news, fool!
for 2003
By Jason Ryan

December 27, 2003

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas, now hear this:

Randy Russell and I will be running the 2nd Shaun Butler Invitational Pro Dirt Jumping Contest in conjunction with the NOVA Desert Classic Mountain Bike Race at McDowell Mountain Regional Park on March 19th, 20th, and 21st, 2004.  There will be an amateur class as well as a pro class, and there will even be a mountain bike class for dirt jumping.  Barspinner Ryan will be coming out from California to build the jumps, so you know they'll be sick.  The contest will most likely be televised.  Also, the McDowell Mountain Regional Park Supervisor, Rand Hubbell, had a killer idea on his own:   After the contest, he wants us to move the contest dirt  to a permanent area in the park and build jumps out of it!  Good shootin', Tex!  His son used to race and jump, and that's how he got the idea to have trails at the park.  I'll give more details on the comp as they become available.

I just got this e-mailed to me by Jose's daughter Gabby.  She found it in the Tribune just recently, and sent it to me.  Thanks for sending this, Gabby.  I never would have known about this article otherwise.

Group considers bicycle use - BMX enthusiasts want to legally ride in Gilbert By BRIAN POWELL

  A special committee has been formed to explore bicycle use in Gilbert's Freestone Skate Park.

  The 10-member group is expected to meet in early January and could present a recommendation to the Gilbert Parks and Recreation Advisory Board in February.

  The committee was created after BMX riders, who illegally use the skate park near Lindsay Road and Juniper Avenue approached the Gilbert Parks and Recreation Department about changing their rules. 

  Bikers met with town officials in August, attended the October meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and brought along about 50 supporters to the November meeting.

  "The committee suggestion came from the advisory board," said parks and recreation director Maury Ahlman.  "Evidently they felt a committee ought to study it for a little while." 

  Matt Rich of Chandler, a Chandler-Gilbert Community College student, addressed the Gilbert Town Council earlier this month about allowing bikes in the skate park.  Two days after the council meeting, an e-mail establishing the committee was circulated by the parks and recreation department. 

  "This is another step forward," Rich said.  "I want to get them to go from being against us to being for us."

  The committee will study research gathered by both the town and the bike supporters. 

  The group is expected to include four bike supporters, three parks board members, a park ranger, a town employee and one other person.

  Town officials said Gilbert's preliminary research found that maintenance and liability costs would increase if bikes were allowed at the skate park.

  The 22,000-square-foot Freestone Skate Park opened in March 2001 for skateboarder and inline skaters, but has always banned bicycles.

Brian Powell may be contacted at 480-898-6842 or bpowell@aztrib.com.

The skatepark formerly known as Celestial has closed.  The landlord just had some indoor volleyball people sign the lease on the building for the next 3 years, and the skatepark is out.  Lame.  The churches that ran this park want to build another one someplace, but it's all up in the air.

In other news, Free Ride just added a 5' spine.  I'm about to take off to go ride it, 'cause I loves me some spines!

December 20, 2003

Free Ride is having a free BBQ from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM tomorrow (Sunday).  So get your asses on out there, get some grub, and ride that park.

Seriously, dudes.  I was at Free Ride today, and there weren't nearly as many riders there as I thought there were going to be.  Here we've got a full-on bike park, which is probably the best thing that's happened to bmx in Phoenix as long as I've been living here, and you guys aren't checking it out!  You wanna give $13 dollars and your right testicle to another park?  You wanna let Officer Friendly stick his dick up your ass for riding in a concrete skatepark?  Just go to Free Ride.  Support the ones that support the sport.  KC and Billy Franjobomolovski are going to be building some big changes there pretty soon to induce more flow, so I'm stoked on that.  A curved wallride and some movable sub-boxes already popped up since I was there on Tuesday, and those added a whole new dimension to what you can do there.

December 17, 2003

Free Ride Bike Park is officially open!  I rode there last night, and was stoked.  I hardly rested I was having so much fun.  If you haven't been there yet, be sure to check it out soon.  Directions are further down in the news, fool!  Also, peep their new website at www.freeridebmx.com

I've got a n extremely good Chandler update for you.  The city council sub-committee that was formed to look at what could be done for bmx riders concerning the skatepark met again the other day, with Pat Blackburn and myself in attendance.  To make a long story short, the city has both the money (about $600,000) and the land in an existing park to build a whole new grindpark!  This in itself is so good you don't even know.  Most valley cities have had to apply for grants and heritage funds and do all kinds of crazy things just to come up with the money and land to build their skateparks. The only obstacle in the way of building a grindpark in Chandler right now is the operational cost of a new grindpark.  Chandler Parks and Rec estimated that it would cost about $40,000 a year to operate a new grindpark, and they said they don't think they can come up with it.  All of the city council members on the sub-committee (Patti Bruno, Bob Caccamo, and Donna Wallace) want a new grindpark to happen, and they told parks and rec to find the money while they're making their budget for the year.  I think both the mayor and vice-mayor want this to happen also, so that is very good.  The best thing we can do right now is to attend the next Chandler parks and rec board meeting, which will take place on Tuesday, January 6th at 5PM in the Chandler City Council Chambers, which are located on the 2nd floor of the Chandler Public Library.  Chandler parks and rec will be presenting this grindpark proposal to the Chandler parks and rec board at that meeting.  Everyone who came to the Chandler city council meeting back in May needs to come to this meeting, and this time, each of you bring AT LEAST one other person.  We need to pack the chambers and let the council and parks board know there is still a huge interest in seeing this grindpark happen.  And if you see Pat Blackburn anywhere, thank him profusely.  He has been the guy leading the charge in Chandler, getting newspapers on the case, and basically making so much noise that everyone is forced to listen to what he has to say.  Pat is the 3BC's Chandler Captain, and he's doing a kickass job.

The Jolly Roger Jam went down last Saturday, and I thought it went very well.  The course was a lot of fun, and was laid out quite well.  The only problems came in when some asshole named Chevin Chaz started churning an XL batch of butter on one side of the wedge wallride.  No one minded the churning, but then he started flinging it onto the wedge on the other side like a monkey with so much poo. The tight-trousered tailwhipper slipped on the butter and got a little bent out of shape, as you can well imagine.  It was handy that he was covered in the slippery concoction, though, because just at that moment, Seth showed up and started in on a dry-hump session on TTT's ass.  Needless to say, he couldn't hang on and TTT still runs free to this day, unviolated by one Seth Mason. 

The only real complaints I heard at the jam were about the $15 cost if you just wanted to ride the ramps without competing.  I know that's pretty steep for only a few hours of riding, but $10 of that went towards insurance.  People also have to realize the costs involved:  Materials for the ramps,  tractor-trailer rental at $60/hr for transport of said ramps, the City of Mesa's $500+ bill, and other expenses on top of those.  Maybe at the next jam bmx media holds they can figure out a way to lower their expenses so they can pass the savings on to you.   Everyone that entered the comp got a whole bunch of free shit, so they were pretty stoked on that.  The guys that placed got hooked up pretty phat, too, so that was good to see.  A contest report is forthcoming on www.bmxmedia.com , so peep that when it comes out.  I don't think they'll mention Chevin or TTT or Seth on there though, so it's handy you're keeping fully updated on everything that's going down by reading the news, fool!

The 3BC was representing at the jam also, and we raffled off a bunch of stuff donated by Kore Bike Industries, Cactus Bike, and Bike Emporium.  We ended up getting $105, which is a super long ways from what we need to build the ramps to go in Kleinman Ramp Park, but it's a start. Many thanks to our afore-mentioned sponsors for helping us out so much.  Now don't get confused.  All of the ramps from the jam were taken out of the tennis courts after the day was over.  There is nothing to ride there at this point, but before too long there will be.  Look in the Mesa section of the 3BC page for a full explanation of what's happening there.  Bmx Media is graciously donating much of the wood from the contest ramps to us, so that will be a big help when we get the go-ahead to start building on the courts.  I'd like to thank Bmx Media for their donation, and also for holding a contest that portrayed bmx in a positive way to the Kleinman park neighbors.

December 10, 2003

I have been notified that I can now release the address of the new privately-owned bikepark in North Phoenix.  It is located at 1725 W. Williams Drive -Building "D".  To make it easy, you just go north on 19th Avenue, pass Deer Valley, and take a right on Williams Dr.  Go down Williams and you'll see the business park on the south side, 1725.  The park is still slated to open on Dec. 16th.  There's no reason to go there until then, because the park is still under construction, and all you're gonna see is some construction worker's asscrack.  And nobody wants to see that.  Unless you're into that sort of thing.

As you may or may not have heard, Preston Westmoreland dedicated an hour's worth of his afternoon show to talking about the valley skateparks and, more specifically, the "bikes in public skateparks" issue yesterday, December 9th.  Preston is a very popular, award-winning radio host on 620 AM, KTAR, whose show airs weekdays from 3 PM to 7 PM. 

Many excellent calls were made by bmx riders and parents of bmx riders during the course of the show.  I was particularly pleased to hear parents of Gilbert riders blast the Gilbert police department for hiding in the bushes by Freestone Skatepark, wrestling bmx riders to the ground, and jailing them.  Preston seemed to think it was bullshit how the cops are treating us, too.  He recognized right away the bias that some skaters have against bmx riders, and compared it to the rivalry between snowboarders and skiers.  Only about two skaters called in to say how bikes couldn't work in the skateparks, but the number of callers supporting bikes in the skateparks was much larger. 

About halfway through the show, Colby Carter, Tempe Councilwoman Barbara Carter's son, called in.  He works for Site Design Group (SDG), and he claimed that bikes couldn't work in the existing valley skateparks.  He went on to claim that SDG was in the process of designing in Glendale what will be "the first public, concrete skatepark in the nation that allows bmx bikes".  Funny, because I was the first caller on the show, and I told everyone about the list I've got on this site of 128 public, concrete skateparks in the U.S. that allow bikes.  SDG will keep spreading their falsities, but eventually everyone will know the truth. 

In other news, I wanted to remind everyone about the Jolly Roger Jam coming up this Saturday.  Page down in the news for details on time and location.  The 3BC will be raffling off bike parts, gift certificates, and a Hoffman complete bike, and all the proceeds will go towards ramps for the Kleinman Ramp Park.  Kore Bike Industries, Cactus Bike, Adventure Bicycles, and Bike Emporium are graciously providing the stuff to be raffled off.

November 30, 2003

I got a lot more info for you on the new private park in North Phoenix.  It is called Freeride, it will open on Tuesday, December 16th (as long as everything comes together in time), and it will be BIKES ONLY!  No more planning your life around some tiny session time, because you can ride your ass off as long as you want.  I checked the park out with some friends on Saturday, and was stoked.  The park is just over 12,000 square feet, but it seems bigger than that.  I know it's definitely bigger than Celestial.

 The owner of Freeride, Kelly Kendall, is cool as shit.  Here's the story on why he decided to start the park:  Kelly had been an avid racer, dirt jumper, and street rider back in the Eighties, but then stopped riding.  When his kids started getting into riding about 2 years ago, he got a bike, too, and started riding with them.  They went to Paradise Valley Skatepark one day, and were promptly kicked out.  That's when Kelly decided Phoenix really needed a place for bikes, so he started his own park. 

Freeride has  had a lot of problems getting started, as most skateparks do, but it's almost done.  KC Badger is helping to lay the park out, so you know it's gonna flow.  Although the park is bike-only, you will still need to pay per session.  Every day will be split up into two-hour sessions, back to back, for as long as the park is open that day.  Meaning, on a Saturday, it opens at 10AM, so there will be a session from 10-12, one from 12-2, and so on.  The cost will be $7.50 for members per session, and $10.00 for non-members per session.  I know that sounds a little steep, but it's still cheaper than the ex-Vans skatepark, which I'll get back to.  Memberships are $50 per year, and you get a t-shirt and some other bennies with that. 

The park will be open every day except for Monday. 

The weekday hours will be 2pm-10pm

Weekend hours will be 10am-10pm. 

The morning session (10-12) on Saturday will be for little guys only, like 12 and under.

Don't e-mail me about the location yet.  Kelly doesn't want to get it out there because the landlord is worried about a bunch of riders hanging out outside the park before it opens.  I'll get the location on here when I get the go-ahead.  Also, MB Ben took some good pics at the park, so I'll put them on here when he gets them to me.

Being a rider himself, Kelly is very open to input from you guys.  There will be a suggestion board at the park where you can make comments, and when Kelly sees a lot of riders wanting certain things, he'll make it happen.  I really liked how Celestial was run, being rider-owned, so I'm sure this park will be the same way.  I'd like to welcome Freeride to the Valley, and I'd like to encourage everyone to ride there often.  Support the ones that support the sport!

In other private skatepark news, the Phoenix Skatepark has indeed opened.  They took over the place where Vans was in Metro Center, and they have the exact same ramp layout, complete with poles at the foot of the quarters to smash into, except a 5 1/2 foot tall coping to coping spine was added in the street course.  Funny, though....because a few days ago on their website, they were saying how they were going to be bringing in all these designers and builders to rebuild the park before it opened, and they claimed they'd be adding another 3,500 square feet. 

