Full Version: Ode to the OZ..Bob Osborn
OZ, As I told you in Rockford......."Thanks for the years".....By the way, I re-read the David Clinton interview from the jan/feb '79 issue recently....'eats a snickers bar for energy'!?! NOW thats my kind of training!
My old riding buddy SPRINTER (ala, Tim McVey- no, not that evil mother scratcher, I'm talking about the good one!) told me about this site and this thread in particular. I had to be a part.
To me and my good friends, BMX was more than a sport, it was an insitution- a way of life. I'll never forget the Christmas of '79 when I thought that the only gift I would get that year was the remote controlled car that I had found and secretly played with in the basement for weeks. But that Christmas morning Santa bought me the greatest gift of my life... my first genuine BMX Bike... a Raleigh R11-XL... not stock, but totally tricked out in it's Red and Gold anodized glory. And a brand new Rampar racing jersey to boot. I still have the Poloroid of my standing in the kichen in my pajammies by my new bike and a great big smile. By 10:00 a.m. me and my other happy buddies were out tearing around the empty streets of Ottuwma with our new toys and me sporting my new jersey. Sure it was cold, but I was proud.
All that previous autumn, I had carried around the issue of Bicycle Motocross Action with the test that introduced me to the R11-XL. Who else but Santa would have picked up on this longing for such a machine-- or a Sting. Yeah, a Sting would be good too, but that's another story. This understanding made me a believer in the great man again.
Bicycle Motocross Action was us kid's link to the outside world. BMXA and even it's ugly-stepsister, BMX PLUS!, was an even greater literature than the kind we kept stashed in the woods-- and kept in woods at all times. What would you think and do if a 13 year old kid carried the evening paper to your door while reading a Hustler? That's why my parent's endorsed and approved BMXA and proudly displayed on our coffee table.
BMXA kept us drooling that winter over the action we were missing... and for Windy! Who could forget? (I remember faking a call to BMXA from Pat Quinn's (BMX) house and pretending to speak to Windy. I think he knew if was full of it, but we were 12 and 13. Girls were sort of important but still a mystery. What fun.
Even though we understood that the real action happened somewhere out west, we knew in our hearts that the center of the BMX universe was here in Iowa. By 1980 Iowa had some seriously cool tracks. D&N Raceway in Cedar Rapids is still considered by many to be one the nation's greats from back in the day. 1980 was also the year Ottumwa became ABA sanctioned. I'll never forget searching in ABA Action, all the way near the bottom of my list, for my name. Far out!
1980 was the greatest year of my life and the capper was the Red Line National Tour that came through Iowa that summer. I'll never forget experiencing the greats racing on our track-- our turf! Stu Thompson, Greg Hill, Brent Patterson, John Crews, Richie Anderson. These were our Gods and they were tearing around our track. So Cool. I remember I even had the nuts to ask Gene Roden (sp?) of the ABA for his autograph. He chuckled and obliged. I didn't understand since to me he was almost as famous as those guys we worshiped.
1981 brought me a Schwinn Sting but it wasn't as important as my Raleigh. We were growing older and to some (not me!) junior high introduced us to some seriously hot girls. For some reason this became more important than bicycles. Time was changing, Things were changing. When Bicycle Moto Cross Action officially changed its name to BMXA, it made about as much sense Kentucky Fried Chicken changing its name to KFC. I just didn't understand this... this and girls. I still didn't understand girls. Why did this have to happen? I didn't understand that I would always have the greatest times of my life (so far) to cherish.
To me and my good friends, BMX was more than a sport, it was an insitution- a way of life. I'll never forget the Christmas of '79 when I thought that the only gift I would get that year was the remote controlled car that I had found and secretly played with in the basement for weeks. But that Christmas morning Santa bought me the greatest gift of my life... my first genuine BMX Bike... a Raleigh R11-XL... not stock, but totally tricked out in it's Red and Gold anodized glory. And a brand new Rampar racing jersey to boot. I still have the Poloroid of my standing in the kichen in my pajammies by my new bike and a great big smile. By 10:00 a.m. me and my other happy buddies were out tearing around the empty streets of Ottuwma with our new toys and me sporting my new jersey. Sure it was cold, but I was proud.
All that previous autumn, I had carried around the issue of Bicycle Motocross Action with the test that introduced me to the R11-XL. Who else but Santa would have picked up on this longing for such a machine-- or a Sting. Yeah, a Sting would be good too, but that's another story. This understanding made me a believer in the great man again.
Bicycle Motocross Action was us kid's link to the outside world. BMXA and even it's ugly-stepsister, BMX PLUS!, was an even greater literature than the kind we kept stashed in the woods-- and kept in woods at all times. What would you think and do if a 13 year old kid carried the evening paper to your door while reading a Hustler? That's why my parent's endorsed and approved BMXA and proudly displayed on our coffee table.
BMXA kept us drooling that winter over the action we were missing... and for Windy! Who could forget? (I remember faking a call to BMXA from Pat Quinn's (BMX) house and pretending to speak to Windy. I think he knew if was full of it, but we were 12 and 13. Girls were sort of important but still a mystery. What fun.
Even though we understood that the real action happened somewhere out west, we knew in our hearts that the center of the BMX universe was here in Iowa. By 1980 Iowa had some seriously cool tracks. D&N Raceway in Cedar Rapids is still considered by many to be one the nation's greats from back in the day. 1980 was also the year Ottumwa became ABA sanctioned. I'll never forget searching in ABA Action, all the way near the bottom of my list, for my name. Far out!
