Session Redo

So I'm sad to say that Matt Lolli had some camera issues last Friday on our Connecticut mini-roadtrip and was only able to salvage a few photos which I included below. We are planning to to do the exact same trip, sessioning the exact same spots in the near future, possibly even this weekend. Check back in the coming weeks for some sick photos of the trip. Thanks again Matt for all the effort put into setting up tripod, lighting, etc. at all the spots.....ready to do it again!?!?

Ghostly jersey barrier transfer at just about 1 AM


I ripped a few good rides on this wall! Here is the entry to one.

Summer Scorcher!!!

After a nice breakfast with my parents for Father's Day I headed out to the Begin's place to a picnic. As usual, right when I arrived tricks were getting thrown down except this time it was Brandon's twin 6 year old brothers stepping it up. I witnessed a one hander, some tweak airs, and even a quick no hander within the first 10 minutes. Brandon was boosting up and out of the 3 foot vert extension on the 6 foot quarter, has fuf's dialed on the 4 footer, and was pedal stalling the shadiest 4 foot "Derek Quarter" I have ever seen.....Derek would be proud!!! All in all it was a great day expect for the fact that it was 95 degrees out and I was basically melting all day! For the second time this year I broke my 30/80 Rule riding Tiny Tyrant's ramp...that is, no riding under 30 degrees or over 80 degrees...cause its miserable! Back in February we rode the ramp when it was 22 out and that was brutal too!!! Thanks to the crew for having me over and compliments to the chefs for the awesome food!!! Check out the photos at Tyrant's Flickr.

Tiny Twin Tyrant's - 6 year old Ethan and Nathan are getting good!

The Good and the bad!!!!

So I took a day off from riding a helped build the 6 foot monster hip at P. Krol's for the better portion of the afternoon. We are making a lot of progresss and it looks as though the P. Krol Jump Jam on July 1st is going to be INSANE!!! Check out the pics below of stuff! In other news, I think I am the dumbest person ever!!! I went solo steet riding tonight, and I swore never to ride alone again after the October crash of last year that resulted in missing teeth and a cracked skull and a titanium rod in my skull!!! It was warm out and I was itching to ride!...so I let down my guard and sure enough I got jacked! My left arm is seriously bruised and I have 3 full forearm length deep scrapes that are very harsh!!! Hey, you know what they say, "you wanna play , you gotta pay!"

Dave Blachura "ain't right!" Monsterous back flip!!!


The huge hip is coming to life for the jam in 2 weeks!!! Dave Blachura trying to be David Blaine and levitate...look!!!

Best session of 2006!

So Matt Lolli and I headed out on a Friday night street mission all over Connecticut. Out travels took us to Cromwell, Wallingford, Hamden, and back to Middletown at just about 1:00 AM!!! Tonight was the most successful session of the year for me, I got a ton a lot of stuff done and it was fun as hell!!! Matt shot a ton of film which I am really looking forward to seeing. He was running all over each spot with his camera and tripod, switching lenses, and setting up the best shots. Tonight we even resorted to using my car headlights to session a few spots. Nothing beats a sick summer time street session!!! Until Matt gets his film developed enjoy the few really rad shots he took with my digital camera. Thanks Matt! Check out the photos at Tyrant's Flickr.

Loading dock launch over a shopping cart.

Limited Edition Shirts

I printed a run of LIMITED EDITION shirts to be sold at P. Krol's Jump Jam on July 1st. The mens shirts are forest green with dark blue ink. The ladies shirts are pink tank tops with blue ink. All shirts will be $10 and its first come first serve. There are only 2 dozen mens and a dozen ladies available, so get 'em early in the day before I'm out!!! These shirts are LIMITED EDITION and will NEVER be printed again in these color schemes!!!

