Cycling News in Asia

I came across this site today named Cycling News Asia (a Google search will throw it up) so I thought I would go in and take a look. Has an interview with a couple of Singapore cyclists but check this out...nothing on BMX, which is not surprising at all. It looks like the site is located in China, which is strangely ironic because BMX mades its Olympic debut in the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Looks like many in Asia are still ignorant about BMX or just do not know much about it. So it looks like this so-called Cycling News Asia is not a credible portal to put on my hit list. Next!

The truth hurts

Latest posts. In case anyone wants to know how BMX in Singapore is holding up, this is it http://z15.invisionfree.com/Singapore_BMX_Forums/index.php?showtopic=1664

SE Racing Quadangle looptail

When I saw this bike for the first time, I had to have a second look. Nice. Interesting colour combination... a far cry from the days of the blue and brown. SE Racing gets a thumbs up from me for staying true to the concept of BMX. The beauty about this Quadangle? It is made of 4130 chromoly steel. The green rims and hubs give it a nice touch. The only time one could get green rims back in the day was if they bought a pair of Skyway Tuff Wheels or ACS Z-Rims. These really hit the spot!

Singapore Youth Olympic Games 2010

Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) held some shindig at Kay Siang road. John and myself went down to take a look at it to see what was in store for BMX. Well, we saw that people were awed about BMX but when they talked about history, how about the history of BMX and what it stood for? One does not just gloss over important details like that.

And another thing. The guy explaining about BMX there really needs an education in the sport. From what I gather, he does not know about BMX. OK...maybe he is a newbie to the sport. We were all newbies at some point in time. There are reasons why BMX frames are shaped as such for example. There is a reason why it is called BMX aka Bicycle Moto-X or Moto-Cross. People want to know about BMX. People need to know about BMX. But these things were cast aside.

It is now 2010. This is the year for the Youth Olympics in Singapore. The track in Tampines is anything but ready. And then we haveto ask...what about AFTER the Youth Olympics in Singapore? What is going to happen to the track? Is it going to be a while elephant? Will people organise races, just like what was done before? It is a golden opportunity for BMX in Singapore but after what I saw today, I have a nagging suspicion that BMX will be doomed. Someone prove me wrong please. As Winston Churchill once famously quoted, "Eating my own words has never given me indigestion"

As for the attendees being wowed, all I can say is, in the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king

Peter and Thailand Old-School BMX

Our very own OSBMX legend Peter (5th from left) went up to Thailand to spend some time with our BMX brothers up in the north and told us that he had a helluva time there. The Thailand Old-School BMX guys want to hold a gathering and a get-together up in Thailand somewhere in April or May. This sounds great! Sounds like they have a thriving old-school BMX scene up there in Thailand, just like we have. This is proof positive that there are people out there who still like the days when BMX made more sense.

Coaster brake hubs

Back in the day, in the 70s even, BMX bikes used to come with coaster brakes. I still run coaster brakes on two of my five bikes which I have in my possession. The reason? Very little maintenance and these things can work even in wet weather. I used to use these on my race bike back in the day. Back in the days when BMX made more sense, we had track conditions that were wet and dry, not like the wusses in the BMX word today in which the tracks have to be really smooth with no water puddles anywhere. In any case, back in the day, when there were water puddles, these brakes made sure you stopped when you wanted to. I managed to get some old SunTour ones the other day. They are pretty old but they do work well. Lace up a pair today!

Flex fighters

Back in the day, we did not have the 1 1/8" threadless fork system that we have now. I think in that sense, BMX has improved. All our forks back in the day were fastened to the frame via a headset with a 1" thread. And we had to use quill stems. Sometimes, the taller riders really jacked up their stems anfor the really brutally strong riders, this lead to cracked stems and goosenecks. Enter the flex-fighter, pictured above. These things kept your stem strong. I never had one of these but I really wish I did back in the day. These at least helped to stem some breakage stem-wise!

Bukit Batok Skatepark 23rd January 2010

Hi all and a very Happy New Year to one and all, if I have not wished you previously. There will be a gathering for Singapore Old-School BMX at the Bukit Batok Skatepark on the 23rd of January, which will be Saturday. Spend some time with some old-schoolers who will wax lyrical about a time when BMX made more sense and when there was actual camaraderie. There will be lots of camaraderie there in the meeting so be there! There is a post in our forums about this event located here

See you guys there!

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.