1980 was the greatest year of my life and the capper was the Red Line National Tour that came through Iowa that summer. I'll never forget experiencing the greats racing on our track-- our turf! Stu Thompson, Greg Hill, Brent Patterson, John Crews, Richie Anderson. These were our Gods and they were tearing around our track. So Cool. I remember I even had the nuts to ask Gene Roden (sp?) of the ABA for his autograph. He chuckled and obliged. I didn't understand since to me he was almost as famous as those guys we worshiped.
1981 brought me a Schwinn Sting but it wasn't as important as my Raleigh. We were growing older and to some (not me!) junior high introduced us to some seriously hot girls. For some reason this became more important than bicycles. Time was changing, Things were changing. When Bicycle Moto Cross Action officially changed its name to BMXA, it made about as much sense Kentucky Fried Chicken changing its name to KFC. I just didn't understand this... this and girls. I still didn't understand girls. Why did this have to happen? I didn't understand that I would always have the greatest times of my life (so far) to cherish.
It's about time you joined us Joe!!!
I know it will never be 1980 again, but believe it or not, BMX is STILL fun. I'm getting older, now 38... Riding up hills and stuff isn't nearly as easy for me as it once was. I'm seriously over weight, but I ride my Torker at least 2 or 3 times a week, depending on weather now etc...
Not nearly as much as when we were kids, but you know what? It STILL feels GOOD!
My skills aren't nearly what they once were (not sure they were all that back then) but I had rode 20 inch Sting-ray type bikes for at least 5 or 6 years before BMX. I've got a LOT of riding to do to get back in shape. But I promise you this, I WILL race again, not entirely sure when, but it WILL happen.
I hope to race at Rockford in 2006, but I've got a lot of riding to do before I get too serious about that. I can't imagine not racing in Des Moines at least off an on, maybe more in 2006... I want to get at least to the point where I don't feel like I'm having a heart attack when I finish my moto... Des Moines current track, is LONG compared to what we raced on BITD...
I owe almost ever fond childhood memory I have to BMX, and in no small part to the mighty Bicycle Motocross Action, and the all powerful Oz himself. I still can't call it BMXA, it doesn't feel right even after all these years.
I've went to a lot of concerts, met a few bands and/or band members, even met a few movie stars in my lifetime... But none of them, NOT ONE, compare to how I felt the first time I saw Stu, Greg, Brent, and the rest racing in real. They were/are gods.
I had seen Mark Driscoll and "The Animal" Hejda at D&N and was floored. I bought my Sting because of Driscoll. As amazing as they were, I'll never, till the day I die, forget seeing Greg Hill go down the first straight at D&N. I never thought it was physically possible for a human being to spin the cranks that fast. My jaw was literally on the ground. Typing this right now is giving me goosebumps just thinking about it.
Had it not been for Bicycle Motocross Action and Oz, we would of never of heard of these guys out here in Iowa. The sport of BMX would of never happened here at all. None of those guys would of ever raced here. That truly would of been a shame. It shaped a lot of our lives, and kept a lot of us out of trouble. Some of us (myself included) still found time to get into trouble and cause a little mischief here and there, but nothing like so many of todays kids seem to do. I'm sure without BMX in my life and Bicycle Motocross Action I would of gotten into far more trouble.
That magazine, the pictures, the stories... Made me laugh, made me cry, made me feel alive. I remember taking ever issue to school in my Trapper Keeper or whatever the thing was called, and reading it cover to cover, more than once. Over and over, literally memorizing results, statistics, bike tests etc... By the time the next issue was out, my cover was about ready to fall off the last issue. I've still got every issue I bought. The ones that still have covers, most have areas where finger prints wore off the colors or print, leaving a whitish fingerprint area...
I'd do literally anything to be able to go buy a new copy today. I anxiously await the new BMX Plus (how sad) every month now only to be continually dis-appointed that it's no where near the quality of Bicycle Motocross Action when I finish reading it. I guess I should be thankful still that it's around, I guess it could be worse (not much) and not have any at all...
I met Oz, shook his hand, and personally thanked him at Rockford. He was outside the banquet hall, signing autographs. I stood there quietly for at least 20 - 30 minutes+ while he graciously signed anything that was handed to him, and talked to anybody that cared to talk with him. I was trembling when I handed him my "Joe Kid on a Sting-Ray" poster. I think this is now the most treasured item I own. It's proudly framed and hanging in my dining room.
I wish you could of been at Rockford Joe, you would of been a little kid again I swear. Pat Quinn sat at the same table I did, it would of been perfect had you been there with us. I was walking on air. I got my poster signed by Scot Breithaupt,(you know what an SE freak I am, so that was killer) having the O.M. sing it was awesome, then getting so many former SE riders, and heroes of mine as well, Greg Hill, Jeff Utterback, Toby Henderson, was equally cool. And the icing on the cake, The Mighty OZ himself.
I wish I had a transcript of the story Oz told. Basically it was the final chapter on Cosmo and Jaws mouse and the kitty juggler ring. You would of been in tears, it was HILARIOUS!
You need to get a hold of me. I'm dying for you to bring that Sting up here again, spend a day, lets tear it down, clean it, re-grease and lube everything, and re-assemble it. That's one of the coolest bikes I remember from my childhood, and the absolute coolest survivor bike I've seen.