LIMITED EDITION Mens


LIMITED EDITION Ladies

Sunday Evening Session

So I went and rode the P-Banks with the Urban MTB crew and it was pretty wild! Blachura decided to huck himself over this monsterous gap.....and after landing it the first time he decided he needed to do it 3 more times! It was pretty sick! There is an asphalt incline that goes up to about 4.5 feet and if you gap off the side its a 12-20 foot gap to the bank landing depending on where you hit it. Dave jumped the biggest gap possible and I'm sure if the top of the ramp wasn't overgrown with vines and bushes he'd huck it even bigger! Check out the photos at Tyrant's Flickr. After the banks we headed over to P.Krols to work on the 4 pack to 7 foot quarter and rode a little when it was dialed in. After I left apparently Blachura started throwing down backflips..cehck out the video below. Goodtimes for sure! I was on the bike for 8 full hours today!!!

That boy ain't right!!!


Dave Blachura's got backflips dialed on his MTB

Sunrise Session

So I headed over to the Groton Skatepark at 7 AM to meet Don Pavelka and do some riding. Yeah, I know 7 is super early, but Groton doesn't allow bikes and the skaters and cops aren't usually to thrilled with us!!! Don showed up around 8 and 15 minutes into his session his steerer tube on his fork snapped. I can't believe he didn't crash and eat it, cause he was jumping a gap and was about 4 feet in the air. That session came to a quick and bitter end so I headed an hour north to meet Tiny Tyrant and a bunch of other little rippers over at the Newington Park. I shot a pretty rad video of Brandon, check it out...

Tiny Tyrant with a spine 180 to rollout


WOW! How does steel just break in half like that!!!

Urban Mountain Bikers

I was feeling a bit tired today so I decided to not ride and shoot film instead. I met up with P.Krol, Blachura, and John Salafia at the North End Bank to shoot a little film of yet another session on the ghetto parking curb sub box. I'll tell you, those urban MTB's are no joke! It took me like 10 trys to fuf the little sub on John's MTB. Its a whole new world with big wheels and a suspension fork!!! Check out the photos at Tyrant's Flickr.

Peter Krol going for an abubaca

Better Days

So I've been feeling better for 2 days now that I got some prescription meds so being the idiot I am I went riding tonight. I should be resting for a few more days, but I was itching to ride and P. Krol, Blachura, and Lolli were headed out to ride some street. The rain that was suppost to be coming passed just to the south of us so I had to take advantage of the little dry time we had. I shot a few pics but the only one that was clear was the one below.

Blachura - Bank to footjam on a ghetto parking block sub box

Sick.....again!

Alright, sorry about the lack of updates! It rained a good amount this weekend and I have been sick since Saturday so I spent the better portion of the weekend in bed. So if you want to know what I have been up to, here you go....

...taking stuff to get better!

Mellow Memorial Day

So it was a gorgous day today and I rode for 5.5 hours. I hit up the Newington, Wethersfield, and Rocky Hill parks this morning and rode the East Hampton park (2 quarters and 2 rails) this afternoon. I was nice to spend the better part of the day on the bike enjoying the weather. The sad part is nobody else around here rode today! The so called "crew" has faded away. Lolli rides once or twice a week, but he's the only one besides me! I really wanted to get down to the Stampede warehouse jam, but I couldn't force myself to pay $15 to ride inside all day (even though it was for an AWESOME cause!!!) when it was sunny and 85 out....and nobody else was around to go???

You can't grind the 18 foot curved rail unless you lean downside!

MSX Almost Rideable!!!

So Dave B. and I put in another evening at the trails trying to complete the "big" six pack. The jumps are looking great and Dave really did a ton of work on the first lip...its mint! One thing I must say is kids these days are lazy and stupid!!! 3 seperate days these random kids showed up on there bikes and watched us dig for like 15 minutes...and then just rode away with out ever saying a word. Spread the word...if you think you are coming to ride our trails you better put in some digging time. We have a half dozen shovels, rakes, a pick axe...grab a tool and make yourself useful! I hate to sound like a jerk but we have put in endless hours of digging and the local weiners think they can just waltz in whenever and ride the trails. This year....NO WORK, NO PLAY! AND WE WILL TELL YOU TO LEAVE! Check out the photos at Tyrant's Flickr.

