NEWS LINKS: Mini-Fat-Jam | Indemnity Form | Gate Crash Day 0 | Riot Jam Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 5 - Back in Joburg | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | 2008 DK Range | Day 10 | Greg Illingworth Invited to Asian X | Video Edit from Greg | GCT Flashback

26 April 2008

GCT Flashback
The cool thing about road trips is gettig ride all day every day. What's not cool is that for every day you are away you end up inevitably having to catch up on that days work. That's why there hasn't been updates for a while. There has just been so much work to catch up that we haven't even found the gap to post up these pics that Clint Jacobs sent us a week ago, until now that is. Sorry Clint, and thanks for the pics. So here's a little GCT flashback.

Having the bus was a treat. There is no way the trip would have been the same without it. I can't stop laughing at Colin's face. What a pearl.

Colin you beauty!

Rico is one kick ass dude. It really sucked we never got to ride his place. Clint managed to sneak in a night or two up there though. Here's Rico blasting a table out of his dirt quarter.

This was taken on the last day of the trip at Wits. You know you dialed when the paparazzi are on your ass.

Uncle Rico drove up to Joburg to session with us. Here he is rewarded with some Egoli architecture.

Mpho getting some too.

Rico at WIts with a footjam whip.

The mad scientist himself, Clint Jacobs returning to nature with the world's most daring high-tops.

Video Edit from Greg

18 April 2008

Greg Illingworth invited to Asian X
Greg has been invited to compete in the Asian X-Games in Shanghai from 30 April to 2 May. That's pretty much less than two weeks from now. Talk about rushed. He has been awarded a Wild Card slot for the Park event as they will not be having the street set-up seen in Dubai. He is just trying to finalise his plans but so far its all systems go. Congratulations Greg, we know you're gonna slay it.

13 April 2008

Gatecrash Tour Update - The Last Broadcast
Well the tour has finally come to an end and everyone is making their ways back home. Thanks to everyone that came out and rode with us all. The Gate Crash Tours are all about just that - getting to ride with all of you. We all had an awesome time. For the last stop on the tour we decided to ride Wits University.

The campus is basically one giant skatepark. It's a place you just can't get sick of and it will certainly be a shame if security gets tight. Most of the guys took the opportunity to rack up some footy for the Empire Video which will be going into production in the next few weeks. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for more on that. What that means though is that guys were linking tech lines for the video and thus we don't have many photos to show.

One of the the first spots to get sessioned was this curved wall which Colin and Stuart were training around. The run-up was super short and the curve quite long which made for an interesting time.

Wayne Reiche decided to step in front of the lens today whilst Clint Jacobs took the shutter reins. Wayne's petrified of riding on skinny things so he was super psyched when all went well on this super stylish tuck off sculpture. Way to go Wayne.

Greg has just been going ape on this trip. Today he did the best line of the day and possibly the trip. Before Toothpick hangovering this rail, he barspinned the set you can see just behind him. He hardly had anytime to react and to make things worse it started raining too. The barspin would have been a dialed trick in itself but to link this line together was just insane.

So that's it for this year. See ya'll next year. Word.

2008 DK Complete Bikes Now In Stock
The new 2008 Range of DK's has just arrived and we are stoked to finally have them in stock. The bikes look awesome and there is a much wider variety than before. There are now Race, Cruiser, Flatland and of course Freestyle bikes to choose from. Here is a flier showing what's available and we will in the next few days be updating the individual specs pages.

Gate Crash Update - Town
Yesterday was a super chilled day. We all headed into town to ride some street at met at the civic theatre. Next thing we know there were about 30 of us riding street. Usually numbers like this get you kicked out of most spots but to our surprise we were left to do our own thing.

Most of the guys were filming tech lines which is why we have a shortage of pics on this update.

We did however manage to get this shot of Colin during one of his lines and yes he pulled this clean. 6 stair whip on the second set - straight after no handering the first set (which can be seen on the photo below)

Greg was also firing out some badass lines. He 180 barspinned this set and whipped it as well. Tyrone was having bike troubles and only got to the stairs after Greg had done it all to get a photo. So after asking nicely Greg, although being sore, kindly obliged to give us a turndown for the site. Thanks Greg.

Paul "The Viking" Soderland seemed to be having a blast on this set-up. He did all kinds of things up it. Here he is with a sweet table. That's all for now. We'll be hitting up more street today.. the last day of the trip. More updates tomorrow.

