FactionBlog

Corporate Mags Still Suck

2009-06-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

In a rather obvious grab for “Street Cred,” Bonnier Corporation's Transworld Ride BMX Magazine has produced a shameful knock off of the Minnesota Faction’s iconic emblem. “Just like Peregrine tryin’ to jump on Skyway’s train back in ’85” said Faction OG, Mikko Peters, with a disdainful shake of his head. “Another shallow attempt to package cool and spoon feed it to America’s youth. Listen up Corporate America: The spirit of the Faction can’t be co-opted for your marketing campaigns.”

Paul Smith expressed bewilderment at Transworld’s readily apparent lack of technical understanding. “That’s a wheel without a hub. Where the hell you going to go without a hub? At least when I knock off somebody else’s design, I make it functional.”

An exasperated Bill Sympson summed up the Faction’s frustration. “Kids need to be made aware – nobody needs to subscribe to any Transworld publication to become a part of the Faction. All they have to do is show up at one of our Wednesday rides and be ready to skid the heck out of a lunch tray!”

MN Faction Wednesday night rides.

2009-06-04T12:18:00.000-07:00

They're BACK! Hit up vintagbmx.com member gatherings for the latest locations and times.

Happy Birthday Bill Sympson!

2009-05-29T06:57:00.000-07:00

Come out and ride the skatepark on Saturday with the Faction, and make fun of Bill for how old he's getting...Here's my stock photo of Bill riding - sorry if you've seen this one before...

Riding starts around 2 PM, afterward we will stop by Grumpy's in Roseville for dinner and Bill may possibly even have an alcoholic beverage (He limits himself to one a year.) So come out to Roseville!

http://skatetheoval.com/skate_park.php

Pictures from ride em' if ya got em'

2009-05-29T05:56:00.001-07:00

What the, What? Seira mist girls meet the Faction.

The ring leader

The man and THE bike!

Getting a ride to my new whip from Mike P.

Faction "Ride em if you Got Em"

2009-04-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Spring will eventually be here. Summer too. Someday.
In anticipation of summer and to kick off the season, we have put together another Faction ride. It's going to be winding throughout the city, stopping at various shops, bars and landmarks. Ride whatever you want, we don't care. We'll be stopping for lunch so tell your mom you need food and beer money.

What: Faction "Ride em if you Got Em"
Where: Meet at Calhoun parking lot, hit downtown, U of M, Grumpys Etc
Who: Anyone with a bike and a will to ride
When: Saturday, May 23, 11am 3104 W Calhoun Blvd, Minneapolis, MN, United States, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy. Memorial weekend if you don't have your calandar nearby.Details: Ride around town, stop and have a burger and beers somewhere and try not to get hit by cars. Steef will sign autographs as usual. $5.00.

Faction in print

2009-03-18T06:16:00.000-07:00

Check out the April issue of Ride BMX. Our very own Bill A got himself a letter published. And he didn't even get a snarky response from Fudger!
If you can't find a copy just check out the crappy, blurry cell phone pic. You may need a few drinks before you can read it though.

From SK8 park night It's Bill Sympson!

2009-03-01T09:44:00.000-08:00

Faction Winter Session

2009-02-05T09:55:00.000-08:00

Picture: STRIKE

It has been a bit quiet on the Faction front as of late... it's the dead of winter. No Winter Blast. No fun.

But things are changing. Winter is on its way out. The days are getting longer. Soon we will rejoice with windows rolled down with Whitesnake blasting and your stocking hat blowing in the wind. Winter will end. Dammit, WINTER WILL END.

But until then we need to get out and ride. And this is why we need a winter session. Nothing too serious so don't worry if you don't shred like you used to. We consider it awesome if both wheels leave the ground. Bonus if you ride away. Double bonus if you can do a trick 2 times in a row. New Factionites show up all the time, everyone is new sometime. Show up. We may even give you a ride home if you can't walk out under your own power.

Saturday, Feb 28th

Dinner:
7pm
Dimagio's Pizza‎12818 Main St, Rogers, MN
(763) 428-4726‎

Skatepark Session:
9pm-12m
Directions

Check 1 2

2009-01-29T10:47:00.001-08:00

Testing...is this thing on?

