FlyBikes on your coffee table...

Fly have their book out in the shops & it's also available for download. Full of great riding shots, product pictures & some arty stuff, this would make a nice addition to your coffee table, prestige titles...

go have a look

1-Y-O-2-DAY!

Yo! the blog is one year old today so I thought I would say a big thank you to everyone who has contributed here over the past 12 months. It's been good, so here's to another year & please leave a comment or make a post of your own again soon...

cheers dudes!

10-Q: Ibbo...

1. What was the catalyst for you getting involved in BMX?

I remember meeting a guy called Nigel who lived in my street and he had a dk, shiny as fook and that was it I wanted one, just used to hack round as kids do skids n endos with the front brake all the way.

2. What was your first BMX bike & what is your fondest memory of that bike?

My first bmx was a firebird freestyler with red mags full white twin tt and sit bars, pegs welded to the forks and them wrap around bar things at the back and I remember the day I did a bunny hop on it smashed my shin to bits on the metal pedals and pissing with blood, but I didn’t give a toss I just pulled a bunny hop.

3. What is your favourite type of riding & your favourite trick at the moment?

Well when I get off my arse and ride I like to ride small stuff ya can play about on ramps walls even grit bins anything that’s got a line or looks cool to play with, road cone and some pallets that will do me, I just ride cuz I want to and as long as I’m having fun its good with me.

4. How many BMX bikes have you owned since you started riding?

Ok
fire bird
Peugeot vitus with freds heads four 4pc bars (found in hedge in town)
diamond back aero,
next few were just frame swaps
homeless soulbro (was ians and rays before)
haro shredder delux (what a weapon)
homeless Mack (got robbed)
standard copy thing (all I could afford)
then I got a full build condor in chrome.
(think chafe has the frame still)
then
federal nation custom (what a bag of shite that frame was)
swapped frame for a khe dirty harry,
that got robbed too wink wink
(I want this bike so bad so it was what I got.)
Terrible one progression (why did I sell it)
then full flybikes1 pantera set up,
and now
t1 barcode (stick to what ya know best, not quite a progression but the next best thing)

5. What do you think of the current state of the BMX industry?

Getting out of hand, pegs that cost £100 FUCK THAT! not in to all the light weight stuff I just ride the thing, if it rolls its good and if ya think about it ya got on ok in the old days with what was on offer so ill keep on it tar.

6. If money was no object, what bike/frame/part would you go out & buy today?

Well I’d just go for what I got now t1 barcode Joe rich sig, but with one of them new khe street coaster hubs on the rear, as I'm too poor to ever buy one myself.

7. What’s the worst thing you’ve ever wasted your money on relating to BMX?

Ufo gyro lasted about a month, and worked like a bag of shite, but god did that blue rim look sexy.

8. What riders have been a source of inspiration in your riding & why?

Well I’ll always look up to Ian and Ray, I’ll never forget seeing them both ride at the old red mini in s/b park WOW and now its like I’m one of the older riders out there. Kind of makes ya smile to think I did some thing and stuck at it with my life, I’ve seen so many faces come and go and those two are still going old oops I mean strong, sorry boys

9. If you could learn any trick what would that trick be?

Tail whip nosepicks I love that trick makes me weep..(Rob ridge rules)

10. If you had to put on a Haro type 1 number plate on your bike with a message on it what would it say? (ie:- ‘trix R 4 kidz’)

Don’t ride just to look cool ride because you want to and enjoy every bit of it, you’ll have a blast and meet some very close friends, bit long I better have two number plates lmao

10-Q: Alex...

1. What was the catalyst for you getting involved in BMX?

I was 10 and my mate who I rode bikes with was 13. He told me about these "new" bikes from America that had wheels that were un-buckleable and they only had 5 spokes. I thought it strange. How could less spokes make the wheel stronger?

2. What was your first BMX bike & what is your fondest memory of that bike?

My first BMX was a blue and silver Ultra Burner for my 11 ^th birthday. It had blue flames up the seat tube, a big fat blue front tire and blue ally "V" bars. The guarantee from the Raleigh dealer was so good that I took the bike back every few weeks for new bars and pedals (cracked bars and collapsed pedals). They even rebuilt the back wheel for me once.

