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This video from S&M Bikes featuring our mate Jonny Mackellar is exactly the reason why BMX is so awesome.

Jonny has been a source of inspiration for us for many years now. Jonny lives in such an authentic way, that is hard to define, unless you've met him.

If you haven't met Jonny, then hopefully after watch his S&M 'Best F***ing edit ever' video, you'll get a glimpse of his authenticity that oozes out through his riding.

Jonny does whatever he wants - if he likes the way a trick feels, he'll do it, regardless of whether it's a typical 'stylish' trick, or a heavy stunt like a 720. He doesn't confine himself to one type of riding either. While you might think of Jonny as a trails guy, if he feels like riding street, he'll do that, too. 

He'll ride all sorts of different bike setups, he'll put brakes on or take them off. He's just the dude who wants to have a good time riding BMX and isn't concerned about pigeon-holing himself to being a certain type of rider.

All of these things should be apparent after you watch the video below.

But what you don't see is Jonny's commitment to building and stoking out his local scene. Most of the trail spots in this video are built by, or with, Jon. He is always running jams. Even though he rides for us, he shows up and helps with other BMX shop jams (like his brother's shop Blue Groove), because he knows that supporting the scene is important.

You always get us stoked Jonny, congrats on bringing out the best f***ing edit ever.

One last thing.

Scott Irvine was one of the nicest and realest guys around and I'm so glad that we got to know each other. Scott offered to take Rhys and I up to Snakewoods from Brisbane a few years ago, which is a 3+ hour drive. The amazing thing about that is, Scott was injured and couldn't/didn't even ride - he very generously took us up for the hell of it, and for the love of hanging out at the trails.

After a memorable day at the trails, we had to be back in the afternoon so that Rhys could catch his flight, but got caught in a savage traffic jam that made that 3 hour trip more like 5 hours, so needless to say, the flight was missed. Scott kept his cool in the traffic, and with his dry sense of humour, kept us all laughing too. It was a really cool way to strengthen a friendship, sitting in a car going nowhere and talking trash. I'll never forget that, and I know by how generous, kind and authentic you were that you inspired a lot of people, Jonny included. I wish I could've said that while you were around. Hope you're resting easy, mate.

- Tyson

Jonny Mackellar is the best. Photos: Tyson JP

It's hard to imagine a more fitting BMX video for this current climate than the recently released 'Dirt Rules' S&M Bikes flick.

We've been in multiple lockdowns, skatepark closures, travel restrictions and more over the last couple of years.

One thing that did flourish over this time is the building of trails and the trail scene in general. While there was plenty to gripe about in regards to BMX and Covid, the trail builder saw it as an opportunity to dive into the woods and get it done with an even more laser focus.

Dirt Rules is both a celebration of those whose time was spent building at the trails, while simultaneously celebrating the reward of sharing them with your mates when the time came for the world to open up once more.

There's a lot more to BMX than just the act of riding BMX and this video from S&M Bikes is a reminder of exactly what makes it so awesome.

A big pat on the back is deserved for those diggers of the spots on the video for making this whole video possible. Inspiration comes from this crew in spades.

Give yourself 45 minutes, figure out a way to watch this on a bigger screen if you can, and get really stoked to pick up a shovel and make things happen - cause Dirt Rules!

Posh royalty J-Bones and the Mad Dog Chris Moeller walking back to the top, Back Bone style.

Troy Harradine is our dude. A straight-up, hard working, friendly-as-heck, great guy. A full scene-stoker too, and has been for years. Oh, and by the way, Troy is a straight savage on his BMX bike too.

Troy has just put out his latest ripping BMX video through Colony BMX. It's got some doozy tricks in there, but when you thought Troy was just a original, tech park type rider, he hits you with some gnarly kinked rail badassery!

A must watch. Yes, Troy!

Head Judge and coach Chris Harti letting some of the riders know what's up in Tumut! Photos by Tyson JP

Tumut - the picturesque town on the fringes of the Kosciuszko National Park, was host to the 3rd stop in the Youth Adventure Skatepark series of competitions. We're sponsoring and helping to run these events in the form of judging and coaching. It's been so fun to get to these regional towns - it's always refreshing to ride new places and meet new riders who are either brand new, or experienced in BMX. Whether the park is an epic megalithic structure, or basic, I've never had a bad time riding something new.

A few riders from Canberra made the trip across to Tumut for the event, I shot some photos for it below. The next stop is on the 12th of February in Bombala - hope to see you there. Check the schedule for the rest of the stops below and register here to ride in the next one.

- Tyson

Chris Harti, coaching hat on, with local rider Mason.

