A Voice From
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A Distorted
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WHO OWNS THE CLIP?
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WHO OWNS THE CLIP?
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Who Owns the Clip?
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What is Freestyle?Author: Ross Lavender
Date Published: September 29th, 2019 Synopsis: This article lays out the groundwork for a basic codified definition of BMX and its related terms: "racing" and "freestyle." Through a breakdown of the early history of BMX as well as an interview-based analysis of the last 30 years of BMX development, the author attempts to organize the nebulous thing called BMX in order to allow for a better study of this rich culture, a more intentional future, and a "truer" representation to the outside world. This article was written in tandem with the BMX Breakdown Podcast #33 that you can find HERE. It dives deeper into some of the topics discussed in that episode as well as includes some of the charts and graphs referenced in that podcast. |
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Style, Nuances, and
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What's Up With
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"is BMX Actually
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Why Street Riding BEcame Such a Dominant Force in BMX CultureAuthor: Mike Hinkens
Date Published: December 2, 2018 Synopsis: The "street riding" focused nature of today's BMX culture is quite obvious in many aspects, but also quite bemoaned by some riders. In this piece, the author explains why that has come to be as well as how "street" may no longer be as dominant as it appears. Understanding the complex reasons BMX looks as it does today can help us to understand our present state as well as the future of BMX as a whole. |
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On Getting RadAuthor: J.J. Anselmi
Date Published: August 26, 2018 Originally Published: June 2015 Synopsis: In this short non-fiction piece, the author elucidates some of the more intangible aspects of the BMX lifestyle and its culture including why someone would chose to ride a BMX bike and how it drives those who do so to act in ways many may be seen as strange, nonsensical, or simply reckless. From a description of the complex and unique feelings BMX nurtures to a discussion of how animals on this planet "play" for various reasons, this piece connects the oft overly-emphasized "daredevil" aspects of BMX to its rich mosaic of metaphysical aspects. |
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An Open Letter About BMX SpoNsorshipsAuthor: Mike Hinkens
Date Published: November 23, 2017 Synopsis: Sponsorships in BMX are an enigmatic affair. Though deeply interwoven in BMX culture, they are often unexplained and misunderstood. Many people deliver benign yet cryptic talking points when asked about them, but this does no one any favors. This open letter is for all within BMX, the young and new as well as the old and seasoned. Its says what should be said to make clear what needs to be clear regarding sponsorships in BMX. |
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A CULTURE IN FLUX -
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History Speaks For ItselfAuthor: Brett Downs
Date Published: September 10, 2017 Originally Published: 1998, 2003 Editor's Note: This is one of the first opportunities for imprimaturBMX to serve as a repository for primary source documents related to BMX culture. Lost in the recesses of the web until now, this piece illuminates an important segment of BMX history--the birth of the "Midschool Period"--as told from the perspective of someone present prior to and during that period. Synopsis: "This chapter goes into the history of [BMX], a few people who have made an impact that has forever shaped both riding and the industry, as well as the everyday struggle one faces as a BMX rider out in the world...It's a snapshot of the late 1990's BMX world from the perspective of a rider." - Brett |
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A CULTURE IN FLUX -
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BMX and Mental HealthAuthor: Richard Mungall
Date Published: July 23, 2017 Synopsis: The author combines personal and professional experience as a BMX rider and mental health care professional to call for a reexamination of the ways BMXers look at and deal with emotional issues. Specifically, trauma is the root cause of things ranging from basic emotional distress to suicide and we as BMXers need to understand that we are constantly surrounded by unique trauma that puts us at risk for various types of life issues. |
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A culture in Flux -
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UPDATE:
Conversational Response - PODCAST Editor Mike Hinkens and BMX icon and industry insider Matt Coplon discuss some of the main ideas of the original CIF #1. Matt is certainly no "yes-man" and openly and honestly shares ihis insightful and informed ideas about various topics connected to the piece. Page to the bottom for link to podcast. Recorded May 19th, 2017 Published June 25th, 2017 |
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A Response to the Florideah SwampFestAuthor: Chelsea Fietsgodin
Date Published: April 25, 2017 Synopsis: Chelsea Fietsgodin returns to discuss the implications of Confederate and Gay Pride flags flown "ironically" at a major BMX event (Florideah Swampfest). This article discusses those issues as well as responds to another article written regarding this topic at the site CanYouDigIt. |
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The Destruction
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FOUNDATIONS OF STYLE #5 (FINAL ISSUE)
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PODCAST VERSION AVAILABLE NOW!
