Essay

[bxbmx]

Im going to write an essay on BMX for my school newspaper. I will start out with the history, but what else should i include??

[BMXTRIX]

Depends on what you want to include. If it is a history of bmx, then make it a history. If it is analysis of bmx, then make it analysis.

A couple of the things I always talk about is the perception of bmx being a 'kids' sport. The average pro is in his mid-20s and there are some 30+ year olds who are at the top of the sport. It usually takes 10 years of serious riding to hit top form - so someone starting at 13 will be 23 before they are really peaking. There are exceptions, of course, as there is with every sport.

Also, I think it's important for people to realize that bmx is just a sport like any other. It's not 'extreme' the way ESPN would want people to think. It's just a sport which allows riders to show creativity and have a lot of fun. If a rider wants to get crazy with it, then they can - just like serious basketball players, football players, and baseball players take their sport to a new level, the best bmx riders also take riding to a new level and sometimes they physically are hurt by that push. It doesn't have to be dangerous, but it can be very quickly if riders don't take precautions and try riding way above their ability. You work your way up to stuff and push yourself every day, then you may never get to badly injured.

My worst single injury in life was when I broke my leg skiing... In 15+ years of bmx I haven't broken a single bone.

[CMcMahon]

1) Harry Leary invented the Leary, which is what we now call a looback/lookdown/turndown/timvert.
2) Chris Moeller was the first BMX rider to drive a bus on dirt.
3) The Gonz/Mark Gonzalez/Pepe Santiago has his own fan club, started for him by him.
4) Morgan Wade was the first person to attempt the bikeflip.
5) Ron Wilkerson has been known to drop into vert ramps fakie, out of a Miami hopper.
6) Pistol Pete Loncarevich is still trying to sue ATI for their use of his "trademark" nickname on their grips.
7) Owain Clegg is a better rider than you.
8) Jay Miron was the first person to land the double flip.
9) Dave King ain't sh1t.
10) Kevin Jones is the most infuential flatland rider in the history of the sport.


One of these ten statements is wrong, the rest are all correct. Tell me which is wrong, and I might tell you more.

[bmichaelx]

If you want some real old history of biking in your paper check these people out.
Jacques Ozanam-first to propose a self moving vehicle(bicycle or "velocipede").
Baron Karl von Drais-made the first prototype.
Michaux(last name?)-was the firts to add cranks, pedals and breaks to the bike.
Edouard Michelin-Made the first detachable tire instead of an all wood wheel and tire.

I posted this in another thread but just in case you didn't see it here it is again.

And Beerman, I personaly think it's #9, though I have heard/seen that before in some bike videos(Props #43?)

[CMcMahon]

You're wrong, and I wasn't asking you.

[twahl]

To explore the history of BMX as a seperate sport from other forms of cycling, you need to start in California with Schwinn Stingrays.

[bmichaelx]

You're wrong, and I wasn't asking you.

Calm down Beerman, i'm sorry I guessed but it's not that big of a deal.

[WorldWind]

Is it true that bmx was invented by a midget that saw Joe Breeze Charley and my self doing Repack on our Excelsiors?

[BMXTRIX]

I clearly remember a Hoffman event a good 10 years ago...

Morgan most definitely was not the first person to attemt bike flips. I believe Escamillia was trying them at that contest - and I'm not even sure if he was the first.

[CMcMahon]

Correct; I think that it was Brad Blanchard who attempted it first, over a decade ago.

[bxbmx]

What is BMX? What does it stand for? When was it invented? Why is it still popular? Who is Dave Mirra?
BMX stands for bicycle motocross and was invented by teens back in the early 1970’s who did not have motorcycle licenses and wanted to imitate their heroes. In fact, contradicting popular creed, the first BMX was created in 1969, shown here:



Brand/Model/Year: 1970 Schwinn Stingray(modified for BMX)
Owner: John Dunphy



http://www.vintagebmx.com

Thom Lund
& Scot Breithaupt
at BUMS II in 1973:















What is motocross? What a silly question. If you don’t know yet: Etymology: French, from moto motorcycle (short for motocyclette) + cross-country, from English
: a closed-course motorcycle race over natural or simulated rough terrain (as with steep inclines, hairpin turns, and mud
To be honest, BMX initially began as a racing sport. Any trick you can do on a Dirt bike can be emulated on the BMX. Some famous tricks are table-top, cross-up and superman.
Today there are four disciplines: dirt, vert, flatland, and street. The first is the original, while the latter is on a gravity defying halfpipe.
Flatland features, well, nothing except the flatland BMX bike. It solely utilizes your balance, allowing you to link multiple tricks such as the cow maneuver, scuffing into a tail-whip, into a dork wheelie. The most popular these days has to be street, which includes, boxes, grind rails, and ramps.

Dave Mirra is perhaps the most famous freestyle BMXer. He has his own video game series and is adept at all forms of BMX. He was introduced at a tender age in the 80’s and rode his own style and became gradually recognized and sponsored to his road to fame. Another big name is Matt Hoffman, who is a friend of Tony Hawk, the renowned and talented skateboarder.
However, skateboarders and BMXer’s often do not get along. This is because of the difference in the two sports. While skateboards are mainly done on low boxes and smaller rails, they maintain a lower speed. BMXer’s are infatuated with speed and spins and often mow down skaters.

According to www.bmxtrix.com,
“A couple of the things I always talk about is the perception of bmx being a 'kids' sport. The average pro is in his mid-20s and there are some 30+ year olds who are at the top of the sport. It usually takes 10 years of serious riding to hit top form - so someone starting at 13 will be 23 before they are really peaking. There are exceptions, of course, as there is with every sport.
Also, I think it's important for people to realize that BMX is just a sport like any other. It's not 'extreme' the way ESPN would want people to think. It's just a sport which allows riders to show creativity and have a lot of fun. If a rider wants to get crazy with it, then they can - just like serious basketball players, football players, and baseball players take their sport to a new level, the best bmx riders also take riding to a new level and sometimes they physically are hurt by that push. It doesn't have to be dangerous, but it can be very quickly if riders don't take precautions and try riding way above their ability. You work your way up to stuff and push yourself every day, then you may never get to badly injured.
My worst single injury in life was when I broke my leg skiing... In 15+ years of bmx I haven't broken a single bone.”

So, if you are interested, put down this paper, pick up a bike and do a wheelie. Remember, safety’s first, so wear a helmet, pads, wrist guards, cup, and a full suit of armor. You are now ready to become an excellent newbie.

[Brian]

I'd say that's fairly well done.

[edit] coming from me, that's a compliment :)