Maybe it wasn't a random Saturday, do they even exist when life changes with updated Corona regulations every week? Anyway, on Saturday October 17th several BMX activities took place. We started the day at the Flame Trails. With no real plan but to do some laps and work on the dirt spot, around 15 riders showed up. Everyone knows that with a lot of people with a rake or shovel in their hands, work gets done quickly. The Flame Trails are now in the best shape they've been in months and word spreads fast as the next day even more riders showed up for a dirt session.
Saturday was also the day of the BMX Street session in Helmond set-up by City Legends. BMX-ers gathered at the Train station and hit up several spots including the Warande park and ended at the Helm Trails at the other side of town where a dirt session was happening already with several visitors from out of town.
USA Cycling Backyard Cribs!!! Have a look at my backyard in this little video I did for USA Cycling!
It could be me but during the Covid-19 times I've seen lots of trails riding happening. Of course riding trails comes with the hard work of building them but in the nature of trails riding, this can be done away from the masses. If 1,5 meter distance needs to be followed, building trails is perfect. 1) You won't have tons of people around to dig and 2) If everyone builds their own set, there's enough distance in between all people at the dirt spot. The freedom to create whatever you feel like is very attractive; you just need a shovel, some water and dirt to create a dream line.
But rain can destroy the dream quickly if the jumps are not covered up when the water comes down with buckets at a time. The Flame Trails have experienced the feat, and do now need some love again in order to make them run smoothly. The Helm Trails at the other side of town are covered up after every session and even though the heavy rain created some extra work, the Helm Trails are already back up and running.
The Mid-week session took place on a sweet summer night. Not too hot, not too windy, and when the sun went down, the condition was perfect. But that moment doesn't last long and the mosquitos also seem to favour that time of the day to look for some blood. Anyway, we shot some pics for you to enjoy. Check @helmtrails on Insta for session days/times. Well worth it.
BdJ
My biggest project so far – this film documents the 55 Trails from March 2016 till July 2019. Paul Müller aka Paule Altah is a dedicated trails builder and a real and raw Berlin character.
Yes, it’s true, The Rye Airfield park and all of the land around it is for sale. Beau Lambert explains: "We were going to make this public on April 13th this year but we also knew that so many of our young customers had already had a rough go with remote learning and massive social changes. Losing what many consider their 2nd home would just add to it. There are so many reasons behind this decision but Covid is unfortunately the final straw for us to make this information public.
1) - Operate with sessions, currently referred to as training sessions with a coach on hand all the time to meet Covid standards, until a sale can be made. This could happen as fast as a couple months or take more than a year. We will stay open as long as we are not going into debt.
2) - If a sale doesn’t take place and we are still covering costs we will stay open until April 13th, 2022. It was always our goal to make it at least 20 years.
3) - If demand isn’t there for us to operate under current restrictions we will close the doors, that could be at anytime. IF sessions sell out we will keep adding them to meet demand.
Amsterdam is getting a new skatepark and it is located on the Zeeburgereiland. Due to the current circumstances, there will be no official opening event. Nonetheless, the park will be open to the public from June 19th, 2020.
Quarantine Parks. Places to ride during Covid-19 times. Part 22: Flame Trails (NED)
It's safe to say that the Flame Trails in Helmond, NL received more love during this pandemic than they received the past 9 months. The fact that kids were home from school and parents worked from home resulted in lots of visits from local riders. Team Afhaak started fixing up the trails 3 months ago and as everyone knows, once the trails run well, people will come over to ride them. And they did.
Afternoon sessions as well as evening sessions became bigger than allowed. Keep in mind, during the corona crisis, 1,5 meter distance needed to be kept at all times. It was even forbidden to be at one
Quarantine Parks. Private places to ride during Covid-19 times. Part 21: Marcus Christopher's ramps (USA)
Name of Park: Graceland Bmx
Operator: Marcus Christopher
Location: Canton, Ohio
It seems like things are slowly opening up again. What's the Covid-19 situation like where you live?
Marcus Christopher: Retail businesses and restaurants are slowing starting to open back up although, there still are quite a few regulations. As of now until July 1st, social distancing gathering restrictions and the use of masks are being suggested. Local skateparks are starting to open back up as well.
How did it feel when you were asked to stay home and you could go to the yard to do some riding still?
Marcus Christopher: I felt fortunate to have my backyard setup but the weather here in Ohio didn’t permit me to ride as much as I’d like.
Quarantine Parks. Private places to ride during Covid-19 times. Part 20: Dennis Enarson's ramps (USA)
Name Park: Doesn’t really have a name, we just call them the ramps haha
Location: San Diego, CA
What are the Covid-19 restrictions where you live at the moment?
Dennis Enarson: They are pretty loose at the moment. Seems like everything is normal except you see the masks every where and a lot of businesses are still closed. Looks like everything is loosening up daily.
How does it feel having a ramp available whenever you feel like riding?
Dennis Enarson: It is seriously amazing. It’s my favorite park in the world and its open to ride whenever the sun is shining. Couldn't be any more grateful.
Have the sessions been small in size because of the pandemic?
Dennis Enarson: Ya I chilled them out for sure. Just a few people at a time for now. Trying to stay safe and stay apart from each other too. I would like to think the people that have been coming over are super healthy but you never know. So we try and not breath on each other. Which isn’t too hard with a few people and a massive setup.
What kind of wood did you use for the ramp?
Dennis Enarson: Skatelite hooked it up and it is amazing!
Quarantine Parks. Private places to ride during Covid-19 times. Part 19: Andy Buckworth's yard (USA)
Name Park: Soprano spot
Operator: Myself Andy Buckworth
Location: California, USA
What are the Covid-19 restrictions where you live at the moment?
Andy Buckworth: Right now we are allowed to leave the house to exercise, visit the dr, or visit the grocery store. Restaurants are open, for take away only.
How does it feel having a ramp available whenever you feel like riding?
Andy Buckworth: Honestly it’s a blessing. I hate being off my bike and even though there aren’t any events coming up, I still ride my bike every day.
Has the yard seen much change since you bought the house?
Andy Buckworth: Not yet. However I plan to make some pretty substantial changes. Hopefully in the near future.
What kind of wood did you use for the ramp?
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.