James and the Giant Fixie

While on a recent stay in Seattle, James picked up this FBM fixed gear. I've got nothing else to say on the subject.

Ok, I do have more.. It's actually a bit fun to ride.

Enjoy The Trick Jam Summer Jam Video

Full write-up will be on enjoythetrick.com, but here's the video. Great work by Justin!

Haro 25th Anniversary Show - Ashland Oregon

Like I was 12 years old again, giving the big thumbs up with Bob Haro,
Brian Blyther, Dave Nourie and Mike Dominguez

August 14 2010 - Ashland, OR.

Very few people in life actually get to meet their heroes. If you grew up a big Led Zeppelin fan, chances are 25 years later you still haven't met Robert Plant. Freestyle BMX is different, especially now. In 1986 when I first got into freestyle, the only access I had to pro riders was the magazine. In the summer of 1987 our local bike shop hosted the Haro Freestle team (actually there were two teams touring that summer I think). Burbank Schwinn was the place and Ron Wilkerson, Brian Blyther and Dave Nourie were the team.

Dave Nourie wows the crowd, summer 1987.

Brian Blyther airs over the Haro ramp.

Ron Wilkerson one-handed rocket air.

That show stuck in my mind and memory as the defining freestyle show. I saw a few other shows over the next couple summers, but Ron, Brian and Dave were at the top of the game back then and that was the show everyone wanted to see. So it was pretty exciting to hear that the Haro team were doing some reunion shows to celebrate the 25th anniversary.

The first show took place at the Worlds in Germany in 2009. A pretty amazing video edit from Germany made it online. Early in 2010 I went with a few friends to an old-school BMX gathering in Albany, OR and Dave Nourie was actually there. Between riding and having a few beers (the show was at a brew pub), Dave mentioned the team would be doing another show in August, in Ashland OR. I marked it on the calendar.

I guess Dave is pretty involved in the community in Ashland and helps organize a bike event called Bike It. The Haro show was to be the highlight of the 2010 Bike It event. I arrived early, there were only a handful of people there. I saw Dave in a fluorescent green shirt with matching Vans getting things organized.

Dave Nourie, master of ceremonies

Dave in the midst of "Nourie's Story," the flatland demo

Throughout the day, there was a lot of free riding, some bike events, Dave's Flatland Demo, a silent auction and a ton of raffle giveaways. Despite the mid 90s temperatures, it was a very cool day even before the Haro team took center stage.

Right around 5:30, Kevin Martin took over the mic, just like the old days and got the festivities started. Before the show kicked off, he pointed out guys in the crowd like Bob Haro, Scotty Freeman and few other old schoolers.  A few minutes later he directed the attention of the crowd to the back of the lot where a stretched black limo was pulling up with 4 BMX bikes hanging off the back. The driver and a girl on skates got out to open the door and let Dave, Ron, Brian and Mike Dominguez out. The old school music was cranking and the show got started proper.

The only way to arrive at a show.

The guys all took turns taking runs, Dave filling out the flatland portion and the rest hitting the ramps (though Ron did do a few slick ground moves). The heat was intense and the team was decked out in full Haro uniforms and old school helmets (complete with mouth guard). It must have been unbelievably hot but they all hit it hard and gave everything they had.

Ron W pedal picker drop in, pulled first try

Brian with a Chicken Air (video still)

Mike D fakie (video still)

This is what a 35 year old kid looks like.
That silly grin was on my face the entire time.

The show ended and almost like that first show I saw in '87, the team gathered at the foot of the ramp and took photos with everyone. The only thing missing was a sticker toss. 

2010 Summer Jam Hardcore Rider Award

While the jam video gets its final touches, I've been posting little odds and ends. This is another one from the Lucky Lab After Jam Series. This time a short interview with the Groundhog, Bret himself.

Born Without Eyelids

Mark's story about his nephew being born without eyelids. The advancements in medicine are just crazy these days.

2010 Summer Jam

More will be added, and a video edit will happen, but I wanted to post a quick group shot of the summer jam. The weather cooperated, the riders came out and all had a great time.

Jam Day.

It's finally here. Hopefully be posting a few things throughout the day. Can't wait to get out there and ride.

One More Day

Bike Thieves

Thieves in general are low. Bike thieves in particular, for us, are the lowest. The sentiment in the image above is right on.

There's been a recent rash of bike theft in Portland, with 4 or 5 bikes being stolen in the last two weeks. Goods BMX was broken into and a complete new Sunday nabbed. Now, just yesterday Mark Rainha and his girlfriend Sherry had their bikes stolen in broad daylight in a busy part of town.

The thieves cut the cable lock and nonchalantly placed the cable back on the bike racks and rolled away. Luckily, while driving around looking for the bikes, they spotted Sherry's not 6 blocks away and got it back (amazing right?!). Day Glow orange pedals!

The other is still missing. If you see some crack head rolling around on a nice street bike with a black frame, red handlebars, beige forks, beige pedals, and a one-off Camacura (Quamen) street stem, it ain't his/hers. Offer to trade a McDonald's cheeseburger for it then contact anyone in the Portland BMX community.