ESPN Archives – Page 24 of 57

FBM Presents the Post Apocolympics

September 10, 2012

I spotted Charlie Crumlish filming during the photos and other video that popped up from the FBM Post Apocolympics and figured there would be another edit from EPSN out of the deal. Charlie did a real good job with this so check it out!

“In 2002, Steve Crandall and the FBM BMX crew were producing bikes in the basement of a skatepark in Johnson City, N.Y. when the idea for the “Ghetto Street Jam” was born. The area surrounding the building they were housed in was a mess of post-industrial, rust belt waste, with no future prospects. It was also, not exactly rideable.

The FBM crew decided to apply a haphazard “ghetto” approach to the street jam obstacles. Starting with a car, they gathered scrap wood, various work shop debris and spread the word. And sure enough, the first Ghetto Street Jam delivered. On a patch of loose dirt and gravel, in a field next to FBM lit up by headlights from cars, T-1’s Garrett Byrnes wallrode the wall above the door to FBM’s machine shop and a legacy was born.

The Ghetto Street Jam returned for two more years, with twice as many people, a loop made of pallets, a dumpster that doubled as a box jump and a rideable Penske van. Rob Tibbs landed a 900 in a bowl made from scrap wood, Steven Hamilton won a mini motorcycle, and Jim Cielencki got the loop done. And then, before it got too played out, FBM killed the Ghetto Street Jams.

But they had created a golden moment in BMX.

Last week, Steve Crandall and the FBM crew brought the spirit of the Ghetto Street Jams back to upstate New York. With the help of Derek Nelson’s indoor/outdoor park known as HCS, FBM threw a jam called the “Post-Apocolympics,” which included a new obstacle shaped like a gigantic slice of pizza standing up at an angle. It may not have featured Kevin Porter and Leland Thurman announcing, or Chris Moeller trying to drive a rental car through the street course, but it did feature some amazing riding, and it also reminded me that FBM is much more than just an American-made bike company — they make BMX happen on their own terms.

Video by Charlie Crumlish” – ESPN BMX

Team Shralp “Chunk-A-Billy” Bowl Bash Jam

September 9, 2012

This looks like it was a good time!

“For the past decade, Portland BMX rider and documentarian Dean Dickinson has been compiling a material for a self-released book entitled “You Won’t.” The book documents the story of Dean’s quest to ride 100 pools, and features Dickinson’s tales of sketchy pool missions along with photos of each pool ridden, spanning from Washington state to Austin, Texas.

Following the completion of Dean’s hundredth pool, at the Team Shralp Pink Motel Pool Party in May of 2009, Dickinson began compiling everything together into a book project, with help from a creative team that included Mark Lewman, Ryan Davis, Jared Souney, Mike Daily, Taj Mihelich and Justin “the Maestro” Kosman.

As the end of the summer of 2012 approached, the book was completed, and Dickinson got to work on book release parties, along with a bowl jam at the Hood River skatepark in Oregon. With the help of Ben Hucke, the jam was documented in the above video, and features riding from Ron Wilkerson, Hoang Tran, Bruce Crisman, Shad Johnson and more.

Dickinson’s book is now available through the Goods BMX online store. To learn more about “You Won’t,” check the book blog.

Music by The Crumbs, “The Anticipation”” – ESPN BMX

The Daily Grind on ESPN

September 6, 2012

Head over to the ESPN website to check out an interview with Jon Betchtold about his new brand, The Daily Grind. It looks like he’s got the right idea with how to make a product!

List of Riders Who Left Sponsors to Start Their Own Brand

September 4, 2012

ESPN compiled a list of 10 riders who have left sponsors to pursue their own brands over the last 23 years or so. Although there are plenty more that come to mind, it’s a really solid list in which you can check out right here. Rider owned brands are very common these days and that’s a good thing.

Mike Brennan on Merritt

September 2, 2012

After announcing that Mike Brennan had parted ways with long time sponsor and employer, Animal, it looks like his next move has been announced. Head over to the ESPN website to find out about Mike joining Merritt along with a little more info on the brand. Definitely interesting to see what’s to come from this!

Jeff Cadger Returns to Los Angeles

August 31, 2012

Hit the ESPN website to check out a fresh video of Jeff Cadger laying it down on the streets of Los Angeles. You won’t want to miss this one.

Catching Up with Kevin Porter

August 31, 2012

Head over to the ESPN to check out a new video that has Kevin Porter talking about what’s new with him along with some damn good riding clips. Always good to see fresh Kevin Porter footage.

Seattle Skatepark Scene

August 31, 2012

Make your way over to the ESPN website to check out a dialed video that Aaron Nardi put together featuring Darin Read, Matt Closson, Paul Kitner and Elliot Cooper getting some time riding Seattle’s cement park. Awesome riding, sweet park and great filming and editing. Check it!