October 27 2009
Well i was lucky enough to get into a foam pit this last Saturday and boy what a day it was.
When me and Bud arrived to this place we did a lil unloading and moved something around and hooked up some wires, I was all set to approach a foam pit on a beat the hell up 110. This thing is missing fenders, bent to crap handlebars, no breaks and the rear shock doesn't seem to move...at all. So I was more afraid of just riding this thing around then actually flipping it(since Ive flipped the same bike before) but i had to get it out of the way. I took one strait jump into the foam and bailed of the child size bike and landed into a cloud of itchy foam dust. After learning how much fun it isn't to get out of there... I hop out after 10 minutes and cleared out the bike and headed for the ramp again!
A little tug and some leaning and I spun the first 110 flip out perfect(I think). another round of rolling in the foam and all that jazz I did one more which seemed to be equally as pleasing! So after a drink break and some chit chatting we moved the ramp back to 50ish feet. I hit it strait away to make sure I had the gap down(cuz I'm not a jumper) and landed in a good spot. But I was in 2nd gear and really low rpms and it felt kinda funny. After a good debate about my thoughts on the gap and the gear me and bud, well mostly bud, moved the ramp to 45ish feet. This time i hit it in 1st to get the jump down and landed right were I wanted too.
So Bud doesn't think its possible to flip a comp ramp at 45 feet. He said it was never gonna work that I couldn't flip it that fast. Bud and I also had a bet over weather or not I could completely rotate on my first try. So after a lil dispute about that nonsense I cleaned out my trusty yz250 and pulled back to the run in. There wasn't really alot going on in my mind going towards the ramp. It was all kinda blurry. I knew i had the speed right on. Right as I hit the ramp thing just kinda clicked!! I moved my body toward the rear of the bike and leaned backward. That's all i could remember.
Next thing i know I'm 5 feet deep in foam...Right side Up?? I looked over at bud and lost control of myself,started screaming and bouncing around in the foam like a dork. After we go the bike out ad I did a lil more patting myself on the back... I got to looking at the video. Now by no means was it pretty or even close. But I did in fact rotate just the right amount(many a tiny bit too much) on my very first try on my bike . Bud had to buy lunch because of it.
After watching the video I noticed my feet came off the bike and over the seat right at the very end of the flip. and i have no idea why. It just happened! So after a lil yelling and acting a fool I was ready again. Bike cleaned out I headed toward the ramp, I was ready. this time everything was clear. I leaned and pulled,this time hugging the bike harder with my legs and not using my arms so much. The result was a smoother rotate and me remaining in tact with my machine, all be it slightly under rotating. I think I lost focus on spinning in my pursuit to stay attached, but i was still pumped. And on to round three.
I did some thinking about what I may be doing wrong and gave it another go... Same speed same jump. I came off the ramp a little bit better then the first two,remaining in good contact at all fours with the bike. When I landed I noticed I was pointed slightly down, just like you would want to be. I had pulled a clean(somewhat,but I'm getting to that part) flip the distance and angle that i wanted to. WOOHOO!!
I haven't been this excited since my wedding day. It was really cool to be able to pull it off so quickly and safely. A really big thanks to Bud for making it happen, and for that sandwich! But I do have sort of a serious problem. I, Robert Bennett, Am a BARHUMPER!! For the life of me I cannot figure out why. It just friggin happens. All 3 times I was upside down I was cheating on my wife with a barpad!! I tried to do something about it each try and it kept getting worse. But i don't care I'll work that out later.
I do have one thing to say to all those who have never been in a foam pit. It SUCKS. sure its cool as hell, but in reality its tiring annoying itchy and stinks. You get this foam dust EVERYWHERE!! and it makes your eyes water. It sticks to you and burns your throat. Just thought id mention that.
All and all I'm a pretty excited. I hope you enjoy the video. Even if you don't think its as cool as i do. And finally to all you experienced flippers....How the hell do i stop doin the humpty hump?? please help me....
Paris Rosen Interview October 16th 2009
Paris Rosen doesn't need an introduction. He blew onto the big screen in August with X games gold in his sights. He came damn close too! Paris let me in on some of his plans. Including Stomping front flips to dirt, uniting the Arizona Freestyle scene and a surprise revival of something classic. It surprised the hell out of me when i heard, so check it out and be amazed at whats going down in the valley of the sun!!
Robert: So hows your life after the infamous 75 foot front flip attempt at the last summer X games?
Paris : Ive just been super busy. I spent the summer in Minnesota and just recently came back to phoenix. I got back and did alot of maintenance to my compound getting everything all dialed in the way i want and I'm ready to get into the foam for a day and then take front flips to dirt the next day.