The first 6 pack is looking good!

MSX yet again.....

Another afternoon/night digging at the trails. The first 6 pack is going to go as follows: 4.5 foot lip - 12 foot gap - big lander into a 6 foot lip - 12 foot gap - 6 foot lander into a mellow 5 foot lip - 12 foot gap - 5 foot lander into a double berm set up - left and right...you choose what line you wanna take. Left will be small, right is going to be SICK AS HELL! I was told Stock wanted to see more photos so I took what I could before it got pitch black....what do you think Mike? Check out the photos at Tyrant's Flickr.

The lip and lander still need to be carved out,
but the piling and packing of dirt is done!

Another Evening at MSX

So a crew gathered at the MSX trails tonight to dig and we made a bunch of progress. The 1st and 2nd doubles are piled up, they just need a good packing and some tranny sculpting. We took down a 1 foot thick dead tree with a hand saw which turned out to be a half hour ordeal involving about 5 people. All in all it was a good time and a great sign of the days of summer to come.

The 2nd double is looking nice! 6 foot lip - 15 foot gap - 6 foot lander

1 hand saw - 2 workers - 2 spectators - 1 dead tree - 30 minutes - PRICELESS!!!

The Rebirth of MSX

MSX is being reborn thanks for P. Krol, Dave B., a little help from myself and many others. I shot a few photos, check them out at Tyrant's Flickr. Lets pray that the punks that destroyed the jumps last year don't do the same this year.....cause payback will be a M.F.er for them!!!

Dave being dwarfed by the "Monster Lip"

IS THE RAIN EVER GOING TO STOP?

Since I've been trapped inside due to the rains I decided to shoot some photos so I had something to post on the blog. I hope you enjoy what my boredom brought out.....check them out at Tyrant's Flickr.

Sad, Sad Saturday

So Jess called me Thursday and broke my heart, she told me "our baby" Kasha was sick and diagnosed with Feline Leukimia. It hit really hard to hear that my little kitty, only 1 year and 2 months in age, was fatally ill!!! I'm not going to lie, it really got me upset and it brought plenty of tears out. Then today, Saturday, Jess called and told me the vet had to put our baby to sleep because she was really, really sick and she was suffering. Some people would say "its only a cat", but that cat was my little baby. It really hurts to let go of something you care about so very much. Luckilly, I am a photo nerd and I took hundreds of shots of her, which I will cherish from here on out. R.I.P. :(......

Kasha - March 2005 to May 2006 - R.I.P.

Muddy Mountain Bike Ride

The rain held off today and Lolli and I got out for a solid 2 hour mountain bike ride through the trails of Portland, Cobalt, and East Hampton. Its nice to hang up the BMX bike and put in some miles in the woods...keeps my riding balanced. I took a few shots of Matt along the way and he got one of me, check them out at Tyrant's Flickr.

Matt Lolli crossing a stream at full speed

Multiple Sunday Sessions

Knowing that we were in store for another gorgeous day, I made plans to do a ton of riding. Two of my co-workers and I put in some miles on the mountain bikes this morning at Hurd Park. I had to get a feel for my new frame, I'm racing a cross country MTB race next Sunday. As the afternoon rolled around I picked up Blachura and headed to Schmidt and Mercenary Steve's trails over in central CT. The place is amazing! Props to those 2 for the endless hours of digging they have done! The lines are sweet, but much to burly for me to ride.....so I took a bunch of photos and posted a few on Tyrant's Flickr. After the trails Dave and I hit up the Newington and Wethersfield Skateparks. It was great, both parks were pretty quiet...not really crowded. Gotta love a Sunday full of riding!

Schmidt flying through the air

A Saturday in Spring

So I headed over to Turnpike Tattoo to chat it up with Shawn and discuss our plans to take over the world. It looks as though the art show we are planning to collaborate on is going to happen for sure, its just a matter of time. Keep checking back here for details....or better yet go to Shawn's site (see the link - LOOK RIGHT!) I also made my way over to Tiny Tyrant's mini-ramp for an afternoon session and like usual the kids got a half dozen new tricks since the last time I saw him. 360's to fakie, 270 to smith, icepicks, and so on - and so on! There are some pics on Tyrant's Flickr.

