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It was great to have Rhys be a part of the third episode of the Back Bone Zone - I say this in the podcast, but this was actually quite difficult to have Rhys on, as we are such good friends and know each other so well already. But the abridged version of the origin story had to be told!

Hope you enjoy this episode.

UPDATE: We are on Spotify!

We all got legless as on the weekend to celebrate Back Bone head honcho Rhysty's 46th birthday. Legless line at the trails is a fun one, that's for sure.

Made even more fun with some laps for the birthday trail boss!

Shout out to the homies who dig at the trails.

Filmed/edited by Tyson Jones-Peni 

Buzzed out on this raw footage from 2003 featuring Rhysty (Rhys Williams) and Rusty (Russell Brindley) riding POSH that our mate Dan Hunt filmed that was recently uncovered and digitised.

Amazing to see footage from a a place 18 years ago, that still inspires today. POSH is certainly the Church of Dirt.

Rhys went on to open up Back Bone 2 years after this.. Which makes the shop 16 years old. This footage is 18 years old, which means that Rhys has been travelling the world riding BMX, and building trails longer than some of our customers have been alive - Rhysty is a BMX lifer, through and through!

Enjoy the footage!

Above: Kris McCreath AKA Parrot, ripping around the berm toward the hut.

Every November since 2012, we've ran a jam to commemorate the life of our friend, team rider and absolute savage trail rider, Dane Searls.

We have never wanted the D.A.N.E. jam to be the only jam to pay respect to his legendary life, nor should it be.

A jam where hundreds of people turn up, or a private jam that only a few in-the-know locals have, doesn't matter, especially when it's to acknowledge and celebrate the life of a legend like Dane Searls.

This year we wanted to encourage riders worldwide to hold a jam for Dane - and the BMX community worldwide responded amazingly!

Riders locally, interstate, and across the globe, got tires on the dirt at the trails, or shovels in the dirt if the weather wasn't favourable. We even saw a few riders who took a couple of laps at the park. But it was all for Dane. 

We think it's a beautiful way to celebrate this legend, to let his name and legacy ring out among the worldwide BMX scene every year.

Special thanks goes out to Jonny Mackellar who ran a public jam at Sumner's trails up in QLD, but just a huge thanks in general to those who ran a jam, or took a lap, in Dane's honour this year. 

A bunch of the crew here in Canberra got together and rode the trails, there was a few Dane Searls-esque moves thrown down (although no 60ft supermans), plenty of good times to celebrate a legend.

Thanks to Brendan Boeck for the photos.

RIP Dane Searls.

Russell Brindley, with the tuck n dive. Weaponhead in tow.

Will Gunn, if in doubt, kick it out!

Tyson Jones-Peni, mid rotate.

Danny Stevenson AKA Weaponhead, giving it a weapon shred, while Will follows him UP.

Vice versa! Will in the air, Danny leading the way. Fold N Hold.

Rhysty kickin it on the spine.

Rusty hesh, layin it out.

Weaponhead with the Dane inspired no foot can!

Did you know that the NSW BMX Championships hit hard on the weekend?

If you're down with BMX racing in Australia you might be aware of the state championships that happen each year.

But if you don't race BMX, then read on. You'll get the lowdown on a huge aspect of one of the most exciting styles of BMX here in Australia.

A quick overview on how the BMX State Titles work

Each year, a BMX track is chosen in each state (and territory), with riders all over Australia travelling to compete for the chance to be crowned the fastest rider for that state in their respective age groups.

A rider from any state or territory can win the title and bragging rights (thanks to a number plate donning the riders' achievement) for the year. 

 Rhysty's 40-44 men final.

Recapping the 2019 NSW BMX Titles

This year the NSW State Titles were held at Maitland BMX track just north of Newcastle. 

There was a big convoy of Canberra BMX riders in attendance at Maitland, competing across several age classes.

The Maitland BMX track had a good mix of all the elements that make a good BMX race; a powerful first straight with a long first turn that led into a fun and fast second straight with no shortage of jumps.

The third straight kept you on your toes! 

This third straight rhythm was just technical enough to keep you thinking while still being fast and not clunky. The only left berm on the track was left till last and started a tight last straight to the finish.

It was rad to see a heavy presence of the fastest and loosest crew in town, thanks to riders from Canberra and interstate wearing their Back Bone race jerseys. The Back Bone race crew was in full effect. 

11 Boys shredder and Tuggeranong BMX rider Reid Stewart. Mitch Ramm photo.

NSW BMX State Titles results

Riders were looking fast all weekend long; there was no less than 850 entries into the State Titles across the two days, which means some of the age classes were STACKED with over forty riders competing through to make an 8 rider final.

