XGAMES, BMX? Options

[superjeer]

Sorry boys the name BMX is gone forever !!! as far as racing goes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/angry.gif)
But I do this new sport called " BICYCLE MOTOCROSS " It's pretty cool, It's even in the Olympics !!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/good2.gif)

That's the term I use when people at work ask what my "little bike" is for...

Just like FMX, there's no MX in FMX... too bad.

[nickdawghaters]

I agree that "The kids who do freestyle consider themselves riding BMX." But the problem I have is that the freestyle shot-callers barely acknowledge racing. I've said this before, but when TV announcers say "And of course, the five disciplines of BMX being Dirt, Vert, Park, Street and Flatland" it makes my eyes boil in their sockets.

Clears throat... If you ride a Bike and are doing it on dirt vert curbs handrails or whatever you wanna do its some form of BMX. Dont get into tissy fits about what something is labeled just do it if you have fun and enjoy it. Also Im not sure who you consider to be a "freestyle-shot caller" and Im not sure why you feel they should be making plugs to BMX racing, when BMX racing has 2 sanctions that should have that all covered. I dont think its fair to blame a Mirra, Hoffman, Nyquist, etc etc etc for Racing not evolving and keeping up with its counterparts, once again the biggest problem with racing is the people trying to be so seperate when all in all its all BMX.

Also dont fault TV announcers and group them with anyone key in the freestyle realm because how many jacka$$ non knowing announcers have you heard cover bmx races? Just because you have a job covering and announcing an event doesnt make you an expert it just makes you an announcer. Racing has done nothing for ages to promote and blaming freestyle isnt going to help that.

[sonikk71]

Let's file this one under "Truer words have never been spoken"
M

Mike,

I am so thankful and truly respect that fact that you have given us a place to hang and talk BMX. But I have to get this off my chest...You are plain wrong.
Wow!!!! I am amazed at how "butthurt" so many of the racers are at the fact that freestylers are called "BMX". I cannot adequetly describe how pathetic that is and how angry it makes me. This whole thing seems so wrong. For years we get looked down on by the "established sports" jocks and then freestyling gets some recognition and the racers among us have to get all pissed off and start splitting hairs? I happen to remember when BMX meant hanging out with your freinds and riding in a vacant lot, not some sanctioning body or official rules and tracks. I also remember when BMX meant riding down the street jumping curbs way before TV coverage and flipwhips. Freestylers aren't bmx.....PPPPPFFFFFTTTTTTTTT whatever!!!! You guys seriously need to wake up. BMX should be inclusive not exclusive. Let the other "jock" sports be the dickheads. I respect and celebrate all forms of BMX. BMX is a type of 20 inch bicycle like or not that is what it has become, and that encompasses many different type of riding. I am getting so sick of this elitist racer BS. Seriously guys dont forget respect goes both ways...

Regarding Racing not being in the X games...You guys are gonna get all freaked out and pissed over this one contest?!?! I mean racing made it into the freaking olympics!!!!!! THE FREAKING OLYMPICS!!!! It doesnt get anymore mainstream than that. Yes it does suck that racing got removed from the X games but really how is that going to impact the grass roots BMX movement? I see racing doing rather well on it's own. I know I am gonna raise the ire of a lot of racers on this next comment but I feel it needs to be said. BMX racing as a spectator sport is not anywhere as interesting as doing it. Unless you really care about BMX, racing does not have the "wow factor" as say some of the other disciples. This does not make it any less valid or less skillful. Please note that I am looking at this from a non bmx person stand point, I love racing and while I have never raced I have gone to races and watched all the motos ( not just the mains) and cheered my brains out. While I feel that some of the racing has been more "EEEEXXXXTTTTTRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEMMMMMEEEE!!!!!!!" in past years it still is rather technical and the average person simply does not understand the amount of dedication and hard work that go into winning in racing. Much like in freestyle many times the crowd will cheer for a huge backflip but fails to make a peep for a lot of the more technical tricks. Unfortunately we are dealing with an entity (xgames) that decides what to showcase based on ratings and advertising dollars. If racers want to see racing on the X games then get the sanctioning bodies, the riders and X games together and brainstorm. They will listen if you can generate ad revenue. It is simple as that.

[joelwitte]

its gotta have dirt to be bmx
unfortunately, thats now how the rest of the world views it
just cause you have a bike with two wheels doesn't qualify you to call it bmx
flatland is not bmx
neither is riding a bikepark, quarter and half pipes etc...

also the x games are not extreme
and pastrana is not a living god either

[woodybmx86]

you are wrong, and exclusive.

[lumpy]

Mike,

I am so thankful and truly respect that fact that you have given us a place to hang and talk BMX. But I have to get this off my chest...You are plain wrong.
Wow!!!! I am amazed at how "butthurt" so many of the racers are at the fact that freestylers are called "BMX". I cannot adequetly describe how pathetic that is and how angry it makes me. This whole thing seems so wrong. For years we get looked down on by the "established sports" jocks and then freestyling gets some recognition and the racers among us have to get all pissed off and start splitting hairs? I happen to remember when BMX meant hanging out with your freinds and riding in a vacant lot, not some sanctioning body or official rules and tracks. I also remember when BMX meant riding down the street jumping curbs way before TV coverage and flipwhips. Freestylers aren't bmx.....PPPPPFFFFFTTTTTTTTT whatever!!!! You guys seriously need to wake up. BMX should be inclusive not exclusive. Let the other "jock" sports be the dickheads. I respect and celebrate all forms of BMX. BMX is a type of 20 inch bicycle like or not that is what it has become, and that encompasses many different type of riding. I am getting so sick of this elitist racer BS. Seriously guys dont forget respect goes both ways...

