View BMXTRIX's Posts
1 | 2 Next >>Re: Paging Paul Vail posted on 2008-11-15 00:03:48
You ever search Google for your name and something weird comes up early?
Yes, I'm still out here, and I am rarely riding right now. With two kids which have been taking up half my free time and running my own company taking the other half, I am extremely busy, and extremely out of shape for riding - or much else.
I still have my Ares put together and do ride it extremely infrequently, but don't consider myself 'done' with riding - as much as I'm on an extended break. I just need the kids old enough to be more self sufficient and my wife to be able to have the time to get a part time job. It may all help if we sell our home and use the proceeds to move into something a bit smaller, but with almost zero mortgage.
Very expensive living in the Washington, DC area - and I'm definitely feeling the effects of it all many days.
Of course, every now and then I get the urge to work on the BMXTRIX website, but then I remember that I've got some programming to do for a client, or a diaper to change... Strangely, I'm so busy I don't miss it as much as I thought. I mean, I remember how when I went to bed at night I was always bummed that I couldn't keep riding. Or when it was wet - or worse - windy... How frustrating it was to be off my bike for a day. Yet, I never believed that I could just be part of my family and part of life and not feel the bike pulling at me constantly. Yet, here I am. I do miss the feeling of riding, and the feeling of yearning to ride every second I possibly can. But, the riding itself, I don't miss on a day-to-day level because I have something else which occupies my time and family.
FYI: www.avintegrated.com - www.jacobvail.com
I'm not gone, don't you ever believe it. I'll haunt you all if I die. ;o)
Re: i want you to talk about sony. posted on 2006-09-11 20:10:59
[quote author=Julian Musto link=topic=20167.msg220041#msg220041 date=1158014007]
i think a lot of people are gonna buy the ps3 JUST because of the blu-ray, then the gamers on top of that. If you've seen how sick blu-ray looks, you'd understand. That's like thinking hdtvs wouldnt sell for being hd. They're just THAT much better. Go to whatever electronics store you have that has a blu-ray demo, and you'll see why they're doing it. It's SICK. Period.
[/quote]
Count me in that crowd. 1st generation Blu-ray players currently run $1,000 and there will be MORE expensive ones by years end. In comparison, the Blu-ray Disc capabilities built into PS3 are cheap. Now, for those who think Blu-ray isn't a big cost add-on, you are wrong. It is one of the most expensive components of the product. But, like all electronics, the Blu-ray drive is also the one that is most likely to undego a serious drop in price in the next 18 months. So, it would not be unheard of for PS3 to drop $100 or so by next year sometime after production ramps up.
Some people just don't care at all, but Sony is banking on those people who want killer gaming, who buy a PS3 to also take advantage of the built in HD Disc playback capabilities that Blu-ray offers in PS3. I know I'm already looking to get a 1080p front projector to go with my 106" screen and some serious game playing and movie watching fun.
PS3 is slated to be the very first player on the market to offer HDMI 1.3 capabilities and the expansion in audio and video quality that go along with that. $600.00 - Yeah, I've already got my money put aside for it and a day scheduled off of work if need be so I can stand in line if I must.
FYI: No disrespect at all to X360 which is awesome and a lot of fun.
Oh - and the videos? I'm ready for the full short to shop up on the eu.playstation website! The videos look to be shot really well and with HD cameras which is just phenomenal looking. It would be cool to see those videos show up in some Best City stores to go along with PS3 promos.
Re: How come more ams aren't moving up to pro? posted on 2006-09-08 18:30:15
There's no question that there really does need to be a beginner, expert, and pro class at most 'large' contests on a more regular basis. But, the pro class is intimidating. I mean, for a beginner to even show up and TRY to practice at one of those events is crazy. I remember (way back) going to a Socco contest as one of my first and having some of the most incredible riders of the time there. I think I spent about five minutes actually riding on the contest area before I had to compete. Way to many people, way to intimidating.
