Full Version: A look back at my past as promised
A coaster brake in a Profile Nankai replacement shell? Trick!
Pretty sure thats a SST coaster hub. Woody's signature hub
damn-you went out there for the first time in a how long? I went back to a 1/4 pipe a few weeks back and nearly killed myself. Very impressive what you still have. True inspiration. incredible.
Yeah, I had a great time, but I'm paying for it right now. Still a bit sore. I would say the last time I rode in a cement skatepark was the big O, so it's been over 25 years for me since I actually rode in a cement park. I did go to sheep hills a few times when I first started working at GT, so figure 14 or 15 years since I did any type of jumping. In my mind, I still think I can do a lot of things, but I was cautious to say the least. I did a couple of no footers, turn downs, and 180 flyouts. I hope next time to do a couple of the things I couldn't bring myself to do this time. It's funny, it's still easy to ride my bike, but to re learn things basically for a second time feels strange. I constantly have to remind myself that I can do this.
Yeah, pretty funny me on a black bike. The guys at S&M offered to paint it pretty much any color I wanted, but I went with what they had in stock. I actually rode a black Hutch for a brief time, but Hutch wasn't thrilled about it, so it's not my first black bike. Don't worry though, I wasn't wearing girls pants, nor do I plan on getting an emo haircut any time soon.
Back when I first started riding, I guess you could say I was a jumper first. Big jumps are what got me to try racing for the very first time. All you had to do was sign up for the race, then you could go out there are ride there jumps all you wanted. I thought that was great. Then I got into learning tricks on the ground, then finally ramps. Pretty much we just rode everything we could. Some days we were in the dirt, sometimes on a ramp, and other days (most of them) were spent in a parking lot some place between my house and Buena Park where Martin lived. All the riding we did in between was what people today refer to as street riding. I was talking with Andy at the skatepark and laughing about how me, him, and Martin would ride behind BS bikes in the alley and practice ground tricks. I was surprised to see him doing roll back 540's at the skatepark all these years later. BS bikes was owned by Brian Scura and was located right next door to a super shady bar. Put it this way, we weren't the only ones doing tricks in the alley.
As for the kids at the park, I'm not sure what they thought of us? When we first got there, early around 7 AM, there was only one guy and he was really good. By the time we left, there must have been another 25 kids on bikes, no brakes, seats sitting on top of the frame, no pegs. I know one of the guys, in his early 20's was really cool to talk to and rode the whole time we were there. I don't think anyone of them had any idea who we were or what we were doing there, or really cared to be honest. I can't really blame them for not knowing what to think. Who knows, maybe they thought they were being "punked" so to speak. When we left, around 10 AM the older kids all said bye and when we passed by the biggest group we told them we had to go take our geritol.
I was surprised to see how many of them just sat around and watched and didn't ride at all. Maybe they were intimidated by the older better kids? For sure it wasn't because of what we were doing.
One thing for sure has not changed for me from back in the day. Riding with your friends is just as much fun now, if not more, than it was 35 years ago. I'm not sure how or why I stopped to be honest? I do know that life can get in the way of things we like to do sometimes. Work, bills, family, health, etc., it all builds up.
I guess a good way for me to end this thread is by telling you this, next month I turn 44. I'm having as much fun riding now as I did when I was a kid and that is what riding with your friends is all about. I think a big part of why I got back on after all this time is because of this site. I've read in more than a few posts over the years that I have motived some of you, well I can tell you from my end that all your posts have motivated me as well.
So thank you all.....
Yeah, pretty funny me on a black bike. The guys at S&M offered to paint it pretty much any color I wanted, but I went with what they had in stock. I actually rode a black Hutch for a brief time, but Hutch wasn't thrilled about it, so it's not my first black bike. Don't worry though, I wasn't wearing girls pants, nor do I plan on getting an emo haircut any time soon.