A big pat on the back goes to all riders who competed. Regardless of where you finished up, it's an impressive feat just to line up on the gate. We were, however, stoked to see a heavy presence of these Canberra BMX racers charge into the finals and grab a NSW plate.

• 9 girls: Amelia Stitchbury (1st)
• 11 boys: Reid Stewart (5th)
• 12 girls: Maddie Hayes (4th)
• 12 boys: Cooper Sellars (8th)
• 13 girls: Laura Gasperski (8th)
• 14 boys: Nathan Granatelli (5th)
• 16 boys: Luke Granatelli (7th)
• 30-34 men: Kaine McCarroll (3rd)
• 40-44 men: Rhysty! (2nd)
• 45-49 men: Craig Hewitt (7th)

Rhysty hit his final hard and although his foot unclipped down the third rhythm straight, he was still able to hold it together for a 2nd place finish. A special mention goes out to Australian vert-riding legend Matt Fairbairn, who went down hard in the same final, got up and then tried to 360 the last double into the second straight. Wild.

Rhysty heading into the first corner in the 40-44 men final. Photo: Mitch Ramm

BMX racing is tough.

It's tough to line up onto a stacked gate of 8 riders, all of you wanting to make it into the first corner in the number one position - and carry that position all the way to the finish line.

It takes concentration, guts, skill, practice and a little bit of luck to make it through any race, so if you're out on the track and giving it your all - especially at an event like the NSW BMX State Titles - we applaud you. 

Congrats to all the racers and see you next time!

Luke Granatelli is one of the fastest 16 boys in Australia right now. Photo: Mitch Ramm

Rhysty, the Steel Panther, and the aim of the game..The finish line. Photos: Tyson JP

Rhysty jumped back into BMX racing a few years ago and has been making moves across the east coast, travelling to races like the Australian titles earlier this year, as well as the recent state round at Southlake BMX track last weekend.

Rhys recently dialled in his latest race rig, an S&M Steel Panther, so we thought it was a good chance to show what gets him snapping out of the gate and across the finish line.

RHYS WILLIAMS (RHYSTY) S&M STEEL PANTHER BIKE CHECK

• Frame: S&M Steel Panther frame, 21.75" Black
• Forks: S&M Race forks
• Stem: S&M Credence Turtleneck
• Headset: Back Bone
• Bars: Back Bone Kicked Out bars
• Grips: ODI Ruffian grips
• Cranks: Profile Elite, 177.5mm
• Sprocket: Profile Elite chainring, 46t
• Pedals: Crank Brothers Stamp 7 pedals
• Chain: Shadow Conspiracy Interlock chain, 3/32"
• Seat: Tioga D-Spyder Pivotal
• Seat Post: DRS Pivotal
• Seat Clamp:Salsa quick release
• Hub (front): Profile Elite
• Hub (rear): Profile Elite Cassette hub, 17t cog
• Rims: Sun Envy rims
• Tire (front): Tioga Powerblock, 1.95"
• Tire (rear): right now, a Tioga Powerblock, 1.75"
• Brakes:  Promax P1
• Brake Lever: Promax P1
• Brake Cable: Promax

Give me a bit of a rundown of your race bike:

This bike compared to the 38 Special feels a lot more stiff. The Steel Panther frame is sleeker and I'm loving the in-built chain tensioners. I went for a longer length for a bit more stability at high speed. I guess I just really like CRMO bikes so I can bike rack a few doubles and not have to worry about it too much [laughter].

Plus I'm just trying to hold onto my roots as much as possible. I've got nothing against the dudes running alloy and carbon frames - it just makes my bike look even better [laughter].

I have another bike for riding the trails and skatepark, but lately I've had some really good sessions at the skatepark on my race bike, which might just become more of a thing for me in the future. With the setup I've got the only thing that you'd have to change is the tires.

While I'd love to run a 44/16 gearing, I quite like the 46/17 combo with the rear tire I'm running now. I'm not the most powerful dude to the first jump but that gearing is a good in between for me.

I have always run Profile products. No doubt there's lighter products and hubs with quicker engagement, but personally Profile hasn't ever let me down.

I also love Sun rims, I've run them forever and I'm just sticking with stuff that I know is quality gear. I'm too old to have a part fail on me at high speed.

When I was younger I snapped the head tube off some alloy frames. While I'm sure alloy frames are made a lot stronger now, I don't want to risk it.

I bolted on a set of the (just about to be released) Back Bone handlebars which have a traditional sweep compared to a lot of the flatter bars that racers run. I just like a good feeling set of bars that feel good to jump, rather than get a slightly better gate with flat bars that feel horrible to me. 

I run a slightly wider front tire than most on the track, I just like the way it feels and I don't think it makes too much of a difference for rolling resistance.