Mason hitting the box after some pointers from Chris!

Chris Harti ripping one in between coaching and judging duties..

Another young ripper Kydan, stylin' the hip.

Awards time for some of the crew.

Young Sasha ripped into the 1st place position for the under 12s... Big old table!

John Graham has had a long history of BMX in this region, he's the guy who put this whole comp series together! Epic stuff. He can also fold a table over with the best of em.

Isaac Van De Kamp is one heck of a rider - second place in open, and a steezy downside whip for good measure.

Troy Harradine blitzed it in the Tumut comp and took home first place, as well as an invite to the final in Jindabyne! He'll be a real shot to take home $1000 cash in the final for sure.

The top 3 in open (with a tie for 3rd..) L - R: John Graham, Troy Harradine, Isaac Van De Kamp & Anthony Hudson.

Tyson has got some BMX coaching going down at 3 skateparks across Canberra over the school holidays. This is fitting in with a busy time of BMX competitions in the Snowy Monaro region.. Which means it could be a good way to brush up on some BMX skills for the comp series.

The Snowy Monaro/Southern Region skatepark series kicks off mid January, with stops at:

• Cooma skatepark, January 18
• Queanbeyan skatepark, January 20
• Tumut skatepark January 22 

Then 8 more stops in the same series, until the finals in April at Jindabyne.

The beginner coaching is suitable for riders reasonably new to BMX, but if you have any questions or would like to know what group you'd fit into, or to book, please email coaching@backbonebmx.com.au

Spots are limited!

Learn tables from Tyson! Photo: Rhys Williams

There's going to be no shortage of epic BMX events for 2022, including a fun one before the year wraps up, this weekend (11/12/21) at the new Albury skatepark. Albury got an amazing $3.6M upgrade to their local park, with two bowls, street plaza and even an asphalt pump track.

We've got a few crew heading down for the day to ride with the locals and spread the stoke, hit the boys up for some giveaways or stickers. If you've got a chance to get there, the park looks all time.

Then early January 2022, the Snowy Monaro Regional Council is running two skatepark competition series', with a whopping eleven stops across their council region, kicking off with Cooma and Queanbeyan skateparks, heading down the coast, and finishing with finals at Jindabyne.

More details can be found here and here; these competitions are open to all ages and we're sponsors all events with prizes, as well as providing coaching and judging.

Open riders can find themselves winning $1000 cash on both final stops - not bad!

Check the flyers for all the events below and contact us for more info.

The new Albury skatepark looks amazing. Photos: skateboard.com.au

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!

We want to wish the trail building, shark-muscled legend and great friend Chris Harti a very Happy 30th Birthday today!

It's been awesome to watch Chris go from a young kid with the nickname 'Gunners Chris' (for his domination of his local park); to a young adult who worked in the shop and was never afraid to tell a customer just how good a BMX was; to a man who has travelled the world in pursuit of good times on his BMX, with his own signature Hartbreaker frame from Fitbikeco - and even a signature bike, the Fit TRL Harti! 

Beyond riding, Chris is a great bloke that we've had the pleasure of having a great friendship with over the past two decades. Looking forward to seeing what Level 3 brings - one thing's for certain - you'll see Chris pitching some savage whip outs on some big dubs he helped build! 

 Happy Birthday Harti!

Just a few moments in time from the blast master, Chris Harti. Photos: Tyson JP

Another memory.. Chris blew our minds with the biggest 360 we'd ever seen at Cam White's Hillside trails. First shot, 12 years ago. Video: Tyson JP

It's officially winter in Australia, AKA prime digging season! So we’ve got a rad giveaway on Instagram to make the winter days that much easier. We’re giving away an epic trail builder package to one lucky digger who is giving it a crack this winter and building their own scene!

You’ll win a Cyclone Square Mouth shovel, Mattock and outdoor broom, as well as a @soul.coffeeclub insulated water bottle to keep you hydrated while digging and a one off Back Bone backpack to carry your extras in and out of the spot!

To enter:

1.  Post a photo on Instagram of the spot you’re working on, as well as this giveaway flyer (multiple photo post)
2. Hashtag #backbonecyclonebuilt #backbonebmx & tag @backbonebmx @cyclonetools
3. Entries close June 30

Photos must be of a spot you are currently working on, extra consideration will be taken if you show progress photos, a photo of yourself digging on them, creativity & having fun!

It doesn’t matter if it’s the biggest spot or the most dialled jumps, we love seeing riders of all ages and skill levels having a crack.

Thanks to Cyclone Tools and Soulution Yoga for help with the prizes, good luck to all and even if you don’t win, give yourself a pat on the back for making your local scene and spot better.