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Above: Van Homan, rail fufanu at the banks. Screenshot taken from 'the best video part of all time' - Criminal Mischief. The video came out in 2001, which puts this clip at 16+ years old.

This post is something that is almost too weird to comprehend - if you don't ride BMX that is. How a small, steep, banked piece of concrete with a railing on top can be so revered.. especially when it sits within a housing complex that most citizens wouldn't dare step foot in (unless you happen to be one of those citizens who is trying to score hard drugs). 

The fact is, that the bank setup at Bega flats has played a big part in BMX for almost two decades and as of right now, thanks to city development and gentrification, has been demolished and is no longer.

BMX riders from Canberra and afar have found themselves here at the Bega flats banks at some point, as the spot sits across the road from the city skatepark and you can't help but see it as you're sitting on the deck of the mini ramp. Most of the time you're pretty quickly greeted by irrate junkies and a bad vibe, so many Canberrans don't count this as a go-to for a session, but nevertheless, locals like Pete Majoinen, Michael Puniard and Zac Miner (among others) have stamped their mark on the spot over the years.

Zac Miner in Troy Charlesworth's Epic Invasion video.

For travelling BMXers eager to film, the Bega flats bank been host to some of the greatest to ever do it. Mike Aitken, Dennis Enarson, Ronnie Napolitan, Josh Harrington - as well as Van Homan scoring two clips at the bank for his Criminal Mischief section (AKA the best section of all time).  

Dennis Enarson, overpedal to barspin in the Haro Australia video in 2010.

Mike Aitken, pegless icepick to fakie from Sentenced to Life.

The Bega flats complex have been torn apart in the last few weeks and it was only a matter of time until the bank itself was going to be no more, so Jack O'Reilly and I made it a point to get in there, shoot some photos and take one last ride on Sunday. It was a strange experience, it's the quietest it's ever been in there riding the spot and to be honest, probably the longest I've ever been there. While the trick we shot was far from the most progressive, it is a crazy feeling to look at it even just days later and know that it will be impossible to do that again.

The demolition of the Bega Flats bank is a reminder of just how good the experience of searching and riding spots is; find it while you can, ride it while you can, take nothing for granted and enjoy the memory.

- Tyson 

The bank as it stood on Sunday 25/6/17. No rails and no sub-rail.

The banks, this morning.

Downside whip, last time ever. Jack O'Reilly photo.

Pool hanging with Trent Rowsell. James Fox photo.

Benn Pigot is an Australian BMX legend and has been a supporter/team rider of the shop since damn near the beginning.. Not to mention one of our closest friends. Benn rips anything he rides with a casualness that just looks so good, which makes sense, because it reflects his casual, chilled demeanour off the bike. We are so stoked to have a full section of Benn in the video, and now we can bring it to you online, as well as gracing you with some of Benn's favourite things in this top 5, complete with epic shots from James Fox.   

Places on the bike:

• Five Dock
• Nimbin
• Wellington
• A good chill pool
• Málaga (all of it)

While Bondi doesn't technically make Benn's top 5 places on the bike, the deep end, pool coping and the ocean right next to it - it certainly contains elements of his favourite places. Big pocket air in the deep. James Fox Photo.

Places off the bike:

• Berry Springs, NT
• Málaga, Spain
• Bydalen, Sweden
• Encasa 
• Guzman y Gomez

Just look at that pool! And that table! While it looks like a dream pool to ride (judging by the blasted table Benn is folded into), what makes it so sick is that Benn found and cleaned this pool for hours with his mate Trent before laying tires on it. James Fox photo.

Music to ride to:

• Postmortem - Slayer
• The Number 12 Looks Like You - Category 
• Lil Gin - Demons in my soul 
• La Chat - Luv 2 Get High
• Faith No More - Woodpecker from Mars

Music to hang to:

• Da End - Gangsta Blac 
• Ab Soul - Pass the Blunt
• Ween - Buckingham Green
• Ween - Mister Would You Please Help My Pony
• Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Jordan - Stone Cold Dead In the Market 

Benn on home ground. If you haven't sessioned with Benn at Five Dock, notch that up something you must do. James Fox photo.

Bike parts:

• Solid headsets when they existed
• Izumi chains
• Fly Ruben Pedals, metal
• Fit Hartbreaker  
• My trusty railed Backbone seat

Tricks:

• Tables
• Slides/skids of all sorts
• Kick outs 
• Turndowns 
• There's no way I could do it, but I love seeing a good Derek Duster. 

Jeez. Soulful, stylin', all time tireslide from Benn. James Fox photo. 

