Moya kindly sent in this sick Viki Gomez back wheel edit from 2009.
Monthly Archives: March 2010
On the brink: Mates Tucek
Welcome to the first “on the brink” article/interview, “on the brink” is born out of an extension of “new breed”, this is about those riders who are on the verge of being pro or have turned pro and are about to make a big impact on the scene, my first interviewee is Mates Tucek, read on and get to know a lot more about him.
photo by martin http://www.global-flat.com
Introduce yourself please.
My name is Mates Tucek. I am 19 years old and I come from Czech Republic.
How long have you been riding?
I’ve been riding for 6 years !
What was your initial attraction to flatland?
I was fed up with swimming (I used to swim for 6 years) After then I saw some flatters riding their small bikes ….I was amazed and bought my first bike ! Flatland is unique and stylish sport. It is not dangerous as street or vert.
How was the scene in the Czech republic when you started riding, and how has it changed?
When I started to ride, there were about 60 riders in our country. Nowadays about 25 people ride, but the level of tricks is higher. We have many people who ride Master category at the worlds.
What have been some of your best achievements contest wise?
1. place at (Riviera Ninja spin – master group), 5. place at Flatland church fight, 4. place at BMX Masters in 2008 – master group.
What class do you currently ride in?
PRO category – It is great motivation. It makes me ride more often.
Whats your bike set up?
My bike consists of : Frame – KHE Equilibrium 09. Bars – OG Caramel 3. Pegs – D.O.M. Hubs – WTP (48h), KHE Geischa freecoaster.
Who do you ride with?
I ride alone during a week. At the weekends I ride with my good mate Venca Petricek. When I need some motivation I go to Prague.
Dominik Nekolny has made a big impact on the worldwide scene the last few years, is he a rolemodel for you?
He plays an important role in the Czech flat scene. He upgraded many tricks to the higher level. Dom is a big motivation almost for everyone. I like his style, I really enjoy his cross footed stuff ! Go on, Dom !!
What tricks are you working on mates?
Well ! I am working on the jump from backpacker to hitchhiker.
You’ve published quite a few web edits,does that help you progress your riding?
YES !! and It makes me happy, when someone appreciates my edits !
Have you invented any tricks, variations?
Not yet…
You have wide range of tricks for a young rider, would you say you are a natural rider, or do you have to work at it?
Partly yes but I have been riding for relatively long time, that´s a reason why I can do many variations. I had to spend lot of hours by practising.The most – people who ride brakeless such as Moto, Yoshiki Uchino, …
Are you concerned with contest placings etc, or just happy to be riding?
I am not riding for some results, but mainly for fun. I prefer jams to competitions. I am happy, when I ride with my mates and we learn new tricks together.
What are your plans for this year?
The first, I hope I will pass the leaving exam from my school successfully. I would get to the university. I will ride a lot and do my best for flatland. I am gonna take part in some competitions too.
You must be excited the worlds is in prague this year?
I am very proud of that. I am looking forward to see all riders again.
Thanks for the interview Mates, hope to see you soon!
120 psi and rolling
The latest from Rad Dad!
120 PSI and Rolling from BMX Freestyler on Vimeo.
Chris Massey opens UK flatland online store!
Chris Massey is one of the most dedicated heads in the Uk scene, building a great youth club full of future talent up in Bolton and now he’s started a UK only flatland store, in the near future Chris is looking for up and comers to support with parts!, click the link below Uk riders and get supporting, much respect Chris! http://functionflatland.blogspot.com/
Alex Coleburn’s on a mission!
Barrel Roll whip from Mr Coleburn, filmed tonight at Southsea Skatepark, first time ever!
Flat tv interactive Circle cow battles
This is genius!
Takahiro Ikeda-Flat as entertainment
Circus act?
How-to foot jam decade with Terry Adams
Nice how-to foot jam decade with variations, any beginners reading this, take note, really well explained I thought.
http://bmx.transworld.net/1000092732/videos/how-to-footjam-decade-with-terry-adams
New Breed: Joel Blatnicky interview
Interview by Joe Miller.
Name, age and hometown?
Joel Blatnicky. I live in the thriving metropolis of Joliet, IL.
How long have you been riding?
