New bike

Thanks to Jarrod for hookin' it up. This one will do till I roll into some extra money I suppose.

Unfortunately, this has been a long time coming.

This is a hit I've seen coming for a long time. It's already been happening to the rest of the cycling industry and is just now coming around to BMX. What happens to the big bike companies, local bike shops, and the kids in china building our bikes happens to every single one of us. It's a train wreck and we've got to find a way around it. Look up, and please God, keep buying bikes.



I know alot of ya have no clue there are other sites out there about BMX, but one of the best is VintageBMX, and they are in tune with stuff the average street kid knows nothing about. This is a huge one. As of right now, new laws have been made that affect every part of the BMX industry. These laws deal with lead in products for kids, or toys. As of right now, all bicycles with a wheel diameter of 24 inches and under are considered "toys". This is a quote from Ryan Birk, formerly of Sun Rims, now with Alienation, who just lost his Kuwahara job since they closed up due to these new laws>

What scares me is how little some of the companies that will be most affected by these new requirements actually know about what is going to happen and how unconcerned some seem to be. We've had lawyers on both sides of the pond looking into this for us for a couple months trying to find loopholes and determine exactly what is required of us as BMX companies. We've probably spent enough on lawyers to at least have covered the required testing on at least a couple models of bikes for at least 1 shipment.

Here's the jist of what is going on now for BMX

"toy" companies.As of Nov. 12, nothing shipped after that date can come into the US without proper 3rd party testing for lead, lead content, and phalates and the certified documnents needed to get through customs at port. This includes complete bikes, frames, and all parts with intended us for any bike 24" and under. The fees for testing are expensive unless you're testing a large volume of parts or bikes and can ammortorize those costs across the board. If you offer a part or bike in different color options, each color must legally be tested. Of course all companies can decide if they want to comply and pay for the testing but it will ultimately begin to affect costs and pricing of products unless the company is making a ton of parts that are getting sold, or the company has a really large petty cash stash. It's been my experience that most BMX companies operate on a pretty defined and tight budget to insure longevity and growth. And the kicker is that you have to conduct testing each time you import product from now on, regardless if it's the exact same product you imported 2 months earlier.

You have until Feb. 9th to sell all your untested products to the consumer (enduser), not just to the bike shops, or on Feb. 10th it becomes illegal for shops or distributors to sell these products without the proper certificate. The fines for this and for trying to import goods into the US without the certificates is in the hundred of thousands.

Companies that haven't tested and received the proper certificates legally have to take any untested product back and refund monies to the dealers or distributors as it is illegal for them to be sold after Feb. 9. This is why Feb 10 is being called National Bankruptcy Day because they have to take back ALL untested product from retailers and distributors and supply refunds even if that product is 10 years old. If the retailer (although highly unlikely Joe's Local Bike Shop would get caught) is caught trying to sell untested goods, the shop will be fined by the CPSC (fines in the hundred of thousands. Which obviously the shop will then turn around and sue the manufacturer for failure to test and likely the company is already been fined as well. You can see how it can get ugly real fast if you don't have the proper test certificates. And the rumors I hear about companies ready to rat out others on Feb 10 is really unsettling

What we're likely to see as BMXer's is that the big companies can probably offset the large testing expenses as their volume is large enough to ammortorize. We'll likely see some price increases from them but they'll still be around. It will hit the small bike and part companies the hardest as the test fees are extensive and companies will have to decide for themselves if they can afford to pay and continue to stay in business. Where the money for this testing comes from and if it's effect on pricing will likely push some of those companies out of the market. With Kuwahara, based on our current growth rate in terms of volume, and projected sales for 09,
we were looking at 125% price increases. With the economy and all things considered, $1800 to $2000 complete bikes probably aren't going to sell to well. That was our sad reality and our situation will force us to become a frame only distributor for 09.

I hope the other companies in the BMX world don't have to suffer the same fate as Kuwahara and it will be each companies decision if they choose to comply with the new test laws forced on us as "toy" manufactures.Hope this rambling simplified the "legal mumbo jumbo" that I've been forced to try to learn these past couple of months. Oh, and the same testing will soon be required for bikes and bike parts made in the US as well.Birk

Kids, this is huge. Alot of small companies, such as FBM, S&M, Sunday, etc. will be affected by this. Lots of companies will fold.