11 years old - 16" bike - 2 feet of air out of a 7 footer

Let the riding begin!

Ok, I'm cleared to ride again. I got my stitches out this morning and the doc says the infection in being eaten up by the anitbiotics I'm on. So I'll be out all weekend on the bikes. Give me call if you wanna ride!

Even more rest...

So I ended up developing an infection as a result of last weeks surgery. Now I am on 2 presciption drugs and have to keep off the bike for another 10 days. I swear by the time this is all healed up it will be almost 2.5 weeks that I will not have ridden. I am beyond stir crazy...but luckily my new mountain bike frame came in so building that up has kept me preoccupied.

Well needed rest...

So I am out for 2 weeks letting my "rod" settle in my skull. No biking or anything else active....I'm already going stir crazy! Check out the cool X-Ray. The titanium implant is 13mm long x 4.3 mm wide. Counting the 3 Ti screws in my knee I now have 4 titanium pieces in my body!

Get well "Digger Davis"

Just wanted to send a get well out to "Digger Davis" and remind all you kids to wear your helmets!!! Digger is one of Pedal Power's finest and late Tuesday night while throwing some trickery down off a loading dock he almost did himself in. I thought my crash back in October was harsh, but Davis topped me for sure! Concussion, 7 stitches in the forehead, 3 under his seriously blackened and swollen shut left eye and major road rash all over his face, head, and neck! BMX is fun as hell, but you never know when you're going to take it hard! No worries though, Digger is hardcore and he was back at the shop today....just sporting the mummy look (I was lucky enough to catch him between bandage changes). He'll be back on his bike in no time, Digger Davis never rests! SOOT!

Still in one piece, but barely!!!

Finally made it to P. Krol's

So I finally made it to P. Krol's, haven't been since the new line and quarter pipe went up. Blachura was blasting as usual and Pete was flying pretty high himself. Dave didn't pull out any backflips today because he was riding with a blown apart bottom bracket...yet he was still airing 10-12 feet up off the wooden booter! The line is sweet and its only 1/4 of the way done. The hip/roll-in, new 6 pack, satellite wallride, and spine haven't even been put in yet. I shot a few photos, check them out at Tyrant's Flickr. I apologize that the action shots are a tad blurry, I still don't have my new camera dilaed in! Soon though!

Dave Blachura with a nice "Squirrel Seat-Grab". Its the hottest trick in Poland right now and Dave is bringing it to the US with dialed style!

Surgery #3

So I'm headed under the knife again! This being the 3rd surgery since my nasty crash back in October. Tomorrow they will be implanting a 6mm titanium rod into my skull....not so fun! To make a long story short I will not be riding BMX for the next week or so. I have to wait till I get my stitches out and the implant settles into the bone. Even though I can't ride I plan on shooting a lot of film, so call me if you are riding next week.

Rain out!

So I really wanted to ride BMX this weekend, but Mother Nature has other plans. I'm protesting gas prices so I am not driving anywhere far to ride, and all the nice indoor parks are out of state, so it looks like I am going to have to settle for watching BMX DVD's instead. Last week we had a great gathering on my patio to ring in the Spring season with a fire and all (well we lit a bonfire in my 18" Weber Grill), this week its under water...check out the photo. Keep checking back for photos of P. Krol's Dirt Mecca in his backyard. I here its off the hook this year and Dave Blachura learned backflips...does he stop progressing?!?!? Ride your bikes and have fun doing it!

My patio table is a lake! No patio party at the "Tyrant's Lair" this week!

