The Friday Interview: Bizhouse’s Shawn White discusses the Rachet Sprocket!

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Effraim — 12 Comments ↓

Intro: Effraim
Interview: Effraim
Photos: Provided by Shawn.

Shawn White has been on the scene for as long as I can remember. Remember the Phil Dolan Bars?… designed by Shawn. He founded Bizhouse was founded in 2001. The Dialyzer Clamp Stem, turned many a head, only four stem bolts and super light. I rode mine for ten years, this stuff lasts! I was amazed! Since then Shawn has kept that independent underground feel to his brand, sporadically dropping a product on the flatland market as if to say I’m still here. Remember the pegs? Moto Sasaki still uses them! The grips that used the same rubber gym rings concept as the pegs, genius! The list goes on, bearingless euro bbs, plastic pegs, the aerospace forks that Chad J was using for years, the dialyser handlebar, Shawn White is a design genius. Flatland and BMX in general needs more creative thinkers “that ride” like him.
More recently, Shawn made the whole BMX World stop and a look at his Rachet Sprocket and go “WTF”, I got hold of Shawn, we fired this interview out over facebook. It might not be what you are expecting, you maybe confused, be warned.

How you doing Shawn? It’s been a while, the sneak peak at your Bizhouse Rachet prototype just dropped? Tell me about it?
Hey E, I just dropped the Dialyser Bar earlier this year! Lol Or was that 2011?

Just making conversation
PD:come now mate you don’t know when it dropped? Bollocks and Cod!
I’m never offended I sleep under a piano in Koln for the worlds!
PD is Phil Dolan.

Yeah i guessed, why you talking as if you were Phil? Let’s get back to your design shawn
Cause he is my mate, and I can rib him, he loves to hear his name! Mate!
PD: Oi Oi White, that’s a bag of rubber bullocks!

You mean bollocks?
Yes Bollocks! Thank you.

Hahah alright Shawn lets crack on…I’m curious about your design, tell me about it..
Ok, it’s the “Ratchet”..

What are you selling here? a chainring and bb as one unit?
Double meaning always.Keep em’ guessing. No, it’s a sprocket,but it’s the “Ratchet”. Helps set the pedals!

An image that fits this interview. The Rachet? Can you make it out?

So I guess the obvious question is, what is the function and purpose of the Rachet?
The “Ratchet” is a solution to a problem I have heard for 2 decades now,,, my pedals move, mine do too! So I made A BB to solve the problem, now here comes the “Ratchet”. A true pedal setter! Just like you know wear your VANS Shoes are, now you know wear your pedals are every time!

Ok. So the video doesnt show the pedals engaged, so it’s kind of hard to see it work in its full capacity.
I know…

This concept obviously is marketed at “BMX” and not flatland as you normally do. Could you see this catching on in flatland too?
I can’t show it all!

You have this patented right?
That was a taste, so you can see what’s coming! It’s Pending…

When can we expect to the rachet in full operation?
I have to wait the year to file the rest of the “Patent” !

Wow ok so theres a risk someone could jump on your design here, with you publishing the video on youtube.
Well I may not sell it, I may show everyone how to make it!

I see. How long have you been testing the rachet sprocket for?
I figure, everyone copies my products, so if I give it out for free, how could you make money off my designs?
PD: Oi Bloke, that sounds Capital punishment
Yes Dolan that’s what it is!

I hear you Shawn, you have had some ground breaking products. I had one of your stems for ten years! Pretty amazing in the modern day! Whats the weight on the Rachet sprocket on this compared to a typical freecoaster?
Thank You E! I saw you win the Worlds Bloke, you beat Dolan, and steingrabber, Jesse, Day, Osicka, Mckinney, Albert. Everyone on KHE! Thomas!

Thank you Shawn! That was a great day for me for sure! This ain’t about me though…
Glad you ask! The weight, Well, front wheel tricks are heavy, and back wheel tricks are light, I wanted to transfer the weight! Put it in the middle, split the weight load!

So you dont have an actual weight?
So my Fork spins are the same as my Megas’! Right now it’s as light as air Hockey!

So I guess what I’m saying, is this is lighter than a freecoaster?
There is more to it, you just can’t see it yet! Yes, you can use a F/C or Cassette hub, not the Pub Dolan.

Hahha if only Phil was here now Shawn
PD: who said Pub? James White, no his a Mounty Mate,He is!

So any date on the final production?
I was shooting for Christmas! But I may not sell it, everyone has it already!

Your not giving much away Shawn!
I may give the advice only, Not yet!

But it seems like such a clever idea, and the best ideas are always simple. Do you see this replacing the freecoaster?
Ya know E, the US press will never, even if I paid Cash give me the credit I deserve! I’m always ok with that! One they know already, two the Internet is faster then a printing press anyday!
My only question is why would anyone buy a magazine over the Web?
I was told well ” we put original content in the mag you can’t see on the web”, well this is the second original Design in Two years,,, and only after I released it, I hear from them! lol. It makes me laugh!
FlatMatters and Cream/A.R.T. My overseas Family always show the Love! Thank You!
I don’t think it will replace the freecoaster! But this one may be free! Haha.
PD: Bloody Gates of Stone Hedge and the Avery Circle, do you want the Lords of London to be at Tea Mate?

So as a flatlander, let me ask you
Yes Phil I Do! With Emer Shorts on! Ask!

The freecoaster is the holy grail design wise and it hasn’t been fully solved yet?
I use the K.I.S.S. Theory, Keep it simple stupid!

Well exactly. There must be a simple solution to the freecoaster. Doesn’t it bug you as a flatlander? It’s never really been totally solved. I know it bugs me hahaha
E, did you know I invented the first sealed bearing free coaster for Primo “the Bomb”. I traded that design/ invention for them to pay off my students Loan!

Of course I remember the Bomb Shawn
They gave Fano a pay cut to pay my Loans FANOOOooo..

But I still think the freecoaster hasn’t been solved. It strikes me, that as a flatlander and designer your going round the bike you have forks, bars, stem, grips….
So this is in my alley E!
I did not know if you knew that,,, that is a reference to the Limey US media again!

Flat needs a good seat, & a freecoaster. What’s up with bizhouse, is it full time job?
I’m here to save us all! I love every BMXer! I believe in everyone!

Tell me about your testing process, how long did you test your stem before it dropped?
If ya want to believe in me for you! Follow me on Twitter! @Shawnwhitebmx

haha nice plug
I just made the stem, everyone tested it! Whew!

Wow!, real belief it worked then!which it did
Yep, real talk here E, careful what ya ask!

Let’s get into it!! This is flatmatters, the world wants to know..
Yep, most copied stem yet!

That’s what happens when your a leader, I guess..
I’d love to see a BMXer make a time line of all the copies, regarding BIZHOUSE!

So what you are just giving this rachet idea away?
Ya know like a crazy web chart!
First person to do that gets a “Rachet” or stem or whatever!,Right Dolan?
PD: take him to Bristol for the rusted Pistol,Hey Dolan Kids read this Bloke.
PD, O, Pi Pi Cheery O, Bloke, on the Tele!

You’ve lost me Shawn! Wha’ts next for Bizhouse? You working on any flat stuff?
Well if I give the Rachet away, how could other companies make money from it?

That’s a good way of looking at it
Do you do any work for other bike companies?
New Forks, Street Stem. And one more thing. I do work for every bike Co. It’s just been a secret.

I never know if you are joking or not?!
Like I said, why would I ask for credit when I get no Love anyway.

