Bart de Jong
Our local NYC contingency don't stop! Check out moves from Matt Miller, Augie Simoncini, Markus Hoyte, Chad Douglas, Luke Padelski, Alex Avilla, Tenzin Nyandak and Twin.
It started with a chance encounter, stumbling across some second-hand BMX bikes from the United States in a Nigeria shop. And following a trawl of some internet videos, it has spawned into a burgeoning BMX scene in the city’s capital, Lagos, transcending socio-economic backgrounds. Here is all you need to know:
- The BMX scene only really started six years ago as rider Star Boy, aka Matthew Temitope, a mechanic in Lagos, was among those to stumble across some vintage 1980s freestyle BMXs. After watching videos with friends on his phone and in internet cafes, they began to try out their own style of tricks.
Name: Brandon Sawchyn
Age: 20
Hometown: The Pas, MB
Hook-ups/Sponsors: Ogc Bmx, Funkythreadz, and Scientific Religion
The favorite list:
-Spot to ride: Any spot with flat ledges
-BMX video: Too many to chose one but I really like Alex D’s 20Twenty part
Name: Marvin-Pascual Kopka
Age: 21
Hometown: Berlin (Germany)
Hook-ups/Sponsors: Kunstform BMX Shop, @mikeyreifegerste (Tattoo artist)
The favorite list:
-Spot to ride: All the spots but I prefer street
-BMX video: THIS!
-Website: kunstform.org
"It's been ten years since the iconic Bloody Oath Frame & Bars first hit the BMX world. It seemed very fitting to celebrate this fact & re-release them in a limited number. Richo may have stepped away from the BMX limelight but has still got the moves & unique style that we all fell in love with back in the day.
German connect Andre Bodlin has been on the bench with a knee injury for a while now but is finally back on the grind and has been stacking clips for his inaugural eclat video.
Flatland BMXer, Matthias Dandois spends his life traveling the world in search of the locations where no BMX ever ridden and inventing new tricks that no one ever tried. Last November 4th, the Frenchmen won his 7th title of BMX Flat World Champion. By far, the most titled athlete in his discipline!
Niek Kimmann 2018. 2018 is coming to an end and in the last couple years, it became a habit to make a video about my year. Ups and downs. But overall an amazing year. Thanks to my friends, family, fans and sponsors for making it awesome! See you all in 2019.
"When Ben from GT presented the idea of doing a short trip with Albert Mercado and Jeff Purdy to my hometown of Arizona, I knew immediately that I had to say yes. Albert has been a good friend of mine long before I was ever considered a professional videographer and his approach to riding and filming has always been one of my favorites. His unique ability to look at a spot and figure out that truly special move is incredible. Jeff, on the other hand, was rather new to me. After a bit of research and watching his INSANE Daily Grind section, I was more than excited to get started. Five days later and a bunch of classic AZ spots conquered, these two absolutely blew me away with their unmatched skill and the determination to get as many moves logged despite our short time together. I hope you enjoy what we’ve put together and I look forward to the next opportunity to film with these badasses again." - Ryan Chadwick, Filmer.
Name shop: Signature BMX
Location: Vantaa, Finland
Years in business: 13 years on January
Employees: 2, Mikko Suni full-time, Antti Huotari part-time.
Did you ever go to school to learn how to run a (BMX) business or did you just 'send it'?
Signature BMX: We just sent it and still are sending it. We first thought of having a clothing brand and started selling some bmx bike parts to cover the cost of clothing side. Sales started to pick up before we even had much of a clothing available. Just some shirts under the name of Signature. That’s pretty much what ever happened on that side. We focused on selling bike stuff. It was just a mail order/webshop at first. We pretty much ran it from our home. Our real warehouse/shop/distro came to life after a couple of years. So I guess we’re still learning day by day something new.
Were your BMX industry contacts already made before you started your shop, or did you meet more people along the way?
Signature BMX: I knew Niels Thanild and Joe Rich and a few others before the business came along. I went to Interbike the next year as we started and made a lot of contacts there.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.