Back when I first started riding, I guess you could say I was a jumper first. Big jumps are what got me to try racing for the very first time. All you had to do was sign up for the race, then you could go out there are ride there jumps all you wanted. I thought that was great. Then I got into learning tricks on the ground, then finally ramps. Pretty much we just rode everything we could. Some days we were in the dirt, sometimes on a ramp, and other days (most of them) were spent in a parking lot some place between my house and Buena Park where Martin lived. All the riding we did in between was what people today refer to as street riding. I was talking with Andy at the skatepark and laughing about how me, him, and Martin would ride behind BS bikes in the alley and practice ground tricks. I was surprised to see him doing roll back 540's at the skatepark all these years later. BS bikes was owned by Brian Scura and was located right next door to a super shady bar. Put it this way, we weren't the only ones doing tricks in the alley.
As for the kids at the park, I'm not sure what they thought of us? When we first got there, early around 7 AM, there was only one guy and he was really good. By the time we left, there must have been another 25 kids on bikes, no brakes, seats sitting on top of the frame, no pegs. I know one of the guys, in his early 20's was really cool to talk to and rode the whole time we were there. I don't think anyone of them had any idea who we were or what we were doing there, or really cared to be honest. I can't really blame them for not knowing what to think. Who knows, maybe they thought they were being "punked" so to speak. When we left, around 10 AM the older kids all said bye and when we passed by the biggest group we told them we had to go take our geritol.
I was surprised to see how many of them just sat around and watched and didn't ride at all. Maybe they were intimidated by the older better kids? For sure it wasn't because of what we were doing.
One thing for sure has not changed for me from back in the day. Riding with your friends is just as much fun now, if not more, than it was 35 years ago. I'm not sure how or why I stopped to be honest? I do know that life can get in the way of things we like to do sometimes. Work, bills, family, health, etc., it all builds up.
I guess a good way for me to end this thread is by telling you this, next month I turn 44. I'm having as much fun riding now as I did when I was a kid and that is what riding with your friends is all about. I think a big part of why I got back on after all this time is because of this site. I've read in more than a few posts over the years that I have motived some of you, well I can tell you from my end that all your posts have motivated me as well.
So thank you all.....
This is a beautiful thing.
That's pretty much all I have to say.
Oh, and its nice to see that I'm not the only one running a new school bike with a seat post that high.
Thanks for sharing Woody.
-Todd
That's pretty much all I have to say.
Oh, and its nice to see that I'm not the only one running a new school bike with a seat post that high.
Thanks for sharing Woody.
-Todd
Woody, great to see you back doing what you love to do. Now, let's see a pedal picker 2007 style
And, lets track Martin down.. because he HAS to feel the same way as you do. From what I saw, that guy LOVED to ride as well.
Jeff
And, lets track Martin down.. because he HAS to feel the same way as you do. From what I saw, that guy LOVED to ride as well.
Jeff
For Gods sake - put on a helmet you crazy mofo!!
This is one of the coolest threads ever.
Thanks for sharing Woody!
-Bill
Thanks for sharing Woody!
-Bill
Thanks for sharing your stories Woody! Also glad to see you ride again! More riding will get you in shape and once you pass the pain part, your bike sessions will get better! The pain will still be there but will not be as bad, thats progression! When you pass this stage every session will feel like if you were 15-18 years old again! I'll be 39 years old this year and still love to ride my bike! I ran into Allen Cook at the Vans park here about 5 years ago when I got back into riding. I didn't know of any Pro riders of today at that time so it was great talking to him. Keep up the riding and the stories!
Thanks again Woody for your time!
Thanks again Woody for your time!
This is the coolest thread! It's great to see those pix of you riding again, and the older ones are just awesome! Hey Woody, just wanted to show you where your old jersey ended up that I won in that gold Trick Star raffle here. If you haven't seen this yet, it was up in my living room like this till we put the house on the market. We ended up staying and it's up again in another room now, just so you know it's in good hands.
Thanks, DON
Thanks, DON
Yeah, Woody, keep it up... No reason to stop.. No way... I'm 37 and i'm out there too... IS that a fakie in the pic, or a fly out?
