Old-school BMX reunion 2015
Old-School BMX Reunion 2015
Like Comp IIIs to dirt, and Peregrines to ply, once again the yearly pilgrimage to Woodward West for the old-school BMX reunion was like a magnet for hundreds of seasoned freestyle fanatics hell-bent on sessioning camp until their tired bones wouldn't let them, catching up, reminiscing, snagging autographs from freestyle's forefathers, and partying like it was 1988. Invitation only for those 37 or older, it's a rad mix of weekend warriors, diehards, and of course -- and most importantly, legends -- guys who invented tricks, pushed the envelope, and became heroes by sending it at comps, touring relentlessly, and filling the pages of BMX Action, Freestylin', Super BMX & Freestyle, Go; The Rider's Manual, and BMX Plus! in the '80s and early '90s.
Like Comp IIIs to dirt, and Peregrines to ply, once again the yearly pilgrimage to Woodward West for the old-school BMX reunion was like a magnet for hundreds of seasoned freestyle fanatics hell-bent on sessioning camp until their tired bones wouldn't let them, catching up, reminiscing, snagging autographs from freestyle's forefathers, and partying like it was 1988.
Invitation only for those 37 or older, it's a rad mix of weekend warriors, diehards, and of course -- and most importantly, legends -- guys who invented tricks, pushed the envelope, and became heroes by sending it at comps, touring relentlessly, and filling the pages of BMX Action, Freestylin', Super BMX & Freestyle, Go; The Rider's Manual, and BMX Plus! in the '80s and early '90s.
Condor soars
Brakeless and on blast -- the Condor soars. Mat Hoffman owned the MegaRamp session.
Brakeless and on blast -- the Condor soars. Mat Hoffman owned the MegaRamp session.
Louisville in the house
Louisville legends Pat Miller and Brandon Trotter take a break from the action. It's safe to say these two know a thing or two about airing ramps.
Louisville legends Pat Miller and Brandon Trotter take a break from the action. It's safe to say these two know a thing or two about airing ramps.
NorCal
The Garcia brothers made the drive from NorCal and were training lines all over camp. That's Jimmy cranking on a TNT Hwa Fong Daddy straight out of the mid '90s, and Joey airing the dirt spine.
The Garcia brothers made the drive from NorCal and were training lines all over camp. That's Jimmy cranking on a TNT Hwa Fong Daddy straight out of the mid '90s, and Joey airing the dirt spine.
Flippin' out
Jose Yanez, the first person to do a backflip in BMX, recalls figuring it out for South America's Bike Legal website. And yes, art imitates life -- just like Cru Jones in the movie "Rad," Jose overrotated his first attempt.
Jose Yanez, the first person to do a backflip in BMX, recalls figuring it out for South America's Bike Legal website. And yes, art imitates life -- just like Cru Jones in the movie "Rad," Jose overrotated his first attempt.
Tabletops for days
Dave Clinton wasn't at the reunion, but he does get credit as the first to do a tabletop. Veteran BMX dirt rider Heath Pinter pays tribute to the man on the dirt jumps.
Dave Clinton wasn't at the reunion, but he does get credit as the first to do a tabletop. Veteran BMX dirt rider Heath Pinter pays tribute to the man on the dirt jumps.
The rad army
Veteran flatland pro Martin Aparijo signs posters for The Rad Army, while Bill Allen -- the actor who played Cru Jones in "Rad" -- contemplates another BMX movie.
Veteran flatland pro Martin Aparijo signs posters for The Rad Army, while Bill Allen -- the actor who played Cru Jones in "Rad" -- contemplates another BMX movie.
Terrain game
Mike Parenti was killing it all weekend and on all terrain. Mike's been staying busy doing shows, and while you probably won't see him in any contests, he's still got all his tricks and goes huge -- as this superman seatgrab on dirt can attest.
Mike Parenti was killing it all weekend and on all terrain. Mike's been staying busy doing shows, and while you probably won't see him in any contests, he's still got all his tricks and goes huge -- as this superman seatgrab on dirt can attest.
Sheep Hills represent
Freddie Chulo, of Sheep Hills fame, on the dirt jumps wallride. Freddie still lays it down on dirt and makes a mean pico de gallo.
Freddie Chulo, of Sheep Hills fame, on the dirt jumps wallride. Freddie still lays it down on dirt and makes a mean pico de gallo.
Madmen
Don't let the mean mug fool you. Keith "Madman" Treanor (left) is a man who is happier than a pig in mud. Well, except for this weekend, thanks to the flu. He didn't let the bug keep him down though -- he had some heavy sessions with another madman -- his good friend Sean Yarroll (right).
Don't let the mean mug fool you. Keith "Madman" Treanor (left) is a man who is happier than a pig in mud. Well, except for this weekend, thanks to the flu. He didn't let the bug keep him down though -- he had some heavy sessions with another madman -- his good friend Sean Yarroll (right).