Riding other bikes, other places

I received a few e-mails and messages on MySpace this week from fellow riders complaining that I haven't been at the parks much lately, and asking if I am still riding. I have ridden 12 out of the last 14 days (probably more than you guys that felt the need to harass me.) If you know me personally you know that I don't just ride BMX. In the Spring and Summer months I am also an avid "Spandex Jockey" (road biker) and mountain biker. I have a new mountain frame on the way and I'm looking to get back into mountain bike racing a bit this year, something I did a ton in my later high school days and into college. BUT I am still shredding the BMX bike, so no worries. I rode street twice last week and hit up the Newington and Wethersfield Parks with Craig Samuels and Garrett P on Saturday.....despite the fact I was coughing up my lungs! In addition, I live a half hour from most of the parks and gas prices are high as hell, so I've been riding local spots. So to all you fellas who think I'm not riding, CHECK YO SELF FOOLS! Call me, IM me, MySpace message me, E-mail me, send a smoke signal, or even a carrier pigeon if you wanna ride. I ride daily!

Random Photos

Just about everytime we go out riding I shoot photos, but they aren't always BMX photos. I never post the random photos; the artsy, unusual, creative shots. I haven't ridden in the past couple days because I'm battling off a wicked chest cold, so I've been sorting through some old photos. I came across a few pictures that I thought were kinda neat and decided to share them. I know they aren't Tyrant BMX related, but each photo was taken when I was out riding my bike...that's gotta count for something? Check them out at Tyrant's Flickr.

Sunday Spring Session

So we couldn't of asked for better weather today, it was gorgeous and we rode for 7 hours. There was a posse of BMXers at the Wethersfield Park, at one point I think we had at least 12-15 of us there owning the place! Some rad stuff went down like Schmidt blasting airs from the quarterpipe to the hump going mach speed and Tiny Tyrant shredding the bowl and airing out of the deep end a bit...so sick! Seeing I was psyched on the weather I mainly rode today and only took a few photos. Check them out at Tyrant's Flickr.

Were you airing out of 8 foot deep, over-vert bowls at age 11?
"Tiny Tyrant" Brandon Begin is!!!

POSTERS ARE IN!!!

The Tyrant BMX poster prints are in and you can own one by making a $5.00 donation. This poster is an amazing hand-inked original piece by local artist/tattoo artist Shawn Hebrank. The posters are printed on a 100% recycled Sienna Red parchment paper to give them a vintage look.....kinda like an "Old Western" poster. Support Tyrant BMX and the art of Shawn Hebrank, and pick up a poster today. Feel free to contact me to obtain one: Tyrant BMX

12" x 18" Poster - $5.00 donation - CLICK TO ENLARGE

Tyrant BMX Posters

So the I picked up the artwork for the Tyrant posters from Shawn Hebrank yesterday and it is amazing. Shawn came up with a rad design and pen & inked it beautifully!!! The posters will be run in a limited quanity and should be available through me or Pedal Power starting Monday. Many thanks to Shawn for his awesome artwork and support of Tyrant BMX. Shawn tattoos out of Turnpike Tattoo in Meriden....so if you are looking to get some work done stop by and check out his portfolio.

Tyrant Poster - Hand drawn by local artist/tattoo artist Shawn Hebrank

Weekend Session

So Dave Blachura and I rode Wethersfield this weekend and it was one hell of a day of riding......6 hours to be exact...and I'm so sore and tired!!! I'll keep it simple, it was a rad day, Garrett P. met up with us for a few, and I shot some film as usual. Check out the photos at Tyrant's Flickr.

Dave Blachura really extended this fastplant on the slab corner

SUPPORT TYRANT BMX

The new shirts are fresh off the press and the new stickers are here as well. Shirts and stickers are only available through me at the time being, they'll be in stock at Pedal Power next week. I also have a limited number of zip-up hoodies left, grab one before they are gone for the season...only $20! I'll be at the Wethersfield and Newington Skateparks all day Saturday, stop by and support Tyrant BMX and grab some new merch!!!

Wheel logo in steel blue on grey shirts - printed on the lower left hip area


The new stickers are in!

