Less than a year to go

That is right. Less than a year to go and the powers that be STILL have not set up a BMX track in Singapore. We submitted plans for a concrete track like the guys in Malaysia have done but we got no answer. They can forget about sending any Singaporean BMX rides to compete because these guys or gals will be slaughtered by the rest. From what I can see, BMX after the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore will be doomed because no one is able to give a concrete answer (pun not intended) with regards to what will happen.

Oh and this is interesting. Got info from a friend who said that he heard from someone that "our deep passion for getting it right wrt BMX and robust rebutals to inbeciles (oops... notorious word linked to what we are being branded as) in the BMX circle has caused us to be branded as "terrorists".

Interesting isn't it? These guys do not get their act together. We have been imploring them since 2003 to get their act together because BMX is an Olympic sport. And even after all this, we are regarded as terrorists. Well, I would rather be a so-called "terrorist" then some of those idiots who are going to look bad with eggs on their faces when this goes up.

an old-school BMX race from the 70s

One of my friends posted this up on the BMX forum. I think that it is pretty cool. The music is provided by Giorgio Moroder. But the best thing about it? A laid-back BMX race from back in the day when BMX made more sense. As you can see, all the riders are wearing proper head-gear like full-face helmets and such. They fall down but they get up. No serious injuries here. BMX racing is NOT for kids but for all ages. Let us see if we can get something like this organised.

A letter from The Straits Times

We have always had a love / hate relationship with our local newspaper The Straits Times. Sometimes, they have articles on BMX that are spot on and many times, totally off. So you cannot blame them because many of them do not understand BMX at all. Just the other day, I got this email from The Straits Times. Here it is in its entirety, with my replies in bold

I'm a writer from The Straits Times, Life, and am doing a feature on extreme sports in lieu of the recent opening of the Xtreme Skate Park at East Coast. I'm interested in getting some feedback from the local BMX community, particularly BMX stunt riding. I understand that BMX has many disciplines. Perhaps you would also be able to touch a bit on those and we can better educate the public.

Sure can. BMX started way back in the early 70s. Get yourself a copy of Joe Kid On A Stingray and check out the history of BMX. You are right. BMX has many disciplines but BMX started off as moto-cross racing on bicycles, hence the term BMX or Bicycle Moto-Cross, the X being cross. Kids wanted to race like their motorcycle idols and thus the sport was formed. In the 80s, some kids started doing tricks on their BMX bikes, partly because the bikes could handle more abuse than some other bikes then. BMX Freestyle was born. Today BMX freestyle has split into factions of BMX Flatland, BMX Park, BMX Vert and BMX Dirt Jump.

If it's not too much trouble, I would be most grateful if you could take some time to answer my queries below:

I will try.

Some background on your site: What does it offer and how did it come about?

It offers unbiased views on BMX and it was the very first BMX website in Singapore. It came about because I ride a BMX bike and I wanted Singapore BMX to have an online presence

When was it started?

In the year 2000

When it comes to BMX stunt riding, how prevalent it is in Singapore compared to other disciplines of the BMX family?

BMX racing was huge back then but because of the relative lack of racing facilities, kids today look at the freestyle aspect more.

Is there any indication that it is gaining popularity? (eg. 10% increase in forum members, etc. from 2007-2008 talking about BMX stunt riding, etc.)

It is about the same but now more than ever, people join the site to exchange views about new-school BMXand old-school BMX. We get a close to about 200 views a day from all over the world.

For BMX on the whole, what are the other disciplines, and which one is the most popular here?

That is an arbitrary question. Cannot answer that one. Pretty much all are quite popular.

Is there any indication on BMX on the whole, gaining popularity here? (eg. How many subscribers/ members since inception compared to currently, etc.)

It would get more popular if the media know the difference between the disciplines and there was more support for BMX racing. Some people still view it as a kid's sport but these people are just misinformed. We try to correct them via the website but it needs to reach a wider audience and that is how you press guys can help.

Could I also get a comment on what do you think the the opening of facilities like the Xtreme Skate Park implies for the BMX stunt scene in Singapore?

I think that it is a great step forward but more needs to be done. But I have been to that park and it is excellent.

And that was it. But it is good because at least The Straits Times are showing some interest. Now it is up to the masses to digest all of this. Remember, it is BMX racing that is in the Youth Olympic Games

Time for a mindset change, yes, BMX-wise too!

I saw this in The Straits Times today and I agree with every word of the writer because I have _personally_ seen something like this happening to the cycling sport in Singapore. We were not a core sport and the Singapore Sports Council were more prepared to throw their money into sports that they were sure of getting medals. They just were not interested in cyclists. And whatever little money was given to the cyclists federation to build up the sport, can you believe for a time, as Vice-President of BMX in SACA, they only wanted to concentrate on road biking and mountainbiking, leaving BMX in the dust? Believe me, it happens here.

This is the link to the story and the story is printed in its entirety below, courtesy of The Straits Times

ALMOST every year, the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) trots out the same reasons for not selecting teams or athletes in multi-sport games like the South-east Asia (SEA) Games because these athletes do not meet the qualifying time or attain a certain position ('Raising the bar', last Saturday).

The insistence on sending only teams with a chance to win is unhealthy and unsportsmanlike. If every nation stressed similar importance on winning, there would be no competitions to speak of.

If a future result is based purely on a past performance or qualifying mark - the perennial reasons SNOC trots out for selection or rejection - the selectors might as well recommend those benchmarks and past results be used to award medals with no competition required.

SNOC has the final say as to which sport can take part in multi-sport games because it funds the travel and living expenses of the Singapore contingent.

If Singapore wants to encourage sports and participation, any sport that is included in the Games menu should be allowed to participate. The national sports associations could pay their expenses and claim reimbursements based on their medals won. Such an arrangement would not burden SNOC with costs and allow more Singaporean athletes to gain exposure, especially at the SEA Games which are held close to home.

SNOC must also address three other issues:

First, why should a young Singaporean be disadvantaged because he has not chosen an Olympic sport? Because of such over-emphasis by major sports excellence bodies like SNOC, more than half the other sports played in Singapore must take a back seat. Why should a promising athlete whose sport is not on the Olympic programme not be given the same opportunities or funding as one who chooses an Olympic sport?