Scroll to bottom after the jump to listen. |
FOUNDATIONS OF STYLE #4
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PODCAST VERSION AVAILABLE NOW!
Scroll to bottom after the jump to listen. |
Foundations of Style #3
Our Bodies
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Author: Pat Fisher
Date Published: December 4, 2016 Synopsis: For the third installment of Pat Fisher’s Foundations of Style, we dive into the issue of the body and its connection to creativity, or the stagnation of creativity, in BMX. Though ideas regarding gender are evolving in the world at-large as well as in BMX, there is much to be unpacked and discussed when it comes to this important and dominant way of categorizing and organizing society and its cultural subsets, i.e. BMX. In this well-cited and very direct piece, Pat argues that creativity can thrive only if we recognize that we have narrowed the definition of BMX unnecessarily by unofficially mandating the youthful male body as the only tool by which BMX should be practiced. This piece concludes with a series of tips for evolving BMX and our interpersonal relations in hopes of cultivating a more inclusive, open, and creative community. |
PODCAST VERSION AVAILABLE NOW!
Scroll to bottom after the jump to listen. |
FOUNDATIONS OF STYLE #2
Our Competitions
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Author: Pat Fisher
Date Published: November 25, 2016 Synopsis: In the second installment of Pat Fisher’s series Foundations of Style, it is argued that the BMX industry and the community at-large should embrace new styles of BMX in order for creativity to thrive. This piece focuses on the intersection of competitions (and those orchestrating them) and creative bike riding. According to the author, that relationship plays a strong role in the development of, and often stifling of, creativity in BMX. This piece addresses various notable contentions such as the oft-lamented issue of how to organize and judge various riding styles in formal competition as well as what defines a discipline in BMX. In addition, it integrates a historical perspective on why BMX competitions exist as they do today. |
PODCAST VERSION AVAILABLE NOW!
Scroll to bottom after the jump to listen. |
Foundations of Style #1
Attack of the Clones
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Author: Pat Fisher
Date Published: November 17, 2016 Synopsis: This is the short, yet dense, introductory piece of Pat Fisher’s series: Foundations of Style. In less than three pages, Pat asserts that the commonly heard complaint about “lack of originality” in BMX riding is symptomatic of bigger issues about how we understand BMX and its relationships with itself, its participants, and its materials. According to him, underlying the “stagnation” seen in modern BMX, is a failed attempt to “think outside the box about ‘thinking outside the box.’” By the conclusion, he lays the groundwork for his upcoming written roadmap for a more open and creative BMX world. |
PODCAST VERSION AVAILABLE NOW!
Scroll to bottom after the jump to listen. |
Specialization and the Myth
of the All-Around Rider
(PArt 2)
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Author: Mike Hinkens
Date Published: October 24, 2016 Synopsis: The second half of a piece arguing that specialization and diversification of riding styles are neither new, nor indicative of a problem in BMX culture as a whole, but rather a natural, historical, and beneficial phenomena. Those who call for a return to the "way things used to be" have a misunderstanding of the history of BMX culture as seen in their call for the return of the mythical "all-around" rider. |
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Specialization and the Myth
of the All-around Rider
(PART 1)
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Author: Mike Hinkens
Date Published: September 16, 2016 Synopsis: Specialization and diversification of riding styles are neither new, nor indicative of a problem in BMX culture as a whole, but rather a natural, historical, and beneficial phenomena. Those who call for a return to the "way things used to be" have a misunderstanding of the history of BMX culture as seen in their call for the return of the mythical "all-around" rider. |
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Self Investment
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Author: Patrick Kelly
Date Published: August 18, 2016 Synopsis: Before any person or company will invest in someone, that rider must invest in themselves. BMXers in 2016 may have the misconception that being of a certain skill level or having a sponsor is why their favorite rider gets to travel or film a banger video part. This written piece serves to show how certain riders use a DIY attitude and their available resources to do all those things without a paying sponsor and why a rider should do all these things to become more desirable to a sponsor. |
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LEt it be printed
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Author: Mike Hinkens
Date Published: February 23, 2016 Synopsis: This piece is an argument for the cultivation of comprehensive, straightforward, and lengthy written media within modern BMX culture. The author attempts to demonstrate that the extensive documentation of BMX culture that presently exists is impressively thorough, yet there continues to be content and topics which are either ignored or not treated with the depth they warrant. |
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Your ARTICLe hereAuthor: Your Name Here
Date Published: Not yet! Synopsis: This is where the summary of your article would be. With the multitudes of topics about BMX culture that exist, your article can be about whatever interests you the most. Write it and submit it now. |
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