That’s true. Let’s start wrapping this up…
Where can people get Bizhouse product from? What’s your website?
We all know that the bigger fish in the pond with the most money says, Don’t give Shawn White coverage Wa Boo Hoo, and they have to listen, it always works that way! But they can’t stop the Internet! Hahaha….
Thanks Bill Gates!
http://www.Bizhouse.com
Fight the system! We can Win!

Photo Credit: 23 Mag.com.

To date, what design are you most happy with?
My Vision with the “Ratchet” is for every bike to not back pedal for Street/Flat/Park/Mega/Vert to advance.
Design wise, the Dialyser Stem! It was a vision from a Toy, and Ed talking.

Yes that was and is a great piece of design!
I care fully for BMX, I want to see it grow!

Much respect Shawn, thanks for your time!
Let’s get rid of Cars so we can RIDE! Thank You Effraim! For all you Do at Flatmatters! Your a Great Bloke, keep Shredding them E!

Thank you Shawn that means a lot!
If you read this interview and you get one thing from it. I’d like that to be progress so we can all move Forward! Standing still leaves you alone! RIDE till you DIE!

Any Last words Phil?
PD:Yes, did you know I can pedal in a nose wheelie?
Yes I did Phil..

PD: ok that was it Cheers Mate, wear Emer!

Let’s finish this, whats your email for anyone wishing to get in contact about the Rachet, or any other Bizhouse designs?
If anyone would like to pre order. Email me at Bizhouse@bizhouse.com available now.

The Viki Gomez Interview part 2

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Effraim — 9 Comments ↓

Interview: Effraim
Photos: Viki Gomez/Red Bull Content Pool

I feel like I have already done the intro for the interview in part 1 so lets keep this short and sweet and get right into this…

It was great to see a banger ultimately decide a huge contest like the Red Bull COB, how long did it take you to get a link such as the steamroller kickflip to halfpacker ready for a contest?
The floor was super cool, and I know that I can pull this combo in good floor having the right mindset. I really appreciate that the judges understood how hard it is to pull a kick flip, because it’s so special and hard trick! I learnt that from MK, kickflips are hard and require a strong mind, and this day my mind was strong as never before.

Tell me how you go about putting your combinations together, what are some of the things you consider? Like before the Red Bull COB, how did you decide on your combos?
I was practising completely different combos for COB. But the day of the contest I couldn’t pull them together so I decide to change the plan, and go for a kind of tricks where I could feel more relaxed. This way I could be “one” with my bike and be able to control my nerves, enjoy and make the crowd happy.

Besides Red Bull and obviously representing Fenix Bikes, who else is supporting you?
Well, right now I have got a lot of new sponsors, especially after winning the COB! I signed for G Shock Japan (I am sponsored straight from Japan), Arnette Sun glasses (this is a very special/exclusive team with sponsors like Dani Pedrosa, Moto GP rider), Levi´s (amazing Streetwear line of fashion), Orbea bikes (They are going to make true one of my dreams that you will see coming next year around May), Suelo (Now this brand belongs to Jykk Japan and I am sponsored with all the parts also designing new parts) and DCShoes (Being part of the VIP Family of a brand made from riders). Editors note: More on Orbea Bikes soon…

Wow you must get a ton of goodies each month, thats awesome! In my opinion, you are the most stylish rider out there right now, so let me ask you, what is style for you?
Thank you Effraim! I heard that a lot from riders and I am really happy and thankful if its like this! I am just natural with my bike, I follow a natural way of moving according to my feelings and then magic happens! I am pretty transparent person and it shows in every aspect of your life.

Speaking of style, what music are you into?
Any music that is good is welcome. I will always like anything that has beauty and spirit!

How concerned are your sponsors with you being in the public eye with edits, or are they more concerned with you riding shows?
I am lucky enough with my sponsors to be seeing as a BMX Flatland Legend! They know the love and passion I put on my bike, they know I have won a lot of contests, made my own innovative bike company, made my own contest like Flamenco Flatland, and they support me because they trust me, and they like that I come with new ideas all the time.
For me life is about coming with new ideas, not only about tricks, but also about projects and exciting business. I give a lot of advices and ideas to my sponsors, I connect good people together of different business of fashion, music, cinema, festival organizers, bike manufacters, urban culture, shops, etc.
My shows are all about showing Flatland in my own way, they way I feel, the way I love it and always representing it in the right way! I don’t feel like a BMX rider at all, I feel more like an artist on wheels with a business mind, lucky enough to travel, make connections and meet amazing people around the globe! I am very interested in others people life’s who have nothing to do with BMX but with art, music, fashion, culture and business related.

What if any are your practise rituals on a normal day?
Wake up, say thank you for a new day and take this day as it comes! Sometimes are riding days and some others are projects and email days. Some others are days to disconnect and many of them are busy days somewhere in the world riding with my bike. The only ritual is to follow the vibe of the day, so whatever you do will be the right decision and then you can take the most of it!

Does that change leading up to a big contest such as the Red Bull COB?
Yeah definitely! I can easily say that I have nothing else to proof in contests terms. But I will always be competitive. I have won a lot different contests in the past but this contests is definitely the best ever and any rider´s dream! I have won it three times and every time I realise I am so stoked.
It makes me realise that your life can become magic if you really wish it with love and passion for what you do! Realizing this makes me understand that I have a powerful tool in my hands! And now I know I can use this magic power in everything I wish to do in my life!

The COB win in japan marks ten years at the top of the sport for you, it’s crazy now to think of you as a veteran, but a veteran who is pushing new styles and concepts, so do you have any words of advice to the older generation of riders out there that maybe think they are to old to compete?
I realized that Flatland is like wine! It just gets better with age, and as any good wine it needs to be kept in the right conditions. So I just have been taking a lot of care of my self in health terms because I just wanted to ride so life gave me all the ways and opportunities to keep on riding! I never got old in my heart, therefore I never lost the passion and love to ride and as long as you feel as happy as the first time you ever rode then nothing will change! Only your experience will makes you more mature and wise so you will ride even better. This is my philosophy of riding.

After japan I heard you took your brakes off, what made you decide that? Have you accomplished all you want to contest wise, onto new challenges?
Riding with brakes the way I ride it feels for some reason much harder than ride with no brakes! Links with brakes are all about waiting for the right momentum to make the link in the exactly right moment, and it’s very limited time to react properly. I have been lately feeling claustrophobic about being locked in this momentum so I decided to scape from it and find in brakeless riding the freedom to choose the momentum to make the link.

Tell me about the “freestyle concept” Viki? I noticed you change up your combos all the time. How does that work in regard to contest preparation?
In order to freestyle you need to have a lot of tricks, and for that you need to practise a lot of tricks. So everyday I make sure I make at least some tricks of every style possible out there. During warm up and then it comes the “conceptual” combos. I mean, for example kickflip is a concept, so I try to make a combo with 2 or 3 different kickflips mixed. Then whiplash is another concept. I try to mix forward and backward whiplashes. Then XF is another concept, and like this over and over all the time with many more concepts. At the end Freestyle happens when you can improvise and mix these concepts. It takes time to get this level, but my priority is to be a complete rider with a lot of variety of tricks and styles.

This has been truly awesome. Any final words of thanks, shootouts etc Viki?
I want to thank you Effraim for this interview and congratulate you for the daily work on Flatmattersonline.com!
I want to thank from my family, friends, and specially the big support from my girlfriend Alexa who has changed my life into a dream during the last 3 years! She has been and is my best friend, manager, supporter and lover!
And last but not least I want to thank all my sponsors for supporting and believing in me! Red Bull, Orbea, G Shock, Arnette, Levis, DC and Suelo! Also the new spanish ageny called “Step family” company for helping me to grow much more in Spain! Thanks Red Bull international for all the great trips and invitations worldwide! Thank you all the riders for the support and nice words on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! You all give me the motivation to keep on!

