Words by Bill Freeman. Photos by Sam Proctor.
Upholding the tradition, Hollywood jam numero 13. For those of you that don’t know, named after the flatlander “Hollywood” Steve and NOT for the city of Hollywood. We all saw it…”Under new management.” What? Or something like that. Richard Aguayo and Ahmed Johnson teamed up and are responsible for making this one happen and with less than a month’s time to get organized. I would have to say that they did an excellent job in tackling the tasks of putting out a flyer, filming, editing, and posting a promo video, and also wrangling up some top notch sponsors as well. Zuma Beach is always the place of choice for the springtime portion of the ongoing series. We could not have asked for a better day. Not too sunny or hot, and no sweat in the rain department either…nice one.
The day started off fairly early. I left my apartment at just after 8:00am to do a little running around. Then I headed over to Ahmed’s place. The original plan was to meet up with Richard at Ahmed’s before heading down toward Venice for some breakfast at Silver’s dad’s spot. It turned out to be a really great way to start the day off as I am a big fan of breakfast foods. Tasty as hell, and no complaints here. Many thanks, yo! After we got our grub on we jumped back in the rides, hit the PCH, and headed north. The traffic was not too bad, but it did seem to be further than I remembered. We were shooting for 11:30 but we were not quite able to make that happen. As we made our first pass it was good to see the lot already being warmed by flatlanders. Busting a U-turn was in order and a little scrambling was necessary, but we managed to secure some parking spots. The offload: bikes, drinks, snacks, and tunes. All lights go, time to hit it. The first thing that I see from the distance is the day glow green from Ed Nussbaum’s frame—he appears to be setting it off proper, always the “sick child.”
I, as always, was looking forward to getting out and doing some riding, some hanging out at the beach, checking out all of the progression going on with everyone’s riding, and of course doing some socializing as well. These things make for a fun day, period. We roll up to maybe a dozen or so riders already throwing it down. This number multiplied quickly after we arrived—we had gotten there just before the main rush. Really, it was a pretty decent turnout. However, there were some notables missing from the fold. The originator for which the event is named after has been temporarily MIA lately, so no
“Hollywood” Steve. And Bobby Carter, too, was nowhere to be seen as he happens to be in Japan. Ryan and Harb made it out from AZ. Old School George is down from Nor Cal, Long Beach is in effect with Chad J, Ed Nussbaum, Fat Tony, and Eric Stefano. Chris Day is out and about with the Flat Clothing set. Anthony and Max from Quamen, Sam Practor was up from near San Diego, and can’t forget Koit, as well as Ryan Russell and the Riverside area crew. Eric Wright rolls through, not to forget the valley too with Mario, and also making an appearance, the pride of Ralph’s, Jonathan. So I guess what I’m trying to say is that there was a fare amount of riders from all around California and some outlining areas too. Some old friends and some new faces too—a definite plus.
BMX is a positive form of expression. I have been finding it a really important artistic release and stress reliever in my life lately. The Zuma Beach spot is a big open spot for that expression—flatland, street, or otherwise. A bicycle is a bicycle. There are probably only a select few that might remember the term bicycle soul riding. It need not be about competition or bragging and boasting all of the time, but just riding…soul riding. There was plenty of sessioning going on at this event. Sometimes riders busting it out solo. Some interacting in a jam circle, link for link, working it out with that experience or even in front of the camera or film crew too. Sam, the main man with the camera, OSG on his custom video setup, and also there was a crew from Fuel TV out for the event to shoot a segment for the Weekly Update and Daily Habit…nice! BMX has no limits other than those you set on yourself. Have fun, continue to push further what is possible. Make it happen, progress for yourself first and for that accomplishment. That is really the sense that I got while being at this Hollywood Jam. Flatland and that kinship that is present within the community regardless of where you’re from or who you are. That is what I was reminded of this time around the most. Hanging out with friends and having fun. It is these types of things that really made it a successful day.
There are some big thanks in order to all of the sponsors that sent out products for the event including Ares Bykes America, East County BMX, flatlandfuel.com, and Quamen Bikes. Thank you all!!! Later in the afternoon as the riding was starting to slow down and a product raffle got underway. There was plenty to go around, so what more could you ask for? T-shirts, hoodies, hats, sweatbands, sprockets, handlebars, grips, pedals, DVDs, and the like. It was something like the icing on the cake as the day came to a close and everything winds down. Yet another one in the books and we are out.
Until Later…
Bill Freeman
TAGS: Bill Freeman, California, Flatland, Hollywood Flatland Jam, Malibu, Sam Proctor, Zuma Beach
