Bart de Jong
The unmistakable sounds of tires hitting ramps and the sight of gravity-defying tricks and stunts make the thrilling world of BMX stand out from the crowd. Within the BMX world, a select group of riders have gone from being relatively ordinary to becoming legends of the sport. Each of the five iconic riders you are about to learn more about has not only left their mark on the BMX world but also made their names synonymous with excellence and innovation. Let’s get this show on the road!
Dave Mirra
Dave Mirra was more than just a BMX rider; he was a trailblazer who is loved and revered as much today as he was before his sad passing in February 2016. Born in Chittenango, New York, in April 1974, Mirra moved to Greenville, North Carolina, where his brother, Tim, was attending East Carolina University. By a stroke of luck, professional BMX rider Ryan Nyquist moved in with Tim, and Mirra quickly became good friends. Mirra turned professional in 1992, bursting onto the scene. His desire to push the limits of what was possible on a BMX resulted in a meteoric rise to the top. Mirra loved competing in the X Games, where he could showcase his skills and fearless character. Indeed, Mirra tied with Tony Hawk and Joe Parsons as the fastest to reach 14 X Games medals and won 24 medals in total. He won at least one X Games medal every year from 1995 through 2009, except in 2006 when he was injured
Biking is not only an enjoyable pastime but also a great way to improve your fitness and explore your surroundings. Whether you're looking to embark on urban adventures or escape to nature's trails, The Beginner's Handbook to Biking is your comprehensive guide to setting the wheels in motion. In the following chapters, we'll cover everything from selecting the right bike to mastering the basics of road safety. So strap on your helmet and get ready to pedal towards confidence and adventure!
Top Biking Havens Around the Globe
If you have a passion for biking and a love for travel, there are certain destinations around the world known as biking havens that should be on your must-visit list. These locales offer breathtaking landscapes, well-maintained paths, and a supportive community that elevates the biking experience. The Netherlands offers serene countryside and an extensive network of cycle paths, perfect for leisurely rides. The Canadian Rockies boast rugged mountain trails, providing a thrilling adventure for outdoor enthusiasts. The bustling city becomes more accessible with the introduction of the folding bike Singapore has to offer. Riders can effortlessly and efficiently navigate the urban landscape, enjoying the convenience it brings. Whether you're seeking an urban cycling experience in Copenhagen or a scenic way to explore New Zealand's natural beauty, there's a biking haven waiting to be discovered.
Choosing the Right Bike for Your Journey
New season, new gear, new bike, new training programs, new countries, new tracks.... How does one prepare? We sat down with Niek Kimmann at TLD in Corona to find out more on his off season.
First of all, we know you and your brother as BMXers with a passion, trying to suck everything up in the BMX world and take everything in. How come you needed a BMX break after becoming the Olympic Gold Medalist?
Niek Kimmann: Yeah, I had a 3-month break from BMX. I simply had enough of it. When I became World Champion for the first time, I was in a similar situation. At one point you reach a new level which comes with new responsibilities. You train for races. When you win those races, it comes with responsibilities that you're not prepared for. You're young, you listen to advice from others, you must do this, you must do that....but you're inexperienced yourself so you take everyone's advice but at some point...pause... The reason I started riding BMX is because I liked doing it. At one point so many things get added to your life which are overpowering the sole reason why you started riding BMX. It's not that you forget why you ride, but expectations are up and that makes it hard riding your bike just because you love riding your bike. When I became World Champ back in 2015 I made that mistake and I think that after the Tokyo2020 Olympics I fell in the same trap and I simply had to stop and did not race for a little while. For myself I had to delete all results and titles and had to get back to the core of why I ride. I like to race because I love racing. Even if I would never win a race again, I would still like it.
Watch the finals from Round Two of the 2024 UCI BMX Racing World Cup in Rotorua (NZL) on Sunday 11 February.
Watch the finals from Round One of the 2024 UCI BMX Racing World Cup in Rotorua (NZL) on Saturday 10 February.
Day 9. The usual morning rituals but this one included getting gas at Arco. Gas is cheaper when you pay cash. Never heard of that one before. 0.89c per gallon in 1990. Now $4bucks. Still half the price of what we pay in Europe so just fill 'er up! We'd been walking in and out companies hoping for the best. Philip had spotted Gunther Werks Porsche in HB so we passed by there. The sign said, no visitors/tours so we drove on.
Then just around the corner we spotted an ASV van. The driver looked like Bob Morales. I asked Philip to see where ASV is and it was just a few minutes away. Bob had his hands in, or was the starter of, many early BMX Freestyle projects. He toured with Bob Haro, started MF (Morales-Fiola), Dyno, the American Freestyle Association (AFA), Kore products and later on Morales flatland bikes. We had never met in person. Bob is running ASV inventions, a big player in the motocross world. Bob made time for us which was cool as it happened unexpectedly. We had just met one of the pioneers of BMX Freestyle by accident.
After their GT days Bob Hadley and Billy Griggs had moved over to Razor where the both of them had been working on cool toys. Billy's latest project is the fun Stage2 e-dirt bike. We were lucky to catch Billy in the office as he had planned to have a test riding session with Barry Nobles that day.
Woodward BMX Season 2 - EP4 - BMX Fútbol Morgan Wade reminds the kids why he's known as the "Texas Madman" with his Legends Challenge. Jamie Bestwick sends a message from across the pond and creates a new sport, "BMX Fútbol. Team Uncertified and The A-Team end the day on the trails for a sunset session on the Dirt Jumps.
Boyd Hilder hit us up with some highlights from his Off The Couch jam at Pizzey Park in Australia - sit back and enjoy the mayhem. MAHD RIDAHS!
In this video I take you through a gym session with exercises from Oscar at Tri90 Fitness (@tri90fitness). I'd like to give a huge thanks to Erickson Spray Foam (@ericksonsprayfoam) for making this happen.
Der Höhenflüge-Contest im und um den The Last Hole Skatepark im schönen Hohenfichte ist eine absolute Pflichtveranstaltung für die ostdeutsche BMX-Szene. Aber auch aus Tschechien und Österreich waren dafür auch im vergangenen Herbst wieder einige Draufgänger extra nach Sachsen gereist. Hier sind die Highlights der 2023er Auflage.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.