Second, why does Singapore focus on sports in which Asians, with their smaller build, are at a disadvantage? Singapore should be humble and focus on sports which fit the Singaporean or Asian physique.

Third, why do we not brand ourselves in niche sports where we can excel? Producing individual world champions is already a major challenge, let alone putting a football team together.

Ignatius Leong

BMX races from all over the world

Came upon this BMX racing collection on YouTube. Thanks so much to the guy that posted it up. So have a look at this you WhyOhGee, YOG, SSC people...THIS is BMX racing. This is what is in the Olympics. This is what I have been trying to tell you all along. THIS is not not stunt biking. THIS is NOT a kids sport. Comprende?

How good is a concrete BMX track?

Very good I can tell you. Check out this video. This is the track at Damansara Utama in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Steven did a wonderful job making this track and I must say that it is awesome. They should make a track like this for Singapore. Imagine this...we will spend less time maintaining a concrete track and more time riding it. Our Tampines BMX track in Singapore is made out of sand. Bloody hell...when it rains, good luck. The rivulets of water will create a "natural" drain that will lead to erosion and what happens after that? Simple. A track that is not rideable. So, in the long run, we need a track like this. Check out how Rusidy and Steven roll on this track. I took these videos and I must say, I love the track

Bell helmet

This is probably the same helmet I used to use when I used to race back in the day. A helmet is an essential item of protection that absolutely MUST be worn when racing BMX. It serves to protect your head, as if that was not obvious. This thing cost me a pretty penny back in the day but I can safely say that it is a lot cheaper than open-head surgery should I land on my bonce. Helmets are not that expensive. You can get one for a pretty affordable price at many a motorcycle shop. Motorcycle helmets may be heavier than bicycle helmets but they are stronger and tougher.

So remember, get a helmet and wear it when cycling!

Less than a year to go...wake up people!

It is official now. The Youth Olympic Games 2010 is less than a year away. Time for all those so-called "BMX consultants" to get their act together or make way for those who have the domain knowledge. But all in all, it is going to be exciting to watch it happen and we at Singapore BMX cannot wait when we see world-class BMX racers racing on our soil. It is something like a dream-come-true for all of us.

So here is the wake-up call. Less than a year people! To the WhyOhGee and SYOG council, Singapore Sports Council, MCYS, the lot. BMX has been around for a very long time but it is a relatively new sport Olympic-wise. Show more of it on television and the media. STOP associating BMX stunt biking with BMX racing. Street, vert, dirt and park are from the same BMX family but only BMX racing is in the Olympics. As for the SSC. Start working with the MOE (Ministry Of Education) and introduce BMX racing in schools. BMX is the good way to learn the fundamentals of cycling. It WILL make one a better rider, no doubt about that.

How about after the Singapore Youth Olympic Games? Well, we will have to keep the BMX racers intersted in the sport. Keep the flame alive. Don't let it die out. Let us start to build the next generation of BMX riders.

So come on people...we have a lot of work to do. Lets do it!

Check it our guys, a 26" S&M Pitchfork. I am sure that a lot of you guys would have known about this already but it just caught my attention. I do happen to have a 26" cruiser that I can put this on. Knowing S&M, this thing is sturdy and I daresay, rock solid! Check out their website at http://www.sandmbikes.com

More emails

We at Singapore BMX love getting emails. We reply to every email we get. Here is one we got recently:

Hey,

My name's (name withheld) and I'm 16. I came across your site a couple of days ago and have actually been really interested in taking up BMX for more than a year now. I've seen a BMX race on TV before and have watched YouTube vids and all. However, with school and all that, I never really had the time and didn't know where to start. I'm Singaporean and have been living overseas for the past few years because of my parents jobs. I just finished my O levels (school year the august - June) and now am on summer holidays and in Singapore for 2 months. With these 6weeks left, I don't want them to go to waste and would like to pick up BMX. So, can I have some advice on getting started? Where could I get a bike? should I buy a bike and just self teach myself? or is there any place where I could get lessons?

Thanks so much (: ,

Some UCI BMX news.

Got this in my email recently

The UCI introduced on 1st August 2006 a permanent number system for Elite Men & Elite Women. With this system, riders can choose a “career number”, which they have the exclusive right to use for their entire Elite class career. This will give riders a possibility to market themselves and to give media and spectators an easy way to identify riders. Now for the 4th time, riders are given an opportunity to apply for number not yet occupied. Rider’s which number has expired (not scored any UCI points in the last 2 seasons) will become vacant again. Rider’s may re-apply for their number, although it will be subject to the normal procedure mentioned in the UCI rule book. The National Federation shall submit a list of all their (Elite Men & Elite Women and Juniors moving up) riders born 1991 or earlier, wishing to receive a permanent number before July 15, 2009.

More interested emails

We get lots of emails and we love receiving and replying to them. I got one such email from this gentleman yesterday and I can tell you, I know how he feels. Here it is:

Hi,

I happen to chance on your website when I was reading up on the local bmx scene. I'm a working adult by the way and started mountain biking about 6 months ago (have ridden market bike around Singapore when I was younger, when I had not much money at that time). I've watched the Olympics coverage on bmx racing and am amazed by the speed and grace the riders are tackling the track. Sad to say, the local track in Tampines is in shambles and it is not even a complete circuit. I tried the track when I'm mountain biking in Tampines trail and find that you've got to improvise to do laps on it as the ending point leads to the side of the starting gate. The YOG is next year and since Tampines is the venue for BMX and mountain biking, I'm not sure what plans the authority has to spruce up the place. Will the track be of international standard? I sincerely hope so.

That aside, I'm still heartened to see locals using the track. I hope more people will be more aware of the various disciplines in BMX after the YOG and more young people will step up and be involved in the sport. I myself have taken an interest and would like to know more.

As I wish to try out the sport, I would like to seek your advice on what bike I should get. I would prefer to get a second hand bike and wouldn't want to spend so much on it as I'm just trying out. There's some people selling their bikes in the another forum and I'm interested in getting any Haro bike there. Although I'm more inclined to the racing element, I'm also interested in the freestyle and would like to learn a few tricks myself. Been trying wheelies, stoppies and bunny hops on my mountain bike and hope to do more stuff on a bmx bike.

