



Tim Wood is a vert rider from Australia. UNIT clothing posted this video of him to display his talents. This is good considering some controversy around X Games vert this year that may have cost Wood a shot at the finals. Apparently another rider cost Wood valuable time in qualifying in such a way that he did not make it. We are all hoping Tim will get in the finals of the next big contest and probably podium while he is at it...



It's rare to here of the BMX scene in Colombia. However, this should open your eyes and ears a bit... Cristian Porras. Double whip 3 second set, frontflip third set. GOLDEN...



What!? Ben Wallace, with no freecoaster and a regular ramp (no odd set up specific for this trick), lands the first fakie double tailwhip. Watch the video and understand...



I wish I knew French so I could take from this video everything I can. Learn nose manuals in this video. Oh, and also learn French so you can understand any of it... :D

How to Nosewheelie - More BMX Videos

The weather during Session Six at Windells was bright, sunny, and extraordinarily hot. When it’s over 80 degrees on hill, there’s only one thing to do: have a pool party! Flow Snowboard’s Tim Humphreys, Brandon Reis, Jeremy Thompson and Jake Black were visiting to build their Dream Feature and created The Pool Party, a Dream Feature that brought the beach to the mountain. The Pool Party included mini jumps, Zumiez couch jib, mailbox and more that led into a channel box, with a gap through the channel that went over a sweet, sweet pool.

Check out the video to see what a beach day at the mountain is like and check out www.windells.com/blog for more!

You may be asking, why is there a rider shredding in a military BDU in that pic??? Well, that is Casey Strong, a talented rider who has recently joined the military after having to wait a couple years due to an injury. We are stoked Casey is fighting for us and hope he comes back safe and healthy with a full scholarship and everything!!! Thanks to Sputnic for the update...

Oh, and the grips? Those are Kurtis Elwell's new sig grips from Primo. And the flyer? Stay Strong is having a benefit event for Stephen Murray. If you are in that area of the UK make sure to get there and participate. Kay? Thanks.

Will Evans of Vimeo released this video of FOOMAN that has amazing everything. All the people commenting that the riding is subpar and only the production is great do not know sh!t. Good riding, good filming, good editing, music, the works!



The Shadow Conspiracy puts out another great web video. This one of amateur star rider Caleb Quanbeck doin' the damn thing. I think he is only 17. Regardless, this riding is good and as it is in most Caleb videos, there is a nose manny banger at the end... check it!



DC Shoes released a floew team edit for the BMX guys. In it are some of the local homies like Raul Ruiz and E-Man. Don't forget Kelly Bolton and Alfredo Mancuso. Other riders include Dave Rytell, Anthony Napolitan, Aaron Smith, Jeremiah Smith, and Drew Bezanson. Everything is good in this video.

Rooftop did this grind loop. Dying to see the footage.

The week after X Games is always a tiring one. You get more than your fill of action sports, but then, to your surprise, they keep on happening. It's weird. The X Games is just finished and you are overwhelmed with photos and videos and news and while you are doing that... Subrosa goes to Japan, Mutiny plans a premiere for their upcoming video, Mike Escamilla is doing grind loops for TV, Levi's holds a skatepark demo that I went to, and web videos are still dropping. And they are dropping, in fact, more than usual. GAH! Just pick and choose folks...

Do you like the Kink team? Well, if you don't I do not know what is wrong with you because Chris Doyle, Sean Sexton, Darryl Tocco, and James Steele are on it. AND in this video they are touring Canada during that recent big BMX craze Canada had with the 10pack tour and Macneil and Animal also doing things... watch it.



Scott Ditchburn is an amazing rider from the UK who rides "FLOW" for Subrosa Bikes and also rides for Odessa Footwear and his crew, DUB bmx. I don't know what to say about this guy, just watch the video...



I went to the Levi's/Tilly's BMX Demo at the Etnies Skatepark in Lake Forest on Sunday... I got some clips that I should put up in the future but for most of the demo I was too busy riding the bowl myself (SO FUN), so here are clips from VitalBMX and rideBMX...