Circus act?

Nice how-to foot jam decade with variations, any beginners reading this, take note, really well explained I thought.

http://bmx.transworld.net/1000092732/videos/how-to-footjam-decade-with-terry-adams

Interview by Joe Miller.

Name, age and hometown?
Joel Blatnicky. I live in the thriving metropolis of Joliet, IL.

How long have you been riding?
I got started at the end of 1986, and have been basically riding since then with a few slow years in there. Gotta hate turning 21.

When did you first see flatland, and what/who got you started?
The first time I consciously remember seeing flat was Oct. of 86, when a classmate brought a BMX Action magazine to school. A Schwinn ad with Jason Parkes doing a lawnmower got me hooked.

Brakes or no brakes and why?
No brakes for flat since 2006. Street I went brakeless in 2002. For me, I decided to go brakeless on flat due to the leaf I had turned over in my personal life. A new beginning so to speak. I already knew how to do some tricks, but if I truly was to push myself, both physically and mentally, I needed to do things different. I had to realise new levels of concerntration and thinking about what REALLY was going on with the bike when trying things, kinda like turning hmmm into ha!

Do you attend/compete in Jams or Comps and if so which ones have you enjoyed most, and why?
If my schedule allows me to get away I will try to get to some jams or comps. Both, really. They’re just fun. The STL Jams are good times. I’ve hit two of them and Matt T. and Steve, well those guys are the best! As far as comps go, years ago I had entered a few. By far my favorite though has to be VooDoo 2008. My first comp in 14 years. I don’t really know how, but i pulled in a 3rd place in the beginner class. What a trip. Gave away most all my prizes cuz it was like what the heck? I got my entry fee’s worth. I also recently attended Fight With Flight by Red Bull. Got bumped up to the expert class. That’ s a whole ‘nother story. Hopefully I can get to JoMoPro and the Ohio event. Whatever pops up this summer I will wait and see.

Are you intimidated by “Pro” riders, or do you just jam right along with them?
Pretty much no. I had a few summers to ride with a pro a few years ago and it did nothing but help. For the most part, you can approach a pro with a question and they won’t steer you wrong. no pun intended. Plus, if you watch how they do things you can start to pick up on it and make some things a little easier for yourself.

Do you find it easier to learn established tricks, or do you prefer inventing your own tricks/ switches?
Wow. For me I guess i’m a see it do it kind. But after a while, when you start learning you can think of how to link your moves together in a way you may not have seen before. I just try my best to learn what I can. The only person my progression really should matter anything to is me, and I constantly am beating myself up.

Do you have a crew or do you ride alone?
No real crew per se, however my homie Jeremy’s basement is affectionately known as the Flat Cave. Also, my brother of 20+ years is gonna make efforts to get out more this year. I also have the DoJo again with 7 day a week access free of charge and I will go there solo for sessions whenever the flat cave is not open.

Music is a big thing with most riders, tell me your top five songs/artists at the moment?
I almost don’t want to answer this. Music is a real big part of me. I can’t really say i have a top 5 list, and my taste is eclectic. Currently i ride to
Global Underground, Wu Tang Clan, Ween, Matloc-Rusty Chains-Morty Goldstien,and KISS.

Do you have any interests outside of riding, and what are they?
I like being outside. Golf, frisbee golf, kayaking, fishing, flying two-string stunt kites… sporty shit, i guess.

What is the best piece of advice you can give to someone who wants to start out in flatland?
My advice? RESPECT YOUR ROOTS OR TASTE MY BOOTS. lol. Flat isn’t easy. Have patience. Be ready to try things over and over. And over. The feeling when you pull a new trick can be so addictive, keep at it.

