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Trails Overflow

2008-12-20T14:56:21-07:00

Can't even remember the last time I rode outside, a few trails pics I didn't use this year and one that did.

..and then there was light

2008-11-29T13:00:10-07:00

Lots of it. My first time shooting with 3 flashes, no room for the subtle effects I hope I can get, so I just let them have it.

Winter sucks

2008-11-21T17:20:37-07:00

Expect a lot more indoor shots round here for a while. I first met Jamie's dad over 20 years ago, Jamie bought my STA when I stopped riding in '99 , kid grew up. 20 minutes at the end of a session, transfers from the mini to the flat bank.

Training

2008-11-12T12:24:04-07:00

Took a trip up to Corby, the Essex boys actually made it, along with Cong and assorted others. Only a couple of 90's vert rider Mark Atkins who's only been back on it a couple of months. Oh, Colin & Greg, don't think I didn't see you sneak off for a foam session, hungry much?

Retro: Lloyd Williams

2008-11-08T14:45:05-07:00

Lloyd's getting married in the morning, well next Saturday anyway. To celebrate his last week of freedom here's some pics from the late 90's at Grove Trails, here's a video as well.

Oi Oi Romford

2008-10-13T13:44:55-07:00

If Rosshead had been in town we probably would have been at the trails. Instead we rode the 30 year old concrete of Rom skatepark, couple of pics of Scott riding the snake, one from earlier in the year of Billy and one from the archives, Lee Hook from '84/85.

Rom makes an appearance in the feature that Greg's been banging on about. Nike in BMX

Indian Summer?

2008-09-27T02:33:38-07:00

Two weekends on the trot at the trails, does that count? Think I finally got the train shot I was looking for, Trailtalk must of got a few bangers, there were so many. Check out wedigdeep he'll update it eventually.

Sunday Service

2008-09-21T14:00:59-07:00

I've never seen that many trains on a Sunday, don't you usually have to get off and get a bus? Jimmy, Ross and Scott caught mid train.

Retro: Ian Bannister

2008-09-12T15:30:34-07:00

Without Ian, Grove Trails wouldn't of existed and I would of never ridden trails(that would of saved a broken bone or two). This dude was getting 6ft out of a 4ft wide quarter in 1984. Here's a few shots of the trails from between 96-99 and a video of Ian through the 90's is here.
Happy Birthday mate.

In the Rafters

2008-08-29T13:58:48-07:00

Sitting on the platform, you can't take pictures for half of Scott's run as he disappears into the rafters. With the help of a load of gear, a ladder, Colin and a piece of tin foil we got these.

Two Jimmy's got in the way as well.

Livid

2008-08-20T04:40:09-07:00

Way to spoil a memory. For most of the 90's there was a great park in Leigh-on-sea, 2 spines, a bowl, an 8ft midi, a complex, vert wall and a massive vert ramp. Spent some serious amount of time down there, met most of the people I ride with now there. It was falling apart towards the end, surprised it didn't kill anyone (I ended up with a metal pin through my finger for 3 months) it finally closed in late 99/00. Fast forward to 2008, and the council have erected a new concrete park on the same site, in a word, it sucks. A very mellow bowl, with a jumpable hip, then nowhere else to go. A few flat banks, a ridiculous vert wall after a volcano and a far too mellow quarter, and the odd grind box. There's a lovely basketball court, and a few climbing rocks as well, shame no one went anywhere near them.

Arranged to meet a few old faces down there, even a couple of riding buddies from the 80's , we nibbled around, had fun, if I lived round the corner I might visit occasionally. I don't, so I won't be back

Lloyd making the place look good

No Beer a BBQ and a Lock in

2008-08-12T14:29:43-07:00

Cong tried to have a barbeque, in August, in England....mwahahaha. Got to the Creeky Jaw about 4, she looks a beaut, but the rain wouldn't hold off long enough to ride. Top spread put on by Tina, shame not everyone was there to eat it. Trekked over to Corby and met up with Zach Shaw rode till the park was closed, then rode some more, cheers.

Another Thursday Night

2008-08-02T12:51:57-07:00

Roasting hot night at Scott's , Cong was down, Lloyd 3'd a spine for the first time in 12 years and Beringer and the S&M team turned up. Randy Brown, shit, how to ride a spine ramp brakeless, so much speed and flow.

Trails Trails Trails

2008-07-28T11:51:11-07:00

I haven't seen a transition for weeks, started last Saturday at Epsom, caught the last 20 minutes of Chris Doyle riding the big line at Epsom (no pics) rode the small line, decided the step up was a hip and completely missed the landinhg. Thursdays usual Scott session sort of moved to Epsom as him and Jimmy were on the way to Empire. Lloyd came up to ride Epsom for the first time in nearly 9 years, it didn't show, flying round the main line like old.

Spent the weekend at Trailtalk's and rode Ladygrove his lodger's trails. Top weekend, wish I'd discovered the fence line at the start of the weekend, proper rhythm, so much fun, make it longer please Scott.

Nuveran

2008-07-14T11:41:54-07:00

You forget. When you stop riding for a while, just how much fun BMX can be. But the best thing is riding with your mates. I'm picking them off, one by one, I'm not giving up.

Geoff came over for the weekend, got rained off the first session, just after he'd pulled a few choice 50/50's. A couple of hours at southwater and he's doing this. Anyone wanna buy a mountainbike? See Geoff.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

2008-07-02T12:29:57-07:00

Popped down the trails for a few hours to get some pics. Bookend in black(for a change).

Hurricane Redditch

2008-06-23T12:57:06-07:00

We picked a day a couple of weeks ago to go on a roadtrip to Redditch and Stratford skateparks. Unfortunately we picked the windiest day of the year, still a good craic. Cheers to Colin and Michael for driving. Ronnie conquers the wall ride at Redditch, and Sam does what Sam does at Stratford.

If in doubt...

2008-02-10T15:46:33-07:00

..head to West Sussex. Horsham has got something for most. Colin's probably x-up one footed over most as well.

BMX Cell

2008-02-05T14:28:50-07:00

Got invited down to Legacy by Josh on a Tuesday when it's closed, but only to the public it seems. BMX Cell is a christian meeting dressed up as a free ride. Sit around for an hour chatting shit about nothing, then have a free ride for an hour. I just get to practice taking pics, and Josh gets some myspace comments.

New Camera

2008-01-20T09:07:24-07:00

My dad gave me my first SLR when I was about 12, a Miranda something or other. I used to do B&W and develop all my own stuff. Only ever had digital point and shoots up to this point, did a bit of research and bought myself a D70 and a couple of lenses and flashes. First time out, borrowing TT's eBay triggers, chimping for Britain, some OK shots though.

Tyre Pressure

2007-12-06T14:00:00-07:00

I got back in touch with an old friend who was still riding, and got invited to ride at Malyon's place on their weekly session. Spent a few weeks getting used to riding a spine again, but was struggling to get much more than about 2ft out. Someone mentioned tyre pressure, I was running about 40. Topped them up to 80 and dropped in. The first time I pumped real hard, this photo was taken, look closely I'm jumping off. I stayed on the next time.

Don't call it a comeback

2007-10-21T07:43:52-07:00

After 8 years out of the saddle, I bought a complete Eastern Jane and Trailtalk invited me for my first ride at Dartford Skatepark. Within the hour I was getting a couple of feet out of this elbow, I was hooked again. Later we went to Dagenham, more of a nibbler, enjoyed jumping the volcano though.