was the "Austinites" or the world of BMX that convinced people to dress the way they were. “Keep Austin Weird” was in full effect! I was wearing basketball shorts and a t-shirt, but you'd think I was the preppy kid wearing khakis and a polo (not that there's anything wrong with khakis and a polo). It's just not my style! Neither is cut off dickies and a tank top! Not that there's anything wrong with cut off dickies and a tank top, it's just that I thought the hippie lifestyle died in the 70's...I guess I was wrong. As mainstream as I'd like to think the BMX world is, it still carries it's underground roots. Within 10 minutes of being at the Jam I leaned over to Ricardo and said, "Don't take this the wrong way, but you don't fit in here bro."
I was expecting to see grunge and tattoos, but to the extent it exists in the BMX world is crazy to me. Maybe it's because I've never been to a live competition but only seen it on X Games and the Dew Tour when it's broadcast. I guess I can blame TV for my ignorance. Without the glamour and the lights, this is a lifestyle. I understand now that BMX isn't what most of you do, it's like the world if hip-hop, it’s who you are. It's a way of life.
I can't tell you how many people I met that currently live in a specific city or are relocating just to be in a good place to ride. Not only that, but I was shocked to see how many riders live competition to competition and scrounge up every penny they can find just to put the next gallon of gas in their car or next bottle of cheap beer in their system. It was all definitely an eye opening experience.
I used to ride BMX as a kid but that was almost 30 years ago and I had no idea I could've attempted to make a living by doing so. I say making a living because to me it seems as though only a handful of the riders are true professionals and make enough money to support their habits and lifestyle. Maybe I'm wrong (it's just an observation).
Spending the weekend at the Texas Toast Jam was a great experience and I learned a lot about the world of BMX. The fans are loyal and true to the roots of the sport and support their favorite rider no matter the outcome of their run or the results of the judges. I can’t wait to go watch another live competition.
I apologize if I have offended anyone. I'm just an outsider looking in, as this was my first experience in the real world of BMX.
-Greg Mueller
P.s. Ricardo Laguna got last. I don't know what place Austin Coleman, Big Daddy, Jeremy Ball, and Van Homan got. Kevin Porter got 5th, Clint Reynolds 4th, Ricky Moseley 3rd, Chase Hawk 2nd, Gary Young won.
- Mike Aitken made a presense at the Texas Toast jam and grabbed his bike:
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