Nick's Fav's of 2010

My buddy Nick Ferreira just did a neat little article on ESPN ESPN Nick's 2010 FAV'S

Charles River skatepark

I've been asked about this countless times and until recently couldn't answer what was going on, but it looks like this is gonna start this spring. FINALLY!!charlesriverskatepark

Andover Ma

Just found out there's a sick outdoor park in Andover, Ma. Place looks so sick.http://andoverskatepark.com/

Snow

No way for a ramp to look.


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Haverhill park follow up

Frozen Waves website click here Apparently this park is open and ready to shred. Bike sessions are Friday nights 9-12pm. It's called Frozen Waves

Haverhill Skatepark

Not sure about any details about this other than there is a park opening in Haverhill, Ma. and it will allow bikes. I'll keep everyone posted. Place looks sick, see picture below.

Table of the week

This weeks table is Josh King

Sean Burns Osiris edit

Osiris Shoes - Sean Burns from Osiris BMX on Vimeo.

Flybikes "tres"

Tres from Flybikes on Vimeo.

Tom Dugan props

Go to BNQT.com for more videos.

Merry Christmas

Dan Burton with a sweet table outta wall...stolen from his Facebook

I guess it's only fitting to wish everyone who follows this blog a very Merry Christmas and  a Happy New Year. I got alot of stuff I'm working on for this blog. More updates soon, just winter is slow going so theres not alot of activity so I gotta take it as it comes. Plus I don't think anyone can bear to hear my complain all winter about how much I hate the snow and cold......so until then BE WELL.

FBM "I Love my bicycle" a must watch

I Love My Bicycle: The Story of FBM (Full Movie) from Joe Stakun on Vimeo.

Taj on Fairdale

Cool ESPN article about Taj's new company

http://espn.go.com/action/bmx/blog/_/post/5947492/taj-mihelich-fairdale?campaign=rss&source=unknown

"skate" parks

Hingham is a "no bikes" park

Where along the lines did it become exceptable for parks to not allow bikes? This is complete bullshit, really what justifies no bikes at a park? I've been told that the lay out of a park can be dangerous for both bikes and skateboards and more collisions can happen. Which is why some parks are not allowing bikes, that's one of the dumbest reasons I've ever heard. Put 30 skaters at a park and they're gonna run into one another too. Maybe designers should learn to design their park differently then to accommodate all types. I've also been told that pegs fuck up coping, that in itself is so stupid. What do you think trucks do? They fuck it up as well, pretty much the peg of a skateboard. In some cases made of the same material. Come on! Telling a  BMX bike they can't ride a park is like telling someone they can't play baseball on a football field. Are people that naive? Really what's the difference? We are pretty much doing the same thing. For that matter then shouldn't rollerblades be excluded from the "park" as well? Don't their boots do damage? I want someone to build a bike only park, and tell me that skaters wouldn't be bitching? Isn't this the year 2010? Shouldn't we be past all this backwards thinking? I say fuck that no bikes rule! I'll ride whatever park want ,and if asked to leave I want a real explanation for why? Parks are public property too, so I have just as much right being there as anyone else. There is no law against riding! This is something that more bike riders need to do stand up for themselves and make our voices heard. Telling me a park is "no bikes" makes me wanna ride it more, just to prove a point. Let them come and arrest or ticket me I'll fight it all the way to the top! This is segregation ,and it needs to stop!

New Dig Cover

While we're on a Ruben kick might as well post this up....dude is one of my favorites

First day of Winter

Mother nature decided to really make sure that we knew it was the first day of Winter today, leaving us with a serious amount of snow for the first snowfall. Can't believe we got so much snow so early in the season. I guess all the people that enjoy a white Christmas will be happy...at least someone will be with this awful crap. I pray that this winter is a mild one, for my own sanity. Every year I go through what my wife would call seasonal effective disorder, which is were you get run down and in a bad mood because of the lack of sun and warmth. It's true I do think the winter has a negative effect on me, and probably anyone that enjoys activities outside. I guess there is skiing and snowboarding which I have tried and enjoy, but nothing will replace the feeling of riding my bike. Forced to be indoors is a major bummer for me, as I believe that the true essence of BMX should be enjoyed outside. I'd take 60/70 degrees and  curb over any skatepark anyday. Way more enjoyment being outside doing what I love. Plus I don't have to deal with 100 people flying all around cutting each other off to get there "run" in. I think the only way I can bring myself  to ride a park is if it's a private rental, with my friends. To me riding is more about quality than quantity anyway. I'd rather have a few good indoor sessions than 25 shitty ones. How people do it is beyond me but to each there own I guess. If you feel the need to go to one of three local parks all the time more power to ya, not this guy though......I'll be holding out for the warm weather and make up for it when it's here.

Table of the week

This weeks table is from Jody Stoddard. Awesome dude that's always been down.

Ferbert Fat favorites

Shajn "ferbert" Raines has a little article over on Fatbmx

http://www.fatbmx.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=13976

Catching up with Ruben

Well this is just awesome!

Catching up with Ruben from joe rich on Vimeo.