12 April 2008

Gate Crash Update - Ronnies
The trip is fast coming to an end. Just today and tomorrow left. So far it's been amazing although it has claimed two casualties. First Devin on the first day and then yesterday Brad got quite a beating when a barspin went wrong at Ronnies place. He ended up shifting his nose off to one side but like a trooper he just straightened it himself and is back to looking as beautiful as ever.

The crew after faffing all day arrived at Ronald's around 3:47pm. It had rained earlier in the day which made the jumps run so smooth. It also cleared up the sky and made for one of the most picturesque days. Here is Tim Dell-icious enjoying trail llife.

Here is the man responsible for Ronnie's, Mr Ronald Stander himself. His dress sense is nothing short of daringly proud and progressive.

How could we just run a pic of him on the dirtwalk when he knows how to enjoy the fruits of his labour.

Greg was on fire once again. This is in the middle of one of his trick every jump runs.

Greg once again.

Buddy Chellan making is way through with a lofty clicked turndown

This is the arty shot of the update. The headless rider being Dean Young. Team young was representing!

Stuart Laing is living in Joburg for three months. Stuart defines trail style. Here's more proof:

Wayne Reiche once agian helped us out with some dope pics of the guys blasting into the 270 degree berm.

Tim Dell-icous

Greg Illingworth

As the sun started setting the sky just turned awesome. Tyrone and Wayne sounded like a choir of girls everytime they'd look at the pics they got. Now we know why.

Paul Soderland putting his trail inspired United Forte to the test.

Angelo is one of the coolest kids and has really taken to riding dirt. He is also not shy to pick up the spade and get his hands dirty. Styling it over the middle set.

Colin Loudon with a no footed super can.

Stuarts Laing again whipping it out for the ladies. Well the only one that was there.

Stuart yet again coming out of one of his whips. Trail Style!

Buddy Chellan - No hander

Buddy again. Style.

Paul Soderland taking a turndown as far as it's willing to go.

Then Paul wanted to show how good his bum looks when he kicks both feet together off to one side of his bike.

After the lights went out Ronnie's folks set a bon fire up for everyone. Unfortunately the rain came down again so everyone headed up under cover

Luckily some of the guys did manage to get a little night session in before it did though.

The mini ramp was lit up with a floodlight and Colin and Blaze took advantage.

And to end off the update:

Gonzo Tusked Blaze and his short sidekick.

11 April 2008

Gate Crash Update - Festival Mall
Yesterday's session was slightly more chilled than the Monte one as a lot of dudes were still battered. After a while of warming up though things started to get swinging and bars spinning.

Brad was firing out on all cylinders. Barspins, lookbacks, tables and no handers like this one.

Buddy was blasting with as much style as ever. No one in SA can throw one footed tables like this.

Here he is again getting his head out the way of his front tyre on a dialed fakie no hander.

Paul actually managed to join us on the trip and what a treat it was. He was sessioning on his new United Forte frame and making everyone laugh as usual. Darkside table with textbook knee placement.

Tim Dellicious with one of his better known tricks, tweaked lookback

When not shooting photos Wayne is taking full advantage of his time on his bike. He's been throwing out some tricks he hasn't done in years but as dialed as ever. Downside whip on the bank.

Justin Lopes also with a darkside table. The boy has style.

Sunday's Stephen Savage is a street dog but evidently knows how to please a tranny.

Cape Town doesn't have any skateparks and Blaze has been loving the chance to sesison what so many take for granted. Believe it or not but this is his first attempt at tables on tranny.

Blaze again, tucking it in way up there on a fakie.

It is often said that Stu Loudon has the best footjam's. The rumours are true.

Now it's time for us to head on out to Ronnie's. Check back again tomorrow for updates or better yet come join us.

10 April 2008

Gate Crash Update - Green Ramp & Montecasino Session
Thank God for Rehidrat after sessions like last night. Monte has never been that packed before and the energy was as thick as a turtle necking fart. Dudes were going off but you'll see the pics in a bit. We started out the day tweaking bikes at The Riot and then headed off to the legendary Green Ramp.

There were about 15 of us hanging out and riding. Tom Prior (Above) was having a hard time not pulling his brakes before airing, so Justin Lopes pulled out his straddle cable and made Tom go higher. I'm sure Tom will be psyched when he sees the result.

Justin had a puncture or something so he picked up Tim's bike and threw in some of these bad boys.

Ahh, Buddy is style. If you don't know Buddy - you don't know nuffin.

The session was dubbed the table top session. Here is Tyrone with his contribution.

Stuart Loudon is killing it. Street, Dirt or Ramp he can throw down on it all. Cranked knee churning turndown.