Glad to have you on board here FINALLY! Looking forward to seeing more of your posts and observations, and looking forward to spending some time together, riding and/or racing again in the future. It will never be 1980 again, but you CAN still come home again!
Tim
I know it will never be 1980 again, but believe it or not, BMX is STILL fun. I'm getting older, now 38... Riding up hills and stuff isn't nearly as easy for me as it once was. I'm seriously over weight, but I ride my Torker at least 2 or 3 times a week, depending on weather now etc...
Not nearly as much as when we were kids, but you know what? It STILL feels GOOD!
My skills aren't nearly what they once were (not sure they were all that back then) but I had rode 20 inch Sting-ray type bikes for at least 5 or 6 years before BMX. I've got a LOT of riding to do to get back in shape. But I promise you this, I WILL race again, not entirely sure when, but it WILL happen.
I hope to race at Rockford in 2006, but I've got a lot of riding to do before I get too serious about that. I can't imagine not racing in Des Moines at least off an on, maybe more in 2006... I want to get at least to the point where I don't feel like I'm having a heart attack when I finish my moto... Des Moines current track, is LONG compared to what we raced on BITD...
I owe almost ever fond childhood memory I have to BMX, and in no small part to the mighty Bicycle Motocross Action, and the all powerful Oz himself. I still can't call it BMXA, it doesn't feel right even after all these years.
I've went to a lot of concerts, met a few bands and/or band members, even met a few movie stars in my lifetime... But none of them, NOT ONE, compare to how I felt the first time I saw Stu, Greg, Brent, and the rest racing in real. They were/are gods.
I had seen Mark Driscoll and "The Animal" Hejda at D&N and was floored. I bought my Sting because of Driscoll. As amazing as they were, I'll never, till the day I die, forget seeing Greg Hill go down the first straight at D&N. I never thought it was physically possible for a human being to spin the cranks that fast. My jaw was literally on the ground. Typing this right now is giving me goosebumps just thinking about it.
Had it not been for Bicycle Motocross Action and Oz, we would of never of heard of these guys out here in Iowa. The sport of BMX would of never happened here at all. None of those guys would of ever raced here. That truly would of been a shame. It shaped a lot of our lives, and kept a lot of us out of trouble. Some of us (myself included) still found time to get into trouble and cause a little mischief here and there, but nothing like so many of todays kids seem to do. I'm sure without BMX in my life and Bicycle Motocross Action I would of gotten into far more trouble.
That magazine, the pictures, the stories... Made me laugh, made me cry, made me feel alive. I remember taking ever issue to school in my Trapper Keeper or whatever the thing was called, and reading it cover to cover, more than once. Over and over, literally memorizing results, statistics, bike tests etc... By the time the next issue was out, my cover was about ready to fall off the last issue. I've still got every issue I bought. The ones that still have covers, most have areas where finger prints wore off the colors or print, leaving a whitish fingerprint area...
I'd do literally anything to be able to go buy a new copy today. I anxiously await the new BMX Plus (how sad) every month now only to be continually dis-appointed that it's no where near the quality of Bicycle Motocross Action when I finish reading it. I guess I should be thankful still that it's around, I guess it could be worse (not much) and not have any at all...
I met Oz, shook his hand, and personally thanked him at Rockford. He was outside the banquet hall, signing autographs. I stood there quietly for at least 20 - 30 minutes+ while he graciously signed anything that was handed to him, and talked to anybody that cared to talk with him. I was trembling when I handed him my "Joe Kid on a Sting-Ray" poster. I think this is now the most treasured item I own. It's proudly framed and hanging in my dining room.
I wish you could of been at Rockford Joe, you would of been a little kid again I swear. Pat Quinn sat at the same table I did, it would of been perfect had you been there with us. I was walking on air. I got my poster signed by Scot Breithaupt,(you know what an SE freak I am, so that was killer) having the O.M. sing it was awesome, then getting so many former SE riders, and heroes of mine as well, Greg Hill, Jeff Utterback, Toby Henderson, was equally cool. And the icing on the cake, The Mighty OZ himself.
I wish I had a transcript of the story Oz told. Basically it was the final chapter on Cosmo and Jaws mouse and the kitty juggler ring. You would of been in tears, it was HILARIOUS!
You need to get a hold of me. I'm dying for you to bring that Sting up here again, spend a day, lets tear it down, clean it, re-grease and lube everything, and re-assemble it. That's one of the coolest bikes I remember from my childhood, and the absolute coolest survivor bike I've seen.
Glad to have you on board here FINALLY! Looking forward to seeing more of your posts and observations, and looking forward to spending some time together, riding and/or racing again in the future. It will never be 1980 again, but you CAN still come home again!
Tim
Hey Tim!
Nice ode to the OZ!
Ted
Nice ode to the OZ!
quote:Sounds like you are missing your old Sting. Not to worry, I am taking REAL good care of it!!!! Maybe you will get to ride it at Rockford! Nice to see you posting here!
I'm dying for you to bring that Sting up here again, spend a day, lets tear it down, clean it, re-grease and lube everything, and re-assemble it. That's one of the coolest bikes I remember from my childhood, and the absolute coolest survivor bike I've seen.
