Live To Ride BMX

John Donson

We're giving away 24 bikes in the 12 days leading up to Christmas! All you have to do is sign up Here!

Source: http://actionvillagebmx.blogspot.com/2010/12/12-days-of-bmx-mas.html

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John Donson

There is a great interview with my good friend Scott O?Brien in this months Flat Web TV.

Source: http://www.bmxfreestyler.com/2013/05/flat-web-tv-episode-29.html

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John Donson

Our flow team rider, Devon Smillie, is now riding pro for Felt Bikes. Congratulations Devon! Click the link below for the official announcement on Felt's web site.

http://feltbmx.com/USA/News/WELCOME-TO-THE-TEAM-ZAK-EARLEY-AND-DEVON-SMILLIE-.aspx

Source: http://actionvillagebmx.blogspot.com/2011/03/devon-smile-on-felt-bikes.html

haro BMX mongoose BMX BMX extreme BMX racing BMX stunts

John Donson

Went to Brighton for the weekend with Fi to visit some mates. Turns out Ride to Glory trip was there too. I didn’t get many pictures. Here’s one of a guy I haven’t seen in years, Kurt. Good old tailwhip pulled.

Related posts:Digging and stuff… My canera is lost at the moment so no media,...Oxford Wheels [...]

After lunch the MegaRamp was opened up for sessioning. Most people headed up on the hill to at least watch what went down. After filling out a seven page waiver you could set foot on the massive new structure. Safety was a big concern and those that looked too squirrelly were cut off. Boozedawg was one of those booted after blowing off the pedals on a sketchy attempt. Shad gave it a few tries but decided it wasn't for him and was content to watch. My first run at it I think I was almost half way up the roll in. I wasn't sure how the lip was going to feel and wanted to feel it out. It felt good and so on following runs I slowly worked my way higher till I was landing on the top right before the "box" started angling to the landing. Shea Nyquist was the first person to clear it after pedaling about six times down the roll in. He overshot by quit a bit, but it was then I realized I would have to pedal at it to make it. Lance Mosley wasn't down with tagging so he went for it first try and got bucked by the lip and ejected. After seeing him, Matt Mardesetch, and Ryan Nyquist bail it was even harder not to be nervous. I tried not to look down the roll in too much while waiting my turn and on my next try I took three pedals thinking it would be enough to clear but not overshoot. Wrong! I cleared the flat on top for the first time but hit a small slant a bit over a bike length long before the landing and then bounced a ways down the landing. Oooooohs from the crowd watching and an increased heart rate. Scary! I was determined not to let the opportunity pass me by to do this and headed back up for another go. More pedals this time and I made it to the landing but pitched forward a bit too much and landed foot down. More OOOooohs and heart pounding! Next go I stuck it clean and was content to call it quits. All and all there were about seven people, including myself,f that cleared it. Check that off my bucket list! I headed back to down the hill to ride with Marcus and missed all the big tricks. Mosley flipped it, Birdwell superman seat-grabbed it, and Ryan Nyquist 360'd it.

Not sure who took this pic but you can check out more here.

Damn that looks big! Cell photo Scott Hagnas.

The rest of the day we spent riding ourselves into exhaustion. Riley worked on some backflips and got some on the resi ramp. I finally sacked up and 360'd the box jump. I was probably more stoked on that then the MegaRamp. It's something I should do without hesitation but over the past few years my confidence with spinning has been at an all time low. Thanks Woodward for the confidence boost.

