From Global-Flat To Cambridge-Flat To Video

for a little while i've been a member of global-flat.com. it's a site dedicated to BMX riders who practice the discipline of flatland freestyling. as you may know, i too practice this discipline, and i've been fortunate to meet with some very good people from Mass on this site.

on Oct. 25 i hooked up with a bunch of guys from the Boston area. they congregate in a street hockey rink in Cambridge right on Charles St. upon my arrival i first met Rick. we first corresponded over global-flat.com. he told me that he too was a 35 y/o getting back into flatland freestyle. though married, and with children, he has made an effort to get back into a sport that he enjoyed once as a teenager. so we had a couple of things in common sans the marriage and children.

later in day more riders began to show up, and the scene was becoming more active with rider pulling off all kinds of spinning moves. initially all i could do was watch and envy at their skills, hoping that one day i could do all that.

i got to know some of them and found out they too were in their 30's, and though there were a few in their 20's, it kind of solidified my impression that, at least within the states, flatland freestyle was being practice mostly by the older crowd who lived through the glory days of BMX during its roots in the late 70's and 80's.

conversely, on an international scale, flatland freestyle is dominated by a younger crowd.

it's funny when you meet people who share the same interests as you. there's this phenomenon that occurs where you seem to do better at executing moves in the presence of others than alone. or perhaps it's just me trying to impress them, and i just got lucky. either way i felt as if anything can be possible so long as i practice with a peer group.

for example, i've been trying to nail down a pedal kick tail-whip (non-foot jam style). on rare occasions alone i'd get it, but it's mostly a miss. but in front of these guys i was able to get it down no problem. it even seemed like an effortless move. last night i tried several attempts of them in my "backyard", and damn it if i couldn't get it at all. what happened?

well, back to my story...

so i brought along my camera in case i had the inclination of recording my experience there. the guys seemed pretty cool with me taking some videos of them. so i started shooting manually, following them around trying to get some good angle shots. these were nothing but random videos that were taken of any riders as they rode by me. a few times i mounted the camera on a tripod provided by another rider name Rich (the second rider to show up at the rink). this way i could be in some of the footage.

after spending 5 hours with these guys, i decided to retire, go home, and review all of the videos taken that day. i recorded about 5GB of MPEG1 video, 640x480 @ 3000kps on my Sony DSC-H9. what was i going to do with all this footage? put it to music, of course. i told the guys that i would most likely make a music video out of them, and post it on Vimeo and YouTube. no one objected to the idea.

so i spent that week importing all these videos into a Final Cut Xpr project, picking and choosing which clips of footage i liked best. tried to keep all the riders well represented throughout the project while at the same time maintaining the actual time line of recorded events. i added a few scenes of myself, but mostly focused on the more experienced riders.

once i had initially selected all of my clips, i began to think about the music i wanted to use. like most of of my projects i was going to pick one song and use that, but i didn't have anything that would cover the 8 minute run-time. so instead i decided to use multiple samples of songs about 1~2 minutes in length. i'd mix up the tempo and style using Drum n' Base, down-tempo, and hip-hop tunes. i chose six song from my iTunes library i felt worked well in in certain portions of the video. the end result was a nice mix that, not only would keep the viewer entertained, but seemed to play well with the video.

later i started to notice moments in the video where some unintentional choreography took place between the riders and the songs. this gave some ideas, and decided to rework the video to get more of this incorporated.

i don't know why i never though of this before. that was one of my intended design for my AMV, Dyson's Revelation.

so i continued with the process where it started to take me into a different direction. more editing was done, and more thought went into the presentation.

in the end i took it about as far as i was willing to go. this video project almost became an obsession. i wanted (almost needed) to complete it by the end of the week; no more. it took some good time away that could have been spent riding. especially now that time is becoming so precious cause the air is getting colder, and i don't have a place to go ride during winter season when the snow starts to fall.

i've posted the video on both Vimeo and YouTube. so far the responses have been positive. and though this project took time away from riding, it was a lot of fun to work on. it left me thinking that i'd like to do more of these kinds of videos. perhaps i will, if the guys let me. and who knows, in time i may get better and have a nice featured moment in one where i'm doing more than a mere pedal kick tail-whip.

all-in-all meeting these guys was a good experience. one i hope will continue as i practice the discipline of flatland freestyling. global-flat.com is a great place to meet other riders in your neighborhood.

peace,
@riel

Flatland Session #2: A Casual Day

hey folks!

here is my premier video on Vimeo. it's the second installation of my Flatland Sessions

[Vimeo detail]

this video was captured on the 4th of August, 2009. it serves as a follow-up from my last video to show off my progress. it's a casual session i decided to record using my brand new iPhone 3G [S]. the video was just an excuse to play with my iPhone, so i'm not putting a great deal of effort here. however, i've gotten a little better. more time practicing would've been spent if it weren't for all this rain we've gotten over the summer up here in Massachusetts.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ADJUST YOUR SET!

throughout the video you'll notice weird color shifts. in combination with the music i've chosen, this is an attempt to mellow out the mood of the video. just something i thought i'd throw in to help spruce up an otherwise boring video.