Let’s finish off this interview with some questions from you all at home, (these are the questions Viki answered..)

Reader questions:

Navid asked :
How long are you planning to ride flatland? (personal riding, not competition nor progressing, just riding)
I have a deal with Jesse Puente who is about 8 years older than me. Whenever he stops I will take his age as a refference to stop. But honestly, do you think JP will ever stop riding?

Uzumaki asked:
What is the name of the reggae song you rode at, at your qualification run rebeljam?
Ask Michael Sommer, he was the Dj. I just asked him for a Reggae song.

Sven asked:
Do you think much about the future? What are you going to do for a living when flatland won’t pay the bills? Any plans like Terry Adams to invest in houses and live from the rent, etc? It´s cool to live the BMX dream, but what comes after that?
Flatland is not paying me money wise only, it s giving me everyday opportunities to travel all over the world, design bikes, being a marketing and team manager, make conexions, come up with ideas and concepts. And the most important nowadays: Lifestyle! Giving me knowledge everyday to learn a lot about the business of entertaiment and marketing. So my philosophy is to keep learning and progressing. I know life will show me the way as always! Nothing comes after the BMX dream. Life is a dream and I just keep on living.

2) Why did you move to Luxembourg? Girlfriend? Do you have any plans to go back to Spain? Do you ride alone in Luxembourg? Do you have an indoor spot? You know the winter can be harder there than in Malaga.
I moved because I have been following my girlfriend during her studies the last 3 years in Stockholm, London, Madrid and now Luxembourg. It has changed my point of view in life and I am very open to live anywhere new and exciting in the future! It helped me to become more sophisticated and cosmopolitan.
For me Winter and cold has become a positive thing. I appreciate the good weather, and when is bad weather I stay positive and patient. I have an indoor spot where I ride alone, so I am very lucky! I love the feeling to be able to ride when is super cold outside. It’s a nice feeling that I never experienced before.

Pugloaf asked:
Longest break you took from riding? Any tips for pivot tricks?
I think one month is the longest break I took, and it was because I got injured in my ankle. I am addicted to ride so if I stop it s because something had happened.
Regarding the pivoting, just put your feet/foot in the top of the pegs and feel the flow.

Adam D asked:
When you picture links/tricks in your head, is it from a side point of view like your watching a video, or over top of your bike like what you would see while your actually riding?
When I invent a new trick or link it’s from the same point of view as what I see when I ride. But when I want to practise freestyle in my mind I see it from outside like watching a video.

Julien Politi asked:
Do you ”practice”, or do you just ride? I mean is there any precise riding pattern that you stick to to maintain this high level, or do you just freestyle without planning anything?
I practise basic routines everyday of whiplash, XF combos, kickflips, backwheel, spin both sides and then I go for the tricks I am practising at that moment. Freestyle comes only sometimes and it’s amazing when it happens!

Byke asked:
Who designed what with KGB?
I mostly took care of all the designs, accounts, orders and legal paperwork since Martti took care of the whole marketing campaign, relations and web page.

And why did you decide to go separate ways?
Well, KGB was our university, and we really learnt how to manage a freelance job. It was a time to move on progress, and KGB wasn’t the answer for our demands so we decided to move on and find new ways. To establish a bike company might take at least 20 years to have a respectable name in the industry. Despite this, we made some noise in the industry and had an amazing funny time! I encourage people to try their own thing, you will never loose even if your profit is zero. You will win knowledge and life surely will payback with money in the future. Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to risk, because at the end you will profit more than you can imagine right now.

If you missed part 1:

https://www.flatmattersonline.com/the-friday-interview-viki-gomez-part-1

2012 Highlights: Rider/Industry perspective (Part 2)

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Effraim — 1 Comment ↓

Intro/Interviews: Effraim

As I began reviewing the year, and realising just how many good videos/contests/interviews/scene edits there have been. It hit me that in addition to my review it would be cool to get the opinions of some of the riders/and industry heads that have made these highlights happen. Theres a real sense of things are on the up this year, read on for part 2 of this 2012 Highlights article.

This powerful edit Matt dropped on September 26th illustrates what he’s talking about below perfectly! Go watch it again!

Matt Wilhelm: I think the highlight of the year for me was just continuing to push myself and ride for fun. I’m kinda done with that whole contest thing, which I’ve been doing at the Pro level since 1999. For me it’s just all about pushing myself, and this was a great year for that. Plus all my nagging injuries have magically disappeared. For me the best feeling is just having an empty parking lot, dialed bike, and good health.

George Manos: The highlight of this year regarding flatland should be for me the Red Bull “Circle of Balance” contest.You might think it’s an obvious choice since I participated in this, but my answer still would be the same even if I didn’t have anything to do with it. Through the years this particular event was presented as the most prestigious among others ,focusing exclusively on flatland and showing the proper treatment and respect to all the effort the riders put in their craft. After some years of absence it was back this time, all the hype built until its execution made it highly anticipated and in the end paid off for the riders and spectators all over the world.As a rider even in my craziest dreams I never thought I would have a real possibility to witness this from so close-let alone ride in it-and to be a part of it ,and feel the energy and tension,the excitement and fun in setting a spectacular show like this was like a wonder and an experience that i will be happy to remember not only for this year but also for years to come.

Chad J, backwards carved pedal 5 at the LBC Underground. Photo by Jeff Z.

Chad Johnston: Agreed, 2012 has been great year! The highlight for me isn’t just one moment, it’s all of them combined. After having to be off my bike for six weeks this last Spring I wasn’t sure I’d even get any productive riding done. After a short time I was back to where I was before, and soon after I was progressing and filming things that were in my head during my down time. Being able to ride and progress on a regular basis and capture some of it on film motivates me to continue and makes this another great year for me! Thanks to everyone that has given support!

Prasheel Gopal: 2012 has been an unreal year; I think any year I can manage to attend every major North American event with Alex and Mark is an amazing year. I love attending and supporting all the circuit events, and seeing so many friends so often, I’m left with many long lasting memories.
The one trip that was a bit more unplanned/unexpected at the beginning of the year for me was my trip to England for King of Southsea. I have developed an obsession with British culture, so I knew I’s going to have a great time before I went, but the contest, the scene, the people, and everything else was just so much more fun than I could have really expected. Not to mention, winning a contest for your first time will obviously be an unforgettable memory (even if I couldn’t have my #pralex teammates there with me).
Undoubtedly, another one of my favourite things about this past year is some how getting my photo alongside my two best friends on the back of the 2013 flatland calendar! And not just that, but to see how supportive and excited others were to see us on there made it feel that much better. Despite not having any financial support and doing so many trips for so long, it feels great that we have communal support, and that Fat Tony wanted to include us.

Jean-Francois Boulianne: For me 2012 have been full of surprise. First, i would say getting hook up by Odyssey/Flatware, then the whole season wich was full of travel and contest. and at last filming a video with Sevisual was a blast. I also wanna thanks everyone that help me out!!!!

Viki Gomez: For me the best highlight of the year has been winning the Red Bull COB for the third time! It made me realized that I have won the contest every flatland rider dreams of! And being the one living the dream gives me a lot of strenght and motivation to keep on riding hard and progressing!

Pete Brandt: I think that the best things for my riding in 2012 was progression. There is a few tricks that are in some recent edits http://vimeo.com/53250654 also I received a lifetime achievement award that was featured on the ESPN site special thanks to Brian Tunney. It was quite an honor to have acknowledgements and show the history of flatland that I had part in. I’ve never been one to rely on what I have done and contributed to flatland but it is nice to know that people remember and continue to document the history.
It was quite a year for web edits and a special thanks to flatmatters for all the support. Peace and respect and flatland still lives in a progressive state in 2013 and to the future.