6 hours of riding on a Sunday

So D. Whip and I started our Sunday at the Begins mini-ramp and as usual Brandon was killing it right from the get-go! "Tiny Tyrant" was airing out of the 7 footer higher than I've ever seen him and he's starting to get flatties down! What I was stoked on was the fact that Steve, "Tiny Tyrants" dad, worked all morning and came home to us riding the ramp. Most fathers would plop down on the couch and take in some NCAA Basketball Tournament this time of year, but not "Pops". He came home and in a matter of 10 minutes was suited up and out on the ramp ripping it with us.....so rad!!!!! Anyway, we had a good session at the mini and then Dean and I headed to Wethersfield and Newington for a few before heading home. Nothing beats a whole day of riding with good friends!!!! Thanks much for having us over guys!!! The first day of Spring is tomorrow, bring on the warm weather!!! I took a few pics of the guys, check them out at Tyrant's Flickr

Most "almost 40 year olds" were not killing it on a mini-ramp today, they were probably sitting on there butt!!!! Steve was getting rad on the backyard ramp airing out the 6 footer.

FREE Stickers - DONATIONS for posters

So I got my hands on a bunch of stickers and posters from Shawn Hebrank that I am looking to get out to everyone. The stickers are totally rad and most importantly FREE!!! The posters seen below are also available to all those who make a donation (suggested donation is $5....but any little will help!). The money made from the posters is going to Shawn's latest art venture "The Bird Flu"...its going to be an epidemic and overtake the state! Shirts are going to be available really soon and he has bags already available on his site (follow the link above!) These bags are great for riders, they are ideal for pads or your helmet and they are inexpensive. I'm also psyched to say that the new Tyrant stickers will be in this week and LIMITED EDITION Tyrant poster, hand drawn by Shawn Hebrank, will be available shortly...keep your eyes peeled here!!!!

Posters are available, please make a donation and pick one up!!!!



FREE STICKERS! E-mail me via Tyrant BMX or find me at the skatepark.

Get off your couch and ride!!!!

So I showed up to Wethersfield Skatepark mid-afternoon today and I was the only biker there. I talked to numerous fellow riders on the phone and the complaint I got was that is was too cold out. It was a gorgeous sunny day, a bit chilly, but a great day to ride....and all your weenies were home watching TV or playing video games. Jordan Harrington and Garrett Pyskaty ended up showing up late in the day and we sessioned for an hour or so before dark. I got a few pics of those guys that came our pretty good, check them out at Tyrant's Flickr

ONCE AGAIN BLOGGER IS SUCKING AND I CAN'T UPLOAD A PREVIEW IMAGE!!! Please go to the link above!

BUY TYRANT BMX on the net

Props to the guys are Pedal Power who now have a smattering of Tyrant BMX apparel for sale via their website PedalPowerCT Support the local, rider owned company that is true to itself, and most importantly true to you!

YouTube.....

So I recently signed up for YouTube, a great free video hosting site. Check back next week for the trailer to the Tyrant DVD that is going to be released sometime this millenium.

What happened to 60 degrees?

So Matt Lolli and I rode street tonight and it was freakin' freezing! We both were totally underdressed and my hands were numb before we even got to the first spot we planned on sessioning. Anyway, we had fun just dinking around hitting up small stuff here and there. I took a few photos and Lolli took one of me, check them out at Tyrant's Flickr

(Sorry, no preview pic....Blogger is being lame...the picture won't upload?)

Damp late night session

Dave Blachura met me in M-Town late tonight for a little street riding. It turned out that is was pretty damp out still from the mornings rains and I was kinda tired, sp the session was short livedl. I chilled and took some photos of Dave as he went off like usual.....check them out at Tyrant's Flickr