Ted
quote:Oz gave me the transcript and is sitting with my BMX book collection, but if you want a copy, let me know and I'll send it to you. To me, it is the final and greatest issue of Bicycle Motocross Action
I wish I had a transcript of the story Oz told. Basically it was the final chapter on Cosmo and Jaws mouse and the kitty juggler ring. You would of been in tears, it was HILARIOUS!
Hey Tim! Great to hear from you. What do you say i swing up to your place this weekend? I'll bring my Sting and we can pimp it out. I wonder if we can still inflat the tires. The brake cables are kind of screwy too. Maybe they just need lubed and adjusted. Talk to you after the Pizza Day, I mean Thanksgiving.
Rick, PLEASE! I'd love a copy!
Joe, I don't have any real plans for the weekend, you are welcome anytime! Not sure I'd recommend inflating or riding on those tires. I think I'd take them off and keep them for posterity. Maybe some new rubber, and new brake cables, if you are planning to ride it any, the rest, we can clean and keep it as original as possible. I've got some spare tires... We can grab some cables at the local shop or Wal-Mart...
You can take my Torker for a spin, and see that you CAN still ride a 20. The thing feels HUGE compared to our old school rides!!!
My only plans are to go for at least an hour or two ride, Saturday, or Sunday, or both, depending on weather. I went for an hour and a half ride last Sunday...
Joe, I don't have any real plans for the weekend, you are welcome anytime! Not sure I'd recommend inflating or riding on those tires. I think I'd take them off and keep them for posterity. Maybe some new rubber, and new brake cables, if you are planning to ride it any, the rest, we can clean and keep it as original as possible. I've got some spare tires... We can grab some cables at the local shop or Wal-Mart...
You can take my Torker for a spin, and see that you CAN still ride a 20. The thing feels HUGE compared to our old school rides!!!
My only plans are to go for at least an hour or two ride, Saturday, or Sunday, or both, depending on weather. I went for an hour and a half ride last Sunday...
quote:I think you forgot " a certain Je ne sais quois in that description...
You need to grow a beard. It demonstrates nonchalance, a take-it-or-leave-it attitude toward women. Gets 'em every time. It also adds a certain distinction, a savoir faire appearance, a mysterious flair. Drives women crazy. Take it from me.
Dear Wiz,
I forgot how well that beard trick works. I've recently met someone special after growing the beard thing again. I think I met my Ex-Wife while I had a beard, too, but I'd rather not go there. After we split, I had to go beardless for years.
Thanks for all the wonderfull writing you did over ther years. I'm sure I ruined a few BMXAs LOL with you with soda, milk or juice in my mouth. After I stopped reading BMXA, or maybe at the same time, I read Vonnegut, Douglas Adams, Hunter S. Thompson, and many others who played with words well. Perhaps I've incriminated myself and am now going to the punitnentary.
[I]Je ne sais quoi/I]...had to look that up in my Funk 'n Wagnalls.
I haven't seen this thread in quite a while. Kind of forgot about it. So when it popped up again, I re-read some of the posts. Sure makes me feel good.
I wonder what that old fart Breithaupt is up to.
P.S. Old Anglo-Saxon proverb: You can conceal bald with a hat. You can cover ugly with a beard. But it's hard to hide stupid.
I haven't seen this thread in quite a while. Kind of forgot about it. So when it popped up again, I re-read some of the posts. Sure makes me feel good.
I wonder what that old fart Breithaupt is up to.
P.S. Old Anglo-Saxon proverb: You can conceal bald with a hat. You can cover ugly with a beard. But it's hard to hide stupid.
Oz,
Your last post made me laugh. That is what makes BMXA so great.I always enjoy your words of wisdom.
I'm glad you are posting on VBMX.
Thanks again for everything you do for BMX.
Bryan
Your last post made me laugh. That is what makes BMXA so great.I always enjoy your words of wisdom.
I'm glad you are posting on VBMX.
Thanks again for everything you do for BMX.
Bryan
It was really fun Oz when U showed up on here and didn't tell anybody who U was! I bet your young heart was racing every moment messin' with people! I'm sure you've been asked this before? Where do you think BMX would have went without BMXA? Thanks Chris
Chris T...
Very interesting question. I need to think about it (and keep my ego out of the answer). I'll get back to you on this.
Very interesting question. I need to think about it (and keep my ego out of the answer). I'll get back to you on this.
Hey OZ, sure is a strange looking BMX bike on the lift behind you in JKOS. Tell us about it. WM
Hey Oz,
Could you email me a few jpegs of some of these motorcycles you're into. My dad used to ride Harleys in the 60's. He's really interested in the bikes you're into. I saw one and it looked amazing.
Maybe post some here too.
I'm sure people would dig em'.
Aquarians rock! (LOL!)
Johnny
Could you email me a few jpegs of some of these motorcycles you're into. My dad used to ride Harleys in the 60's. He's really interested in the bikes you're into. I saw one and it looked amazing.
Maybe post some here too.
I'm sure people would dig em'.
Aquarians rock! (LOL!)
Johnny
Happy belated Birthday to this thread! Glad to see it still around.
(Sure wish there was a place to put there greatest of threads. Maybe someone could find a way to retype up Regarding Cosmo.. Elvis seems to have some spare time...)
[ January 31, 2006, 09:18 PM: Message edited by: X-it ]
(Sure wish there was a place to put there greatest of threads. Maybe someone could find a way to retype up Regarding Cosmo.. Elvis seems to have some spare time...)