[end]

unlike the first captured flatland session where i condensed the length of the video by utilizing Fade In Fade Out Dissolve, i decided to leave this video intact and instead focus on using some kind of neat visual effect over a mellowed-out down-tempo tune.

one reason for not chopping it up, was because, where as the first session was captured in 720x480 resolution; the video resolution capture on the iPhone is 640x480 (the horizontal field of view is narrower). this posed a problem as i was riding in and out of the frame more often than before. also the video was shot from the ground and not from a tripod. i felt this too had a limiting affect of the field of view. in order to stay within the frame longer i had to be farther away from the camera.

another reason was the audio. unlike the first where i completely removed the audio in favor of a background music, i decided to leave the original audio in. i have yet to figure out how to mix the audio correctly in Final Cut Express 4 (FCE4) as it separates the audio from the video into its own track.

a third reason was simply time. the video for Session #1 contained over 40 minutes of stock footage from multiple angles. so i had a "40 minute" reason to shorten it down and highlight the important parts. in Session #2 only 00:11:50 of stock from one angle was taken. it didn't seem worth the effort just to shave off two minutes.

i did attempt to condense it, but did not worked out very well. still, i think final cut turned out just fine. in fact the end result came out looking really sharp for a VGA quality video compare to that from the original iPhone video, which contained a lot of grainy digital noise due to the low light conditions. the end-quality of the video was thanks to the process of taking the final video exported from FCE4 as an MPEG4 (@ 9000kbs), converting it into a DVD/MPEG2 video (@ 7000kbs) using Burn.app, then cleaning and polishing it up - using some pretty hefty video enhancements - by running the MPEG2 video through Handbrake, and back out to an MPEG4 video (@ 3000kbs). with all these conversions you'd think there be a loss of quality. well, there is, but you can't really tell, because 1) without the original stock there's no basis for comparison so you don't know what to look for, and 2) even if you could tell the loss of detail is way in the background.

unfortunately, because of YouTube's rule regarding video runtime - they limit it to no more than 10 minutes per video - i couldn't keep both sessions under the same roof, and , therefore, i had to find another home. Vimeo was perfect. so long as i keep my uploads to 500MB per week, my videos can be as long as i want. and the quality of videos on Vimeo are always good. i was really stoked when i saw how sharp my video came out. plus if you like the video, you have the option of downloading a copy for yourself. however, you have a week from the date of publish to do that, and you'll need to be a member.

feel free to stop by at the actual site and leave a comment.

peace,
@riel

iPhone Video Test Shots

here are a few video test shots i tool using my iPhone's video capture feature.

enjoy,
@riel

Geek Combo: LEDs & BMX

another frequently visited gadget site, Boing Boing Gadget, has an entry describing a neat little accessory that attaches to the wheel of any bike. at an idle state it's just a row of bright LED lights flashing is an unsorted manner. that is until the wheel begins to spin. then something magical happens. an image appears. these images manifest in various patterns of light and colors, or even a 2D or 3D image. there are two devices; one is called "Video Pro", and the other is "Monkey Light" by MonkeyLectronic (clever, huh?). it's a row LEDs that when spun within a bike wheel the can create some visually appealing effects. check out the video below.

34 second into it you'll see a flatland rider pulling off some nice moves while making good use of the Monkey Light device. this looks like a great way to get some attention from a crowd during a street performance. i doubt, however, this would be acceptable during an actual competition. i can see how something like this would be too distracting and even annoying. still, it's a nice way to add some pizzazz to your routine.

peace,
@riel

Geek Combo: BMX & QWERTY Keys.

this is unbelievable! two posting of the same theme. who would have predicted it?

anyway...

one of my most visited gadget site, Gizmodo, has an entry posted regarding a line of BMX handlebar grips by Odyssey that resemble a QWERTY keyboard. Gizmodo is not the originating source, but the Gadget Lab over at WIRED.com.

the grip design looks to be that of a QWERTY keyboard fashion, but upon closer look at one of the rows of keys it spells out the name "Aaron Ross", a rider for Odyssey. the row just above it spells out the company's name.