I talked to a few dudes that rode the park yesterday, and they sounded pretty under whelmed, both with the slickness of the park (they said it was more slippery than the Wedge Park) and with the prices.  Try $13 for non-members.  Prescott Brian said that the membership deal was so bad, he couldn't fathom why anyone would go for it.  Oh, yeah, they also have less hours for bikes than Vans even did.  BMX hours are:

Sunday, 5:30pm -10pm

Tuesday, 5:45pm-10pm

and Friday and Saturday 10pm-12pm

November 27, 2003

I am happy to announce that the Kleinman Tennis Courts we are building the Kleinman Ramp Park on will soon be getting their first taste of bmx.  Check this sheezee:

BMX Media's......Jolly Roger Jam!
Novice, Expert, and Pro riders wanted.
This will be a freestyle street oriented jam/contest with the competitors picking the best riders of the day.  There will be prizes for ams and a pro purse.

When: December 13th, 2003
Where: Kleinman Park Tennis Courts, Mesa, AZ. 8th Ave and Extension (North West corner) Between Southern and Broadway
Sign Up Time: 10 a.m. to 11:30a.m.
Start Time: 12:00 Noon
Entry Fees: Open Class, $20.00 (All ages and skill level combined) Pro Class, $25.00
Contest Format: Jam Format (Riders Judging Riders)

The 3BC will be involved in helping to promote the new ramp park, and will be looking for donations of materials and money to help build the park.  It looks like we'll also be doing a big raffle to help raise cash for the ramps.

Visit the event section on http://www.bmxmedia.com for more details.

The new bike shop that I mentioned about a month ago will be opening on December 1st at the northwest corner of Scottsdale and Curry Roads in Tempe.  It is being started by Ryan, formerly an employee of Rage Cycles.  The shop is called Kore Bike Industries, and will feature only bmx and full custom mountain bikes.  The official grand opening has been changed to  December 6th, and there will be give-aways and performances by the AZ Xtreme Team, starting at 10 AM.  Any rider that is 14 or older may ride the ramps, but you must sign up to be part of Boy Scout Explorer Troop 900 before the day of the show at the shop.  You'll also need to pay about 3 bucks for your dues at that time.

November 24, 2003

CORRECTION:  It just so turns out that the Gilbert Parks and Rec Board does NOT have the "bikes in the Freestone Skatepark" issue on the agenda for their December meeting.  So I just removed what I wrote about coming to the meeting on the 22nd's update below.  The Gilbert Parks and Rec Board will most likely have it on the agenda for January's meeting.  I'll keep you posted.  In the meantime, Matt Rich is looking at going to Gilbert City Council with the issue.  I'll let you know when he decides on a date.

In Jose Yanez news, Jose done got his bike snagged.  He attended the Fort contest last weekend, and just as he got his pads on to ride, expert street started.  He stashed his bike behind a ramp by the starting hill for the big dirt jumps, and then forgot about it.  Until the next day.  He sped down the Beeline Monday night to see if, by some miracle, his bike was still there, but, alas, it was not.  That's right, he had a giant brain fart, and he admits it.  It's still hosed  that someone jacked the bike.  It's not like free bikes just lay around, you know.  Jose is offering a $200 dollar reward to anyone who can bring him his bike, no questions asked.  It is a black Chris Meyers' Signature Dirt Bros. frame with big, gooky welds (that's why he got the frame for cheap)  It has chrome Hoffman Chocolate Bars on it, as well as chrome Haro forks.

November 22, 2003

Seth Mason has been giving me the inside tip-tips on the private skatepark situation coming up.  A small new park will be opening, hopefully before Christmas, somewhere up in North Phoenix (I don't know exactly where).  Also, an agreement has been reached for a group to lease the ex-Vans skatepark from Metro Center.  It will be called Phoenix Skatepark, and you can check out the details on http://www.phoenixskatepark.com  They have said they will allow bikes, which will be very good for us as well as profitable for them.  Actually, I am convinced that if they did not allow bikes, they wouldn't last four months in this town.  We've seen the demise of four skateparks in the space of about 2 1/2 years here, but I truly believe that Phoenix Skatepark can flourish if they allow bikes at all times, co-mingled with skaters, inliners, and scooter riders.  That way more users will give the park their business, and they don't have to plan their work schedules and lives around some stupid session time.  The customers can come in at their own convenience, not the park's.  If you feel the same, e-mail the management at kent@sanantonioskatepark.com

In addition to snooping out the dirt on what's happening with legal places to ride, Seth is on a new mission:  THE CASE OF THE TIGHT-TROUSERED TAILWHIPPER.  Seth notified a group of riders, myself included, at the Fort comp on Sunday at exactly 2:13 PM that he had just seen an unknown kid in, ahem, non-loose fitting blue jeans pull a bunnyhop tailwhip to pedals from flat.  Seth then promptly gangled off to discover this prodigy's true identity.  At this stage in the game, he feels he's closing in, and he wanted me to relate to you that any tips you can give him will be much appreciated, especially in the light of this recent incredible development:   Michael Jackson has been quoted as promising Seth that he will pencil him in for some serious NRST time (Neverland Ranch Secret-Room time) if he solves this case in a timely manner.

November 12, 2003

Here's your update on the Gilbert Situation:

The Gilbert situation is pretty much the same as all the rest.  The awesome skatepark at Freestone Park does not allow bikes, even though it was extremely well built by Hardcore Skateparks.  Matt Rich and Josh Betley are the 3BC Captains for Gilbert, and a couple of months ago they, a few other riders, Rex and I met with Kenny Martin (the Gilbert Parks and Rec. Superintendent), some of the park rangers, and the Gilbert Risk Manager.  The Gilbert officials claimed that they wanted to find a solution, but since the meeting absolutely nothing has been done as far as finding a positive solution for bikes.

Matt and Josh organized riders on their own to attend the monthly parks and rec board meeting at the beginning of October, and again at the beginning of November.

The second Gilbert meeting was par for the course as far as the board went.  Most of the board members were extremely uninformed about the bikes in skateparks issue, and even on facts about their own skatepark.  They were making judgments based on their own quick observations without considering the facts that we presented to them.  I recognized one board member to be Karen Rumore, whom I had first met at the grand opening of the Scottsdale skatepark.  At the time, she was the director of Eldorado Park.  She had held a meeting about two months after the grand opening to address finding a place for bikes to ride, after she felt pressure from citizens because kids were getting tickets for riding their bikes in the Wedge Skatepark.  About 35 or 40 riders attended, and she asked if anyone would volunteer to be on a committee that would meet regularly to work with parks and rec to get a park that bikes could ride legally.  About 15 other riders besides myself volunteered to be on that committee.  It turned out, however, that KAREN NEVER ARRANGED ONE SINGLE MEETING FOR THE COMMITTEE AFTER THAT, even though myself and others called a good few times and asked her to do so.  Karen changed positions after a few months and the whole thing just fizzled out.  These are the kind of people we're dealing with on this parks and rec board.  People that say, "Calm down, work with us, work through the system", and then don't hold up their end.  Karen Rumore has a proven track record of not following through with pursuing a place for bmx bikes, so we absolutely cannot count on her to solve this problem in ANY sort of positive way.

I told Matt and Josh that I really felt the next best step in Gilbert would be to go to city council.  The parks and rec board claimed they would look at the issue more before coming to a decision on bikes in the skatepark, so the Gilbert kids will be attending yet ANOTHER meeting at the beginning of December.  Frankly, I don't think it bodes well.  I think the case needs to be taken to the ones that have the power to change the rules, the ones that are accountable to the voters in the community...Gilbert City Council.  I was very encouraged at the second Gilbert parks and rec board meeting by the great turnout from the kids and parents, and also by the excellent speeches and points that they made.  After seeing the crowd at the meeting, I know we've got some serious political firepower in Gilbert, and we need to use it on the people that have the authority to make things right, not some blowhard panel of citizens that refuse to educate themselves on important issues.

In Will Bissell news, he won't be attending the Fort contest.  He's going to a comp in Mexico where the ramps are shady and the ladies are, too.  He's departing with a crew in a 15 passenger van on Friday morning, so iffn you wants to get in on that action, hit him up at bissell@bmxmedia.com  I'd go to that shit if I had the money and if it wasn't on the same weekend as the Fort comp.  I simply can't miss riding the only legal place there is to ride in the valley for the only 3 days it is officially open a year.

November 5, 2003

The AZ X-Treme Team will be performing this Saturday, November 8th, at a bike rodeo in Ahwahtukee.  To get there, simply take I-10 South towards Tucson, take a right (west) on Ray Rd., then go for a ways.  You'll pass 27th Way and Rock Wren Rd., then you'll see the elementary school where the show will be held on the left.  Only a few select riders will be performing the actual shows (scheduled for 11:00 AM and 1:15 PM) but anyone over the age of 14 can show up and ride as long as you are a member of our Explorer Troop 900.  If you are not a member of the troop, you can sign up to be one that day.   Membership dues will be required, but will only be a couple of bucks.

I want to let everyone know the schedule for the Fort McDowell Contest as stated on the flyer that's been getting out there:

Friday, Nov. 14

10 AM to 10 PM sign-ups and practice

Saturday, November 15th

10 AM til noon practice Beginners-Intermediate at 2 PM

Small dirt jumps open to XR 50's at 6 PM

Sunday, November 16th

10 AM til noon Expert and pro practice

contest at noon

small dirt jumps open to XR 50 riders only, XR 50 contest at 3 PM

$30 Ams/$50 Pro/$50 XR 50

$10 to ride the park each day

Scheduled times and classes are subject to change.

(If it's anything like last year, the scheduled times will change, so keep that in mind.)

As far as pics for this update of the news....there are none, because you fools haven't sent me any.  You have no idea how long it takes just to get pics ready and put them up on the site, and I don't have time to take pics and scan them in.  Don't complain until you've done your part in helping out with this website.  I've just been trying to survive lately, and that's where all my time is going.  Right now I've got 73 cents to my name.  In short, if you want to see more pics, shut your cockholes and start contributing to the scene your own damn selves for a change! 

November 1, 2003

I have a correction to make:  The Gilbert Parks and Rec Board Meeting will NOT be held on Wednesday, Nov. 5th as I had originally reported.  It will be held on Thursday, Nov. 6th at 6 PM.

I went on the Tempe Ride with the Mayor last Sunday.  Unfortunately, there was only one other bmx rider there, so we didn't make a very big splash.  I did, however, meet Hugh Hallman, who is running for mayor of Tempe in the upcoming election on March 9th, 2004.  He believes that bikes should be included when the Tempe Skatepark is built, because bike riders need a place to ride, too.  If you live in Tempe, make sure to register to vote.  If you want to ride in the Tempe Skatepark when it's built, I'd highly advise you vote for Hugh Hallman.  For more info on Hugh, check out this AZ Republic article:  http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/tempe/articles/0501HallmanZ10.html

October 27, 2003

The Gilbert kids have definitely got their shit together.  They went to the Gilbert Parks and Rec Board meeting last month, and made it known that they wanted bikes allowed in the Gilbert Skatepark.  They got a good response, and were put on the agenda to make a presentation for the next board meeting, which will be on November 5th at 6 PM.  CORRECTION:  THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH  The meeting will be held  in the big new Parks and Rec building located just off of Guadalupe Rd. east of Lindsay, just a few hundred feet from the skatepark.  As always, we need as many riders and supporters to show up as possible.  It is even more important that parents of riders show up.  If you can't fit in the room, bring your bikes and hang out outside the big windows.  The Parks and Rec Board will at least be able to see how many of us there are that want in the park.

This article appeared in the local section of the Arizona Republic today:

In other news, I wanted to give directions to the MB Barbeque on November 8th.  Take I-17 north from downtown Phoenix.  Head west on Glendale Road.  Go South on 39th Avenue.  MB Bret's house is on the southeast corner of 39th Avenue and Lawrence Rd., at 3855 W. Lawrence Rd.  Gizmo's red rocket awaits you....

October 23, 2003

Lots of news, lots of news.  Last Wednesday, the day after Fabio Ben and I got back from Interbike in Las Vegas, Fabio Ben got arrested.  For riding his bike at Bushmaster Skatepark in Flagstaff.  Yup, full on arrested and jailed for about 8 hours until they finally ran his credit card and let him out on 270 dollars bond.  The arresting officer said that Ben had been warned about riding his bike in the skatepark once before, three months ago, and this time he was taking him downtown.  Ben didn't resist or try to ride away or screw around or have any warrants or anything.  He got arrested purely just for riding the skatepark.  The funny thing is, he wasn't even riding....he was taking pictures.  That's not ha-ha funny, that's weird funny.  Here are some vid captures from the arrest for you to enjoy.

Ben didn't get any escorts in Vegas.  He found one right here in Flagstaff.

Cop- "I'm going to have to confiscate your camera."

Me- "You don't have the right to confiscate my camera." 

Good thing I know my rights, huh?  As the saying goes, "If you don't know your rights, you don't have any."

Ben preparing for anal entry by "the man".

At least something went right for Ben that day.  Ben gets a reach-around.

Ben......still stoked on that reach-around.

Tyler's having a jam on Sunday.  Here's the press release as found on http://www.teamloco.com

T-Bone's 20th Birthday Bash - Sunday October 26th
	Thats right T-Bone is celebrating his 20th birthday with a BMX/BBQ/Pool party extravaganza! The party will probably be starting around one o'clock or so. If you ride BMX, bring your bike as the riders will probably be hitting up the dirt jumps out back, and Victim 26 will be playing some punk music to set the whole thing off. If you're going to show up, bring some chips or something. T-Bone lives out in South Chandler, and a map is available below, you can call T-Bone for any other questions or concerns at 480-628-1271

Speaking of barbeques, the first ever MB Barbeque/Pool party will be held at MB Bret's Compound of Pool Pounding Madness on Saturday, November 8th, starting in the early afternoon.  Old Man Wissel from Tucson is scheduled to make an appearance at some point during the night, and I got an e-mail from Gizmo commanding me to specifically invite K.C. "Crazy Legs" Badger or he'd bite my nuts off.

