Eddie Fiola - Episode 28 - The Union Tapes Podcast by The Union Tapes

Jul 25, 2024

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 677 times

Back when I first got into BMX, we used to go Rom on semi regular basis, dreaming of one day being able to air the concrete bowls there like the other kids could. Rom had some amazing locals, low key and top sponsored guys.

But what everyone really fawned over was the California skateparks, under the picturesque blue sky, light coloured concrete, motocross googles and colourful race uniforms. There were a few riders that featured regularly in the UK magazines, pics started coming out in UK magazines of riders like Eddie, Brian Blyther, Mike Dominguez and Rich Sigur who specialised in aerial moves at the pipeline skatepark in CA. These pics were the ones all of us aspiring youngsters looked to and dreamed about. One of the riders that I started to see feature in the uk magazines was Eddie Fiola, Whom by this point was aboard the new GT performer fully kitted out in matching race gear.
The buzz was well and truly out there and this guy was on everyones radar, more photoshoots and a visit to the UK to compete on the new UK BMX TV show Kellogs track wars was perfect timing. Now almost a house hold name in the UK. That year yellow bike part sales no doubt got as popular as they have ever been.
Eddie was all over the magazines and events for the next few years, but then slowly faded out of the spot light, even though he never quit riding BMX. We do the usual here and follow Eddies story from his first bike into BMX, creating skatepark riding with the early pioneers and what evolved from it. First photoshoots, the start of the King of the Skateparks events. Multiple sponsorship stories, visits and tours to the Japan, UK and Europe. Controversy at the Kellogs event.
Shows, the changing face of BMX, right up to present day and releasing the EF frame fork and bar kits….An information over load on this one for me. Enjoy.
Bob Morales
Bob Osborne
Tinker Jurez
Fred Bekker
Bob Haro
Jeff Watson
Mike Dominguez
Brian Blyther
Dave Vanderspek
Donovan Ritter
Tony Murray
Rich Sigur
Richard Anderson
Josh White
Jess Dyrenforth
Dave Curry
Ron Wilkerson
Dave Breed
Terry Jenkins
Andy Irwin
Craig Campbell
Neil Ruffell
Maurice Meyer
Josh White
Mat Hoffman
Dave Voelker
Stu Thompsen
Harry Leary
Greg Hill
Timmy Judge
Scot Breithaupt