3. What is your favourite type of riding & your favourite trick at the moment?

I guess transition riding but only cos street takes more effort and strength. Tricks don't matter, just being on my bike is good enough. If you cycle to the park, you have already had a good session before you even get there!

4. How many BMX bikes have you owned since you started riding?

1- 1982 - Ultra Burner

2- 1983 - Diamond Back Silver Streak

3- 1984 - 84 Haro Sport (I've just bought one of these, should be here next week)

4- 1990 - Bully Bashguard

5- 1991 - S&M Dirtbike, Black

6- 1993 - S&M Dirtbike, Purple

7- 1994 - S&M Dirtbike, Black

8- 1997 - S&M Dirtbike NG, Black

9- 1997 – S&M 24" challenger

10- 1998 - S&M Dirtbike, OS, Red

11- 1999 - S&M Challenger, Blue

12- 2000 - S&M Kris Bennet, Black

13- 2002 – S&M PBR, Raw

11 (again) - 2003 - S&M Challenger, Blue (same bike rebuilt)

14- 2006 – S&M LAF

5. What do you think of the current state of the BMX industry?

I can't really comment as I am well out of any BMX goings on and not part of the industry at all. I think if you have been around long enough to see a fashions come and go, and then come back, you always look at it differently, whether its tight jeans & 80s rock or its light weight bike parts and bright paint jobs.

6. If money was no object, what bike/frame/part would you go out & buy today?

There is nothing I want / need really. Maybe a ramp park in Oxford (does that count as a bike part?

7. What’s the worst thing you’ve ever wasted your money on relating to BMX?

Probably the 1" S&Ms I have been buying over the last few years. Oh well, at least its not Hutch or VDC I have a passion for!

8. What riders have been a source of inspiration in your riding & why?

Any and all of the riders who kept things going over the 90s and spend many hours travelling across the country (and world) to ride very poor ramps.

9. If you could learn any trick what would that trick be?

Probably a proper lookback or turndown. I'm not bothered about tricks but you'd think I could do those 2 by now!

10. If you had to put on a Haro type 1 number plate on your bike with a message on it what would it say? (ie:- ‘trix R 4 kidz’)

Id recreate the one I made in 1991 (see pic below). At a time when there there was 1 BMXer to every 10 Skaters.

Alex/Table/Somewhere

cheers Alex

Roll on 20s Blog...

This guy has a blog which reports from NYC & Brooklyn banks & is a good read. Good foto's (check the links below) so go spend some time there...

Table

Another Table

10-Q: Chaz...

1. What was the catalyst for you getting involved in BMX?

I'd ridden mountain bikes riding trails for a few years, but there is just no motivation in terms of other riders, video parts, etc (at least at that time). As soon as i rode trails on my 100 Stone Macneil Miron (at Woburn Sands) my mind was changed forever, it felt sooo much better. Never looked back.

2. What was your first BMX bike & what is your fondest memory of that bike?

My first bike was a Dyno Compe but never really rode it. The proper one was a Miron OG weighed a tonne, but was a treat. Seventies wheels, Reagle Beagles, Pitchforks, Primo Rod, GT cranks, the lot mate. Fondest memory, maybe riding this giant nipple thing in Leam with Nck n Charlie, or many street rides with Maza, Beefy, Minter, n those boys.

3. What is your favourite type of riding & your favourite trick at the moment?

Trails. Wish uni was that easy! I don't see it changing for a long time either! Although i have a huge passion for old school concrete too. At the mo, I just love going really fast, riding oposite way and manualing. Just hitting oposite hips fast and high feels soo good. Don't really do many tricks any more.

4. How many BMX bikes have you owned since you started riding?

I've had 6 different frames including the Dyno. And many many different parts along with them. Currently a Freebird, which apparently convinced Doyle to ride a Kink upon seeing me ride mine.

5. What do you think of the current state of the BMX industry?

I don't really pay much attention, except i think it's very trendy orientated. Not to say I don't follow some, but i tink some are worth it and others are just money making PR activities to convince the kids they need.

