Brian Hobson, Masters class – KOF – April 1990 from kchapman on Vimeo.
During my ‘zine making days following the New England scene via Radazine was a treat! Check this no touch from Brian Hobson from the King of Flatland contest, April 1990, smooth as glass style! Thanks to Drew Henderson, sending this weeks OSS in!
Yesterday a great bit of history made it’s way onto the internet, thanks to AJ @Habnad. Kevin Jones’ ground breaking run from the AFA Masters Bristol PA 1989. This was the first time anyone publicly saw the hitchhiker and the backpacker, not to mention as Brett Downs quoted yesterday, “95 percent of his run and his tricks, who else can say that?”. Do yourself a favour, whether your old school, new school whatever labels you chose, watch the crowd reaction when Jones pulls out the backpacker at around 3:58. This is without a doubt one of the influential moments in BMX. Thank you Kevin Jones and thank you AJ for the re-upload in better quality! This is golden!
This weeks OSS featuring Joe Gruttola and George Gallo, love the one handed foot on bar rocket backwards nose wheelie at 00:14 on this edit. Not sure of the year, possibly 1988?
Great riding from the archives! Gerry Smith killed it at the AFA Finals in Kansas City November 1988 on his way to 2nd place in 17’s flatland! The last part of his run in particular, listen to the crowd, so rad! Thanks to Jamie West for sending this in! Style for miles!!
Ross Smith from Doses on Vimeo.
Ross Smith footage never gets old, I know I have posted this before, but this 9:17 put together by Doses is surely worth a repost. Mind blogging level of riding from one of the all time greats, AFA footage to his classic intrikat blend section! Thanks to Bryan Huffman for the reminder about this one!
This weeks OSS…Features some great footage from the likes of Jason Forde, Alex Jumelin, Raphael Chiquet (combo at 2:33!!!) and Lee Musselwhite and many more at the Urban Games 2004, enjoy!
Duncan Gore sent in this awesome edit from last years OS BMX Reunion at Woodward West featuring Dave Nourie, James McGraw and many more. Of course this weekend everyone will meet up again for the annual event in Cali, we will posting a few photos from the weekend up on our facebook page, hopefully some edits soon enough!
Intro: Effraim.
Interview: Fred Penner + Guests.
Something a ‘lil different for this weeks OSS! To celebrate one of flatlands early pioneers 50th birthday! Fred Penner had the great idea to interview, The Chairman, Martin Aparijo for a Flatmatters Old School Sundays Special. Fred also invited the flatland community to ask questions to the man, and this is the result! Thanks Fred and the flatland community, this came out awesome!
Fred Penner: Biggest crowd you have ever performed in front of and where do you see flatland in 10 years, 20 years? What is Martin Aparijo’s life all about these days?
The biggest crowd was between 30,000 and 70,000 at the Anaheim stadium and Bercy stadium in France.
Right now there is no limit to where flatland freestyle can go. Dream big people.
My life is busy, busy, busy. Many things to be revealed.
Tod Miller: What are you most proud of in your Freestyle career? Do you watch modern flatland, and what do you think about it?
Most proud of the ability to still ride at my age.
Of course I watch modern flatland and I think it’s awesome and amazing.
Darold Innes: Being a pioneer in the sport, how many tricks did he invent and who and or what were his influences in the early days? How many sponsors did he have, which were his faves? What was the money like in the early days?
I’ve invented many tricks. I love to see people do front wheel grabs and lawn mowers. and vertical flatland tricks. I always have loved the cherry picker and chicken hook switch.
Back in the day we had up to 8 to10 sponsors; our main factory sponsor and co-sponsors. We made good money for riding a bike.
Mark Dandridge: What is the one most single stand out moment in your years of riding?
When I helped GT complete the #1 position across the board in every category. All riders did their job. BMX, trials, and freestyle.
David Larocca: I would ask what was happening in his life when he stopped competing?
From the time I stopped competing I continued doing shows nationwide for Vans and Gale Webb and also did TV and commercials.
Hugo Marin: What nationality (ethnicity) is he? What trick took him the longest time to learn. What trick did he always wanted to learn but didn’t/couldn’t? Worst injuries?
My nationality: I’m a mutt. HUGE MIXTURE.
I always wanted to learn nose manuals.
Worst injury?
Broken jaw.
Jeremy Jones: Ask the Chairman this: Would you ever consider showing up to a contest and compete in the Veteran Class?!? What is your favourite old school trick?
I’m not interested in competing again, but always open to opportunities.
Favourite old school trick?
180 to slider to backward wheelie to decade.
Patrice Appere: Among the foreign countries you’ve discovered while you’ve been doing shows “around the world”, what is your favourite?
Japan, France, and Mexico.
Todd Carter: There are already a number of great questions here, but here are a couple of others in case you need them. How did riding the Huntington Beach boardwalk influence your riding style? What was is like filming the opening and closing sequences in the iconic film Rad?
Huntington Beach to this day is still my favorite spot; so many great memories and great crowds.
The Movie Rad was just Rad. You had to be there to really understand. Too hard to put into words.
Jesse Puente: Do you still ride? Do you still Breakdance? 🙂 Do you still have the hair tail? What’s the future of Flatland to you?
Still ride. No breaking. No long tail.
The future of flatland is Bright. Allow no limits!
Robert Castillo: Any do overs? What’s your greatest accomplishment as a flatlander? What did Gary Turner & Rich Long mean to you (founders of GT BMX)? How did you feel when you first got a magazine cover? Favourite old school rider? Any tricks you invented but never could learn? What’s the next chapter I’m your life gonna be?
No do overs. I lived it and enjoyed it. I would not change a thing.
Gary Turner and Rich Long changed my life and for that I’ll always be thankful.
I’ve had many covers and they all were special.
My favorite old school rider: Steve Bennett.
I never learned bar ride kick spin but it’s never too late.
Next chapter in life is to… I’ll get back to you on that but do what’s in your heart and do it with all you got. You only got one life.
Thanks Martin! Was great catching up with you! Happy 50th Birthday!!!
Related Links:
http://bmxmdb.com/films/973-101-Freestyle-Tricks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIwMGkqa6Sw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ5GWgcZfvI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcXy_f81cAY&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tOgv90fDkE
Andrew Arroyo- Hard Core Sick Flatland from BMX Freestyler on Vimeo.
Drew’s part from the 1996 Hard Core Sick Flatland video. Glass smooth styles from Andrew Arroyo, HB in it’s prime!
As Fred Penner works on an interview with Flatland legend Martin Aparijo to celebrate his 50th birthday. Check out this blast from the past! The Chairman riding at the exact same spot he did for Rad’s ending credits 27 years ago.