A cool brakeless nose wheelie shot

A Spring-like Saturday Session

So the weather man didn't lie to us, it was actually 60 degrees yesterday and sunny all day! Bry. A, Blachura, and myself headed over to the Wethersfiled Skatepark to ride all day. Aaron Tauscher and Kris Houle from Mass. came down to ride the park, which was rad...they both kill it! It ended up being a fun session and a lot of great riding went down. Aaron and Kris both took nasty spills a few minutes into riding, which really spooked me, but they both bounced back and were dialed the rest of the day. Mercenary Steve showed up and was going big like usual and Craig Samuels showed up brakeless and rode well. I was psyched to here Craig earned his degree and is done with school in Rhode Island and is moving back to CT...one more local ripper at the parks! Wethersfield got way too crowded so we headed to Newington, which turned out to be even more crowded....with all little kids none the less! I'm all for young kids learning to ride and skate, but its out of hand when parents just drop their mini-van full of kids off at the park, leave them for the day unsupervised, and the kids have no clue what they are doing. Its a recipe for disaster and I almost witnessed a few deaths yesterday. When a biker is coming down from 6 feet in the air and Little Jonny Clueless is standing at the bottom of the quarterpipe...he's getting plowed at full speed! OK, I'm rambling now. The short of it is it was an awesome day of riding with great riders/friends, Spring is coming, the days are getting longer, and I'm psyched to be riding a ton more!!! I took some photos like ususal, check them out at Tyrant's Flickr

Aaron Tauscher was flowing Wethersfield like he'd ridden it a million times, but I'm pretty sure it was only his second!

Friday night lights!

So the usual crew, minus D. Whip, decided to go out street riding tonight. The weather was amazing, a total sign that Spring is on its way! We had a really good session and it was nice to ride on a Friday night instead of blowing tons of money bar hopping in Middletown like usual. Steve A. did a pretty rad fence ride, Matt was pulling some sweet footjam to fakies on a funky pitched bank, Arnwine attempted a bunny hop 360 going full speed down the street...and he made it about 345 degrees around...he's nutty!!! and I finally got my manual dialed back in. All in all it was good to be with friends, chilling out, and having fun on a Friday night! Steve A. contributed a few photos and I shot some photos as well, check them out at Tyrant's Flickr

The crew chilling at the Harbor

Great show!

So Tuesday night D. Whip, Steve A., Ryan Howard, and I piled into my car and headed to the K.O.C. in Cromwell. Strike Anywhere, With Honor, A Global Threat, and No Tigger played and it was one hell of show! I haven't seen With Honor since they played at Wesleyan a few years ago...so it was great to see them on home turf again! If you haven't listened to either of the bands I mentioned, get on it! Download some music, you're missing out!!!

ShawnHebrank.com.....check it out!

If you didn't follow the link to Shawn Hebrank a few postings ago when I pictured the Tyrant tattoo on Evil Luke's elbow, you're missing out!!! Shawn is a very talented artist / tattoo artist and a super cool individual. I had the pleasure of sitting for 3.5 hours yesterday as Shawn brough the Tyrant Crest logo to life on my arm. The end result was an outright amazing tattoo!!!
Many thanks Shawn!!!

Please take a few moments and go to Shawn Hebranks site

Skaters Edge / 24 Degree Mini Ramp Session

So I met up with the Begins today, "Pops" Steve and "Tiny Tyrant" Brandon, to go session Skaters Edge in Taunton, Mass. The park is really rad and it was a super fun session. Brandon was almost pulling bike flips into the foam pit, he jumped the 6 foot spine (he rides a 16 inch bike!!!!), and pulled a sick fakie wallride to rollout super clean! Steve was pulling some nice wallrides and looked really comfortable on his BMX bike...he turns 40 this year!!!! I was totally stale today, but I guess that's what I get seeing I've only ridden ramp once in the past 3 weeks. When we got back from Taunton we decided to ride Tiny Tyrant's mini ramp for an hour or so. The catch is that it was 24 degrees and blustery out!!!!! I shot some photos, check them out at Tyrant's Flickr All in all we had a fun day and I was stoked to hang out with the Begins...2 of most fun guys to ride with! Thanks for breakfast and the ride to the park guys!

