27th November 2008, it all began as a blogspot for Flatmattersonline!
It’s quite fitting, that I celebrate 17 years of Flatmattersonline today here in Japan, widely known as the most progressive country in the flatland world.
What do I celebrate about 17 years of running FM? I celebrate the flatland community, everyone who’s made a video, and in turn shared it the community, the original ethos of the website hasn’t changed in the last 17 years, and it’s something I still use in my own riding day to day.
“To document, share and progress! “.
For personally, I think the biggest celebration is the fact I’m still going all these years on, you can’t really realistically wish for anymore than that, more recently faced a big challenge with the website keep going down. Thankfully my good friend, Martin Northern was able to save the website and all that content.
Thank you Martin!
Who’s been here since the beginning? Would love to hear people’s first memory.
Happy 17 years to Flatmattersonline, long may it continue.
- Effraim.
- It’s also almost time for the 2025 Flatmattersonline year end awards, again this is something I wanted to do to give back to the flatland culture, and celebrate much more than rider of the year (although that’s of course an important award!). Stay tuned for that announcement around mid December!
as far as i am concerned, it’s so so good to have you with us, Mr. Catlow, to present, highlight, share, explain, analyze, be enthusiastic about, and cherish flatland. Props and huge respect for the very valuable work for the community!!
Thank you @r appreciate you always commenting on the site and sharing your enthusiasm as well. Happy 17 years!
I been here since day 1 , Big- E and I’m SO stoked / grateful for all you have contributed , covered and shared GLOBALLY in BMX Flatland with this site. Who knows just how the sport would be today in 2025 had you just ” called it a day ” after the end of the one to two page spreads in Ride BMX U.K , Dig BMX magazine , etc….etc…..I personally know and feel that it wouldn’t be the same sport …..THANK YOU. This CONSTANT progression of your own bike riding , now THAT IS something for all of us to celebrate and really take in / be inspired by ! STILL evolving , creating ,and relentlessly pushing on your bike despite injuries , running a business , family life , U.C.I and countless judging obligations , etc , etc……etc……yes sir , we not only celebrate FLATMATTERSONLINE.COM…..we also celebrate……..YOU , Big -E ! Cheers , ole chap !
Thank you Rodney, always appreciate your in-depth comments on the site and your amazing riding too. The amount of times I wondered is this worth all the time put into it, and you would comment and reminded me. If I motivate one rider it’s worth it, that was my original kind of thought back in 08.
Time flies…don’t remember when exactly I opened FM blog for a first time, but as the global-flat shared it quickly I think, it does not took me so long. Since then I can’t count the uploads of your site and say just THANK YOU E ! is not enough!
Thank you Hoffman, is this Peter? Appreciate the comment and hyped your still tuning in and obviously riding more importantly….