6. If money was no object, what bike/frame/part would you go out & buy today?

Probably a 21 250L Standard or an FBM Deployer, both are amazing. Just get some light but strong bits, and some of the new chrome Slam xlt's!

7. What’s the worst thing you’ve ever wasted your money on relating to BMX?

Maybe skinny fit jeans, haha?! Probably an obscene amount of seats, seem to have a fetish for seats!

8. What riders have been a source of inspiration in your riding & why?

The Fortes, James Brookes, Scott Edgeworth, Lima, all the Uk trail builders (Epsom, Winchester, Colehill, Kiddy, Woburn, etc!), Chase Hawk nowadays, but mainly UK trail riders. Poll from Kidlington trails defo since day one. Just love the flow of trails, just going really high and fast and style. I'd much rather see simple stuff cliccckkkkkked than the big new tricks. Nice table any day!

9. If you could learn any trick what would that trick be?

Probably 3 turndowns (see Doyle, Brookes, Kye Forte, Edgeworth, Chase's one on Empire DVD) for good examples. Such a good trick when done proper good.

10. If you had to put on a Haro type 1 number plate on your bike with a message on it what would it say? (ie:- ‘trix R 4 kidz’)

Probably 'Real riders are drunk' or '4get park. 4ever trails.' Yeh that's a rad one. That last one. Dialled.

11. PS www.blewbmx.com for regular updates from me, along with 2 guys from Oxford area, one living in Cardiff for uni too. It's sweet. Add it to your favourites.


cheers Chaz

10-Q: Sboy...

1. What was the catalyst for you getting involved in BMX?

I first saw BMX on a halfords advert in a magazine, it looked so cool, motocross on bikes, we were into Junior Kickstart in a big way anyway, so BMX was a godsend. After that we used to go to halfords and drool over their very limited range of bmx components and accessories. It was when I saw Bob Haro riding at the NEC on tele, doing a show that I got fully hooked. The film ET helped too.

2. What was your first BMX bike & what is your fondest memory of that bike?

The first bike I had was a MT Racing Silver Fox, it was a taiwanese built complete bike, I think it cost my dad £129, which was probably alot of money in 1983. My fondest memory of it was how wicked it looked, all shining and the spokes glinting in the sunlight. The next best memory of it was when I snapped the frame jumping the big doubles at Drayton BMX track, I felt really proud that I'd snapped a frame.

3. What is your favourite type of riding & your favourite trick at the moment?

I've always loved dirt jumping and street riding the most. They seem the most pure to me. Ramps are cool too i suppose. My best trick at the moment IS riding, just being on it. I dont really do tricks anymore.

4. How many BMX bikes have you owned since you started riding?

prob about 7 or so. Loved each and everyone of them!

5. What do you think of the current state of the BMX industry?

I'm not in the scene enough to know what state its in. I hope its in a healthy state and good mates arent becoming enemies cos its turned into a money thing for them.

6. If money was no object, what bike/frame/part would you go out & buy today?

If money was no object I'd build a massive skatepark. 24" Light Blue Floval Flyer, flite cranks, gold araya 7xs, hutch beartraps, SE powerwing bars, elina lightning bolt seat, comp 3s, A'ME tri's, and not a Dia Compe MX1000!!

7. What’s the worst thing you’ve ever wasted your money on relating to BMX?

Burger King.

8. What riders have been a source of inspiration in your riding & why?

Vic Murphy and the Dirt Bros, Matt Hoffman, James Shepherd and Ruben Castillo, Lee inSultimier, Taj, Joe Rich, Ruben Alac, Jerry Galley of course, Union lot, Lemsip, You.

9. If you could learn any trick what would that trick be?

540 tyre tap, turn down, alley oop 50-50

10. If you had to put on a Haro type 1 number plate on your bike with a message on it what would it say? (ie:- ‘trix R 4 kidz’)

"Lets get her man"

Sunil/Fastplant/Playstation London

cheers Sunil

10-Q: Bob Khol...

1. What was the catalyst for you getting involved in BMX?

We had grown tired of ' stool mx ' at Drayton school.

2. What was your first BMX bike & what is your fondest memory of that bike?

MMmmmmmmm pretty sure it was a chrome DP !! freestyler , and the memory would have to be putting it on two chairs so i could elevate it above the ground pretending to ride it , as it was all finished bar 2 black skyway wheels.

