News
History Lesson - Rhysty and Rusty ride POSH
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!
Valley View Trail Camp 2020
Above: Harley Nowakowski took the most laps award on the weekend. Tipping it over to start the line.
If you're talking long running jams across Australia, there are few places that have been running jams as regularly, and for as long, as the Valley View trails in Young, NSW.
Will and Chris Kerr have been looking after the trail scene in the cherry-picking capital of Australia for over ten years, with yearly jams running for just as long.
Perhaps just as, or if not more, exciting as the jams has been watching the evolution of Valley View; with every jam comes new additions to the trails - Will and Chris have done a stellar job at shovelling mods that keep you on your toes year-after-year.
2020 has brought about some life-changing worldwide events.. But it was very comforting to see the Corona reigns loosen just enough to get some well needed BMX riding in - especially for the majority who travelled from interstate to be there.
It was a full trail camp in Young for 4 days, that's for certain.
One special shout out goes to (our latest Canberra local) Harley Nowakowski, who took the most laps of all, but unfortunately went down hard and is currently recovering in hospital from a severe concussion - but is looking to make a full recovery. Certified helmets save lives! FYI, Harley was shredding on the weekend!
Thanks as always to the Kerr bros for making it happen this year and every year, there's nothing quite like a long weekend spent at the trails. To see Valley View and the subsequent jams come from humble beginnings, to what it is now, is incredible.
Enjoy the photos from just some of the badassery that happened below.
- Tyson
Chris Kerr showing you how good a nac nac can look over a 30ft set.. Photo: Tyson JP
Russell Brindley dropping the foot off through Borders line. Photo: Tyson JP
The van life was real at the trails over the weekend and Jonny Mackellar's van was the poster child for them all. Weexy, James Fox and Jonny kickin' it. Photo: Tyson JP
Weexy celebrated his birthday by juicin' 30 footers and getting radical! You're a legend Weex! Photo: Tyson JP
Harley was tearing the Two Hips line a new one all day.. You better believe this one foot x-up got laid over into a one foot euro before he landed. Stoked to see you on the mend Harley! Photo: Tyson JP
Jonny Mack has the perfect mix. He does the gnarliest stuff, done ever-so-casually, with a style all his own - all while hootin' and hollerin' & a smile on his face. It makes you want to ride, that's for sure. 360 table on the 30fter. Photo: Tyson JP
What did I say about casual with a style all his own? Jonny Mack in his element. Photo: Tyson JP
Sun peaking through the clouds and Russ Brindley soaking up the hangtime with a picturesque turndown. Photo: Tyson JP
I shot this, looked at my camera & couldn't believe that Chris Harti could get in a position so dipped, over a 30ft set. So rad. Photo: Tyson JP
Will Gunn. I don't know how to describe how Will rides except 'badass'. Big old toboggan. Photo: Tyson JP
Harti hit the limiter on this jump. This was full throttle, powerband type stuff. Photo: Tyson JP
Will Gunn, the master of loft.. This one foot seatgrab table was EPIC. Photo: Tyson JP
Summer Bowls Trip Video & Photos
Danny Stevenson lived up to his name on this trip. Full weaponhead status in Bondi deep end. Photo: Tyson JP
The quest for riding concrete bowls never ends.
We took a trip up the coast with not too much of an itinerary, except to ride some parks we hadn't before, as well as get a better session at some that we had. The NSW coast offers up some ridiculously good concrete skateparks, but we had bowls in mind - hopefully some with some deep transition.
We definitely got a good serving of them.
We also got to plan our trip around heading to the Blake Butterfield memorial jam that took place on the Saturday evening at Thornleigh skatepark. We've been helping Brodie Butterfield out with prizes for the jam in his brother's honour since the beginning, so it was great to make attendance this year.
There was an amazing turnout of riders and it was awesome to put faces to names of customers who have supported the store over the years. It's such a buzz to watch riders you don't know absolutely rip their local park to shreds.
Hayden Burr AKA the Sydney Haydos took home the best rider award, stoked to help with his swag of gear for his efforts. Thanks for the support mate!
Haydos with the spine tailwhip at Thornleigh! Photo: Tyson JP
Haydos with his well deserved 'best rider' prizes. Photo: Tyson JP
We ended up at Bar Beach bowl in Newcastle for our final day. After 3 full days of riding in the sun, the crew was toasted, but the allure of the bowl was far too much to stay in the shade. We took our final laps and got a really good last session in before packing the van for the trip home.
If there's one recommendation to leave you to ponder on, it's this.
Get out there and ride different spots.
Riding new parks, with different layouts and even feeling different transitions under your wheels is a pretty unique experience. Obviously there's the feeling that comes with mastering your local park, but the feeling of being on alien turf can be exciting and challenging, all at once.
By no means did we conquer parks, but it's a cool feeling to know that there's plenty of places to take you out of your comfort zone, and make you excited to ride, that are waiting everywhere.
It also is nice to experience what works, and what doesn't - so that if the chance arises that you can make something in your own town, you have experience to draw on.
We pulled the camera out a lot on this trip, hope you enjoy the video and photos and they get you psyched for your own trip somewhere!
- Tyson
Russ going scenic with this epic table at Bar Beach. Photo: Tyson JP
Bobby got that pop! Way up there at Bateau Bay. Photo: Tyson JP
Tyrone Edwards making it look all too effortless at Bondi bowl. Photo: Tyson JP
Sydney legend Dermo twisted down at Thornleigh. Photo: Tyson JP
Weaponhead with the weapon shred lookback at Bar Beach. Photo: Tyson JP
Will Gunn, proper 360 table over the spine at Thornleigh. Photo: Tyson JP
Here it is, don't even try. The best table ever. Benn Pigot at Thornleigh. Photo: Tyson JP
Shop trading hours over the holidays (and a few unseen photos)
Have you got one of our new BMX Island tees that Tyson is modelling yet?
The year is coming to a close.. Here's our trading hours for our retail shop.
It's a busy time of year and we're currently winding down our retail shop opening hours before we break for Christmas. Today (23/12) we're open until 5.30pm, then tomorrow (Christmas Eve 24/12) we're open 10am - 3pm.
And then we close the shop until the 6th of January!
Don't fret though..
There's plenty left for us to do during the time the shop is closed, namely taking care of sending out orders and emails.
So if you are placing orders in between 24/12 - 6/1 we'll be doing our best to get them out in a timely manner.
Now you've read the important stuff, here's a few photos we have been sitting on for a while..
Will Gunn dipping it over the channel at Belconnen. Photo: Tyson JP
Russell Brindley getting whipped on the Hut jump, Snails. Photo: Tyson JP.
Tyson Jones-Peni with a 360 x-up on the rarely spun hut jump at Snails. Photo: Karl Cottrell
Dane Jam 2019 - the first year of a worldwide Dane Searls jam
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!
Russell Brindley Trail Hesh Video (Happy Birthday Russ!)
Thought we'd celebrate one of the pillars of the Canberra (and Australian) BMX scene, Russell Brindley, as he turns 35 today! Russell has been shredding since day one and the fact the he keeps getting better, even at 35, is exciting to watch and inspiring for all.
Russell's heavy stoke for building and riding trails is always firing, this video is a few of sessions caught on film and here for you to salivate on. Full blown trail hesh.
West NSW bowl trip video
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!
The best skateparks in NSW and why you need to go there
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