New Beginnings

2009-01-27T10:54:00.001-08:00

Faction Squadron Leader Mikko Peterson, Sheri (Mrs. Faction), and Faction Princess Bella, all welcomed a new ripper into the world last week. Meet Gabe Peterson!

8.4 lbs, 21.5" born 1/22. Welcome Gabe! Can't wait to see his wedge ramp skills in a couple of years!

Bike check 2009

2009-01-12T10:11:00.000-08:00

For the first bike check of 09, we have a bike that just last weekend was officially retired. We'll get a new check for Bill A's new ride once he gets it all dialed in.
So without further ado, here is (was) the ride of the Faction's very own B-Movie superstar, Bill Anstedt:
Name: Trogdor the burninatetor
Frame: S&M, Dirt Bike unsure of year (I'm guessing 97ish - Bill S.)
Fork: Volume Middleweight
Stem: Haro?
Bars: Kink Red Wing
Grips: Odi Roughneck
Front Brake setup: Diacompe Nippon w/tech 7 lever Odyssey Linear cable
Rear Brake setup: Diatech 990 w/ tech 7 lever Odyssey Linear cable
Seat: Primo Hemorrhoid sparkle blue
Seatpost: Primo Rod
Seat Clamp: Snafu
Cranks: Redline Flights 175mm
Sprocket: Kink
Chain: Shadow Interloc
Pedals: Odyssey Jim C
Tires: Primo front, Haro rear
Front Wheel: Sun laced to a Odyssey Vandero
Rear Wheel: Araya 7x to Odyssey cassette

Any Special modifications/custom bits? Cut down seat post. Poked some holes in my stem and seat post. Put a bit of plastic around my crank arm to protect it during grinds.

Any comments on the bike? It, like me, Digs fat chicks.

Merry BMXmas!

2008-12-24T15:12:00.000-08:00

26 years ago tonight, I got my best Christmas present ever: A Huffy Pro Lightning Team model. Saved me from a lifetime of crime. If it wasn't for BMX, I'd be dead or in jail. (Anyone who knows me knows that that is a joke.)

But it did add flavor to my life, and I am grateful for BMX and all it has given me. I wish I had a pic of me on that Christmas Eve, but nobody took one.

I hope some other kid gets a bike tonite or tomorrow, Christmas Morning, and that it takes hold of him like it did with me.

Merry Christmas Bros!

Faction Bike Checks!

2008-12-12T08:07:00.000-08:00

FACTION BIKECHECKS

Faction Bikcheck number 3. Figure I'd better run my own bike before the whole thing changes.
Let's check out the ride of MN Faction's own crash test dummy, author of numerous books, also known as the Southern Dandy - Bill "ride your damn age!" Sympson:

Frame: 06 FBM PW Moto
Fork: 04 Odyssey Race Fork
Stem: Shadow Conspiracy
Bars: Odyssey Spacebars
Grips: Primo Corey Martinez
Front Brake setup: What?
Rear Brake setup: Odyseey Evolution w/ Trigger Monolever
Seat: S&M Thin
Seatpost: Shadow Conspiracy
Seat Clamp: Fit
Cranks: RNC
Sprocket: Tree 30t
Chain: Shadow Conspiracy
Pedals: Animal Plastic Hamiltons
Tires:Fly Ruben front, Specialized rear
Front Wheel: Suzue 48 high flange/Demolition Zero Rim
Rear Wheel: Federal Freecoaster (11t)/Odyssey Hazard Lite rim
Extras: Pegs. Sometimes Shadow Conspiracy, sometimes Demoltion Dumbchucks (plastic coated)
Fly Cable hanger

Any Special modifications/custom bits? Cut the Bars down to 26" wide. A bit of rattle can fun & games.

Any Comments on this bike: Fave frame I've ever ridden. Carves like a knife.

Collin is 3!

2008-12-05T10:31:00.000-08:00

While I understand this may not be the exact place to announce this. I just wanted to any way. It's really weird that 3 years ago I was waiting for Collin to come into the world at this time and technically he was born just after 1 PM so yeah. Happy birth Day my little monkey!

Saturday Night's Alright for Riding

2008-12-04T11:05:00.000-08:00

After riding at Showcase Skatepark on a Saturday night a few weeks back, and quite literally having the place to ourselves, we thought we ought to make it a regular occurance.

So, henceforth, the first and third Saturdays of each month shall be known as Faction Night at Showcase.

