Episode 6 of the Flatmattersonline exclusive clips features one of the smoothest young flatlanders on the contest circuit… Varo Hernandez from Madrid, Spain. I feel Varo is on the verge of breaking into that elite top 8 in the contests, and I am stoked he got involved in contributing towards this progression series of clips I have been posting every Wednesday. That last switch brakeless, is amazing!
Today, I also have a BIG announcement! (and I feel a little stupid for not thinking of this earlier…)
The line of the year award will now become the Flatmattersonline exclusive clip of the year award! It’s time to get filming, and send in your best clip.
Big thanks to Varo, for stepping up.
Intro/Questions: Effraim. Photos: Alberto Moya, Stephane Bar, Ride UK, Agency Photo, Kai Kussisto.
As we reach the final part of my Decade of Flatland article, the opinions are nicely varied. Opinions are just that, opinions (we all have one)…., we are at a healthy point in the progression of flatland where new tricks are shown almost weekly on instagram, and pretty much periodically, via video parts that are shown on the site.
For me, it doesn’t matter about your bike set up, brakes or brakeless. What matters is that your out there doing it, and living the culture of flatland and contributing something. For this final part I catch up with the boss Martti Kuoppa, Lee Musselwhite, and Jean William Prevost. All three riders, have massively contributed to the artform side of flatland, video parts, contests, and also the industry side of things too. Grab a cuppa, and enjoy this final part…
Intro/Article: Effraim. Photos: Veren Luka, Sevisual, Albero Moya, other photographers unknown.
I have had a great response to the first couple of parts to this Decade of Flatland article I have been sharing over the past of couple of weeks whether comments on the site or private messages. This week for Part 3, I catch up with Heresy rider and the man that made coin the phrase “Too good for instagram” Sebastian Grubinger, the godfather of UK Flatland, James White, and the current Women’s UCI World Champion Irina Sadovnik. It’s great and refreshing for my perspective to hear all the different viewpoints on the state of modern day flatland. Grab a cuppa, and enjoy this one!
It’s that time of the week, every Wednesday! A fresh Flatmattersonline exclusive clip, how long can we keep this going?
I reached out to Sampa BMX rider, Bobby Carter a few weeks back to invite him too film for a FM exclusive. And the move he had in mind, he didn’t have in the bag yet. I love how we went back and forth for a couple of weeks, and out the blue Bobby hit me up with the clip.
This is what these clips are all about, pushing your own level!
Thanks Bobby for stepping up for episode 4 in the series, get out their riding and progressing and if your into it send a clip in!
To document, share and progress!
Want to film a Flatmattersonline exclusive?
Film a progressive clip, and holla “Flatmatters” at the end.
Send it in: Wetransfer format. effraim@flatmattersonline.com
Intro/Questions: Effraim. Photos: Pierre Gauthier, Matti Hemmings & Mizo.
Part 1 of my Decade on Flatland piece caused quite a stir amongst the flatland community. It is healthy to hear the opinions of how are art form/sport progressed over the last ten years. In my mind, it’s thought provoking, and gets you thinking about your own personal riding. In Part 2, I fire the same questions as Part 1 to X-foot pivot master Bruno Zebu, Mr Same Thing Daily himself, Dane Beardsley, and Sam Foakes, who has discarded the traditional pumping mid-trick technique for pretty much the last decade. The opinions contrast from Part 1, once again grab a cuppa and treat yourself. I am really enjoying putting these articles together, hope you enjoy reading them.
The Flatmattersonline exclusive clips are building nicely, George Manos hit me up this week without even being asked. Super hyped on seeing the clips build, just three weeks in. And already three great clips from Pete Brandt, Sietse van Berkel and now Heresy rider, George Manos.
Its pegruary, and George doesn’t even care, he’s out there doing his thing.
Do you have a clip?