Here's some really good news for bmx in the Valley of the Sun--A new bike shop will be opening in the middle of November at the corner of Scottsdale and Curry Road in Tempe.  It is being started by Ryan, formerly of Rage Cycles.  The shop is called Kore Bike Industries, and will feature only bmx and full custom mountain bikes.  The official grand opening will be on December 1st, and there will be give-aways and a performance by the AZ Xtreme Team.  I will have more info on this as I get it.

The 6th or so Annual Fort McDowell Jam will be going down on November 14th, 15th, and 16th.  Reportedly the whole setup is being changed drastically, including the dirt jumps and the street course.

October 8, 2003

Ray Putnam, the 3BC's Captain of Tempe, had a great idea.  Tempe does an organized bike ride every year with the mayor.  Ray had the idea to have a bunch of bmx riders show up and ride in it to raise the awareness that we need  to be allowed in the new Tempe skatepark when it's built.  The Tour de Tempe Bike Ride is 7:00 AM, Sunday Oct. 26 at the South end of Kiwanis Park. Actual ride starts at 8:00 AM. Free breakfast and a t-shirt if you e-mail register ahead of time. Complete ride is 12 miles.  As Ray said, our goal is not to do whole ride but to get attention for the cause.  The whole press release on bike tour is available at www.tempe.gov .

In Mesa news, Dale and I are currently working on the design for Kleinman Park.  So far we've got the entrance area, a 6' mini spine with a wallride and sub box, and the grommie section.  We are getting this put into CAD by a guy that's helping out, and when the park is fully designed in CAD, it will go to the city engineer.

October 7, 2003

This was recently posted on Cowtown Skateboard's website in the news section: 

Glendale's "X Court"
	Meetings were held at a school on September 4th and the 18th in perspective to the 2nd facility Glendale Parks and Recreation would like to build. This facility will be located near 83rd Ave. and Bethany Home Rd. Due to the lack of skateboarders showing support and the overwhelming amount of bike users that showed up,it is more than likely the "X Court" will be a bike park. Amen. These guys need a place of their own. Good job to Glendale for giving them their own place to ride.

We want to thank Cowtown for their support for a place that bmx riders can go.  From their posting, though, it does seem that they fail to see the bigger picture.  No bike riders at the meeting were against skateboard or inline use of this X court.  We don't want a bike-exclusive park, we just want to be welcomed in.  We don't want to see skaters and inliners being ticketed and arrested for skating this X court any more than we want to see bike riders ticketed and arrested for riding in the skateparks, as is happening now. 

You know, it's funny.  Bike riders have gone to Glendale City Council and been the overwhelming majority at the design input meetings for Glendale's new X court.  Skaters support bike riders being in this X court.  The media seems to support bmx bikes being allowed in this X Court.  The ONLY ONES who are being shady on allowing bikes in the X-Court are Glendale Parks and Rec Staff.

In other news, Tony Hawk's company is looking at leasing out the ramps and space that were formerly Vans Skatepark from Metrocenter.  They have taken over one of the former Vans locations in Alabama, I believe, so it could easily happen here.  The only question is, will they allow bikes?  They'd be half-retarded not to.  There's not an iceberg's chance in Phoenix that they'll last 4 months without allowing bikes.  Not with 11 free parks that don't require pads out there.

October 5, 2003

Maybe I've finally cooled down enough to write about the bullshit design input meeting Scottsdale held on September 17th for the McDowell Mountain Ranch Skatepark.  Maybe not. 

Things went badly the whole meeting.  First off, they held it at 5 PM.  It might as well have been held at two in the morning.  Hardly anyone over the age of 12 made it there because people WORK FOR A LIVING!  All the other cities we've worked with have held their meetings at around 6:30 or 7 PM.  That gives people adequate time to get home, grab something to eat, and get to the meeting.  Whoever planned the meeting time for 5 PM is a bona-fide idgetgaloot. 

Only three riders showed up:  Myself, Rex and Chuck Dogg.  I got flyers out to every Scottsdale shop, and to a lot of other riders.  It's been on this website for weeks.  This is PATHETIC!  I went down to the wedge just before I headed up to the meeting, and there were 15 bike riders riding the skatepark.  I told them they needed to come up to the meeting to get someplace to ride, but everyone had an excuse.  If the Scottsdale riders are going to keep bathing themselves in apathy, don't EVER expect to see anything open for bikes in Scottsdale.  I know, it's messed up that we have to go to meetings and go through all this bullshit to get access to something that by all rights we should have had access to in the first place, but life isn't fair.  Going to meetings is the ONLY WAY we'll ever get something to ride.  Period. 

First thing in the design meeting, a woman from Scottsdale Parks and Rec got up and said, "We will not be allowing bikes in this new skatepark, and be sure to tell your friends that ride bikes about this."  At that point, I was instantly reminded of something that was related to me a few months ago, by a doctor that had written a letter to Councilman Ortega on our behalf.  He had said, "You'll never get bikes allowed in the skateparks without paying someone off in Scottsdale Parks and Rec."  It looks like he was right.  It's a sad, sad state of affairs when you've got to bribe city officials to get places for kids to exercise and practice positive activities.  Scottdale is claiming now that they are looking at buying a parcel of land off the 101 in North Scottsdale, and building a concrete bikepark on it, along with a few ballfields and such.  Who knows if it will happen?  We have been yanked around so much by Scottsdale, that even if they are telling us the truth, it just seems like another lie.

September 22, 2003

I have the inside tip tips on the Casa Grande skatepark.  It is FINALLY being repaired, after a few months of sitting closed with no work going on inside the park at all.  It appears that the initial closure for the summer was just a punishment for all the vandalism that signs, picnic tables and other objects in the park have received lately.  A concrete guy from Chandler is repairing the damage in the park (which he is attributing directly to poor initial construction) and after it's done, it will be "evaluated" by some "expert" to see if the park can handle bikes.  I would highly recommend that the Casa Grande bike riders go to the city council together and tell them you want to have a place to ride.  If they won't let you ride in the skatepark, then they need to build a bikepark.  I am willing to advise anyone from Casa on how to lead the riders in an effort to get the city to provide some place to ride.  Casa Grande has been very good in the past about recognizing the needs of BMX riders, and I believe they will respond positively IF the riders make their voices heard.  If you live in Casa Grande and want a free place to ride, contact me at beardedlady@psychicflyingmonkey.com

The Glendale situation isn't looking so good anymore.  At the beginning of the second "design input meeting" for the 83rd Ave. and Bethany Home X Park, Glendale Parks and Rec Director Warren Smith announced that Glendale wasn't sure if they were going to allow bikes in the park or not.  He said they were "considering it".  Pretty lame stuff, especially since everyone in both meetings was either a bike rider or parent of a bike rider, except for 2 or 3 skaters.  Glendale also got 75 of those bmx surveys back from residents.  There is nothing to consider.  Obviously the skaters care not for the X Park, because they didn't show up to the input meetings.  Glendale needs to meet the needs of BMX riders now.  At the first input meeting, we came away with the understanding that bikes would be welcomed in the park.  Either Glendale Parks and Rec straight lied to our faces, or they are suffering from a horrible lack of communication.  When we went to that Glendale City Council Meeting a couple months ago, Councilman Manny Martinez told us that we should have been at the community input meetings for the Foothills Park, and that since we weren't, that's why we didn't end up being allowed in.  Now we show up as the overwhelming majority at the input meetings for this new park, and they still don't want to allow us in.  We've been dealing with Glendale for a year-and-a-half.  We've gone through the process.  And this is how we're treated....shamefully.  All I can say at this point is e-mail the mayor and all the Glendale City Councilmembers about how you feel.  Their addresses are in the Glendale section of The Bike, Blade and Board Coalition page.  Hope that the councilmembers are less schiesty than parks and rec.

September 12, 2003

Jose is pulling out the big ramp to lake jump at Bartlett Lake this Sunday, the 14th.  We'll definitely be out there by noon. Come out if you want to get a little lake jumping in, because this might very well be the last time we do it this summer.

September 9th, 2003

Scottsdale will be holding a community input meeting about the skatepark that is planned for McDowell Mountain Ranch on September 17th at  5 PM.   The meeting is at Horizon Community Center’s Teen Center, located at 15444 N. 100^th Street in Scottsdale.  The issue of “Should bikes be allowed in the skatepark?”  will be very much affected by the number of bike riders that come to the meeting, so show up and make your voice heard!

Little did I know on Thursday night, that I was heading into a meeting which turned out to be the watershed event since Rex and I formed the Concrete Bikepark Alliance (now the Bike, Blade and Board Coalition). 

Before the meeting started, I was approached by Officer Mark Mabee, a gang resistance instructor for the city of Glendale’s police department.  Rex had told me that the officer wanted to talk with me before the meeting.  Officer Mabee related to me that he had seen this site and saw where I wrote, “The Glendale City Council didn’t listen to us at the council meeting…maybe they’ll listen now.” when I was referring to the 3BC BMX rally we had planned for September 7^th.  He said it sounded threatening.  I explained to the officer that when I said, “maybe they’ll listen now”, what I meant was maybe they’ll listen now, when we’ve got television and newspaper coverage out there documenting the plight of kids that ride BMX bikes in Glendale and in Maricopa County.  So I guess the Bike, Blade, and Board Coalition is a gang now.  Yaaay!  We’re gangsters now!  YAAAAY!  No matter.  I’ll get back to this later.  Check out how the meeting went: 

The bike riders were embraced from the start.  We had already figured before the meeting that things were looking good when Glendale re-named the skatepark an “X-park”.  The whole feeling of the meeting was welcoming to the bike riders, which is good, because bike riders by far made up the majority of attendees.  Site Design Group (SDG) is designing and building the park.  I was very wary of them going into the meeting considering their past record of  being, ahem, considerably unfriendly about bikes riding in THEIR parks.  It appears that SDG has come over to the dark side, seeing as how they have designed a few bike-friendly parks in the not-so-distant past.  It just so turns out that SDG recently finished a bike-friendly skatepark in Oklahoma City working in conjunction with none other that Mat Hoffman.  They also just designed a bike-friendly skatepark for Escondido, CA working with a few top BMX pros.  I am very happy to see that SDG has changed their tune, because I have very much enjoyed riding their parks.   This 83^rd Ave. and Bethany Home park will definitely be bike-friendly, and, considering how many bike riders were giving good design input, it will most likely contain features that riders like to see but are not usually found in concrete skateparks, like wall rides, sub boxes, and street spines.  We were stoked to find out that the park will be around 30,000 to 40,000 square feet in size, but everyone was flabbergasted when RJ Cardin, Parks and Rec Director for Glendale’s Central District, announced that this park was on a fast-track for completion and is supposed to be FINISHED AND OPEN IN THE SPRING!!!  YES OF 2004!!!  BELIEVES IT!!! 

So Glendale really came through for us.  It turns out that going to city council did do a lot of good.  So good, in fact, that we don’t see any need to hold our BMX rally at the 57^th Ave. and Union Hills park anymore.  You see, when Carl and I met with Glendale’s city manager Ed Beasley a couple of months ago, he said that he would not let bikes in the 57^th Ave. and Union Hills skatepark because the park was not designed with bikes in mind, and the risk manager was afraid it would potentially open the city up to lawsuits if a bike rider were to be injured in the park.  We know the city manager would not change his mind on this, rally or no rally.  What we really wanted to accomplish with the rally was to get Glendale to follow through with a temporary park, featuring wooden ramps, that we had been discussing with them for over a year-and-a-half.  It would have provided a place for riders to go until a permanent bike-friendly concrete facility could built.  At this point, even if Glendale decided to go ahead with a temporary wooden park, it would still be a few months before it was open.  We are satisfied with the concrete park being on a fast track to open this spring, and we want to thank Glendale for being the second city in the valley to realize the needs of kids that ride BMX bikes in their community, and accommodating them. 

Be sure to come to the next design input meeting for the 83rd Ave. and Bethany Home X park.  It will be at the same place as the first one, at Coyote Ridge Elementary School in the cafeteria at 7677 W. Bethany Home Rd. at 6:30 PM on September 18th.

SEPTEMBER 4th, 2003

We have decided to delay the BMX Rally at the new Glendale Skatepark for a little while, because the park STILL is not open yet.  We had expected it would surely be operational by now, but, alas, no.  Maybe they've been training tactical police forces, SWAT teams, and the German Senior Citizen Security Squad to synchronize coordination to arrest bike riders in the skatepark.  Maybe not.  I'll let you know when the park finally opens and then set a date for the rally on here.

As I mentioned before, the Chandler Grindpark input meeting seemed to go very well.  We estimate about a hundred or so Chandler residents came to the meeting to show their support.  Rex stayed after the meeting, talking to Mickey Ohland and Mark Eynatten, and said he got some really good feedback from them.  Now Parks and Rec will put together a proposal for city council for the grindpark, and it will be up to them if it will be built or not.  You can help influence the city council.  E-mail your council members at the addresses on the Chandler section of the 3BC page, and let them know you want this grindpark to happen.