First snowfall

This is just depressing



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Flybikes "tres" trailer

Tres from Flybikes on Vimeo.

this looks pretty sweet

Half-link chains

Well this is another "innovation" that I just don't really see the sense of.....the half link chain. Why do you need an entire chain made from half links, when you can get the same spacing with just one half link. Not only are they ugly looking, but  they do a number on wearing out your drivetrain prematurely. Also people are under the impression that they are somehow stronger, come on! Really ? Look at how it's made. Do you really think a chain link with a bend in the middle of the plate is a stronger design? No way! And add a hollow pin in the mix and that's just a disaster. What's wrong with the original design of chains? You know the ones that have been on bikes for say 100 years. Oh I know ,your gonna say the rear ends of BMX bikes are getting shorter and more compact. Well like I just said you don't need an entire chain made from halflinks when just ONE will do the exact same thing, and like I also just mentioned won't wear your driver and sprocket to shit in half the time. I'm all for companies pushing designs forward, but if you ask me and anyone who really knows about bikes they'll all tell you the same thing......half link chains suck!

New T-1 winter 2010 flipbook

Open publication - Free publishing - More terrible one

Attitude

Greg Doliber doing it for the fun of it all

I don't want anyone out there to think I'm bitching about BMX, just stating my opinion of things. I've been in this since 1984, which is along time to be involved in something....jesus anything really. So with that being said I think I have the right to point out things that bother me about the sport I've grow up in and love. Pretty much have dedicated my entire life to. If you really know me, you know my attitude and I'm not afraid to say what's on my mind. I'm trying to make people (especially the younger ones) have a different outlook on this thing we do. I don't expect kids to follow my lead, but think for themselves before following the trends. Question why am I doing this....is it because I want to or because someone I know told me to? BMX should be about the joy of bike riding not the notoriety. Like I said in my very first post, take everything I say with a grain of salt. So if you get offended I'm sorry, but maybe you need to be offended, in order to think. Believe me I'm far from perfect. Most of you out there that read this are probably better riders than I am too, but talk to me in 26 years and we'll see what you have to say then.

Edit: Brandon Christie in Greenville | Vital BMX

flair

This is one of the most underated dudes around Edit: Brandon Christie in Greenville | Vital BMX

T-1 colorado trip

can't get enough of this

T-1 "We Love Colorado" 2010 from joe rich on Vimeo.

Freecoasters.......why?

JUNK

This is something that has been bugging me for a few years now and I haven't been quite about it at all. I hate freecoasters! Why do these things still exist? They are by far the worst" innovation" in bmx. They make everyone who rides one look like shit, they function like crap, are unreliable and all around just suck. Sure they do, do one thing: make it so your bike doesn't backpedal.....big f'n deal! If you can't backpedal don't ride a bmx bike or don't go backwards. And let's talk about the slack,sure I'd love to go to pedal forward after rolling backward and either be kicked off my bike or have my pedals go around half a rotation before it catches....sounds like so much fun.We tried these in the early 90's from modified coaster brakes and you know what I think they worked better then, than they do now. Seriously why do we need these things. I say ride a casstte or a freewheel and learn how to backpedal or just don't ride like a dumbass and roll backwards everywhere. Or you could be cool and take your chain off....don't even wanna hear what I have to say about that! Come on really. Sorry just had to put this out there, if I deter one person from riding a freecoaster my goal has been reached.

ESPN

This is a few months old but cool none the less. Our friend Nick did a little write up on what we do at the shop and had some kind words about me. Check the link for the complete story.
Inside Maul's bike shop

Maul's Brawl 2011

Pretty excited to be doing another Maul's Brawl this year. I think the local scene needs more contests and jams to help bring the riding scene together. Lot's going on for 2011, Maul's Brawl will be the first. At this time all I'm gonna say is that Maul's Brawl will be bigger and better than it has been. Planning is in progress. I'll release details as I finalize them. I hope everyone is as excited as I am for it.

Hingham Skakepark

Hingham under construction..stolen from Whoskates.com

I've been following this and for all those that don't know Hingham Ma. is very close to having a legit park. Finally a non pre-fab park on the South Shore. Hopefully other towns can follow their lead and we start to see more of these pop up. Those of you that know me, know that I've been working closely with the town of Pembroke to get this very thing going. I think we all need to step up and make our voices heard that we will not settle for the shitty "parks" that every town throws up in an afternoon, then turns around and puts zero money back into. Then wonders why the kids go there and trash the place and have no respect for it. If you (the town) don't care enough to put thought and do research into building a park, then why do you expect the kids to care about it? I need backing, let's make a difference! Who's with me?

Table of the week

Each week I wanna try to post a good table picture since they're my favorite.This will be the first official "Table of the week" courtesy of Bobby Proctor

It's that time of year again!

Every year Christmas gets less and less exciting to me. Not sure why, but I just don't get why people feel the need to rush around and get gifts for people for one day of the year. One to which most people don't even really care about it's origins.Not being religious myself I could care less about the "meaning" of it. Just seems crazy that everyone goes through all this work and hassle for one day....really in most cases I'd wager to say fifteen minutes of opening presents.Why not try to have that outlook every day and try to be like that year round? I myself would rather randomly buy my loved ones something out of the blue. I think it means more if it's a surprise. Maybe that's just me and I'm sure it is...but oh well. With Christmas bearing down on us, all I have to say is damn I can't wait for it to be all over. Onward to a new year............