After the session ended there was an after party in the lodge. Free food, free beer and bmxers is always a great recipe for good times. Dave Nourie, Anthony, and a couple other flatlander's put on a show in the bar. Dave is quite the showman. When the two kegs ran dry and the bar closed up a group of us moved on to one of the rooms. The room stay was short lived after the occupants realized that if they wanted their room to be inhabitable, the party better continue elsewhere. The whole first floor of the lodge was awoken by everyone looking for someone else's room to wreck. I don't think a door or window was missed by someone banging on it. No more party animals, so we hung out in the parking lot where Jeremy and Boozedawg kept us laughing with their drunken antics. Ben Ward gave me another reason not to have a facebook by posting pics of Jeremy DRUNK on his, resulting in an angry voicemail from the wife wondering why he wouldn't answer the phone when she called to check on him. Too funny. How no one knocked one out Boozedawg is beyond me. He was sac tapping or thumb in the bumming everyone within reach. Quite a few people will remember him after that night for sure! Needless to say we didn't make it up and get on the road by eight as was "planned". We left Woodward around 11 am. The Portland bunch of the crew got home around 5 am the next morning. Quite an unforgettable road trip. Check out the pics below and links for more event coverage.

One of the few times you can say fast and Shad in the same sentence. Shad, fastplant. Photo Jared Souney. Check his coverage here and here.

Boozeplant. Photo Mulligan. Check the Ride coverage here.

Jose Yanez (first person to do flips, Rad Stuntman), Bill Allen (Cru Jones!), Eddie Fiola (duh)!

Boozer, the Hizz Dicks smacker!

The drive home.

Source: http://eugenebmx.blogspot.com/2011/04/trip-concluded.html

haro BMX mongoose BMX BMX extreme BMX racing BMX stunts

John Donson

I caught this in my email this week. Todd Carter is a super cool friend and this video needs to be shared. This is what its all about the next generation of riders. Thanks to John and Conor Yull.

Words By John Yull

Watching Todd, Camden and Colin ride and compete in Anderson was such a great experience! Taking turns in the practice area with the boys put a smile on my face. Then watching Todd get more nervous that the boys during their runs was priceless! Here's to the next generation of flatlanders...Filmed and edited by Conor Yull

Source: http://www.bmxfreestyler.com/2013/07/the-carters.html

BMX racing BMX stunts BMX games BMX bikes BMX master

John Donson

World 60cc champion Caleb Grothues will be representing UNIT at Horsham

Horsham Motorcycle Club is proud to announce that UNIT will be the Special Clothing Sponsor for the KTM 2013 Australian Junior Motocross Championships (AJMXC) which takes place on the 2nd weekend of the Victorian September school holidays.

“We are really excited with UNIT coming on board to help us lift the profile of the Championships to the status it truly deserves” Horsham President, Kenny Watts said. “UNIT have shown time and time again that they are market leaders in clothing and accessories and their involvement is testimony of their commitment to Motocross and extreme sports” Mr Watts continued.

UNIT rider Mason Rowe will be looking for another Australian title at Horsham

“UNIT will supply a selection of their casual clothing to fit out the commentator, as well as Start and Finish Line crew which is awesome” Kenny added.

As part of the deal UNIT will also provide merchandise for Holeshot Awards for the first of each Final for every class and Engraved Unit Watches to the winners of the 2 premier 15 years Championship Classes.

"We're stoked about the opportunity to sponsor the 2013 Australian Junior Championships” UNIT’s Athlete Media Manager, Grant ‘Goba’ O’Brien said. “It's important we support motocross at a junior level as that's where our future champions come from, and we look forward to being a part of this years event and forming a strong relationship into the future!" Goba continued

“Entries continue to roll in daily and the classes are filling fast” Mr Watts said “but we are certainly excited to see UNIT rider Caleb Grothues who is a current World Champion and multiple Australian Champion in action at Horsham” Kenny concluded.

Source: http://www.unit.com/united-states/blog/2013/8/8/unit-supports-aus-jnr-championships/

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John Donson

This is going to be a somewhat obscure post, but it does relate to bicycle riding. I don't have any product reviews, posts about new builds or new events I've attended to blabber about (well, I do, but that will be later) - but the legacy question is something I've been pondering lately and thought it would be cathartic to put into outer-space.

So, if you don't like such things... I don't mind if you just X-out this tab and move on to MTBR or The Come Up (I don't blame you), but if you're interested, please make yourself comfortable and help me dig a little.

