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Above: The crew who journeyed to the central west, at Tamworth skatepark (with a few locals in the line up as well!)

I love when riders are industrious about making things happen. It's no secret that we are big fans of building and maintaining BMX - and I think an important part of that is trips to places to ride with other BMXers.

But why? What makes it important?

One answer is, it gets you out of your bubble. It makes you realise that there is more to what life is (on a BMX bike, or not), than just your current circumstances.

You learn that there are people everywhere, living different lives - and in the case of BMX - riding and experiencing BMX through a different lens. And you get to be a part of this when you're on the road.

This sounds obvious, but sometimes we get so caught up in what we have in front of us that breaking out and going somewhere new and different can be refreshing, for both you, and the riders you meet across your travels.

The park that riders are graced with in their local area, or the lack of riders, or the proximity to other spots - is all something you can feel and experience for a short while when you're in a new town. 

But you know what, there's more to it than just that..

Bar Beach skatepark, lit up - thanks to the locals. Talk about seeing things in a new light. Photo: Karl Cottrell

Another reason is, riders that choose to go on these trips form closer bonds and better friendships than ever.

The comradery that forms on trips like the one that we just went on is legendary. Nothing but encouragement and great times along the way.

But the final reason, and certainly just as important..

Will 'Keys to the City' Gunn had to buy a bigger keyring on the trip.. He's the owner of a few new 'keys to the city' after the way he tore each park to pieces. Tamworth transfer. Photo: Tyson JP

Riding new places is the like being thrown back into the baby pool of riding. When you arrive at a new spot or skatepark, you have to figure out a line, the transition, what works and what doesn't. 

Sure, there might be transitions that are smoother than others, but the learning experience is what makes it really special. The challenge of the unknown and the ability to adapt. I'd prefer to figure out how to ride a new spot, even if it's less than ideal, and your level of riding is down a notch or two from how you ride your local.

Every park and spot we went to on the trip was different - in a good way. We rode a lot of big transitions and each of them was fun, and challenging. 

We even rode a wallride in the middle of nowhere that was by no means perfect, but it was worth it, just to add a new riding experience to your belt. 

The great thing is, the riding crew you are with is doing the same thing. Not to mention, you are learning off the locals and forming new relationships with them. The phrase 'feeding off each other' is never more appropriate than when on a trip. 

Chowgy (AKA Ryan Saville) adapted to everything at full throttle. This wallride was no exception. The bank was steep and the bottom was more than kinked, but he made it look good all the same. Photo: Tyson JP

The NSW skateparks just keep getting better and better in the central and north west. Tamworth skatepark is one of the best I've ridden in a long time - 24 hour lights, deep transitions - and many more lines to still be discovered. Very recommended.

At the start I said I love when riders are industrious.. Our 'Hellsworth' trip was spurred on by Arthur Birbilopoulos and Danny Stevenson, so big shout out to those guys for rounding up a crew to shred with. A recommendation to all looking to make their own fun - if you're looking for a trip, all it takes is creating an instagram group with riders and mates you want to ride with. Arthur and Danny took the initiative and it turned into one hell of a memory for all of us.

Almost everyone packed the 'Rebellion' tee we made on the trip and coincidentally a lot of us we wearing it on our visit to the Golden Guitar in Tamworth. 'Gang' photo..

Truthfully, there's plenty more than 3 reasons why you got to get on the road with your friends in the name of BMX. It's definitely a reminder of why BMX is so hard to explain to people who don't do it (one of the conversations that was had on this trip). 

Trips like this cement BMX as a lifestyle and the more people that live that BMX lifestyle, the better off BMX will be. 

Thanks a lot to Karl Cottrell and Brendan Boeck for the additional photos you can see below - can't wait to get on the road again.

- Tyson 

Danny Stevenson stepping on through at Bar Beach. Photo: Tyson JP

This quarter is deep.. Dylan Lewis excels in the deep. Big ol' air in Tamworth. Photo: Karl Cottrell

Dermo can crank a one handed x-up like it ain't no thing! Last stop of the trip, Millthorpe skatepark. Photo: Tyson JP

Sarah Mitchell hitting the oververt in the capsule at Millthorpe. Photo: Tyson JP

Jye is a part of the Hambone crew and was popping the sickest toboggan fakies at Bar Beach. Stoked to get a roll with the Hambone homies! Photo: Tyson JP

Arthur has some of the nicest tables around. Folded at Tamworth. Photo: Karl Cottrell

We arrived at Dubbo just before dark and got a few laps, but the next day was a little windy.. But the park is too good to pass up a ride on. Tyson JP x-up. Photo: Brendan Boeck

Dylan Lewis has the most casual airing style considering how high he goes.. It just looks so damn effortless. Then when the turndown is cranked, it's mindblowing. Huge at Wellington skatepark. Photo: Brendan Boeck 

Will Gunn, upside down at Dubbo. This is mind boggling! Photo: Tyson JP

We had some killer footage from that epic trip we did out west last year, so why leave it dormant? This was a fun trip, so many memories.

If you're stoked on good times and rad bowl footage, then look no further and jump into the vid below!

If you've ever been to Canberra, I think you'll agree that when it comes to skateparks, we've got some of the best in Australia.

But over one long weekend we got our eyes opened to some seriously amazing skateparks that NSW  has to offer - only a few hours west of us.

A bunch of the Back Bone crew ventured west and found (a lot of us for the first time) 5 seriously good parks that were almost too good to be true!