Tiny Tyrant and I at Skaters Edge

30 Degree Street Session

So I've been getting a bunch of calls from people to come out and ride street at night, but the cold and BMX riding just don't mix! I finally bit the bullet and got out for late night session with a bunch of local guys. It was a good time, we found some new small jibs to session, and Blachura muscled a nice wallride out on a gap to wall I've been eyeing for years. I shot some photos, check them out at Tyrant's Flickr

8 foot gap from that little dirt kicker to near ball breaker by Dave Blachura.
He landed it next try, check the link above.

Tiny Tyrant's been shredding through the winter

So I headed out to visit Tiny Tyrant Brandon Begin and the family today. I wasn't suprised when I rolled up to a new box jump set up in the driveway and a kicker close by.....he's been riding even though its 20 out!!! Let me alos once again mention Brandon is 11 and rides better than half the teenagers and adults at the skatepark!!! I got a few photos of Brandon doing a good size gap to fakie and an awesome e-brake air. Check them out at Tyrant's Flickr

Tyrant MySpace Background

With the help of Matt Lolli's sick photography I have designed a Tyrant background for all you MySpace junkies out there. You can get the URL for it at Tyrant's Flickr
1. Click on the background image
2. Copy the URL from your browser task bar on the top of the screen
3. Use Thomas' MySpace Editor v3.5 to edit your MySpace page
4. Paste in the URL and select the "center the image" as your background option

Pre-Blizzard Session

So many people, especially myself, have been giving Flatland Josh a lot of crap because we never see him riding anymore. Come to find out Josh is now riding brakeless and is getting super smooth! Josh and I headed to a few local parks today, despite the 33 degree temps, to do a little riding before the snow comes. Josh was pulling off some serious tricks! You can check out the photos at Tyrant's Flickr

Sorry...but I honestly don't know what they call this...but its sick! especially brakeless!!!!

PEDAL POWER BMX

You heard it here first...remember that! Pedal Power Bike Shop in Middletown (my second home) is expanding this Spring and they intend to open a NEW BMX AREA on the 2nd floor of the shop. To add to the fun, Middletown has had plans drawn up for the new skatepark the town is proposing...and its going to be the 2ND LARGEST OUTDOOR PARK IN NEW ENGLAND!!!! So get psyched! Winter is going to end eventually and there is going to be a lot of cool stuff to look forward to this Spring. If you are interested in attending meetings about the Middletown Skatepark they'd love to see you. I believe the meetings are Thursdays at 3:00 PM at the Russell Library, but stop by Pedal Power and ask "Digger" Davis for the full scoop...he's on "The Board"

More photos on WoozyBMX.com

Matt Lolli and I both got some of our photos published on WoozyBMX Click on the "Readers Photos" link...you may have to scroll right to locate it. Anyway, I submitted a rad shot of Mercenary Steve doing a sick table at Newington and a photo of Ryan Schmidt at his trails in Berlin. Check them out, its great to have local riders featured in an overseas magazine!!!

Strictly for the hardcore!

I thought I was going to be the first person to get a Tyrant tattoo, but Luke Liquori of Cromwell beat me to the punch. He stopped by to show me the ink today, its the Tyrant skull that Steve A. designed. Luke got it inked on his elbow right in plain site....pretty sick! Props to Luke and to Shawn Hebrank his tattoo artist out of the new Turnpike Tattoo in Meriden

Dondor Jam at MSC

A ton of people showed up to the Dondor Jam at MSC on Wednesday night! There was some great riding going on with serious tricks being thrown down. Don Pavelka went off, but it was suiting because it was his 21st Birthday. All in all we had a good time and you can check out the photos at Tyrant's Flickr

Don Pavelka downside whipping the gap on his 21st birthday!

I guess I'll try to like winter...

So I've been complaining a lot recently that this cold weather and snow are awful because its keeping us all from riding outdoors. Well I finally gave in to Old Man Winter this weekend and hung up my bike for the day and took out my skiboards (yeah...I said skiboards! I'm not a trendy snowboarder!) I headed up to Jiminey Peak for the day with my buddy and his girl and it was a hell of a good time. Who knows? I may enjoy winter if I ski more often.

Starting 2006 off skiing in the Berkshires