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