The format is simple, film a clip and holler flatmattersonline at the end, send it in:
Flatland, a decade on. Where is it at? In 2008, when I was starting Flatmattersonline, I hit up a broad scope of riders from across the globe, and asked them a topical question at the time, “To scuff or not?”.
As we went into a new decade, I wondered…. in terms of styles, have we really moved on in progression over the past 10 years? I hit up some of the same riders that were involved in the first main article on the site, and also some fresh riders to get their perspective. How has their personal riding developed over the past ten years, are there still lines and tricks that they feel never get old, and stand the test of time?
How has bike technology affected their riding, riding spots and so on. Welcome to Part 1 where I reach out to the 2019 Flatmattersonline Rider of the Year, Dominik Nekolny, Pete Brandt, one of the most hardcore riders on the planet. And Matthias Dandois, winner of reader choice edit of the year and the most recognisable face in flatland in the world. Part 1 is an interesting read, you might want to grab a cuppa and give this your attention….
A decade on technically what’s different about your riding style? The tricks are obviously different, but has your approach changed?
Dominik Nekolny: Man, I just watched some footage from KOG back in 2010 – and boooooiiii I was killing it 😀 I guess my riding was little bit more technical and “jumpy” which I actually miss a bit…
Pete Brandt: My approach has changed with some tricks and techniques, but the commitment of exerting a trick is a lot still the same. I love the feeling of full commitment on the approach, and throughout the the trick.
Matthias Dandois: I only do things that look good and feel good. I film all the new tricks I learn, and if they don’t look good enough to me I just put them in the trash can. Even if it’s contest winning trick.So I guess I got less technical but more flowy. Works for me!
Describe your riding ten years ago?
Dominik Nekolny: My riding now? I love it! 🙂 I come up with some style and links which nobody did in the contest and I spend a lot of time to make those links dialled as fuck, so what you want more. :D.
Pete Brandt: Lots of spinning and turbine styles.
Matthias Dandois: My riding 10 years ago was more technical, less aesthetic. More trick based. Contest winning tricks.
Two weeks ago we dropped the return of the Flatmattersonline exclusive clips, Pete Brandt was kind enough to step up, and push his level to get the series going again. If you watched the first episode you will have taken note that I invited anyone to join this.
The format is simple, film a progressive clip for you, holler flatmattersonline! Send it in via the Flatmattersonline email.
I put out a few invitations to help get the ball rolling, and Deco, Four Pegs rider Sietse van Berkel was the first to get back, and he just sent in this amazing clip. These clips are all about inspiring all of us in the flatland community to push things one step further than you normally would, and get it the clip on film.
To document share and progress.
Thanks to Sietse van Berkel for stepping up, who’s got the next clip? Could this become a weekly thing, and maybe a year award category? I think so…
Wednesday and Thursday, the last full days of my trip out here to San Francisco. I missed the last few days updating the diary of my trip so f-it. You get a double day update in one post, Monday was by far my most productive day of the trip so far. Getting two clips really got me in the mood to capture my riding again, and on Wednesday I got another two clips! This trip has, despite my knee injury been the best yet.
Pete as always was in attack mode, right from the off at the Clocktower murdering the spot whether it was dialled lines, or brand new stuff. Because of his level of consistency, he’s able to have brand new tricks dialled almost instantly, it’s quite amazing to see in person and understand the process of how that happens.
We are back doing the Flatmattersonline exclusive clips, and who better to start out with than San Francisco Flatland legend, Pete Brandt.
The whole idea, behind the FM exclusive clips is to push your own level. I have been out in SF for two weeks and watched Pete do Hitchiker dark side to halfpacker almost every go. So I said “Hey Pete, why didn’t you throw some hitchhiker turbines in there and make this line a little bit more tough for you?” Around 15 tries later, here we have Episode 1.
Pete is a savage!!
Who’s got the next clip, I’m putting this out to the flatland community?!!
Have you got a clip, maybe we can feature a clip of you on the site next week? Drop me a message and let’s get this rolling!!