Show up, flash your ID card, and pay whatever they ask you to. Seriously, they need the business. Buy some food and energy drinks while you are there too. Think about it, when we were young and good, what would we have paid to have this place? Yes, kids today take it for granted, but we shouldn't. We know better. Here's a 2-year old shot of Bill floating fakie over the hip at Showcase. Hope ya'll can make it out one of these weekends....

VANS ALIVE!

2008-11-27T19:07:00.000-08:00

So logged onto Vans.com on Thanksgiving Day, something that everyone ought to make into a habit as they offer an Annual sale that is quite good. You're probably seeing this too late to take advantage of it - sorry about that, I should have broadcast it here in advance.

But I found something else that I think maybe a few of you might be excited about...

Yep, that's right...all four covers from the KISS solo records on one pair of shoes. Pure Genius.

Happy Holidays From the Faction

2008-11-24T09:54:00.000-08:00

Oh. My. God.

2008-11-22T03:34:00.000-08:00

As a society, I thought we were done with scooters. But I guess somebody, somewhere, did not get enough Radabonzical Scooter action back in the 80's, and so now we must confront this.

I'm utterly speechless.

Anyone else do this?

2008-11-19T10:42:00.000-08:00

BITD I used to not have a lot of cash so i'd buy work style cotton gloves and draw BMX logos on them to make "fake" versions.

I did this today at work for some reason.

Bike Check!

2008-11-19T07:44:00.001-08:00

Bike Check number two. And we got a doozey. I proudly present the ride of Minnesota Faction: WI Division President, Wheelmaster of Osceola, also known as the SpineMaster - Paul "Smitty" Smith:

Name: Smitty
Frame: 07 DK CDL 21.25” TT
Fork: Odyssey Director
Stem: RetroBMX ProNeck
Bars: T-1 Small
Grips: Primo
Front Brake setup: None, but missing them already
Rear Brake setup: Fly Bikes Brake/Tech 77 lever/Slic Cable
Seat: Odyssey Aitken
Seatpost: Primo Rod
Seat Clamp: Pyramid Quick Release
Cranks: Fly Bikes
Sprocket: DK Iron Cross Lite 30T
Chain: KMC
Pedals: MKS Graphite X (KHE version)
Tires: Primo Dirt Monster
Front Wheel: I used to run this wheel on my race bike, it’s a 36 H Formula Hub with an Alex Rim, but that rim is rather tweaked due to a crash at Rockford in 2005.
Rear Wheel: A trashed Odyssey Hazard 48H Rim and Odyssey 11T Cassette Hub. I oughta be rocking some custom Smitty-built wheels, but I haven’t gotten busy on that yet.
Extras: I am rocking Grain Belt Premium Bar Tenders, and just installed a new device to keep my front hub clean. You plow through a lot of cheese when riding in Wisconsin, this critter should help.

Any Special modifications/custom bits? I rattle-canned the navy blue over the factory orange paint. Not that I am proud of the paint job…probably should have just left it orange. I am, however, very proud to rock the quick-release seat post clamp. Flag pole when you need it to pedal around town, slam it when you attempt to look cool.

Any Comments on this bike: I did recently conclude that I should no longer rock my bars Chicago style. They are now a hair-width behind straight-up-and-down. Not quite a new school set up, but getting closer. Thanks for the intervention, Bill.

*Rocking the term “Rock” throughout this bike check should be construed as Intentional Ironic Rockage, or IIR. Be careful out there. Wear your helmet. No rodents were harmed in the production of this bike check.

New Hoodie

2008-11-17T09:24:00.000-08:00

So I had to get new hoodie my brown one zipped up but didn't stay closed, GRRR. So I realy like hoodies I have 3 pullovers and 2 zip ups plus 2 cotton track jackets. I would love to think of myself as a stylish guy but I'm just not that picky. OK maybe I am cuz it took me a month to find this gem. At of all places J.C. Pennys. to be honest I really didn't want to spend more than $35. And as cool as some of the BMX CO. hoodies are I wasn't about to put down $50. or more for a hoodie. SO now I'm kickin old school with my space invaders hoodie. maybe I'll try and get a 3oth anniversary pin to go with it. Hmmm.