Dane Beardsley: Best part about this year has been having good sessions with people from all over the place.

Voodoo Jam 2012 from jim mckay on Vimeo.

The Voodoo Jam always delivers good times, this edit got Lisias really pumped up this year, watch it and see why!

Lísias Tabarelli: First, a fantastic edition Of Jim Mackay, that has done a great job, hard to do, a detail: ALONE – image and editing. This video have a great quality, diversity of riders and a great contest: https://vimeo.com/45403543
The second video, I’m with my editing, that I did out of BMX Masters –12, that I call ”Euro Treino”
Europe was my first international trip, where I improved my clinical look about Flatland.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOxW8SINYIA
This video I show a great diversity of brazilian riders, and big brazilian friends.
2012 was a very nice year to me, especially because I won the Competition Original Trick of KHE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqqeP2pTmbQ and arrive on stage at the BMX Masters recognized by a hidden talent.
I’m not very good where in I do, but I try keep the style, deviating of problems with sport on the planet.
I love what I do, my job. Flatland family is a hidden talent, gradually unraveled.Thanks.

Mark Kuhlmann: This year has been the best year yet for me riding wise. I wasn’t sure how the year would turn out at the beginning of 2012 because I had a lot going on and wasn’t sure how much time I could commit to my bike. My wife and I had just bought our first house and we took on the task of gutting and completely redoing the basement without any prior renovation experience That took up a lot of time. Just as we finished that at the end of summer, I took a new job and due to its new location we sold our house and are currently waiting to move into our new house (with even more work needed!!!)
It has been a challenge to fit riding in on a somewhat consistent level but I still managed to hit all the stops on the #AMFLT circuit and the Voodoo Jam with the encouragement of my wife and the support of my #pralex brothers Prasheel and Alex. I’m so glad we could go to all these events because we made so many great memories (Perogies in Toronto, the City Museum in St Louis on our way to Jomo, the photo shoot in New Orleans, just having a great time riding in Anderson and partying at night, and all the ups and downs that came with going to Texas). I was finally able to shake off my nerves at a contest and ended up doing well a few times. The highlight of the contest year was definitely winning expert in Voodoo Jam. I won’t ever forget standing there in shock and disbelief that it was happening while watching Prasheel jump up and down.
On a personal riding level, I’ve just recently met some riding goals with tricks that I’ve always wanted to do when I started riding like whoppers and some new crossfooted tricks. It feels great to have finally reached a point where I can do them. Time to set some new goals and push on in 2013.
Whether it be a new trick, or a new memory, 2012 set the bar high and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Quite a year for Bert, not only having one of the best parts of the year in my opinion, but also invited to the Red Bull COB and battling Matthias Dandois. I got goosebumps watching this again this morning. Read on to see what Bert has to say!

Bert Ribul: I want to start off by saying that 2012 has been a great year for flatland and the best year for me so far riding wise and personal life. It started off by me posting my winter video and you guys gave me soo many good reviews and got me really pumped up. Thanks!!
Then in July i went to Germany with the the Finnish guys to the BMX WORLDS, although the event was rained out and most of the events got canceled, we still had a really great time there and luckily flatland was the only event that wasn’t rained out. I qualified at 6th and ended up getting 12th place and we had great sessions with everybody and met soo many new people, again thanks for the great times there!
Then in september one of my dreams came true, I got the opportunity to travel to Japan for Red Bull Circle Of Balance. That was just simply amazing and I wish I could visit Japan in the near future again. RB COB was the highlight for flatland in general this year!
too many great things happened there, I would have to write another article about that hehe. The biggest thanks goes to Red Bull and all the organizers and all the great people I met there and made this trip happen. That was the trip of my life.
after Japan i went to Spain with Aleksi Ritsilä for the rebel jam. it was a great event as well, Spain is like paradise, we seriously didnt want to come back from there, at one point we even gave up getting to the airport at 5 in the morning 😀 Spain is definitely a place i would love to come back! It was like a really great vacation at the end of the year, and again thanks to everybody that was there and made it happen. It was a lot of fun!
Those were the 3 highlights for me this year besides many smaller trips and demos, but those 3 really stand out and I’ll never forget them. Now that the year is ending i’m struggling with winter spots again, and riding quite abit of street aswell, because of the lack of winterspots here. Just take as much fun as i can out of bmx in general and practicing alot for the next year which promises to be even better, because i have some big projects coming up which i cant talk about just yet.
Thanks to Flatmatters for giving me the chance to write this small article.Have fun!

Pat Schoolen: Moto Sasaki at Jomopro. I never tire of watching Moto’s fluid, original and crazy hard riding.

Scene Report – Dallas, Texas

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Effraim — 18 Comments ↓

Text/Photos: Jeremy Jones.

The one and only, Ross Smith!

It’s December 2nd, it’s 81 degrees outside, and there’s a parking garage that spans for miles. Welcome to Dallas, Texas! The Dallas riders have recently started getting together on Sunday’s at their new garage (no security hassles on the weekends). There are over fourteen guys who ride flatland in Dallas and the scene is growing. A few of the riders are seen here in these pictures: Brian Hiltz, Jason Smith, Duane Duckworth, Clint Evans, Ben Stembridge, Jayson Hatcher, and Ross Smith. Other riders include George Teneyek, Will Redd, Clinton Majors, Rio Pena, Jeremy Jones, Andy Powell, and the 2012 Texas Toast Veteran Class Winner: Nikola Olic! If you are living in or traveling through Dallas, come out and ride! Contact: jeremyleejones@mac.com

Brian Hiltz.

Jayson Hatcher

Ben Stembridge

Jason Smith

Clint Evans

Duane Duckworth

The Friday Interview – Viki Gomez! (Part 1)

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Effraim — 22 Comments ↓

Intro/Interview:Effraim.
Photos: Provided by Viki Gomez.

Who better to cap off this first 4 years anniversary week than Viki Gomez!
Chances are like me you watched in awe as the Red Bull Circle of Balance contest unfolded. What became apparent to me as the battles progressed, was the level of control, focus, adaptability and machine like quality Viki Gomez possesses.
To win the worlds biggest flatland contest 3 times passing over a ten year time period is a huge achievement, that might never ever be done again.
As I sat at the top of the bleachers trying to take as much of the event in as possible, what I couldn’t help notice, was how calm Viki was during the whole contest. The level of focus he showed during the tense battles was very inspiring.
You could sense a few riders quite rightly were just stoked to be invited and enjoying the moment, whereas Viki maintained “gameface” throughout the event. It was fitting that a bomb trick will be remembered for winning his 3rd Red Bull COB title, it was a moment I won’t forget in a hurry. I think flatland needed that! Viki demonstrated truly what it takes to win at the highest level.
As well being a contest machine, Viki is of course an artist, delivering ground breaking video parts, that have been inspirational for years, there aren’t too many riders that have truly excelled in both.
Without further a due, I’m really excited to bring the first part of this Viki Gomez interview, as I say “enjoy!”…

Basic introduction, your real name is Jorge right? How old are you? How long riding? Where are you from? Etc..
My name is Jorge Gomez. Nick name Viki from the famous cartoons Viki the Viking! I started riding 17 years ago when I was a smaller teenager with long hair and the looks of Viki. I am from Madrid, Spain. I am 31 years old, and I have been professional for 12 years and visited 50 countries so far until today. Here are my most memorable contest results since 2001:
2 times European X games champion (2001-2002)
3 times King of Ground Gold medallist in Japan (2001-2004-2006)
Braun Cruzer Tour champion of 5 contest out of 7 and tour champion (Contest like Flatground, King of Concrete, Ninja Spin, etc)
2005 Metro Jam Champion in Canada
Bmx Flatland World circuit champion (2010)
Red Bull Flamenco Flatland champion (2011)
3 times Red Bull Circle of Balance Champion (2002-2007-2012)
I love my bike and I love riding and freestyling!

