The Birth of the Freestyle Movement - 2nd edition book signing party

 NorCal/Golden Gate Park riders, Mike Golden and Chris Rothe, checking out the second edition of The Birth of the Freestyle Movement , at the signing party.  Chris Rothe and Maurice Meyer are the ones who thought to offer me a ride, knowing I wouldn't make it to the event otherwise.  Huge thanks to Drob, Chris, Chris' son Max, and Mark McKee for letting me hang with them all weekend.  It was an epic time.

This event, put on by author Dominic Phipps, as a book signing and promo party, was held at the 10 Barrel Brewing company downtown San Diego, the afternoon and evening of May 25th, 2019.  The first edition of the book came out in 2017, and while it was really good by all accounts, people started giving Dominic ideas about the scenes and things not covered in the book.  I've heard that the NorCal/Golden Gate Park scene was mentioned by nearly everyone, along with the Dirt Brothers and several other scenes that had major influence on BMX freestyle's early development.  So Dominic went back to work, and revamped the book, which is the 2nd edition, seen below.

Huge classic photos were blown up and on display at the party.  Really cool touch.  No flatland pics, but the epic ramp, pool, and street photos brought back memories to all of us.  My personal favorite was the huge Dave Voelker air, and you can find out why in the "part 2" blog post.  At one point I was sitting near these photos, and Pete Augustin came up and put his phone right up near my head.  I was thinking, "Man, you don't need my pic, I look like hell these days."  Then I realized he was taking a selfie with the big photo of him that was behind him, which probably made a really cool pic.  A selfie with himself.  I think all the riders in the photos got pics with the photos at some point. 

Freestyle pioneer, BMX Action Trick Team founder, and all around entrepreneur, R.L. Osborn (right), and his son Dylan, at the skatepark earlier in the day.  Both were at party later.

While the official reason for the party was the 2nd edition book launch of The Birth of the Freestyle Movement, the real reason was to bring together as many crazy characters from 80's BMX freestyle as possible.  That was a huge success.  The biggest surprise appearance was R.L. Osborn.  He's kept such a low profile since moving on from freestyle, that we actually had Sasquatch out looking for R.L. at one point.  The word was that he was sick of the inherent drama of the BMX world way back when, and when the Old School events started happening, he wasn't sure if he wanted to rehash the old days all over again.  It was really cool to see him at the skatepark earlier in the day, he was a huge influence on my own life, and many many others. 

The original skatepark legends, Eddie Fiola, Mike Dominguez, Brian Blyther, and Rich Sigur were all at the event.  Martin Aparijo was representing 80's flatland legends, along with R.L. Osborn.  Todd Anderson was there representing the Camarillo Ramp crew and.  Dave Voelker was there representing San Diego and bass fishermen everywhere.  Kevin Martin, Ron Wilkerson's announcer, organizer, and all around solid guy BITD, was there.  Racing legend Stu Thomsen was there.  Oakley announcer The Duke was there.  I met a guy from Moo's Bike Shop in Riverside, part of the late 70's early 80's BMX racing scene, old school even to me,who told some us some good stories about those days.   

The Skyway/NorCal/Golden Gate Park posse was well represented.  I went to the event with Maurice Meyer, Chris Rothe, Chris' son Max, and Mark McKee, all from that scene.  Ron Wilkerson, who began his bike life as part of the Golden Gate scene, was there.  Maurice brought a plaque with Dave Vanderspek's photo and number plate, along with the commemorative brick with Dave's name one it.  Robert Peterson showed, and was as fun to talk to as ever.  Hugo Gonzales was there, I spent quite a while talking to him, hearing crazy stories from the 80's.  Mike Golden flew in from Dallas for the event.  Mat Hoffman, who started his freestyle career was the wonderkid on the Skyway team, was there, after putting on a vert contest earlier in the day.  Craig Campbell, longtime U.K. Skyway rider, was there, I heard.

BMX industry guy, infamous brother, and all around character, Frank Scura was there.  Everytime Frank and Ron Wilkerson started talking, I half expected paisley confetti to fall from the ceiling.  Wizard's long time epic photographer, Windy Osborn, was there.  I didn't even realize that until right before we left, so I didn't get a chance to say "Hi" to Windy. Epic vert rider, now nursing a reconstructed ankle back to health, Simon Tabron, was there.  I somehow missed saying "hi" to him as well.  Dennis McCoy was there, even after knocking himself out on a 900 attempt at the contest that morning.  He pulled a beautiful, smooth, barspin 540 in that run, before the 9 slam. 

One guy I was hoping would show up was Bob Haro, the man who invented this whole sport.  He wasn't there in person, but this great photo of young Bob (below) was on display.  We dated this shot, which I'd never seen before, at probably 1979 or 1980. 

Everybody wants a photo of Mat Hoffman.  We were telling stories about how Mat seemed so crazy back in the late 80's, us older guys were actually worried he might actually kill himself riding some day. A few of us were talking about how, at the Palm Springs GPV and halfpipe event, we were debating whether Mat would take himself out riding, or wind up doing construction in a few years.  That was when none of us saw freestyle lasting much longer.  Yeah, Mat proved us all wrong 100 times over. 

 Golden Gate Park posse.  L to R: Marc McKee, Max Rothe (behind Marc), J.D., Chris Rothe, and Robert Peterson, checking out the book. 

 Two of the craziest riders ever, trading tales, Dennis McCoy and Hugo Gonzales.  Hugo's a truck driver now, and loving it.  Hugo told Chris Rothe, me, and a couple others a story about this line at Campbell skatepark, inspired by a photo in the book.  Hugo said there was a line at Campbell skatepark, where he'd hit a transition, fly out over an 8 foot high fence, and land on the top of a carport next door.  But he had to hit the tranny at an angle, and not fly too far, because if he overshot, he'd fly over the 8 foot fence, case on the carport, and then Superman dive 8 feet down to the concrete on the other side of the carport roof.  Yeah, he was doing that in like '83.  Gotta love Hugo.  Talking to Hugo was probably the overall highlight of the party, for me.

Another great conversation was when Eddie Fiola introduced me to Dawn, whose first job was working in the snack bar and selling T-shirts at Pipeline Skatepark.  Dawn and I talked for at least 20-30 minutes about Pipeline and that whole scene.

That was the evening, looking around, finding someone who looked kinda like someone you knew, but hadn't seen for 10-20-30 years, and then walking over to see if that's really them, and telling stories for half an hour.  That just kept going on as most of the people got progressively buzzed and shared pizza and apps. 

Curb Dogs represent.  Robert Peterson, I forget the name of the lady in the Curb Dogs shirt (sorry),the Dig Magazine photographer in the background (he shot tons of pics, check the Dig BMX sight soon), and Maurice Meyer, rocking the Skyway T-shirt.

All in all, The Birth of the Freestyle Movement (2nd edition) signing party was a great time.  I think it was Maurice Meyer who said a friend asked him what the old school BMX events were like.  Drob told his friend, "It's like a high school reunion, except that you actually like everyone."  Exactly.

Thanks Dominic Phipps, it was a great time.  The night owl of our crew, Mark McKee, helped shut the bar down with Ron Wilkerson, Frank Scura, Scott Freeman and a few others, after we left.  If you're an old school freestyler reading this, buy the book, and check out the various package deals.  And make plans to show up at one of the old school events, it's a great time.  First class night, all the way.

Words and photos by Steve Emig/The White Bear.  This blog is brought to you by Block Bikes Online BMX Store.  Check out a few more photos on the Part 2 blog post.