Anyone you’d like to thank?, sponsors, family,friends or mentor?
The laundry list is long. First off I have to thank God for all the blessings and gifts He’s given me.Mom and Dad, they thought this little bike was a fad. 23 years later, sorry. Jim Simpson for bringing the BMXA mag to school that day. Beau Kyburz and Sampson Simpson, those two make sessions better. Scott Whittington aka Zilla, for the DoJo. You don’t even know how much it means. Jeremy and Beth VanderMeer-FLAT CAVE MUTHA BROTHA! Tony Carruth and Tony’s Radical Sportz in White Hall, AR. Thanks for putting me up and putting up with me. Max and Kelly Smith-thanks for who you two are, I will see you soon.

O.o from RoDeFlaT on Vimeo.

Wanna see some new tricks ? from Jérémy Brosset on Vimeo.

Trick of the Month for March 2010- Messiah from BMX Freestyler on Vimeo.

Ciaran P Flatland 20.2.09 from ciaran perry on Vimeo.

Issue 37 of the best magazine in the world just arrived a few days ago, like every issue, the content is great, full of flatland treats for you to check out, these Cream magazines are like a collectors item for me.

Marttis column “Marttistique” is bursting with energy, anger, no holds barred, as you’d expect and love from the Mr Groundtactics. “I won’t ever make a photo session in my life in front of a beautiful landmark such as church or a waterfall! I won’t ever again try to make flatland look more showish just because I am asked to do so. I refuse trying to make flatland popular because that is not possible.”

As you know from all publicity on flatmatters, facebook, fatbmx, Sam Foakes got the cover, teaming up with photographer Richard Baybutt to bring you some beautiful futuristic photographs that make a subtext comment about Sam’s riding, I took care of the interview, much like Martti, this is a no holds barred interview where Sam gives insight into the concepts behind his riding, what he goes through training for a contest, the focus prototype frame, how his life has changed so much in the last two years, his feeling on the current state of flatland “Now, external influences seem to speak louder than riding. When was the last promo vid? Mag coverage? Is it their first time at an event? Etc. Whatever the reason, hype around riders through coverage is deflecting away from what is dead in flatland: progression”.

Mat Dagu from Malaysia gets a five page interview, I don’t know much about Mat so this was interesting to read about the Malaysian scene, how he got into riding, his experiences in europe, and his search for a girlfriend.

As I said this issue is full of diversity, from Martti and Sams strong opinions,  to the controversial world classic, the opening intro by Alain Massabova is quite telling i thought “Martti doesn’t need to compete, he is the best”, diversity is healthy, whilst I don’t agree with how this event was handled. I think Alain does a great job in this issue of covering all sides of this opinionated artform, which in turn makes Cream healthier than ever.

A big part of creams success has been the visual impact Manu Sanz’s photographs have had, great interview and insight into this artists work, the shot of Alexis Desolneux in Long beach is beautiful, manu shares some of his favourite memories “The session with Paul Osicka in Humboldt County is probably one of my favourite memories. For a start, he had driven about 6 hours from San Francisco to come and fetch me. As he knew that I loved the countryside, we spent three days trekking. He showed some beautiful spots and the atmopshere was incredibly calm, I didnt feel like I was in the states. I must say that the place he lives is pretty unique.”

La Gazette has another article by me, the Level Vibes in London, Yinka gets a photo as well as myself and Viki, theres nothing like getting a photo in Cream, pretty stoked.

There’s a two page feature on Kotaro Tanaka new company “Motel works”, where he aims to launch a brand focussing on the flatland and street market, designing a frame that can be used for both.

Great piece on Alfred Lerma, a bike collector, check the photo above!

Flatland ads this issue with Khe, Twenty (great ad with Sebastian Grubinger), and Flatland fuel.

As always theres plenty of other comment, Twenty in LA, Eva Pin up rider (check photo above!), Kuala Lumpar City Guide. Brooklyn Banks feature, and so on…
Go get this issue, another great issue to the collectors pile, great photography, brimming with diverse content, Cream keeps going from strength to strength. Good work Alain!

OG afterdark from sickwick on Vimeo.