...on the outdoor mini. Should cheer up a few skaters, though I'm sure there will be the odd freeloader who will say something like "still aint got no pop" (that is a joke to any hyper paranoid person)

If only we had the time we could & would make some of the best stuff out there......

Click the picture:

Just a teaser shot of what's to come. All being well this beast will be fully unleashed at this years street jam (1st Saturday in July). More to follow...

There will be a new Trick Factory Website in the near future which, thanks to Oli will allow for greater possibilities.
The unit is too quiet of late, please remember we still have bills to pay. And if people don't start using the place I'll just have to get back down there and learn a whole load of new tricks that no one will understand

Didn't often let my riding overlap into my home life but this is an obvious exception.
Thanks so much to everyone for their words of support and to all keeping the unit ticking along.
Hopefully I will be back later next week to ride and to carry on with the various projects we are working on.....

For the love of life (in memory of...) from Robert Ridge on Vimeo.

This from Ian B-Dizzle:

Below is an edit of an email received today. This can only be a good thing. Hopefully a stepping stone to a positive future.

Dear Mr Ridge,
I have been asked to contact you, on behalf of West Dorset District Council, to discuss the future of The Trick Factory in light of the possible redevelopment of the Old Stover Building in the St Michaels Trading Estate. It is recognised that the facility offered by The Trick Factory for the young people of Bridport (and beyond) is very important and should not be lost if at all possible. Therefore, finding alternative premises for the indoor skateboard/BMX track is a priority.
I have therefore been asked to meet with yourself to establish what type of premises you need in terms of minimum space requirements, location etc and how we might be able to help you to secure them.
I wonder if you would be available to meet with us and discuss the matter further. If that is not possible, I would be grateful if you could contact me to arrange a more convenient time.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Sally Lloyd-Jacob
Principal Planning Officer - Urban Design
Planning Policy
West Dorset District Council

Hope the arm fixes quickly !

Just seen Phil Allers edit of the "Bowling for Stephen" jam over on the Ride UK website.
Plenty more content than our own effort. Hopefully going to put on another jam on one of the May bank hol's

The new Standard video "Stronger Than All" is now being screened at the park on a newly purchased LCD screen, with copies for sale in the next few days. Jones Soda is back on the menu in most shades, just fixed the floodlights, the park is being well used and Lisa's back helping out. Here's to a GR8 08'

Finally got round to putting the photos up from the weekend I visited in November.

And we also have all the best from over Christmas. We actually rode on Christmas Day, I think everyone got a bit bored at home, I guess Christmas isn't as exciting as it used to be...

Will post up a date/s for screenings at the park soon, trailer below:-

In what I guess to be true SBC fashion, Antony and Sonni spent a sneaky weekend down here and did their thing. The below vid' was lifted from Sonni's Myspace page and demonstrates how BMXers can be true professional athletes, worthy of inclusion into the likes of the olympics

So the weather didn't behave and we hosted the Deadend/5710/Bowling for Stephen jam.
Pretty much a Bournemouth area invasion, so good to see some old faces (Gilly, Kev Looker & Jesus amoungst others) as well as the regular shredders. Crazy stuff done by Rob Sands, Paul Jeffries, Jack Marchant, Phil Aller and others. Big thanks to Leeroy and co. and all who provided input and support.

...could be busy if it rains as the park will be the alternate venue for a Deadend bikes jam.
Either way all entrance fees will go into the Stephen Murray fund.

Harrow skatepark in London. One of the few remaining classic 70's concrete parks. If we stick houses everywhere to accomodate an ever increasing population (the root cause of almost all modern day problems, no really !!!) then what is everyone gonna do if you don't want to get fat sat in front of a TV/monitor most of your life ? Sign this petition ASAP !!!
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/HarrowSkatePark/

Just up on Youtube is the November "Oldfools" Cornwall trip. No Cramner comparisons but good times nonetheless:-

07785584931 - Ringing this number you will be able to check opening times. Recorded message when shut/when everyones riding/skating. I give it at least 2 years....

Anyone fancy learning the art of the curve we've made a makeshift one whilst moving some stuff around.......

Whilst watching the sunset stumbled accross an interesting creation........

Two snippets of Bridport craziness, we are a strange bunch:

Nose wheelie-assistant:



WC Hammer:

Seems all too often people are negative about their local councils for what they do or don't do and dont always want to acknowledge the positive stuff. For the second consecutive year The Trick Factory has recieved a share of grant funds for local causes from Bridport Town Council. Thanks to Lisa for her part in this and also to the numerous council reps' who are pledging support for our facility into its uncertain future (see previous posts).

Yes indeed, I have finally gotten around to sorting out the photos from my last visit to Bridport, I've sent a bunch already to people over MSN but here is a small selection for everyone else:

We're cutting down the flatbank to make a bigger platfrom on top. Should make a few new lines/possibilities.