Robert: Wow. I was wondering if the front flip was something your going to keep pursuing but i guess you just answered that for me.
Paris : Ya Its pretty much not an issue. I said i was gonna do it and I'm gonna do it. I wanna get it down to dirt and get it consistent. I want to be able to travel and front flip all over the world. I wanna get it down off the 45 also but if i get back to X next year ill still be doing it off the 75. But i will do a front flip No Matter What!
Robert : That was a pretty hard spill at X. Almost pulling the 75 foot front flip to dirt for the first time in history. And you got weeded pretty good. Tell me a lil bit about that whole deal.
Paris : Well after i crashed i went back to my pit area and told my mechanic i needed to see my bike to figure out what i need to do to go again. I was ready to go and there was this crowd around my bike looking at me. Then they all parted like the red see to let me see my bike, and it was just annihilated! It looked like a big ass truck plowed right into the back of my bike at 80 miles an hour. I had to replace the sub frame, silencer, all the plastics. that thing was pulverized. I was ready to go though. If i had a second bike i would have been right back out there to try it again. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. But i think i may have broken my tailbone also. Ya know its like breaking your thumb, there's nothing you can do abut it so whatever.
Robert : That's a bummer dude. So whats your support like after you rode at X. Did you pick up any sponsors or any new deals?
Paris : Its pretty much the same thing as before with the same people. I have some help from Alpinestars, Uni, Klein Motorsports, The Gym Bar & Grill, FMF, Moto Army, Dunlop and Dragon, but nothing new. No energy drink sponsors or anything yet, but maybe in the future!
Robert : Right on... well other then hangin out up north have you been doing any shows or anything lately?
Paris : Ive done a few shows here and there. I did one with Fitzpatrick and Julian D'Usseau. I did a show in Montana with Keith Sayers and the Guetter Brothers with bikes Quads and snowmobiles. There was this one event were they had a double double that was ll ramp to ramp(laughs) my chic is laughing at me because everyone I've talked to today i keep telling them about the double double. It was cool I've never seen anyone do that with all ramp to ramp before.
Robert : That is different. I don't think I've ever seen that kind of thing before either. So what plans for riding do you have in the future?
Paris : I have a few small shows lined up here and there but id rather just be at home riding for fun. I mean ya its my job that pays but id rather not have as much cash in my pocket and ride for fun and try new stuff. I want to help progress the sport and learn new stuff.
Robert: So what kind of plans are in the near future for you.
Paris : Well as i was driving 30 hours from Minnesota i started to have this really cool idea. All of the riders in AZ are kind of segregated. You have the aerial assult guys, the boogieman brigade the hessian guys. I really wanted to do something in the valley that could bring all the riders together instead of everyone being against each other and separated. So we all kinda got together and put our differences aside and create some opportunity. Arizona is so wide open and there is so many places to ride. It could be like a mecca of freestyle like temecula if everyone got together. So all these guys were here talking and we all kind of decided that were gonna work together and do some good for the industry in Az.
Robert : That sounds badass. Are there any specific plans or just kinda going with the flow?
Paris : Well the plan is that we are going to resart the Hessian Aggresion. Everyone agreed and Robert and John(Distler) agreed that we could use the name. We are just gonna bring all the riders all over the valley together and the Hessian thing was something we all agreed with. It's well recognized and been around for awhile. We were all having this meeting and there were 3 different generations of riders and it was really cool. Thomas Alves was like "Ive never seen anything like this"! So thats pretty much the plan. Push the Hessian Aggresion and get everyone in the valley together and just ride and have fun.
Robert : Thats awsome to hear man. Everyone knows that name. I cant wait to see all this come together. Being right in the middle of the valley im sure ill get to witness some of it... Peace!
October 14th 2009 Robert Distler Interview
You all know the name! You've seen all the extension, or so you thought you did?! When he's not bustin out some of the hugest tricks on the planet... he's doing the dew with a bunch of hot hairstylist in Scottsdale, Az.! Robert Distler is the man. Plain and simple. And now with back flips in his arsenal he's gonna be exploding back onto the scene bigger then ever. So lets hear what the guy has to say.....
Bennett: So you just got back from south of the border. Did you have a good time? Was your trip for riding or just hanging out?
Dis: We did 2 demos down there.. first in Chihuahua and the 2ND in Juarez. Rode with Fitz, Javier-Gabriel, Jeff Griffin, Vince Morgan,Tyler Polk, And a few others. It was fun In a uncomfortable way. It rained at 1st show and everyone rode wet ramps. Btw the ambulance was a old ford econoline van. WTF!