That's pretty much it for now.  I'll see you at the Glendale "X Park" meeting tonight.

AUGUST 29th, 2003

I got a phone message today from the guy at the Vans corporate office I've been talking to about donating some of their ramps to the Mesa Kleinmann Grindpark.  He said that Vans wouldn't be donating any of the ramps to our cause because the ramps were no longer up for auction.  Every last one of the ramps had been sold to Metrocenter Mall!  Does this mean Metrocenter will reopen the skatepark and just run it themselves?  One can only assume.......

AUGUST 28th, 2003

Glendale will be holding a community input meeting about the "X park" that is planned for 83rd Ave. and Bethany Home Road on September 4th at 6:30 PM.  It is at Coyote Ridge Elementary School in the cafeteria at 7677 W. Bethany Home Road.  An "X park" is the same thing as a grind park--a skatepark that allows all reasonable users.  I want to thank Chris Steigerman of Independent Newspapers for tipping us off with this info.  Carl Umfress and I had met with Shirley Meddler and RJ Cardin of Glendale Parks and Rec, and they had promised to let us know exactly when and where the community input meetings for this park and for the 67th and Northern park would take place.  Well, here it is, only a week away from meeting time, and neither Carl nor I ever received a call or e-mail from Glendale.  Why are they even doing these BMX surveys?  They had told us that they would assemble a contact list from the completed surveys and let everyone who filled one out know when community input meetings came up.  As far as I can tell, they have not kept their word on this, either.   This is proof that there are parks and rec officials out there that like to look like they're doing something to help us, but in reality they are just blowing us off.

I think the Chandler Grindpark meeting went very well last night, especially since so many Chandler residents showed up to make their voices heard.  I'll have more info on it on the next update.

AUGUST 25th, 2003

I rode the Prescott YMCA skatepark on Saturday for the second time.  That's a fun park.  It was nice to ride sans oppressive heat, also.  On my way back, I checked to see if the Glendale park was open.  It wasn't.  They just keep pushing the opening date back.  No mattah.  We'll push the BMX rally date back if we have to.  We WILL be there to let the man know what we think when they quit dicking around and finally open the thing.

Also, the 3BC has been working with Glendale concerning new parks, and Glendale came up with surveys to see how much interest there is in a bikepark/grindpark.  Surveys can be obtained at any Glendale bike shop.  Be sure to pick one up and fill it out, and make sure all your friends, parents, and any other supporters do the same.  Glendale will be making a contact list from the completed surveys, and they will let you know of all upcoming bikepark/grindpark input meetings.

AUGUST 22nd, 2003

As you might already know, the Glendale Skatepark didn't open on Wednesday, even though the wacky German security guard at the park swore it would.  I should have known better....a few weeks earlier during one of my visits to check the park's progress he had related to me that God had told him 57 people would die on the street corner the park is on.  The park is located on the corner of 57th Ave and Union Hills.  Hmmmm.

Anywho, he's now saying the park will open tomorrow or Sunday.  I guess the opening was delayed to give the sod just a little more time to take root.  If you get a chance, swing by the park and talk to homie g before it opens.  He's there in the evenings.  It is sure to be a conversation you'll never forget.

AUGUST 19th, 2003

As you know, Chandler has been researching the possibility of allowing bikes in their skatepark. We know that Mark Eynatten (Chandler Community Services Director) and Mickey Ohland (Chandler New Parks Developer) are recommending to the city council that bikes not be allowed in, because there's a chance that somehow, maybe, bikes might damage the skatepark.  The good news is that Mark Eynatten and Mickey Ohland have agreed to have the skatepark's designer, Carter-Burgess, evaluate the park for a retrofit so it could allow bikes with no chance of damage to the concrete.  They have also arranged a community input meeting next week to guage the interest of the community in a whole NEW GRINDPARK.  This park would allow all reasonable users, and would probably be built in an existing park.  We need as many Chandler bike riders, skaters, inliners, and scooter kids to show up to let the city know the interest out there in a new park that allows all user-types.  Riders, skaters, inliners, and scooter kids from other cities are absolutely welcome as well, but Chandler is looking mainly at the interest level of their citizens in a grindpark.  The meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers on the second floor of the Chandler Public Library on Wednesday, August 27th, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.  SHOW UP TO THIS.  THE NUMBER OF CHANDLER RESIDENTS WHO ATTEND WILL DETERMINE IF BIKES WILL FINALLY GET A LEGAL CONCRETE PARK TO RIDE IN THE VALLEY!

Here's some more big news--The Glendale Skatepark is opening tomorrow.  We originally wanted to do a rally on the grand opening day, but it turns out Glendale is doing a soft opening, to avoid news coverage.  They don't want to make a big deal of the park's opening to the community in the middle of their budget crunch.  We will be holding a BMX rally at the Glendale Skatepark, in conjunction with the MB Jam series, on Sunday, September 7th starting at 9:00 AM.  It looks like we'll be getting television and newspaper coverage for this.  The Glendale City Council didn't listen to us at the council meeting.....maybe they'll listen now.

In Scottsdale news, bikes are definitely NOT going to be allowed in the Wedge Skatepark because of one stubborn beaurocrat--Douglas Nesselroad.  Check the Scottsdale section of the 3BC page for more on this situation.

JULY 24th, 2003

Here's the Arizona Republic article as it came out in Tuesday's paper on the cover of the local section (it was supposedly going to be on the actual cover of the paper, but oh, well) and at http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0722wheelswar22.html

 

If you were lucky, you saw the Channel 12 story on the same subject featuring myself, Jason Ryan, and Mr. Jose Yanez on Monday at 5 PM.

I hope this excellent coverage can bring a turning point.  Tonight I am headed to the  Kleinmann neighborhood meeting in Mesa about the proposed grindpark we want to build on the closed down tennis courts.  I'll tell you how it went on here in a couple of days.  LAte.

JULY 22nd, 2003

Jose Yanez will be setting up the AZ Extreme Team ramps at Phoenix First Assembly this Saturday, July 26th, at 6 PM, in conjunction with the church's portable ramp setup.  We can ride until 10 PM.  The church also added a new pyramid-ledge-rail combo thing that's actually pretty big and fun to ride, especially if you like to ride wedge-type stuff..   The best way to get to the church is to head north on Cave Creek Rd. from Cactus/Thunderbird.  Take a right on Sweetwater.  Then take your first left and go north to the church.  You'll see the portable ramps set up on the right in the parking lot.  Also, I talked to Justin, who runs the portable skatepark operation, and he said that the church's concrete park plans are pretty much done and on display in the youth building.  I'm looking forward to checking them out, 'cause it sounds like it's gonna be sick, and bikes WILL be allowed.

JULY 18th, 2003

All right then.  According to the Northwest Valley News, a local Glendale/Peoria newspaper, the Glendale Foothills Skatepark Grand Opening will be delayed for a few more weeks.  The city wants to wait for the landscaping to take hold so it can handle the heavy traffic.  Never fear, we will still hold our bmx rally on Grand Opening day.  It will be held in conjunction with the MB Jam series, so the MB will be on hand to toss out free product.  I will let you know what the set date will be as soon as I know.

Keep a look out for a news segment on the bikes in skateparks issue on Channel 12 news this Sunday night, the 20th.  Reporter Mike Stevens did interviews with Jose Yanez and myself on the issue, and they shot some B-roll of us doing some old-ass flatland maneuvers in the scorching heat as well.  Should be a treat.  I'm not sure if it will be the evening or night news.  Mike told me that if it doesn't air on Sunday, then it will surely air on Monday.  Also look for an article to run on this self-same issue on the FRONT PAGE of the Arizona Republic on Monday or Tuesday.  The article will be quite in-depth and will feature a picture of one of the MB's streeting shit up.

The Warped Tour happened on Tuesday, July 15th, and I was on hand to sweat my balls off and watch Seth pay 3 bucks for a cup of ice water.  What a dildo.  Danny Williams was performing on the vert ramp, and had actually been traveling with and doing shows on the Warped Tour for about 2 and 1/2 weeks before that day.  Big ups to Danny for landing that gig.  And big ups to surviving it.  They had a pretty intense schedule. 

JULY 11th, 2003

The Foothills park (the Glendale Skatepark)  is almost done.  Should be open at the end of next week (around July 19th).  We are definitely going ahead with our bmx rally on grand opening day to send a message to the city council that it is unfair to ignore us, and to discriminate against bikes in their new park.  I will let you know the exact date, and we'll need you to come out and make your voice heard.  Now I'm not going to tell you to ride the park, but I'm not going to tell you to not ride the park either.  The 3BC is not in the business of helping to enforce unconstitutional laws and policies.  We plan on getting news coverage out there, so bring signs and be ready to be quoted in the paper and on television.  Make sure to tell all your friends and spread the word, because not everyone has the internet or knows about this site.

In other news, Dale from Mesa is selling all his backyard ramps. He has a couple of 4' quarters, a 4' spine, a mini box jump, and other features.  If you are interested in buying them, e-mail Dale at ZENinAZ@aol.com  He is selling them pretty much for what he paid for the materials, so you better jump on this sum'bitch.  They won't be around long.

JUNE 27th, 2003

DOUGLAS OFFICIALLY ALLOWS BIKES, TOO!  It consists of CONCRETE bowls and features and metal ramps.  I just found out about this one, even though it's been up since February 14th of this year.  I spoke with Carlos Delatorre with the City of Douglas Parks and Recreation Department, and he said that they allowed bikes from the start because they didn't want to limit the possible users.  Now that makes sense to me.  Maybe too much sense.

Douglas has had ZERO liability incidents and ZERO conflicts between user groups.  Douglas also reports ZERO problems with damaged concrete due to bicycle use. 

In other news, it seems like lake jumping has been going down consistently at Bartlett Lake every weekend, especially on Sundays.  We will be jumping this Saturday and camping out for the night.  The Black Mountain guys will be jumping on Sunday.

JUNE 18th, 2003

CASA GRANDE NOW OFFICIALLY ALLOWS BIKES!  Yep, Brandon Klar announced it and I just confirmed it with Casa Grande Parks and Rec Director Mary Johnson today.  Now we have TWO public, concrete skateparks in Arizona that officially allow bikes.  The bad part is that they only allow them now on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays (bike only days). The city is beginning to enforce the segregation so if you go there on a non-bike day, chances are you will get kicked out. Other than bikes being officially allowed now, it is definitely a step back.  Add to that the closure of the park during school hours and the possibility of supervision and it's obvious that Casa is going down a bad path.  They have had a shitload of vandalism at that park, and they're trying to fix that, but we are all suffering for the actions of a few assholes.  If anyone knows the guys that keep destroying picnic tables, garbage cans, signs, and doing other damage, do what you need to do to get them to stop.  They are screwing us all over. 

Reportedly, Parks and Rec held some kind of meeting with the community to let the kids know what they were thinking of doing and to get their input, but only three people showed up.  That's a problem right there.  It's not too late to get the bogus changes reversed, though.  If any of the Casa Grande riders and skaters don't like these new changes, write your mayor and councilmen.  Tell them what your concerns are and why.  If enough of you write, they will listen and act.  Casa Grande has been good in the past at paying attention to the needs of the community by allowing bikes and scooters, and if you communicate with the city officials, I believe they will work with you.

JUNE 11th, 2003

You know, if someone had told me before the Glendale City Council meeting that Rex and the Glendale Mayor would practically come to fisticuffs after the meeting, I never would have believed them. 

About 40 riders and supporters showed up to the meeting last night.  Carl Umfress (MB TANK), Rex Golos, Andy Leeland, and  myself all made speeches during the citizen comment section of the meeting.  Everyone was well-spoken, and I want to thank all who spoke and showed up.  Your presence really did make a difference.  To all the guys at Vans that couldn't put their bikes down for a couple hours to go to a meeting a few blocks away--you can eat a dick.  That's nothing but bullshit.  Like Andy said on the mic at Vans, we don't EVER want to hear your ass whining that Vans is the only place to ride.  If you can't lift one finger to get these parks opened up, your lazy ass doesn't deserve to be in them.

As I mentioned before, Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs didn't seem to take too well to our statements that they will be making criminals out of these bike riders.  Luckily, she was pretty much the only one.  We got good feedback from Councilman Phil Lieberman, Councilwoman Joyce Clark, and from one of the police officers assigned to the city council chambers.  The city manager also wants to talk to us, so I'll keep you updated on any developments as they happen.  Already I think we'll be getting either a temporary wooden ramp park in the Cactus District or we'll get access to the new skatepark.

A few of us got interviewed after the meeting by the Arizona Republic and the Independent newspaper, so keep a look out for articles forthcoming in the next few days.

Rex did let his emotions get the best of him a little bit, but everyone needs to realize that if we come in as superniceguys, these city officials roll right over us and try to placate us with promises and we never get anywhere.  Really, it has only been the negative actions like the protests and strong comments at council meetings that have gotten attention and showed these cities that we mean business.  We have been working to get something for bikes since February of last year and STILL we have nothing.  We are having to resort to these kinds of measures just to get our point across.