Of course Viki you are world renown as one of the best flatlanders of all time, I recall the first time I met you at the Madrid Worlds in 1999, you entered Masterclass right away. Spain is not famous for its flatland scene, what got you into flatland?
Well, when I started to ride there were a huge amount of flatland riders in Retiro Park, the biggest park in Madrid City. I had a BMX but not prepared for freestyle and one day I crossed this park and I saw around 20 riders riding together, flirting with the chicks, having fun,etc…from that moment I realised that this was the coolest thing I wanted to do in my life! And I went for it!
I kind of forced the riders to admit me in the crew! Hahaha Nowadays most of them are my best friends and we laugh a lot remembering the way I wanted to become friends with them! First thing I said was: “Do you have pegs to sell?” I was a 14 years old kid with super long hair and the cap and they said I looked like “Viki the Viking” (German cartoons famous in Spain) and since that day they called me Viki! In this park I rode for 6 years and it has been the best teenager time of my life!
We didn’t only ride, we were trouble makers, but always with good and positive humour! We were a big family and I believe we still are somehow! even if life separated us due to age duties like work, family,etc These guys will forever be in my heart, and these memories are still the reasons why I keep riding! I met for once and for all the real spirit of freestyle, and I will stick to it all my life!

That’s interesting, is this the big public riding spot in the KGB video that you talk of? It’s interesting to me what you said abut family, as I remember you were always with Nathan, Martti and Phil in “The X trials days”, kind of like a mini family almost.
You are one of the few riders out there that can juggle the professional riders life of travelling, shows, commercial projects, and yet still progress in a hardcore way, delivering banging edits with new tricks/variations, how hard is it to juggle this lifestyle?
I realised that the more busy you are the best your brain works. Therefore the imagination level that you need to put into flatland gets higher and your riding level increases as well. I remember when I was 23 and I only was riding all day long, my life felt empty and thats why I started KGB, just to keep myself busy and keep learning things in different ways. After riding ideas were coming nonstop! Everything is all about the mindset that you have. If your brain is on fire, your imagination and body will be on fire as well. So how I keep myself fit is working on new projects, brain storming and using riding as a therapy to free and/or increase my mind! At the end, I am a business man where I am the boss, the employee and the product! And by loving what I do life pays back with beautiful opportunities!

Do you progress when your on the road touring? You of course travel a lot, I saw recently Dubai, England, and Maldives, Japan, and I’m sure that’s not all…
New tricks come anytime and unexpected. Sometimes riding and sometimes in your mind. I remember talking with Akira Okamura about one of his signature tricks and he told me, “I was in the toilet and suddenly: Booom!!! This trick idea came to my mind!” Laughs!!! I realised then that I wasn’t the only one having these moments!

What are the benefits of this lifestyle in your opinion?
Everything is a benefit. And specially the way I travel! I am always with locals and this way you can experience their culture and learn from it. Therefore you progress a lot as a person and this is what we are here for. To become better people and progress! I have been in 50 countries in the last 14 years and I have learnt a lot about the world. I stopped believing about nations, countries, borders and frontiers. I believe more in the different cultures of the human race, the different visions and at the end we are all in the same planet which make us very alike to each other! And I can see that the world is getting better, I don’t watch the depressing news and I judge by my experience and everyone nowadays just want to have a good life. I think thanks to the internet people realised that love is the best way to live!

You blew up on the scene in 2000, I recall the Worlds in Koln 2000, so many fresh tricks with savvy style! You’ve been a heavy hitter since then, at what point did you realise flatland would become a job for you?
Actually since day one I got my first real BMX freestyle bike my dream became true! I knew from that day that it will never matter how hard it will be, I will always ride! I have been very lucky ,my bike saved my life in many aspects and I think that by being grateful every single day, life is bringing me more opportunities to keep on riding! All is about Karma! When I do shows I feel that people get happy, exited, kids smile, and I am so thankful to have the chance to make this happen! And with this Karma riding life just goes on!

For as long as I can remember you have always had brakes? What is your opinion about brakes, no brakes?
Well, I think brakes are mandatory to learn basics and be original making different switches. At least in the beginning. Being original is the most important thing in Flatland! This sport should be call “Originality on bike” then many people will understand what is this game all about. I went deep searching for new ways of progression! I had many masters like Martti, Nathan, Phil who taught me how important is to go your own way and I found myself using the brakes in order to find this freedom and be someone original and respected out there.
But right now, I reached a new level where I feel free with no brakes and thanks to all the basics I have learnt, I can explore into new levels and this feeling makes me really happy! Flatland is infinity, so searching is the way, but not the final form. So don’t worry about brakes or no brakes. You better worry about searching new unexplored ways. Don’t count your life with seconds, minutes, hours, days or years…better count it with the actions that you have done! For me every new original trick that I have done is an action, and this is the way I count my life in Flatland!

In my opinion the KGB dvd captured some of the best riding of all time from yourself and Martti. What’s your fondest memory from filming for that dvd, and also that time period hanging out with MK a lot?
I think everyone can feel that our philosophy in riding is about going deep in progression and show that Flatland is infinity! This DVD has this feeling and also KGB was all about it! This part of my life has been my university in business and definition of progression!
And what better and funnier than having MK as a classmate? We learnt a lot, we lost a lot but at the end we WON A LOT because we learnt big lessons! Now we are prepared in life to achieve any dream we want and having these lessons learnt is the most precious treasure you can ever wish!
MK is with no doubt one of my best friends and still the person I look up to riding wise. When you think about it, no human yet had reached his level! And this is amazing! I follow his steps and I am so lucky to have learnt a lot from him. Nowadays we meet in amazing epic places where we just laugh non stop remembering the crazy times we lived, and living even craziest times nowadays!

That is awesome! Tell me something about competing, over the past few years you came back to featuring on the podium after a few years struggling to place well, what changed for you?
After winning COB 2007 I lost my motivation to compete. Also Martti lost it. So weird times came along for us where we saw flatland going so down. We come from X Games times where Flatland was huge! And seeing flatland going into the direction of wooden small floors wasn’t so exiting! So I decided to take a break and keep progressing at home and don’t think about contests! But if you are a Red Bull athlete, you can take a break, but eventually you will need to come back strong to compete. And I am really happy that Red Bull pushed me to comeback! After all I got 3rd place in the BFWC 2009, first place of BFWC 2010, Red Bull Flamenco Flatland 2011 and this year I have won Madrid contest, Fise in Costa Rica, Bike days in Switzerland, Colombia contest and the best that I could ever imagine! Red Bull COB 2012!!! I also want to thank my girlfriend Alexandra for being my main inspiration in life! When you love some one deep it gives you strength! And when someone loves you deep it gives you a lot of courage! She believes sometimes more in me than myself, and it’s really helpful when you are down. I thank and appreciate every moment of my life with her!

Is there such a thing as winning mentality?
The only way to success is when you don’t let your mind to come in between. If you are able to have this mindset in a contest, then you will be very satisfied about your riding! And that’s all what really matters!

