Tag Archives: Effraim Catlow

16 YEARS OF FLATMATTERSONLINE!

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“To document, share and progress”, the mission statement if you like of Flatmattrsonline has remained consistent since FM’s birth in 2008. As I wondered what I can produce to celebrate our 16th anniversary, I asked around a few friends as I always do for some feedback. One of the ideas was to showcase 16 highlights throughout the years, that idea stuck in my head for a few days before I started going through the archives and thinking this had a nice feel to it.
I enjoyed going through content I had forgotten about, and I thought you at home would do also.

It’s hard to fathom its been 16 years being Flatmatters, I appreciate all the support I have been receiving especially recently. It seems as I am pretty much the only consistent the only flatland website, riders seem to appreciate the work that goes into running the site much more.

It would be interesting to hear back from you at home, what are some of your most memorable moments?

*The actual anniversary was Saturday 30th November, which I missed being at work all day.

I’ve added website links and videos as well for a reference for you all.
Here we I go! Thank you Flatland for 16 amazing years!

Flatmattersonline To document, share and progress!!

Effraim:

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Repo: BATTLEGROUND 2

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Repo: Effraim.
Photography: Effraim, Thaddeus Schau.
Videos: Brant Moore.

Bit late with getting this repo up on the site, after a very busy summer. I finally have some time for myself to return to riding and updating the site regularly. Hope you all enjoy this one!

As I boarded my first flight home from the FA Battleground contest, I planned to start writing a report on the event for the site. Then, over the tannoy, we were told that we were unable to land in Chicago because of a thunderstorm. Off to Indianapolis we went, to wait until we could land in Chicago. I thought to myself, was this trip all worth it? The flight home was already delayed by twenty-four hours, and now was going to be even longer.
The Battleground contest had a real family community vibe that we really need right now. As this event clashed with the Olympics, I thought to myself, what do we really need to help the sport grow? More events? More jams? Better communication between riders? What is it that holds us back?

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Effraim Catlow: BMX Banter Podcast

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Photo: Mate’ Hocopan.

It’s not often I promote myself on the site. A few weeks ago I caught up with Jon Dowker and Anthony Berardi for a chat for an episode of the BMX Banter podcast.

We discuss my roots in riding, the U.K. scene, why I run Flatmattersonline, competing across the globe for thirty years, my new edit, plus my views on so many rider related topics such as Instagram vs Videoparts, and much more.

https://www.thefreestyleconnection.com/banter-a-bmx-podcast/

Repo: TGM Jam 2022

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Repo + Photos: Effraim, Matti Hemmings, Miguel Pargas.

It’s hard not to get nostalgic going back to The Green Mile, it turns out it’s been 5-6 years since I was last at this legendary riding spot for the UK flatland scene (search TGM on the sidebar of the website to see what I am talking about.
Yinka Thomas threw down a jam last weekend, with the help of Jason Forde and my schedule was for once free so attending the jam was a no brainer.
The forecast wasn’t looking too great, but it was worth the risk as it os October after all you just never know. As it turns out the weather forecast was pretty much bang on, with two heavy showers throughout the day enough for the ground not to dry all day.

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King of Concrete 2022

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Stevie B of Clicked Video Magazine fame came through with a solid edit that captured most of the highlights of an action packed King of Concrete weekend. With yours truly even getting to have a ride, in between MIC duties, judging, tabulating scores, handling music and all the goes with running an event. Thanks Stevie for getting this edit done so quickly, what a weekend!

Episode 80: Flatmattersonline Exclusive with Mickey Gaidos

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Hello everyone!

As promised, it is time for Episode 80 of the Flatmattersonline Exclusives! Today we have a belter from Mickey Gaidos out of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Mickey throws down an amazing teakettle jump to spinning hitch line that just keeps building, and ends in a s super dope spinning Circle k to half bar flip Karl out! Filmed at his home riding spot by Terry Adams, I love Mickey’s energy in this when he hollers “Flatmatters”.

Thank you Mickey for contributing and Terry for filming, super dope!!

The clips keep building, and another clip is ready for episode 81 on Sunday… After that I am dry on clips, so if you are at home and wish to feature on the site. Drop me a message and let’s fire these exclusives out to the magic 100!

**Mickey however ignored two rules of the exclusives, there is music from New Order (I’m not making any money out of this YouTube I promise) and the video is filmed Portrait not landscape. Rules are made to be broken I guess, and it’s freestyle!

The Flatmattersonline Year End Award Winners 2021 Are…….

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It’s time to announce the winners of the 2021 Flatmattersonline Year End Awards, as well as show some love to the nominees….

It’s a labour of love putting this together, after two weeks filming, capturing, and editing, the show is finally is done!

If you are unfamiliar with the awards, there are 5 categories in both editorial and reader choice. I made a few changes this year, adding Female Rider of the Year + Brand of the Year to the awards.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote, and congratulations to all the winners and nominees, tune into the Year end awards show to find out who won in each category!

Grab a Cuppa and I Hope you enjoy the show!

Flatmatters / Effraim Catlow.

Episode 77: Flatmattersonline Exclusive with Chris Vasileiou

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YO!!!

What’s up everybody? I made a little mistake on the last episode, this is actually episode 77 not the previous exclusive. Greek shredder, Chris Vasileiou comes through with his second exclusive, and today is Chris’ birthday!
Everybody go wish Chris happy birthday in the comments section, Chris comes through with an awesome Scarlo squeak to frame stand tomahawk line that just keeps building, amazing bike control from Chris!

Thanks Chris for contributing, whose got episode 78?

Episode 76: Flatmattersonline Exclusive with Rodney Williams

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YO!!!

What is up everybody? It is time for episode 76 of the Flatmattersonline Exclusives, today it is the turn of the one and only Rodney Williams!
Rodney comes through with his second FM clip, and 77 is more in keeping with Rodney’s style. Throwing down a long line, love the circle k pedal bar flips in this one. This is a move that I used to do a long time ago, and seeing Rodney do these made me feel like learning these once again. It’s great that clips can inpire you like that!
Thanks Rodney for the motivation, and for contributing.

Whose got episode 77? Hopefully dropping Sunday…

Episode 70: Flatmattersonline Exclusive with Thiago Balzano

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YO!!

It’s time for episode 70 of the Flatmattersonline exclusives, this episode we have a feature with Brazilian rider, Thiago Balzano. Thiago has been living in the Washington DC area, USA for about eight years now and is a dedicated Flatmattersonline reader.

Thiago reached out to me, and let me know the exclusives have really helped push him as a rider and he wanted to use the exclusive as motivation to land a hitchhiker to crackpacker. And as you will see, he hits this line clean, he mentioned that the side step style out of crackpacker to steam was causing him the most problem.
This was really a joy to hear, this is what the exclusives are all about. It’s you and your own personal progression, and using documenting the line to help push forward your own development.
This works on so many levels, I could go on and on.

This did give me an idea, the Flatmattersonline exclusive Line of the year award went to Kio Hayakawa last year, what about if we add a Reader Line of the Year that’s not for Pro’s. This is for riders like BZ, Thiago and whoever comes forward, readers of FM, it makes sense to me.
Does it make sense to you?
Let me know your thoughts, and I’ll announce next week if it’s happening.

Thanks for contributing Thiago!

Whose got episode 71? Dropping Wednesday….