Man, that SST hub is a work of art. I never get sick of looking at them.
unreal
This is one of the best threads ever on this site! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
Woody interview in Freestylin july 1987 : http://www.vintagebmx.com/cgi-bin/ultimate...ic;f=3;t=010808
For any of the new guys, here is an interview Chris and I did with Woody a couple years ago on behalf of Vintagebmx.
http://bmxfreestyler.com/woodyitson.html
Jeff
http://bmxfreestyler.com/woodyitson.html
Jeff
Hey Woody, those are some awesome pictures! Thanks for posting. They're all excellent photos but I really like the ones that show the everyday session aspect of riding which was really most of our experience on a bike. That one airing out of the 45 degree ramp is precious. It's just too cool to see the potential of the whole sport trying to come out. Kind of like seeing a baby picture of some superstar waiting to grow up.
How many of us built shanty stuff like that to ride and could spend all day sessioning with our friends? There are so many spots we used to ride that I think "man, why didn't we just dig a backside?" or "that quarter should have been turned into a half."
Woody, it was always good seeing you at the contests and competing and all that but those photos just make me think "we need to get a session going!"
What about a West Coast VBMX session where we ride? I'll come to So Cal in a heartbeat to ride with all you guys. Looks like you're getting a critical mass of old-timers.
Let's set something up!
How many of us built shanty stuff like that to ride and could spend all day sessioning with our friends? There are so many spots we used to ride that I think "man, why didn't we just dig a backside?" or "that quarter should have been turned into a half."
Woody, it was always good seeing you at the contests and competing and all that but those photos just make me think "we need to get a session going!"
What about a West Coast VBMX session where we ride? I'll come to So Cal in a heartbeat to ride with all you guys. Looks like you're getting a critical mass of old-timers.
Let's set something up!
Woody,
What kind of seat are you running?
Also did you have to get S&M to weld on a coaster brake tab to the frame?
Actually, if you don't mind; could you give us a run-down of the parts you use?
Jason
[ July 04, 2007, 02:46 PM: Message edited by: jlw515 ]
What kind of seat are you running?
Also did you have to get S&M to weld on a coaster brake tab to the frame?
Actually, if you don't mind; could you give us a run-down of the parts you use?
Jason
[ July 04, 2007, 02:46 PM: Message edited by: jlw515 ]
geez i wish my son had access to a computer. i would love for him to read this thread. it just gets better and better.
for the past couple years he has been without a bike. the one he took up to alaska got abused and left out in the weather while he was out on the boat.
he bought an older standard a couple weeks ago and went trail riding shortly after. he was so stoked he called me when he got home. talked about how good it felt to be hanging with friends. watching them ride. filming. taking pics. bsing. being in the dirt.
i could feel him smiling through the phone. heard a spark in his voice that i haven't heard in a while. it was like a piece of him had been missing and was now back in its proper place.
for the past couple years he has been without a bike. the one he took up to alaska got abused and left out in the weather while he was out on the boat.
he bought an older standard a couple weeks ago and went trail riding shortly after. he was so stoked he called me when he got home. talked about how good it felt to be hanging with friends. watching them ride. filming. taking pics. bsing. being in the dirt.
i could feel him smiling through the phone. heard a spark in his voice that i haven't heard in a while. it was like a piece of him had been missing and was now back in its proper place.
I'm speechless ...
All I can say since no words do this thread justice is simply ...
Thank you Woody!
All I can say since no words do this thread justice is simply ...
Thank you Woody!
Hey Maurice, I will give you a ring here shortly. We (me, andy, david, alvin, and anyone elese that wants to come for that matter) are going to try and ride once a week when time allows. We went yesterday morning to a park in Jurupa for a couple hours before it got too hot, it's a really great place to ride bikes and has stuff to ride for all skill levels.
As for the coaster brake tab, my neighbor welded that on for me, but I'm sure if they had any extra coaster tabs at S&M, they would have done it for me. Sean M had the forks welded up for me because they were out of forks with 990's.