[ January 31, 2006, 09:18 PM: Message edited by: X-it ]
there were too many pics. retyping alone would never capture the greatness of it...
Elvis HAS a scanner... duh.
whatever and dude you might want to actually give your address to someone who is asking for it instead of being a big goob because maybe they want to send you something you might be wanting...
1913 NW 5th Court
Brownies laced with Percocet?
Brownies laced with Percocet?
Maybe someone has it archived....
no. not brownies.
hi reilley. yeah. sure wish i would have saved it as a file instead of just printing it... bummer
hi reilley. yeah. sure wish i would have saved it as a file instead of just printing it... bummer
Hmmm.......I just read someone’s question to ‘The Great One’, OZ, about where would BMX be today without him and it got me thinking.......this is a theory I have…..
I think that BMX is a force with invisible powers that could not, and would not, ever be stopped. I think that one day this invisible force, BMX, decided it needed a "Chosen One" to help set its foundation and fulfill its prophecy. This 'force' sought out an "almighty one" with great wisdom, many skills, a big heart, down to earth personality, and a heart that would never grow old. The 'force' found OZ via Scott B., and several other tools, and decided that HE was to be "The Chosen One".
One night, when OZ was in a very, very, deep sleep (not sure why), this force, BMX, came to him in a dream and said, "YOU are the chosen one and ye must fulfill this prophecy grasshopper. It will be a long journey and ye shall have many great adventures and ye shall meet many great warriors. Ye shall help show the world our force, BMX, because we have chosen you 'oh great one'. Ye WILL know when the prophecy is fulfilled and when it is time to step down from your throne; however, ye shall wear thy crown forever OZ, for it is your destiny. When you wake up you will not remember this dream; however, thine heart and soul will know what ye must do. Have a safe and adventurous journey oh Great One. And when ye are done fulfilling thy prophecy ye shall hold the Master Key to great lands and many hearts. And ye shall forever wear thy crown".
The next day OZ woke up and felt something, no not morning wood, and he knew in his heart what he must do. OZ felt a sense of his new invincible eminence and was content and energized.
We all know the rest of the story but nobody, NOBODY, knows it better than ‘THE CHOSEN ONE’, OZ.
I think that BMX is a force with invisible powers that could not, and would not, ever be stopped. I think that one day this invisible force, BMX, decided it needed a "Chosen One" to help set its foundation and fulfill its prophecy. This 'force' sought out an "almighty one" with great wisdom, many skills, a big heart, down to earth personality, and a heart that would never grow old. The 'force' found OZ via Scott B., and several other tools, and decided that HE was to be "The Chosen One".
One night, when OZ was in a very, very, deep sleep (not sure why), this force, BMX, came to him in a dream and said, "YOU are the chosen one and ye must fulfill this prophecy grasshopper. It will be a long journey and ye shall have many great adventures and ye shall meet many great warriors. Ye shall help show the world our force, BMX, because we have chosen you 'oh great one'. Ye WILL know when the prophecy is fulfilled and when it is time to step down from your throne; however, ye shall wear thy crown forever OZ, for it is your destiny. When you wake up you will not remember this dream; however, thine heart and soul will know what ye must do. Have a safe and adventurous journey oh Great One. And when ye are done fulfilling thy prophecy ye shall hold the Master Key to great lands and many hearts. And ye shall forever wear thy crown".
The next day OZ woke up and felt something, no not morning wood, and he knew in his heart what he must do. OZ felt a sense of his new invincible eminence and was content and energized.
We all know the rest of the story but nobody, NOBODY, knows it better than ‘THE CHOSEN ONE’, OZ.
LOL! Mike Welsh, you have a very fertile imagination!
But the funny thing here is that when I look back on the various influences and factors that caused me to do what I did, I come up with a story not too unlike Mike's. Or, to put it another way, maybe something more intelligent than myself was directing me. I am not trying to be religious here, just addressing my amazement at what happened and why it might have happened.
Ask Scot or Stuart or Greg and I wonder if they wouldn't also wonder about what caused their involvement in this thing that would have such a major impact on their entire lives.
But, back to Chris T. Haslam's question; where do I think BMX would have gone without BMX ACTION?
I think it would have gone more or less where it did, but maybe not as quickly and maybe with less class. From day number one I had so much respect for the racers and the sport and it's potential, that that is what I consciously portrayed in BMX ACTION (the way it was, but also the way it could be and should be).
I always looked at it like I was at the front of the BMX parade, but not that I was leading it. It was more like I kept looking at the things that the racers and the sport were doing (kept looking around to see which way the parade was going) and stayed with them, and reported on them...always with the best/most exciting photographs I could take and with the meatiest stories I could write. I never treated BMX like a "kid's sport" and I never patronized...I wrote straight across to our readers.
I know that the biggest difference between BMXA and the other publications was the respect I held for the racers and sport. The other photographers and writers were just doing their jobs. I was almost on a religious crusade!!!
I hope I answered your question, Chris. And I hope ego didn't intrude too much.
And, Johnny...I don't have my scanner hooked up, but when it is I will scan a few photos of Harleys I've built. Probably before too long. (House remodel being my primary excuse.)