Goofy faces

king of the goofy face

DMBS RAD Skatepark Edit

                                                                 

                                                                    

BMX is a fashion statement?

When did BMX become less about the riding and more about haircuts and the clothes? What happened to originality of it all? Is no one an individual? And when did the weight of your bike become more important than riding it? While I don't really know the answers to any of these questions, I will tell you my thoughts on each subject. Whether you want it or not...that's not my concern.
I'm gonna address them in the order I laid out.
First is the "fashion":Last time I checked we were riding bikes not modeling, and for that matter wouldn't fashion in that sense be considered "gay" by most dudes? But none the less whatever the pros are doing and wearing always has an impact on the youth. If Eddie Cleveland is wearing Lotek shoes then kids buy them (he is just an example and I have nothing against him whatsoever), or if whatever pro has his hair a certain way or dresses a particular way then kids gotta mimick that person. I thought we started riding to be different? Maybe it's just my old school way of thinking? Maybe I've lost touch with what's considered "cool",but damn it can't someone just do something different? I myself like to go away from what the crowd is doing not to be difficult, just to be my own person. I could care less how much your shoes were or what brand your jeans are. They are just clothes and don't have any effect on the way you ride your bike...and if you think they do you are very mistaken.I guess there will always be trends and trend setters and what I'm trying to say is that I try to follow neither. I say just do what you want regardless of what people think. I guess the old adage is true some people are born followers and some are born leaders...which are you? I think I got all three of the questions in my little rant there...hahaha. All I'm saying is ride your bike because you wanna not cause it's cool or trendy, and there is no dress code.

yours truly at age 15 on my 35+ pound Bully

Next up is weight...I don't know how many times a day I'm asked how much something bike related weighs, but really does a couple of ounces make any kind of a difference in performance? I think not! Ya don't get me wrong I like the advancements BMX bikes have made. Having been around for most of the history of the sport I would never go back to smashing bearings into frames and having to fabricate parts just out of no one making shit that was strong enough or just plain didn't exist. Thank the BMX gods for 1'1/8 steerer tubes, integrated headsets, press fit bottom brackets, cassette hubs..etc. But to buy parts based on weight alone is foolish. If your gonna buy a rim and you look at one and it's 1lb.6oz. and another that's 12oz. do you think they are the same strength? Probably not. But if you want the lightest one, then aren't you sacrificing weight for strength? Then kids will shit talk stuff if they break it. What happened to the days of companys wanting to make quality parts that wouldn't break and they could stand behind? I guess some of em are out for the cash? Riding the wave of money currently flooding the industry, but what happens when it's all gone? Where will they be...probably on a beach somewhere spending all the money you made them by buying their shitty "lighter than everyone elses" bike parts. Not even connected to industry. Buy and support companys that support BMX, not fly by nights that are in it cause it's popular. Half the companys that exist right now won't when the interest is gone, the ones who do and put money back into it are the ones that are in it for the right reasons. I'll admit that I too was guilty of buying stuff based on weight, but that was because growing up we were forced to ride 35+ pound bikes. So when the "light thing" first started I wanted to see how light I could make my bike. But after awhile I realized that I was afraid to "ride" my bike because it might break something. Fuck that! Why spend all this money on shit that can't hold up? Waste! Light bikes don't equal strong bikes. I understand dudes that wanna lighten their bikes up but do it with some tact. Don't buy shit just because it's the lightest, buy it cause it's quality. Even if it means having a bike that weighs a few more ounces.

Winter Sucks

I don't think I'll ever really be able to express how much I hate winter.I wish I could either hibernate or just migrate west for it. Maybe animals have the right idea, they've been doing the exact same thing forever and it works out just fine. I'm trying my best to make the most of it. Bike riding slows to a crawl in these awful months and makes me start wishing I had moved years ago. Sad fact of the matter is that I love New England and couldn't see myself anywhere else. I hate the west coast lifestyle, too laid back for me. Us east coasters are very edgy and high strung and that's the way I like it....haha. One of the only things that gets me through it is the shops winter skatepark rentals. With two down and four more to go, it makes the winter go alittle faster for me. I wish we could find a building with a decent size space that wouldn't cost a small fortune and hook up some type of ramp set-up to hold me over, so I could ride there with my friends whenever. Well enough of that....hopefully this winter isn't all that bad and flys by! Chris Tardiff shows how to make the winter sessions fun in the picture below

Josh King wallride at the shop rental


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Location:Rad skatepark

DMBS trailer

DMBS Rad rental

this was the turnout at the shop's Rye rental

the shop is doing a rental at radskatepark.com Hopefully have something to add from it.

Future posts

My goal of this blog is to update it with some pics and interesting events that are happening or will be in the future.We'll see how it goes. No promises.

All tables only tables

Table from the BoneDeth jam at DMBS

Introduction

This is the introduction to my blog, from here on out everything I say take with a grain of salt.