Bruise Control

Freestyle BMX More My Style

As an Xtreme sport newbie, I mistakenly thought that all BMX was created equal. Reading a recent online Bloomberg News opinion piece clarified the matter.

If you watched the Olympic BMX motocross final, it became clear to anyone under the age of 40, that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) doesn't quite know how to blend Generation Y's action sports with it's institutional inertia.

And as any marketer knows, Gen Y is all about changing the dynamic, turning concepts on their proverbial head. It's why the real cult heroes of BMX are in Portland, Oregon, this week headlining the AST Dew Tour.

John Helyar, commentator, said it best, "... you got the wrong BMX... Millions of kids who flip for BMX freestyle -- wherein riders perform flips and other stunts -- could care less about BMX racing.

"But the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the world federation for bicycle sports. BMX racing is part of UCI; BMX freestyle is not.

"The Olympics added the version of BMX which best suited its institutional imperatives, not the one that most appeals to a new generation."

The BMX racing I witnessed was about as interesting as watching archery.

According to John Zogby, pollster, who calls today's 18- to 29-year-olds the "First Globals," the younger set isn't into the games' nationalist subtext -- countries vying to win the most gold medals ... .," and believes that they see themselves more as global citizens than national partisans. 

These "First Globals" are forsaking Olympic viewing by larger margins every four years, Michael Phelps notwithstanding.

The IOC was actually considering adding skateboarding to the London Olympics, but those pesky UCI spoil sports, who rule all things wheel-based(!), couldn't agree on a format.

Thank god for small favors.

Bored in Beijing: BMX Free-For-All

I'm glad the BMX final aired at 10 p.m. in my area because if I'd stayed up late to watch this anticlimactic final, I would have been pi**ed off.

I know that BMX racing is fast and short, but aren't there rules for encroaching on the other bikers? For the French and U.S. the final was short and sweet, no doubt. But for Jared Graves, No. 2 in the world, the ending was anything but.

"I know it's the Olympics final and everyone is laying it on the line, but to be in a decent spot and have someone else ruin my race for me, that's the most dissappointing thing," Graves said.

For sheer enjoyment, I prefer to stick to BMX tricks.

Here's more on BMX spills at Yahoo.

BMX Boy

Now I know why the Olympic Committee accepted BMX as an Olympic sport. Watch Simon O'Brien perform bicycle motorcross like I've never seen.



Set to cool Anglo hip hop song by the Hilltop Hoods called "The Nosebleed Section." Here are the lyrics.

For more BMX tricks and tips, visit ExpertVillage.com.

BMX Bikers Make Olympic Games History

BMX bikers converge in history with the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a first-ever event for both.

Scientific American, the chronicler of all things bizarre and wonderful, provides us with a historical perspective. (See BMX Bikers Search For Gold for complete story.)

"... The sport's long road to Beijing began in 1974 when George Esser founded the National Bicycle League as a nonprofit bicycle motocross sanctioning organization. The first world BMX championships were held in the early 1980s. It wasn't until 2003 that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided that BMX would be an official sport in the 2008 Games."

Did anyone remember that BMX was shorthand for "bicycle motorcross?"

"BMX became an Olympic sport primarily because of the exposure it got on television as part of the ESPN ," says Jay Townley, a cycling industry consultant in Lyndon Station, Wisc.

According to Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, China is the world’s largest producer of bicycles (59 million units built in 2007) AND riders (28 million bikes sold in 2007). China, which has had a national BMX team since 2003 won't have a chance at an Olymipic medal because they failed to qualify for the Games.

Regardless, with the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games less than 12 hours away, I'm certain the opening ceremonies will be a winner with fireworks reported to be launching from 1800 sites!

Boom Boom HuckJam Hits Houston

StopBruises.com Sponsors Boom Boom HuckJam

Skateboarders, BMX riders and freestyle Motocross athletes will gather at the Sam Houston Race Park (West Lot) Sunday, July 20, 2008.

Tony Hawk’s Boom Boom HuckJam will feature skateboarders Tony Hawk, Kevin Staab, Jessie Fritsch, Sergie Ventura and Neal Hendrix; BMX riders Kevin Robinson, John Parker and Dennis McCoy and Motocross stars Greg Garrison and Drake McElroy.

The event will be held come rain or shine.

If you've been reading this blog, and are curious about NoBruise!, keep a look out for our Bruisin' Babes who'll be cruisin' the grounds with product samples.

For more info visit www.boomboomhuckjam.com or www.stopbruises.com.

Bruising Good Time Music Fest (NASS)

Relentless National Adventure Sports Show (NASS)

Our mates across the pond prove they are indeed "fanatical about festivals" and recently announced the headliners for NASS: Pendulum and Less Than Jake.

The event takes place at the Bath and West Showgrounds from 13-15 June.

Away from the music, festival-goers will be able to enjoy extreme sports including skateboarding, BMXing, mountain boarding and inline skating. Visitors will also be able to enjoy the variety of white knuckle rides that are available.

It sounds like it will be a bruising good time. Remember to pack your NoBruise! towelettes in case you crash. For external use only ;-)