ESPN BMX

In the beginning of the '90s, BMX freestyle came about as close to being dead as possible. There was a small but dedicated worldwide crew of people that rode and pushed BMX, but no support network, and virtually no industry support. Then a select few took BMX into their own hands, reignited the concept of rider-owned BMX companies and got to work creating bicycles and components that could withstand the demands of the riding. Eventually, the concept of rider-owned caught on, and riders no longer needed or wanted the few big name brands of BMX bikes. Rider-owned companies, such as Hoffman, Standard, S&M and Homeless began to control the fate of the industry. And to this day, rider-owned is still the established paradigm within the industry.

From there, the can-do approach to controlling the industry moved outside the realm of traditional BMX company and into somewhat newer territory, the logical next step, rider-owned BMX shops. Who better to serve the needs of the many thriving BMX communities the world over than seasoned BMXers looking to give back? Look anywhere you want. If there's an area with a good scene, then chances are good that there's also a good rider-owned BMX shop. And speaking of good rider-owned BMX shops, let's talk Goods.

Goods BMX was founded just over four years ago by Shad Johnson and Rich Hirsch. The Portland, Oregon shop was the first boutique-style BMX shop of its kind in the area, and it was a welcome addition to the Portland scene. Not long after the shop opened, Rich bowed out gracefully to concentrate on Lotek and Fremont, handing over full control to Shad, who balanced the shop alongside periodic filming gigs at Props.

Somewhere in the middle of this, it was decided that the shop needed a ramp. Portland isn't too forgiving in the winter, and until very recently, there haven't been any bike-friendly indoor parks in the area. Plus, being a rider-owned shop, having a ramp seems to be a natural extension of the business. (Just ask Edwin Delarosa and Post Bikes in Brooklyn.) So it was settled. Lotek paid for the materials and Goods got a mini ramp, complete with a flat bottom constructed out of wooden crates.

According to Shad and Rich, the mini ramp lasted just over two years, from November 2007 to January of 2009. "It was the only dry spot to ride in the winter other than a parking garage," says Rich. The craziest thing to go down in that time? According to both of them, it was Sean Sexton flairing the ramp. "He squeezed in between the lights," says Shad. "If you've ever seen it, that's real crazy," adds Rich.

But all good things must come to an end, including the Goods/Lotek ramp.

The reason for the end of the mini ramp were two fold. "I needed room to actually have back inventory and to make Nick Kirkland and Brad Tibbett mad," says Shad. And though he's kidding about making his friends/ramp locals mad, there's more to it than that. "The people next door were not feeling it at all. Their stuff would fall off the walls every time we rode," adds Rich.

So Shad got some extra room for inventory, and Goods is also keeping their neighbors a little happier. But before it all came to an end, one final session was to be had. To document the session, Dean Dickinson made the short drive across the Columbia River to Portland, and filmed/edited the above video. I could go on and on about having a good mini ramp session with your friends in a rider-owned and driven scene like Portland, or I could just say that Shad and Rich have done an awesome job at taking the rider-owned concept to the next level on their own terms. I think I'll go with the latter. Enjoy the vid.

And if you're in the Portland, OR area, stop in to Goods BMX and say hi.

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