A flatland freestyle reunion!

1988 Columbus, Ohio AFA Master Series

Who was at this contest and did anyone stay at the host hotel off of I-71? I think this is the contest that put the final nail in the coffin as far as host hotels refusing to be host hotels.

Who competed at the contest and do you remember your run?

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Permalink Reply by Dave Heineman on April 2, 2009 at 10:52pm

I was lucky to be able to ride in this tournament! Jeff Treterra (I probably butchered the spelling there) brought me and another friend down to compete. We didn't stay at the host hotel, but I seem to remember me and the other guy riding down part of the freeway to get there. We heard everyone was riding there and didn't want to miss it. Nothing like a 15 year old and a 13 year old riding down the freeway at night. Good times! I wish the memories weren't so fuzzy. I'll have to ask Jeff if I run into him sometime to try and clear things up.

As for the contest itself, I can't remember for certain if I rode in the 14-15 expert class or the intermediate class. Does anyone still have a copy of the results? I remember I pulled off the Rolaid I had in my routine, but the rest I can't recall. Man, it would have been nice back then to have the cheap, small video cameras that are available today. I'd have a record of the event instead of banging my head to remember!

The last thing that comes to mind is the ramp portion of the competition. There was a guy, last name was Campbell I think, who did a huge air during his run and hung up his back wheel on the reentry totally blowing out his tire. Boom!

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Permalink Reply by Rick Moliterno on April 13, 2009 at 9:35am

I had a lot of fun in Columbus. Craziness always went down at the hotels during all of the AFA contests.

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Permalink Reply by mark coates on July 13, 2009 at 11:28pm

I REMEMBER GETTING 5TH PLACE IN 16-18 X AND I STILL HAVE THE AWARD. I DID MY BACKARDS,BACKWARDS GRIP RIDE.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Cicman on July 14, 2009 at 10:34pm

and I remember reading about that trick in BMX Plus' coverage and thinking "that is the single most incredible trick ever" and I was right - no one else was doing or has done it.

How the hell do you even convince yourself (at that time in history) that it was even possible? If have GOT to post video of that (old or new).

Rock on, man!

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Permalink Reply by mark coates on July 15, 2009 at 11:42pm

thanks joe, i was pretty good at doing that trick.sorry about the caps.i will see what i can do about a video. it will have to be new. i never had it on video. i just pushed it to the next level.

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Permalink Reply by Zack Yankush on July 21, 2009 at 4:26pm

The RUBBER DINGY!!!! Mark. I met you once at our flatland spot in Liberty, Ohio. I was starstuck.
hahahahaha!

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Permalink Reply by Zack Yankush on July 21, 2009 at 4:25pm

I was there. I had just turned 13. I don't remember much. I do remember Carlo Griggs BLASTING to the moon and blowing out his back tire. It was so loud the whole building shook. I met DMC and wore peach sweatpants. God help me.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Cicman on July 21, 2009 at 7:03pm

Wait, I think I remember that blow-out. Was that the contest where Joe Johnson did the tailwhip air?

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Permalink Reply by Andy Johnson on July 21, 2009 at 7:18pm

Joe did do a tailwhip air at this contest, although not sure it was the first major contest he unveiled them.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Cicman on July 21, 2009 at 7:27pm

SNAP! I was right behind that Odyssey sign during his run.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Cicman on July 21, 2009 at 7:26pm

Oh man - I WAS at that one, too! It was the second AFA contest he did that tailwhip air. Nobody in the audience (outside the people on the circuit) knew because the publication cycles of the magazines were 2-3 months.

There was this guy in the Expert ramps class - I thought his name was Karl something - I think he rode for Hutch. He had the loudest damn free wheel I'd ever heard. It freaking echoed! And his pain job was this electric blue. Dude totally made himself known.

I remember McCoy being all pissed that he didn't win. I took a picture of him pouting at his second place.

I have to say - there is nothing like the feeling in a teenager who sees his idols competing. That was totally mind-blowing for me at the time. I think back on that and remark at the extent to which I am now jaded :^)

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Permalink Reply by Randall (Randy) Loop on August 6, 2009 at 9:24pm

I remember the host hotel staff waking me about 1am and wanting me to make everyone to go to bed. I said...u must be kidding and shut the door. Then the fire alarm went off like 2-3 times, poop in the soda machine drops, glass in Ron Wilkersons coctail...lets see what else. Oh yeah...and it was so much fun! Really it was!