So where are they and what do they contain? Keep reading:

Millthorpe in the morning with the sunrise.. Photo: Tyson Jones-Peni

Millthorpe Skatepark

We got a chance to get here right before sunset and got an amazing session in. We met the legend Will Gunn there and he put on a show. There is plenty of lines to be had here, it's kind of wide open but with a mix of tight areas, which makes it a really fun park to ride. Not to mention that capsule. If you've never ridden one of these things Millthorpe is the perfect introduction to it.

Arthur Birbilopoulos goin' round the loop. Photo: Tyson Jones-Peni 

Millthorpe is the kind of park that appeals to someone who likes jumping around, kind of like a built up, next level Queanbeyan skatepark. Well, well worth it. 

Tyrone Edwards is a smooth dude. Table in the tighest section of the park. Photo: Tyson Jones-Peni

We woke up and got the early morning session in, then headed off to Orange, NSW (about 15 minutes away) for a quick pit stop and sesh at the park, then headed off to the next bowl.. 

Chris Harti picked up an Akubra knock-off at the corner store - definitely a good idea. It was hot as hell out west. Blasting the foot off, Molong, NSW. Photo: Tyson Jones-Peni

Molong Skatepark

Rolling into a town with a population less than 3000, you would not expect to see any skatepark, let alone a next level bowl that goes to somewhere around 10ft deep in the deep end. While it was steep at first, we got used to it and some serious airs were blasted by all. Sick transition that keeps you on your toes - and there's even a smaller street plaza type park there as well if that's your thing.

One tip though:

If you head out west from Canberra, expect it to get at least 5-10 degrees hotter. Pack appropriately. We were dying out there!

The crew staying out of the sun in between runs at Molong. Photo: Tyson Jones-Peni

It's no secret that if you take Dylan Lewis on a bowl trip, he'll be blasting. X'ed up! Photo: Tyson Jones-Peni

After the Molong bowl sesh/sizzle, we moved onto one of the most anticipated stops of the trip.. Mainly because of the reviews we had heard of the town. Nevertheless we were done with being in the sun, so onward we went.

Look at this monstrous beast! Tyrone well up there in the deep beast that is Wellington skatepark. Photo: Tyson Jones-Peni

Wellington skatepark 

Dude.

We had our doubts - there was a lot of talk of 'the town is sketchy..'. We pulled up to 10-15 kids under 12 years old, all on scooters and not shy at all. Beyond the kids and the small street section, sat a monster of a bowl. 6-7ft shallow ends in a clover shape, leading down into a 12ft tall deep end.

We all walked over to it; it looked super intimidating. 

Then came the drop in. Without a doubt, the first run was almost hilarious.

Bold statement coming up..

Style master Rusty Brindley in the deep at Wellington. Photo: Tyson Jones-Peni

Wellington bowl has got to be the best 10ft plus transition of any of us have ever ridden.

For something that is 12ft tall, it is perfect. No weird steepness, so safe, the only thing the dictates your height is the speed you can get from rolling in.

Because we were so wrecked from a full day in the sun riding I know that most of us can't wait to go back and really get a feel for it.

Without a doubt a must go to skatepark if big transition is your thing. 

Chris Harti ripped in! Photo: Zac Miner

One last thing..

The kids were sick! While they were wild, they didn't have any issue dropping in on that bowl on their scooters - we're talking 11 year old girls. They even borrowed our bikes and ripped around, carving like they were Garrett Byrnes. It was sick.

Goes to show that if all someone has to ride is a 12 foot deep bowl, they'll adapt. 

The government needs to stop being scared of building the big transitions!

Anyway, onward we go, to the final park of the trip.

The crew at Dubbo on sunset. Photo: Zac Miner

Dubbo skatepark

No doubt about it, whoever built Dubbo skatepark did a hell of a job. We rocked up and were gassed from a full day of riding in the sun, but we managed to get some good laps in while that burning orange ball began to set (it was something like 37 degrees at 6.30pm!)

The park itself, I'll tell you right now:

You have to go!

Tyson Jones-Peni dangling the foot at Dubbo. How's those Back Bone socks! Photo: Russell Brindley

There's a lot to offer at around the 9ft mark at Dubbo, plus an insane full pipe capsule that takes a bit to get used to if you want to start heading into 'upside down' territory, but is incredibly fun.

Another thing that makes Dubbo skatepark so fun is the amount of different lines you can take without trying too hard to be different. Everyone on the trip was doing their own thing in the bowls, which is pretty exciting to see. 

You know a park is good when everyone is doing something different and it all looks effortless!

Dylan Lewis with one of those good lookin' lipslides he does, this time on the cinder block extension at Dubbo. Photo: Tyson Jones-Peni

The trip in itself was amazing, we were only 5 hours away from Canberra and along the way we'd hit 5 amazing skateparks that I can promise you won't regret riding.

Road trips are integral to BMX, experiencing new spots and growing friendships, making memories. Riding new things allows you to get out of your comfort zone, both on your bike and being in a new place.

You don't need much, jump in the car with a tent and some mates.. and if you live in Canberra, head west for the weekend - you won't regret it.

Here's some extra photos to get your stoke up even higher.. And trust me, you want to get to the last one.

Sun's coming up, Tama's cooking brekkie, Harti's getting pitted while Russ watches on. Photo: Tyson Jones-Peni

Chris Harti up there with the 44t Imperial! Photo: Tyson Jones-Peni

A Tyson eclipse at Wellington.. Photo: Russell Brindley

Oppo table in the deep by Rusty. Photo: Tyson Jones-Peni

This is ridiculous! Dylan casually blasted this right before we left.. 100% Death Grippin'. Photo: Tyson Jones-Peni