As for the bike, S&M LAF 20.5 frame, S&M Pitchfork w 990's, S&M seatpost clamp. Bars and rear hub are my design. Stem and pegs are bizhouse. Grips, bar ends, seatpost, and front hub are mosh. Tires are ACS true 100. Cranks are profile 170 mm, the front sprocket is a redline, but is soon to be replaced because I damaged some of the teeth at the park. Pedals are old GT (shimano DX style). Chain is something I had laying around, not sure about who makes it. Dia compe levers, SST oryg and cables. Dia Compe front 990 and a revenge rear 990. The seat is some sample seat I got over the years for testing. I have no idea where it came from and it has no markings on it.
During yesterdays session, I hit my tailbone, ouch. When I was recovering, David rode my bike so much, he wants to build one just like it. So I'm going to try and get him set up. We got Andy a new frame as well to ride. He picks up things real quick.
Short of the sore tailbone, yesterday was a blast and I'm looking forward to this Saturday, so long as I can ride.
As for the coaster brake tab, my neighbor welded that on for me, but I'm sure if they had any extra coaster tabs at S&M, they would have done it for me. Sean M had the forks welded up for me because they were out of forks with 990's.
As for the bike, S&M LAF 20.5 frame, S&M Pitchfork w 990's, S&M seatpost clamp. Bars and rear hub are my design. Stem and pegs are bizhouse. Grips, bar ends, seatpost, and front hub are mosh. Tires are ACS true 100. Cranks are profile 170 mm, the front sprocket is a redline, but is soon to be replaced because I damaged some of the teeth at the park. Pedals are old GT (shimano DX style). Chain is something I had laying around, not sure about who makes it. Dia compe levers, SST oryg and cables. Dia Compe front 990 and a revenge rear 990. The seat is some sample seat I got over the years for testing. I have no idea where it came from and it has no markings on it.
During yesterdays session, I hit my tailbone, ouch. When I was recovering, David rode my bike so much, he wants to build one just like it. So I'm going to try and get him set up. We got Andy a new frame as well to ride. He picks up things real quick.
Short of the sore tailbone, yesterday was a blast and I'm looking forward to this Saturday, so long as I can ride.
WOW, thanks for the run-down!
I wonder how long it will be before someone does a current "Woody Itson tribute bike"?
I wonder how awesome S&M bikes feels that you are riding their frame? Too cool
Jason
I wonder how long it will be before someone does a current "Woody Itson tribute bike"?
I wonder how awesome S&M bikes feels that you are riding their frame? Too cool
Jason
This thread makes me think, how cool would it have been to have had lines of communication like this back in the 80's when it was all happening?
Jeff
Jeff
quote:Jeesh, didn't freestyle progress fast enough back then, add in this level of communication and things would have been completely out of control! LOL.
This thread makes me think, how cool would it have been to have had lines of communication like this back in the 80's when it was all happening?
Thanks for the memories Woody, it looks like it was a great time to be young. Later Bill
humm, this thread makes me regrets more and more not to be born in USA .
a lot of souvenirs comes back easily when i watch all woody's pics. my 1st BMX plus issue bought in april 84....101 tricks part 1 and more. woody was everywhere.
i remember 5 lessons woody gave in BMX plus (summer 84) :side snap, rock walk, quick change... i cut the pages off the magazine to have them always with me like if they could bring me the knowledge faster .
this issue ended with woody's bar seat and this sentence :"i don't want to do another trick"
woody's was wearing a complete MAX apparel with a very first gen. of the trick star (no front pegs).
woody, i still ride on my 88' sport and wouldn't change my VDC woody bars for anything in the world. i ride with them for 20 years and i'm so used to. i found some replicas stickers in G.B. 3 months ago and i'm very proud of that. those bars and are so hard to find.
happy to see you still enjoy riding with friends. what about a friendly "contest" with all the pros from BITD ?
a lot of souvenirs comes back easily when i watch all woody's pics. my 1st BMX plus issue bought in april 84....101 tricks part 1 and more. woody was everywhere.