Tired. Fat.

Today I rode a 27 mile loop from my house, to the Trussville Cahaba Cycles and back. I'm really freakin' tired right now. After the ride I went to Panda and got some chinese food. I may or may not have eaten too much. But it was soooooooooo good. Tonight I think the 08 crew is going to the comedy club for Laura's bday. Should be a good time. Tomorrow I believe I'm going to Factory with Bam and Wee Little Lad. Always a good time. I should get dressed now..

cops

This guy has been indicted for shoving an innocent cyclist.

He deserves to go to jail for a while

Friends...

This morning, I woke up, having no idea where I was. All I could see was Jayson's feet beside my head and a faint light coming from 2 rooms over. I was at the Blakeslee house in Bethlehem Ga. It took me 3 or 4 minutes to figure that out, I guess because I was so tired. I've known Jade for a couple years I suppose, but last night was the first time I had ever met his parents, and Jade wasn't even in the same state. As I woke up and checked my emails and gathered my things this morning I began thinking about this situation, how a family whom had never met me before welcomed me into their home simply because I'm a friend of their sons. It got me to thinking about my family, and how many dozens of teenage/twenty something guys have stayed in my house for days, some even months at a time and my parents always welcomed them in with dinner and a couple big dogs to say hello.
I began to think about how I've lived a large majority of my life out of a backpack or a duffel bag in hotel rooms or random peoples houses hundreds of miles from home. Where is home? It's where you have people that care about you, for me, it's from Pinson Alabama to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, and everywhere in between. Late night Waffle House meals, and early morning continental breakfasts have been my favorite way to eat all my life.
I have two really awesome parents, plus a dozen other families across the country. My friends are my family. There's alot to be said about these people and the love they have for not only their own children, but me, and the rest of our wild crew.

Right now, I'm lying in bed watching bmx videos on the computer. This is life for me. Whether its here, or hundreds of miles away lying on a hotel bed with a couple of my best friends talking about BMX and how we're going to wreck eachother the next day.

Life sure can be stressful sometimes, but I wouldn't want things to be much different. I have too many people that care about me to change this.

Jaybuzz, Morristown, and laziness.

Well... it's been a while. I'm lazy and my computer has been wrecked. Jayson came to town almost two weeks ago. It's definitely been good times. I hope he stays. I'll be honest, my memory sucks so this entry will be short. Morristown was fun, we saw that whiney kid from American Idol in Waffle House at 3 am. I wrecked really hard on Saturday in the 2nd moto. I rode really well on Sunday, still ended up with 5th in the semi, but I was beating guys that I normally wouldn't and buzzing Diego's tire the whole race. I was pretty happy with how well I rode.

Anyway, about that laziness, Jayson and I are waiting on Josh to get home so we can watch a movie. Peace. Update after the party and Barry's jam this weekend.

Dance parties and fixed gears

I wear skinny jeans and slip on vans, I dye my hair black, I drink PBR, and I went to a dance party and an alleycat race all in one weekend. I've got to be the trendiest kid alive right now. Friday after work I headed to the normal place, 1021 and hung out and got warmed up for the dance party. Bob, Justin and I headed to the dance party. I dont remember much other than wanting to go home kind of early because I had to work Saturday. But I'm assuming KGTD was a good time as it always is. Saturday Jonathan let me off early so I could make it to Deuces Wild alleycat. The brocycle guys did a great job putting this race on, fun atomsphere, good long race. I had a great time. Thanks to these guys for welcoming me into the group and providing such a fun event. It was super cold, I was not prepared for that. The race ended up being like 20 miles, I was not prepared for that. Basically, I just wasn't prepared. I had no idea where 3 of the stops were so I followed a guy named Aaron I met at the gathering before the race for most of the route. Thanks to him for showing me the route. I think I got done in about an hour 25 or so. I ended up with 6th overall which im pretty happy with. Tho I'm gonna count it as 3rd because a few of the guys in front of me were on geared bikes and that's cheating. haha. After the race I hung out at the afterparty for a bit at the warehouse, I believe the guy allowing us to use it was David, I hope I got that right but thanks to him for letting that happen. I left the afterparty a little early tho to go hang out with my normal crew. We had the same good ole time at 1021 we always do. Sunday, Josh, Jonathan and myself went to the mall and just drove around aimlessly for a bit then I went and rode around with Braxton, Terry, and Chad for a bit. That was pretty fun, I'm looking forward to riding with these guys every week now. Overall it was a pretty eventfull and very fun weekend. I gotta go Wii Bowl. Peace.