In other news, Pat Blackburn and I met with the Chandler Parks and Rec Director, Chandler City Attorney, Chandler Risk Manager, and other bigwigs on Monday.  I gave them plenty of research on public, concrete skateparks that allow bikes, showing them that it can work in Chandler, too.  What did they say?  Well, the only thing they could say when they knew that all my research was in order and Pat and I were right--  "We'll have to check it out for ourselves."  They are going to take trips to Casa Grande, Show Low, Albuquerque, and Las Vegas to talk with their Parks and Rec's and see how their parks are doing firsthand.  If they are going to spend all this money, all I've got to say is there had better be a positive result.

Also, we will be lake jumping again at Bartlett Lake in the Bartlett Flats Area this upcoming weekend.  We are teaming up with the Black Mountain guys  and we'll have FOUR ramps set up to jump at this super-deep spot we went to last weekend.  Our plans are to get there about 1 PM on Saturday, and camp out and jump Sunday also.  Jose's going to buy a keg, so you can get your drink on and your jump on while you're getting the living shit sunburned out of your backside. 

That is all.

For now.

MAY 30th, 2003

BMX BIKE RIDERS WILL SPEAK OUT AT GLENDALE 

CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 10TH

A few Glendale residents will be speaking on behalf of children 

who ride BMX bikes during the allotted time for citizen comments 

at the Glendale City Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 10th, 

starting at 7PM.  The meeting will be in the Glendale City 

Council Chambers, located at 5850 W. Glendale Avenue.  If you 

want fair treatment for these kids and you don’t want tax 

dollars spent to make them into criminals, your presence at 

the meeting is requested.  Here’s the situation:

The Bike, Blade and Board Coalition (The 3BC) has spoken with 

Glendale Parks and Recreation, and their plans are to ban bikes 

from the new skatepark which is almost finished at 59th Ave. and 

Union Hills.  Rex Golos, founder of the 3BC, informed Glendale 

Parks and Rec that they will have a very large enforcement 

problem with BMX bikes in the skatepark, due to the great 

population of BMX racers and freestylers in the area.  He said 

that Glendale needs to take a good look at either opening the 

park to bikes or providing a temporary place for bikes to ride 

until the concrete bikepark planned at 63rd Ave. and Northern is 

finished in two–and-a-half years.  Glendale Parks and Rec told Rex

 that they would not consider providing a positive solution for 

bikes and that they are only planning for negative enforcement 

of the ban.  They told him that the Glendale Police Department 

has been contacted and they are planning for strict enforcement 

of the “no bikes” rule.  This means that either citizen protection

 will be diverted from the neighborhoods in the area of 59th Ave. 

and Union Hills, or Glendale will be spending more of its 

citizens’ tax dollars to hire more policemen simply to keep 

bicycles out of a skatepark.

There are now 9 Phoenix Metro Public Skateparks that are

‘Anti-Bike’.  Most of the cities these skateparks are in have gone

 to great lengths and spent copius amounts of tax dollars just to 

keep bicycles out of their skateparks.  Glendale will do the same 

if you don’t come out and tell the city council how you feel.

As if frivolous expenditure of tax dollars wasn’t enough, 

criminals will be made of Valley children who are otherwise 

law-abiding community members.  If you ride a bike in a skatepark,

 you are subject to arrest under A.R.S. 13-1502 = 

Criminal Trespassing in the Third Degree,

a Class 3 misdemeanor punishable with up to a $500 fine, a year 

of summary probation, and a year of total banishment from the 

skatepark.

Come join us at the council meeting on June 10th, and write short

 letters to your mayor & councilman to voice your opinion and be 

heard.

 Parents, Leaders, and Advocates are wanted in North Glendale to 

work with public officials to change Anti-BMX policies.

 For more information, please e-mail the 3BC at 

beardedlady@psychicflyingmonkey.com 

In other news, RAGE will be holding a Kruiser Smackdown this Saturday, May 31st at 

7 PM.  Judging for the best looking choppers, cruisers, customs, vintage and low riders

will will start at 7:30.  You can call 480-968-8116 for more info.  I'm going to try to get

them to do a 'Most Comfortable' category.  Chuck Dogg's bike will straight take that shit

if they do.  

Now most of you won't care about getting your bike judged, but after the contest 

RAGE will be doing another bikes-for-beer.  They've done a few of these, and they've

 always been good times.  We pretty much just ride our bikes in a big-ass group around

 to three or four bars in Scottsdale until closing time.  Come out and hang with these bad 

boys and girls because we need to increase membership to the bikes-for-beer BMX 

contingent .  You won't!

MAY 26th, 2003

Pat Blackburn did indeed speak at the Chandler City Council Meeting on Thursday, as did Dave Taylor and myself.  About 40 or 50 riders also showed up for support.  The council interacted with us and asked questions, and it went excellently.  Pat and I will be meeting with Mickey Ohland of Chandler parks and rec this week, and I'll tell you how it goes.  Things always go much easier with parks and rec when the shit is rolling downhill from the city council.  We are NOT interested in re-inventing the wheel with them and getting a new bike park built; we want access to the Chandler Skatepark now. 

Many thanks to all the riders that came out to support at the meeting.  That made all the difference.  And special thanks to Pat Blackburn and Dave Taylor.  This couldn't have happened without your speeches to the council.

After our part in the meeting was over and all the riders exited, we were approached by the newspapers.  Below are the stories they wrote.

Here is the Mesa Tribune article from Saturday:

BIKERS WANT ACCESS TO PARK

By Zarana Sanghani, Tribune

The concrete slopes and metal railings at Chandler’s Snedigar Skate Park have caught the imagination of bicyclists who want to practice jumps and other tricks. Problem is, bikes are off limits there.

Now the bikers hope they can get their turn at the park southeast of Ocotillo and Alma School roads.

More than 35 riders, mostly young teens, came to a City Council meeting Thursday to ask that the park be opened to bicyclists.

Chandler resident David Taylor, 26, said he and other bicyclists should be able to use the public facility.

"It’s a great creative outlet. It’s a great teaching tool, too," Taylor said. "It’s the only place we have to ride out here."

However, the skate park was designed primarily for skateboards and in-line skates so the city needs to determine if bikes can fit in safely, said Mickey Ohland, Chandler’s park planning superintendent.

"We’ve got some liability concerns there," Ohland said. "Also, there’s concern about possible damage the bikes could do."

Ohland said he expects to schedule a meeting with the bike riders and city staff next week to find a solution.

Those who practice their bike tricks at the skate park now can be charged with a Class 3 misdemeanor of criminal trespassing, said Sgt. Mark Franzen, a police spokesman. Convictions can mean as much as 30 days in jail, a $500 fine plus surcharges of $423 and one year probation, he said.

Pat Blackburn, a Chandler resident who coaches young bicyclists for races, told the council those rules are unfair. Most of the bikers are well-behaved and committed to their sport and, "they definitely aren’t criminals," said Blackburn, who is a member of the Concrete Bike Alliance.

This is the second time the issue has come up since the park opened in March 2000. Later that year, there were requests for a separate bike park, which triggered a public meeting.

However, most of the bike riders who came to that meeting didn’t live in Chandler, Ohland said.

The city’s priority is to meet Chandler residents’ needs, he added.

Until now, the city heard little from bike riders after that meeting, Ohland said. Taylor said there’s a bigger demand and more bikers now.

Contact Zarana Sanghani by email, or phone (480) 898-4908

MAY 23rd, 2003

Jose accidentally typed me up the wrong info about the upcoming AZ XTreme Team show.  The show is actually today.  We're sorry about that.  If you see this in time, you're welcome to come out.  If you don't see it in time, check out the Gilbert Skatepark.  I hear it's being ridden a ton with almost no one getting busted, so at least you've got someplace to ride in the East Valley for a while.

Show Low's skatepark allows bikes!  This makes it the first public, concrete park in Arizona to officially allow bikes.  I talked to Show Low's Parks and Rec Recreation Director Renee Higgenbotham, and she said it has been going excellently.  She couldn't fathom why other cities weren't allowing bikes in their skateparks.  The park has a 5' spine bowl that empties into the street course, along with a lot of steep wedges and a couple rails and ledges.  It is about the size of the Scottsdale skatepark.  It has been open for a month and they have had zero incidents of problems with bike riding in the park.

The Chandler City Council meeting went excellently last night!  I don't have time to tell you all about it now, but I will tomorrow.  The Tribune and the Republic should have stories about it also tomorrow.

MAY 18th, 2003

  The AZ X Treme Team, formerly known as The C.A.T.T.S., will be doing a show for the Boys and Girls Club on Rose Lane in Scottsdale on May 30.  To get there, you get to Granite Reef and McDonald, go north to Rose Lane, west on Rose Lane then the B and G’s Club will be on the north side a block or so down.  Whoever wants to participate is encouraged to show up at noon to help with set-up but it is not a requirement. This is a free show for the B and G’s Club, but we’re hoping to get the publicity we need to start booking some paid shows, after which all participants will start getting some money. Although it is a free show, we need to start addressing insurance and liability issues. We have started a Boy Scouts Explorer Post 900 to cover whoever signs up as an Explorer for these events. It is only 8 bucks or so to sign up and you are covered for a year. If you do not wish to sign up, you can sign a waiver, but signing up is the best idea.  The B and G’s Club hopes to have Media there to cover the event, plus we’ll be taping  for a show video, so come and be ready to bust your best shit!

In 3BC news, I just found out from a reliable source that Glendale's park won't be opening for about another month and a half.  No probs.  More time for us to spread the word about the rally.  I'll keep you updated as to when the opening date will be set for when they set it.

MAY 13th, 2003

We will be lake jumping again at Bartlett Lake this Saturday, the 17th, starting hopefully by noon-1PM.  I won't be jumping, of course, but Jose and others will.  They will be taking out the 7 and 1/2 foot ramp; so when you smack on the one and a half backflip, your momma's gonna feel it.

In 3BC news, Pat Blackburn will be speaking at the Chandler City Council meeting on May 22nd at Chandler City Hall at 7 PM.  Pat will be telling the council that they need to give bike riders access to the Chandler Skatepark.  We need as many riders and supporters to show up as possible to back him up, and applaud after he speaks.  If any other Chandler citizens want to speak in support of BMX access also, all you need to do is show up before the meeting starts, at about 6:45, and sign up to speak.  When I spoke in front of the Scottsdale City Council, that got their attention in a big way, and it looks like we're on the verge of getting access to the Wedge Skatepark now.  I'm sure the same can happen in Chandler, they just need to see the demand for it.  Show up.

Also in 3BC news, we will be holding a rally during the grand opening of Glendale's first skatepark to let Glendale know what we think about this park not allowing bikes.  It will open in about 2-3 weeks, so stay tuned for the exact date, as it has not been set as of yet.

MAY 6th, 2003

I had a great time in Albuquerque riding their bike-friendly park and visiting my grandparents.  It was so nice to pull up to the park and see the stainless steel silhouettes of a skater, a rollerblader, AND a bike rider perched above the entrance.  No separation, no prejudice, no bullshit, just come on in and ride your bike, board, or blades, just the way it should be everywhere. 

I was a little sketchy riding the first day, but by the third day I was feeling really good.  I was having my last session at the park with former AZ resident Willie Antonio before I was to take off to Flagstaff for the MB Jam/Protest, when tragedy struck.  I did a simple icepick in the 6' bowl and as I got to the bottom of the tranny my wheel twisted and I impaled myself on my handlebar.  I knew something was wrong right away and when I looked at my groin area I saw blood and fat hanging out.  And I've got bar ends.  How the hell can you stick something that blunt into yourself?  I figured out a way.  Long story short, after some stitches and staples I was on my way to Flag the next day.  But I can't ride for 4 more weeks.  I want to thank Willie, his roommate Miguel, and Austin Dan for all their help. 

Speaking of Willie, he started a clothing company called Bike Club Industries.  He's got shirts out now and soon he'll have trucker hats and other stuff.  I'll get a link up to him as soon as he gets his site up.

The Flagstaff MB Jam/Protest went well, even though I wasn't there for the first day.  No blithering idiots were on hand to get anybody's dander up, so that was good.  I'll get somebody to write a report and I'll get it up on here, probably right after I finally get the PV Jam/Protest report on.  Where....the......HELL are those pictures, Ben?

APRIL 29th, 2003

Alls I gots to say is that if you didn't make it out to lake jump this weekend, it must really suck to be you.  It was good times.

I'm peacing out to Albuquerque today to celebrate my return to riding.  I went to my last doctor's appointment for my leg this morning, and was cleared to do whatever I wanted with no restrictions.  My goal was to get a public place for bikes to ride by the time I could ride again, but since that hasn't happened yet, I'm going to ride the Albuquerque park for a few days.  It allows bikes.  I'll be visiting my grandparents there, too.

The next MB Jam/Protest is coming up very soon, so iffn' you don't know where or when it is, e-mail Charlie at MBK@psychicflyingmonkey.com and he'll get you the info.

APRIL 25th, 2003

Here's a map to where we'll be lake jumping this weekend.

When you get to the pay area at Bartlett Lake, pay the lake nazi machine and then follow the signs to the Yellow Cliffs area.  You'll end up on a dirt road going towards the water.  We'll be jumping in that general area.  We plan to be out there by 1 PM on Saturday.

In other news, BMX Online just posted our video contest press release, and I got about 4 times the usual amount of hits in one day on here.  The word is spreading, and in a couple of months all the magazines will  be announcing the contest in their news sections, too.  Tell everyone you know about this that might be interested, especially your friends that live outside Arizona.  I want to get riders entering from all over North America up in this thang.