Bennett: Sounds sketchy dude. I wouldn't get into that ambulance. You'd probably go in with a broken ankle and wake up missing a kidney. So since you just got the flips dialed in, did you bust some out down there?
Dis: As bad as I wanted to. I didn't. I was only getting paid to ride and not flip.. If I flip for the base pay it burns the other riders getting paid to back flip. As if riding and doing all the normal tricks isn't dangerous enough. Seriously the ambulance looked like it was hand painted. Luckily no one tipped over. Craziness dude!
Bennett: I don't go south of the border for reasons like that. So whats on the schedule for the near future for you?
Dis: As of right now, I have alot coming up in Jan. but nothing set in stone. I hope to be on a tour thou and riding again to make money. (and have fun). Might go ride the red bull camp for a few days. We will see when things are final. I don't like to get to stoked till things are done and final.
Bennett: Sounds like your gonna be a busy guy. So lets back up a bit. You've been a household name in the sport for a long time now. Known well for being a super stylish and creative rider, and you decided to learn back flips. Did something change that made you decide to flip or did it just happen?
Dis: I guess I just stopped being a sissy. Actually, alot changed in febuary'ish and My "real" job just isn't working out.. I just got way into riding and Jim McNeil was like " You need to flip". So he helped me do it. Riding got a little boring cause I started going 1-2 a week and the flip was new for me and still makes riding a whole new venture. Especially flip tricks, I feel like the simple things upside down are weird and fun to figure out. Like your first regular heel clicker made you pumped back in the day.
Bennett: That's pretty cool that your having more fun now instead of feeling alot of pressure to learn all the flip tricks. So is there no more "Real job" at this point in time or are you still doing that between riding?
Dis: As of right now. I'm still full time at my "hair job". Yes I do hair and working with hot coworkers and cute clients if far from gay.. ha ha! Its just really slow right now and McNeil and Alves got me motivated to step it up. So I did and now alot of good things have come up. McNeil said "you can do hair later, you can only ride right now." And its a fact. I love being "good" at something, and taking 4 years off has made me want to enjoy this intense sport and now I have other options after riding lined up, Or even during events. Luckily my boss/owner loves to ride dirt bikes..
Bennett: It's good thing your boss like bikes. If i told my boss i was leaving to go ride I'd get fired. So when can i come by and check out all these hot coworkers? You gonna hook a brother up?
Dis: Salonkrush.com set up an appt. ha ha i can give you a lil deal.
Bennett: Ha ha ya I know where its at. So are you gonna be doing any specific shows that some of the FMTX'ers can come check out? I'd like to watch you ride again!
Dis: I'm just going to hint that if you go to any supercross shows, I just may be in it. Wait for a press release for a for sure on that. Other wise I may just do random shows here and there if they come up.. I "do" have a DUMB(cool) job i have to try to be at SO, I'm basically just riding to be ready for the tour and look dialed as I can be.
Bennett: That's awesome dude. Well good luck with everything and hopefully I'll see you soon. In the mean time have some fun!!
September 16 2009 Children, Children, Children...
It's funny how people can get so protective over things like dirt, steel and sofa cushions. In the most rapidly progressing sport in the world, you would think riders would be all over the chance to get some outside influence and shared prospective. This is hardly the case these days.
I used to have a few small jumps and ramps in my back yard. I lived in a tiny town of 2500 people and the neighbors not once complained about the noise or dust. Often I would find some of them sitting on my back porch watching the fellas ride. Older folks who came to town for the dry heat to retire in and as long as you kept decent hours and be respectful everything was gravy. There were a total of 9 people within 30 miles who ever rode a dirt bike, let alone jumped off a steel ramp. I had just about the whole town in my backyard at one time or another. Some laughed, some cried, but everyone had a little fun. Everyone got a chance to ride until they proved they didn't deserve it.
These days things are a little different. People who have rode in their back yards for years are getting shut down for bogus reasons about permits and zoning. Homes they paid lots of money for just for the spacious back yard. If i paid a quarter of a million dollars for my yard i don't think some lil prick with a clipboard is going to tell me i cant ride.
Another problem with he sport is the lack of comradery amongst riders. I was told by someone that i couldn't ride at there spot in the desert once. Not a privately owned course on someones property, but a chunk of blm land with some dirt hits built up. Who the hell are they to tell me I cant ride there. I went out and rode the place, had a ball and didn't leave a single shred of trash when I left. These guys blamed me for wrecking there biggest jump, one that i didn't even hit(150 feet isn't my style,I'm a puss) nor rode anywhere near. Two weeks later they plowed all the jumps over and built some in another spot no one knew about. TOOLS!!