So the Red Bull Circle of Balance’s back this year and you already won two of those events, the COB is pretty much the biggest and most prestigious event in flatland, would you agree that your riding seems more favoured towards the battle format style contests rather than the traditional 3 minute run format?
As I said before, everything depends of your mindset. Doesn’t matter the format, the place, the atmosphere…everything is in your mind! Set it free and you will succeed!

Tell me something about the Madrid scene? It seems to be up on the up right now, I feel a lot of positive energy coming out of that scene right now.
Yeah there are a lot of new kids riding and they are like a small family hanging out together. I like the way they support and respect me, taking me as a master for them! They are my friends and super cool guys who just have fun with their bikes and have a lot of passion in riding. Guelo is the captain of the crew, and we became really good friends in the last years! He keeps the scene alive always helping new riders to feel comfortable and motivated!

I’m always curious when your at the top of the sport, and your searching for new ideas, where do you draw your inspiration from?
As I said before, by keeping your mind busy in positive and progressive things in life, your riding will be also reflected by the right mind set! I try to learn something new everyday. Not every time is a new trick, but a new combo, a new feeling, the way you leave the spot happy and motivated looking forward to come back. And I am always feeling lucky to have time and being able to ride! So this way you can get the best out of it! Never take things for granted!

To wrap up Part 1. We can’t have a VIki Gomez interview, and not ask about Dominik Nekolny. Nowadays he’s going more towards his own style of riding, but still does a lot of your “known” old switches. Does it feel strange competing against him?
With Dominik everything has been all about mix feelings. Of course I got surprised the first time I saw him doing many of my signature tricks! My visión of riding is completley different in this sense, but then I realized that he was doing my tricks because they were hard tricks, and he has been the only one capable to make them! I just thought to my self “why someone with so much skills is doing someone else tricks?” But then I realized that he was in a learning process and besides that, I should be happy that someone is following my way, and proving that with these tricks you still can place good in a contest. I am happy to be an inspiration for someone. After the confusing times I got to know him personally, and he is a super nice guy and I always have jokes with him!

Part 2 to follow soon…. Comments anyone?

https://www.flatmattersonline.com/viki-gomez-flatmatters-exclusive-2

https://www.flatmattersonline.com/new-viki-gomez-orbea-frame

https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-flatwebtv-red-bull-cob-post-show

The John Yull Interview!

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Effraim — 15 Comments ↓

Intro/Interview: Effraim.
Photos: Leo Furmansky.

Rewind to April 6 of this year, and John Yull dropped his 3 years back riding after a 15 year break edit. Mid way through the edit… I remember screaming “Why oh why did you quit John!”…
You see I have written multiple copies of this intro, and it’s almost impossible for me to not include the fact myself and John grew up together on the UK Hutch team. The memory of John hacking across a Parisian leisure centre floor, hitting the fastest backwards whiplash (DMC style) in 1989 on this way to a Worlds title still plays in my mind like it was yesterday.
John’s 3 year edit not to mention his latest Tempest edit is a timely reminder John still has it!
Now 23 years on from John’s World title winning run, John is continuing to use that riding knowledge and is killing it more than ever, truly finding his way. Let’s get this interview started..

Basic info first, when did you start riding, where you from originally, etc etc…Basic info first, when did you start riding, where you from originally, etc etc…
I was born and bred in Sutton-in-Ashfield Nottinghamshire. I started riding in 1983 when I got a Raleigh Super Tough Burner for my 13th birthday. My next frame was a Pink Hutch Trickstar and so began my union with Hutch. I entered every UKBFA contest I could in the 80’s and got sponsored by Hutch. I made my first trip to the San Diego in 1989 and was hooked I moved to Austin Texas in September 1992 and never left.

So John for the record, a lot of people might not know you stopped riding, what year did you stop riding and why?
So I think I stopped riding flatland around 1994 I couldn’t put a date on it it just slowly happened. I was so involved in Homeless Bikes that riding took 2nd place to making Shorts, shinguards shirts,Gyro covers & everything else we could produce for us, Play, Poorboy Allied, Little Devil & anyone else that wanted custom sewing done. We also started making frames in house for homeless & WAL. Things were so crazy back then! we would make anything! I was sewing 15+ hours a day.

When did you get back into riding and what made you start riding flatland?
So in early 2009 my wife Jessie said “hey you should get onto Facebook ” so I did and within A few weeks I was harassed by enough old riding friends (yes you too Effraim) about not riding that I was ordering a new bike from empire & so it all began!!

Riders who have been riding a long time, always seem to have what I call a “second wind” in their riding career and that very much seems to be happening with you right now, your progression and your choice of tricks points to experience, and knowledge of what has come before. Would you agree with that?
My second wind I like that, returning and staying where I left off was never an option for me. I wanted to embrace the new way of riding, but add MY personal touch to it! the fact that I can’t figure out how to pump one bloody tricks has lead me to where I am. Once the decades came I knew I had found my path and the ideas haven’t stopped coming.

After so long out, how long do you think you have left to ride, and continue pushing yourself?
I’m only 42 and after 15 years off I see no reason to stop any time soon I have so many trick ideas in my head I never want to stop again…..

Have you found filming your riding, has helped you progress quicker?
Filming has become my best motivation I can spend hours filming for 1 trick and it’s worth every minute! Some of the tricks I’ve done on film were only pulled that one time and that is ok with me. Just move on to the next one.
I have what I call my “personal motivational grudge” my 3 years edit was fueled by this. When I was done with the edit the grudge was over and it was time to move on.

What is motivating this second wind I talk of?
To be honest part of it is to leave my mark on flatland I feel I quit before I got to show my potential. I did ride for Hutch and Homeless Bikes, won the worlds in 1989 and had a part in Homeless Trash but I never had that killer part in a flatland video or entered a USA contest I regret that!
Mostly though I really have something to prove to myself and I can’t stop till I do that.

When you started riding again, did you start again brakeless?
No I started with the front brake on but one day took it off and never looked back. Well there was that day I put it back on and it lasted for 15 minutes and then it was gone for good. I think luckily for me after such a long brake from riding I wasn’t so attached and it felt great. I do have fun every now and again riding Tod and Randall’s bike with brakes but they feel restricted to me. I plan on riding with brakes for a month this year as part of a project but it won’t last.

What is flatland for you?
Obsession, Passion, Frustration, Enjoyment, motivation, friendship, escape,

Describe your local riding scene, how often do you get out riding?
The OG!! I feel so lucky to be part of the Austin scene I’m surrounded by so many friends and so much talent I wouldn’t want to ride anywhere else in the world! Everyone is welcome and equal there’s no pro’s or beginners just family.. I ride every day! I’m as obsessed with riding now as I was when I was 15.

What do you do work wise for a job?
I started an Aquarium Maintenance business 12 years ago when I left the sewing job. I spend my days visiting the rich and famous. I love my job.

Being an English man how do you deal with the humid hot summers in Texas?
My first summer in Texas was 1993 I lived on Kevin Martin’s couch with Lee Sultemeier on the other couch we had no AC after that summer I was sorted. The next 19 have been easy. For riding my sessions start at 9-9.30pm it’s still stupid hot in the summer but we are used to it. I have no idea how to ride in daylight it totally screws me up. I’m known as the vampire.

How hard is it juggling family life and flatland life?
I feel so lucky that my family understand my obsession. I leave to ride as late as possible and don’t get to sleep as much as I should but that’s ok with me. If you want it enough you will find time to ride!
Thank you to my wife Jessie & my kids Stella & Lucas.