Deuces Wild

I hope I can make this, you should too.

Halloween/Locals

Friday started out nice, dug in Walt's backyard for a bit trying to get his trails going. Got a little bit of riding done, those things are gonna be technical. After that Josh and I headed to Maggie's house to get ready for Halloween night. We played Wii bowling for a couple hours while the girls got ready and whatnot. We headed to Robert's to hang out for a while and then headed to a dance party at Mathew's. Maggie, Josh, Sarah and I headed home pretty early, I think about 1am or so. A very fun Halloween this year.

Saturday morning Josh and I woke up and headed to Oak Mtn. about 11 so that I could give Dale Duke his first lesson. He did pretty well and I look forward to working with him in the future and having him on the team. After practice started we were able to talk about 6 people into racing an open with us. Motos were no big deal, just havin fun. Main came and Josh, Brantley and myself were lined up next to eachother, I think Brantley got to the first turn first by a tire but Josh went under him and I highlowed and came around both of them at mach10. Josh pushed me to the inside of the track so I came into turn 2 wayyyyy too low and wayyyyyy too fast, I thought I was pushing Josh up with me, but he brake checked and highlowed under me. I was at a dead stop at the top of the turn so I didn't have the momentum to go real fast. I did the best I could to catch Josh but just didn't have the mmmph after that 2nd turn. It made for an exciting race tho.
After the race me and Josh met Mags at 2pesos for some much needed mexican food. It was delectable. That night we hung out at Roberts for a bit, then came back to Maggie's and just sat around with a few friends and talked for a while.

Sunday, Josh and I chose to go to Prattville for another local instead of Tuscaloosa for the cross race. That turned out to be a bad choice because my shoulder was killing me after working out earlier this week and riding for a couple days. And the gate broke during practice, I flipped it and bruised my hip. When race time came we were doing flag starts, haha, BOGUS. But ya gotta do what ya gotta do I guess.. haha. We had another small open and in the main I went under Josh in the first turn... slid out in the second turn, I put my foot down and my chain came off, I raced the rest of the race just pumping. Josh, Billy and I all had a good time I suppose so no big deal.
We had been craving CiCi's pizza since like 10 that morning so we stopped there and gourged for like an hour or so before heading home. I was worn out when I made it back and passed out about 9 oclock. A very long eventful weekend.

Now I've got to rest up for a few days and hope my shoulder gets better so I can get back in the gym and riding my bike again by Wednesday.

Eventful few days..ish

Not much happened at the beginning of the week, just worked. Same ole same ole. Thursday, I took the day off and Barry came in town for a while, so Josh, Barry, John and I went and rode Oak Mtn for a few hours. Good times and gate flippin's were had. Apparently the ABA cadence on our TARA box is jacked up. After the ride we ate some mexican, man I LOVE mexican foods. Josh was astonished at his lettuce and stuff being on top of his burrito. Good stuff. Friday was a normal work day, afterwards we hung out at 1021 and saw Saw V. Not too impressed with it honestly. Saturday I had to work... BUMMMER SAUCE. Then Saturday night we went to the Farm and rode for a few hours with a few of the Tal crew, thanks Jon for the awesome shirts and stuff. After that we hit up 1021 again and just hung out all night, Carlos showed up late in the night and mixed it up on the 1s and 2s.. Quite a good night. Sunday Josh and I met Taylor and Morgan at Oak Mtn early in the morning and rode for a few hours. Then I had to work out at Pelham. No bueno. Now I'm lying in my girlfriends bed blogging, good end to a fun weekend.

