Me vs. BMX
I’ve always had a weird relationship with BMX, both as a rider and as a fan. I mean, I liked watching BMX videos, until all of the videos became about brakeless street riding. And I liked checking out industry news, until that became like the same thing over and over and over again. Eventually BMX became like the last season of Airwolf, you know after they shitcanned Jan-Michael Vincent and Ernest Borgnine and replaced them with Dick van Dyke’s son and a bunch of people with mullets. Not only did the long lost St. John (“Sinjin”) Hawke show up to replace the much more interesting Stringfellow, but production values went to shit with them apparently taping large portions of the show using commercial grade camcorders and…
What, too geeky? Off the point?
Well, hell, anyway. BMX has lost some of its luster for me, as a fan. Which leaves the part where I’m a participant. I finally figured that part out. Y’see, I went out to Settles Bridge with Steve on Saturday to get back on the horse as it were. I hadn’t touched my bike except to move it out the way since it got cold. And while I’ve been informed that this doesn’t count, since I don’t ride with the appropriate people, or at the appropriate events to satisfy the judges of acceptable BMX behavior (I hold grudges, folks, it’s a personal failing, I know) *I* enjoyed it.
Which is kind of the thing that I had to figure out. You see, I don’t really look forward to riding. I mean, every so often I get an itch to ride and I ride and I try to ride often enough that it becomes a habit/routine, because it really is good for me. But it’s not like, say, playing guitar. I think about playing guitar all of the time. I know that I love playing guitar. Even after jacking my wrist I’ve played guitar until it just hurt too bad to keep going on.
I’ve gone to a skatepark, taken one good slam and packed my bags and went home. Riding a bike is just not that serious to me. However, it is fun for exactly how long I do it. I never look forward to it, but I enjoy it while I’m doing it. Which is kind of weird, but the most accurate way I can describe it. So, now that I’m back on the horse I will, undoubtedly feel all “ugh” while I’m packing up the car and I’ll be tired and sore when I’m done. but I’ll have a big smile on my face while I’m doing the thing.
And, y’know, I’m cool with that.
Tags: BMX, Settles Bridge, Skateparks, Steve Nowak
Monday, March 29th, 2010 at 9:30 am • Bicycles, BMX, Pontificating, The Evil of Steve Nowak • RSS 2.0 feed • leave a response or trackback
That smile is what it is all about. When I first started riding again it was all smiles. I felt like I was a kid again just riding around having a blast. It didn’t matter if I landed or learned a single trick. Just pedaling around was fun. Was it a bit escapist? Sure. But I think in small doses it’s perfectly acceptable to forget about car and mortgage payments for a little while and just enjoy being on two wheels while nearly breaking your neck.
Unfortunately, the “scene” finds a way to smack the smile right off your face. Maybe I’m being too sensitive, perhaps the AtlBMX debacle bothered me more than it should have. Arguably, I probably take things too personally and, like you, hold too many grudges. As you’ve pointed out I tend to treat bmx like an ex-girlfriend that cheated on me with all my friends.
I know it’s going to sound lame, and the self-proclaimed “keepers of all that is rad” will deride me, but I miss the smile. I wish I could still pop in Aggroman and get fired up enough to want to go out and goof off in full pads. Sadly, all it warrants now is a heavy sigh.
If you find a way to capture that smile more often, let me know. I’d love to join you. Right now I’m still just too burnt out for a spark to be lit. For the time being I’m going to stick to teaching my wife to mountain bike.
BTW, the fact that “sexay” and “boobies” have displaced “Devon Smillie” as your top tags is, to say the least, disturbing. Srsly. Disturbing. I’m not sure if that says something more about you or your audience. Although, the latter would mean they really haven’t changed much from the old BMX-bashing days. And, arguably, that particular crowd would be most interested in Devon AND boobies. Which is also disturbing.
I fear for our future….
Who doesn’t like boobies?
Also, not a word about Airwolf?
As far as getting the smile back. Eh, I ride pretty much when I want, and I pretty much only do what I want. That’s it. I really don’t pay too much attention to what’s going on in BMX, I just kinda do what I do by myself. Works for me.
speaking of Airwolf, I thought you might like this….
http://www.cracked.com/article/242_6-tv-shows-that-completely-lost-their-shit_p2