Fise World Contest in Hiroshima, Japan Day 1

Today marked probably the longest trip I have ever been on. After a solid 25 hours door to door travelling time from FM HQ to the Fise World contest in Hiroshima, Japan. London Heathrow to Frankfurt onto to Tokyo then finally Hiroshima, couple in all the changes, going through customs etc, etc. It has been a long day, I met up with Michael Steingraber at Frankfurt who is judging with me in Japan.

The great news is our host hotel is right next to the contest, absolutely banging! I took a quick look over at the site and bumped into Alberto Moya, Varo Hernandez, Dustyn Alt, Moto Sasaki, Taka, and many more. Around 30 riders on the floor getting warmed up, the spot was busy.

After a quick look around it was time for dinner and a look around Hiroshima, we have got a busy weekend ahead, I will try my best to get some updates for you throughout the weekend.(if not definitely after the event). The rider list is stacked, around 40 riders with a quick glance, so it’s going to be a good one!
I am pretty tired from the trip so I will keep this one short and sweet.

Dez Maarsen Interview Part 1 and 2 / How to Build a Career in BMX when you’re the underdog?

It’s already a good week here on Flatmattersonline, yesterday we had Matthieu Bonnecuelle’s amazing new edit. Today we have the Dez Maarsen Interview, Lionel Cardoso made the trip from Paris to Holland to catch up with Dez and discuss his life, habits, his daily routine, growing up with in Holland, his fears, motivation and really dig into how Dez built his career. This interview comes in two parts, so you are definitely going to want to grab a cuppa and enjoy this one!

Must Watch – Matthieu Bonnecuelle / Grow

MATTHIEU BONNECUELLE – GROW from HERESY BMX on Vimeo.

Starting a big week on Flatmattersonline with a Must Watch edit that really did bring a smile to my face. I feel like Heresy rider, Matthieu Bonnecuelle has a mystic to his riding that always draws me into watching his riding and that feeling of curiosity as to what he is doing.

When you combine Matthieu’s unique riding style and Tom Sevisual on editing duties, the golden formula is there. Why change it? Heresy continually get this on point.

Let’s discuss this edit:

At the 00:18 mark, Double turbine whiplash with a cheeky hang ten pause and downside whip jump to pedals thrown in to make you hit the rewind button a few times to understand it.

After several watches of this edit, I think the line at 00:30 is my favourite. Matthieu puts a nice detail on a regular trick, turbine steam where he changes his stance foot to the opposite side and hand, then throws an stalled track stand still stood in steam position then with a quick scuff steam throws a bar scoot round the bars into backwards facing whiplash!

The line at 00:52 is a difficult one to describe as I am not sure what you call the name, Matthieu begins on the left side of bike in a cross foot one footed circular spin then switches to x-ft inside steam without holding bars then with a quick fake whiplash motion jumps through the bike round to steam and spins a right side track stand out.

At 2:36, pumping backwards circular spin kick pedal to manual cross over to no handed x-ft pumping peg manual, as with all the tricks in this edit. It is really refreshing to see a rider dare to be different, and express himself and all with a really graceful style to boot.

What a motivating edit to start the week…..

Terry Adams & Aaron Ross in BMX Time Machine

It’s been a minute since the first Terry Adams and Aaron Ross collab video, and the latest “Time Machine” edit doesn’t disappoint. Particularly the ender at the 5:46 mark is pretty nuts with Terry jumping from crackpacker “switching to Aaron bike” to opposite feeble on a ledge 180 out. Go watch this one right now!

Throwback Thursdays – Carhartt Flatland Jam 2001

This weeks TBT is dedicated to the Carhartt flatland jam that went down at the Jugendpark in Koln, Germany. Featuring so much amazing riding still to this day from the likes of Hiroya Morizaki, James White, Phil Dolan, Alexis Desolneux, yours truly Effraim Catlow, Chad Degroot, Lee Musselwhite, Matti Rose, Frank Lucas, Michael Sommer, Michael Steingraeber​ and many more., Throwback gold today on Flatmattersonline​ this morning. I took a lot out of watching this one back and sure you will do too!

James McGraw – 49 Birthday edit

49 Birthday edit from James McGraw on Vimeo.

The screamer himself, James McGraw celebrates his 49th birthday today and shows no signs of slowing down his riding progression, or his screaming for that matter. Flatland keeps us young, long may it continue. I know James has been chasing the ender pedal pivot for a while, and nails it smooth as. Hit play and enjoy this one everyone!

Flatland Immersion Podcast 9 with Khaled Huerta

For episode 9 of the Flatland Immersion Podcast, Dusty caught up with the Middle East’s finest, Khaled Huerta. Khaled blew up on FM a few years ago recognised for his massive front wheel lines, great to see Dusty dig into his riding background from the beginning to current day. Hit play, grab a cuppa and enjoy this episode!

Paul Chamberlain – The spot at the end of the world

Paul Chamberlain is one of the most interesting characters on the flatland scene. Paul just got in contact with some news, he has put together a ebook of random stories called “The Spot at the End of the World”. He is still working out how to get it out there to people, but wanted to share with the flatland community a blog post with the first chapter. Hit the link below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1egPD6PY8F22BFtF5nsPvzWuH7lqcdMiG/view?usp=sharing

Finding: Wizard Publications by Brian Tunney

If you were riding in the 80’s and 90’s, there is a massive chance you were highly influenced by the Wizard Publications crew and what they put out in print. Whether that be in Freestylin’, BMX Action or Homeboy magazine, Brian Tunney just celebrated his 45th birthday, and made the three and half mile trip to where Wizard used to be based out of, and takes us all on a trip down memory lane. Thanks for doing this Brian!