Inside the John Lee Jam
John Lee on the microphone
This past winter, John Lee -- FBM employee, lifelong BMXer (pictured here) and one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, took a bad fall at an indoor park. His injuries were far from minor -- a fractured jaw, eye socket, nasal cavity, and loss of a dozen teeth top the list. With a long and difficult recovery ahead of him, the BMX community did what it does best -- rally together to help him in any way possible -- one of which was a recent jam on Long Island. Fellow East Coasters Joe Doherty, Keith Terra, Tedd Nelson, Jeff Allen, and Rich Soper were the driving force who put together the event at John Lee's old racing stomping grounds -- Shoreham BMX. With smiles, hugs, and plenty of fun on two wheels, needless to say, the day was a huge success.
This past winter, John Lee -- FBM employee, lifelong BMXer (pictured here) and one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, took a bad fall at an indoor park. His injuries were far from minor -- a fractured jaw, eye socket, nasal cavity, and loss of a dozen teeth top the list. With a long and difficult recovery ahead of him, the BMX community did what it does best -- rally together to help him in any way possible -- one of which was a recent jam on Long Island. Fellow East Coasters Joe Doherty, Keith Terra, Tedd Nelson, Jeff Allen, and Rich Soper were the driving force who put together the event at John Lee's old racing stomping grounds -- Shoreham BMX. With smiles, hugs, and plenty of fun on two wheels, needless to say, the day was a huge success.
Turn down for what?
Van Homan -- full-tilt, first straight boogie with a turndown and smile thrown in for maximum stokeage. Not only did Van shred the jumps, he took home the marble and gold plastic for the manual contest win, too.
Van Homan -- full-tilt, first straight boogie with a turndown and smile thrown in for maximum stokeage. Not only did Van shred the jumps, he took home the marble and gold plastic for the manual contest win, too.
Head on
Thirteen deep, pit-bike moto one. Chris Hald (#11) with the early edge. Somehow the tallest dude in the bunch -- Chris Doyle (#13) got the smallest bike, Lou Delfino (#3) won it starting on dirt, and the photographer managed not to get run over.
Thirteen deep, pit-bike moto one. Chris Hald (#11) with the early edge. Somehow the tallest dude in the bunch -- Chris Doyle (#13) got the smallest bike, Lou Delfino (#3) won it starting on dirt, and the photographer managed not to get run over.
Behind the scenes
Shoreham BMX O.G. Darryl Nau (left) handled MC duties all day, while Connecticut's Joe Doherty (right) did everything from organize it and run it, to race it (with a broken foot).
Shoreham BMX O.G. Darryl Nau (left) handled MC duties all day, while Connecticut's Joe Doherty (right) did everything from organize it and run it, to race it (with a broken foot).
Hack-a-thon
Trust your pilot, respect your monkey. Chris Doyle and Van Homan with the eye of the tiger (and perhaps a little bit of fear) over the first jump. That's Connecticut's Nick Caporuscio and Kevin Riley on the outside. When all was said and done, the timed sidehack race was won by Long Island's Ryan Hoey and Nick Fioretti.
Trust your pilot, respect your monkey. Chris Doyle and Van Homan with the eye of the tiger (and perhaps a little bit of fear) over the first jump. That's Connecticut's Nick Caporuscio and Kevin Riley on the outside. When all was said and done, the timed sidehack race was won by Long Island's Ryan Hoey and Nick Fioretti.
Vintage appeal
Dave "Ham" Pawson brought some of his personal mid-school collection pieces all the way from New Jersey to display to the crowd. This chrome Cycle Craft featuring Shoreham BMX legend Timmy Strelecki's 1991 World Championship #1 plate definitely felt right at home.
Dave "Ham" Pawson brought some of his personal mid-school collection pieces all the way from New Jersey to display to the crowd. This chrome Cycle Craft featuring Shoreham BMX legend Timmy Strelecki's 1991 World Championship #1 plate definitely felt right at home.
Spastic on and off the bike
Long Island's original funny man, George Gallo, brought his jokes and flatland skills to the jam to support John Lee -- as this spastic backward wheelie can attest. Racing, trails, street, ramps, and flat, Long Island's history runs deep in all aspects of BMX.
Long Island's original funny man, George Gallo, brought his jokes and flatland skills to the jam to support John Lee -- as this spastic backward wheelie can attest. Racing, trails, street, ramps, and flat, Long Island's history runs deep in all aspects of BMX.
Keeping it serious
When was the last time you saw a flat-start, backwards track race on pit-bikes, with a lineup of 13? This is BMX racing at it's funniest and funnest right here.
When was the last time you saw a flat-start, backwards track race on pit-bikes, with a lineup of 13? This is BMX racing at it's funniest and funnest right here.
Manual steering
There were literally hundreds of prizes raffled off. Cult's Russ Barone claims a winning ticket after taking second in the manual contest.
There were literally hundreds of prizes raffled off. Cult's Russ Barone claims a winning ticket after taking second in the manual contest.
From X Games to Shoreham shredding
Chris Doyle came all the way from Pittsburgh, and rocked Duo's custom Duo/FBM John Lee shirt while shredding all day. Here, he tailwhips over the first straight step in between sidehack laps and pit-bike shenanigans.
Chris Doyle came all the way from Pittsburgh, and rocked Duo's custom Duo/FBM John Lee shirt while shredding all day. Here, he tailwhips over the first straight step in between sidehack laps and pit-bike shenanigans.
Making the main
New York City police officer, Marines reservist, and Long Island trail boss Ryan Hoey took the holeshot with authority, but failed to find backside on more than a few jumps at full speed, thus finishing back in the pack. Number 6 (Jon Lynn), number 3 (Lou Delfino), and Marc Innella (behind Lou) battled hard to the line.
New York City police officer, Marines reservist, and Long Island trail boss Ryan Hoey took the holeshot with authority, but failed to find backside on more than a few jumps at full speed, thus finishing back in the pack. Number 6 (Jon Lynn), number 3 (Lou Delfino), and Marc Innella (behind Lou) battled hard to the line.
Controversial win
And in the end, it was Jon Lynn who took the win after a controversial run through the infield gravel section was deemed legal by the officials.
And in the end, it was Jon Lynn who took the win after a controversial run through the infield gravel section was deemed legal by the officials.
Successful conclusion
In the end, the jam was an epic success. Here Keith Terra gives John Lee a heartfelt hug as the day winds down.
In the end, the jam was an epic success. Here Keith Terra gives John Lee a heartfelt hug as the day winds down.
Stoke was high
The stoke was high! Not even close to the full attendance of people who were at the jam, here is a portion of the friends, family, and generous BMX community who came out to do some riding, catch up with old buddies, and of course, show some love for fellow BMXer John Lee.
The stoke was high! Not even close to the full attendance of people who were at the jam, here is a portion of the friends, family, and generous BMX community who came out to do some riding, catch up with old buddies, and of course, show some love for fellow BMXer John Lee.
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