Riders:

• Mike Aitken 
• Joe Rich 
• Ruben Alcantara 
• Trent Rowsell 
• Dylan Lewis 

BMX memories:

• When Aitken and company came to Bondi. 
• Ever getting to see Dane Searls ride anything. 
• New Years trip 2 years ago when I was lucky to hit Plumbus Dam and the big ass full pipe. 
• A trip Trent Rowsell and I did late November last year to Málaga, had the chance to ride some crazy places with amazing people. 
• At a Five Dock Jam, I saw Danny Stevenson do the biggest turndown over the spine I've ever seen.

What a way to rip into a Tuesday arvo.. We're psyched to put Harti's section online for everyone to see. Chris put in serious work to make his section happen, not only in terms of riding, but spending a bunch of time building one of the most serious trail spots ever with Raine Turnbull. If you don't see Harti around the parks, it's because he is at the trails. But don't let that fool you, Chris has shut down multiple lines at the parks too. If you've ever been to Belco or Civic parks, you'll know that what he does at these parks in the video is ridiculous.

Sit back and watch the Hartbreaker himself, then go chuck on a Rat crewneck and join the crew!

Contemplating the gnarliness.. Raine Turnbull photo.

While it was our intention to upload each section of the video in order, we just couldn't resist uploading Zac Miner's EPIC section today, on his 30th birthday! Zac went all in for his section, almost every single one of his clips were pure nail biting, hands over the face, two zeros dialled with your phone out ready to hit the third zero, type gnarly. In fact I'm still not sure the last clip even qualifies as a spot. It's just too gnarly to look at as an actual thing you can do on a bike. Regardless, Zac lived to tell the tale, as well as many others and what you see below is epicness in BMX riding, all expertly put together by Brendan Boeck (as well as the rest of the video).. And that soundtrack - you'll want to turn it up, you'll have goosebumps.

Thanks for being a absolutely legendary dude on the bike and even more so off the bike Zac, you are a do-er in BMX who builds spots, helps with jams, and you walk your own path. Happy birthday mate! 

Now what are you doing, hit play!

Zac ripping, as usual! Tyson JP photo

This is pretty damn exciting for us! Since releasing the Back Bone video two years ago, we've lived on the idea of it remaining as solely a video. But after some thought, we going to share it with the world. It's been long enough. Thanks to all those who have a physical copy, we're still all so proud of how hard we worked to make it a reality.

We'll be releasing one section a week in order, but first up to kick it off is our intro section AND Russell Brindley with the opening section!

The intro pays homage to our mate/team rider/BMX legend, the late Dane Searls. It also has a reasonably unrehearsed 'average' night at the shop with team riders and mates. Watching this still makes me laugh!

Russell with the well deserved 'opener' section.. Dr Smooth lays it down with effortless, timeless style and as well as that, has been around since Back Bone wasn't even a shop, supporting and spreading the good word.. it makes sense that Russ had first section! Those whips at the trails.. DAMN.

Enjoy, and make sure you get tuned in next week!

The big hanger to drop on Northbourne, Canberra. Photo Nick Gascoine.

Jack O'Reilly is one dedicated dude. Not just when it comes to riding, but with everything in life. The dude has laser focus. He is determined. I mean, how else could someone commit to going out and filming gnarly big rails consistently without having focus like Jack does?

While everyone else was tripping over themselves, trying to pull together their part in the Back Bone video when the deadline was looming, Jack had been putting in work consistently for 18 months prior, with what he had to do next already planned in his head. And he'd get it done. All this while working 5, sometimes 6 days a week as a plumber.

One of the gnarliest street riders we've seen, but also the dude who'll come up to the trails now and again and get through the line first go. He also has fine taste in BMX, music and other things in life. Get a glimpse into a little of what makes Jack tick below.

Places on the bike:

• ANU
• UC
• Melbourne
• Sydney
• Hastings

This rail doesn't get messed with too often.. In fact, I don't know of anyone apart from Jack doing anything but a double peg down it. Jack, big feeble on a narrow 16 stair. Jack Gruber Photo.

Places off the bike:

• Broulee
• Byron
• Crescents head
• Milton
• Back Bone

Jack with one of the most serious nose wheelies ever. You have to gap out and the ledge is that weird length that doesn't allow you to half ass the nose and correct into position. You just have to jump straight into the position and if you flip, you're falling ten foot. Raine Turnbull photo.

Music to ride to:

• To be honest, I find it hard to listen to music whilst riding... soooo none.

Music to hang to:

• Beast of Bourbon - Psycho
• Sydney City Trash - Whiskey In The Sun
• Nick Cave - Knockin' On Joe
• Drunk Mums - Dirty Birmy

Gnarly skinny ledge ride, Kingston. Nick Gascoine photo.

Bike parts:

• Division hub guard
• Eclat Bondi rims are hard to beat
• Odyssey Trailmix pedals
• Division C bars
• Division Lanark frame

Tricks:

• Over crooks
• Nollie ice
• A Ty Morrow oppo 3 or tail whip
• No footer to table

Dived into the overcrooks, UC. Jack Gruber photo. 

