Flatland Fever Rages On...

Well what have we here…?

Yep, new bike.

I’m a big believer in “if you’re going to do something, you might as well have the right equipment…” and as The Girl is excited about flatlanding, I thought I’d see if I could find her an actual flatland BMX as the park-riding BMX she had was a little too unwieldy for the kinds of tricks she’s trying to do.

Out of the box.

I’m also going to point out I am usually a big believer in buying local and supporting local bike shops… but… Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a smallish-girl-sized flatland BMX!? There really aren’t many options. If fact, as far as I am aware, there is one - the Ares STN 16” and flatlandfuel.com was about to hook me up with one…

I have to say, if you're into flatland and the buying online sort - or need a part or bike that you just cannot pick up locally - I had absolutely fabulous service from Flatland Fuel - from speedy responses to emailed questions to having my order packaged and shipped the same day I placed it! I would highly recommend checking them out. 

On the stand.

Packing stuff off – Oh yeah, it’s purple. The Girl’s favourite colour. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a PURPLE smallish-girl-sized flatland BMX!? Never mind, we’ve been through this…

The Girl had been down the street at Grandma’s when the bike arrived, but she gothome while I was still adjusting it and insisted on “helping out”

Assembled, adjusted, and ready to go!

As with pretty much every BMX (ever!) the hubs and bottom bracket were cranked super tight at the factory – but with a little adjustment they spun freely. I swapped out the freewheel – because I had a few kicking around and the one I put on I actually have a freewheel removal tool for – the one that came on the bike I was able to get off without the proper removal tool because it hadn’t been cranked on super tight yet and I gave it a few taps with a flat screw driver and mallet and then able to twist it off with my fingers… Altogether though, I’d say it’s a pretty sweet little bike.

So then we went riding…

We were only able to head out for a short ride Wednesday evening when it arrived as I had to get ready for a book club I was hosting and Amanda was heading out to teach yoga…

But we were out again Thursday morning – after picking up The Girl’s new helmet.

While picking up The Girl’s helmet, I also picked up a big-kid-sized flatland bike for Amanda to tool around on.

Trying to figure out that first elementary… I don’t even know what it’s called…? Spinning from this position to facing backwards (toward the back of the bike) with the fork/handlbars reversed… anybody know what I’m talking about…? What’s that called…?

The Girl isn’t quite to spinning, just trying to get balance and standing on different pegs.

And scuffing…

The Grrrlz and their new bikes. 

Okay, I have to admit I’ve been messing around on it too… I can almost do that spinney thingie… and I can scuff or coast backwards more than either of the Grrlz… but what Amanda took a picture of was me making a fool of myself pogoing on the back pegs (I can also do this on the front pegs… sort of…)

Then Amanda - figuring if a fat oaf like me could do it… - tried pogoing on the back pegs herself and realized it’s trickier than it looks.

Now to get out and ride these beasts EVERYDAY…. (until it snows…)