Josh Betley, Marcus Tooker, and Ronnie Napolitan ride a few cement parks in Utah.

Check out Vital BMX’s video from the Goods BMX Kings of Crete Jam. Ben Hucke has a few rad clips in this including a can can nosewheelie. That’s innovation!

Shuriken only has one trick in this clip, but oh how sick it is. Check it!

Tony Mag and Allysha Bergado ventured up north to the great skatepark of Lake Cunningham in San Jose, California. This was the site for the 11th annual Tim Brauch Memorial contest. Neither the veteran T-Mag nor the upstart protégé AB had skated the park before, so it was a tall task to show up the day before the contest and figure out lines and dial tricks in a pool that also had 30 other skaters doing the same thing. On top of that, it was also close to 100 degrees in San José over the weekend. AB wasn’t as affected by the heat as the old dog T-Mag, who only skated a couple of hours on Saturday.

Because the girls contest practice started real early on Sunday morning, T-Mag and AB showed up at the park at 8.30, which turned out to be a good call, since it wasn’t very hot then and not really crowded either. T-Mag was slow to get ready so by the time he was skating, the session was already fired up with girls, masters and pro’s, all trying to do their thing in the famous keyhole pool with a setback shallow end.

The girls were up first at 10.30 or so and Allysha had really put together her stuff well and ended doing 3 ft. backside and frontside airs on the face wall, super clean inverts and even threw in a switch stance air at the end, one of T-Mag old claims to fame in the early 80’s. While there was plenty of female talent, it looked like AB might end up on top, but she ended with second place, just barely bested by X Games champ Lyn-Z Adams, who took the top honors, with Priscilla Lee taking third.

Then it was time for the grandmasters pre qualifications, which consisted of Steve Caballero, who is a long time San Jose local, Christian Hosoi, who won the event last year, Tony Mag, Lord Salba, Master Of Disaster Duane Peters, Josh Nelson, Mark Partian and about 20 other local rippers, who all knew the bowl well. Christian didn’t have to qualify for the final, there was only five spots for the rest of the field, so competition was fierce. To T-Mag’s surprise, he qualified second, after Cabbie, along with Salba, Partain and Nelson.

Unfortunately, during practice, Duane managed to take a slam so hard, that he dislocated his left leg out of the hip socket and had to be carted off on an emergency stretcher.

Later in the afternoon, after 8 heats of pro qualifications, it was time for the grand master final. The heat had died down a bit, enough to keep everyone pumped. The final was every bit as exciting as you might imagine, with Cabbie taking long, strong and well put together runs, showing his mastery of pool skating, while having the advantage of being the local. Christian is about as exciting as he ever was, also taking great looking runs, with plenty of Hosoi patented aerial maneuvers. T-Mag also put together some great runs, with plenty of aerial attacks, frontside inverts, ollies and what not. In the end T-Mag banged out a crystal clean rodeo on the face wall amongst loud screams and cheers and Hosoi did a couple of face high backside airs to end the whole thing. The pool has a couple of hips that required some time to dial in to be usable for competition runs and T-Mag was a bit short on unique lines and using the hips so in the end it was Cab on top, followed by Hosoi and T-Mag taking third.

A strange thing happened right after the grand master final, as the pro’s warmed up for their final; more than half crowd left. While there weren’t top pro names present, there were a slew of really amazing riders certainly worth watching in what turned out to be a super exciting final. Later, someone said that happened last year too, that most people came for the grandmaster event. That made some sense, since I saw T-Mag constantly get stopped by people that wanted to talk to him about old school skating, Osiris, H-Street, history, his skating, places they saw him skate in the past and on and on. I was quite refreshing to see a So Cal rider get so much support from a Nor Cal crew and I know that T-Mag was super stoked on that, as well as having placed well in the event, though he was probably even more stoked to see AB come so close to winning.