Riders:

• Calvin Kosovich
• Brian Kachinsky
• Ty Morrow
• All the backbone dudes; Russell, Tyso, Jack, Zac, Jeff etc etc

BMX memories:

• Traveling around Europe with Rob Pak
• Division trip to Brisbane
• Most recent trip to Melbourne
• Back Bone trip to Kempsey
• Back Bone trip through country Victoria

At this point, there is so much hype surrounding the ACT jam that I just don't know what to say any more. It's just gets crazier every year! 2017 means we're five years deep on the ACT Jam re-incarnation. James Fox did a second to none job on this one and went above and beyond. If you see him, give him a firm handshake and a pat on the back. Legend.

Press play, hold on tight and start making plans to get here next year.

Lastly, thanks to those who helped with running the jam, whether it was by picking up rubbish or helping set up/pack down, special mention to the Tuggeranong Vikings BMX Club for their support on the Kambah KOD stop, and of course the sponsors that helped make the prizes a reality, make sure you support these guys:

Kink BMX

Colony BMX

Sweet Bones Bakery

Wethepeople

Fiend BMX

Subrosa Brand

Vans

Sunday Bikes

Fitbikeco.

Tempered Goods

S&M Bikes

Division Brand

BSD

Shadow Conspiracy

Vocal BMX

Next year is gonna be a hell of a time!

above image via vansbmxprocup.com

No doubt you've seen at least some of the insane riding that's gone down this past weekend in Malaga, Spain as the second stop of the Vans BMX Pro Cup has wrapped up. It has to have been one of the most incredible competitions that's gone down in recent memory and the riding was nothing short of mind blowing. It was pinnacle bowl riding! 

Congrats to Chase Hawk for snatching the victory despite some heavy riding from all competitors, and our brother Jason Watts for grabbing 13th in a stacked as hell field!

While it's not the finals, the above video from Freedom BMX features Ruben Alcantara speaking about the park and the way he designed it; which in itself is really interesting, plus of course some serious riding from the crew that were there for the comp. Hats off to Freedom BMX for getting Ruben's thoughts!

Vans is killing it with this series.. it's sick to see a brand steeped in BMX history doing things right - I guess that's why they're steeped in BMX history. 

Just for kicks, here's a photo of Jase blasting Weston while he was in town.

Jack Gruber, the young gun turned Royal Rat turned Back Bone video part filmer turned mad man. We've watched Jack rise from the young kid who walked in and got his first complete bike from us to now just killing it with us and Odyssey looking after him!

Jack fired out a rad minute web edit and a couple of photos, as well as answering a top five - so take a second to watch, read and learn about our brother Jack!

TOP 5's with JACK GRUBER

Places on the bike:

• Tuggers skatepark
• Cruising around the City
• Fadden Bowl
• Woden
• Anywhere with a good crew of dudes

Places off the bike:

• Byron Bay
• Civic Pub/ Knightsbridge
• Transit/Phoenix Bar for the good gigs
• Troy Harradine’s house
• Anywhere with a schnitty special

Jack with the AM tooth hanger. Photo Tyson JP. 

Music to ride to:

• Any Smith Street Band song
• Gang of Youths: What Can I Do If The Fire Goes Out
• Kendrick Lamar.. Too many to name
• Patti Smith: Rock and Roll Nigger
• Ty Morrows Deadline song part ( Wicked Lady: War Cloud )

Music to hang to:

• Any Smith Street Band song
• Ocean Alley: Partner In Crime
• Camp Cope: Footscray Station
• Kendrick Lamar.. Same story, Art of Peer Pressure if I have to name one
• Courtney Barnett: Out of The Woodwork, Gang Of Youths: Knuckles White Dry, Cindy Lauper: Girls Just Want to Have Fun , Julia Jacklin: Pool Party , Slayer: Jesus Saves, The Preatures: Rock and Roll Rave… Top 10?

And an over oppo hanger on the same ledge. Tyson JP photo.

Bike parts:

• Odyssey R32 Forks
• Fiend Reynolds Frame
• Odyssey Hazard lite rims, how mine are still round is a mystery
• ODI longnecks. With Flanges. Always need the Flange
• Division drive side hub guard. Saves you every time

Riders:

• Garrett Reynolds
• Troy Harradine
• Nathan Williams
• All the boys (Jack O’Reilly, Zac Miner, TJP, B-dog) and everyone else we go out and film with
• Garrett Reynolds?

BMX memories:

• Every ACT JAM
• Back Bone DVD prem night
• Latest Victoria road trip with the Back Bone crew.. good times
• Getting Zac Miner to sign my 2008? ( I would have been 11/12 ) 2020 cover. Now the mans chasing me around with a pen and paper every weekend.
• All the times we get a good crew and go film or just hang out.