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Mid School BMX Jam at Rampfest Skatepark (Photo Gallery)
I tripped down for the weekend to Melbourne to visit the Rampfest indoor skatepark and take part in the mid school BMX jam that was organised by Kris Degenhardt for riders 35 years and older.
It was a beast of a jam, with so many of my childhood local heroes in one place.
It was really special to see a lot of these riders still shredding, with some of them riding so damn good they could've taken out a modern day pro comp.
We all rode deep into the night and the skatepark was filled with awesome vibes from start to finish.
Thanks to Kris for organising, Rampfest for hosting and all the riders who attended and got me stoked.
Enjoy the photos and if you're nearing the 30+ mark, then know there's plenty of light at this end of the tunnel.
- Tyson
Teddy! Rampfest's employee of the year (my words) Mick Bayzand stepping them over.
Teddy going downside pegs into the resi.
Liam 'Quinny' Quinlivan isn't close to being 35+, but he was doing tricks that represented the mid school so I had to shoot some photos. Superman and nac nac with some modern flare.
The Best F***ing BMX video from the best F***ing dude - Jonny Mackellar
This video from S&M Bikes featuring our mate Jonny Mackellar is exactly the reason why BMX is so awesome.
Jonny has been a source of inspiration for us for many years now. Jonny lives in such an authentic way, that is hard to define, unless you've met him.
If you haven't met Jonny, then hopefully after watch his S&M 'Best F***ing edit ever' video, you'll get a glimpse of his authenticity that oozes out through his riding.
Jonny does whatever he wants - if he likes the way a trick feels, he'll do it, regardless of whether it's a typical 'stylish' trick, or a heavy stunt like a 720. He doesn't confine himself to one type of riding either. While you might think of Jonny as a trails guy, if he feels like riding street, he'll do that, too.
He'll ride all sorts of different bike setups, he'll put brakes on or take them off. He's just the dude who wants to have a good time riding BMX and isn't concerned about pigeon-holing himself to being a certain type of rider.
All of these things should be apparent after you watch the video below.
But what you don't see is Jonny's commitment to building and stoking out his local scene. Most of the trail spots in this video are built by, or with, Jon. He is always running jams. Even though he rides for us, he shows up and helps with other BMX shop jams (like his brother's shop Blue Groove), because he knows that supporting the scene is important.
You always get us stoked Jonny, congrats on bringing out the best f***ing edit ever.
One last thing.
Scott Irvine was one of the nicest and realest guys around and I'm so glad that we got to know each other. Scott offered to take Rhys and I up to Snakewoods from Brisbane a few years ago, which is a 3+ hour drive. The amazing thing about that is, Scott was injured and couldn't/didn't even ride - he very generously took us up for the hell of it, and for the love of hanging out at the trails.
After a memorable day at the trails, we had to be back in the afternoon so that Rhys could catch his flight, but got caught in a savage traffic jam that made that 3 hour trip more like 5 hours, so needless to say, the flight was missed. Scott kept his cool in the traffic, and with his dry sense of humour, kept us all laughing too. It was a really cool way to strengthen a friendship, sitting in a car going nowhere and talking trash. I'll never forget that, and I know by how generous, kind and authentic you were that you inspired a lot of people, Jonny included. I wish I could've said that while you were around. Hope you're resting easy, mate.
- Tyson
Jonny Mackellar is the best. Photos: Tyson JP
Troy Harradine Colony BMX Video
Troy Harradine is our dude. A straight-up, hard working, friendly-as-heck, great guy. A full scene-stoker too, and has been for years. Oh, and by the way, Troy is a straight savage on his BMX bike too.
Troy has just put out his latest ripping BMX video through Colony BMX. It's got some doozy tricks in there, but when you thought Troy was just a original, tech park type rider, he hits you with some gnarly kinked rail badassery!
A must watch. Yes, Troy!
January 2022 School Holiday BMX coaching
Tyson has got some BMX coaching going down at 3 skateparks across Canberra over the school holidays. This is fitting in with a busy time of BMX competitions in the Snowy Monaro region.. Which means it could be a good way to brush up on some BMX skills for the comp series.
The Snowy Monaro/Southern Region skatepark series kicks off mid January, with stops at:
- Cooma skatepark, January 18
- Queanbeyan skatepark, January 20
- Tumut skatepark January 22
Then 8 more stops in the same series, until the finals in April at Jindabyne.