I am 1 1/2 years shy of my 40th birthday. While for some, that may be considered "young" I truly I thought I'd be in a different place by now. I mean, career is going well, I'm married, etc., etc., but one of the things I thought I'd definitely be by now is a Dad. There are certain things (medically) with me that reduces (to nearly zero) the chance of ever being able to conceive a child with my wife. Adoption is financially prohibitive.

To me, being a husband and a father is the ultimate sacrifice a man can give. I have the utmost respect for all my friends who balance play, work and fatherly duties. These men, if all goes well, will leave behind a legacy. Big or small - it is still a legacy. Their name, their memory... will continue on. Sure, there are douchebags out there - but let's put it into perspective - most men who are fathers want to do the best they can to provide.

So, I ask the question: How will I be remembered when I am gone? What will be my legacy? Will I have left any lasting impression on this world for the positive? Was I a good man? A good person to others? Was I a good husband?

When we die, there are two numbers: your birth date and your death date... with a "-" in between. That "-" represents everything you were during your life. So, I will ask myself, when the time comes: Did I make that "-" count?

Bike riding has become such an integral part of my life it is where I place my identity. Many men my age will talk about their work, career, family... I talk about bikes. BMX and MTB's are my true passions - these are the activities that keep me drooling over the thought of the upcoming weekend on a Monday morning. It's what I talk about with my friends, my family, coworkers... I probably can get pretty annoying with it (I apologize to my wife!).

Ultimately, me doing something on my bike isn't what drives me. Rather, it is the trials and tribulations of other riders that inspire me to want to keep going with it. I want to be there when they shine.

Nothing gets me more amped than my friends getting on podiums at races, a fellow BMX'er doing a trick that we all thought was impossible or hitting an obstacle that is frightening to most. Seeing somebody overcoming obesity or soldiers healing themselves through the therapeutic act of pedaling a bike.

I love it when I see somebody crest over a hill they thought was going to kill them, or seeing children progress on 18" BMX bikes in 2 years what took us 8 back in the day.

I love it when I see my wife get PR's and the occasional QOM's on Strava. She pedals her ass off. I'm so proud of her.

Watching companies and bike shops not only survive, but succeed. See innovations come out that solves problems.

Seeing the most incredible pieces of bike related digital film and artwork for free. All the heart, sweat and passion into projects and edits done - for the labor of love for bikes.

I love the groms. The crack me up and they remind me when I was a young BMX'er with nowhere to go but up. These boys and girls are the future superstars.

I love hugging my friends when they do well, sharing a brew or even a puff. I love the handshake-fist-bump acquaintances I've met along the way and all you on the web who have interacted with me through picture sharing and forums.

To most, I am an internet ghost, Instagram goof and blogger - and most likely we will never meet in person. But to those who I get to spend those bright days and dark nights, spinning wheels, grinding ledges, jumping things, mashing trails and and falling down to do it over - I can only hope this will be my legacy - as I really have nothing else to offer but my passion for bikes and for the people that ride them. The connections we've made are all very dear to me.

I will probably be cursed with a very long life (longevity runs in my family), but before those years add up and creep in, and my ability to pedal a bike, do a BMX trick or rail singletrack is gone, I feel I needed to put this into cyberspace while it was weighing so deeply on me.

Thank you all for sharing the passion with me. You are the reason why I ride.

-Dion

Source: http://www.dionridesbikes.com/2013/06/what-is-my-legacy.html

gt BMX haro BMX mongoose BMX BMX extreme BMX racing

John Donson

Yeah it's been quite a while but we still here. Not a whole lot going on with all the wet weather. Impatiently waiting for the AARP bmx jam down at camp Woodward West the first weekend of April. Stoked. I went last year but since then they have added quite a bit of new terrain, so looking forward to checking it out and getting in a solid weekend of riding. And to keep the theme going here, if you had any doubts that Shad has his finger firmly planted on the pulse of BMX... He managed to somehow find the picture below of me at last weekends Redline Cup qualifier racing in the 30+ open MONEY class. My fat ass couldn't pedal fast enough to keep up with the big wheelers and didn't even make the main. I did have fun though making them nervous diving to the inside in the first corner. Click on over to Goods online store and buy something. Support those who support the sport. Shad's been doing that for the nearly 20 years I've known him and even before that. Also check out James Thrash's photobucket for more Oregon racing photos.