South Carolina

We left Wednesday night, about 7, and drove all night. Arrived about 1 am at my friend Jessie's apartment. Thursday Josh and I drove out to the track just to check it out, then headed to Columbia to hang out in the city and whatnot. They have a really cool downtown area, alot of live music and random boxing rings in the streets. SWEET. Friday, practice was terrible, it was super windy and started raining about 2 hours after we started riding. After all the rain Friday night it got super cold so Saturday morning practice and Sunday morning racing was quite frigid. Tho, AJ Bontorno may disagree because apparently it snows 6 feet in July up in Boston. haha. Anyway, I was happy enough my motos on Saturday, 5-3-1, enough to make it out, so I can't complain. In the main I just squidded out and ended up with 6th. Sunday morning I rode fairly consistently with a 3-4-3 and was determined to better Saturdays finish. Well, when the gate dropped in the main, I completely got dropped till the first turn and spent the rest of the race playing catch up, I was able to get around a couple people and still ended up with 6th. Not too psyched but can't complain about making mains. Definitely need some work on my first straights before Morristown after Thanksgiving.

Atlanta

Midweek/Tatted up

So, Monday was rough, I was tiiiiired. Went for what I thought was going to be an easy recovery ride but turned into a race with Mr. Rogers. Rode about 13 miles, a little faster than I intended.

Tuesday, made it to cyclocross practice out in Tville... and rode wayyyy harder than I should have. But I was able to ride about 45 minutes or so without dying. A step in the right direction I suppose.

Wednesday, I woke up early, hit the gym, worked all day and headed down to BarryNobles.com's house to bum a wheel off him. It was definitely nice to hang out with him again. Ps we're friends thats how we know eachother. Anyway, while I was down there hanging out we decided to add another piece to my awesome and completely random right leg. OOOH son it hurt. But I think it turned out fairly well.

Think I'll ride some tonight and rest for the weekend. Headin' to Atlanta tomorrow evening with Maggie to celebrate the anniversary and just chill. Good times to be had.

Cyclocross is really tough.

So, the big day arrived. Today was my first cx race. I woke up, made Josh climb out of bed and headed to Avondale, ofcourse stopping at Mcdonalds on the way for a delicious nutritious chicken biscuit. When I arrived Riley was the only person there that I knew, but shortly thereafter John and Andrew showed up also. I got a little warm up riding in with John then proceeded to line up and get ready to race. My heartrate was spiked before we even took off. Generally not a good sign. I took off, midpack, was able to pass a few guys and settle into a decent rhythm at about 8th or 9th. I worked for most of the race with a rider from Chain Reaction, not sure of his name. But coming around my 5th lap I was hurting pretty bad and couldn't keep his pace. I lapped Andrew halfway through my last lap, somehow miraculously through a joyous case of human error he only finished two spots behind me. Congrats Andrew! haha. I'm happy for him tho, he finished and he had a good time. So, I was hurting pretty bad on my last lap but I still finished pretty strong, so I'm definitely happy with that. I believe my official result was 11th in a 28 rider field. Way better than I actually expected to do. It was a great race, I had alot of fun and I can't wait for the next Bamacross that I'm able to make it to. I've got about a month or so to keep training for it, I'd love to break top 5 at Tuscaloosa's race. We'll see I guess.

Off days.

I took the last two days off to rest up for Sunday. Futile as it may be, I'd really like to do half way decent tomorrow.

So, last night Maggie, Josh and I went out to eat for Josh's birthday at Bdubs. I LOVE hotwings. After we ate we went over to Robert's house and hung out for a couple hours. Pretty good night, I definitely have missed hanging out with Bam Spenser and Robert the last couple weeks.
Today, we woke up, ate some delicious Krystals (nutrition is obviously my strong point) and went to the zoo. Pretty rad freakin' time at the zoo. Lot's of cool animals and whatnot. Got to pet a beaver. I would like a pet beaver. They're really cool. After the zoo we came home and watched the Alabama and Auburn's football games. Now its time to get some rest.. and see what cyclocross does to me in the morning.

First Blog

New to this. Not much is going on right now. I'll be back with updates after this weekends cross race.