Chad Kagy turns it up a notch in Denver. Jared Souney © 2006 Lat34

Even In Practice, Bike Vert Draws a Crowd

At half-past six Friday evening, the ramps of the vert park in the Pepsi Center's main arena were fairly quiet; just a few BMX riders lurking the platforms, taking some low-stress warm-up runs and sharing a few laughs. Only yards away however, spectators were steadily streaming in from the eaves to grab a seat near the open end of the pipe. By seven-thirty, there was a solid 300 people hooting and cheering in appreciation as the riders began to turn up the heat.

Early on, tailwhips, barspins, and flairs were the flavors of the evening. But when Dew Action Sports Tour standout, Kevin Robinson dropped in, the energy began to change. He immediately went for big air on his first run, with a grace and fluidity that almost served as silent challenge. On his second run he threw the first back-flip of the evening.  From then on, it was game on. Everyone on the ramps began to go big, punctuating almost every trick with a 'Top-That' attitude.

When Dew Tour 4th place holder Chad Kagy showed up to play, everyone's game went up yet another notch. Now there were two riders throwing 360's, 360 back flips, 540's, and more. And the crowd, loved it.

This was one of those rarely-seen times when some of the world's best Vert riders seemed to throwing down more for the fun it than anything else. Just the way they might if it was just them at the local park. Very cool!

From now on, BMX Vert Practice may be tops on my attendance list, if only for the entertainment value. Judging by the number of spectators around me, I'm not the only one.

-Hubie G.