A â€˜MOV-U-MENTAL’ DAY FOR DEVON!

Apr 26, 2006

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 8712 times

They hail from Devon, they live to ride, and they go under the name of ‘the moVment’. Notorious to Devon, these local BMX’ers are hosting their third annual ‘moVment Jam’ on 27th and 28th May, at local Decoy Park, with an opportunity for any amateur riders to come along and take part, or simply watch the event unfold. It all started in 2003, when a small group of likeminded BMX’ers from Newton Abbot came together to create a low key BMX jam in response to their local trails being closed. Following an unprecedented response from the local community, Teignbridge Council resolved to work alongside the BMX enthusiasts to help respond to health and safety concerns, and support their dreams for a better facility ... and so the Movement Jam was born!

Now in its third year, and charging £5 to compete, proceeds from the Jam will go towards “The Decoy Misfits BMX Dirt Club” - a local skate/bmx park for the whole community and with a recent injection of £5,000 from the National Lottery fund and support from the local council, the target of £100,000 is beginning to look very possible.

Red Bull athlete and BMX Dirt World Champion Kye Forte, better known as the brains behind ‘the moVment’ commented: “We’ve gone from losing everything we had to being on the verge of hosting the best skate/bmx trials in the country. But we’re still a long way off our target and urge any local enterprises to help support us, especially as this is such a positive community project.”

Bringing pro’s and amateurs together, over 180 local amateurs are expected to attend, with another further 10 pros’ competing, including international names such as; Bas Keep, Scott Edgeworh, Steven Murray and the Forte brothers! And whilst the point of the event is to generate local support for the park, there will be prizes kindly donated by Oakley, DC and Seventies, but to name a few.

Starting on Saturday 27th May, the event will commence with an amateur dirt and spine competition, followed by ‘highest air on dirt’ - complete with an ambitious 8ft lip to jump! Whilst Sunday will see the pro’s take to the trails, as the ‘longest 180’, ‘pro dirt’ and ‘best whip’ take place.

Cllr David Cox, Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Community Services said: “We are delighted with the outcome of everyone’s hard work. The development from informal group to potentially the country’s first ever Dirt Jump Club is impressive and it’s due in the main to the local support and commitment to the sport.” As landowner Teignbridge remains responsible for ensuring the facility has appropriate health and safety safeguards in place, however, we have also understood the need for a local facility that will encourage and support the development of the sport. The forthcoming event shows just how much can be done when communities pull together with their local authority and I am proud the Teignbridge district is putting itself on the national sporting map for BMX Dirt Jumping.

Co-founder Kye said: “It’s gonna be nuts! For the first time ever, we’re hosting a ‘whip competition’ which has never been done before, and the jumps are dangerously high too - we’re talking 15ft off the ground! But it’s all about having fun and raising money for a good cause - it’s an event by the people for the people!”

Info: Green Machine BMX Shop, 57, Exeter Rd, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot (01626 335799) or email direct at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.