Another thing. Are there any middle aged or young adults group where I can learn from? I thank you for reading my e-mail and hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks for the email and letting us know how you feel. And to all out there...keep those letters coming in!

More emails...this time from Brazil!

Everyday, we get lots of emails asking us all kinds of questions about BMX and the scene in Singapore. This was one I received today or was it yesterday? No matter because we have this guy writing from Brazil. Here is the email:

Hi folks, I'm writting from Brazil and I'm a former pro BMX racer and still ride for fun. Since I'm moving to Singapore in the next few weeks I'd like to know if there's a scene of BMX racing and track to practice and race and if there are any bike shops that carries BMX bikes. I'd appreciate if you send me some info.

I sent this guy and email and asked him to give me a call when he gets here but unfortunately, our local BMX track does not look anything like a race track and I already told him that we cannot get much BMX parts here in Singapore. Sure, one can get parts for freestyle bikes but race bike componentry is a little hard to get. But no matter. He will be our guest and we always look after our guests.

Send us an email anyday! Our email address is admin@osbmx.com

Looking for a bike for a drama set in 1985

Got this email today. Looks good that this is coming up!

I am helping a friend to shoot a Malay TV drama set in 1985 and we're looking for a 1985 BMX bike. It has to look relatively new. The shoot is only for 1 day. This drama is about a group of kids growing up in the 80's.

BMX was predominant in the 80's and this is proof of that! In any case, I sent him an email so hopefully one of our valued bikes will be in the drama!

New bicycle boutique at Dempsey

I read an article in The Straits Times this morning entitled Dempsey - White hot or too hot? and I also saw the article here

A $2 million lifestyle complex called 6ix and 7even @ Dempsey, comprising restaurants, bars and retailers taking up 11 units. The master tenant for this part of Tanglin Village is Forward Alliance, a logistics and warehousing company making its first foray into the food and beverage (F&B) industry. It is now sourcing for tenants to rival the two other nearby clusters of restaurants and bars in Dempsey Hill and Dempsey Hill Green. Forward Alliance has a few tricks up its sleeve. It plans to bring in restaurants that will serve food that is new in the neighbourhood such as fusion cuisine; ‘live’ music joints are also on the cards. It is planning to have a bicycle boutique housed in a 300 sq m space as well – a one-stop store for bicycle enthusiasts with a cafe, bicycle racks and services like showers and limousine transport home for tired cyclists and their wheels.

I wonder...will they cater to BMX riders as well or is it going to be just for mountainbikers and road-bikers? That remains to be seen. I have seen instances where bike-shops look down on BMX bikers. I hope that they do not do the same.

What is coming to YOG as far as BMX is concerned

I read it with disbelief. I do not know who is the one that proposed it but for all you BMX riders out there, here is what you are going to face.

Three Men and a Woman = One Team
The Youth Olympic Games format for Cycling is a mixed team competition for the Junior riders category 17-18 years old (i.e. born between 01/01/1992 and 31/12/1995).

Each of the three junior men must compete in one of the three disciplines: MTB Cross Country, Road Individual Time Trial or BMX (one rider from each team in each discipline). Each junior woman must compete in all three disciplines. Finally all three junior men in each team must compete in the Road Race.

This is absolutely stupid. I wonder who came up with this hare-brained idea. I have too much respect for the UCI to even think that they would put forth an idea like this. A BMX rider having to ride a road bike? What the hell are they thinking? Rode bikes and BMX bikes use different skill-sets, different muscles and different bikes! 20" wheels to 29" wheels! This is what some riders have said upon learning about it:

its just such a stupid lame brain idea..... might as well tell the Tour de France guys that they have to take part and get rankings in BMX before we allow them to do the tour. This will make people laugh at BMX when it's hard enough getting people who don't race BMX to understand what a tough sport it is. Hey, lets tell the IAA to make Usain Bolt do a marathon relay... 3 men and a gal.. in the spirit of the games... I'm definitely gonna give the YOG a miss if this team crap is true.

The other comment I got:

Very confusing in all of it - but then both the 2008 Olympic Games BMX and the now 2010 YOG BMX was never to well thought out from the start...

Back in 2007 when the IOC welcomed the idea of the YOG things should have been laid out to the Tee for what is what and what is not, that is where it is messed up at.

There should have been a base date line via the IOC and the UCI to have all of this laid out way before now. BMX qualification for the YOG, It will be the lack of time in knowing is what we all will see... That is being seen now.

So SACA, WhyOhGee, Singapore IOC, can someone please tell me that this is not a joke? Because if it is, you guys will be the laughing stock of the BMX world!

Some new emails today.

I got this email yesterday.

I am (name withheld) from (company name withheld). I have visited your website many times and I am to find useful and knowledgeable BMX news.I am interested in working with you.I hope we are able to exchange link in our website.I hope you are able to link my website from you website.I will also do the same. I look forward in your reply.I hope you are able to support the BMX scene in Singapore. Have a great day!

This got me thinking. Do people around us wonder if we, Singapore BMX support the local scene in Singapore? Or are people thinking that the local BMX scene in Singapore is all about stunts? That is what made me do a double-take on this email. This person wrote to a BMX-specific website and asks if we are able to support the BMX scene in Singapore. But what BMX scene is he referring to?

To answer that question, we have been doing (i.e supporting the BMX scene) that since the year 2000, and even before the website was started. BMX started off as BMX racing, which is what BMX stands for - Bicycle Motocross. So in a nutshell, yes, we do support the BMX scene in Singapore. But this is not a silly question that this gentleman asked me...it is a great question because it made me realise how people perceive BMX to be.