Tony Mag and Allysha Bergado ventured up north to the great skatepark of Lake Cunningham in San Jose, California. This was the site for the 11th annual Tim Brauch Memorial contest. Neither the veteran T-Mag nor the upstart protégé AB had skated the park before, so it was a tall task to show up the day before the contest and figure out lines and dial tricks in a pool that also had 30 other skaters doing the same thing. On top of that, it was also close to 100 degrees in San José over the weekend. AB wasn’t as affected by the heat as the old dog T-Mag, who only skated a couple of hours on Saturday.

Because the girls contest practice started real early on Sunday morning, T-Mag and AB showed up at the park at 8.30, which turned out to be a good call, since it wasn’t very hot then and not really crowded either. T-Mag was slow to get ready so by the time he was skating, the session was already fired up with girls, masters and pro’s, all trying to do their thing in the famous keyhole pool with a setback shallow end.

The girls were up first at 10.30 or so and Allysha had really put together her stuff well and ended doing 3 ft. backside and frontside airs on the face wall, super clean inverts and even threw in a switch stance air at the end, one of T-Mag old claims to fame in the early 80’s. While there was plenty of female talent, it looked like AB might end up on top, but she ended with second place, just barely bested by X Games champ Lyn-Z Adams, who took the top honors, with Priscilla Lee taking third.

Then it was time for the grandmasters pre qualifications, which consisted of Steve Caballero, who is a long time San Jose local, Christian Hosoi, who won the event last year, Tony Mag, Lord Salba, Master Of Disaster Duane Peters, Josh Nelson, Mark Partian and about 20 other local rippers, who all knew the bowl well. Christian didn’t have to qualify for the final, there was only five spots for the rest of the field, so competition was fierce. To T-Mag’s surprise, he qualified second, after Cabbie, along with Salba, Partain and Nelson.

Unfortunately, during practice, Duane managed to take a slam so hard, that he dislocated his left leg out of the hip socket and had to be carted off on an emergency stretcher.

Later in the afternoon, after 8 heats of pro qualifications, it was time for the grand master final. The heat had died down a bit, enough to keep everyone pumped. The final was every bit as exciting as you might imagine, with Cabbie taking long, strong and well put together runs, showing his mastery of pool skating, while having the advantage of being the local. Christian is about as exciting as he ever was, also taking great looking runs, with plenty of Hosoi patented aerial maneuvers. T-Mag also put together some great runs, with plenty of aerial attacks, frontside inverts, ollies and what not. In the end T-Mag banged out a crystal clean rodeo on the face wall amongst loud screams and cheers and Hosoi did a couple of face high backside airs to end the whole thing. The pool has a couple of hips that required some time to dial in to be usable for competition runs and T-Mag was a bit short on unique lines and using the hips so in the end it was Cab on top, followed by Hosoi and T-Mag taking third.

A strange thing happened right after the grand master final, as the pro’s warmed up for their final; more than half crowd left. While there weren’t top pro names present, there were a slew of really amazing riders certainly worth watching in what turned out to be a super exciting final. Later, someone said that happened last year too, that most people came for the grandmaster event. That made some sense, since I saw T-Mag constantly get stopped by people that wanted to talk to him about old school skating, Osiris, H-Street, history, his skating, places they saw him skate in the past and on and on. I was quite refreshing to see a So Cal rider get so much support from a Nor Cal crew and I know that T-Mag was super stoked on that, as well as having placed well in the event, though he was probably even more stoked to see AB come so close to winning.

text and photos courtesy of Tony Mag

Colt Fake has a bike check up on Dig’s site. Check it out! There’s a crazy sequence on there that you don’t want to miss.

Fuzzy Hall threw a jam at his house in Salt Lake City a few days before the Dew Tour kicked off. Ronnie Napolitan stopped by and killed it. Check the photo and video.

Photo: Ride BMX

Anthony “Boy” Flores and the rest of the Primo crew.

Del’s Previously unreleased New album “Automatik Statik” was created right after FUnkman and its’ totally different in vibe and texture. The project released with the launch of the Del’s website delthefunkyhomosapien.com which was officially release last Friday. The album is avail on his bandcamp right now! It’s pick your price! You can pay $3 or $100, it’s your choice! Enjoy!