[ February 03, 2006, 05:48 PM: Message edited by: Oz ]
But the funny thing here is that when I look back on the various influences and factors that caused me to do what I did, I come up with a story not too unlike Mike's. Or, to put it another way, maybe something more intelligent than myself was directing me. I am not trying to be religious here, just addressing my amazement at what happened and why it might have happened.
Ask Scot or Stuart or Greg and I wonder if they wouldn't also wonder about what caused their involvement in this thing that would have such a major impact on their entire lives.
But, back to Chris T. Haslam's question; where do I think BMX would have gone without BMX ACTION?
I think it would have gone more or less where it did, but maybe not as quickly and maybe with less class. From day number one I had so much respect for the racers and the sport and it's potential, that that is what I consciously portrayed in BMX ACTION (the way it was, but also the way it could be and should be).
I always looked at it like I was at the front of the BMX parade, but not that I was leading it. It was more like I kept looking at the things that the racers and the sport were doing (kept looking around to see which way the parade was going) and stayed with them, and reported on them...always with the best/most exciting photographs I could take and with the meatiest stories I could write. I never treated BMX like a "kid's sport" and I never patronized...I wrote straight across to our readers.
I know that the biggest difference between BMXA and the other publications was the respect I held for the racers and sport. The other photographers and writers were just doing their jobs. I was almost on a religious crusade!!!
I hope I answered your question, Chris. And I hope ego didn't intrude too much.
And, Johnny...I don't have my scanner hooked up, but when it is I will scan a few photos of Harleys I've built. Probably before too long. (House remodel being my primary excuse.)
[ February 03, 2006, 05:48 PM: Message edited by: Oz ]
Mike,
What a great post! I wish I could write half as well as you.
You are totally right about Oz. He is awesome. We are lucky to have him as part of our lives.
This site always amazes me. I feel blessed to be a part of this BMX family.
Thank you OZ, and everyone that post here on VBMX.
Bryan
What a great post! I wish I could write half as well as you.
You are totally right about Oz. He is awesome. We are lucky to have him as part of our lives.
This site always amazes me. I feel blessed to be a part of this BMX family.
Thank you OZ, and everyone that post here on VBMX.
Bryan
LOL Thanks a lot for the comment OZ! OMG! The "Chosen One" spoke to me! You are truely a class act OZ. Your ego didn't intrude one bit bro. You are truely the most humble person I know of. You need to work on being less humble and start showing off some old pics that never made the magazine! That would be so awesome dude! I know you have 1000's of pic's! You're the man OZ! I hope I have the good fortune of meeting you some day OZ. You are too cool buddy.
And Bryan Franklin, Thanks a lot for your compliment bro. I don't think I'm a good writer but I have a lot of fun trying to be.
~peace out yo, mike~
And Bryan Franklin, Thanks a lot for your compliment bro. I don't think I'm a good writer but I have a lot of fun trying to be.
~peace out yo, mike~
*shakes his head*.....me--> <--"Chosen One", OZ
~mike~
~mike~
Bob Osborn.......
I may be a noob, and casting additional accolades where the accolade baskets are looking full, but hey......I'm freakin new here, ok?
So I got dibs on doing whatever I want.
(Insert "eat my shorts if you're tired of Bob Osborn" here)
Myself, I'm not.
I'm so pumped that I can even respond to the man, that I'm not sure where to start.
Scot B?
OMFG!
Stu?
GTFOH!
I will stop the naming of the God's right here, but insert an disclaimer that WOW, I'm speechless.
There was a day, a long, long time ago, when my life revolved around only one thing. I wasn't all that good at it, but what's new?
That time.....despite my most valiant efforts.....came and went.
My best friends were always there. Mike Welsh being one.
But beyond my little circle was the sport of BMX.
The icons
The heros
The legends
Those who either by forces outside of their control, or by outside energies creating them, or those who were just a force to deal with..."became" the sport of BMX.
I wasn't one of the select few that became legend.
I was one of the many. One of the many who poured over every Bob Osbourne produced page and pic, and wished they could be the ones in the picture.
One that saw Tinker toe slide and tried to figure out how to do it. One that read the review of Weinnert Mountain and KNEW, that had I been there, I woulda kicked ***.
Knowing the whole time, that really, I was just another guy.
This is a long post, but seeing my first chance in all these years to tip my hat to those that made the experience something besides riding around in teh dirt into something else?
Well.......
Thank you Bob O., and thank you to all the heroes you brought us. If not for them and you, my personal experience would have been diminished, as would the entire sport.
Your efforts really created BMX. If you didn't get rich, you totally should have. Thanks for sharing your vision with the planet.
*sniff*
Where the hell is my Mountain Dew?
I may be a noob, and casting additional accolades where the accolade baskets are looking full, but hey......I'm freakin new here, ok?
So I got dibs on doing whatever I want.
(Insert "eat my shorts if you're tired of Bob Osborn" here)
Myself, I'm not.
I'm so pumped that I can even respond to the man, that I'm not sure where to start.
Scot B?
OMFG!
Stu?
GTFOH!
I will stop the naming of the God's right here, but insert an disclaimer that WOW, I'm speechless.
There was a day, a long, long time ago, when my life revolved around only one thing. I wasn't all that good at it, but what's new?
That time.....despite my most valiant efforts.....came and went.
My best friends were always there. Mike Welsh being one.
But beyond my little circle was the sport of BMX.
The icons
The heros
The legends
Those who either by forces outside of their control, or by outside energies creating them, or those who were just a force to deal with..."became" the sport of BMX.