Whats becoming known as the rhythm section has a tasty new addition. Its never been so good here.

It is a very real possibility that the long burning flame that is The Unit will die out in due course.

I know a huge number of people enjoy the use of the facilities that Rob tirelessly provides and I am calling on these people to pull together to help prevent the death of not only one of the few UK indoor parks, but one of the best parks in the UK, if not Europe (the World?).

Tell your friends, tell their friends, tell your parents and MPs! And sign the petition!

Its usable, just a few bits n' bobs to do

Many thanks to all helping. Here's hoping to more good weather so we get this finished and then ride it !

Took one of the trannies over the outdoor park, this "shark fin" beats the hell out of any spoiler I've seen on a car. On a related subject I saw Liam caning it around the Crown roundabout. Must have been something important goin' on.....

I told a few people there's some washed-up has-been with his coloured up bike back in the pages of the current Ride UK mag, "Yeah, that Taj is so yesterdays thing" came the reply.
Self mockery, if you want something done properly...and you CAN teach some old dogs new tricks

...No Liam this week but Damians back riding and one of a few that were interviewed in the local press about the plans to get rid of The Trick Factory. A small window of time came up where it wasnt raining and we got round to sorting the plywood jumbox at the outdoor, curving off the landing and shortening the top.
Thanks to Stuart & Will for helping out....

Went up to NASS on Friday, rode in an Eastpack mini ramp demo and then did some flatland and met a lot of new and old faces. Saturday our local street jam took place which also went really well. BIG BIG THANKS to those who helped out with building ramps etc.
Sunday went back to NASS to hang out and watch the huge high speed street course comp and dodge the rain. Liam didnt show up anywhere and poor Damian took another bad fall and is recovering (see post below)

And here's a vid:

Looks like Epic is one the edge too!:

http://www.randombmx.com/blogger/blogger.html

I don't understand, Bmx is on the up, more money and more products, more riders and new styles, people taking it more seriously, and the possibility of BMX (racing) at the Olympics. How can parks be dropping like flies? It's not like the quantity and quality(!) of council parks opening is killing them off. The BMX media and people who funnel the money need to step in and help other people than themselves, we're not talking flatland venues here! Without parks kids don't ride, don't buy parts, or mags, and the guys pulling the strings are in trouble.

Rant over.

On the flip side I rode some real good street here in Bristol this weekend, stuff I've been riding past for years, but was really cool to ride:

Local councilors and other prominent local figures have raised their concerns and sympathies towards The Trick Factories finite life (see earlier post). It is also featured on the front page of The Western Gazzette local paper. Interesting to see what may come of this.
Have also read a myspace bulletin (James Harrison) stating that there is a plan to close Southsea skatepark in September !!! What the hell is wrong with some people !!!

Its never been a secret that one day the building that houses our park will be demolished to make way for housing redevelopment. The present landowners held an open day (today) in conjunction with council reps to reveal future plans. Unsurprisingly little if any value was given to a skatepark facility or any other recreational facilities and the benifits they bring.
I guess this will only be realised when towns and cities are so densly populated with obese couch potatoe junkies who drain the NHS of (tax paid) funds for their physical and psycological downfalls.
Anybody out there want to spend hours of their life campaigning for a new park ?
Thought not. Still, on the bright side we can ride in a safe, secure weather proof envoirement for another 2 years. Let the good times continue......

One of the best ever British riders is, according to various American sites in critical but stable condition and is being treated and cared for following a double backflip crash.
This makes me think of all of our mortalities.
Let all hope his recovery is successful.

Finally got the "new" bike going (over a year after starting it). Fickle fashion folks are so going to hate it. A 2004 OX STA with a bashguard that featured on many bikes around 1991. Back then all bikes had 40 something sprockets so the guard had to be huge aswell. Fast forward 15 years, using micro gearing and an eccentric bottom bracket (to mount the cranks higher and gain exact chain tension into the deal) the guard is small, light and works just like the blocks of wood from recent years. As soon as a "cool" rider/company picks up on this, expect the cloned sheep to follow.....

Picked up the Transitions from Ride this weekend and gave them a little going over before they are more permanently located

So it rained Sunday so no foam, but NJ, P Russ & crew showed with some good sessioning.

The Foam Pile Jam went very well with everyone clubbing in to set up the ramps and foam. There was many an attempt at front flips with Will coming closer than Rob but it was Tommy's inch-perfect backflips that stole the day, along with Lucian and Dizzy almost clearing the pile on every launch.