I never thought I'd get back into BMX racing like I have. All I really want to do is ride the trails full time, but now that my two boys race, racing has taken on a different meaning for me. I get share the experience of travelling to BMX event with them, and cheer them on. I'm less worried about my results and the competition has become more about doing the best that I can, rather than what position I ended up in.

I want to say a big thanks to Chris Moeller and Scott Shepherd for helping me out with this badass bike, Andrew Mapstone at Vans for keeping my feet fresh and BentSpoke for keeping me hydrated after the race.

Rhysty stylin' at Castle Hill BMX track. Photo: Mitch Ramm

Back Bone co-owner Rhys Williams AKA Rhysty was full of moves at the BMXNSW BMXtreme carnival at Castle Hill BMX track a couple of weekends back!  

Rhys raced his 40-44 age group against a tough field on a fun track for the pre-NSW titles and well, you'll just have to watch the video to get a glimpse of what went down. Rhysty is in lane three. 

Rhysty has been on riding BMX since he was 6 years old, but used to race AA Pro back in his early 20s, but as is the story with many BMXers of the late 90s, Rhys' urge to ride trails and 'freestyle' overtook the need to race and Rhys gave BMX racing a break.

Fast forward to 2015. Even though Rhys has been riding trails and skateparks non-stop, he jumped back on the BMX track to make some moves once again.

We have been expanding our range of BMX racing bikes and parts over the years since, but the latest thing we're stoked on that is certainly more than welcome at the track is our 'Always Loose' long sleeve we released yesterday.. We're pretty certain that the video above is a testament to the slogan on the back.

Always Loose!

Some of the crowd, stoked to have a crew arrive despite the time change. Photo: Tyson Jones-Peni

Six years have passed since Dane Searls' passed away, it never gets any easier to think of the reason why this jam is held. But all you can do each year is have Dane in mind while you get the trails running as good as you can, and then enjoy laps with some friends on the day, in celebration of the life of a trail riding, BMX badass.

I have to make special mention to Dane's mum, Jenni. Each and every year since the jam's inception, Jenni has made the trip to Canberra in support of the jam and to be around those who were friends and fans of Dane. Thanks for making the trip Jenni.

Despite the fact the start time had to change from the late afternoon to 9am, there was still a solid presence and the focus was definitely on riding. Thanks to those who showed up and cut a lap or spectated in Dane's honour.

Scott Greentree was around and shot some badass photos that you can see below with a few of my own, thanks Scott.

RIP Dane Searls.

- Tyson

Kris McCreath grabs the seat in front of the crowd while Dylan Lewis and Harti share a hug and miss it. Photo: Tyson Jones-Peni

Harti didn't miss a chance to get whipped out though. Chris was up at the trails early with a small crew, doing final prep work to make sure it was ready to go. Then ripped hard. Photo: Scott Greentree

Speaking of putting in time at the trails, Rhysty might have been up there at 6am this day. It's not the first time he is up there at dawn anyway. Puts in work and then lets a oppo table fly as a reward. Photo: Tyson Jones-Peni

Tyson Jones-Peni with the table on Halloween after running some tires through the step-down line. Photo: Scott Greentree

Kris McCreath (AKA Parrot) is one of few who put in many hours on the shovel at the trails and it shows; he lays down the law once it's time to ride! Seat grab one foot table. Photo: Tyson Jones-Peni

Chris 'Ando' Anderson is one of Dane's oldest friends, which makes it very awesome to be able to hold an event that Ando is able to attend. And shred. Him and Shane Biffen (in the bowl) tore it up. Thanks for coming! Photo: Scott Greentree

We don't get to see Tyrone Edwards at the trails too much, but seeing him blast like this, makes me want to see him at the trails more often! Every set juiced till it was dry. Photo: Tyson Jones-Peni  

This year we were able to commemorate Dane's life and legacy with this amazing photo by Raine Turnbull, which we have turned into a limited edition, large format poster print. If you would like a copy, they are available here (or click the photo), with all proceeds going to the costs of running the jam.

The big dog. Rhysty opened the shop in 2005 and it has been keeping the flame lit for 12 years. His passion for BMX and building trails has gone on for 30+ years and that passion flowed on to opening the store, as well as travelling the world to visit different trail spots.

His section in the video reflects that, visiting trails in West Australia, to Eastern Pennsylvania, to his backyard and his trail spot, Hillfire, in Canberra.

When we came up with the plan to film a video, Rhysty was 36 years old. Being 36 years old and filming your first video part was a little daunting for Rhys, but he came through with exactly what it needed to be - a reflection of his lifestyle. Rhysty at the trails, riding smooth as you'd like.

Filmed and edited by Brendan Boeck with additional filming from the crew.