News

Apologies for the delay in announcing that RSABOUT products are now available in the shop at Rampfest in Melbourne, Victoria. If you haven't heard about Rampfest it is a huge indoor skatepark with so many lines you will just sit there working out what to try first. Add a foam pit and resi to the mix and great for busting out those new ideas without putting the body on the line straight away.





More details about Rampfest at their website so head on over the Rampfest for more information.

Posted by James on 20 November 2007


It is taking a while to find the right people for the rsabout team and I'm pleased to say we have the first rider on board. Andrew Gul made it official yesterday. Andrew is a Melbourne local and also rides for the Mongoose Australian team. Look out for more in Andrew very soon.

In the interim, here's a few of photos from the recent CX Games in China where he took out first place in the park event. Great stuff.







Andrew and his good mate, inline skater RASTA

Posted by James on 7 November 2008


Mark, Nic and I hit up the Lilydale skatepark for an hour or so and managed to snap off a few photos. No injuries and I managed to only drop the bike once I think.









Posted by James on 3 November 2008


It all started back in November 2005 with the first Australian Vintage BMX gathering and after trips to Terrigal and the Gold Coast it is back in Melbourne with the 4th Australia Vintage BMX gathering for all the old school BMXers. The first one had a good turn out with most people getting to put names with faces for the first time. It's now to the point that these gatherings are a chance to catch up with friends made over the years, show a few new (well old) BMXs and generally have a great time. Saturday afternoon at the Knox BMX track and see the flyer for more details.



Posted by James on 2 November 2008


Jeff S has come through again and put together a cracking video from Brian P's Summer Slam 2008. Check it out.



Posted by James on 23 September 2008


Brian was a freestyle BMXer back in the day and never raced. From the sounds of it he is having a great time jumping on an old school BMX and lining up on the start gate as part of the old school BMX race series held in New Jersey, USA. He finished fourth overall for the series which is a great result considering he had only raced one before (last year) in his life and also missed one of the race meetings. Well done mate.



Posted by James on 18 September 2008


Although it was only one of the shorter drives of the trip at about four hours, the boredom was starting to set in. I always try to have a point and shoot camera handy so while I was driving from Maleny to Bargara I took a couple of shots from behind the wheel. The first one was supposed to show the length of the straight I'd just driven but the exposure didn't quite work out as planned with the darkness of the inside of the car. Anyway, you can see how much space my Campillo takes up. Second one is showing just how flat it is up this way. The photo doesn't do it justice as I couldn't get any wider with the shot. Full of sugar cane for miles and miles.





Posted by James on 16 September 2008


Day one of riding was a huge one for me. Normally it's only a couple of parks in a day, however, with only one day in Sydney we tried to fit in as much as possible. I was staying with Bruce and his family and after the kids were packed up and sent off to school we headed out for breakfast for a bit of carbo loading and hit up a few parks. First up was a nice mellow one at Cherrybrook where we also caught up with Rohan. Once we had warmed up it was off to Thornleigh where I pulled out the camera for a few shots.









Next up was Five Dock and after looping out of a jump I decided to take it a bit easier on the first day of the trip. As I'm travelling solo I need to be able to drive and having driven before with a broken collarbone, I know things like that are not fun. Bruce was having a bit of fun out of the bowl whilst Rohan was doing toe wheelies and I just sat around.





There was also a guy about our age with plenty of style on an old school skateboard. I ran out of fingers trying to add up the combined ages of the people riding and skating there. It was my first time there and I now have an even greater appreciation for Coasty's Five Dock photo. That old bowl is insane.

Next up was Monster Skatepark at Homebush. Also my first visit to the Sydney 2000 Olympics site. Bruce and I had the ramps to ourselves which was sweet. The camera stayed in the car. A few slams here and there but we both walked away having pulled off a few things on the list. A bruised ankle and elbow was a small price to pay although our old bodies were starting to feel it by the end.

A quick stop at Bruce's to pick up his two boys and it was off to Castle Hill BMX track for a midweek gates session. By this time I wasn't moving that well and with major works in progress at the track and the final surface to to be laid down it was pretty rough. I spent more time sitting and watching some of the guys on there dirt jump mountain bikes that were more suited to the track. Should be a great one once it is finished.