APRIL 19th, 2003

We'll be going lake jumping at Bartlett Lake at Bartlett Flats next Saturday and Sunday, April 26th and 27th.  We'll be camping out on Saturday night, and jumping both days.  Jose is bringing the bigass motorcycle ramp in addition to the regular ramp.  Any of you bastards are welcome to come out and celebrate the first lake session of the year with us.

The 3BC has made some excellent progress with Mesa, Phoenix, and Scottsdale, so make sure to check out their situations in the Bike, Blade and Board Coalition Section.

Seth sent me this e-mail:

No, Seth, I'll tell you what's interesting.  The winner of the contest receives a whole year's subscription to Transworld BMX !!!  Methinks I just found the last of the big spenders right here in our very own city!!!  Damn, second place might even get a pair of shoelaces!  I think I'm gonna start riding early before my doctor gives permission because I cannot miss this contest.  The incentives are just too sweet.

APRIL 12th, 2003

This Monday, April 14th, at 6 PM, there will be another meeting of the Mesa Bike Committee.  If you are on the committee, here's your reminder.  The meeting will be at the Hobson Parks and Rec office, which is at 125 N. Hobson (a little  north of Main Street).  If you aren't already on the committee, you are also more than welcome to come by and see our progress.  Maybe you can contribute some help also.  I know the fundraising committee could use some more committed members to assist their efforts.

At Phoenix First Assembly, they set up a little portable skatepark every Saturday from 6 PM to 9PM.  It isn't much, and it's not that great for bikes, but they welcome us there.  It is important for more bike riders to show up, because they have a 9,500 square foot concrete skatepark planned, and construction could begin within a few months.  Now I talked to the guy that's running the thing, and he says they will be allowing bikes in the concrete park.  The bad news is that our old pals SDG are designing the park.  Of course Mike McIntyre told them that accommodating bikes would be no problem.  The problem is that I don't trust him any further than I can throw him with my broken leg.  Who knows if he'll switch his "professional" stance around at the last minute? 

No church would disallow bikes, right? 

They'll let us in a CHURCH skatepark, right? 

Think again. 

Turns out the concrete Calvary Chapel church skatepark in Albuquerque doesn't allow bikes.  And guess who designed it?  SDG did.  Now I KNOW the apocalypse is near, when a CHURCH is turning away bike riders.  Let's make sure that doesn't happen here at Phoenix First Assembly.  Show up with your buddies every few weeks or so.   Bear with the shabby portable ramps, but let them know we are very interested in the new concrete park they will be building soon.  The best way to get to the church is to head north on Cave Creek Rd. from Cactus/Thunderbird.  Take a right on Sweetwater.  Then take your first left and go north to the church.  You'll see the portable ramps set up on the right in the parking lot.

APRIL 10th, 2003

It turns out that if you sign up to be an Explorer at the show on Saturday, you only need to pay $7.90 in dues for the year.  Not too bad for a 15 million dollar insurance policy on each participant at Explorer events like this show, eh?

APRIL 7th, 2003

The CATTS will be doing another show at Sammy B's this Saturday, April 12th at 2:30 PM in conjunction with The Edge radio station.  Sammy B's is located in the same strip mall as B.E.I., on the southeast corner of Granite Reef and McDonald in Scottsdale.  This one will be more formal and organized, and real performances will go down.  All riders are welcome to come hit up the box jump and spine while the shows aren't in progress.  The only thing is that The CATTS need to have anyone who wants to ride sign up to be a Boy Scouts Explorer or Advisor.  That will get you covered by insurance in case you get hurt, and as an added bonus you can participate in Explorer events and  be able to salute the flag with two fingers!  You just have to fill out the Explorer form and pay $12, which will cover your dues for a whole year.  After that you can ride The Cattbox and spine anytime they are set up.

I've got some great news about the effects the MB Jam/Protests have been having on the City of Phoenix.  Mark Englehardt, Park Director of Desert West Skatepark, called Rex two days after the PV jam/protest.  He said that the Park Director of PV Skatepark, the Park Director of what will soon be the Pecos Skatepark, and himself wanted to meet with Rex, Mark Leone (a skate/bike park designer) and myself to discuss what Phoenix can do for BMX bike riders.  We will meet on April 16th and I sincerely hope I will be giving you a good report on here of a good outcome.

In Scottsdale news, a week after I delivered 36 letters from Scottsdale citizens expressing their views on bikes in skateparks to Scottsdale City Councilman David Ortega, I got a call from Doug Nesselroad, who was responsible for developing the Wedge Skatepark.  He was much more open to looking at information that I had accumulated concerning bikes in skateparks than he had been in our previous meeting last year.  He said he would research the cities and towns on my bike-friendly, public concrete skateparks list to find out why and how they are allowing bikes in their parks.  This is very good, as obviously my councilman has responded to our request to start looking at this issue.  I hope it ends with bikes being allowed in the Wedge Skatepark and in the new McDowell Mountain Ranch Skatepark. 

APRIL 5th, 2003

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: Fixerjames@aol.com
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2003 22:59:07 EST

>Dear Sir or Madame:
>
>On the above date I had an unfortunate encounter with a group known as the
>"Biker, Blader, Skater Coalition."  This group lists you as a sponsor on
>their website (www.psychicflyingmonkey.com/news) and I thought you would be
>interested in knowing how the people you sponsor are behaving.
>
>I was visiting the park to skateboard with my son, upon arriving I saw what I
>believed to be a peaceful gathering of BMX riders.  Knowing the current state
>regarding BMX access to skateparks I wondered how soon it would be before
>this group tried to do something.  For over an hour I skated and watched as
>this group in small numbers would enter the park illegally, ride their bikes
>and run when a look out announced that the park rangers were coming.  I also
>watched them harass and video tape the park rangers.
>
>At one point in time there was a large group of them in the park, some riding
>and some standing watching and shooting video.  Someone yelled that the
>police were coming and they all ran out of the park.  At this point I spoke
>up yelling that they were all chickens and that if they wanted to make a
>stand for their cause they would not run every time the police showed up. If
>you believe in a cause stand up for it make the authorities know how you
>feel, and that you feel strong about it--basic civil disobedience lesson I
>learned in college.
>
>At this point I was verbally attacked by members of the group repeatedly
>called a "fag" and declared as "queer" and "gay".  Upon returning to the park
>the group confronted me and continued to call me the above names.  Any
>argument that I presented against their position that they could not counter
>was shot down with "you are a fag" or "you are gay."  The group also got into
>an argument with a non skating father.  I am sure the video tape that is
>mentioned on the above web site documents these events rather accurately.
>
>As a sponsor of this group I encourage you to examine the position this group
>has taken and the way in which it is presented.  There is an overly offensive
>tone to the way their arguments are presented, any one who disagrees with any
>point on their agenda is bad mouthed and berated (please refer to their
>website).  They even declare that they wish to stick a "tiki torch up my ass"
>for opposing their point of view (I am the old school skater that is
>referenced).
>
>When I tried to ask members of the group I "spoke" with on Sunday what bikes
>shops they are working with they would not tell me.  Fortunately a few phone
>calls to my friends in the skateboard community lead me to their website. I
>imagine that based on the way that they responded to criticism they would not
>want the people who help them to learn of their conduct.  
>
>Having once been a sponsored Mt. bike racer I understand the importance of
>representing your sponsors in a positive way.  The way that I was approached
>and berated for having an opposing point of view to theirs definitely does
>not look good on you, their sponsors.
>
>I currently am a recreational Mt. Biker and a Triathlete and spend a fair
>amount of money on these sports at bike shops.  My friends do also.  I am
>sure that none of them would be interested in putting money in the hands of
>people who fund a group that runs around calling anyone who does not agree
>with them "fags" "queers" or "gay."  In today's world there is little room
>for this kind of hate and intolerance.  If you feel I exaggerate I ask that
>you refer to the video mentioned on the website all the proof you need is
>there.  
>
>I ask you to examine how you wish your company to be represented.  It took me
>1 phone call and a e-mail to find this groups website.  Others who they
>encounter will be able to do the same very easily.  Your logos are
>prominently displayed there along side their bragging of "ramming tiki sticks
>up my ass" etc.  I feel safe in saving that the money that I have budgeted
>for a new Mt. Bike, bikes for my wife children once our house is built and
>parts for my road bike, etc., will not be landing in your cash register. Nor
>can i imagine will my friends once they lear of your support of this group.
>
>This is not to say I am not sympathetic to the BMX community.  I do feel that
>they need a separate and equal number of parks.  But it has been my
>experience that when skaters and bikers mix it is a recipe for serious
>injury. I hope in the future you will find a more reputable group to sponsor
>and advance a cause that I am sure would bring you more business.  I strongly
>believe that this group with its antics and attitude can only harm the cause
>they are fighting for.
>
>I thank you for your time and consideration.
>
>Jim Miller
>Glendale, AZ

I read this letter and was shocked at the lengths Jim Miller went to to twist the truth to his own ends.  This one, single letter runs the full gamut of tale-spinning, from truth-stretching to outright lies.  I am also appalled at the miniscule amount of effort he put in to understanding The Bike, Blade and Board Coalition’s goals.  Jim has sought, with his letter, to discredit our organization as much as possible.  He sent this letter to all of the sponsors of the MB Jam/Protest/Barbeque, but I will set the record straight right now.

 After I received Jim’s letter, I fired off a response to him the next day.  I didn’t look at my footage first, since I was right there talking to Jim as I recorded the event, and it was still quite fresh in my mind.  I have since reviewed the tape, and with all the evidence in hand, I am now ready to make my official response to his letter, so that everything can be made clear, and there is no confusion as to how this part of the Paradise Valley MB/Jam/Protest/Barbeque went down.

These are the facts: 

The bike riders had been riding the park on and off since 8AM.  They would exit the park as a policeman or park ranger would arrive.  This is nothing new, as protests organized in Reed Park in Mesa, and in Desert West Skatepark in Phoenix have gone the same way.  The Alameda Skatepark protests, in Alameda, California, which were organized by BMXriders.org have gone the same way, too.

 I was videotaping the scenario, doing interviews and documenting the jam/protest/barbeque.  Representatives of the 3BC also had been getting riders, skateboarders, and passers-by to write letters to their respective mayors and city councilmen from the time that I got there, and I ended up with about 60 letters by the end of the jam.  At no time were the park rangers harassed, but I did do an interview with the rangers, with their permission, and it went well.

 At one point, after everyone ate, there were about 40 bike riders in the park.  Someone yelled “cop”, and all the bike riders scrambled for the exit.  Some guy on a skateboard, who turned out to be Jim Miller, started shouting obscenities at the bike riders all of a sudden, calling them “chickenshits”.  He continued yelling about how bike riders are “all a bunch of Johnny-come-lately’s” and describing how “bike riders are always trying to come in on what skaters have worked to get”.  As anyone can imagine, this got a few of the riders pretty torqued.  A group of riders approached Jim to respond to his harassment.   

While a few of the riders, myself included, stayed calm and tried to reason with Jim, explaining our viewpoint, about 5 or 6 of the younger riders did let their emotions get the best of them and they yelled obscenities back at Jim in an attempt to help get their point across.  At it turns out, all of the kids who were doing the name calling have multiple tickets from various cities for riding their bikes in skateparks, and it has brought them large fines and probation.   A very telling point came when one rider asked Jim if he had ever spent a night in jail for riding a bicycle in a skatepark, as the rider himself had.  Jim replied, “No”, and the rider asked Jim, “Why can’t you just be cool?  Why are you standing here talking shit?”  Jim had no answer for this question, he just continued arguing, and insisted on aggravating the situation.

 After a few minutes, things calmed down more, and Jim exited the park.  Most of the riders’ attention was diverted to the non-skating father Jim referred to in his letter, because he also spoke up in protest to the bikes being in the park.  The bike riders started discussing their viewpoint with him.  There was no name calling on his part or on any of the riders, because this man was much better at handling himself in a public forum, and much more reasonable.  I related to him that the 3BC was getting as many riders, skaters, and supporters as possible to write letters to their respective mayors and councilmen.  Paper and pen were brought forth, and we walked away with this man’s letter to Phoenix Mayor Skip Rimsza supporting the cause of the Bike, Blade and Board Coalition.  

That’s how the protest happened.  On the site, a day later, I wrote in the news, “The Flyin' Hawaii'an will be doing the write-up on it (the MB Protest/Jam/Barbeque), unless he gets put behind bars for hunting that old school skater down and thrusting a tiki torch through his scrotum first.”  It’s funny how Jim put his own spin on that.  It is painfully obvious that I was just having fun, talking shit.  My site is, just as the opening banner on my homepage states, “The Shitalkingest Site on Earth”.  I talk loads of shit even on my best friends on here, and no one escapes my poisoned pen.  I have since taken the offensive material down, though.  I need to realize that there are people out there who are so biased against BMX that they will use anything to discredit us.  Some people, no matter what age, are not mature enough and so insecure that they can’t take any amount of my witticism.

While The Bike, Blade and Board Coalition’s representatives were present, we did not organize the MB Jam/Protest/Barbeque.  We were there to get people to write letters to their respective mayors and councilmen in support of our goals, and to document the protest, which we did, and did well.  Almost 60 kids wrote letters that day.  The Bike, Blade and Board Coalition does not endorse the way some of the kids called Jim Miller names at all.  The thing is, nothing like this ever happened in the 3 protests that have been previously held at valley skateparks.  Nobody popped up and started a war of words.  Now that we know that the potential exists for someone with as much prejudice and hatred as Jim possesses to be using the skatepark when any of these protests happen, we can prepare for it.  We will be taking steps to make sure all bike riders present at future protests respond in the proper manner. 