Regarding Racing not being in the X games...You guys are gonna get all freaked out and pissed over this one contest?!?! I mean racing made it into the freaking olympics!!!!!! THE FREAKING OLYMPICS!!!! It doesnt get anymore mainstream than that. Yes it does suck that racing got removed from the X games but really how is that going to impact the grass roots BMX movement? I see racing doing rather well on it's own. I know I am gonna raise the ire of a lot of racers on this next comment but I feel it needs to be said. BMX racing as a spectator sport is not anywhere as interesting as doing it. Unless you really care about BMX, racing does not have the "wow factor" as say some of the other disciples. This does not make it any less valid or less skillful. Please note that I am looking at this from a non bmx person stand point, I love racing and while I have never raced I have gone to races and watched all the motos ( not just the mains) and cheered my brains out. While I feel that some of the racing has been more "EEEEXXXXTTTTTRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEMMMMMEEEE!!!!!!!" in past years it still is rather technical and the average person simply does not understand the amount of dedication and hard work that go into winning in racing. Much like in freestyle many times the crowd will cheer for a huge backflip but fails to make a peep for a lot of the more technical tricks. Unfortunately we are dealing with an entity (xgames) that decides what to showcase based on ratings and advertising dollars. If racers want to see racing on the X games then get the sanctioning bodies, the riders and X games together and brainstorm. They will listen if you can generate ad revenue. It is simple as that.

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have our winner.

+1

Brian

[nickdawghaters]

sonikk71,

Im glad in the midst of all this BS you get it and alot of the guys that read your statement may just get it as well. BMX is many things to many people and nobody is holier than anyone and gets to say what BMX is as a whole to the community. Thats the great thing behind BMX is the general expression and options people have when they start their BMX'er ness. haha.

[sonikk71]

its gotta have dirt to be bmx

So all those indoor old school races on concrete and wood weren't BMX? I could have sworn they were!!! And who says? You? WHo died and made you the BMX god?

unfortunately, thats now how the rest of the world views it

Nope. Take pretty much any freestyle bike ( and I am only using that designation for this thread as you seem to be so hot on seperating freestyle from race. ) and ask any person what type of bike it is and they will answer...BMX. If by "the rest of the world' you mean racers, then maybe. But ask any person off the street and you will get BMX.

just cause you have a bike with two wheels doesn't qualify you to call it bmx

Try and keep up. Read people's arguements before you post.

flatland is not bmx
neither is riding a bikepark, quarter and half pipes etc...

Again...nope. See my answer to the "you have to have dirt to make it BMX" arguement.I never said a bike with 2 wheels = bmx.

also the x games are not extreme

I think a better question would be they are extremely what? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

and pastrana is not a living god either

I do not think anyone here said he was. However what have you done for your sport? Travis has done alot. Once again try and keep up.

This post has been edited by sonikk71: Aug 4 2009, 04:04 PM

[BH1]

Oh SNAP!

Speaking of, Snap IMO was the greatest BMX Magazine. It covered all that is considered BMX

[MikeCarruth]

Mike,

I am so thankful and truly respect that fact that you have given us a place to hang and talk BMX. But I have to get this off my chest...You are plain wrong.

Thanks, I appreciate your saying so. (well, to the first part at least (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) )

Yes it does suck that racing got removed from the X games but really how is that going to impact the grass roots BMX movement?

It impacts it when I am at a Tee Ball game with my kid and tell another dad "yeah, Jordan just started racing BMX." and he says "WOW, how does a kid his size do all those tricks way up in the air like that?" And then it takes 10 minutes to explain that there are many disciplines of BMX--like auto racing, by which time he's glazed over. Hard to evangelize to that guy at that point. But whatever, X Games can do whatever they want. I am not saying anything about them being lame for not putting it in (though they would be far more awesome if they did).

My beef is really in how racing gets ignored completely when a discussion about "BMX" is in progress anywhere other than at a track, or among the party faithful who know what's up. I still do not wholeheartedly endorse all those other disciplines as BMX, but I'd be willing to overlook that minor stitch I feel, if people would just give racing its due.

I mean, I was at the Dew tour in Chicago, and one of the MANY corporate sponsors was doing a trivia contest for a t-shirt or something...and she said "OK: Where and when did BMX start?" Crowd shouts out "California" OK, right answer. Someone from the crowd shouts out "in the 60s" Spokesmodel: "Nooooo. Anyone else?" (crickets). "That would be the early 1980s." That spit ain't right either...you have to agree.

If racers want to see racing on the X games then get the sanctioning bodies, the riders and X games together and brainstorm. They will listen if you can generate ad revenue. It is simple as that.

Agreed! When do we sit down?



Best,

M