The flip side being that you actually have got to have some novice riders show up who are willing to compete. Some guys never feel ready, other guys just don't care. I remember every month we had a local contest that would draw 20 or 30 guys from our area at least. Every MONTH! There was beginner, intermediate, and expert classes - and people paid, and people enterred, and at the end, if you won, you got a trophie. No bike parts, just a trophie. Geez, I've gotta have 50 of those things collecting dust in my basement.
In the end, what'll really motivate some guys to go pro is if there is ever some serious purse money on the line. Forget payout through 5th place or so. How about some serious cash - $100K on the line and a payout through 20th place? That level of sponsorship is WAY overdue for these contests, yet still is a long way away from reality. Yet, you put that much cash on the line and you will see some ams make the jump, and if 10th place drops several grand for that rider, there are some guys who definitely will be going for it hardcore. The top ten may be really tough to break, but leaving a contest in 15th with a grand in your pocket would really make some guys think.
Of course, I have said for years, that flatland is like almost every other serious pro sport. The top guys tend to be in their mid twenties. A few older, a few younger - but it takes years to get it dialed. And don't give me a pro that can't work both the front and the back wheel. If you are pro, and you've got ZERO back wheel skills? Go home. :D
Re: whats was your first flat trick learned posted on 2006-08-30 23:30:02
Riding backwards sitting on the bars. I think I was like 12 when I learned it. Didn't really know what flatland was, but I saw some guy riding that way and decided to learn it on my K-Mart Huffy. When I actually 'started' flatland, I already knew how to ride backwards. That trick was probably 1982 or '83 for me. When I actually started flatland, it was endos and track stands for sure to start things off.
Re: The Hoffman Big Daddy is BACK! posted on 2006-08-28 11:35:54
So how long before Mirra and Miron are back with HB?
Re: what do you think rider who ride flatland and change (street) posted on 2006-08-27 15:14:53
I think you gotta have respect for all forms of riding if you want any respect yourself. I ride because it's fun, and I don't limit myself because I mainly ride flatland. If I want to ride some park, street, or vert - I do it. I don't set boundaries around my riding and I have less respect for those that put boundaries up instead of just doing what is fun and what feels right for them.
The flat influence in street also only has shown to take riders further and further as some top notch guys including Mirra, McCoy, and Haugen all got their start with flatland and Haugen especially had some pretty mad flatland skills. Riders such as Chase and Degroot have put in their fair share of street riding with Degroot doing pretty well in the AM class at some events. Of course you also have the fact that Kevin can go out and hit up some jumps that many guys wouldn't touch and can do it with some style.
Now, what's the problem? Should they just ride flatland to make you happy? Or, can they find what they have in themselves and do what they enjoy without you not being happy for them? Really, I don't get it... Focus on what makes you happy - focus on your own riding and all the things you get out of it. If you NEED others to dedicate their lives to your sport or they'll lose your respect, then maybe this isn't the thing for you. Haven't you heard? Flatlanders get no respect.
Re: New look to Mattbmx.com posted on 2006-08-25 21:38:42
You've also gotta learn to make roll-over areas for flash buttons so that you don't have to be right on the outline of text for links. It's easy enough to do... Basically a transparent box that lays on top of the area you want to be the button. But, with forcing people to be on the text, it can be confusing and difficult to navigate. I'm not sure how deep you want to take the site, but you really have the depth and history to really put toghther a great photo and video gallery if you wanted to.
Re: Got some pics up... posted on 2006-08-24 19:48:42
Of course I did a bunch of video captures from the entire contest and after I get the pro 'unedited' runs up, I will put together an actual video w/music/etc. That'll include some stuff from the qualifiers etc. Lots more of the different riders and some guys that didn't qualify. The pros are just the finals, so you won't get some guys until you see the final edited video.