i remember 5 lessons woody gave in BMX plus (summer 84) :side snap, rock walk, quick change... i cut the pages off the magazine to have them always with me like if they could bring me the knowledge faster .
this issue ended with woody's bar seat and this sentence :"i don't want to do another trick"
woody's was wearing a complete MAX apparel with a very first gen. of the trick star (no front pegs).
woody, i still ride on my 88' sport and wouldn't change my VDC woody bars for anything in the world. i ride with them for 20 years and i'm so used to. i found some replicas stickers in G.B. 3 months ago and i'm very proud of that. those bars and are so hard to find.
happy to see you still enjoy riding with friends. what about a friendly "contest" with all the pros from BITD ?
hope the tailbone is feeling well enough for you to go out and play today
I had to sit out the Fullerton ride today. I'm still way too sore to ride. But I plan on going back to Jurupa somtime this week once I can sit a little better. You forget how long something like this takes to heal when you haven't smacked yourself in a couple of decades.
Hey Bill, great to see you here. For those of you into history, Bill Schwimmer was a local star in the OC area in the early 80's. He worked for the Peddlepower bike shop, raced for the powerlight race team and always had the coolest bikes in the OC, bar none. We use to ride together back in the day quite a bit before I was factory sponsored and started travelling all the time. He was one of the guys I looked up to when I was starting out. Hey Bill, you qualify for the club my friend, if you want to hit the parks with us, let me know, I still have your number. It would be great to have you out there. Woody.
Hey Bill, great to see you here. For those of you into history, Bill Schwimmer was a local star in the OC area in the early 80's. He worked for the Peddlepower bike shop, raced for the powerlight race team and always had the coolest bikes in the OC, bar none. We use to ride together back in the day quite a bit before I was factory sponsored and started travelling all the time. He was one of the guys I looked up to when I was starting out. Hey Bill, you qualify for the club my friend, if you want to hit the parks with us, let me know, I still have your number. It would be great to have you out there. Woody.
This a great thread, Woody thanks for sharing your photo's and stories with us. It looks like you still got it going on bro. Did Robert Castillo make it out to ride with you guys? I grew up and rode with Robert and little Ruben in the late 70's in Del Rio Tx. and later on in the 80's i ran into him and Ruben riding down the the street in San Antonio. Tell him Brett Hunt said hey and he should chim in here and join in on the thread. I use to Ride for VDC as well BITD and have a Changa and a Gorila in my collection. I also am still in contact with Voris and Don Parscale from Ultrimax. After I finish heeling up from a broken elbow i got out at Cowtown BMX, I will be back on the pedals ridding once again.
peace,
Brett Hunt - bmx2112
peace,
Brett Hunt - bmx2112
Hey Woody the ride today at Fullerton was really cool! Kevin from the Valley and DJ and Pat from Long beach on the side hack came out and rode with us. See ya this week in Jurupa.
Thanks for the kind words Woody, It was always a blast back then. Let me know when you head over to Fullerton, the park is a few blocks from my house.I hav'nt been on my bike lately ,but I still skateboard w/ my kids @ the local parks. Talk to you later Bill
Woody,
Lovin the pics and the story to go along with them!
I'd like to hear about the DB years!
Lovin the pics and the story to go along with them!
I'd like to hear about the DB years!
Hey Woody,
I remember seeing you on t.v. once doing a demo on some roller-derby late night show. It was you and another rider, and the show referred to you as the "Vision Street Wear Riders". Do you, or anybody else remember that?
Also, I'd like to hear about what it was like on the set of "Quicksilver"; and what it was like trying to freestyle on a 26" bike.
Jason
I remember seeing you on t.v. once doing a demo on some roller-derby late night show. It was you and another rider, and the show referred to you as the "Vision Street Wear Riders". Do you, or anybody else remember that?
Also, I'd like to hear about what it was like on the set of "Quicksilver"; and what it was like trying to freestyle on a 26" bike.
Jason
Have you heard from or seen....Brian Scura lately ???
