Decommissioning the Ares Army

I started collecting Ares Ashura frames a few years back. I've always loved the design of this frame (all Ares really). Long story short, this project started, but never got finished. It's time to clear out the garage.

The powder coating was all done within the last year and the bike was only partially assembled. Unique powder coating in that the frame, cranks and bars are not a solid green (the forks are factory Fly Bikes painted, basically NOS, with a light metal flake finish). The color goes from dark to light green and you can even see some yellow when it's under nice lighting. Very cool finish. I chose the green for the frame, bars and cranks to match as close as I could to the forks, as I did not want to remove the stickers on the forks. The powder coating alone was $100.


So, $145 shipped (to the lower 48) gets you:

Ares Ashura Frame
Fly Bikes Suelo Fork
Poverty 3-Piece cranks (unsealed BB)
Twenty Ellipse Bars (22" wide)
Odyssey Griswald Grips
Odyssey Par Ends

FlatWebTV EP12 - One year!

I completely skipped posting Episode 11, let's face it, I'm not a blogger. I spend a minimum of 12 hours a day looking at a computer screen for my job, so I tend not to want to do it too much when the work day is over. At any rate, here's EP12. Quite proud of this one.

FlatWebTV EP10!

G-Shock Contest Edit from Osaka, Japan

Not been updating this lately, but we did just finish the G-Shock Real Toughness Contest edit from Osaka, Japan. I had such a good time there. Seeing the whole format, the breakdancing battles, the skate rail jam, the MCs and DJs...it was just a perfect event. Of course it was all highlighted for me by the flat contest and afterwards by the interviews with Shinichi Kiba. Such a great event.

Freestyle5 EP2 Is Up!

The guys put EP2 together and it's a dandy. Watch the credits for some fun.

3rd Annual Seattle Flatland Jam

Rue did it again, a very nice jam. Attendance was good with a proper showing from Canada and Portland as well as the usual Washington suspects. Very nice.

Here's a short edit I did with the help of Justin filming and my friend Mike providing the music.

FlatWebTV Episode #6!

We shot Ep6 in Seattle, at Marymoor Park during the 3rd Annual Seattle Jam. Thanks to Rue for putting the event on, lots of fun.

Terry Adams in Portland

Terry Adams was recently in town for Red Bull, so we caught up with him for a couple of late afternoon sessions in front of the Salmon Street Springs Fountain on Portland's waterfront. He's a heck of a nice guy and seeing him ride in person is amazing. Caught a nice link on video with stellar cheering from a Portlander.

Akira on a Fixie

Cool little video of Akira (and a guy named T-Gon) riding track frames with 20" wheels. Akira's is fixed gear as well. A little proof that real skills translate to just about any type of bicycle.

FlatWebTV Episode #5!

Episode 5 is in the can. Great job again by Justin and Marie. Thanks to Shad for the location!

Trip to Woodward West for Old School BMX Reunion

I recently took a trip with 9 other guys in one van to the Old School BMX Reunion at Woodward West April 1-3. From Portland, OR to Tehachapi, CA, we stopped along the way at three skateparks and hit In-N-Out burger twice (good shakes, didn't try the burger). It was exciting, inspiring, crazy, exhausting, smelly, but most of all fun. Thanks to Shad for organizing this and all the riders on the trip for putting up with a flatlander. Also, thanks to THE RiCECOOKERS for giving me permission to use one of their songs.

FlatWebTV Episode #4!

The fourth episode is up. Another great job on the edit by Justin and a lot of fun. Special thanks to Pete Brandt for the interview.

FlatWebTV / BSR Japan Charity T-Shirt

4/11, Update: I've sold all the shirts! I have a little over $200 to send to the Red Cross. It's not a huge sum of money but I know every little bit helps. Thanks to everyone who bought one of these.

A few days ago I got the urge to design a shirt that we can sell and then donate the money to relief efforts in Japan. A quick design and quick printing and voila! We have a limited number available, 5 medium and 5 large (and maybe 1 XL). Pricing is $17 shipped (within the 48 contiguous States) and 100% of that will go to the International Red Cross. If you are interested contact me via FlatWebTV's Facebook page.

Design notes: A simple red dot to represent the hino maru (Japanese national flag), turned into a 43-tooth sprocket with the words がんばれ　日本　across the gear (translated as "Do Your Best Japan!" which is a common rally cry in Japan). The FlatWebTV and BSR (Bicycle Soul Rider) logos are positioned below. Red ink on white short-sleeve.

Update: The signed XL is available now too. This was passed around at the Old School BMX Reunion on April 2 and signed by guys like Mat Hoffman, Dennis McCoy, Brian Blyther, Ron Wilkerson, Dave Nourie, Rick Allison, Rich Sigur, Tony Murray, Jose Yanez, Scott Freeman, Dylan Worsley and more. This one is a flat $43 shipped to the lower 48. Other destinations please contact me direct. 100% of the proceeds go to the International Red Cross to help relief efforts in Japan.