Ive been to ride with people who let me tear up their yard, crash on couches and spare rooms and feed me breakfast lunch and dinner. People I wouldn't have otherwise ever met without riding being involved. Most of my good friends I've met because of moto. Alot of the jerks I've met have been through moto as well. People who stiff me on lots of money they owe me, who have stolen from me and tried to fight me just to prove how cool they are. I even offered a guy $1000 dollars to use his foam pit for 5 hours and was turned down.
If your a pro rider in this sport and your worried someones going to steal your new trick or think of another one before you, then you need a new job. People's minds all work differently, some people will just think of stuff no one else would have. What would have happened to the sport if Chuck Carothers or Kyle Loza's never landed in a box of couch cushions? A hell of a lot less innovations. I'm pretty sure Chuck learned the ground breaking Carrola in a pit that wasn't his.
Travis Pastrana has taught more people how to flip then Ron Jeremy taught to fornicate. He even has his UPS delivery guy in the pit on occasion. Kids that live down the street go'in big all day. This is the way the sport should be. Anyone who has skill in this sport should enjoy it for what it is. It's a hobby that some people get paid alot of money for, and others pay alot of money to do.
I am really excited that some very highly ranked pro riders like Chuck and Ronnie Faisst are opening training camps so to speak. Where you will have the chance to ride pro style course with big safe landings and some great guidance as well. I'm sure there are easier ways for these guys to make money then $25 bucks a day rider fees. They do it for the sport. The same reason Metzger lost a nut and Deegan has been in ICU more times that Joan Rivers. FOR THE SPORT!!
As a moto enthusiast there is only 2 things riders need to do. Spread a lil love and respect....
And Enjoy the ride!
Beau Bamburg Interveiw August 10th 2009
So after all the excitement and drama of X Games 15 has come to an end! Repairs made to bones and ligaments and some serious partying ensued, riders are getting back to normal life for awhile. Some of them are celebrating and some of them are getting back to work. One rider in particular took a nasty spill doing a cordova flip. Beau Bamburg is a BMF on a motorcycle. He let me now how hes doing after the crash and also what he thinks about the biggest contest of the year.
Bennett: You went down pretty hard on a cordova flip! What went wrong?
Bamburg: I think that when I came up to the jump i spun a little and it caused me to get off the line I was on. When I tried to correct it I turned the bars a bit and when I went to jump through I kicked my hand off. It's never happened to me before and I picked a pretty shitty time to try it out.
Bennett: Wow that sucks. But it also proves that the level of competition is so high that you have to put everything on the line every time you hit the course. How long will this keep you out of competition? Will you miss any major events?
Bamburg: I actually feel pretty good considering I had surgery Tuesday to screw my tibial plateau back together. I think I will start riding in 6 weeks and be ready to go no later than 8. I will for sure be back in time for LG and Orlando Dew Tour!
Bennett: I'm glad to hear that dude. Hopefully youll have better luck then. So what are you gonna do to keep yourself busy for 8 weeks?
Bamburg: Man I've been busy for the last 8 years. I don't want to do Sh*t for a while. I also have two little boys at home so it will give me a chance to just relax and hang with them before they head back to school. Last year I was at home like 40 days so I think I need to just chill for a while and use this time to regroup and really focus on what lies ahead in my career.
Bennett: And what exactly do you want out of the rest of your career? You've been kickin a** in this sport for awhile now with no sign of letting up? What can we expect in the futrue from you?
Bambrug: Oh, just more of the same really. I want to continue progressing and having fun making a living riding a dirtbike. It would sure help to get some sponsorship stuff locked in for next year to take some of the stress off ... but I have some stuff locked in for early in the year like the US Crusty Tour. I am pretty excited for the US fans to see those shows. I assure you that they are the best freestyle moto shows that you can see. Way better than anything that we have ever had in America. I think that if they can get people in the seats we will see freestyle really take off again here. In the past few years the contests and the demos have gotten so boring around here. I don't know how someone could sit through 20 guys trying to do the same thing over and over. If they market this thing right it should really breath life back into the sport.
Bennett: I cant wait for the us Crusty Tour either! I got to go to one of the rounds the first time the held it here and i was amazed. The intensity the riders put in is on a whole different level then most of the contest. Alot of the riders these days prefer to do shows and demos over contest, not wanting to deal with politics, invites list and judging. How do you feel about invite only contest with less then stellar judging?