Pirate air
Jimmy Levan showed up with an eyebrow gash Super-Glued shut after a downhill bombing run with Ron Wilkerson a few days earlier ended in flames. As you'd expect, Jimmy still roasted and got toasted. Hip-hanger on dirt.
Jimmy Levan showed up with an eyebrow gash Super-Glued shut after a downhill bombing run with Ron Wilkerson a few days earlier ended in flames. As you'd expect, Jimmy still roasted and got toasted. Hip-hanger on dirt.
X Gamers on deck
The vert sessions at the OSBMXR are always heavy. X Games BMX Vert invite Dennis McCoy shows his youth with a can-can x-up like it was 1987 AFA rogue run.
The vert sessions at the OSBMXR are always heavy. X Games BMX Vert invite Dennis McCoy shows his youth with a can-can x-up like it was 1987 AFA rogue run.
NorCal tributes
This year's reunion had a NorCal tribute tied to it with some awesome memorabilia and bikes on display. Curb Dogs, Skyway, Dave Vanderspek, Hugo Gonzales, Ron Wilkerson, Maurice Meyer -- the freestyle influences of Northern California from the '80s are immeasurable.
This year's reunion had a NorCal tribute tied to it with some awesome memorabilia and bikes on display. Curb Dogs, Skyway, Dave Vanderspek, Hugo Gonzales, Ron Wilkerson, Maurice Meyer -- the freestyle influences of Northern California from the '80s are immeasurable.
Pass the mike
Shout out to OSBMXR originator Steve Swope for another amazing event. Steve took to the mike at the after-party, and after some thank yous and good words, segued into a special homage. As mentioned earlier, this year had a NorCal theme, and along with that came a surprise tribute to one of the raddest dudes to come out of that area.
Shout out to OSBMXR originator Steve Swope for another amazing event. Steve took to the mike at the after-party, and after some thank yous and good words, segued into a special homage. As mentioned earlier, this year had a NorCal theme, and along with that came a surprise tribute to one of the raddest dudes to come out of that area.
Hugo wild
Hugo Gonzales! Hugo was honored by the tribute, to say the least. Huge tricks, huge slams, and a penchant for laying waste to the early concrete parks like Del Mar Skate Ranch and Upland, his riding was wild and unpredictable throughout the '80s.
Hugo Gonzales! Hugo was honored by the tribute, to say the least. Huge tricks, huge slams, and a penchant for laying waste to the early concrete parks like Del Mar Skate Ranch and Upland, his riding was wild and unpredictable throughout the '80s.
It's tricky
This cat was surfin' around camp and doing rollbacks for miles in some dangerous outfits that had many scratching their head and wondering who he was. This is Chuck Johnson, aka "Trickey Styler," mid cherrypicker. Along with his brother Joe (no, not that Joe Johnson), they were a hard act to follow back in the day. Fast riding, exact routines, and opposing black and white outfits defined their style. From the looks of things, Trickey has stayed true to his roots.
This cat was surfin' around camp and doing rollbacks for miles in some dangerous outfits that had many scratching their head and wondering who he was. This is Chuck Johnson, aka "Trickey Styler," mid cherrypicker. Along with his brother Joe (no, not that Joe Johnson), they were a hard act to follow back in the day. Fast riding, exact routines, and opposing black and white outfits defined their style. From the looks of things, Trickey has stayed true to his roots.
Curb dogs
Bark Hard, Curb Dog. It wouldn't be a NorCal salute without some Dave Vanderspek praise. On display was one of Vander's Curb Dogs number plates and this memorial brick saved from the old Golden Gate Bridge visitor's area brick path.
Bark Hard, Curb Dog. It wouldn't be a NorCal salute without some Dave Vanderspek praise. On display was one of Vander's Curb Dogs number plates and this memorial brick saved from the old Golden Gate Bridge visitor's area brick path.
The Chairman
The Chairman, Martin Aparijo, letting loose with a no-handed caboose during the after-party jam.
The Chairman, Martin Aparijo, letting loose with a no-handed caboose during the after-party jam.
Influentials
Ron Wilkerson, Jose Yanez, and Dave Voelker. Ron sessioned the MegaRamp, Jose kept his helmet on day and night all weekend long, and Dave resisted the urge to ride while still recovering a leg injury. And if you asked anyone which of these guys is nuttier, no one would have an answer for you.
Ron Wilkerson, Jose Yanez, and Dave Voelker. Ron sessioned the MegaRamp, Jose kept his helmet on day and night all weekend long, and Dave resisted the urge to ride while still recovering a leg injury. And if you asked anyone which of these guys is nuttier, no one would have an answer for you.
Old school staple
It wouldn't be an old-school reunion without an after-party flatland jam and Dave Nourie laying down some signature moves. Gumby in full effect closes it out.
It wouldn't be an old-school reunion without an after-party flatland jam and Dave Nourie laying down some signature moves. Gumby in full effect closes it out.
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