Source: http://eugenebmx.blogspot.com/2011/03/in-case-you-had-any-doubts.html

BMX game alans BMX ride BMX BMX museum BMX bike games

John Donson

Sorry for the late re-cap post from this past weekend, but we have been super busy trying to knock out a few other projects in the works. Well, you already know that Motor Union is […]

Source: http://www.bmxoutsiders.com/blog/factory-mu-2013-re-cap/

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John Donson

What a weekend. Marcus and I drove back to Butte Montana to meet up with his Mom so he can spend the next month with her in North Dakota. We had planned to hit up some skateparks along the way but unfortunately the rain followed us all the way from Oregon and kept us off the bikes. We still stopped and tortured ourselves checking out what we were missing out on. We still made it to Butte in just over 12 hours.

Irrigon, Oregon

Captain Cradle foiled by the rain in Missoula.

I was pretty excited about the fact that I got to see both kids on Father's day since I haven't seen my daughter since November.

After saying our goodbyes I headed out to make the most of the drier weather and check out the Butte skatepark. Early on a Sunday the park was empty. It had kind of a weird street set up and a couple pool inspired bowls. No bikes. I ignored that rule and took a few runs in the larger bowl, but the high elevation got me winded quick so I didn't stay long.

Butte, MT

It was still wet looking in Missoula so I didn't bother stopping on the way back and motored on to Spokane. Trying to find directions for the Spokane park I discovered I missed an opportunity to session in Idaho at the Coeur d'Alene park. Still sessioning in three different states in one day was a new record for me. Spokane was a fun park, composed of mostly below ground bowls and a snake run that flowed well.

Spokane park.

The Umatilla cowboy brought back memories of a road trip long ago to Nelson, BC Canada for a Contest.

Irrigon, Oregon had the park I was most looking forward to riding. It's a cool set up with a full pipe completely open on one end and capsuled on the other with a door to carve over. 300 miles from home by yourself kind of makes one a bit hesitant to try certain things and the carve over the door was one of those. Next time. I still had fun even holding back a bit, better than braking myself off and being stranded so far from home.

What a difference a day makes.

A pretty good Father's day, I got lot's of text messages from people wishing me happy Father's day, rode parks in three states, and got surprised by the wife with sexy photo's she took with my bike. Stoked. Maybe I'll post a couple later, still waiting on digital copies.

Source: http://eugenebmx.blogspot.com/2011/06/fathers-day-weekend.html

colony BMX wethepeople BMX gt BMX haro BMX mongoose BMX

John Donson

Sorry for the late re-cap post from this past weekend, but we have been super busy trying to knock out a few other projects in the works. Well, you already know that Motor Union is […]

Source: http://www.bmxoutsiders.com/blog/factory-mu-2013-re-cap/

BMX games BMX bikes BMX master BMX videos BMX parts

John Donson

… A little while back I got to check out Crewe Skatepark/Race track. In short, it’s worth a look! Even more so if your into your “tech” street riding. Take a look at the photos, to get a better idea - VS��
�

Source: http://www.valleysidedistro.com/wordpress/?p=964

colony BMX wethepeople BMX gt BMX haro BMX mongoose BMX

John Donson

For the cover story of the brand new Route One Magazine we were invited to Crailtap HQ in California to sit down with skateboard legends Rick Howard & Mike Carroll for an in-depth interview, as part of Girl Skateboards’ 20th anniversary celebrations. Covering topics including how the company came about to what they think of the latest generation making moves into companies of their own, this is must see viewing. Part Two coming next week. Pick up your free copy of Route One Magazine Issue One to read the full interview and see the exclusive photos.

