FATBMX Your Online BMX News Resource Since 1998

It sucks when your own spot gets torn down. It doesn't matter if it's an official skatepark, trails or your ghetto spot. Marten Koster is calling everyone to say goodbye to his ghetto spot in Gouda, The Netherlands. If you want to join this session, meet up with Marten at the Gouda train station at 7pm on April 8th. You can also e-mail Marten at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for info. Shred that place to pieces yo. Seek and destroy.

The 1980 April issue of Bicycle Motocross Action has Tinker Juarez on the cover. If you have heard that Tinker name in the last few years you probably follow the mountain bike scene. Tinker currently rides Marathon MTB rides (unless they steal his bike holding him at gunpoint) and used to be USA's hope in MTB cross country races riding for Cannondale for a long time. As you can see, Tinker got his skills from racing BMX (Mongoose pro) and riding his motomag at the skateparks. Tinker was quoted in this issue as: "The master of Vertical Surface; the Absolute Ruler of the Concrete Bowl; the King of the Skateparks."

It was indeed April (1st?) 1980 when this BMX Less! advertisement showed up in BMX PLUS! magazine. Gene Simmons of Kiss on a Redline somehow kept his tongue inside during this photoshoot. Cover headlines were: "$ 150.00 foolish buy" "We're only in it for the money" "All the news that fits, we print" "Jenson beats Stu in match race" It's time for an Ozzy version Adam!

Oakley is well known in the optical market but it all started with BMX grips over 25 years ago. This 1980 advertisement shows the pattern of the Oakley original grip that came in yellow, red, blue and black. The rubber Cam shaped grip had round suction cups and a single line of round indentations. The Oakley II grip had the same pattern but was all the way round. Soon enough Oakley stepped into the goggle market and also had a goggle mask that looked pretty weird but the pros used them so it was cool. The sunglasses followed later on with The Duke of Oakley and Phil Anderson promoting the hell out of them.

The January 1981 issue of Action Now magazine has an interview with Bob Haro in it. At that time Bob was still riding LPX Torker frames and Torker forks but it wouldn't be long before the first official HARO freestyle frame was born. For now enjoy the picture that Dean Bradley took of Bob doing a "speedway" as we called it. Note the two finger HARO levers, Max leathers, Offshore co-sponsorship, Oakley goggles, Skyway tuffs, Vans slip-ons, Bicycle Motocross Action jersey and Pro-Neck patch. More on the interview later.

Weil am Rhein/Germany, 26.-27.02.2005, Carhartt Skatepark From Italy, Swiss, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria and of course Germany over 100 bmx riders made their way to Weil am Rhein to ride the infamous Carhartt Skatepark for the first time and to witness the premier of the Carhartt Ravage Tour 2004 DVD in the convention center, next to the skatepark. Without exception and doubts every rider was truly impressed by the facility and the quality of the ramps. Some of them even said: "The miniramp is the pure sex!!"

Al DI Mino of BMX Invasion is putting on a contest on the West Coast this Saturday. The info we received from Al: Here is the preliminary contest flyer for the West Coast contest. Any prizes you can send will be deeply appreciated for this event. Please send prizes to my affiliate and team mate Rick Vigil or Camp Real Ride. I will be in Huntington Beach Friday April 1st. Contest is to be held on April 2nd. Thank you all for your help in the past and for this event. Your friend , AL DI Mino More info: http://www.directbmx.com

With BMX racing becoming an Olympic sport several countries are already preparing for the big day in 2008. Argentina has formed a team of talented riders in hopes of winning some gold, silver or bronze. The Argentine nationals team are supported by the Argentine National Sport Secretary, that will be supporting the BMX ARGENTINE TEAM for the China Olympic Games. ARGENTINE NATIONAL TEAM:

Barry Kohne is one of those riders who lives BMX. Besides being one of the talents that Holland has to offer, Barry works in a bike shop, started organizing contests and is working on a clothing company. Being a BMX-er also means taking risks. Barry is currently out with a messed up ankle. We asked him some questions for an article on FATBMX. How's your ankle and what happened exactly? My ankle is getting better. Despite the fact I have to chill and can’t ride for the coming 4 to 6 weeks. I have got a cast now so I'm kind of immobile and that sucks! It happened at the first round of the XLseries in Heerlen....the first contest I organized. I did this handplant transfer from quarter to quarter, but it didn't work out that good. I slid out and twisted my ankle resulting in a broken calve and some torn ligaments.

From the July 1980 issue of Bicycle Motocross Action UK 1.25 Pounds USA $ 1.75 Ahhhh you gotta love it, the tabletop. Still today my favorite "trick" of all if performed well. Vic Murphy is the master of it but back in 1980 Building Leapin' Jones did some rad ones for Bicycle Motocross Action magazine. These flatties are so rad, never mind the bowlegginess. The V-sign all makes up for it. Thank you Donny Jones for letting us enjoy your style 25 years later.