Tony
Bicycle Junkie
Tony
Bicycle Junkie
Riding for Diamond Back was fun for sure. It's kind of ironic how I ended up on the DB team. I was the first pro freestyler to sign with Hutch and be on the factory team, shortly after that Mike Buff was sponsored by Hutch to ride the bike on the BMXA Trick Team. Hutch asked me who I would like to have for a team mate and I told him, Mike D. Needless to say, shortly after that, Mike ended up leaving Haro and riding for Hutch. Towards the end of the good Hutch years, Mike D left and went to ride for Diamond Back. Now the tables were turned so to speak and DB asked Mike who he wanted to ride with him on DB and he said me, so after Hutch filed for BK, I met with the people at DB and signed a deal that week for the next two years. I pretty much always had fun, no matter where I was. Either on tour or riding at home with my buddies. Didn't really matter much, riding was riding. After Mike D left DB I was kind of bummed, but I got Dennis L on the DB team and we toured together the final year of my DB contract and we have been good friends ever since. I still talk with Mike and see him from time to time.
Hey Jason, I don't remember the roller derby thing, but it doesn't surprise me either, I 've been on stranger TV shows for sure. Quicksilver was really fun to be part of. The movie was actually good and they treated us really good when we were there. The odd thing was that we auditioned on our regular bikes and when we got the call backs telling us we were hired, they didn't tell us right away we had to ride 10 speeds. When we showed up to the set for wardrobe and bikes, we found out we had to ride on bikes that were not ours and bigger. They gave us a couple of days to see what we could do with them and Martin and I worked on separate tricks so we wouldn't end up doing the same thing. It was a bit tough, but it was fun. Hollywood is a strange and magical place for sure, but not my style.
As for Brian Scura he is one of my best friends. I talk to him often and I was just over at his house a few weeks ago. He dialed in my rear brakes on my new bike. After riding it he now wants the same frame I have. As soon as he gets his new bike together, we are going to do some riding. It seems like Brian has been there with me from day 1 so to speak. The first ever public show I did was for Brian and his shop, BS Bikes at a BMX track in Westminister, CA. Those were the days. Brain use to threaten me all the time telling me if I bent one more rim, he was going to make me use motomags.
Me, Martin, and Brian, we use to call our selfs the pep boys of freestyle.
Hey Jason, I don't remember the roller derby thing, but it doesn't surprise me either, I 've been on stranger TV shows for sure. Quicksilver was really fun to be part of. The movie was actually good and they treated us really good when we were there. The odd thing was that we auditioned on our regular bikes and when we got the call backs telling us we were hired, they didn't tell us right away we had to ride 10 speeds. When we showed up to the set for wardrobe and bikes, we found out we had to ride on bikes that were not ours and bigger. They gave us a couple of days to see what we could do with them and Martin and I worked on separate tricks so we wouldn't end up doing the same thing. It was a bit tough, but it was fun. Hollywood is a strange and magical place for sure, but not my style.
As for Brian Scura he is one of my best friends. I talk to him often and I was just over at his house a few weeks ago. He dialed in my rear brakes on my new bike. After riding it he now wants the same frame I have. As soon as he gets his new bike together, we are going to do some riding. It seems like Brian has been there with me from day 1 so to speak. The first ever public show I did was for Brian and his shop, BS Bikes at a BMX track in Westminister, CA. Those were the days. Brain use to threaten me all the time telling me if I bent one more rim, he was going to make me use motomags.
Me, Martin, and Brian, we use to call our selfs the pep boys of freestyle.
I love the pic of rolling up the guide wire out of the little transition! Also glad to see your still runnin' a coaster. As everyone else has already said, thanks for sharing some pics from the pre-sponsorship era. Oh, and you're still inspiring another generation of riders on the come up. Hutch has been watching some of my 80's vids and practicing his backwards framestands in the grass in the backyard. I'm pretty sure gutlevers are next.