The bureaucratic hurdle

This is the title of the letter posted to the Straits Times Forum page located here. The full excerpt is below, courtesy of The Straits Times

SINGAPORE will host the inaugural Asian Youth Games this year and the inaugural Youth Olympics next year. We should be celebrating. But there are some signs that the sports scene in Singapore is not that rosy, especially sports management. While there has yet to be a resolution of the Singapore Table Tennis Association saga, the Singapore Athletic Association (SAA) has entered into a controversy of its own. It was reported recently that SAA has disallowed some national athletes from participating in a track and field competition ('Not going to Pahang meet', last Thursday). The reason was that SAA did not receive any invitation - although the club the athletes belong to did. Does it really matter who received the invitation? Is it not more important that our athletes have the opportunity to participate in regional competitions to hone their skills in preparation for the coming South-east Asia Games? Are we letting bureaucracy get in the way of sports development? Until we address such problems, we are putting hurdles in our own way.

Seetow Cheng Fave

He was talking in part about the STTA or Singapore Table Tennis Association. I am referring to SACA. They are not that different. They are all reporting to the Singapore Sports Council. This person Seetow described something that happened in 2003 or was it 2004. Some of the boy received invitations to the BMX Grand Nationals in Perth, Australia. We had to beg to the sports council for funds to let these boys go and finally, they relented. Our boys flew up to perth, two of them in fact, both brothers. They were the best of the best here in Singapore, practicing their BMX craft on a track that is laughable by world standards. The long and short of it, they did not qualify but they did get the experience of racing at the worlds. And the powers that be? Lambasted them for not bringing home a medal, saying that money was wasted.

So this writer Seetow says "Are we letting bureaucracy get in the way of sports development?" I would say we are. The SSC did not care about BMX then but they have to now because BMX is part of the Youth Olympics in 2010. And remember the WhyOhGee issue? They have yet to send me the questions that they want to know about BMX!

Wellgo pedals

There are lots of pedals out there in the market that one can use for BMX. Even thought lots of BMX racers swear by clipless pedals, the flat pedal is what most ordinary folk like you and me can use to pedal our bikes for all-around usage. I wish Shimano was still making their DX pedals from back in the day. The closes I have come to getting a pair of pedals that are like the Shimano DX are the wellgo pedals that are made in Taiwan. They are relatively easy to find and are inexepensive. Most bikeshops should have them in stock. Use them and abuse them. Good value for money.

Those made-in-Taiwan BMX bikes from back in the day

Back in the day, not all were lucky to own state-of-the-art BMX bikes as they were pretty expensive. When I first started out, I had a CINCOA BMX bike. I know...strange sounding name but they were pretty popular back in the day. No matter what people said about it, I loved my bike.

Just recently, one of the old-schoolers came upon this stash of BMX bikes that was kept by this bikeshop. These bikes were pulled out of the boxes they were stored in, some as long as 25 years. They were assembled and here they are...new-old-stock or NOS as we call them in the BMX world. When I saw this pic, instant memories of my CINCOA bike came flooding back. There is a CINCOA among the stash there in the pic. Would love to get one but there are 5 bikes in my house so it would not be practical.

A trip down memory lane for me, in more ways than one. I was able to realise my dreams on that bike. Now that BMX is in the Olympics, can the powers that be here in Singapore help some kids realise their dreams of racing against the best? I hope so and I hope those YOG people can make it so.

BMX sites on the internet

Just had a long conversation with some of the folks at WhyOhGee. knowledge is a two-way process...you gain some and you give some. They wanted to know more about BMX. Well, this is what this blog is for and this post is to show you some sites that I think are pretty good.

Wikipedia. There are lots of links there and I check it on a daily basis to make sure that all the information in the BMX section is up to date. It is not only me. Some people around the world do it too, defending the sport that we love

Gene's BMX site. We have been friends for a few years, sending emails and helping each other out on our various web-pages. Gene's site is great and he has information from many sources, adding versatility to his site. He is a BMXer nonetheless and I respect his views

Joe Kid on a Stingray. This is a film about the history of BMX. If anyone wants to know about BMX, this is the film to get. Has interviews with all the movers and shakers.

Singapore-wise, there are very few websites that can give you information but the Singapore Amateur Cycling Association has some information on BMX (written by me...who else?) that was put up some time ago. Other sites in Singapore are just forums dedicated to stunts and tricks, which are another division of BMX. But BMX started off as bicycle motocross aka bike racing.

On the right -> there are some links there. Check them out too!

The rplies are coming thick and fast

I posted something in this blog with regards to WhyOhGee and their silence. I will say this. Blogs are powerful. The whole world van see what is being written about BMX in Singapore. The true picture emerges and what do I get? An email. An explanatory email but an email nonetheless. Here it be, in italics

I have spoken with my colleagues and your queries about BMX can be directed to Mr Victor Yew, President of the Singapore Amateur Cycling Association. He is in talks with us for the preparations of YOG. Here is his email address, president@cycling.org.sg.

If only they knew I know Victor personally after working with him as VP of BMX in SACA and how they slashed my budget for BMX, only choosing to concentrate on road and MTB.

As for the venue, SYOGOC announced on 29 April that the revamp of the Tampines Bike Park is expected to complete in December 2009. Rest assured that there are plans underway to prepare the venue.

I will believe it when I see it done. Trust me. We BMXers have been given so many empty promises over the years that we are immune to NATO (No action, talk only). By the way, is it going to be a total revamp of the whole park or just the BMX track? So we have the funds now?

Since I've read that you're going for the ride of silence, perhaps I could interview you on how it went and also for your enthusiasm for the sport as an individual.

Sure you can. No worries. Anything for BMX, considering I have been a fan of the sport for like, 25 years? Egads! That is a quarter of a century!

Cheers,

Cheers to you too! Cheers for BMX too, I hope.

So much for the WhyOhGee enthusiasm

It is always like this. Someone from some statutory board (in this case, WhyOhGee, which in turn is part of SSC or Singapore Sports Council, which in turn is part of MCYS) gets in touch with me with regards to BMX and when I tell them what BMX is about and ask how things are going on with regards to BMX, I receive no reply. Makes me wonder if they are serious about BMX at all. But monitoring the blog, yes they certainly are doing that! In any case, I am used to it because it is nothing new. So to the people that sent me those emails, tell that to your WhyOhGee people.

In any case, today is the Singapore Ride Of Silence ride. Will be joining them tonight at the Merlion Park. I made a post about it yesterday or the day before. Check it out!