Thank you John! Great catching up! Check out John’s edits I refer to in the intro below:

https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-john-yull-3-years

https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-john-yull-tempest-brand

2012 Highlights : Rider/Industry perspective (Part 1)

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Effraim — Leave comments ↓

“2012 has been a great year for flatland. What has been the highlight of the year personally riding wise for you?”

Photo credit: James White.
When James White dropped this incredible bikeflip on “Whitelines” the whole flatland world took notice. As I look back on the year, this is without a doubt one of the standout moves of the year! Find out what his highlights were right below.

James White: Haven’t really travelled this year so my highlight is pretty restricted but it’s also a very easy one, The return of the Jaffa! Let me take you back to the close of 2011. It’s dark,cold, miserable weather and I’m pretty down. I get a call from Sam, when ever we get to catch up it’s so much fun putting everything to rights. So great I think this will cheer me up, but this call was different. Sam wasn’t riding said he wasn’t into it anymore, my heart dropped nooo can this year get any worse I was thinking. But I didn’t let on to him just telling things like, ‘well if you ain’t feeling it then that’s cool. don’t worry about it just concentrate on enjoying life and see if the motivation comes back, just take it slow with no pressure’. It was a hard phone call. It was like losing a family pet! (Sorry Sam, best I could come with on the fly)…
Anyway fast forward a few months and there’s rumblings of Sam riding, out the blue he goes to that redbull comp and with little practice smashes it. I speak to Sam shortly after this and asked what happened with the not riding? He replies ‘oh, well after our phone call I went out the next and the next day messing about and really enjoyed it, went out the the next and the next and been pretty regular since’……..Bastard!!! There’s me at home worrying about my boy giving up and all the time his out behind my back riding!
Anyway then comes the banging edit by Chris Massey at the Manchester jam. And my year is made!
2013 will have to have Sam’s return the contest scene to beat this year!!!

Sam Foakes: Highlight of the year for me was watching Hiro vs Ucchie on the COB livestream and seeing Hiro go off! COB was the event of the year. Don’t forget to invite me next time Red Bull 🙂 Personal riding highlight would be the Manchester jam. Nice weather and great atmosphere.

Alex Jumelin: Yes it has been a really coooool year for flatland and worldwide I can say that flatland as never been so big. In the number of contest and riders, I just hope that now big sponsor will follow ??????
My highlight of the year was of course to win the FISE.

Bart de Jong: The riding at the Red Bull COB was off the hook!

Without a doubt the most popular choice for highlight of the year. And who would argue really? The Red Bull COB went off! It was a huge honour for me to host the livefeed show!
Photo credit: Naoyuki Shibata/Red Bull Content Pool

Martti Kuoppa: Seeing / Feeling Viki being one with his bike at the COB.
Seeing DUB busting out at the COB.
Hearing Chase Gouin getting rid of illness and getting back on his bike.
Learning to ride flatland just sometimes and be happy about it.

Simon O’Brien: I would have to say for me the highlight was ‘Circle of Balance’. Not only was it an amazing event, but after being away from the scene for a while, it was great to get amongst it and be around so many riding friends again. I didnt realise how much ive missed it! And the event was in Japan….so just an amazing time!

Jean William Prevost: COB for sure!

Tom @ Sevisual: I couldn’t pick a specific highlight, but there were some great moments in the 2012 season for sure! I was able to travel a lot with Adam; we hit lots of contests this year and had so much fun. Hanging out and filming with Viki and the Madrid crew…JFB was a guest of mine for several weeks…Vienna with my friends Michael and Sebastian was priceless with great memories!  Flatland wise the best was the high number of Hungarian flat contests this year. Keep organizing guys!

Matthias Dandois: Riding wise, 2012 has been such a turning point in my career, My point of view on riding has changed a lot the past year. I started not give a shit about contest, actually stopped practicing for contest, started riding everything (street, flat, park, dirt, whatever) and I’m more happy in my life than ever before. The highlight of the year are all the tours/trip I did with some of the coolest people: Odyssey trip in the Californian desert, The Frenchys distribution trip around Lyon, The dawn tour all around France, visiting the Jumelin’s family in New Orleans… Theses trips are more fun than anything else, you just have to wake up, go ride, film a couple clips and have the time of your life. BMX is, before everything: FUN, let’s just not forget about it!

Amazing photo of Matthias Dandois shooting with Soul BMX mag #77… Photo credit: Hadrien Picard

Peter Olsen: I’d say just feeling really comfortable on my bike and not feeling entirely stagnant was a main highlight of the year for me . I can’t really think of any particular tricks or days or anything that stand out, but just the overall feeling that you can go out and learn what’s on your mind has always been one of favourite things about riding.

Scott O’Brien: Emcee Voodoo, Dew Tour and COB in Japan. But nothing will beat a session with my homies in New Orleans. I had a lot of progression this spring and it was a lot of fun. Lets see what the winter will bring?!

Stay tuned for Part 2….

John Yull Flatmatters exclusive!!

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Effraim — 1 Comment ↓

So much content coming through right now to celebrate 4 years of Flatmatters! Quite fitting that I interview one of the riders that I grew up riding with on the Hutch team, John Yull! John is of course paving his own way, fair to say he is one of the exciting riders to watch right now! Keep an eye out for this FM interview really soon! For now peep this lil’ bit of decade innovation.

Editorial: 4 years of Flatmatters!

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Effraim — 24 Comments ↓

Editorial: Effraim.

“It’s a full time job that you don’t get paid for basically” Anthony Buglio at FlatWeb TV said recently during a recent Skype conversation with me for an up and coming Interview. It summed up my commitment very simply. Flatmatters started 4 years as a blogspot site to gain a creative outlet that I felt I lost even before the FM page in UK Ride was dropped.

Today, Wednesday November 28th. 4 years on, the sport/artform has changed a lot. Edits were not as commonplace as they are now. By and large “content” it is a lot easier to come by now daily, riders know they have a place to showcase their work, not just FM but many other sites. This week as we hit the 4 year mark, I am consumed with a mixture of emotion. last year was a great year for me riding wise, producing around 30 progressive videos. This year due to injury after injury, currently nursing a back injury, I am bummed I haven’t been able to create what I wanted to. So my apologises to all those that have “Hey Effraim, wheres the 4 year edit?”, my answer in the positive form is good things come to those that wait, for now how about a repost of my 3 year edit?….

2012 has been I think the best year for flatland since I started Flatmatters in 2008, I am in the process of reviewing the year and believe me the selection process is tougher than ever before. Every week it seemed an amazing edit dropped, that made me think wow this is a must watch edit for people!

So whats in store for the 4 year anniversary, well…

As well you will already know, Fat Tony kindly contributed the Behind the Scenes scoop on the 2013 flatland calendar. The Shuichi Osada interview dropped yesterday. Today I am publishing Part 1 of the “The riders perspective on 2012”, Part 1 of the Viki Gomez interview drops Friday, theres also a big John Yull Interview dropping, so plenty to look forward, not to mention, maybe a surprise edit here and there….
So it’s somewhat forced, rather than this being about me, although one of more ideas all along was to have a whole bunch of varied exclusive content drop over the next fortnight or so, as a celebration of 4 years. Rather than just one day.
Last but not least, thank you to all the riders that have supported flatmatters over the last 4 years. The original intention was for FM to be a source of motivation for riders worldwide. And I am proud to say I feel like it has more than done that.
The question really is, whats next?

Leave us a comment and let me know what you think.

Flatmatters

Effraim Catlow

The Shuichi Osada interview!!

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Effraim — 9 Comments ↓

Intro: Effraim.
Interview: Effraim & Takuji Kasahara.
Translation: Takuji Kasahara.
Photos: Takuji Kasahara.