I wasn't one of the select few that became legend.
I was one of the many. One of the many who poured over every Bob Osbourne produced page and pic, and wished they could be the ones in the picture.
One that saw Tinker toe slide and tried to figure out how to do it. One that read the review of Weinnert Mountain and KNEW, that had I been there, I woulda kicked ***.
Knowing the whole time, that really, I was just another guy.
This is a long post, but seeing my first chance in all these years to tip my hat to those that made the experience something besides riding around in teh dirt into something else?
Well.......
Thank you Bob O., and thank you to all the heroes you brought us. If not for them and you, my personal experience would have been diminished, as would the entire sport.
Your efforts really created BMX. If you didn't get rich, you totally should have. Thanks for sharing your vision with the planet.
*sniff*
Where the hell is my Mountain Dew?
Bob Sieber...thanks, buddy, you just gave my Super Bowl weekend a great start! And, as far as getting rich from BMX ACTION, FREESTYLIN', HOMEBOY, etc. goes, I did fine (not Bill Gates, understand, but not too bad)...and thanks for the sentiments.
Oz thanks for taking the time to answer my question! Here's a picture from 1982 of a ramp I built. I grew up in that trailer park across the street.
BMXA inspired me to start working at the age of 13 to buy good bikes. I read where R.L. had sold stickers to buy a truck. I've been self-employed basically ever since!
I often wonder what I'd done without BMXA and BMX? I really think it keep me out of the hardcore party crowd during my teenage years.
Thanks Chris T Haslam
[ February 09, 2006, 07:07 PM: Message edited by: Chris T Haslam ]
BMXA inspired me to start working at the age of 13 to buy good bikes. I read where R.L. had sold stickers to buy a truck. I've been self-employed basically ever since!
I often wonder what I'd done without BMXA and BMX? I really think it keep me out of the hardcore party crowd during my teenage years.
Thanks Chris T Haslam
[ February 09, 2006, 07:07 PM: Message edited by: Chris T Haslam ]
Oz,
It's way too modest of you to say that it would have gone where it did, just a little slower, w/less class, etc...
I don't know if it would have ever grown as much as it did without your style, and Unifying force. The writing (Oz, Scot & all), the look (Oz, Wendy &...), and later Haro added more 'style' elements.
You brought it all together, and gave it a voice.
I think most everyone would agree, it's impossible to think of BMX without the mighty BMXA. Yes, BMXA was "leading the parade" and getting people in the parade, and helping decorate it, and then figuring out how to make that parade FASTER, BETTER - STRONGER, LIGHTER ...
Ok, I'm rambling now. But, the importance of Oz and the BMXA publication can never really be quantified - IT's SO HUGE!
Thanks OZ!
From one guy in Plainwell, Mi
It's way too modest of you to say that it would have gone where it did, just a little slower, w/less class, etc...
I don't know if it would have ever grown as much as it did without your style, and Unifying force. The writing (Oz, Scot & all), the look (Oz, Wendy &...), and later Haro added more 'style' elements.
You brought it all together, and gave it a voice.
I think most everyone would agree, it's impossible to think of BMX without the mighty BMXA. Yes, BMXA was "leading the parade" and getting people in the parade, and helping decorate it, and then figuring out how to make that parade FASTER, BETTER - STRONGER, LIGHTER ...
Ok, I'm rambling now. But, the importance of Oz and the BMXA publication can never really be quantified - IT's SO HUGE!
Thanks OZ!
From one guy in Plainwell, Mi
quote:I feel the same way. I had a friend that I hung with pretty tight, we both started riding at the same time('83). We had subscriptions to BMXA/Freestylin'. I always renewed mine and kept riding. He moved away around '85, stopped riding/reading and, from what I could tell, he got with the wrong crowd.
often wonder what I'd done without BMXA and BMX? I really think it keep me out of the hardcore party crowd during my teenage years
Coincidence ? Who knows, but I owe my 'staying out of trouble times' to Bob O.
Oz,
When you were a firefighter before you started
Bicycle Motocross Action, what was your creative outlet?
(I was wondering when I would ask you a
good NEW question. You answered waaaay
too many at Rockford.)
When you were a firefighter before you started
Bicycle Motocross Action, what was your creative outlet?
(I was wondering when I would ask you a
good NEW question. You answered waaaay
too many at Rockford.)
Hi, Johnny.
Actually I stayed on the fire department for two or three years while I was getting BICYCLE MOTOCROSS ACTION going. That kept me busy! Plus I had two kids.
Then a day came when the magazine was just getting too big and busy and exciting and I left the department.
But, before the days of BMX, I raced motorcycle motocross and grand prix...took pictures...wrote a few travel articles for magazines...with some other firemen built a bicycle-powered raft and pedalled it across the Catalina Channel...got in the Guinness Book of Records for that one.
Toss in a few girlfriends, some backpacking into the Sierras, studying for advancement on the fire department, and that's pretty much it.
Actually I stayed on the fire department for two or three years while I was getting BICYCLE MOTOCROSS ACTION going. That kept me busy! Plus I had two kids.
Then a day came when the magazine was just getting too big and busy and exciting and I left the department.
But, before the days of BMX, I raced motorcycle motocross and grand prix...took pictures...wrote a few travel articles for magazines...with some other firemen built a bicycle-powered raft and pedalled it across the Catalina Channel...got in the Guinness Book of Records for that one.