Anyone who has a pic of themself that they like, that they would want a full resolution version of, please use the 'contact us' link at BMXTRIX and request a full resolution version of the photo. It is suitable for about 8x10 printing and a bit of cropping won't kill things. I know when you get a decent pic of yourself it's cool, but web quality is pretty lousy. The full res image is about 4MB and looks a ton better than what is online. But, let me know so I can send it to you.
Tell me your name and the exact photo you want a copy of.
~P~ - www.bmxtrix.com
Re: Dane Beardsley's Great Lakes Flat Jam posted on 2006-08-24 08:13:29
How about a hang-10 contest with your feet taped to the front pegs?
Re: Got some pics up... posted on 2006-08-24 08:07:19
[quote author=Peter Hollinger link=topic=19659.msg214352#msg214352 date=1156352917]
I cant get onto the site. Says its down.
[/quote]
? - That qualifies as weird. Make sure you are hitting it from the main page at www.bmxtrix.com and not something else, but the site hasn't had any downtime in the past few days as far as I know.
I am working on updating the photo gallery section right now to add things like 'previous' and 'next' buttons along with possibly making future galleries allow for 800x600 or 1024x768 photos instead of what is up there now (500x350). I'm not sure how many updates I will be able to get done before my new kid arrives and things go back on hold for a while - but we'll see.
Re: and now got some Videos up! posted on 2006-08-22 19:30:49
I'm hoping to give the site a full facelift... or more accurately - an update. It won't be crazy major, but I'm already shifting to a dark grey with the black and more of a black steel look as things more forward. The navigation is (likely) going to move away from Flash and will go to a Java based drop-down menu system that is more typical. I have some Cold Fusion stuff to write to get things to work as well. I am also going to update the buletin board system to something current...
Of course, it's all 'hopefully' because I've got my second kid due in 3 months. :D
and now got some Videos up! posted on 2006-08-21 17:56:00
As promised, I have now added all the videos for the amateur runs from Battle At The Beach last weekend. About 30 minutes of video watching for all to enjoy. I'm not sure when I'm making it to another contest, so enjoy the updates as you can.
~P~ - www.bmxtrix.com
Re: Got some pics up... posted on 2006-08-21 14:23:57
Thanks - It's actually a couple days past three years, but I finished the update on Saturday - and had issues uploading it. Definitely a coincidence that it was 3 years to the date though for the update. Hopefully over the next few months BMXTRIX can see some real updates to the site. Rumors of it disappearing are not accurate, but when babies come into my life, other things go on hold for a while. FYI: I have another due in November. (see: www.jacobvail.com )
I want to get the site as stable as possible before November and I want to get some additional features of the site taken care of before then as well. That'll include updating the 'links' section of the site with an automated form to add/verify links. It'll also include updating the forums (for those who participate). Most of all, a bit of a facelift to the entire site. That one is definitely going to be fun with a couple hundred pages to go through. Bye-bye frames - all direct navigation.
It's fun to work on, but I could spend about 200 hours on it and not really add anything 'new' to the site.
Forget that - VIDEOS will be up TONITE!
Got some pics up... posted on 2006-08-21 11:08:54
Well, for the first time in about 3 years I was able to get a site update done and there are about 80 photos up from last weekend Battle @ The Beach contest. I also have all 11 am run finals that are fully edited, but no page in place yet - look for that before the day is out (about 30+ minutes of video). The pro runs should be up before the week is out.
Sorry if this is the wrong place to post it, but it's been a while and I know a lot of riders come here to find out what's up.
~P~ - www.bmxtrix.com
Re: 2006 Battle at the Beach - August 11-12th posted on 2006-08-13 18:11:41
The contest was a lot of fun - Not an incredible turnout, but pretty good. There will be a full write up, about 50 or so photos and ALL the final runs from the amateurs and pros at bmxtrix later this week.