Bamburg: Invite only is retarted! This industry is so wraped up in the "next big thing" or the mindset that they invest in a hand full of guys and just try to run it into the ground with who they think is "marketable". I'm sick of all the bullshit with "hype". All I hear about is this guy does this or this guy got a tattoo or this guy is dating some sl*t who is the cousin of some reality show flunkie. There is no real buzz on what is really cool about our sport. . What I would like to hear about is how Dustin Miller or Derek Burlew killed it at a demo in Connecticut somewhere while trying to make a living doing what we've done for 10 years. When they went to invite only, they pretty much f**ked anyone who is not "marketable". There are guys who have proven themselves in past X events who don't get invited. But they'll give a spot to some f**kin youtube dipsh*t without knowing for sure if the guy will even try the trick he "claims" to have in a foam pit. I mean there are guys that are real pros that will come up with something sick for X and really try it no matter what. Every year there is some buzz about some new kid with this or that who is gonna set the world on fire but it never seems to really happen. I mean how long has it been since a new kid really made an impact in this sport. Oh well, f**k, maybe I'm just old and bitter.
Bennett: Well you may be bitter but alot of people would agree with you. You kinda scared me right there...i guess that's why your the Chuck Norris of FMX. Do you have anything else to say to the readers? I'm tired of typing. I think i broke my hand last night *(
Bamburg: Well let me tell you typing with a broken hand sucks. As far as the Chuck Norris thing goes, I don't see what the big deal with that guy is. The dude looks like he's had more plastic surgery than Joan rivers. A true bada** would just leave their face alone and let nature take it's course. There must be a Walker Texas ranger reunion show coming up or something. White Goodman said it best "F**k Chuck Norris".
Beau Bamburg Ladies and Gentlemen
July 27th 2009 "On the couch again..."
It seems like right when I get all healed up and feeling good on my bike, I find the quickest way to get hurt again. That's not the case this time. When i was younger i would do silly things on a whim like bet my friends i can jump over the water truck off a tiny double(broken fib and wrist) or that you could in fact hit the perfect lip and go right between the two pine trees(broken ulna, broken jaw and torn ACL). In my defense...that jump was perfectly shaped and the trees were at least 8 feet apart. I just didn't account for that 8 foot width to be 5 feet to far to the left.
But this time was something completely different. I was simply doing practice laps at the track like i do every Friday night for the last few months. This time i was joined by my brother Johnny and my 8 year old nephew Daniel. My brother is a very unique individual. He is free spirited and adventurous. The smile rarely leaves his face and the fear rarely enters his mind. He is by far way more skillful on a bike then i am. He hasn't ridden in well over 6 months. Shows up to the track half asleep, clears every single jump on the track first lap without even rolling them or asking a single question. Skills!! My nephew was having the time of his life,this being the first track he's ever ridden on. He boarded his ttr110 and went around the big boy track as fast as it would go. Granted he never came more then 2 feet off the ground, but the smile on that boys face was high as the clouds.
Now back to me. Spinning 3/4 speed laps on a track I've been on hundreds of time, Rock-in out to AC/DC thanks to Apple and some kick ass eBay helmet speakers. A fine young man was in the line I favored so I took the inside. Approaching the jump in 1st I reached for second a few feet from the bottom and then pinned it. An odd screaming sound which proved to be my free revving engine alarmed me. Then the angle at which i was flying downright scared the shit out of me. Apparently i caught neutral instead of second, which put me into a nose dive, shorting the jump and bouncing over the bars. As i rag-dolled down landing I noticed I couldn't see my bike, before I could think about that it hit me like a train. I dint know if the fall hurt more, or the unwanted snuggle from my yz250, but neither were very pleasing.
So the result is a torn meniscus and a fractured fib. Neither of which are to severe, simply uncomfortable and annoying. After a few pokes prods and stitches by the doc ill be back in the saddle again.
Instead of going to X games now I'll be sitting on my couch and watching from the comfort and air conditioned privacy of my own home.
I'm not one for big events or crowds but damn I did wanna watch all the madness live. I'm sure ill get the lowdown all over Freestylemtx.com . I'm looking for my boy Nixie to go big and strong. Wanna see Pastrana's madness and curious to see all the new varials.
I will never be nearly as talented as any of the guys you see on TV riding, but on any giving weekend you can bet I'll be having just as much fun as any other dude on a bike. I think that's all that counts isn't it? If i were freeriding with Renner or riding the dunes with Josh Grant we all would be having one hell of a time. So thats what you all should do too. Enjoy the ride.....