Representatives from the 3BC will be attending any protests held, and will be teaching the kids that shouting profanities will solve nothing, and it won’t get our viewpoint across to minds that hate.   In the days of the Civil Rights Movement, many blacks would protest against segregation and discrimination, but would not fight back against the whites that started attacking them.  This resulted in bringing the very real hatred and prejudice of the whites into daylight for the lawmakers and the rest of the public to see.  We need to take the exact same approach, otherwise our “fighting back” will be used against us. 

Rex Golos, who founded the 3BC, has been skating and riding bikes since the early 70’s, and has made the thrust of this organization to promote unity.  I, Jason Ryan, am the President of the 3BC, and I am a professional BMX rider who also skateboards.  As you can see, it would be pretty difficult for us to be biased against skateboarding or BMX riding.  We’d have to be biased against ourselves!

Here are the goals of The Bike, Blade and Board Coalition, which are listed clearly on the 3BC page:

 
• To encourage and assist cities in allowing bikes into their existing skateparks.
• To encourage and assist cities in building more skate/bike parks to prevent overcrowding.
• To encourage and assist cities in building bigger skate/bike parks to prevent overcrowding.
• To encourage and assist cities in building skate/bike parks using a qualified, experienced skatepark designer.
• To encourage and assist cities in building skate/bike parks using a qualified, experienced skatepark builder.
• To work with other youth-centered organizations, such as churches and YMCA's, to assist them in meeting their objectives while encouraging unity among skaters, bike riders, and bladers.

 
Here is a short list of our many supporters:  
 
Joe Wichert, director of Las Vegas Parks and Rec Extreme Sports Department (Las Vegas has 16 public, concrete skateparks that promote unity by allowing bikes co-mingled with skateboards and rollerblades at all times.)

Vince Boccini, who runs Cal Daze (a skateboard shop) by the Wedge in Scottsdale.

Access BMX

BMXriders.org

SPAUSA

Instead of doing the slightest thing to encourage unity in the skateparks, Jim is encouraging hate and prejudice.  I asked him to write a simple letter to his councilman to help us.  Instead he wrote many letters to try to hurt us.  He may support segregation and dischord, but the 3BC does not.

 Jason Ryan

APRIL 3rd, 2003

Yup, yup!  We're doing a video contest.  Click on the new button on the homepage for the info.  Direct all questions about the contest and Bret and Charlie's tiny sprockets to me at beardedlady@psychicflyingmonkey.com

MARCH 25th, 2003

I forgot to give credit where credit was due yesterday.  I want to thank all the riders for coming out and supporting, and for writing the letters to your respective councilmen and mayors while you were there.  I also want to thank the following BMX supporting establishments that funded the barbeque.

B.E.I.  (formerly Bike Emporium)

 RAGE

I also want to thank these sponsors for kicking down free swag for the kids.

Helldonkey

Urban Playground

Go to these sites and buy shit from these companies, because they fully support our scene and our efforts to get bikes in these skateparks.

MARCH 24th, 2003

Okay, I've stirred up a fresh pitcher of Tropical Punch Kool-Aid, also known as God's Kool-Aid, and am ready to write.

The 2nd MB Jam/Protest/BBQ went down at Paradise Valley Skatepark yesterday.  If you weren't there, alls I gots to say is it must really suck ass to be you.  Riding, que'ing, debates with an old school skater and a young skater's dad makes for some killer video.  I'll get pics on after Ben and others scan and send them to me.  The Flyin' Hawaii'an will be doing the write-up on it in full pigeon, so I'll have to translate this one too.  For all you dudes in prison:  When you're doing time, you gots nothing better to do than sit and write.  If any inmates want to write something for this site, send it to me and I'll put it on.  I don't want to hear about how you got gang-banged by 6 men of as many different nationalities, though, aaaiight?

KC Badger wrote this on the dicsuccin' board yesterday, and methinks I will deem it news, fool! worthy.

. The tribal council voted YES on a skatepark in Sacaton. ( right where the dirt jumps are) and yes the trails are staying too for now and anyone can go ride.. bring a hose to use the water though. but the area where the skatepark will be is on an acre and a half of land and is estimated to be about the size of chandler.. so pretty damn big they are already talking to hardcore shotcrete to start the designing process and will be working w/ riders so we get what we want .. woo hoo finally a park that we get to ride.. w/out little whiney skaters.. "I love skateboarding.. but skaters suck"

Awesome.  It looks like they're getting one of the best designers and one of the best builders to make this park.  It'll be insane.

I got this a couple days ago....

If anyone wants to do this, check out their website, then e-mail me and I'll see how I can help you.

MARCH 21st, 2003

I got this e-mail from Johnny Lopez, maker of Groundwork 'Zine a few days ago.

Mike Moore is the guy in my video that was like, "My mother's married to my uncle......and my brothers are my cousins!"  I've heard he's gotten really good in the past couple of years.  Too bad he's going into the army.  It's pretty hard to to a switch rope to no-footed stickbitch to reverse ashtray babyface if some asshole foreigner done shot your legs off.

MARCH 19th, 2003

So mush going on!  So clazee! 

Alright, first the important shit.  The Scottsdale City Council voted to go ahead and build the skatepark and aquatic center at McDowell Mountain Ranch on Monday night, so I'm stoked.  I think that the guys that showed up to support really helped in getting the vote, and I want to thank all of you for coming out.  I spoke on behalf of the 3BC for about 3 and a half minutes about how the wedge park is overcrowded, it's a bad design, and it needs to allow bikes.  I stated that about 5 more skateparks of at least 35,000 square feet needed to be built to meet the needs of all  Scottsdale users, and they needed to be built well with good flow characteristics and allow bikes.  A few of the riders that came also filled out comment cards that the city council members read.  It's a good thing there were more supporters of the skatepark and aquatic center than detractors, because the MMR neighbors were pissy, they were stuffy, and they were organized.  Their main concern was traffic problems, not noise and "the bad element", so that was somewhat understandable.  Scottsdale said they will build a loop that goes under a bridge to provide uninterrupted access to and from the park, so there really shouldn't be any traffic congestion because of this thing.  There was some alternate location at DC Ranch that Parks and Rec had identified, and the MMR neighbors wanted it there.  I didn't really care either way, but after thinking about it, I realized that the DC Ranch neighbors would surely come out bitching that they didn't want the skatepark and aquatic center there either for whatever reason.  This park has been on the master plan since 1994, and it needs to get built.  It is scheduled to be finished around the middle of 2005.  My next step is to get the "bikes in skateparks" issue on the Scottsdale City Council's agenda ASAP.  I think I can get it on within one to two months, and I'll be able to give everyone plenty of notice so you can support.

The dirt contest in Sacaton went down really well, and I rained down stupid shit from high atop my announcing tower during pro dirt.  The reports are that the Gila River community had a very positive response towards the event, so that's very good.  They are looking to build a huge concrete grindpark, and since most of the kids ride BMX, not skateboards, there is no question as to whether it will allow bikes or not.  They are already talking to the best skatepark builder- Hardcore Skateparks, who constructed Chandler, Gilbert, Paradise Valley, and the infamous Louisville park, so this community is already off to an incredible start.

The CATTS show on Friday that we did in conjunction with The Edge and Sammy B's came off nicely.  We kept it jam style, no real format, because there was such short notice and a lot of our regular guys couldn't make it.  Special guest appearances were made by KC Badger, the Flyin' Hawaiian, and the whole Build-a-Bike team including 'Los and Thomas.  Of course Jose and I were still kickin' it handi-tard style, but these fools managed, along with Billy Burghout, to impress the Edge guys enough to want us to do a bigger and better remote there at Sammy B's next month.  They want to bring in a band, do it on the weekend, and prop it up bigtime on the radio.  I'll let you know when the show will be after we set a date.

Finally, the next MB Jam/Protest is very, very close.   If you don't know where or when it will be held, you're pretty much assed out.  It's going down REAL soon, and this is indubitably the best shit runnin' in AZ this year.  Tons of sponsors including Profile, Dirt Bros, ODI, FBI, EBI, MB, BL/PFM Pdctns, Bike Emporium, Rage Cycles, Helldonkey, Urban Playground Clothing, and Pipeline Audio equals nobody going home without free product.  And without an empty tummy, because we're doing a free BBQ for this one too.  Get in the loop, Fool!  Contact your friendly neighborhood MB affiliate or e-mail me at beardedlady@psychicflyingmonkey.com  for details.

MARCH 15th, 2003

SCOTTSDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HELD MONDAY, MARCH 17TH AT 5:00 PM IN THE SCOTTSDALE CITY HALL LOCATED AT  3939 NORTH DRINKWATER BLVD IN SCOTTSDALE.  THEY WILL BE DISCUSSING THE APPROVAL OF A SKATEPARK AT MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN RANCH.  ALL BIKE RIDERS NEED TO SHOW UP, ESPECIALLY SCOTTSDALE RESIDENTS, TO LET THEM KNOW THAT BIKES NEED TO BE ALLOWED IN THIS PARK.  THIS IS THE BEST SINGLE OPPORTUNITY WE'VE HAD EVER SINCE I STARTED WORKING ON GETTING BIKES INTO SKATEPARKS.  WITH THIS ONE, WE'VE ALSO GOT TO COUNTER ARGUMENTS FROM ANOTHER GROUP- THE SNOBBY NEIGHBORS IN MCDOWELL MTN THAT SAY A SKATEPARK WILL BE TOO LOUD.  ALL SKATERS AND INLINERS NEED TO SHOW UP TOO SO THAT WE CAN OUTNUMBER THEM AND TELL THE COUNCIL THAT SCOTTSDALE CAN'T KEEP IGNORING THE NEEDS OF IT'S CHILDREN.  I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS FROM A FRIEND WHO SAW AN ARTICLE IN THE AZ REPUBLIC.  ALTHOUGH WE HAD BEEN KEEPING TABS ON WHAT'S GOING ON IN SCOTTSDALE, THE PUBLIC HAS LARGELY BEEN KEPT IN THE DARK ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR SOME REASON.  DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO TO GET THERE.  TAKE OFF WORK, SCHOOL, WHATEVER, BECAUSE THIS IS THE BIG ONE.  I'LL HAVE TO TAKE OFF WORK TO MAKE IT OUT, AND I WILL.  BE SURE TO BE WELL-BEHAVED, DON'T WEAR ANY T-SHIRTS WITH A BIG PICTURE OF WEED ON IT, ALL THAT BULLSHIT, BECAUSE WE WANT THE COUNCIL TO LISTEN TO US.  FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE COUNCIL AND LOCATION, GO TO http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/council/documents.asp

MARCH 13th, 2003

This just in to the PFM newsroom:

Subject: Sacaton Dirt contest
From: KC

Hey everyone go out to Sacaton this Saturday at noon.. the trails are super good.. there is shit for everyone.. even a shady mini ramp rollers. a middle sized 12 pack some big jumps.. everything.. its free to ride and cheap to enter there are tons of prizes and tons of money for pro.. also for even more reasons to come..the town just put in a bid to the tribal council to build a 2.5 million dollar skatepark built for bike riders.. by the same company that built Louisville. ( the huuuuuge park w. the full pipe) and from the contest they are going to see if there is enough of a demand to build the park.. so HERE IS YOUR PROTEST... COME SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!!!!!!even if you don't ride dirt.. I swear there is something for you to ride.. and .. there is a huge ass carnival and bull riding n all that white trash shit.. so god damnit come out that's all

KC's absolutely right when he says there will be something for everyone to ride, even my gimp ass, because I heard your mom is going to be there.  I believe Sacaton is on the way to Casa Grande, so you can head down I-10 and follow the signs.

In other news, Jose will be setting up the CATT box and the spine to do a jam at a remote the Edge radio station is holding tomorrow (Friday).  It will be at Sammy B's on the corner of Granite Reef and McDonald in Scottsdale.  All riders are welcome to ride our shit, while all cats are welcome to make bowel movements in the 43 cubic feet of kitty litter.

I will be getting the Tucson Scene report up from Mike Hines as soon as I get some text from him.  Meanwhile, I am hard at work in my spare time on the Hamm Jam II story, complete with pics and video grabs.  It is taking a while, because nothing worthwhile is done quickly.  The story is being pulled out white-hot from my fiery subterranean furnaces and is being hammered into shape as I speak so that it will smite the dull drivel that other magazines and websites present as stories and will bring them all under its command to do its will and pay tribute to its majesty and to belly dance at its command while screeching "I am Fifi Ballerina! I am Fifi Ballerina and I have no soul!"