Bill Ryan of SupercrossBMX has some new drool-worth BMX models out. You can check it out as he is quite active on Facebook. I still have the Supercross Devo cruiser that he sold me some years back. It is a great bike Bill and I love it!

We are being followed!

It looks like we are put on someone's Google reader so it looks like Singapore BMX is finally getting the recognition it deserves about the long-suffering BMX sport in Singapore. Yesterday, some girl from WhyOhGee sends me an email about BMX and now, it seems that they want to learn more about BMX from us. Well, always willing to help but it must be a two-way process. The Singapore Sports Council must do more to make the track race-ready. I have heard rumours, yes but they are all just what they are...rumours. Some rumours are flying about that the track will be torn down to be made way for an Olympic-styled BMX track. I have yet to see this done. Secondly, I have heard that they are trying to understand about BMX but to most of these "unwashed" people, BMX is all about stunts. Like the girl from WhyOhGee yesterday who said she only read about it and that is about it. I do not know...sounds like lip-service to me.

And yesterday. Went to a Nike shop and an Adidas shop. None of them carry any BMX footwear or apparel but they do so in the USA. Very few BMX bikeshops are around so how are people going to cater to racers who need to race in the Youth Olympic Games? I got this email today

hihi may i know if there is any bike shop in singapore to get 28t wheelring?or any parts for my haro bmx?i need to change my parts and cant wait for the parts to be delivered to my house vis online shopping.please advise.

THANKS

See what I mean? It is a national effort. WhyOhGee needs to understand that. You need to make the BMX vibe here for it to happen but I see no vibe. We tried to do it years ago. We tried to get BMX tracks made here when we found out in 2003 that BMX was an Olympic sport. We sent tapes of racing to MCYS in 2001 but we received no word from them. I was VP of BMX in SACA when I was told that ther would be no funding for BMX, only road and mountainbike. So you see? We have tried but we had very little support. Now with slightly more than a year to the Youth Olympic Games in 2010, how are WhyOhGee going to do it?

YOu know, I even went through the website of the Asian Youth Games. Not an iota of cycling in it. Oh well. Loosk like it is still going to be an uphill climb

WhyOhGee responds, and about time too!

Got an email from someone in the YOG organisation, from their mini-site no less. The WhyOhGee person sent me this email and about bloody time too!

Hi,

The official Singapore 2010 youth website, WhyOhGee (whyohgee.sg) would like to do a feature on BMX racing.

Will there be a BMX racing event coming up soon? If not, are there any BMX racing athletes we could interview for a feature story? Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks.

I wonder. Why only now? And secondly, I do not think they have been down to the Tampines BMX Track to see the condition of the track. I do not think so. If not, they would not be asking me the question.

The Ride Of Silence

The Ride of Silence (rideofsilence.org) was created in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.

The ride of Silence is also a way for us, cyclists, to raise cycling safety awareness in Singapore.

All cyclists know the roads are dangerous. In 2008, 22 Singaporeans died finding out how dangerous they really are (that is 1 person every 2 weeks); in 2009, 6 died so far.

Granted some of these were genuine unavoidable accident, but the other part could have been avoided if proper precautions would have been taken (behaviour, helmet, lights...).

Unfortunately, not many people know what cycling safety means.

This event is an attempt to will help demystify and popularize cycling safety. And in turn save lives for years to come.

I hope you will all join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.

The event will be taking places in hundredths of cities across the world. In Singapore, it will takes place on May 20, 2009 at 7:00 pm, starting from Merlion Park

The ride will be 19Km, slow paced ( <20km/h>http://tinyurl.com/rideofsilence-sg

Ride poster here:
http://tinyurl.com/rideofsilence-sgpdf

Dress in White
Helmets MANDATORY

Smith & Wesson MTB. How about a BMX one?

Seems that Smith & Wesson are making mountainbikes or have been making mountainbikes for some time. I do not know. I just came across this piece of news. I wonder...how about making a Smith & Wesson BMX bike? That would get people talking and as you know, when Smith & Wesson speaks, people listen

Profile Gun-Drilled Hollow BB Spindles

According to their website, Profile are making changes to the axle on their famous cranksets. The spindle will be hollowed out like the picture above, which is courtesy of Profile's website. Some one said that maybe this is Profile's way of getting back into the market of race cranks, as many dropped Profile in favour of the Shimano DXR cranks. Seems that the spindle is 18% lighter with the hollowed out or "gun-drilled" spindle. More information can be found in the links above. I will say one thing for certain... this looks good but will the strength of the axles be weakened? I am by no means a crank expert but I think that it will be weakened only marginally, not totally. Still a lot of strength left in these cranks!

A BMX racing videos with some crashes

Now you see the reason why helmets are mandatory at BMX races, along with a long-sleeved T-shirt and long pants. Crashes can happen and the safety gear will minimise it. So remember all, if you want to race, get some protective gear. he skin you save may be your own.

Johnny Chopper cranks

Profile did a limited release of the box-style cranks a little while ago and a big groan went up from the BMX community because it seems that the finished cranks were anything but the quality so afforded by Profile in the past. Booger-looking welds, finicky chrome and even grind marks could be seen on the finished product. Naturally, people started looking elsewhere to get their old-school fix

Meanwhile, in Australia (that is right, the land Down Under) there was this guy or company called Johnny Chopper that were making cranks that looked and worked very well, being able to be mounted on almost any 48-splined spindle. They were less expensive than the Profile anniversary set and the chrome was virtually flawless. Johnny Chopper received the respect that one can only give to a person or company that actually cares and stands by its product and these cranks are no exception. They look so tempting that even yours truly is hankering for a set and might get a set pretty soon. Besides, their retro-inspired frames would make almost any old-school BMXer take a second look. Made ya'll drool eh?

Who is Perry Kramer

There are quite a few people riding SE Racing bikes and I have been asked a few times what a "PK Ripper" is/was. When I tell them that it was named after Perry Kramer, they ask who is he? Well, first of all, this is his picture above. He was a rider for SE Racing back in the day, along with Stu Thomsen and Jeff Utterback. The PK Ripper was Perry Kramer's "signature bike" and more details can be found here

Old School Riders Gathering On 23th May 2009

It is officially on the forums. We look forward to your presence at these gatherings. This one will be at the Bishan Skatepark. If there are changes, it will be reflected in our forums. Remember, there is no school but the old school!

