Wow where did the last month go? Well I actually did post an item however I forgot to click the publish button. So much for 350.org and the International Day of Climate Action back on 24 October.

I feel very fortunate to be here in Venice, CA at the moment. The new skatepark at Venice Beach has only been open for a few weeks and has been 20 years in the making. The history of this place and skating is huge. You have seen Dogtown and Z-Boys haven’t you?

It’s on again next month and I’m a bit disappointed that it will be the first one I miss. Managed to make it to all the other ones when they were held across the three eastern states. Now this premier old school BMX gathering has found a home at the Knox BMX track in Melbourne, Victoria and held in conjunction with the Thunderdome BMX race meeting.

Each year this has just grown bigger and bigger and the organisers are hoping for a larger turnout than the 150 plus bikes out on show last year.

Details on the flyer below or look out for posts on the popular old school BMX forums.

Sorry for the lack of updates as I have been on the road a bit and taking time away from RSABOUT. Anyway, enough of the excuses and here’s a report from the recent Spinal Disorder comp held on the Gold Coast on 30 August 2009 by BMX team rider Andrew Gul.

The Spinal Disorder Comp for 2009 was held on the sunny Gold Coast as part of the Gold Coast Show. Blue skies and a warm 23 degrees celcius was perfect conditions to ride. The wind was picking up a bit by the end of day but that didn’t effect the keen riders all riding for that $2000 1st place.

Practice kicked off at 10am with groups of 10 riders at a time getting there 30mins in. Pro comp didn’t kick off till about 5:30pm and the lights were rolled out. The ramp was was set up with a wall ride at the 5ft end against the container sub then went to a 5ft spine then into a sweet 6ft qtr. That was the end most guys were gettin 7-8ft out. The ramp was awesome and the riders were throwing down like it was everyones local.

First run I went straight into a flip x on the spine landing a little flat and it took me a bit to get some pace up again. Got a few tricks out but it wasn’t the run I wanted to throw down. Second run I banged a flip one foot x straight up and pulled it clean so I went straight into a flair and then hit the spine for a superman and I didn’t pull out enough sending me to flat again. I tried to salvage my run with a few whips and tucks and the went for a bar spin abubica on the sub. Got onto it sweet but again i didnt pull out enough and cased front wheel coming in.

There were 4 riders after me so I sat and watched everyone pull their runs and in the end it was Nick Cooper who pulled everything he tried and took the win. It would have been nice to bring it home 2 years in row but thats BMX.

Presentation was cut short due to some kids playing fisty cuffs and this got police and security involved which pretty much got the event shut down. So thanks to those few little kids ending the night early but other than that the event was awesome.

My mate Kyle Adderley did such a good job being the MC as well as having a crack in pro. While skate legend Corbin Harris filled in as MC towards the end of the night. I wanna thank Dinny Spicer for another awesome event and the guys at Fuel TV and Unit Clothing and StrictlyBMX for making it happen. Thats all from me guys. I got a new ride just before the comp so now i got some keen sticker placement to do. Peace- Andrew Gul

Robert from Lewis and Sons Powder Coaters held the old school BMX Show N Shine last month and his brother put together a quick bit of footage from the day. Enjoy.

You can also see more in the earlier post about the Old School BMX Show N Shine.

I’ve been a bit slack about uploading a few photos from the day. Every I have spoken with had a great day and I spent most of the time chatting with people I only get to see a few times a year and checking out the new old school BMXs people have built. Big thanks goes out to Robert and the Lewis family and Ross and Joel who work with Robert. Just a pity I won’t be able to make it next year.

These couple of photos show most of the people and then a group shot of the Aussie guys who hang out at the VintageBMX.com forums.

More photos can be seen in the BMX Show n Shine 2009 photo page.

Old school BMXers and skaters will definitely know about Mt Baldy, California. It has featured in many magazines and videos over the years and to this day remains a must ride place for many people. If you haven’t heard of it then just Google it. With the OS-BMX.com Old School BMX Reunion and Show held on the weekend, many attendees heading to LA a few days early to do things like the Huntington Beach ride and to ride Mt Baldy. If you saw over fifty guys tearing up the beach area on Friday night then that was the HB ride.

For Brian it was a highlight to ride Mt Baldy as he first saw it back in around 1985 in the magazines and it’s only taken him about 24 years to do it. In case you are wondering, the bike he is riding is a 1986 GT Pro Performer.

Brian P at Mt Baldy, California

Brian P at Mt Baldy, California

Brian P at Mt Baldy

Brian's 1986 GT Pro Performer

Brian P is once again putting on the Summer Slam and this year marks the fifth year for the event. We’re proud to be associated with it and it’s sure to be a great day. If you’re in the NEw Jersey area then check it out and if you aren’t in the area then get there one way or another.

Must be the week for old school BMX reunions and shows as this is the third one posted in a week.

Summer Slam-2009

Our good friends over at OS-BMX are once again holding a reunion and show in California next month. The venue has changed frm last year and it will be held on 6 June 2009 at Peck Park, Arcadia in California. A few RSABOUT products are on their way over as I write this so if you are attending, keep an eye out for them If you are not attending then do what you can to see if you are able to get there.

With so many old schoolers living in the LA area it promises to be as huge as last year and possibly larger because word of mouth continues to grow for the event and my good friend Steve over at OS-BMX puts a lot of time into ensuring the event runs smoothly.

OS-BMX.com Old School BMX Reunion and Show

Roberto always puts on a good event and the flyer for the Show ‘n’ Shine 09 has just been completed. This is a great old school BMX event that is getting bigger and better each year. Don’t worry though, no need to bring an old school BMX along if you don’t want to, just a good attitude.

Even better this year is that I only have to travel about 100km down the road rather than jump on a plane from Melbourne. Looking forward to it and you can see all the details on the flyer.

Show 'n' Shine 09

Technology was against us and it’s taken a while for some photos to come through from Cam White’s Hillside Jam held earlier this year. It’s tough to get an idea of just how huge these dirt jumps really are.

Andrew was jumping well until he over-rotated and went down. Already carrying a bit of an injury, this didn’t help.

Andrew Gul at the Hillside Jam 2009

Andrew Gul, no hander backie at the Hillside Jam 2009