Here’s my first column for ESPN, entitled “The Revolutions Will Not Be Televised,” in which I reminisce and ruminate as to why BMX flatland television coverage disappeared.

Here’s an excerpt:
When I started riding flatland BMX, there were only a handful of flatland tricks to learn, and it was easy to see where to start if you wanted to learn even the hardest of them. Curb endos, 180s, rollbacks, the core of the sport’s repertoire didn’t even require pegs. This changed quickly as the sport progressed. By the late ’80s, there were …

Here are the latest photos of Jason’s custom prototype BMX flatland frame:

Apparently this isn’t the color Jason wanted, but he claims that Clydro will make anyone a frame to spec: machining, welding, and paint. Sweet.

Here are some top-secret spy photos of a new flatland frame. This thing has a 19.8″ toptube, a 13″ – 13.25″ rear end, a built-in seatpost clamp, and a toptube standing platform!

So sick…

Thanks to Jason for the sneak peek (TV sold separately).

Since my returning to Austin and immediate move are over, I’m back on my BMX chrome build (it’s a Dyno frame from 89 or 90). I thought I was going to run these old GT Framestanders, which I bought when they came out in 1984, but it turns out that they’re more in the way than anything, so… Here, I took some pictures before I took them off.

Sexy…

The BMX chrome build…

It’s an old Dyno frame (Pro Compe circa 89 or 90), with the previously mentioned GT forks (1″ threaded with 990 mounts), GT Framestanders, a Nankai Freecoaster, a pair of knock-off Kneesaver bars, and other assorted parts. Thanks to Sandy, A.J. at The Peddler, Mike at Clown Dog, and Jason for parts and help. More on this one as it progresses.

Our friend and photographer Jared Souney headed down to Woodward West recently for the Old School BMX Reunion, and from the looks of his photos — including the one here of Ron Wilkerson taking a look back  — a rad time was had by all.

Some of the recent pile of parts I’ve collected. Time to build.

So, let me get BMX-geeky for a minute here.
Those chrome forks leaning against the front of that Dyno frame and forks are special. In the early 90s, BMX frames slowly started switching from 1″ threaded headsets to 1 1/8″ threadless ones or “Aheadsets.”
Around the same time, Dia-Compe 990s (and other “U-brakes”) became standard. These brakes require mounting posts welded onto frames (on chain or seat stays) and forks as opposed to just a hole drilled in the middle.
Also around …

So, while I was in San Diego doing construction and selling cured meats at farmer’s markets (see my previous post), two of my bike friends back in Austin, Sandy Carson and Taj Mihelich, went up to Superdrome Velodrome in Frisco, Texas for some real wall-riding action… on their fixed-gears.
Apparently, the Superdrome is one of the steeper tracks in the country. Below are a couple of pictures. Check out Taj’s blog for the full story.

Earlier this year, Mark Lewman somehow conned Nike into funding the FREESTYLIN’ Magazine reunion book he’s been wanting to do since FREESTYLIN’ stopped printing pages in the early 90s. Having finally received my copy, I am glad he did.