3. What is your favourite type of riding & your favourite trick at the moment?

Favourite type of riding is flatland. Favourite trick is anything dialled really. Although the triple decade 99.99% was as near to the' Hall of Fame' as i have been.

4. How many BMX bikes have you owned since you started riding?

Dp freestyler , reynolds531 ?, TRM ( on loan) , Bully , The legendary ' Big Daddy' , Hoffman EP, Dividual, KGB pysconnecta and Pysconnexion. So 9 i guess. But just round that up to ten cause i know i missed something.

5. What do you think of the current state of the BMX industry?

Industry! We have way more choice than we did back then. Its just everyone needs to sell their product more than anyone else.

6. If money was no object, what bike/frame/part would you go out & buy today?

Done it mate, The Ti project this year was pretty much the bike that i wanted to build and was equally functional.

7. What’s the worst thing you’ve ever wasted your money on relating to BMX?

A black reynolds frame from Trinders bike shop. lightweight tubing , it was wrecked in 10 minutes.

8. What riders have been a source of inspiration in your riding & why?

Definately plywood hoods for me , cause thats the direction my riding went in.

9. If you could learn any trick what would that trick be?

Still want to ride a cliffhanger some day , i reckon 100 hours of practise may be enough to roll it for 1 ft. 200 hours = 2ft...........you get the jist.

10. If you had to put on a Haro type 1 number plate on your bike with a message on it what would it say? (ie:- ‘trix R 4 kidz’)

No , it would say, ' Wilmaroraraman' radical cyclo dude' in a sort of backfired way.......:-)

cheers BK

10-Q: Ray Smith...

1. What was the catalyst for you getting involved in BMX?

Seeing Ian ride the old Banbury mini ramp not knowing there were still riders out there..

2. What was your first BMX bike & what is your fondest memory of that bike?

tuff one coz I had an old huffy usa import in about 1991 but I didn't ride it in the true sense of riding, first bike that I really used for "riding" was a 1995 diamond back venom. memory, hacking down the oxford road for a feeble grind on a ledge, hooking the rear peg under the wall to full on bar thrust, bending the 10mm axle fully into a hook, then going round Ian's and asking if he could fix it.

3. What is your favourite type of riding & your favourite trick at the moment?

tech mini ramp/spine/volcano. any tech trick that involves rotation.

4. How many BMX bikes have you owned since you started riding?

ummm bout 15 I think??

5. What do you think of the current state of the BMX industry?

love the technology, hate the fashion (tailwhip,tailwhip,turndown etc...)

6. If money was no object, what bike/frame/part would you go out & buy today?

eastern grim reaper titanium..

7. What’s the worst thing you’ve ever wasted your money on relating to BMX?

a chrome flybikes mosca/odyssey/RNC bike..

8. What riders have been a source of inspiration in your riding & why?

all who are different and do there own thing, ie: Kevin Porter, Matt Hoffman, Ruben etc..

9. If you could learn any trick what would that trick be?

to keep a smile on my face EVERY time I rode.

10. If you had to put on a Haro type 1 number plate on your bike with a message on it what would it say? (ie:- ‘trix R 4 kidz’)

"00".. no body expects nothing from nothing.

Ray/Banbury/tyre tap-pedal-tyre tap-opposite pedal-270 in!

Cheers Ray

subblogs 10-Q

It seems that questionnaires are so chic in the BMX industry at the moment, you cant read a mag or BMX related website without someone getting grilled about their favourite myspace site or what they had for breakfast. The problem is that a lot of the time, those Q’s are nothing to do with BMX?! Surely the whole reason you respect & are interested in a BMX rider is because they ride a BMX? Personally, I’m not the slightest bit interested in what food a rider likes to eat or what their pet dogs favourite toy is, fuck that shit… In an attempt to redress the balance (& jump on the band-wagon), I give you ‘subblogs 10-Q’ which I have randomly emailed to our members to answer. I hope this will give some insight into why we ride & other BMX related topics...

scrumdiddlyumptious...

I wonder if Ralph will hand the company over to the winner!?