Source: http://www.lat34.com/2013/08/23/rick-howard-mike-carroll-20-years-of-girl-the-route-one-interview-part-one/

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John Donson

Deconstruction - Art Thomason - March 2013 from art thomason on Vimeo.

Source: http://www.bmxfreestyler.com/2013/03/art-thomason-deconstruction.html

BMX museum BMX bike games BMX forum winstanelys BMX colony BMX

John Donson

The woods edit spring from Ed Salter on Vimeo.
A quick edit from my phone camera of the trails riding. Sorry it doesn’t look amazing, maybe I will get a decent video camera at some point.

Related posts:Catty Woods trails video Tom Robinson from Tom C on Vimeo. This is the...Trails video Well this is pretty [...]

If you happened to experience one of the fourteen Nitro Circus Live shows that recently toured around Oz you would have to agree that Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham Front Flipping his wheelchair off the mega ramp is one of the most inspirational things you’ve ever seen. Wheelz has single handedly changed the perception world-wide of what can be achieved riding a wheelchair and has inspired many people to look at the wheelchair as more of an instrument to be used for fun than just one for medical purposes and a means to get one from A to B. Before heading back to his hometown of Las Vegas Wheelz dropped by the Unit office to chat to us about his time in Oz on the Nitro Circus tour and what he visions for the future.

Wheelz it’s your first time in the Unit HQ, what do you think mate: I’m pumped man to be here, it’s cool to meet all the people that make this place happen and have to put up with me! (laughs)

Australia must be like your second home as you’ve spent so much time here of late: Yeah I’ve really enjoyed my time here, it’s been long enough, and I’m looking forward to going home, but I know as soon as I get there I’ll be bored and want to be back on tour.

aaron wheelz fotheringham
Wheelz with his good friend Julie, who usually is giving him a ride while in Oz.

Where is home for you now and how different is it from Australia: Home is Las Vegas and it’s pretty warm there right now and heating up heading into the peak of summer. It’s great there because of all the skate parks I can access easily because I have a car, unlike in Oz where I’ve been relying on my friend Julie. The day after I get home I’ll be heading straight to California and Arizona to ride a bunch of parks, which are good options if I get bored in Las Vegas.

Do you have a crew you ride with also in wheelchairs, or BMX/skate: I mostly ride with bikers and skaters, although I do have a few mates in chairs, but none of them live close by. I’m always just cruising with the able bodies.

Tell us about the Nitro Circus tour you’ve just finished, what were some of the highlights: Man I had like a four show streak where I landed the Front Flip every attempt, which was pretty good. Another highlight has been not hitting my head hard every show. That’s has been a big problem in the past as my head is the first thing I hit when I crash, and now I’m working on crashing without hitting my head! I’ve decided I’d rather break my arm than hit my head again even though it takes longer to heal, but it’s more long term damage I’m trying to minimise because I want to ride until I’m like 95… (laughs).

aaron wheelz fotheringham
It's insane to think you could Front Flip a wheelchair off a mega ramp. Wheelz is a legend! Photo: Jeff Crow/Nitro Circus Live.

How many bad hits have you taken to the head so far this year: About nine or ten. Good slams too and you notice it kinda messes with you a bit so I’m like, no more please, concussions are not fun! After a few good hits to the head I notice I space out a little more than usual, even though maybe I’ve always been easily distracted, but yeah it does affect me for sure.

Fans see you riding the shows, but tell us what goes on for you before and after: For me it’s pretty stressful because I have to make sure my wheelchairs are dialed. Like before a show I have to make sure my chair rolls super straight as I can’t afford for anything to go wrong when I’m rolling down the mega ramp. Then after the show I’m pretty stressed if I have to repair any damage before it goes on the semi to the next stop. On this tour there’s been times I’ve had to take parts to a metal fabrication shop to have them repaired. Usually I have more time to repair my wheelchairs, but not on this tour.