Check out these three videos from VitalBMX. The first features Sean Burns giving the details on some new Metal Bikes stuff from their portable booth. Next, Kink TM Jay Roe introduces Darryl Tocco’s new signature frame. Finally, Nate Moroshan from Cardinal shows Boy’s new signature handlebars.

I have no idea what happened, but Stu just posted this on his Facebook page.

Ronnie Napolitan is awesome. Don’t believe me? Watch this new edit for proof. Expect big things in the future from this dude.

Eric Stricker passed away yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

Felt Bikes has a new site up. Josh Betley is all over it. Check it out.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Osiris Shoes is proud to introduce Lloyd Kadillac Marshbanks. Kadillac will be fighting in the M-1 global challenge next week in Russia for team USA! A Dynamic wrestler, Kadillac is one of the fastest heavy weights in the world. Welcome to Osiris MMA!

Rob Darden qualified first in dirt at the Salt Lake City Dew Tour. YEAAAAAH! He’ll be riding against Ryan Nyquist and a few other shredders tonight at finals.

Photo: RideBMX

Check out Method Man while performing in front of 15,000+ at the biggest hip hop festival in the Czech Republic.

Congrats on fifty episodes, Miles! This mix features Miles Rogoish, Josh Betley, Sean Burns, Tony Malouf, Drew York, and a bunch of others. Enjoy.

Check out the newest issue of the Portugal online mag MFOBMX. The issue has tons of photos of the Osiris Portugal BMX team as well as photos of Rob Darden and our newest addition, Ryan Nyquist.

Check out Dustin Monte in the Summer End Skate Jam!

Woodward Skate Park has been redesigning some of the parks obstacles this week! New stuff to skate! It’s going to be good!

Ronnie Napolitan went to Salt Lake City, UT a few days before all of the Dew Tour madness kicks off. He spent the day riding with the 50/50 crew and hanging out with Osiris’ newest rider, Ryan Nyquist… sort of.

Osiris Shoes is proud to welcome Ryan Nyquist to our BMX team.

Ryan really needs no introduction and is no stranger to awesomeness. From winning pretty much every major contest in existence to filming multiple banger video sections, Ryan has done it all.

He had this to say about joining the team –

“The sweetest part of being involved with any company is the people you get to associate with – from the team, to the team manager, to the head honchos. When you get to be a part of a program where every single person is kick ass, you really can’t be anymore happy. That’s exactly how I’m feeling right now joining Osiris. The crew is full of badasses – seriously awesome people. I couldn’t be more happy to get involved and start making moves.

Plus, the shoes are steezy! They’re more comfortable than a new Barcalougner, they keep that “new shoe” smell for a long time, they make me run way faster, they make me jump higher than Brad Simms, and wearing them honestly makes me a better human being. Really, the shoes are amazing!”

Welcome aboard, Ryan!

Rob Darden shredded this grind ledge and Alistair Whitton filmed it all with his iPhone.

Check out our feature of the week: the G Bag.

Ben Hucke and Shawn McIntosh filmed these clips in Portland over the course of a few hours. Check out those blue Shurikens!

Tony Malouf has a few clips in this. Gully!

Got to the Red Bull site , watch all the manny mania videos, and vote for Aaron Collier to win the overall digital finals. Vote now!

Miles Rogoish just wrapped up Props Megatour with the Mongoose team. He sent over this update about the trip:

Chad Bartie, Kevin Lyman and musical guest Dungen – Wednesday 9.16.09

Today, 2009 X Games Skate Park Bronze Medalist Chad Bartie is back on The Habit to talk about all things skate. Plus, Warped Tour Mastermind Kevin Lyman is here to tell us about the 15th Anniversary of the Vans Warped Tour. And, Jordan Morris goes to the 15th Anniversary Party for the Warped Tour and talks all things warped with NoFx, Bad Religion, Under Oath and Ice-T. Also, the psychedelic rockers of Dungen are here to put our amps to the test. Chad Bartie’s sponsors include: Osiris, Kewday, Bones, FKD Bearings, Theeve Trucks

Osiris global MMA would like to introduce Ross Mould. Ross fights out of the Impact gym in Bristol, UK and trains with UK Distributor Matt Law.