I got started at the end of 1986, and have been basically riding since then with a few slow years in there. Gotta hate turning 21.
When did you first see flatland, and what/who got you started?
The first time I consciously remember seeing flat was Oct. of 86, when a classmate brought a BMX Action magazine to school. A Schwinn ad with Jason Parkes doing a lawnmower got me hooked.
Brakes or no brakes and why?
No brakes for flat since 2006. Street I went brakeless in 2002. For me, I decided to go brakeless on flat due to the leaf I had turned over in my personal life. A new beginning so to speak. I already knew how to do some tricks, but if I truly was to push myself, both physically and mentally, I needed to do things different. I had to realise new levels of concerntration and thinking about what REALLY was going on with the bike when trying things, kinda like turning hmmm into ha!
Do you attend/compete in Jams or Comps and if so which ones have you enjoyed most, and why?
If my schedule allows me to get away I will try to get to some jams or comps. Both, really. They’re just fun. The STL Jams are good times. I’ve hit two of them and Matt T. and Steve, well those guys are the best! As far as comps go, years ago I had entered a few. By far my favorite though has to be VooDoo 2008. My first comp in 14 years. I don’t really know how, but i pulled in a 3rd place in the beginner class. What a trip. Gave away most all my prizes cuz it was like what the heck? I got my entry fee’s worth. I also recently attended Fight With Flight by Red Bull. Got bumped up to the expert class. That’ s a whole ‘nother story. Hopefully I can get to JoMoPro and the Ohio event. Whatever pops up this summer I will wait and see.
Are you intimidated by “Pro” riders, or do you just jam right along with them?
Pretty much no. I had a few summers to ride with a pro a few years ago and it did nothing but help. For the most part, you can approach a pro with a question and they won’t steer you wrong. no pun intended. Plus, if you watch how they do things you can start to pick up on it and make some things a little easier for yourself.
Do you find it easier to learn established tricks, or do you prefer inventing your own tricks/ switches?
Wow. For me I guess i’m a see it do it kind. But after a while, when you start learning you can think of how to link your moves together in a way you may not have seen before. I just try my best to learn what I can. The only person my progression really should matter anything to is me, and I constantly am beating myself up.
Do you have a crew or do you ride alone?
No real crew per se, however my homie Jeremy’s basement is affectionately known as the Flat Cave. Also, my brother of 20+ years is gonna make efforts to get out more this year. I also have the DoJo again with 7 day a week access free of charge and I will go there solo for sessions whenever the flat cave is not open.
Music is a big thing with most riders, tell me your top five songs/artists at the moment?
I almost don’t want to answer this. Music is a real big part of me. I can’t really say i have a top 5 list, and my taste is eclectic. Currently i ride to
Global Underground, Wu Tang Clan, Ween, Matloc-Rusty Chains-Morty Goldstien,and KISS.
Do you have any interests outside of riding, and what are they?
I like being outside. Golf, frisbee golf, kayaking, fishing, flying two-string stunt kites… sporty shit, i guess.
What is the best piece of advice you can give to someone who wants to start out in flatland?
My advice? RESPECT YOUR ROOTS OR TASTE MY BOOTS. lol. Flat isn’t easy. Have patience. Be ready to try things over and over. And over. The feeling when you pull a new trick can be so addictive, keep at it.
Anyone you’d like to thank?, sponsors, family,friends or mentor?
The laundry list is long. First off I have to thank God for all the blessings and gifts He’s given me.Mom and Dad, they thought this little bike was a fad. 23 years later, sorry. Jim Simpson for bringing the BMXA mag to school that day. Beau Kyburz and Sampson Simpson, those two make sessions better. Scott Whittington aka Zilla, for the DoJo. You don’t even know how much it means. Jeremy and Beth VanderMeer-FLAT CAVE MUTHA BROTHA! Tony Carruth and Tony’s Radical Sportz in White Hall, AR. Thanks for putting me up and putting up with me. Max and Kelly Smith-thanks for who you two are, I will see you soon.
Uk flatland jam!
Jimmy Biondi contacted me with news of jam in Andover, Hampshire, UK, so this will be of interest to all the Uk heads reading this. Add Jimmy on facebook and get in contact for more details.