Posted by James on 8 September 2008


Last year whilst spending a couple of weeks in Hawaii I made the decision to escape Melbourne during winter 2008. Some work projects came to an end and I no longer had the excuse of needing to stay in Melbourne. A house sitting gig was organised for early August. It was then delayed until early September so whilst I technically left for this trip on the second day of spring, knowing I was getting out made the winter a bit more bearable.

Like so many of the holidays I have been on, I've left Melbourne in really crappy weather. Guess it's only fitting as when I moved to Melbourne in 1992 I arrived to really crappy weather. Sitting in the car in the driveway and looking through the rain at the morning peak hour traffic definitely put a smile on my face. Just thinking of all the poor people heading into the office jobs to battle clients all day made the thought of the nine hour drive seem like a dream.

After a quick stopover in Sydney, photos to come shortly, I arrived in Coolangatta on Thursday night. What was the weather like? Pissing down so much that part of the drive was at 40 kilometres an hour because visibility was so poor. The next day looking at Kirra beach wasn't much better but at least I was out of the jeans and long sleeves. Rain and warm is much better than rain and cold.

I then settled into the house I'll be staying at for the next couple of weeks. It is in Maleny in the Sunshine Coast hinterland of Queensland. Can't see another person and all I can hear is the birds and other wildlife. Bit worried about the big-arse lizards in the yard but as long as they keep to themselves I'll be fine. The local wildlife also held a welcoming party on the roof of my bedroom on the first night. Fortunately they didn't front up for a double header the next night. The final photo is my main office for the next couple of weeks. Other offices will be at the local skateparks, beaches and anywhere else I feel like going. Yes, life is good.









Posted by James on 7 September 2008


Brian P's Summer Slam 2008 was held on the weekend and by the looks of the photos it was a great day. Once again I have to rely on Guav to provide the photos as I was stuck in Melbourne. One of these days Brian...

Here's a photo of the host delivering the beer on his Vector freestyle BMX. Plenty of extra tubes on the frame perfect for carting stuff.



There's a few more photos in the Summer Slam 2008 gallery plus a link through to more of Guav's photos.

Posted by James on 20 August 2008


It's still winter down here in Melbourne and I'm still hibernating, hence the lack of news items. Went out to a local BMX race yesterday and it snowed! That is not right. Anyway, Coasty is living it up in a much warmer part of Australia and doing the rsabout brand proud with a few stickers on one of his bikes. The second photo is him at the Five Dock Skatepark in Sydney back in the early 80s and yes, he still rides that Mongoose Supergoose to this day. Still hasthe Redline Flight cranks (pinchless) and Bottema forks although he doesn't have the graphite tuff wheels any longer. Not sure what the little dude in the tracksuit is doing. Is the old guy saying something like, "if you keep grabbing it, it will get this big".





Posted by James on 11 August 2008


There's heaps of photos and videos floating around from this old school BMX event held in June 2008 at El Dorado Park in Long Beach. This one was put together by OS-BMX member Sodbuster and captures the people, bikes and riding. Tough to make out some of the riders other than Eddie Fiola busting out heaps of tricks.



Posted by James on 15 June 2008


How time flies as I can still remember posting the great poster for the 2007 Summer Slam put on by Brian P. Last year was the first one we supported and have no hesitation in helping out again this year. If only I could make it, however, all is not lost as I will be living it up on the Sunshine Coast in sunny Queensland on 16 August when everyone is getting together.



Posted by James on 13 June 2008


In addition to standing around and talking about how good we were, some actually hopped on a couple of Robert's bikes and showed how good they still are in the form of an old school flatland jam. Robert, Ross, Clint and another guy. Sorry didn't get his name.





More BMX BBQ 2008 riding photos.

Posted by James on 24 May 2008


Once again Roberto from Lewis and Sons Powdercoaters put on a BBQ for all the old school BMXers and a few not so old riders. Was a great turnout like last year, with a few more interstate visitors this year. I think there were half a dozen from Victoria, a few from New South Wales and others from many parts of Queensland. The weather was great the snags were cooked, some beer was drunk and some stories were told.