it should come as no surprise that tech geekery and BMX goes hand-in-hand, but like this? this is completely unexpected. next thing we'll see is BMX frame with a printed circuit board design painted on it. i'd like to see that.

peace,
@riel

Geek Combo: OLED & BMX.

the following YouTube video combines two of my favorite things in the world.

first, the video is demonstrating a technology called OLED. a new type of display where the individual pixels (the little dots that make up the picture) are self illuminating. that is to say that they do not require a backlight, and therefor require less power than an LCD display of the same size. the future may have this new tech as the standard display panel for all TV's, laptops, cell phones & other small gadgets, and perhaps outdoor signs.

second, what is that being displayed 10 seconds into the video? why, it looks to be a BMX rider pulling off some half-pipe moves.

nice.

peace,
@riel

Weapon Of Choice! - Extended Edition

GT was one of those BMX companies during the 1980's that always captivated my attention because of the unique design they pioneered starting from a practical need. two icons of the BMX world, Bob Morales and Eddie Fiola are credited with the design of the original 1984 GT Performer, the first freestyle BMX by GT. Eddie wanted to mount the front caliper brakes behind the forks and to spin the handlebar a full 360 without obstruction from the front brakes. thus came the famous Performer's down-tube bend from the neck that allow enough clearing to do just that. this unique design did not stop there with GT.

the next iteration of the GT Performer was the Pro Freetyle Tour (a.k.a. Pro Performer). the 1987 design was more sophisticated than before featuring a second bend on the down-tube, and a "pass-through" channel through the down-tube for the rear break line. also was the fatter, bolder top-tube freestyle platform. the frame design was years ahead of itself, and , i feel, is more attractive than today's BMX bikes. it was ridden by my favorite and most influential professional freestyle factory rider Martin Aparijo. this was the bike i wanted back then, and still want to this day.

the closest i came to owning one was after purchasing the 1990 GT Agressor. it featured the double bend down-tube, but it was missing the freestyle platform to make way for a bash guard. it was a beautiful bike, and i regret ever selling it. however it wasn't as stylish as the Pro Freestyle Tour, and it lacked some of the pro-level features such as the 990 mounts for both the front and rear breaks.

today i am a proud owner of the long distant cousin to the Pro Freetyle Tour. my 1999 GT Tour 2 is a heavy beast with fat 4130 chrome-moly steel tubing running from the neck of the frame to the rear drop-outs. also made from chrome-moly are the forks, handlebars, crank arm, seat post, and axle extenders. it's gotta be at least 40lbs. it's among the last of it's kind built in the USA out of Santa Ana, California. it's 10 years old and it rides like it came right off the shelf from the bike shop where i got it, and - as if history couldn't repeat itself - it's design rivals that of today's BMX bikes.

here are some detailed photos i took of my GT Tour 2; a complete factory original with exceptions to the bar-ends and the GT Airbag tires. i do have them; i just just didn't want to damage the GT bar-ends any further, and the tires were pretty much worn.


so long as i'm allowed ride i hope to never part from it.


peace,
@riel

17 Years of Absence... I Have Returned.

back when i was 12 years old (1986), i discovered the joys of bmx riding once i mastered the art of bunny-hopping. i was able to clear side-walks, small obstacles, or just simply hop in one place to see how high i could go. it seemed just a simple concept, and yet not many of the neighboring kids could do it. the most some could do was lift the front tire up. then, one day that summer, a group of guys rode through the neighborhood on these wicked cool bmx bikes pulling some amazing tricks. it was called flatland freestyle, and i was hooked. i tried to emulate those tricks, and as a result of constant stress on my bike's frame it cracked completely.

my dad realized how much i enjoyed bmx riding, so for my 13th birthday he bought me a Colombia Freestyle bmx from Toys R Us. i knew back then it wasn't a "real" freestyle bmx bike like GT or Haro, but my dad couldn't afford one of those. no matter. the bike was well equipped, and i was looking to start freestyling right away. so during my high school years i rode throughout my neighborhood and around town doing street and flatland tricks, i made a few new friends in the process, and always thought i'd never get out of it. i went so far as to upgrade from the Colombia Freestyle to a GT Aggressor in 1990 after saving $500 working at McDonald's after school, weekends, and during the summers.

but after graduating high school, joining the military, attending college (then dropping out), joining the workforce, getting married, and going back to school, i found myself with little time and/or little to no motivation to pursue my enjoyment of bmx. i did make an attempt to get back into it after selling the Aggressor and getting a GT Tour 2 in 1999, but it wasn't long after purchasing it the bike ended up in the basement collecting dust.

these days i'm still working full-time and attending school, but now i'm divorced and living on my own. this school semester will end in a matter of weeks. the summer approaches and i need an out-door activity to enjoy the coming of sunny days, and not spending them within the confines of my apartment. i have seen 80's films on bmx (Rad, BMX Bandits) and watched tons of videos on YouTube of old-school and todays bmx riders. it's these reasons i decided to return to bmx for nostalgia and as an activity.

at the risk of embarrassing myself, i have shot and edited a video of one of my practice sessions. i'm so rusty, but i have to start from somewhere. this video will serve as my base-line. i can only get better from here.