Check out the Ambiguous site for part 2 of 2 of their Nor Cal Tour Video.

Darryl Tocco and Kevin Kiraly will be riding the S&M Rail Jam at Interbike.

Darryl Tocco is the man. Check out this new edit that was filmed in California, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

Tony Malouf lost a perfectly good pair of shoes this weekend, but it involved a pretty awesome story. Here it is, straight from him:

Flow rider Frankie Heck just won a a trip to Salt Lake City and a spot in the Gatorade Free Flow Tour with this video submission. Kids team rider Tyson Bowerbank will also be present.

Rob Darden is back from his Germany trip and sent over this update:

With some folks, skating translates differently. On video, they may be the second coming of Jesus, then they just blow in person. Others may never get the credit they deserve from video, but they make you feel bad about yourself when you see them skate in the flesh. Caswell is the latter of the two, and just about to wreck you with a spin of the first. With the Tiltmode Army’s Bonus Round just over the horizon, Caswell’s ability to crush whatever may lie in his path is apparent. His carefree attitude just sweetens the deal. Thrusting in deep after a bout with the unforeseen ailment of vertigo may demand your respect. Ladies and bitches, Mr. Caswell Berry. —Halba

Did you skate at Manny Mania?
Who, me? Shit, I ain’t Marc Johnson. I ain’t pulling shit.

That’s untrue. I’ve seen you pull all sorts of fucked up shit out of your ass. By the way, what’s your porn name?
I always had to make something up for my porn name because I don’t have a middle name, so I just jacked the name of my first pet. So…it’s Spike Curtner.

That is wicked. You’re definitely pounding ass with a name like that. Over time, you’ve had a couple sponsors: Powell, Toy Machine, and finally Enjoi. Do you feel at home now, like you don’t care to ride for anyone else?
Pretty much. If all the dudes were to up and quit and go somewhere else… All the team riders would be like, “Wherever Matt goes, we’re going to go too.” I don’t want to be on a team with a bunch of dudes who I don’t feel comfortable with again.

When you rode for Powell or Toy Machine, was it a situation where you thought, “I’m just doing this for now,” or was it more like, “This is my ultimate goal”?
Not really. When I rode for Powell it was free boards, I was going on trips, we were out at contests and having a blast. When I got on Toy Machine I knew Enjoi was out, and I was completely happy with Toy Machine except for the fact that it was just me, Ed, and Austin Stephens. Then it started building and more dudes got on the team—which was good for them, but I wasn’t comfortable on there then. I always wanted to be on Enjoi.

With Matt Eversole at the helm on Enjoi, has it helped you cultivate a certain work ethic that you may not have had before?
Yeah, but it’s one of those things where you feel like it’s your dad coming down on you. But, you know in the back of your mind that he’s doing it because he cares.

Do you feel like he’s helped you become more proactive in your career?
For sure. It’s good, we need some sort of responsibility. I feel like it will also help us along the lines of dealing with the other companies we ride for.

Do you ever feel the burn? Like, “I know I need to get something, but I don’t even want to skate.”
If it was just a photographer, a filmer, and me, I might feel that way. I try to make it less stressful and more fun with the homies. I just try to go out with my friends and leave it up to a bunch of different possibilities.

You’ve always come across to me as a skater’s skater—you’re always down to skate anything, and always super encouraging of the homies. Skating just seems to get you hyped. Speak on it.
I think that’s the way it should be. Why exclude yourself from skating one specific thing? If something is hard, I just look at it like a challenge. Shit that I can’t fathom or figure out, or if I couldn’t figure out a line at a park, it just motivates me.

Do you have a Kryptonite trick?
I wish I could do switch 360 flips. That trick is awesome. I can’t do that shit though.