Toss in a few girlfriends, some backpacking into the Sierras, studying for advancement on the fire department, and that's pretty much it.
Good question JJ..
Wondered that one too...and Thanks Oz for the answer.
I don't think I've said it before, but the Bonus Features of Oz on JKOAS are absolutely like finding a golden treasure.
Stuff you wondered about for 25 yrs and never,ever think you would get to hear Oz tell'g those stories..
hmm..wonder if Mr. Eaton still has more footage..he could make some more $$ off of me/us if he would release more Bonus Footage every couple months or years..
Wondered that one too...and Thanks Oz for the answer.
I don't think I've said it before, but the Bonus Features of Oz on JKOAS are absolutely like finding a golden treasure.
Stuff you wondered about for 25 yrs and never,ever think you would get to hear Oz tell'g those stories..
hmm..wonder if Mr. Eaton still has more footage..he could make some more $$ off of me/us if he would release more Bonus Footage every couple months or years..
Fergie...Mark and John interviewed me for FOUR AND A HALF SOLID HOURS!!!
You would get bored ignorant.
You would get bored ignorant.
P.S. That Chris Halsam photo back there is classic! That should have been in BMXA.
...maybe I'm ignorant..but MAN I would be glued to that TV screen for Four and Half Solid Hours!
Oz,
I know it ain't all about the riches....in hindsite, I think what I would like to say is this.
For all of us "also rans", I thank you (and your funny hat) for bringing us a snapshot of what the sport was doing. In reading BMXA, we had the opportunity to not only look up and try and reach new heights, but in failing that.....to live our dreams vicariously each month.
Your articles and pictures showed us what could be. And we all dreamed those dreams.
Those were kick arse times!
So many heroes.
So many.
What a great memory I have of such things.
Thanks again, Oz.
(I think I can call you Oz. Since you replied, I got dibs)
Bob Sieber
Monkey Extraordinaire
I know it ain't all about the riches....in hindsite, I think what I would like to say is this.
For all of us "also rans", I thank you (and your funny hat) for bringing us a snapshot of what the sport was doing. In reading BMXA, we had the opportunity to not only look up and try and reach new heights, but in failing that.....to live our dreams vicariously each month.
Your articles and pictures showed us what could be. And we all dreamed those dreams.
Those were kick arse times!
So many heroes.
So many.
What a great memory I have of such things.
Thanks again, Oz.
(I think I can call you Oz. Since you replied, I got dibs)
Bob Sieber
Monkey Extraordinaire
Oz where art thou?
I mean cmon, who else would have been able to turn mullett head kids into ICONS!!! Trust me, there will always be a place in everyones heart for Parachute pants, checkerboard Tennies, and don't forget about the Members only Jacket!! Only The OZ could have made that era COOL and RAD!!!
OZ, Never met you, but you ROCK on my friend!!
OZ, Never met you, but you ROCK on my friend!!
OZ,
Know you're busy, but...... man! Drop in and say hi once in a while! Your friends here miss you. How are you my friend?
Know you're busy, but...... man! Drop in and say hi once in a while! Your friends here miss you. How are you my friend?
This is a great read that needs to be seen! In case there are some new people who haven't found this.
I have done only one photo shoot for BMX Action. Windy shoot it and I only wish I had a chance to meet the almighty OZ himself. 
Changstar
Changstar
Changstar..... You rockstar!
Very cool! What year was the shoot?
Very cool! What year was the shoot?
We shot that in late 88 at Semi valley. I was probably there for the ABA Falls at Coal canyon. You had to sprint hard to hit up the tripple and I tried to make sure I jumped a little higher than Chippers. After about 10 jumps in 10 minutes I was dead tired, but to be in BMXA was motivation to keep going. After the shoot, I made sure to let JT know about it, a helmet was sent to me right away, he he he.
Changstar
Changstar
OZ,
BMX wouldn't be the same for me as it was then, or is now.
thank you for an incredible magazine and making it what it is today worldwide.
long live OZ!!
BMX wouldn't be the same for me as it was then, or is now.
thank you for an incredible magazine and making it what it is today worldwide.
long live OZ!!
OZ
BECAUSE OF YOU WE ALL OWE SO MUCH, ALL I CAN SAY IS THANK'S !!!!! AND YOUR HARD WORK MADE ALL OF US SUPERSTAR'S THANK SO MUCH. YOUR FREIND ALWAY'S 'KOS'
BECAUSE OF YOU WE ALL OWE SO MUCH, ALL I CAN SAY IS THANK'S !!!!! AND YOUR HARD WORK MADE ALL OF US SUPERSTAR'S THANK SO MUCH. YOUR FREIND ALWAY'S 'KOS'
Thanks Kos.
Wasn't it amazing to see those guys after a quarter of a century? I still have emotions I can't put into words. I'm sure glad I got to go.
Oz
Wasn't it amazing to see those guys after a quarter of a century? I still have emotions I can't put into words. I'm sure glad I got to go.
Oz
OZ
I sure would like to hear those words!
We should have some photos and a DVD from the weekend soon!
Thanks for making the trip.
Gary
I sure would like to hear those words!
We should have some photos and a DVD from the weekend soon!
Thanks for making the trip.
Gary
gary, when you get anything like that please let me know 'kos'
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