Get a Cool T-Shirt, Help Japan

430 is putting out a T-shirt with all proceeds going to the Japanese Red Cross to assist victims. It's a great way to donate and get a rad T-shirt. Go here for the ordering. It's a Japanese site but I am sure if you email the shop they will help you through the process.

EDIT: Apparently no overseas ordering through the site. If you want info about overseas shipping, email here: info@decadeshop.com. Or, if you have friends in Japan, ask them to pick one up (that's what I did).

http://decade.shop-pro.jp/?pid=30140202

Space Ark Story - Kobe, Japan

We finished the edit yesterday. I shot this on February 20th, and now three weeks later Japan is in the midst of a devastating tragedy. Certainly puts a lot of things in perspective and I hope more survivors can be found and the recovery can begin. Having lived in Japan for over 3 years, I know this about the Japanese: they will stoically pick up the pieces and rebuild. The level of calm and order in the wake of such a terrible event should be a lesson to the world. The government (and governments around the world) is responding and neighbors are helping each other.

FlatWebTV Teaser - Space Ark Japan

In February 2011 I had a chance to visit Space Ark, a flatland specific shop in Kobe Japan. On that same day they were holding their bi-monthly "BMX School," where pro riders come out to help the AMs and Beginners with trick tips and general flatland info. The owner of Space Ark, Naonori Tsunei answered a few questions about his shop and BMX School. 

This is a teaser for the full edit.

New Ares York Uno Frame - AY DAW

Looks like York's new frame from Ares will be out in April '11. A little promo video of him riding it (he also made the music!). Frame looks tight. As usual, good luck finding this in the states.

FlatWebTV Episode #3

Another one under our belts. Justin just keeps getting better with the edits. Momo made another appearance and we didn't get hammered. A win by any measure.

Space Ark Interview - Kobe, Japan

I recently went to Japan and while there managed to stumble through an interview with the owner of Space Ark, a Flatland only BMX shop in Kobe Japan. A whole host of things went wrong that day including my video camera taking a shit. For some reason I then felt off the whole day and didn't really manage to get all the footage or the great interview I was hoping for. I did a horrible job explaining what I was after and with only a laptop to record the interview, well, you'll see the results. In any case, it will all be available soon from FlatWebTV.

Prior to getting to the shop I had the pleasure of watching a bunch of local riders (including Shinichi Kiba) ride at Meriken Park, for the BMX School that Space Ark regularly puts on. Beginners and AMs ride with Pros, and everyone learns a bit. I should have some pretty decent video of this in the story we'll put on FlatWebTV. ロシア absolutley killed it.

Tsumiki, one of the shop staff (and a great rider, you can see him at the :39 mark of this video) took some "behind-the-scenes" shots of the day and posted some funny comments on his blog (in Japanese).  Below are some photos, one of the Space Ark contest I competed in many moons ago in Kobe, a couple of the riders from the BMX School event at Meriken Park and then, Tsumiki's shots of the interview. I urge you all (all 3 of you reading this), if you are ever in Japan, find your way to Space Ark.

Me rolling a deathtruck at the Space Ark contest, circa 2002.

BMX School in session.

Fumbling through an interview at Space Ark with the owner, a super nice guy who bought me beer after the interview.

I create even more confusion by just launching into the interview. The lovely Nana helped smooth things over in both languages.

BMX Gets Respect in Sign Banning BMX

For once a sign was specific about what activities cannot be done, and BMX got the mention it deserves. I saw this today while walking around Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan. For some reason I just like seeing those three letters in an official sign, even if that sign was telling BMXers to piss off.

FlatWebTV Episode 2 Up!

Episode #2, still maybe drank too much, but that adds to the charm right? This time we had a small studio audience (Joe, Brett and James) adding a cool element to the taping. We did the episode in one take again, front to back without stopping. Actually, with all the beer we drank, it's unlikely we could have done a second take anyhow.

Justin did a great job with the edit. For as loose and all over the place as we were, there's still a nice rhythm (in my humble opinion). I look forward to getting skewered on Global and doing the next episode. Hope you all enjoy.

FlatWebTV Episode 2 Coming Soon

We shot the second episode of FlatWebTV this weekend. Justin is working on the final edit. We had a bit of a studio audience in addition to Marie doing the video/audio. Momo even got in on the action. Check back soon for the final edit. Topics include: Jam coverage, frame debate, old videos digitized and posted on the web and few other thoughts. A lot of fun.

Winter Classic Edit #2

Mark Rainha's edit was posted on ESPN. Fancy!

2011 Portland Winter Classic

The Portland Winter Classic went down this past weekend. A lot of fun. Good vibe with a lot of flat and street riding happening.

Some good coverage of the jam:



Images and story from Jared Souney
http://www.jaredsouney.com/2011/01/portland-winter-flatland-jam/


Coverage from GoodsBMX
http://goodsbmx.net/blog/?p=2734


Coverage from Bike Portland
http://bikeportland.org/2011/01/17/a-peek-into-portlands-bmx-flatland-scene-46124