Bart de Jong
As with the previous cities selected with our Neighborhood Crawl features, we choose a rider's house as a home base, and on most days, pedal from there to ride the local spots.
Just like that, the 2022 USA BMX National season is under way. One goal this year, WIN as much as possible. Stoked to be aboard the Chase Bicycles Team and I'll be running those colors proudly! First stop is at Okeeheelee BMX in West Palm, FL. Next stop will be Houston, TX back at the Rockstar Energy Bike park in March.
Setting new goals for the new year is something most of us do. How can you better yourself? Is it possible to make that Elite main or podium? Is my training on point or is there someone out there who can teach me more? Is my equipment on point? Should I switch to carbon? Today we're checking in with Germany's Stefan Heil who switched from an aluminium Meybo to a carbon HARO for 2022.
Name: Stefan Heil
Age: 22
Hometown: Kolbermoor, Germany
Sponsors: Forn-lab
Did 2021 turn out the way you wanted?
Stefan Heil: Was my best season so far for sure with another National title and the Silver in the U23
After the first "Try-mag" we released in 1987 the feedback was so good that we decided to continue with the FAT-'zine project. Paul had just got back from the USA where he stayed for a few months and visited the 2-Hip KOV in Washington, Mount Thrashmore skatepark and the Powerhouse Bike Shop in Hampton, VA.
Issue 01 had three stickers, one FF sticker, one Powerhouse Bike Shop sticker and one Skeletor sticker that Paul found on a roll in the $ 1 dollar shop.
Mike Loveridge got interviewed and street riding is starting to take off. Paul and I used to do BMX freestyle demos and placed a full page ad in the FAT-'zine. Or maybe it was just a filler, who knows.
Some things that made it on the RAD list were: Town & Country wear, Club Homeboy, Fingerboards and Centerpull brakes. Yes, these were the eighties (1988). Things that made it on the Lame list were: The Del Mar killers, Grabber seats, Dyno shoes and Lee Chi brakes. Some of this makes me laugh.
Scooters were still hot (in our eyes) and we even had a page on Snowboarding (the next cool thing to do).
Robert Moeller got introduced as the first German FAT-'zine correspondent and we also took a trip to an LL Cool J, Eric B & Rakim and Public Enemy concert in Amsterdam. Memories........
Javi Rodriguez desde León con la llama..
The man behind the whole project. Bob Randel puts it down all over Northern California.
Jack Hennicke came to the east coast and visited the NJS boys to stack some clips. His style is too dang good. Hit play!
Time for our second LOCK IN out of the Source BMX Distillery featuring the stacked GT BMX team!
Setting new goals for the new year is something most of us do. How can you better yourself? Is my training on point or is there someone out there who can teach me more? Is my equipment on point? Should I switch to carbon? Do I need to eat better? Do I have to change my program? Today we're checking in with 2021 UCI Pump Track World Champion Eddy Clerté from France.
Name: Eddy Clerte
Age: 23
Hometown: Gujan- Mestras, France
Sponsors 2022: @sunnbikes @alltricks @Velosolutions @Pump for peace @prostartbmxgates @specialized @Ikon @Brasserie mira @Tld bike @Vee tires @Krys toulouse @Odi grips @Odi bmx @Tamarindo surf shop @Izumi chain @Douchebags @Stade bordelais @eonalab @Ryo
Did 2021 turn out the way you wanted?
Eddy Clerté: Starting off the year with a big shoulder injury makes this question hard to answer. I guess I saved the year ending it with consistency and real progression.
With the start of the new year, are you always looking to become a faster racer?
Eddy Clerté: Yes! I mainly enjoy the process, so I'm focusing on executing everything the best way possible and make sure I head into the right direction. But of course I start every year convinced
Setting new goals for the new year is something most of us do. How can you better yourself? Is my training on point or is there someone out there who can teach me more? Is my equipment on point? Should I try a longer frame? Should I switch to carbon? Today we're checking in with GT's Camille Maire from France.
Name: Camille Maire
Age: 27
Hometown: Saint Etienne, France
Sponsors: DN sarrians, GT BMX Factory
Did 2021 turn out the way you wanted?
Camille Maire: Not really. My main goal was to get the ticket to the Olympics. I ended with the alternate place! Then, the world championship didn’t go as planned with a crash in the semi final. I also got disqualified for no reason after the semi at the European Championship. Tough season!
With the start of the new year, are you always looking to become a faster racer?
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.