We need a concrete track more than ever

I posted something on this very blog right here, praising the merits of a concrete track. That article was written before we got the million-dollar BMX track here in Tampines. There is history behind that track and its location. We got that location in Tampines because that was the only place that the Land Office here in Singapore could give us. That place is a big place and beggars could not be choosers so we built the track there. Unfortunately it is in the middle of a water-catchment area and as a result, that place gets pelted by rain very regularly. Costly repairs have to be done all the time. What we suggested was to have a concrete track, cover it with a thin layer of top-soil (for want of a better description) when big races are held. At least, the foundations are there and will not wash away with the rain. The problem is that no one wants to listen so more often than not, people have to be deployed to maintain it. I am not saying that there will be no maintenance if the track was made out of concrete, but it will lesson the maintenance needs, thus making it less expensive to upkeep. Unfortunately...our solution fell on deaf ears. Looks like there are monkeys still in charge now...

How the Dutch got their cycle paths

I have always had the notion that Europeans are a pragmatic lot when it comes to priorities. The Dutch are no different. Day and day out, we have this arguments with the powers-that-be to introduce cycling paths in Singapore and to curb the car population. This video will show how the Dutch did it.

Some tactics one can learn from BMX and how it used to be raced

BMX racing has come a long way from the sport that was around since the 70s. Back in the day when kids wanted to emulate their BMX heroes. What has happened to BMX racing? What is with the carbon components, the clipless pedals? BMX was supposed to be a fun sport. Now it has all gone technical. I and a few others pretty much know all there is about BMX, having been there and done that, from racing to gradual street riding with friends. Compare racing today with the clip above. The fundamentals of racing are there, with big berms and big jumps. Has BMX changed for the better, or for the worse? Remember the fundamentals before you answer and remember what BMX stands for: Bicycle Moto-Cross (X)

BMX race at Tampines BMX track

This is a screenshot of the website  of the private company running the race. In case you are wondering, no, we are not the organisers. Our primary aim is to showcase BMX news in Singapore and to keep you up to date with BMX happenings. But back in the day, we were organising races and we always bought insurance for the riders. Looks like this organiser is washing their hands of any injury that happens at the track. I wonder how parents will feel about this? This is after all a race and I have seen some serious accidents happen. It is always better to be safe than sorry. I sincerely hope nothing goes wrong but a note to the organiser, next time, for the $30 each person pays to race, spend $5 for insurance if anyone gets hurt.

And another thing. For the price they are paying, shouldn't they all should be getting a jersey, not just the first 30 sign-ups?

26" GT Pro Performer

I bet you guys never thought you would see the day when GT released a 26" version of their immensely popular Pro Performer, wouldn't you? Well, apparently, it does exist according to FatBMX and all I can say, let more join the bandwagon! Taller bars on this bike would be nice and it looks like this gonna rival the 26" Quadangle from SE Racing. Looks like cruisers are cool again!

Happy Deepavali to all Hindu riders out there

Emails!

We get very strange emails sometimes. Many of them ask us for sponsorship, some of them ask us to be bike trainers. I got this one today from a lady in an event company and had a phone call with her. Sometimes, I do not know if people really understand what BMX is about. After the phone call, this young lady got a bit of an education about BMX, which incidentally, stands for Bicycle Moto Cross (X)

Good Morning,

I am writing from an events company looking to engage instructors and sponsors for equipment for (some Government entity) Extreme Sports Programme.

The objective of the Extreme Sports programme is to drive youth participation in Extreme Sports and increase public awareness of Somerset Skate Park and East Coast Xtreme Skatepark. As part of the Extreme Sports Programme, a series of Sports Clinic will be held. There will be 10 clinics from covering the Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced progressions.

Appreciate if you could advise on the rates of engaging instructors for the clinic and the possiblity of a sponsorship for the event.

Hope to hear from you soon! 

Well, she did hear from me and I gave her some advice. Will be giving some people a call to help with her queries.

Well there you go! Ride safe!

Old-school BMX meet-up at Bukit Batok on Saturday 29th October

One thing I love about BMX in Singapore is the old-school BMX meet-ups that happen every now and then. The next meet-up is going to be on the 29th of October and will be held at Bukit Batok. This post in our Singapore BMX forums gives more details about the meet-up. Anyone and everyone is welcome. At meet-ups like these, you will learn a lot about BMX, not only old-school but new school as well. Many have come to this gathering and with the amount of encyclopaedic knowledge available there, you might end up richer for it knowledge-wise. So come on down and join the old-schoolers of BMX in Singapore. Among us, we know almost everything there is to know about BMX

Race and practice at the track - commercial interests?

Some people have emailed me asking me why is the price to race in Singapore so expensive compared to what was it was before? Back then, I only charged ten dollars for adults and five dollars for kids. This was to keep it affordable and at the same time to get more people to come down and race. I might add that even with that low price, I managed to get trophies and medals made. In the race coming up on the 19th of November, adults are charged 30 dollars to race and kids 15 dollars. And to add insult to injury, the practice session on the 26th has adults and kids paying the same rate. I wonder if the Singapore Cycling Federation approved this on their principle, or the principle of the company who is running it, a company that I noticed is selling Kuwahara BMX bikes as well. So I would like to ask. Is it for the sport per se or is this so-called National Championships a commercial thing? Have the owners of this company actually raced BMX before or are they cashing in on the BMX trend? because if they really were doing it for the sport, the fees would be much lower and they would not charge for practice sessions. Keep those emails coming in folks!