B-Boying has come a long since way since I was on the block doing my little tic-tockin and backspins. Out here in Chicago, we have some crews. One of them is The BrickHeadz but there are many all over the globe. Here is a clip from a Red Bull competition in Germany. Cats are doing some sick techniques and better yet they seem to be staying true to the origins of Hip-Hop and the culture.
I ran into this short film online. To me it's like RAD in South Africa. I don't know much about it but it's pretty dope. I am feeling it... It's called "Riding With Sugar" and I found it on http://www.youtube.com/user/GlobalFilmInitiative Riding With Sugar - Part 1
I am a pretty big dude. I am not that tall but I am a pretty thick brother. For Flatland, you get pretty tired when you have thick muscles and a little extra weight. However, don't let that stop you, riding will get you at the weight that you are supposed to be. Here is a clip from Vital BMX of a rider by the name of Chris Bates. I don't know too many of the new street riders out there but this dude definitely has skills. Keep riding! FLATLANDIN
This video was pretty ill. I bumped into it on a random search. It definitely gives out that true school feel. Travis Collier is a pro rider and Macneil make nice BMX bikes that work for both flat, street, and just plain riding... After all, that is what we all should be doing... RIDING OUR OWN WAY to the music you like, whatever that may be. Do your thing and like KRS ONE said, "Tell the negative people, "Don't bother me!" Peace. FLATLANDIN
Lately, I have been seeing online how some people are confused about riding the streets or riding some flat ground whether they are on a skateboard or a BMX bike. All I have to say is that the confusion may be coming from a potential riders inability to understand the concept of having a "free style", or doing your own thing, and allowing your creative side shine through. Basically, just because you have that brand new alien workshop board, doesn't mean that you are only limited to 50/50 grinds all day. Likewise, just because you have a Mongoose BMX bike from a department store, doesn't mean that you can't do a wall ride on Monday and a Cherry-Picker on Thursday while practicing hang-fives if you get bored of both.
You are not limited to the tricks you do and by the fact that your bike might not be the greatest piece of machined metal and rubber/plastic parts. Yes, having enough money to buy some well made and expensive bike and skateboard products will make your riding easier and you will look "cool", but there are ways around it. You can get "hand me down" or used parts. You can buy them at a discount. The point is, that you can find a way to have fun and gain some skill even if you can't get to amateur or pro status. BMX and Skateboarding might not change your life for the better, but they can pass the time until you figure out other aspects of your life and who you are in relation to the rest on the world.
Below are two good examples of what I mean by having creativity and not limiting yourself. I come from a generation where we rode/skated EVERYTHING...EVERYTHING you ask????... Yes EVERYTHING!!! It didn't matter if my bike was a steel tank with wack-a$$ geometry or my skateboard was warped by rain. I would at least try to ride EVERYTHING.
Rodney Mullen is a perfect example. He was a "freestyle" skateboarder who rides street as well. The other video is of Akira Okamura who is keeping the tradition alive by riding EVERYTHING including street on a flatland bike. Both have unique styles as well. FLATLANDIN