Storm really has textbook tables. Nuff said.

Tim showing Justin how you're supposed to do inverts on his bike.

Ok, so Greg owned the session. He was blasting at least 3 feet higher than any one else with all the smoothness in the world. He has only just learned no handers on quarters yet they look like he's been doing them for ages.

Here's a clear indication of how high he was going. That's at least 8ft on a 6ft ramp. He was holding these tables for so long. So good!

After the ramp we all headed to Monte where things really picked up.

Dave Shepperson is ripping it up these days and looks way too much like Dylan Smith.

Dave again with a 180 barspin.

Blaze Ballantyne is awesome and one of our favorite riders on the trip.

Blaze has super stylish no handers

and tucks.

Tyrone was on a misison to learn whips over the pyramid box and after a while he finally had them.

Jordan Anthony turndown fakie.

Time Dell burming it dirt style.

Rico made the trip up to Joburg from Richards Bay and we're really stoked as he's on of the raddest dudes to hang out with.

At the end of the session Greg and Jordan put on a little show for Wayne Reiche who snapped this pic and all the others in this update... Thanks Wayne. Today we'll be heading to Festival Mall in the afternoon so swing by and hang out with us.

09 April 2008

Gate Crash Update - Back in Joburg
Unfortunately we weren't near any internet connection so this update is a day late. We never ended up heading to Richards Bay on Monday for a few reasons but one of them being that Buddy flew in to join us from Dubai. He arrived at around lunch time so in the morning Tyrone, Stuart and Storm hit up the Giba jumps one last time.

Bowlegged one foot x-up from Tyrone

When Tyrone rides dirt you can always be sure he'll throw in one his table 3's.

Stu really knows how to dive that nose

2nd Place Riot Jam Am, Storm Guiranovitch with a taboggan

So after picking Buddy up from the airport we headed off to the beach park till the sun went down. We had an awesome relaxed session.

Blaze 180'd the rail

Buddy was boosting lookbacks on the quarter

Wayne did a colourful fufanu on the wall sub

And Colin was tweaking in lookingbacks over the hip.

Someone spotted a coconut in the tree and Mpho decided he could get it down after 3 people had tried and failed.

And get it he did. Celebrate good times... come on!

Then it was time to get a good nights rest in before heading to Joburg in the morning. Along the way we made two stop offs. One at Sterkfontein Dam for a group shot as well as some wrestling action. The other at a truck stop for a "miss-the-joburg-traffic" hubbly session.

The token group shot

Blaze Maiden

Give em the craaazzzeeeeyyy eye

Savage - "You win!"

What do you say when the shortest guy on the trip has the tallest guy in his shoulders and they're locked in combat?

Al Fakah Mint Tobacco is the shiz

This one time, me and the crusher were drinkin diesel and crushin Torren

Then we got back in the cars headed off to Joburg with an amazing sunset to keep us company.

We're off to ride the Green Ramp in Parkhurst now and we'll be at Montecasino tonight, so come join us if you can.

06 April 2008

Gate Crash / Riot Jam Update No.2
We have just got back from the park comp at The Pavillion and what a belter of an event it was. The park had some fun lines and the guys really utilised what was in front of them. The level of Am riding is progressing so fast that it wont be long till some these names start appearing in the pro comps. For practice the pros rode around the park to get some time in before the park was closed for the comp. Here are some snaps:

Clemi de Bruin with a ride up ledge to whip

Here is Clemi again getting radical. Lawnmower - without brakes.

Chris Branes was going nuts off this quarter to bank, he even pulled a double downside whip on it. Here's an alley-oop barspin.

Ross Brown boosting the extension on the mini-ramp

Then it was time for the am's comp. Above is a shot of the finalists. They got up to some pretty cool stuff, stuff like this:

Ashley Pilgrim 180 over the rail

Blaze Ballantyne from Cape Town with a proper old school no handed fakie.

Blaze again with a 180 over a road barrier

Storm Guiranovitch whipping the quarter to bank

David Rigby blasting the big quarter

Torren Prince - no hander from quarter to bank

Torren again with a backwards seat grab

Then Torren blasted out this gap to wallride.

And the winners are:
1st Place - David Rigby
2nd Place - Storm Guiranovitch
3rd Place - Travis Cottrell

Now for some bonus behind the scenes footy:

Matthew never wanted us to run that photo. So how could we refuse.

But we're not horrible guys, so here's one to make him smile.

Tonight Blaze discovered how serious his parents are about braaiing.