The beginner coaching is suitable for riders reasonably new to BMX, but if you have any questions or would like to know what group you'd fit into, or to book, please email coaching@backbonebmx.com.au
Spots are limited!
Learn tables from Tyson! Photo: Rhys Williams
ACT Jam 2021 Details
It's all here and finally we can share it with you. Stoked as!
The number one thing to do now is register to ride! This is through AusCycling and covers your insurance and public liability.
All riders must be registered to ride/take part in prize money and cannery event before Midnight Thursday April 1st.
Details for rider sign-up when creating profile in link below:
- Find the 'Open Now! Click to enter' button
- Fill out personal information
- Under 'Membership type / governing body, if you do not have an AusCycling membership, choose 'N/A'
- Under 'club' type 'Freestyle ACT BMX Club'
- Create Profile - non AusCycling members pay $15 for insurance, AusCycling members $5.
BentSpoke Brewing Co. & Back Bone BMX present ACT Jam 2021
Major Sponsors:
Build Crew:
With Support From:
Locations
April 2 – Weston Creek skatepark – 4pm start
The epic battle at Weston is back!
April 3 – Tuggeranong skatepark – 3pm
We loved Tuggers so much that it’s back for 2021. Expect some rad additions at this one to make it even more fun.
April 4 – BentSpoke Cannery, 79 Lysaght St Mitchell - 12pm start
We’re back at BentSpoke HQ with an even better ramp setup than ever. Expect a ‘Slay the Rails’ street event, as well as a killer ramp setup. We’re building the ultimate high air quarter, as well as the ultimate best trick box jump – so expect to see the heaviest moves go down here.
At the BentSpoke stop there will be serious cash prizes for:
- Best Trick
- Best whip (High jump on the box)
- High Air on the Vans 10ft quarter pipe
- Street Slayer ($1000)
- as well as a bunch more.
Best rider of the whole (long) weekend will be crowned King of the ACT and take home $2000 CASH.
Afterparty and Ranch Hand Video Premiere – BentSpoke Cannery, 79 Lysaght St Mitchell
After the riding is all said and done, we’ll have the awards ceremony and afterparty kicking off at the Cannery, with the long awaited Ranch Hand BMX video also being premiered by Brendan Boeck. Bands, Music, BMX. It’ll be a time!
Spectating is free at all stops, but will be capped at 500 people total including riders.
A COVID Safe Plan will be followed.
Expression - Tyson Jones-Peni BMX Video
Riding BMX is my ultimate artistic expression, something that is on my mind at all times, that I live and breathe; something that I uncouple the marker of "good" from the basis of skill.
It's why I love to create and love to learn in all avenues of my life.. I am thankful to have learnt so much from BMX and continue to do so everyday.
Thanks to Brendan Boeck and my wife Melissa for helping out a lot with this project, and to Wethepeople, Vans Australia, Eclat and of course Back Bone BMX, thanks for keeping me rolling.
Hope you enjoy!
- Tyson
The Back Bone Video - Tyson Jones-Peni Section
Tyson at the snail, 360 bermslider. Brendan Boeck Photo.
If you didn't realise that we released Zac Miner's section early for his 30th birthday, then go watch that now if you want to see it in order! Next up with the release is Back Bone co-owner Mr.Tyson Jones-Peni. Tyson's riding is as powerful and as badass as it gets. He leaves nothing left in the tank and isn't afraid to try something that he has only thought as possible in his own mind.
A large percentage of these clips are close to first try (which is very lucky considering the gnarly nature of them) and Tyson covers all disciplines of riding in a very well rounded section.
When Tyson's not working in the store and he's on his bike, this is an accurate representation of his riding at all times.
- Rhysty
Filmed and edited by Brendan Boeck with additional filming from the crew.
The Back Bone Video - Mix Section
Where to start with this one! We always knew that the video was going have one hell of a mix section in it, full of our mates and those who have supported Back Bone since day one. In fact, a lot of the crew within this mix section we know from them first having set foot in the shop, to becoming our friends.
There are too many legendary people in this one section to list, so you're just going to have to watch it over and over to see for yourself.
Oh, lastly (but certainly not least!), B-Dog gets in front of the camera in this section and puts down some rad as hell clips. As well as making the best video ever (according to us), B-Dog throws down in front of the lens as well.
Press play, now!