Here's a vid:




And here's the photos:

Weather permitting this coming Saturday (26th May or, if it rains we'll do it Sunday) the park will be putting on cooked food, slush puppies and the long awaited debut of the roll in jumbox/foampit setup. Should be a lot of fun.
Update !! Northern Jon & Paul Russel to attend !!
RR, NJ, Paul Russ', Alfonzo, Will Jackson, Lewis & Hard Dad crew circa 2000

Those that dont yet know Ride UK is relocating and their mini ramp needed a new home. It looks like it will go to the outdoor park but not sure how there it will be configured.
Any suggestions and help welcomed.

Has a few local references (still amazes me that so many visitors dont know that the mag has been put together 13 miles up the road). Organic Trails at Dorch' are in there as is a mention or two from Will Jackson....

One of my pegs got seized up so by applying some heat I loosened it off and got some more colour into the bargain. Went and did the other ones to match too.
If history is anything to go by, expect this to be derided by certain so called influential types only for them and companies to embrace it later on........

Paul Jeffries demonstrating yet again that the park aint big enough for him.......

So I'm chatting to Andy admiring the new paint job on his Curtis frame when I see some ominous cracks glaring through the new paint on the forks.
We stopped riding to change them over and a few hits against a wall and apart they came. The forks were a well used set (not Curtis ones, though no fork is indestructable) and I guess this serves as a reminder to all to check their rides, especially the critical areas (forks, headtubes, crank arm welds etc).

I've just uploaded LOADS OF PHOTOS so go check them out, got 102 from the Old Fools Jam weekend, and some more from a couple of months ago I overlooked.

A good bunch of people showed up, everyone rode/hung out and had fun. Some retro riding happened, we had another pyro technic spine session and Tim Rucks slide show was a timely reminder of some true roots. The day encompassed what riding should be all about. Hope riding at Weymouth tomorrow is as much of a blast !

Bowl is two-thirds done. Thanks to all who are helping.

Bowl resurfacing has begun ! A layer of 4mm high quality birch plywood is being layered over the existing surface. This will make for a smoother ride and will reduce the "bonk" factor where it will meet the coping.

As with the recent rant about pegs, people who ride the park MUST have barends. Stuart took a bad crash this weekend which would have been horrendous if the bars were not capped. Get well soon Stuart.

Thanks to Lisa for taking care of things as always and masterminding this cake allong with Stuart

.....I got my first BMX for my 11th Birthday. Had no idea it would influence the rest of my life in the way it has. From learning all the moves over the years, it has taught me how to learn in itself, patience, determination, mechanics, engineering, metalogy, carpentry, filming & editing, buiseness and social skills and so much more. Metaphorically and literally it has taken me to places I never initially thought I would experience. Hopefully there is still plenty more to come. Thanks to all who have been a part of the journey and to those who came down and jammed this weekend. The shot below is fresh out of 1987, featuring tight black jeans, colours and a freecoaster. Just as well none of it ever caught on....... e

On Saturday March 31st the majority of the riders at the park will be 30+ years of age and all that goes with that (front brakes, big sprockets etc). Though the ethos of the park has always been all are welcome, I feel advised to warn any strict, young followers of fashion that if a high count of guys riding old BMXs and not looking too serious/cool and complaining about old nagging injuries/wives may be of cause to upset their tailwhipping mojos or hairstyles........might wanna give this day a miss. Either that or join in the fun and kick our asses ! Old Fools then rolls on to Weymouth on Sunday April(1st) Fools Day!
Above pic is Geoff Caine at Newquay Park on Old Fools 1 last year.
Look forward to seeing you & the General Lee soon !

For those who dont yet know if you want to ride the park with pegs you will have to use peg ends provided by ourselves from now on. 2 main reasons for this - Nearly everything in rip off Britain is expensive, plywood is no exception and with the bowl soon to be resurfaced, we all want to keep a smooth, splinter free ride/skate. Also, its far better to take a blow from a shaft with protection on the end if a move goes wrong.

Thanks to Stuart, Ian and Jake for sending me a bunch of random pics, I have uploaded them in the User Submitted Photos section, which can be found in Photos > User Submitted, or by clicking on this lovely photo Ian sent me:



Thanks guys. If anyone wants to send any other pics then email them to: oli_bridport@hotmail.com .

I have just added new photos from wednesday night. Rob finally realised his life-long dream of filling the coping with gs, drilling holes in it, and setting fire to the jets of gas! It was spectacular!

A relatively quiet week for the time of year. Those absent missed the talents of Phil Aller, Robin Fenlon, Steve Bancroft and Paul Jeffries who fired out his/the units first tailwhip to footjam nosepick. Damian got his first 540 tyretap and Liam adds more tricks to his list currently at every visit to the park.
While it was quiet we upgraded the lighting so now it wont be obvious that video from the park looks like typical UK indoor park "dinjy" footage.
On the subject of video a new montage including aforementioned tricks will appear on here by the end of the week and an alternative edit of my video section for FBR 2/Legend has somehow found its way onto Youtube - suprising given that it was only circulated locally but good given that sections of the media didn't dig it.