BB

Video of the Month

2008-11-10T20:56:00.000-08:00

Ok it's not a BMX video. But hey - we're rolling up on winter so why not Ice Skating?
This is freaking crazy. Imagine downhill BMX or Boardercross.
On ice skates.
2008 Red Bull Crashed Ice in Quebec. Red Bull puts on some of the coolest events.

Stealin' (When they should've been buying)

2008-11-07T19:38:00.000-08:00

As many of you are aware, my bike was stolen out of my garage on Halloween. Not my actual restored Magician; my green Haro Blammo POS. The beauty of a POS is that you don't care what happens to it...as long as "what happens" refers to "I broke it". A man's garage is his haven, and when somebody steals out of your garage, it's more than mere theft. It's the profaning of something sacred.

I ruminated on this for a few days, and in the meantime saw a barrage of e-mails about a recent ride at the Bloomington skatepark. That gave me the urge to go riding before snow fell...but I had no bike. I sat down in my living room and cracked a cold one. I could ride the Kuwahara, but the last time I rode that, I busted the brake bridge. No...too much work went into that, and I swore that it was officially retired.

Then inspiration struck.

I wasn't inspired directly by my son, but rather by what he was sitting on. After all, I bought and paid for that yellow giraffe. I examined the construction, which was surprisingly sturdy. I mean, my father-in-law's wooden ladder doesn't have rungs as thick as the frame on that little scooter.

I cracked another cold one, and thought about the possibilities. You can't ride even a 20" bike in a 1.5 story house. But, with littler wheels, suddenly all sorts of terrain seems plausible. I cracked another cold one, and decided to give it a try.

You gotta admit, the one-handed "metal"-sign coffee table footplant is rad, even for a fat man. I was stoked. I was rockin'.

I slipped.

The after-the-fact analysis showed that the extremely short top-tube length of the wooden giraffe led to me looping out upon landing. It certainly was no lack of talent or coordination.

Once again, I ruminated on the loss of my prized ride. Seriously, a Haro Blammo with mags!!! That was such a sweet bike! I took another swig and thanked God and whoever else would listen that I hadn't wasted a bunch of grip tape on it yet. I cracked another cold, refreshing beer and considered it further. "That bike is irreplaceable." Granted, I had only ridden it twice, but we had totally connected. I hadn't gotten the chain tight, or the brake functional, or pegs or a front brake on it...or the tires properly inflated...but we were totally as one. Me and the Green Meanie. My eyes welled up as I ruefully thought about my beloved Old-Mid-New-School rider. I actually had nearly pulled a no-front-brake tailwhip on that bike. Man, I was like Chase Gouin or something.

It was at that point that, if this was a cartoon, a dim light bulb would have flickered above my head. Chase Gouin. That man is an inspiration to this day. Who would have really thought to ride brakeless to improve their flatland? In my rather square Norske farmboy world, that was considered "too lazy to set up brakes"...but it wound up being totally innovative. I mean, who has taken it further?

I cracked another beer, and considered the next step. Crankless? Been done. Pegless? Call anybody who freestyled in the early 80s.

Bikeless. The concept was intriguing, and I considered it further. Who does flatland without a bike? The risks are too great! What can I do with no grips to grab, and no seat to sit on? But...it had to be tried. My first trick was a no-handed Hang Five.

I didn't even touch. I put together a full routine, stringing together tricks effortlessly. The grace, speed, and excitement was akin to Megadeth's "Rust in Peace". The technicality was unmatched. When I was done, I was soaked in sweat and satisfied with a job well-done.

I cracked my last beer, and glanced at the label.

"10.2%abv. 10.2%...that means that I've drank 12 beers in the last 2 hours.......uffda, I gotta go to bed..."

Consider your feet...

2008-11-07T07:40:00.000-08:00

That headline comes from an article my buddy wrote for our high school newspaper. I think he advocated Georgio Brutini shoes and Polo socks.

I'll just mention that the punk-in-drublic folks at Surly have some new socks. Ask your local bike shop to get some - these are apparently called the "Blockhead" sock - the perfect compliment to your old "Chuck Brown" Homeboy T.

I've been running Surly socks for a couple years now (no, not the same pair - I have several in rotation.) The ones I've got are typically made of thin Merino wool. They're amazing...somehow they are not hot in the summer, but yet they seem to offer added warmth when it is cool. I can't figure it out, but some things shouldn't be questioned - just appreciate the gift to humankind that is a Surly sock.