17 years of absence since my last good session, but i have returned, and i have a lot of catching up to do.

peace,
@riel

My New Playground: Green Hill Park Skatepark

i recently found out that Green Hill Park has a skatepark. i never knew. apparently it's been there for the past 5 years. so i made the attempt to ride it this past sunday, but unfortunately i didn't get much out of it because the rear tire on my bike kept deflating. i brought with me a small hand-pump, but it wasn't working out all that well. i have brought my bike back it's retail home, Barney's Bicycle, for a quick tune-up and tire & tube replacements. i'm going with a pair of 100psi tire which should be good enough for jumping and flatland riding. looking forward to that update. hopefully i'll be ready by next week to ride again.

peace,
@riel

Weapon of Choice!

it never occurred to me that all this posting of of my re-found interest of BMX freestyle that i never introduced my bike to the world. well, here it is;

my 1999 GT Tour 2. factory original. no aftermarket parts. and yes the seat post is reversed on purpose to move the nose of the seat closer the ends of the handle-bars to pull off Trackstands.

more pics to come.

peace,
@riel

Second Casualty

honest, i'm not trying to make a habit of getting hurt, but these things happen when you attempt BMX freestyle.

this happy abrasion on my right shin is brought to me by my bike's studded pedal.

however this can be prevented. i went out to Dick's Sporting Goods to buy a set of shin-guards. although it wasn't an easy task. i wanted to get a set that i could slip on like a sock and keep under my pant legs. something simple and inconspicuous. unfortunately they don't sell shin-guards over at the bicycle department so i found myself over at the soccer isle. and after looking through dozens of them i found a set i think is going to work out well. it's simply called the Ultra Shin Guards by Shock Doctor. the set consists of two neoprene slips and two plastic shells that are inserted into the pouch of each slip. the profile is low enough that i can wear them under each pant leg.

i don't know why i never took the time to find these, but i got them now. i just have to wait until my left knee heels after almost hyper-extending it following a failed attempt at a Peg/Dork Wheelie.


peace,
@riel

New Kicks.

i've been meaning to get a of pairs of shoes for work and play. i had my mind set on getting a pair of Vans cause i used to wear them during my younger years and i remember enjoying them. it started out during my BMX phase when i wanted to really get in to california freestyle culture. so i started buying a lot of Airwalk and Vision Street Wear apparels from the shop where i would get my bike parts.

i bought three pairs of Airwalks there and all three lasted less than eight months cause the soles would wear out fast. then i switch to a pair of Vans just to try something different. a year later and a half later i was still wearing them. i was so surprised that the soles were still intact that when they finally decided to give-up i bought another pair. same thing; they lasted for a year later and a half.

the following pair of shoes that ultimately replaced my Vans were my Dr. Martens. ten years later i'm still wearing my Martens cause they wont give up. during those ten years i did buy a pair of Nike running sneakers, and a pair of Adidas court sneakers to play hand-ball. i used my Adidas to BMX in the beginning. i dug them out recently to get back into BMX'ing, but there's not a lot of grip on them anymore. every time i attempt a fork glide, or an infinity roll, my Adidas would slip off the tires. this is what happened when i attempted that double tail-whip. on the second revolution my foot slipped off the front tire which led to my tragedy.

so i embarked on a mission to buy a pair of black Vans with the only criteria that they wouldn't be too loud or busy in design. i visited several stores and was almost successful. ultimately i found what wanted, and for $40 it looked so good i bought a pair of brown ones too.


simple and sweet. can't wait to start kickin' it.

peace,
@riel

First Casualties

it's early in the season, but i'm taking advantage of the good weather to get some BMX time out there. it's still a bit cool out with temps in the 50's, but it beats riding in the heat with bugs flying in my face.

the following pic documents what happened when i took a chance to unsuccessfully pull a double tail-whip.


this happy contusion is a direct result of the getting nearly impaled from the blunt end of the handle-bar. i'm sure i'll really feel this in the morning.


also - on what i'm sure is completely unrelated, perhaps even coincidental - i started coughing up blood, but i'm sure that will go away soon.

no, but seriously, i can taste something like blood coming up my throat.

peace,
@riel