WhyOhGee?

That is the name of the minisite within the Singapore 2010 main website but as per normal, no mention of BMX. All that points toward BMX is qualifying stuff. Maybe it is because they do not know what BMX is. To them, BMX is about stunts, given in fact to the many mails I have been getting about people wanting to show BMX because it is an Olympic sport but gravitate towards stunts. That is BMX but not BMX racing which is the Olympic sport! Confused? WhyOhGee?

Maybe the word can be attributed to the conversation I had with a person from MCYS before Singapore won the mandate to host the Youth Olympics.

Me: Why isn't anyone doing anything about the BMX track?
Me: Oh, you mean you guys know about the track in Tampines but do not know it in bad shape?
Me: Gee, thanks (Upon being told that they will do something about it but so far, zero, zilch, nada)

It has been more than a year since I had that conversation with them. WhyOhGee indeed.

People still get it wrong

I received this email today from this events planner. Poor girl does not know the difference between BMX racing and BMX stunts no matter how many times I have stressed it out on the website. This is the mail

Hi. We are from an events company and we have a road show by a government body next weekend (25th, 26th April). I would like to check with you if you guys are interested to put up a basic 20- 30 mins BMX stunt performance for this event. Kindly advise on your availability and rates. Do give me a call for further discussion. Thank you!

In any case, I forwarded her email to a friend of mine who would be able to help her. I cannot blame her really. The notion that one has in Singapore is that BMX is all about stunts. Actually, BMX started off as racing and it still is. BMX racing is in the Olympics, not stunts.

More emails.

I have said in a previous post...we love receiving emails! Emails tell us what is happening on the ground-level and also let us know what people think of Singapore BMX in general. I just got this email from this gentleman. As usual, he seems to think the BMX is all about stunts. I do not blame him at all. But let me say that if I had a dollar for every time I have explained the difference between BMX racing and BMX stunts, I would be a relatively well-to-do guy. Here is his email.

Hi,

I am (name withheld) from the (name of place withheld)

We are currently looking into expanding the number of our interest groups.

The (name of place withheld) is currently looking at various ways to reach youths in Singapore. Perhaps you may agree that most youths and young adults think of a community centre as a boring place.

We are trying to change the perception and hopefully, bring people into the community club/centres (preferably ours).

I am always awed by the stunts done by BMX bikers. Is there any possibility of a group forming to be under us?

If the answer is yes, perhaps I can meet up with a representative for the group to find out more?

I hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks for your time.

No worries. Well, I will see what I can do and hopefully, you get an answer soon.

Some more mail

As I have said it before, we here at Singapore BMX love getting mail. I had this mail some time ago but for some funny reason, it landed in my junk mail box. Thank Microsoft for that I suppose. But here it is in its entirety:

Hello! I am (name withheld) from the Philippines. Currently working here in Singapore. I am 35 years old and a bit overweight. Hehehe.... I've gone to your website and it rocks! Great job. I have a few questions though. Do you know where I can buy some old school BMX parts and maybe a whole bike? I am staying at the Paya Lebar / Tanjong Katong Road Area. I was so inspired by your site. I saw Eddie Fiola, Martin Aparijo, RL Osborn and others which brings chills on my back. Hehehe... Hope you can help me. Congratulations for a site very well done! Thanx in advance.

No, thank you sir for dropping by our humble site. Now to answer your question. Most bike shops around the island used to have and stock old school bicycle parts but these have been cleared off long ago. Check out the forums for our next gathering. There you will meet a selection of old schoolers who have bikes from the past and some even have some old parts to sell. As well as basking in the memories of BMX old and experiencing the new, you will have with you some great company.

Kids get the chance to try out BMX track

YOUNGSTERS will get to test out a BMX track thanks to leisure centres and British Cycling. The Burnham track, considered to be one of the top three in the UK, is taking part in a the Go-Ride scheme, which aims to introduce children to the different aspects of cycling, from BMX riding and indoor track racing to cyclocross. Go-Ride days will also be held at the Castle Sports Centre in Wellington Road in Taunton and the the indoor velodrome at Newport. Somerset Leisure staff have had cycling and safety training in preparation for the course at the Castle Sports Centre. It is expected that the scheme will be extended to other Somerset County Council run leisure centres.

You can read more here: http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/news/Kids-chance-try-BMX-track/article-861358-detail/article.html

MCYS to build permanent race track at Changi. How about BMX?

This is rather old news for some. According to sources, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) is considering building the permanent track facility off the East Coast Parkway, near the Changi Naval Base, which could cost between US$150 million and US$200 million. Looks like it will be ready by 2011, according to sources. The article is located here

I wonder. If they can spend all that money for motor racing, which incidentally pollutes the air, why cant they even spare one percent of that budget for a BMX track that we have been asking for so long? Nothing much to build a track to host a race that is now an Olympic sport. It must all be about the money.

Congratulations Selvan!

Owner of ABC (Awesome Bike Centre), old-schooler, owner of the only RedLine PL-24 and Daddy-O now of a new baby girl! That is right! Selvan and his lovely wife Tini just became parents of a lovely baby girl! Selvan just sent me the SMS just now and I am proud to say that Selvan and Tini have just brought a new BMX girl into this world. Congratulations once again to Selvan and Tini. Selvan bro, no post is complete without pictures so send those pictures in!

Old-school BMX gathering on the 28th of March 2009

There is a post of the next gathering in the forums here. Looks like that this is the first gathering this month or rather, this year. The last mini gathering was held at BikeAsia 2009 and it was great. The usual suspects will be there, along with some others and it will be, correction, they always are gatherings to remember as we get together to swap parts and stories, ogle at old-school BMX bikes and just general camaraderie, afforded by the common bond of BMX.

By the way, check out the picture above. This was snapped by Peter aka Photographer. this new place happens to be Bishan park. Who knows...maybe the next gathering will be there. I just hope that there is enough lighting in that place as the gatherings are mostly on Saturday night.