It was Roberto's birthday earlier in the week and being a GT fan from way back, Ross put together a perfect tribute cake. Check it out and if you can't read it, it says, "31 years of radness". That's the birthday boy in the first photo showing the way to the party.

Look out for some more riding photos once I get a chance to work through them.





More photos from the BMX BBQ 2008.

Posted by James on 24 May 2008


Few more photos from my trip to Queensland last week. Scott drove me around, took photos then pulled out his Santa Cruz MTB for a spin around the track. Man that thing looks like a tank compared to a 20" BMX. Enjoy.





More photos from the Mooloolah skatepark.

Posted by James on 23 May 2008


Another photo from the BBQ last weekend. Leroy was there with this cool kid's trike. It's not just a regular Trek either. Old school DK mini stem, polished to a mirror finish and A'ME mini grips. He has other plans for it as well although the beartrap pedals might be overkill. No all he needs is the child to ride it although in his words, it will probably be too good to give to a kid to ride. Thanks to Mick for the photo.



Posted by James on 23 May 2008


The guys at OS-BMX are putting there annual Old School BMX Reunion and Show on again this year. It's set down for 7 June 2008 at El Dorado Park in Long Beach, Calfornia. I'd love to head over myself however I'll have to leave it up to another couple of Aussies to represent the downunder BMXers. Word is heaps of old and not so old riders will be there so the likelihood of a jam or two is on the cards. I remember reading Freestylin' magainze back in the 80s and thinking all the cool stuff happens in California and twnety years later I'm still thinking the same thing.

If you make it to the show look out for some RSABOUT products and pick yourself up a sticker or two if there are any left. Hope it's a good day for everyone.



Click the image to see a large version in a new window.

Posted by James on 22 May 2008


Was lucky enough to spend a few days last week up in sunny Brisbane. So much better than suffering the cold weather here in Melbourne. Why haven't I moved north? The photos below were inspired by a thread on OS-BMX where people are taking a camera out with them when they go riding and just taking random shots. I decided to take a few from the seat and the first two are riding along the Brisbane River and the last one is down at the Gold Coast in the millionnaire's row part with the huge beachfront properties.

More photos to come from the trip later, including some very cool old school flatland stuff.







Posted by James on 22 May 2008


Robert from Lewis and Sons has once again been good enough to organise a gathering of old and not so old BMXers. Scheduled for next weekend so check out the flyer for all the details and everyone is welcome. Last year was a very relaxed affair as only the Queenslanders can do. Looking forward to heading up a few days early and getting some riding done around the Brisbane area. So watch out for me screaming around on the FlyBikes Campillo.



Click the image to see a large version in a new window.

Posted by James on 9 May 2008


One of the guys I've met through the old school scene here in Melbourne took one of my photos and modified it. Guess this is the arse in rsabout. Thanks Matt.



Posted by James on 30 April 2008


Really need to get some riding done with others so you don't always see just photos of me. Anyway, here's a few from my first decent session out on the jumps. A dodgy sounding one piece driver didn't instill a lot of confidence in really cranking it out, however, I survived unscathed which is always a bonus for me. Many of the landings were old school flat which was a bit of fun. And speaking of fun, The Park Orchards BMX track is way better as a jumping place rather than a race track.



More photos of me riding my Campillo.

Posted by James on 29 April 2008


Finally assembled all the parts for my new bike and headed out for a few photos. No riding ones yet as I haven't been out with others to take any. The frame is a Fly Bikes Campillo which is one of the lightest freestyle frames around. My Fit Bike Co Series 2 was just too damn heavy for me as I've always been used to light bikes. I've done it along the lines of the old Mike Buff looptail PK Ripper from the very early 80s. All I need to do is change the colour of the forks which I'll do once the cooler weather arrives. For now I just want to get out and ride it. Hope you like it.



More photos of the Fly Bikes Campillo.

Posted by James on 18 April 2008


Things have been a bit quiet lately and with the weather here starting to cool down as we head into winter I thought I'd post a photo of my last trip to the beach. This was at Anglesea, just along from Bells Beach on the Great Ocean Road. I'm missing summer already.



Posted by James on 9 April 2008

Old news items can be found in the News Archive section