FATBMX Your Online BMX News Resource Since 1998

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?

The market for Oldschool BMX bikes and parts has gone through the roof. But asking something, and selling for that price is something else. But if there is a market, and money can be made, there will always be people interested in it. Others love it for the sake of BMX history. They prefer to trade and help a fellow collector out who is looking for that one part that would complete their bike build. Either way, BMX history is being preserved and that's a good thing.

Marcel Hurk over at Oldschool Bike Parts in Heesch puts in the effort to get the Oldskool BMX community together at his place at least once a year. His "man cave" is like a BMX museum in itself. So much to see, so many parts. Crates and boxes full of stuff and he might just have the bike part that you're looking for. Marcel and his crew had ordered three MX Mug Bobble Heads and made trophies of them. They were rad. Three categories were awarded with a trophy. Several collectors had entered their bikes in the "competition" and several of them were beauties.

Gerrit Does made it over and he was asked some questions on the history of BMX. Always good to hear it straight from the source. No one better to ask it as Gerrit is responsible for a LOT of the early BMX developments in The Netherlands, Europe and actually worldwide through the IBMXF and later the integration into the FIAC/UCI.