Tomorrow we are heading off to Richards Bay. So if you are in town come hang out. Word!

05 April 2008

Gate Crash / Riot Jam Update No.1
The tour has already claimed its first victim. Whether Durban has some Karma with Devin Toselli is uncertain but on his second tour to Durban Devin once again ended up in hospital with another round of concussion.

Although the tour started on a negative note it didn't take long for spirits to get high again. One run through the Giba Gorge jumps had everyone sporting cheshire cat grins. Now it was time for the Riot Jam to get rolling with the first day of the jam - Dirt Jumping at Giba Gorge. Get well soon Dev.

There were two lines riders could choose between. The one was a set of 3 doubles to the left which required riders to roll in off a drop off, which was the cause of Devin's crash. The other line was a set of spox style jumps which was set to the right.

Here is a shot of the drop off which leads into the big line.

We had 26 riders entered so we split them into two groups of 13 riders. Each group then had a jam session of 20 minutes in which time riders could select 4 runs they wanted judged of which the top 3 would count. The scores of both the dirt and the park comp will be tallied to give overall winners.

There were some really young kids who entered which was great. It was especially cool to see some of the racer kids having fun on the dirt jumps, clips and all. Jordy O Keefe, who has just got back from the UCI training camp in Europe even joined in.

Here are some shots of guys riding the spox line.

The big line is also saw a solid share of action from some of the am's. It must be said that Colin and Stu Loudon's hard work has resulted in some awesome jumps. The lines were running so smooth and the jumps worked so well. Here is Justin Lopes with a no footed can can.

Another top dirt contender was David Rigby, here is one of his whips.

Storm Guiranovitch is fast approaching relogation from the am division. Turndown from Red's newest grom.

After the am comp some of the pros took to the jumps, heres a 'lil gallery:

Matt Mcloud - Tailwhip

Stuart Loudon - X-Up 360

Greg Illingworth - Superman

Clemmie de Bruin - Peg Grab

Tyrone Bradley - No Footed Can

Greg Illingworth - No Footed Can

And best dressed prize goes to this guy.. who says Skateboarders lead the way in fashion trends!

Tomorrow we hit up The [R]evolution Park at the Pavillion after which we'll anounce the winners. Check back then to keep track of the tour progress.

04 April 2008

Gate Crash Tour, Day 0
The beach park saw some action today as everyone met up there. The tour officially kicks off tomorrow with the Riot Jam so check back then for more action. Until then here are some snaps from the beach.

Devin Toselli boosting an invert.

Greg Illingworth - Can Jam on Sub

D-Star - boost

Jordan Anthony - Ham Grind

Jordan Anthony - yeah that thing to revert

Devin Toselli - Lawnmower

02 April 2008

Riot Jam / Travel Indemnity Form
If you are booked for or planning to come to The Riot Jam in Durban this weekend please be sure to fill out the indemnity form. Thanks, see you guys there!

01 April 2008

Mini-FAT-JAM, Aarle-Rixtel, Netherlands by Bart De Jong
It ain't too hard to organize a jam but if you do one outdoors it strongly depends on the weather if it becomes good or bad. The Mini-FAT-JAM is the traditional opening of the outdoor season but with snow on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before the event, it wasn't looking very good this year. But things changed quickly and the global warming helped melt the snow in no-time. By Saturday morning it was sunny, the trails were shaped, the i-pod was programmed, people started showing up and Vans Holland fired up the barbeque!

Were we lucky? Yes we were and no-one was complaining. A strong wind in the back helped with clearing the big sets on the right but there were two other lines to pick from too. All of them saw heavy sessions but the bigger tricks happened on the big sets. 3-whips and suicide barspins from Daniel Wedemeyer, Fronties from Pim van den Bos, Backies and nosedive 360-s from Mark Vos, big whips from Barry Kohne, and everyone else pushed as hard as they wanted or possibly could.

Prizes were given out to those who rode through the big puddles, did the first one-hander, who had the ugliest bike, crashed the hardest, cleared the 6-pack for the first time, or had the biggest head. Everyone had a fair chance and it was all in good fun. If you don't ride dirt, you still ride at the FAT-JAM. Just wait in line until it's your turn to give it another go. Everyone rides, everyone has fun and everyone had a burger or two from the Vans BBQ.

The evening saw the Electronical premiere and two live bands. But it didn't stop after that. OJA rules <http://www.fatbmx.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=4311>. Come check it out at the 20th edition of the FAT-JAM on 9/10 August 2008.

-BdJ