More emails from interested cyclists

I have said it before, I love receiving emails. It gives us the chance to help others and to keep others in the loop as to what is going on. I received this email today from an interested cyclist. I am able to help him with his first question but his second question, sorry mate, cannot help you on that one. But I do know that the two UCI officials that came down recently pushed our local reps to get the track done...

Hi my name is (name witheld). I recently got interested in BMX racing and I would like to know where I can get gears such as fullface helmets and etc. I would also like to know if there is any one maintaining the BMX race track at Tampines because it is in a state where no one can race on. Thank You.

There you go! Well, I have replied to him in an email. You can send all emails to admin@osbmx.com

We, OSBMX.com, are the very first BMX site in Singapore

There are many sites out there who claim to be the Singapore BMX site but unfortunately, they are all riding on the popularity of BMX now, especially since it became an Olympic sport. We here at OSBMX.com were the original site. We have been online since 2000, when everyone did not seem to give a toss about BMX. We were there when BMX became an Olympic sport. We have been running all the races since 1998. So make no mistake about that. The news is here and also some sad painful truths about the BMX scene in Singapore

Well, heard some rumblings. It seems that some UCI guys came down to see how we are preparing for the YOG, which is next year. Do we have a local BMX team yet? I do not think so. Do we have a track yet? I do not think so. Do we have BMX shops here where BMXer's are sold? Well, yeah...we have a couple but that is about it. You cannot buy components and such, just complete bikes. I hope someone told the UCI team that when they came down.

In short, BMX in Singapore does not look promising. It does not look even more promising for the local riders. Imagine. Singapore is hosting the YOG but the local boys cannot race in it because they have not had much time to practice and no premises either. We were pusihing the SSC and SACA since 2003 but you know what we got? Almost perfunctory help. And now some monkeys and "BMX consultants" are running about.

Like what was said in a movie once: "Hold on to your lugnuts! Its TIME for an overhaul!"

YOG meeting in Denver

Looks like it has been reported in Yahoo News that A team from the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) is headed to the United States to update the international sporting community on Singapore’s preparations for the 2010 event. The thing is, is Singapore prepared BMX-wise? I do not think so.

Well, guys, especially Mr Ng Ser Miang, are you going to tell them that the BMX track in Tampines or wherever it is to be located has not been constructed yet and that BMXers in Singapore have got no place to practice for what is seen as the first BMX event in the Youth Olympics in 2010?

I have to say I met some dude from the SSC at BikeAsia 2009 and let us just say that the talk was not fruitful.

Take care of your bikes

I read an article here where this kid was bashed up and his bike stolen. It was a quite rare WeThe People BMX. It can happen anywhere as the thieves start to get bolder. I have heard horror stories of bike being stolen right under the very noses of their owners as well. I nearly had my Haro Backtrail X24 cruiser stolen as well. Kid tried to ride off with it but considering the fact that the cruiser weighs almost 42 pounds, he had a hard time controlling it and a push from me sent him flying with the bike pinned on top of him.

So keep a lookout for thieves and always keep your bike under watchful eyes.

Bikeasia 2009

It was a success if there ever was one. People were all interested in the bikes that we had for display there. Plus, I got to met two legends of the bike world. In the picture above, here I am with Mr Gary Fisher, one of the pioneers of the mountain-bike scene. A really affable and down-to-earth guy who put me totally at ease. And later on in the day, who else other than Tinker Juarez came to our humble booth to say hi.

Tinker is being flanked by myself and Steve Bray, the dealer for Cannondale in Singapore. He is such a cool guy and just as down-to-earth as Gary Fisher. One of my friends brought his old BMX Action magazine for him to sign and he did with no problems at all. Some people were dumbfounded to know that Tinker was the King of the Skateparks back in the day. The magazine article in BMXA proved it all. Let us just say that the riders there got some new respect for Tinker after that. To us BMXers, he is a walking legend. He is and will forever be known by us as being the BMXer who showed the MTBiking world that the roots he had in BMX made him what he is today

Our booth was festooned with many old-school BMX bikes, the highlight was the Kuwahara E.T. People kept coming up to us, asking if the bikes were for sale. We had to turn each and every one of them down. These are collectibles, lovingly restored by their owners. People who came through our booth to ogle at the BMX bikes got a history of our beloved sport by many of the old-schoolers who donated their bikes for the display. I had a great time and so did the rest. More pictures will be coming up.

We hope to see you again next year at BikeAsia 2010

Another old-school BMXer writes in

I love receiving mail from people. It shows that more and more people are getting to appreciate BMX, especially old-school. Check out this email I got today, quoted word for word:

Hi, I'm a newbie to your site . before i start, i must say two thumbs up for you all guys making the old skool bmx lover alive .seeing and reading the forum reminds me the old days of biking ..cheers all. On hand i m a vintage bike lover too (looking at my age 39 .. m old also already lol ) currently im into elnglish bike eg. raliegh. bt have on hand bmx bicycle ups for restoration , wonder you guys can help me in any ways where to restore my bike .bt again there nothing satisfaction in restoring myslf. so any tips of where to shop for parts ? or you guys have any parts upz for sale ? btw have skyway , redline , kuwahara to restore in hand . any help from you guys to keep this old skool bike alive is much appreciated .. thanks and cheers guys

We would love to help you. Check out or forum for the next old-school gathering. Join us! It will be fun, that I can promise you.

