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?
If you've got £71.99 available for a book then you should look into pre-ordering this one. "This Bike Could Be Your Life" Book will be available in Spring '24 and they are now available to pre-order from all your favourite 4Down Dealers.
This book features 324+ pages worth of photos, artwork, words and unseen materials from the last 30 years from the DIG archives alongside reflections from Taj Mihelich, Ryan Worcester, Joe Rich, Mike O'Bryan, Edwin De La Rosa, Allan McNaughton, Ruben Alcantara, Van Homan, Brian Foster & lots more.
It takes someone to do it. It took Alain Massabova a year to do it. Some things are easier said then done. "You should write a book about the history of BMX!" Alain took on the challenge and pulled it off, and in a great way. 300 pages of French BMX history, from the early days to 2022. From racing to freestyle. Jams to competitions. Road trips to photo shoots. France has some rich history in BMX and flipping through the book you will face familiar names. Some you've forgotten. Some are still ripping. In 35 years a lot has happened in BMX and seeing everything together in one thick book is great. Collecting the photos alone must have been a challenge. Back in the day nothing was digital so that scanner must have made some overtime scanning all the early photos. Then archiving them first, putting them in the right order before making a selection. Which ones to use?
It only works when eveyone pitches in, and lots of them did. This makes the book something special for everyone. The book starts off with the 1978-1988 oldschool phase. How it started, the pioneers,
Title of the book: The Power of Belief
Author: Sarah Juggins / Bethany Shriever
Date published: 12th September 2022
Pages: 272
When were you approached to do a book?
Bethany Shriever: Start of the year!
How long was the thinking process before you decided to get to work on the book?
Bethany Shriever: Not that long really, it’s not often you get offered the opportunity to write your own book about your journey in sport (so far).
Did you have things lined up and organized as far as photos were concerned?
Bethany Shriever: We went through old photos my dad had kept on his computer from when I first started. The rest was fairly easy as there are some amazing photographers out there who get some great shots, like ProperCycling magazine and Navada BMX Photography.
How many days have you spent creating the book?
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.