Let’s talk about vertigo.
What I have is Acute Neuronitis, which is related to vertigo. Vertigo’s the feeling of your environment moving around you. Like spinning. You know when you’re laying in bed after a night of partying and all you want to do is pass out, but you got the spins? It’s like that, but you don’t need to drink copious amounts of alcohol. It’ll make you feel sick and you’ll probably start barfing. The vestibular nerve in my inner ear or brain was attacked by a virus. It wasn’t able to work itself out of my body in a normal way; at least that’s what the inner ear specialist told me.

How’d you get rid of it?
I’m still not completely rid of it. There’s no medicine for it. I had to do a series of exercises while standing on a foam pad, with my feet in different positions with my eyes closed, and turn my head in every direction. I’d have to bend over and pick up objects off the ground and then stand up completely, 30 times or so. I’d also have to follow an object with my eyes and head in every direction. The exercises were to re-train my brain to pick up the slack of the damaged nerve. I’m still dealing with it. Some days are good and some are bad. When I say bad, I mean dizzy and
off balance.

Will it ever go away completely?
It can last forever. Since I’m young I’m supposed to get better sooner than most.
Most people that get it are elderly. I think I’ll be bothered by it in times of sickness or when I’m stressed. I guess one day I should wake up and it’ll have vanished. If that’s the case I wish that day was tomorrow, but you can’t always get what you want.

You’re about to have your third video part in three years. Are you satisfied?
I try not to think about it, but I remember how I felt when Man Down came out. That made me feel so good. The satisfaction of that was better than getting a trophy. It’s going to be just as good, if not better. I like where I’m at. Back then I was happy too, but I feel like this one’s something that’s going to be a permanent mark. Something I can look back on and think about that time, then pop in the DVD and just smile instantly.

What will the new Tiltmode video capture that other videos don’t?
It’s not just about going out with a filmer and stressing. You’re there with your friends skating anyways, you know? It’s the whole experience. They get a trick and it may get used, you get a trick that may get used. Not to say those other videos that are coming out around the same time won’t be sick, but no one was behind it forcing the issue; there wasn’t that kind of stress or pressure.

When Jose Rojo smells his upper lip, what do you think it smells like?
Like Menudo or something. I see him do it all the time.

Colt Fake, Alex Liiv, Jamie Mauri, and Sean Burns in Time Square.

Photo: Jeff Allen

Josh Betley has a new video up on VitalBMX. He’s riding the smallest park in Las Vegas while the temperature was over a hundred degrees. This dude is serious.

Alex Perelson, Pierre-Luc Gagnon and musical guest As Tall As Lions – Tuesday 9.08.09

Straight from a massive win at the 2009 Maloof Money Cup Vert competition, Alex Perelson is here. Also, while we’re talking all things halfpipe – back-to-back-to-back X Games Vert Gold Medalist Pierre-Luc Gagnon drops in on the Habit. Plus, today’s musical guest As Tall As Lions bring their passionate rock to the Snickers Sound Stage. Alex Perelson’s sponsors include: Vans, Volcom, Real and Monster Energy. Pierre-Luc Gagnon’s sponsors include: Osiris, Electric, RDS, Darkstar, Monster Energy, Boost Mobile and Diamond.

[See post to watch Flash video]

Read more

Rob Darden is currently out in Germany with Josh Harrington filming for Still Searchin’. This is only the second trip for the video, but apparently a lot of awesome stuff has already gone down. Rob will be back in the states for the Salt Lake City stop of the Dew Tour.

This isn't in Germany, but it is a 720 barspin and that's pretty awesome.

How much do you love the Duffman? Corey just launched one of the coolest things in skateboarding. How cool would it be to wear some tees and hoods that not only his designs, but he will take the time out of his crazy hectic life and screen print them for you right in his garage? Pretty cool huh. Well here it is. Corey brings you Death Beat Stitches. Check out the site, read up on it, buy some tees, and while you’re at it, but me one or two.

Death Beat Stitches is a side-project; it’s a way to unleash my creativity—t-shirts, hoodies, and other neat accessories produced entirely in my garage. Graphics are 100 percent straight from my imagination. My girlfriend, Rachel, and I will silkscreen each garment—by hand—in our garage. Every graphic will be completely designed, drawn, or thought up by me, as well as printed by the two of us.