Programme for the segments in BikeAsia

Activities at a Glance over 3-day at BikeAsia 2009

27 February 2009
1100hrs – Opening Ceremony + Entourage
(Video + Photograph)
1230hrs – Opening Ceremony Reception
1430hrs – Forum on Urban Mobility and Electric Vehicles
1600hrs – 2-Wheel Fashion Show
1630hrs – Bicycle Trials by Singapore Bike Trials
1700hrs – Bike Trials by Oliver Ronzheimer, most well-known and best motorcycle artists
1720hrs – BMX practice

28 February 2009
1130hrs – Meeting with Mario Cipollini from Italy, Road Bike World Champion
1200hrs – Bike Trials by Oliver Ronzheimer
1230hrs – Bicycle Trials by Singapore Bike Trials
1300hrs – 2-Wheel Fashion Show
1400hrs – BMX Contest (2 hrs)
1600hrs – Bike Trials by Oliver Ronzheimer
1630hrs – Bicycle Trials by Singapore Bike Trials
1700hrs – Freestyle Demo
1700hrs – 100KM Mountain Bike Marathon (Tampines Park)
1730hrs – Bike Trials by Oliver Ronzheimer
1800hrs – Daily Lucky Draw
1830hrs – Bicycle Trials by Singapore Bike Trials

1 March 2009
0200hrs – Cut off time for 100KM Mountain Bike Marathon
1200hrs – Bike Trials by Oliver Ronzheimer
1230hrs – Bicycle Trials by Singapore Bike Trials
1300hrs – Freestyle Demo
1330hrs – 2-Wheel Fashion Show
1400hrs – Prize Presentation for 100KM Mountain Bike Marathon & Lucky Draw
1445hrs – Prize Presentation for Photography Competition 2009
1500hrs – Bicycle Trials – Record Breaking Jump Competition at regional Level (Asia Pacific Record)
1530hrs – Chill with Tinker Juarez
1630hrs – Bike Trials by Oliver Ronzheimer
1700hrs – Bicycle Trials by Singapore Bike Trials
1730hrs – Bike Trials by Oliver Ronzheimer
1800hrs – Daily Lucky Draw
1830hrs – Bicycle Trials by Singapore Bike Trials

Some more emails

Got this email from a gentlemen who wanted some BMX performers. I think he does not understand what BMX racing is about. To him, BMX is about stunts and tricks. While it is, BMX (I will explain it one more time) is Bicycle Motocross, which means BMX racing. Other BMX disciplines that evolved from this are called BMX Freestyle. Here is the email:

Hope this finds you well and I got your email address from Facebook page BMX Singapore. (event location) will be staging some programmes on 4 weekends in March. And BMX is one of their top programmes that they are looking at. We would like to invite you and a group for a display of your BMX skills and talents come March. We would like for you to showcase a 30 minute display of either static BMX stunts on stage or 30 minutes roving on the above mentioned dates. So I would like to check your availability on the dates and times.

I asked one of my good friends Simon from 20 Inch Circle to answer his email. Simon, dependable as ever, did just that! Thanks Simon!

2020BMX, Singapore’s first-ever BMX exhibit as part of BikeAsia

2020BMX, Singapore’s first-ever BMX exhibit as part of BikeAsia, will be held from 27th February to 1 March 2009.

Organized by a group of avid BMX riders, 2020BMX will explore BMX’s relevance, history and future as a sport in Singapore. As first-generation old-schoolers, we love BMX and hope to actively support the local scene alongside the new generation of riders. Our cause has the support of BikeAsia’s organizers, who have kindly agreed to donate exhibition space to us, to enable us to give the sport of BMX 'a voice'

Terrible One OOB Bars

I have always liked Terrible One products and these bars, the signature bars of Paul Buchanan are nice. Seems that the trend now is to go for wider bars with higher rises. Something from the old-school is still there with riders of today.

Bike Asia 2009 is going to be BIG

You guys have probably heard the rumours. There has been some talk in the bike forums around cyberspace. But look out for BMX to make their entry into Bike Asia 2009. Final details are being ironed out but you will see the history of BMX, from the 70's till today. We are working hard to try and showcase the BMX scene in Singapore, does not matter if you are a dirtjumper, racer, vert rider or even flatlander. It will be about BMX, where all the BMX disciplines come into show. Stay tuned for more news is about to follow. Check out the sites like our humble one at Singapore BMX, 20-Inch Circle and the main Bike Asia Site for more details soon.

Downhill BMX

I thought I would post this after a friend of mine posted a similar video in Facebook. Now this is hardcore BMX...downhill style. No suspensions like those downhill mountain-bike races. Here you not only have to ride on BIG jumps but you also have to contend with 7 other magnificent riders who are equally adept at taking the course on like you do. To all those SSC or Singapore Sports Council people who are watching, this is BMX! This IS Bicycle Motocross! This WILL be a feature in the Youth Olympics in 2010! Watch and understand!

We have a long way to go in sports

Those are not my words but rather, the words of a person named Peter Loon who wrote a letter to the Straits Times Forum page. I have been pretty critical about the Singapore Sports Council, or SSC for short, and their rather lacklustre support of BMX, especially since the Youth Olympics is not that far away. We still do NOT have a proper BMX track! This guy Peter Loon says it exactly the same way I do, but about sports in general in Singapore. Way to go Peter! This is the letter, courtesy of The Straits Times.

THE recent Volvo Ocean Race, which had a leg in Singapore, has left our shores. By all accounts, the response from Singaporeans was lukewarm at best.

The location of the race village, among other things, has been blamed, which may indeed be a cause.

But there is a more fundamental reason: It is the psyche of Singaporeans when it comes to sports.

Whenever there is a new sport, and few Singaporeans are involved, or it is not well followed on TV, attendance is dismal. This bodes poorly for future repeat visits by the Volvo organisers and, even more important, for the Youth Olympic Games.

We fought hard to win the bid, and it is meant to showcase Singapore not only as an efficient nation of organisers, but also as a nation committed to the heart of sport: athletic participation.

We still hear people speak of the Olympic medallists as 'bought foreign talent', and we are reluctant to enrol our children on sports programmes which may take them away from promising academic careers which will land them good jobs.

The man in the street knows little about the forthcoming Youth Olympics (quick, what are the dates?).

The average Singaporean knows even less about the Volvo Race.

Looking from the other side, things are not bright either. We have lost our coach who brought us the first Olympic medals in more than 40 years.

Sport is a means to build character and fitness and it is a revenue spur for the tourism industry.

It may be decades before we approach sports with the energy and enthusiasm the Australians have for any kind of sport (almost all sports at Sydney Olympics 2000 played to full houses), but we need to begin now.

The Youth Olympics is not that far away and changing the whole attitude towards sports and sporting events must be a priority, starting now.

Peter Loon