Ben Crockett, former BMX Plus editor and lifelong rider, just released a gritty debut novel rooted in the spirit of mid-90s BMX culture and LA street life. Set in 1994 Los Angeles, the story follows a crew of kids who escape the chaos above by riding through the city's underground washaways — until rival street crews and something eerie lurking below turn their summer into a fight for survival. It’s The Goonies meets Mid90s, with real LA grit and a sharp edge only someone who lived it could write.
Ben spent over two decades as a writer and photographer immersed in riding, exploring, and storytelling. His debut brings that raw authenticity to the page.
Regardless of size, every city has its mysteries. In 1994, Los Angeles has more than 22,000 miles of maintained roads and freeways, a wall of civil engineering, rushing west from the deserts and spilling over into the Pacific. Mapped down to the smallest alley, it’s hard to believe it has any secrets left, but under its bustling streets, a dark labyrinth remains; thousands of miles of subterranean wash ways, carved from the landscape before the city itself, and long forgotten.
For one brave, yet unlikely group of friends, the tunnels are a source of mischief and adventure, but they are about to find out what happens when their conflicts above, clash with the inexplicable below. The underground maze they had mastered was their fortress against the outside world, but where will they run when they find out they aren’t alone in the darkness?
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.