You would get some good downtime mid week though: I’ve really enjoyed how much skate park time I’ve had between shows. Usually on tours you’re moving from stop to stop so quick and there’s no time, but on this trip I’ve ridden to my hearts content so I’m super happy about that. I’ve actually been able to flip a bunch of different parks thanks to friends pushing me really fast into quarters. I had a fun session with Rugby League player Jonathon Thurston who gave me a massive boost into a quarter and I flipped, which was a big honour as the guy is a legend. I was like YEAH, that was awesome!

So what’s the plan for the coming months now Nitro is over: Basically I have three months to chill and train before the Latin America tour kicks off, which will be intense. Then 2014 will be a big year with a bunch of tours that have just been released so I’m pretty pumped on that! I’ll always look forward to coming back to Australia though as the crowds are awesome, they’re the best, so loud, and we can always tell when we’re riding in front of them, it’s like, yes this is the place!

You’ve got a huge following on social media, are you pumped on this: Yeah my Instagram ‘AARONWHEELZ’ just blew up and I really appreciate all the love from everyone and it’s cool to see all the support I get via my social media pages. It’s a cool feeling having so many people into what I’m doing and kind of hard to explain really, but yeah I’m stoked! It’s sick!

aaron fotheringham
Wheelz has a legion of fans on the Nitro Circus Live tours. Photo: Jeff Crow/Nitro Circus Live.

What’s your vision for the next decade: Wheelz would like to change the stereotypes that go along with the wheelchair. The big thing for me is wanting people to see being in a wheelchair is a fun thing like BMX is fun for bikers, a skateboard is fun for skaters etc. I’m tired of a wheelchair being perceived as a medical instrument, something you use just to get around. I want a wheelchair to be viewed as something you use to have fun like hitting ramps and riding skate parks like I do. The wheelchair is awesome and a tool to help you succeed in life! It makes me feel good when I see more and more people go to parks in their wheelchair and making most of the opportunity, that really pumps me up!

Inspirational stuff Wheelz, thanks for dropping by the Unit office, and keep living the dream mate: No problem, thanks for having me, you guys rock!

Source: http://www.unit.com/united-states/blog/2013/6/13/no-boundaries--aaron-wheelz-fotheringham/

colony BMX wethepeople BMX gt BMX haro BMX mongoose BMX

John Donson

Our Canadian riders Jeremy Gallant shows off his Grim Eternal...

Source: http://easternbikes.com/blog/2011/feb/8/jeremy-gallant-bike-check/

BMX forum winstanelys BMX colony BMX wethepeople BMX gt BMX

John Donson

Disconnecting

I recently did myself a favor and logged off MTBR and other forums completely. While these forums provide great info, insight, advice, etc. they also provide a big distraction from work and responsibilities. Admittedly, I had a problem with them (MTBR in particular) - I'd get sucked into conversations, get into internet "flame wars" (I know - it's very stupid), I'd get "trolled"... and the very reason why I joined these forums was fading away into obscurity.

Also, I'd get real upset over stuff in these forums, and feel real stupid for letting this stuff bother me. I'd ask myself "Why?" - most of these people are strangers, anonymous people behind screen names... so why was I getting sucked into these types of conversations?

I have lurked in to get some info on my new Jek, but that's about it. I still did not log-in.

While I enjoyed the local banter, I am over the trolling and flaming. I feel better - like I eliminated negative people in my life. Fuckin' first world problems...

I know, it's very silly. A grown man shouldn't be pondering this BS, but a grown man shouldn't be doing tricks on a BMX bike by most peoples standards.

BMX State of Mind

More silliness.

I've turned this thing into my mantra. I believe it was The Come Up that originally came up with this, and I've owned it since.