Shirts and hoodies will be produced in limited quantities on—in my opinion—the best quality clothing available, American Apparel. Initially, our shirts will be available in black and white, as to my personal preference. Hoodies will be available in black, purple, lapis blue, and red. Color options will be available on most stitches, but limited at this time. As Death Beat popularizes and demand increases, a larger assortment will be available. Sizes small, medium, large, and extra-large are available on all stitches. If you are smaller or larger, let me know, and I will print on a selected size shirt as needed.

Death Beat provides a personalized approach in giving back to my fans for all that they’ve done for me. It will be 100 percent skateboarding and music —evincing my two great passions.

On another note, Death Beat is not a clothing company. It is a lifestyle and image. I am not going to be riding for the brand. We are not going to have a team. Our items will not be available in skate shops or retail stores. I am not making pants, jackets or other fine clothing. I will be screening shirts, hoodies, stickers, hats and other neat accessories. I am sponsored by Ambiguous Clothing, and I support all that they stand for. My signature jeans and jacket, however, are now available through Ambiguous. Death Beat is a way to pursue my creativity and imagination—to create something creepy, strange, and absurd. It’ll be a wild company built on the foundation of fun and eeriness.

One last thing—I will gladly sign any hoodie or t-shirt if you request. During the 4th step of the checkout process please use the COMMENT BOX to leave me a detailed message of what items you would like to have signed. Please note that signature requests may slightly delay shipping times due to my busy and unpredictable schedule.

Live fast, skate faster.

- Corey Duffel

Miles Rogoish and Drew York made a quick stop in Salt Lake City last week to get a day of riding in with the locals. Check the edit:

Check out this week’s featured shoe: the Shuriken.

Check out Osiris and Metal Mulisha sales rep Victor Gonzalez Jr.

Montreal, Quebec (August 31, 2009) … Even before the green flag waved to start the NAPA Auto Parts 300 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Victor Gonzalez Jr. made history. After 76 hard-fought laps through dry and rainy conditions, Gonzalez posted a 14th-place finish in his NASCAR debut.

“This was the most exciting and stressful race that I’ve ever driven,” Gonzalez commented after the race. “There was no time to relax in practice, qualifying, or the race.”

Gonzalez has an extensive road racing background, but he had no idea what to expect when he traveled to Montreal for the NAPA Auto Parts 200.

“I didn’t get many practice laps in the GDSI / Ford Racing Fusion in the first session,” Gonzalez added. “Then, NASCAR canceled the second practice. I knew that I had to qualify for the race on time, so that was going to be a challenge. The pressure to qualify in the rain for the race was intense.” Gonzalez qualified 36th with a lap of 74.787 seconds / 130.403 mph.

“My plan was to take care of the brakes and engine during the first half of the race,” Gonzalez commented. “After the adjustments the crew made on our second stop, the car was really flying. At one point, I got in the top ten. Then, it started to sprinkle and I thought ‘No, No, Please No’ because my car was not setup for rainy conditions.”

“After we put rain tires on, my car just wouldn’t turn,” Gonzalez continued. “So, we gave up track position to pit and unhook the sway bar. I restarted 21st, but the car drove much better. I had to dodge several wrecks and some wild action, but was able to get back to 14th at the finish.”

“This weekend was a great learning experience,” Gonzalez concluded. “The GDSI / Ford Racing Fusion Team never gave up and accepted every challenge. This race had a field of great drivers. I came here to compete, race smart, and deliver a good result for my team, my sponsors, and for Puerto Rico. I’m really excited with our accomplishments this weekend.”

Ambiguous just posted part 1 of 2 of their Nor-Cal tour video. Check out Duffel, Carlin, and the rest of the squad in the video.

Metal Mulisha posted a Mayhem Tour video on their homepage. Check it out now!

Just got the new issue of Kingpin and Stu Graham is killing it. 10-page interview from our deported friend. Looking at the photos and reading his crazy talk makes me miss him even more. When he returns there will be a celebration. A very lavish celebration. Pick up a copy of the magazine today.

The saga ends. Enjoy part Four.