FEBRUARY 26th, 2003

Looks like we's a gonna do us a little pro-tess-tin' in Toos-awn!  This was just posted on the message board earlier today.

attempting to make a stand for bmx in arizona
From: mutiny50@earthlink.net
Date: February 26, 2003
Time: 01:26
 

Comments

on sunday march 3 there will be a meeting at the r&r super store, ina and thornydale, in tucson. we are trying to get as many bmx riders as possible to make a stand for bmx in skateparks. our goal is to show up at the continental ranch skatepark with a lot of people and make a big deal out of everything so that people realize that bmx deserves access to the park for question call danny at (520)561-8139 or robert at (520)990-4493 thanks and show your support. robert

FEBRUARY 19th, 2003

TUCSON HAM JAM II GOING DOWN MARCH 1ST!!!  BELOW IS THE OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE COURTESY OF ONE MIKE HINES!!!  BREAKTHROUGH RESEARCH SHOWS OVERUSE OF EXCLAMATION POINTS INDICATIVE OF UNUSUAL SEXUAL PROWESS!!!!!!!!!

the tucson jam goes as follows: fri. cheap session at the park maybe 3 bucks at the most (say your from out of town and they'll give you a deal, or say your pro.) anyone can crash on my floor i'll be there fri. night sat. all day session at the trails, with good ditches close and good street if you get bored of the trails but at the trails there's something for everyone wallride pussy jumps big jumps... there will be some stuff at the trails sat. like food and drinks but there's sit close if you want something else. it's a jam so it's free, just come ride and have fun, there might be a few prizes from the dirt bros. but we'll see people might win free shit if they're lucky. sat. night, will follow up the jam with a party and band so come check it out. sun. we can ride if we're not dead. IT'S MARCH 1st so please come!!

FEBRUARY 8th, 2003

IT IS NOW OFFICIAL:  REX GOLOS AND MYSELF HAVE DECIDED TO DISSOLVE THE CONCRETE BIKEPARK ALLIANCE AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ORGANIZATION--

THE BIKE, BLADE, AND BOARD COALITION

After 1 year of dealing with parks and rec officials in almost 30 cities and towns across Arizona, some great inroads have been made by the CBA, but Rex and I determined that it was time to change the whole thrust of our group.  One concrete bikepark is definitely slated for construction in Glendale in three years.  Peoria has designated their second skatepark as a possible bikepark.  These are real victories, but they're too far off.  Rex and I listened at the skatepark builder's convention to riders, former councilmen, and parks and rec officials from various cities, and it seemed to us that taking our group in a political direction instead of a beaurocratic direction would bring much quicker results.  What you read below in the Feb 3rd post was an example of the first steps we will be taking in every city and town with a skatepark, leading up to presenting our case to the city council of each city and town. 

Our first targets are Scottsdale, Glendale, Mesa, and Phoenix.  We are getting residents of each city to write letters to a councilman in their city who we think will be sympathetic to our cause.  The BBBC will then meet with that official, give him/her the letters from citizens, then ask him/her to help us get on the city council's agenda.  At the city council meeting, we will present a short but powerful powerpoint or slide presentation and call out as many riders as possible to attend.  In many cities, especially cities in Oregon, this has worked well.  In fact, in Oregon, there has NEVER been a time that the riders have brought their case before a city council and the "no bikes in skatepark" policy has not been overturned.  In Oregon, 20 cities have decided to let bikes in their parks, but not without a good fight. I was under the presumption that the towns and cities in Oregon were opening their parks and allowing bikes from the get-go, but that is not the case.  The riders got themselves into the parks by a lot of hard work, and they've got their work cut out for them because there are still 80 Oregon parks that do not allow bikes.

The Bike, Blade and Board Coalition has a much bigger scope than the CBA.  While the CBA only pushed for cities to build concrete bikeparks that skaters and inliners would want to ride in but wouldn't be alllowed, the BBBC is encouraging unity among riders, skaters, and bladers.  We want the cities to allow bikes into their concrete parks.  We want cities to build more skateparks.  We want cities to build bigger parks.  We want cities to build better designed parks using a quality skatepark construction company. We will also work with other organizations, such as churches and YMCAs, to help them build quality skateparks that help them meet their objectives while encouraging unity among skaters, bike riders, and bladers.  Some skaters are against bikes in the park, but when we tell them our goals, many change their tune quickly.  Only about 1 in 5 stay adamant against letting bikes in the skateparks, despite the obvious advantages they'll get if they help us.

YOU CAN HELP!

I have gotten e-mails from kids whining that bikes aren't allowed in the public skatepark in their city.  That's not what I need.  I need e-mails asking what you can do to help us. 

One of the most important things we need in every city and town is a resident of that city that can help find a councilman that will hear us out, and arrange a meeting with him/her to ask them to get us on the council agenda.

We also need artists.

We also need people who can help organize fundraisers because flyers, business cards, paper, pens, slides, video presentations, and powerpoint presentations aren't cheap to come by.

If you really want to see bikes allowed in Arizona skateparks, you'll e-mail me at beardedlady@psychicflyingmonkey.com 

If we can get bikes allowed in even half of the Arizona parks, it will do amazing things for our scene.

FEBRUARY 3rd, 2003

Crazy shits yo.  That's the only way to describe the past couple of days' events.  Come to find out that the meeting with Laura, the park builders and Phoenix parks and rec on Sunday was just supposed to be a laid back barbeque involving only Laura and her posse and the skatepark builders.   I found all this out AFTER I e-mailed everyone on my list the same thing you see below.  Laura found out bike riders were going to show up and cancelled the whole thing.  Good. 

So we made the best of it and set up tables outside the park. We provided pens and pads of paper so kids could write to Phoenix Mayor Skip Rimsza telling him they want bikes allowed in the public, concrete parks, and they want better designed parks and more of them.  Unfortunately, no one showed up that I e-mailed, but there were a lot of kids showing up on bikes just to ride the park.  We told them what we were doing and they were more than happy to write letters to the mayor.  More to come on that.

JANUARY 31st, 2003

BIG NEWS!  ALL THE PHOENIX AND WEST SIDE RIDERS NEED TO SHOW UP AT THE DESERT WEST COMMUNITY PARK CENTER RIGHT NEXT TO THE DESERT WEST SKATEPARK AT 67th AVENUE AND ENCANTO AT 12:00 PM THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2nd.  A PARKS AND REC MEETING IS BEING HELD REGARDING CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE SKATEPARK AND NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE OUR VOICE HEARD.  OUR MAIN OBJECTIVE WILL BE TO CONVINCE PHOENIX PARKS AND REC THAT NOW IS THE TIME TO LOOK AT THE NEEDS OF BIKE RIDERS.  THERE ARE TWO PHOENIX SKATEPARKS NOW, THE PECOS PARK WILL BE OPENING IN SEPTEMBER AND ENCANTO WILL BE EXPANDING, AND STILL NOTHING IS LEGAL FOR BIKES.  LAURA FROM  COWTOWN SKATE SHOP WILL BE THERE, AND SHE IS  RABID WITH HER ANTI-BIKE RHETORIC.  BASICALLY SHE HAS ORGANISED SKATERS TO RAISE A LOT OF MONEY TO GO TOWARDS SKATEPARKS BEING BUILT, BUT THE CITIES, USING OUR TAX MONEY, ALWAYS END UP PAYING THE BULK OF THE SKATEPARK COST.  HER EFFORTS ARE COMMENDABLE, BUT IF SHE WANTS AN EXCLUSIVE PARK FOR SKATEBOARDS, SHE NEEDS TO START A PRIVATE PARK, INSTEAD OF OBTAINING OUR TAX DOLLARS TO FUND HER OWN SELFISH AMBITIONS.  WE NEED TO PUT HER ON NOTICE AT THIS MEETING THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO STAND BY AND TAKE IT ANYMORE!

MAKE SURE AND TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS TO COME. AND KIDS, BRING YOUR PARENTS! CITY OFFICIALS LISTEN WAY BETTER TO PARENTS THAN THEY DO TO KIDS.
 

Rex Golos and myself attended a skatepark builder's convention held by Skatepark Magazine in San Diego this week, and we learned unbelievable amounts of good information to help us get bikes in skateparks and to help us get cities to build concrete bikeparks.  A couple of the best things I found out were that both the cities of Long Beach and Santa Monica are building new parks that will be allowing bikes.  Most of the time when a park is about to open anywhere the parks and rec officials will say bikes will be allowed to appease local riders, but as we've seen over and over, they are banned from the park when the rules go up.  This is definitely not the case with these two cities, because officials from both cities sat on the panel in the meeting centered around bikes in public skateparks, along with Mark Losey from Ride Magazine and Ben Ward from Oregon, who was largely responsible for organizing riders to get bikes allowed in about 20 Oregon parks.  Currently the only city in Southern California that allows bikes is Santa Clarita, but change is on the way.  I have already obtained letters from a former Long Beach City Councilman advocating bikes in public skateparks, and I will be obtaining letters from parks and rec officials in Santa Clarita and Santa Monica. 

I also have been talking to Joe Wichert, director of the Extreme Sports Department for the City of Las Vegas Parks and Rec, and he told me that bikes are allowed in all twelve (12) parks in the Las Vegas area!  Bikes are co-mingled with skateboards and rollerblades, meaning they all ride at the same time.  They have an outstanding safety record, as there have been absolutely no liability claims involving bikes in the 2 plus years that the skateparks have been there.  They are holding contests for bikes, boards, and blades, they are holding beginner's classes for skateboards and bikes, and they are organizing huge events at the skateparks with bands and fun for everyone.  Basically, they are light years ahead of every single park in Arizona.  I'm sure they're winning national awards up in Las Vegas, while Mesa is stuck in the dark ages spending the insane amount of $250, 000 since Reed Park opened just to enforce the no bikes rule!  I have a letter on the way from Joe Wichert advocating bikes co-mingled with boards and blades in all public skateparks. 

Also on my trip, I encountered something quite original at the Fontana Skatepark--a concrete, public skateboard fingerpark.  I was very excited to ride it because even though I can't ride my bike now due to the brokenness of my leg, I  can blow minds on a fingerbike!  I was very excited, that is, until I saw the "No Fingerbikes Allowed" sign.  Pictures with captions are forthcoming.

Pictures from the first MB Jam/Protest are available for viewing on http://www.geocities.com/mbprotestjam

You can check them out and comment on them there.  My comment is that those MB kids are some badass mutha bruthas!  Latest reports stated that at the protest no one did drugs, no one killed people, but somebody did in fact join the MB.

JANUARY 23rd, 2003

The MB Jam/Protest went off extremely well on Sunday at Desert West Skatepark on the west side.  A report by MB Charlie is forthcoming and I'll probably put it, appropriately, in the MB section.  Stay tuned for that sheezee.  Indubitably the best footage I got that day was when one of the park rangers that was kicking us out was telling me on camera, "Did you see when that kid jumped and missed my head by about 6 inches?"  Well I didn't see it, and I don't think anyone got it on tape, but just having the dude describe it was better than the footage itself would have been.

JANUARY 22nd, 2003

I just got this from FBI member Mike Hines in Tucson:

whats up oldschool,
Mike Hines sitting here in the old pueblo. was checking out the site and it's awesome i think it's pretty much the az riders link on the web. we need a site where we can talk shit, tell news and talk shit. Anyway on with the shit talking, Tucson's trails are kicking ass, believe it or not the lazy ass tucson kids got off there ass and built some decent trails. The Bissel moved into my house and it's pretty much the fbi/t-town thug house, we got a shady ramp set up in the front yard, people constantly drive by and think we're nuts but, there is a wedge ramp in the tree. right now the eastside of town is basically equivalent to dogtown in the 70's with over 30 pools and counting. so thats an endless session. the church park (what we like to call it now) is getting shadier by the minute but you can still ride it. just bring a couple bucks and they'll let  you ride all day. Right now Will and i are working on a soon to be video we'd like it to be the fbi video but need footage from the flag kids so it may just end up being a tucson video. anyway just wanted to say whats up. also i ve been shooting a lot of photos and if your interested in doing a little tucson write up with pics id love to do it, tell me what you think.
 email me back when you get a chance mteamfbi@aol.com
-mike hines
p.s. bean needs his own poets corner
p.s.s. attached are some pics i took, one toilet seat bridge to nowhere and a couple of my friend grady catching some good carves.

Click here to view Mike's pics

JANUARY 16th, 2003

If you don't know where or when the first MB Jam/Protest will be held, you're pretty much assed out.  It's going down REAL soon, and this is going to be the best shit runnin' in AZ this year.  Tons of sponsors equals nobody going home without free product.  Get in the loop, Fool!  E-mail me at beardedlady@psychicflyingmonkey.com  for details.

Check the Other Rider's picture section.  I added 12 new pics, 11 from the video premiere back in March and 1 bonus pic.  I know it's a little late to get pictures up from an event that happened 10 months ago, but 10 months ago I could no better post pics with captions on here than I could suck my own......Anyway, check them out and chuckle.

You ever wonder why, sometimes, when you take a shit, you wipe and there's no soil on the tissue?  I love it when that happens.  Less work for me.  I don't know why that occurs either, so that's another thing I'll be looking into.  So now, the things I'm looking into are:

1) Neighbor lady's new large breasts

 and

2) Why nothing to wipe?

JANUARY 4th, 2003

I just got this e-mail today:

It is at this point, that I know this website has arrived. 

All you lazy bitches need to go sign this petition.  You know RAD was your absolutimous favoritest movie ever at at least some point in your existence.  I actually already signed it a month or so ago, and I announced on here that all y'all should do the same.  But you didn't, and I know this because I'm off work today and I've got a broken leg so I can't ride and I'm tired of doing the surf-and-jerk so I went to the online petition and looked at who has signed it since me and no one local has signed it even though Rick Moliterno and Krt Schmidt and Mat Hoffman and  Large Ray and a whole shitload of old school f**k shit up dudes that are way RADDER than you ever will be in your pathetic little life have signed the hell outta that bitch so take your panties off and go sign it 43 times.  NOW!!!

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