I love this saying. For the past 22-some-odd years after quitting BMX, I feel like I've been searching for "me". Meaning, I've looked into motorcycles, fixed gear bikes, MTB'ing, trials riding, road riding, etc. but I've never felt "me" doing these things. Like, "...yeah, that's fun... but not quite."

It was real bad in my mid-20's: I remember feeling "bored" and out-of-sorts... like something was missing. I was super depressed, in fact, I've battled with depression for many years - always yearning to feel "right".

There is something about freestyle BMX riding that has made me feel whole again. Like, a complete person, and I can't pinpoint what it is about riding that 20" bike that makes me feel this way. It could be the care-free creativity that comes with it; or possibly the freedom to be able to do anything your mind can come up with. The level of riding we see today shows there are no boundaries. It could be that it is completely void of mano-a-mano competition - those alpha-male pissing contests that runs rampant in XC MTB'ing and even worse in road bike riding. Maybe BMX satisfies my self-diagnosed AAHDD.

Whatever BMX does to stimulate that little grey organ rattling around in my skull - it does it. I don't quite find that in MTB'ing. While I love MTB'ing, it does not do what BMX does for me on a cognitive level.

So, I've adopted "BMX State of Mind" as a silly saying and have applied it in all facets of my life, from my marriage to my profession. To me, it says to live life without boundaries. To - in a figurative way - "grab your bike and walk out the front door". To live life creatively. To appreciate even the smallest positive effort, because in that effort, if built upon, will turn into huge things later. Doing positive things repetitively becomes internalized and becomes a habit that you can teach others. To congratulate people on things that would normally go unnoticed. To learn from young and old. To squash the bullshit and negativity by ignoring it. To push boundaries and make your own rules about life. To not think outside the box, but to not even have a "box". This, to me, is living life in the "BMX State of Mind".

BMX'ers turn simple, everyday things, into all-day sessions. Empty parking lots, a curb, a set of stairs... even a garage floor. You don't need anything but the earth, gravity and your bike to make magic happen. Making use of the environment and evolving with it. Rolling with what has been provided and building upon it. I have chosen this attitude to permeate everything I do.

A note to my fellow Old-Schoolers: I know we like to bask in our former glory. I am equally as guilty. I know we like to hang on to tricks we did 25-30 years ago and still do them - there is nothing wrong with that. However, we should grow; evolve. We should watch and learn from the younger riders and ask questions. Get pointers. Try stuff we never did "back in the good ol' days" because either we were too scared to do it or it hadn't been invented yet. My riding is rapidly progressing simply because I'm looking at BMX with fresh eyes. I want to update my efforts, and not be stuck in 1991 for the rest of my riding life.

Here are some pics from the weekend. Learning from the younger riders and being inspired is helping me evolve as a rider.

New Dropper Post

Hey, 100mm X-Fusion HiLo for $140 off FeeBay, brand new? I couldn't pass it up. Now, just waiting for that damn firm fork spring to arrive.

Source: http://www.dionridesbikes.com/2013/05/ramblings-disconnecting-from-forums-bmx.html

colony BMX wethepeople BMX gt BMX haro BMX mongoose BMX

John Donson

Just came across this online… It’s Brazilian rider “Jean Silva”, shredding a park somewhere in�the Mediteranean - Just goes to�show there are�amazing unknown riders, and spots all over the world. Source: Guerrilha TV.�

“Better Late than Never” SugarBikes Jean Silva edit from Guerrilha TV on Vimeo.

Source: http://www.valleysidedistro.com/wordpress/?p=1075

we the people BMX BMX bike BMX game alans BMX ride BMX

John Donson

Source: http://actionvillagebmx.blogspot.com/2011/01/jeff-k-ticking-away-moments-that-make.html

wethepeople BMX gt BMX haro BMX mongoose BMX BMX extreme

John Donson

Hello lurkers...

For the past four years, I've attempted to chronicle my bike ramblings on this blog. I appreciate all of you who have come to visit (except for the negative trolls) and those who left comments. I love the back-and-forth with you folks, and I hope I've been able to help you out in some weird way with whatever you got building up in your bicycle cave.