RESULTS:
AM Finals:
1 Dave Withersby
2 Isaiah Jordan
3 Tyler Gillard
4 Michael Moore
5 Kris Veal
6 Kelly Baldwin
7 Jeff Smee
8 Damian Bacci
9 Jesse Cantore
10 Jean-William Prévost
11 Jeff Foster
30 and Over Pro
1 Scott O'Brian
2 Jon Dowker
3 Anthony Brogden
4 Bryan Huffman
5 Keith King
6 Paul Vail
7 Scott Sharp
8 Shawn Kacar
Pro Finals:
1 Justin Miller
2 Terry Adams
3 Pete Brandt
4 Shintaro Misawa
5 Cory Fester
6 Simon Marson
7 Art Thomason
8 Andy Cooper
9 James McGraw
10 Boulianna Jean-Fran
11 Stephen Hearns
12 Dave Petrin
Re: Fire Hydrant Help posted on 2006-08-13 18:04:03
Of course the videos are working with how-to's and complete descriptions at bmxtrix.com as well.
Re: History of peg size posted on 2006-08-08 10:11:16
There are people who will say that things are smaller now - but they don't have a clue what small pegs, like the Skyway pegs used to be like.
The biggest issues definitely have to be around axles stripping out and pegs getting ripped apart. I remember buying a new set of pegs every couple of months because the cheap aluminum pegs I had would strip out - and often take the axle with it.
As things progessed and riders got into it (see PWH post above) the pegs grew in size. I still have a GT steel peg with a pipe that was hammerred on to it to make it bigger and more comfortable. That was the beginning, but the first real deep socket pegs were the big jump.
ADVANTAGES:
The deep socket peg allows you to use standard axle nuts available at any bike shop in the world
If the axle or nut strips out, no damage occurs to the peg at all
You are dealing with a 100% hollow peg and have room to machine it how you see fit for best performance
The peg acts as a washer between the nut and the dropouts, and it is a LARGE washer, which protects the frame from bending
Far more comforable to stand on.
Rounded ends can be made large enough to pivot on easily.
Size can be adjusted per peg design to suit any number of riders - some like smaller pegs, some larger.
Steel pegs, for street, can be built far more specifically for grinding, etc. and can last far longer.
Anti-spin designs keep the pegs from coming loose for those who grind/ride street, no bolt on peg could do that.
Round design instead of angled is more comfortable for hand and foot
No bolt design allows for full knurling around entire perimter of peg - better grip!
For street - no bolt design allows for NO knurling/grip for better sliding during grinds.
Pegs can last YEARS depending on how hard you ride/scrape pegs on ground!
DISADVANTAGES:
Far heavier than the old skyway type pegs no matter what
Longer axles are required to deal with the extra material - axles were made stronger as well!
More expensive to do these pegs properly as more material is used/wasted during creation
Deep socket wrench extension required to take pegs on/off
Long axles may bottom out standard ratchet socket, so a deep socket is often needed.
Peg hits ground on miami hoppers now
Re: What's the most enjoyable trick? posted on 2006-08-07 13:38:30
Time machines... Simply no trick that feels like that IMO. Spinning like a top, faster... faster... and yet, somehow, in control.
Most of the time. :-o
Re: nourie stands posted on 2006-08-07 09:08:59
It used to be a lot less painful. The older bars were more like racing bars. They were wider and the crossbar was a good deal higher. So, when you laid down you actually put your chest on the bar, not so much your stomach.
I remember when I learned them I was running mags, so I also didn't have to try to have my balance up high on the wheel, which made riding in and out of the trick a bit easier. Still, it is way more painful now than it was then. Flexibility is the key - get your chest down low over the bar and keep the bar out of your stomach. Let you weight sit on your chest across the bar instead of on the end of the bar jabbing into your stomach... Or at least try.
Re: Old School Flatland Investigation posted on 2006-08-06 08:32:52
[quote author=Weird Position link=topic=19217.msg209183#msg209183 date=1154873362]
And yeah, can anybody tell WHEN EXACTLY flatland begun?
And first contests ever dated, first tricks, riders..[/quote]
Make sure to rent Joe Kid On A Stingray as well. It'll give you a really good perspective on the history of freestyle.