So Day 2 of the Flatmatters 4 years anniversary, and today an interview with one of my favourite current riders, Shuichi Osada!
The task of interviewing someone you quickly realise you know nothing about is an interesting puzzle to start with, you could say well thats everything to learn, but in reality where do you start? The following interview with Shuichi Osada is the result of a few months going back and forth with my friend Takuiji Kasahara in order to find out more about a rider I admire so much.
In 2011 as I looked through in access of 2,000 flatland videos. Shuichi’s riding stood out like a breath of fresh air. I had to know more about him, so I sent a few questions, and asked Takuji to chip in with a few questions that would help the flatland world know more about this amazing rider.
Thank you Takuji and Shuichi for putting the time into making this happen.
I’m really stoked what Shuichi has to say about his combos, and the concepts behind them. Hopefully you learn a lil’ something about this japanese shredder! I cannot wait to see his part on the new Zai DVD! Read on…

Firstly introductions, your age, how long riding, whereabouts in Japan are you from?
Shuichi Osada, 29 years of age, been riding 12 years is from Kisarazu, Chiba.

How did you get into flatland riding?
Back in the days when I was seventeen, X Games was big here and flatland got featured on magazines often that’s what got me into flatland. There was not much information about the bikes and I knew nothing about BMX so I bought my first BMX was for street and I was practicing flatland on it at first.

How is the riding scene where you live?
Not many riders and riding spots here, not so good.

Has the riding scene got bigger since you started riding where you live?
The scene was bigger when I started riding, since then it had been getting smaller and smaller and it hasn’t changed past five years.

Tell us about your new company, Buoyancy, what does the name mean? What’s the company all about?
I wanted to name my company something related with fishing. Of course I’ll produce BMX parts other than that, hoping to organize enjoyable contests or events for riders.

Do you have any riders representing Buoyancy?
Takumi Matsumoto, Takuji Kasahara, Naoki Watanabe, Yorimitsu Miyata, Shinichi Kiba (Russia), Hiroki Iwata (Tang meng) and myself.

Are you only selling Buoyancy in Japan, or will your products be available worldwide?
So far it’s only handlebars and basically available only in Japan, but if there is a demand for the products hopefully it will be available internationally.

Your riding really catches the eye, tell me about your riding style, what’s your vision for flatland?
The originality and riding-styles are very important things in flatland and that is what has been attractive to me. In the past few years I’ve been working on switches with swinging a frame and pivoting on the pegs at the same time because I wanted to create switches which is impossible to do with back wheel tricks.
The contest and the result are given a huge weight in current flatland scene in general and riders take difficulty in the first place, due to this, a lot of simple and cool tricks or unique tricks have been slept in our mind so I want to enjoy flatland with free thought.

Are you into contest riding, or more about pushing yourself outside of the contest environment? You compete as an Expert rider right?
I’m not a good contest rider. It’s hard to get a motivation for the constancy, also I get nervous at a contest. I normally ride without caring about a contest. I compete as a pro.

What inspires your riding?
My favourite riders and music.

What do you do besides riding?
I like fishing and lately been into candle making.

What if anything provided the hook to keep you riding flatland?
It’s like a cycle of that the images on my mind get realized then new images/ideas derived from it, this continues endlessly. I’m not the kind of riders who pick up tricks instantly, all my difficult tricks hasn’t come up suddenly, those came slowly from passing through the repetition of the cycle. I feel I’m enjoying flatland more than ever because I have a special feeling towards on my tricks and new ideas on my mind. Even though I’m getting aged and suffering from chronic pain on my body but it’s still ridable so I will continue to ride for a while.

What in your eyes is a pro rider?
The riders who compete pro class that doesn’t mean they are pros. Pro rider is who earns money from riding and makes living off from doing something related with BMX. But in my opinion, doing demos/shows are different it doesn’t require high skills or it requires different skills I say. They are making money as performers. The definition of the pro flatland rider is a rider who makes whose living from the income from sponsors or making money from making parts or other BMX related things.

Who are your favourite riders in japan?
It’s too many to list though. I like riders who has originality and own style or silhouette on their riding. Takumi Matsumoto, Takuji Kasahara, Naoki Watanabe, Yorimistu Miyata, Shinichi Kiba, Hiroki Iwata. I asked to them to use my handle bars because I like their riding. I also like Takuma Kawamura and Hirokazu Miura and Yosuke Shibuya.

Tell me about your bike set up? What are you running besides the Buoyancy bars?
Frame: St.martin FOOT JAM 18.8″
Fork: Magic Fruits Straw V2 Fork
Bar: Buoyancy
Stem: Camacura makuross stem 35mm
Headset: FSA Impact
Crank: Profile mg crank
BB set: ARESTIC SPANISH BB
Sprocket: Magic Fruits Jellyfish V3 25T
Pedal: Primo balance Mag pedal
Seat: We the People Bel Air Pivotal(short)
Post: S&M Bikes_Long Johnson Pivotal Post
F Peg: Hommage P38
R Peg: Hommage P38
F Hub: Nankai 500AFS
R Hub: Nankai 9T
F Rim: Odyssey 7KA (36H)
R Rim: Sun Rhyno Lite
F Tyre: Ares A-Class 1.90
R Tyre: KHE Mac 1.5
Grip: Deco logo grip
Bar end: Odyssey Par End
Grip Stop: Hommage ring grip

Who are your favourite riders worldwide?
Martti Kuoppa and Stephane Royer and others.

What kind of music are you into?
I like instrumental rock bands such as “Soft” and “Special others” and others. I’m choosing the songs according to my mood of the moment while I’m riding.

Interesting concept (about your riding style), do you see yourself ever riding back wheel as well? It seems like in japan, riders are either front wheel or back wheel? Why do you think that is?
Even if I try back wheel tricks it’s going to be just the moves using my front wheel skills, that is a deterioration in the quality of my front tricks. In the other words, it’s possible to create new front moves with taking new ideas from back wheel tricks done by others, so I don’t think I will try back wheel.
Like you said, you see a lot of riders here in Japan limit ourselves either front wheel or back wheel, I think it’s because of the bike setting. It’s simply the best bike setting for front and back is far different. Also I think originality and style are important things in Flatland so delving deeply into single subject is more suitable for flatland, rather than being just a jack of all trades or master of none.

Do you have a winter spot for riding?
It doesn’t snow often in my town. It won’t be a big problem although daylight hours gets shorter and my night riding spot isn’t so good and I have my knee and elbow pain. I take it slow and I’m thinking to go to the gym to fix my body in this winter.

Do you put a concept on your combo? If so please explain how’s it like.
Yes, I put a concept on my combo.
My combos I created a while ago was inspired by Yammar’s tricks. I was impressed with his smooth combos which is linking a few tricks without loosing a momentum. It’s not interesting if I do same things as what he was doing so I came up with the idea which is linking many tricks by using pivots with a good tempo to make it looks like one single trick.
I thought if I could do that it would be greater. And these days, I like laid-back style music and clothes and been thinking if I could express these kind of styles on my riding. So I’ve been working on around the world style tricks with pivots these days. They are still in the works and need some time to combo them up although I think I can show it to you next year.

Getting towards final questions. Any plans for the new products?
Yes, I have plans to produce products other than handlebars. For instance rail-seats, these days the pivotal seat is the standard and it became hard to find rail-seats even a lot of front wheel riders still prefer to use it.  

Sponsors:
Hommage &  Buoyancy.

Last words?
I’ll keep on riding and do my best for my brand at my own pace.  

https://www.flatmattersonline.com/shuichi-osada-starts-buoyancy

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https://www.flatmattersonline.com/shuichi-osada-shreds

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