Reading my old posts, I've realized I've gone through a dozen (or more) bikes - some I still have and some are long gone. I've experimented with different riding styles, but I think I've pretty much landed on MTB'ing, cyclocross and the occasional BMX adventure. When I ride road, it's to get to dirt for the most part, and it's done on my cyclocross bike.

Through my interactions with people on and off the internet, I've realized that there is no true "answer" for cycling when it comes to set-up and choices. People are so adamant about brands, frame materials, wheel size, tire selection, pedal choice, gearing, clothing, etc. Some stuff works better than other stuff when it comes to all this, but what somebody chooses to ride is completely personal. And, if they do well with that set-up... then that's the "correct" set-up for that particular person.

Case in point, there is an old dead horse people continue to beat: flat pedals vs. clipless pedals. I personally ride clipless for CX and MTB, and I used to be on the "clipless is best" bandwagon. I probably even posted about it on this blog. But, I've realized that - if somebody rides better with flat pedals - aren't flat pedals for that person the best choice? This example can be used for anything bicycle related i.e. wide handlebars vs. narrow handlebars.

I guess what this all boils down to is the online MTB community can reduce the troll, flaming, baiting and douchebag'y behavior if people just minded their own business about other's set-ups. It becomes tiresome when people dedicate entire blogs and forum threads about why their set-up is "right" and everybody needs to switch. I've even seen those use "scientific evidence" to support their argument. But, who am I (or anybody else) to argue with people about what works best for them?

For those of you who have disregarded the hype of a lot of unproven MTB "upgrades" - good for you. As we say, "If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it". Ride what you ride and take it all in with a grain of salt.

Also, in the last four years, I've been able to make some really, really, great friends. We loosely formed "Team Social Pace" in the past year or so, and we all get together and ride, chat, and just have a good time. Although I mostly ride alone, riding with these guys have bumped my riding game considerably, but also has brought some really good people into my life.

That's it for this blog post! Here are some videos I've recently done. I forgot to post my last San Jose Bike Party video; I hope you enjoy that. I also experimented with my GoProHD2, and I hope you enjoy a quick lap at Santa Teresa County Park.

Source: http://www.dionridesbikes.com/2012/11/four-years-of-drb-blog-thanks-for.html

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John Donson

The indoor bmx track is back in action. Racing Saturday, Sunday and practice Wednesdays. Check the Emerald valley bmx Facebook page for times and dates as it will be running a limited schedule until after the new year.

Source: http://eugenebmx.blogspot.com/2011/11/indoor-bmx-track-is-back-in-action.html

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John Donson

We know, we know. You’re all curious about all these new team conglomerates and partnerships going on around the action sports world. �Well let me just say that before we delve deeper into all this team switching madness, I must let you in on the one team that matters: the LAKERS. Wilt. Kareem. Shaq. Kaman. �That’s right. �We signed Chris Kaman bitches!! �You might not be familiar with this zombie faced Neanderthal that only a zombie MOTHER could love, but this dude is legit and he’s going to help Kobe and whoever else is on that team to win another Laker title. �Laker Nation! Now back to the action sports world. Are you curious as to what is going on with �two of Girl Skateboard’s ex’s? �Check out this Alex Olson interview regarding he and Brian Anderson’s 3D Skateboards. Jenkem Mag recently caught up with Alex Olson to discuss bizness. CHECK IT!

Source: http://www.lat34.com/2013/08/12/alex-olson-interview-with-jenk-mag/

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John Donson

This has been an awsome year at the trails! Lot's of super fun sessions and some new faces making regular appearances. Let's end it on a high note. See you there! Special thanks to all the sponsors and extra thanks to Shad at Goods Bmx. Email me at backwoodstrails@gmail.com for more info.

Source: http://eugenebmx.blogspot.com/2011/09/trail-jam.html

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