RobQ
RobQ
Just had a thought, I've used Hutch Woody bars for as long as they've been available. Then about 99' when I got back into riding BMX heavily again and got some Slam Bars lots of kids laughed at how "big" my bars were. That was when everyone rode 23" bars and had grips on 'em but still held onto the curve of the bar at the crossbar. Now it seems every company out there is producing 8" tall, 28" wide, 12 degree backsweep, 2 or 3 degree upsweep bars with tubing that is today's version of what .065 was back then. I think most are .08 something. Just wondering if you, Woody, have any thoughts on this retro-progression? I ran Dominguez bars for a bit, but they flexed so much and I just couldn't get used to it.
RobQ
RobQ
Coolest thread ever...
I luv to hear the stories...old and new
Thanks Woody !!!
I luv to hear the stories...old and new
Thanks Woody !!!
Bummer none of the pics work anymore! :-(
QUOTE (VerticalSmile @ Dec 7 2009, 02:39 PM) 
Bummer none of the pics work anymore! :-(
They do. You just have to copy and paste in another window.
Much Mahalos (thanks) Woody for posting your life over the past years of riding. Cool to see you are still riding and having fun.
Jeff was an amazing rider that I was lucky to be around for a few years. He was infectious and had pure passion for freestyle. It was sad to see him pass. He was a part of several tricks that did turn heads. Thank you for sharing the photo from the AFA Masters in Fitchburg, MA. 1985. - Scott
QUOTE (freestyl @ Jun 26 2007, 01:40 AM)
Here we go, pics part 2.
This is me trying to learn to catch air. Only problem was, the ramp was at about a 45 degree angle. But when you pulled real hard, you could catch a foot or two.
Ramp to ramp in the school yard. We actually pulled the stairs off a temp building on the play ground over a weekend to build this mess and then jump it.
Learning to boost and then land soft. Some times the landings didn't go so soft though.
Flatland show in Chandler, AZ at the BMX Nationals. I raced here as well. VDC FS bike #1.
My favorite news paper picture of all time. From the Indianapolis 500. Normally they kick you out of places like this, but they actually invited me in and cleared an area for me to ride in. If I didn't have this article to prove it, I probably wouldn't believe it myself.
Flatland pic from a Vision photo shoot during the Diamond Back years.
Pics of my Scirocco after the mods, but before I had the rims gold plated....
Finally when I first got into freestyle back when I was into racing, Bob Haro and RL Osborn were the riders I looked up to most. Later on this was the man right here, Jeff Larson. His nickname was Rambo. He died last year very quietly and I was sad to hear about his passing. He was a Hero to me for sure. This picture has remained with me for many many years and to say he was ahead of his time was an understatement. This picture was motivation for me every day back then. Backwards, backwards drop in. He also did 5 foot rear wheel out fakie airs! RIP Jeff.
This is me trying to learn to catch air. Only problem was, the ramp was at about a 45 degree angle. But when you pulled real hard, you could catch a foot or two.
Ramp to ramp in the school yard. We actually pulled the stairs off a temp building on the play ground over a weekend to build this mess and then jump it.
Learning to boost and then land soft. Some times the landings didn't go so soft though.
Flatland show in Chandler, AZ at the BMX Nationals. I raced here as well. VDC FS bike #1.
My favorite news paper picture of all time. From the Indianapolis 500. Normally they kick you out of places like this, but they actually invited me in and cleared an area for me to ride in. If I didn't have this article to prove it, I probably wouldn't believe it myself.
Flatland pic from a Vision photo shoot during the Diamond Back years.
Pics of my Scirocco after the mods, but before I had the rims gold plated....
Finally when I first got into freestyle back when I was into racing, Bob Haro and RL Osborn were the riders I looked up to most. Later on this was the man right here, Jeff Larson. His nickname was Rambo. He died last year very quietly and I was sad to hear about his passing. He was a Hero to me for sure. This picture has remained with me for many many years and to say he was ahead of his time was an understatement. This picture was motivation for me every day back then. Backwards, backwards drop in. He also did 5 foot rear wheel out fakie airs! RIP Jeff.
I forgot how great some of those pictures were! Thanks for bringing this post back.
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