X-Games Flop

So, I really normally don’t post my own thoughts on here ever. It is actually one of the last things I usually think about since I prefer to ask the questions and do reviews over anything else. However, over the last few days I have noticed a huge distaste in what has become of the X-Games….

*Note: this is my opinion…

I have been riding BMX for eight years now and I have seen a lot of things come and go. One thing I feel like I saw the majority of this time is the X-Games coming up, getting just massive, and now I feel like it is on its downfall.

To be entirely honest it was bound to happen. No matter what people say there is one thing that I feel is true, money changes people. Money is obviously important for the X-Games to keep doing what it does but you have to remember that it was started for the people watching, it is not for some corporate dudes who probably haven’t rode a bike or skateboard ever to fill their pockets.

If you recall the X-Games used to be like the Olympics, everytime they would do it at a new location and venue… However, the last few years it has been in L.A and no where else except for the off site surfing events… Which I don’t even think was in the X-Games this year was it? Whatever, I barely watched it anyways. I think that has really done some damage, I mean it has turned into the same thing year after year and the only real change is how “extreme can get” I mean seriously, nobody seemed satisfied this year too.

As I look around forums like BikeGuide.org and The Come Up Board all I see is threads about how bad the X-Games were this year. People are pissed because big air is almost killing people! Since when have people been pissed about seeing something rediculous? I think the limit has been getting close to being hit.

Dude almost dies! Pretty standard bail? What are you drunk!?

Then if you spend much time on BMX websites I am sure on at least one you came across the story about everyone hating on Nate Wessel about how the ramps were built. I honestly don’t feel it should be entirely his fault, you know somebody else had to design those plans for “extremeness” or something. But honestly, when the people who are being paid to ride those ramps are complaining, you know something is fucked!

I watched some videos of the “SUPER PARK” event and I seriously was sooooo bored. The skaters didn’t have anything they just cruised around it was like a really bad demo on some overly built ramps. Then if you watched the BMX guys you would see it was just like a never ending line that you could just go in circles for the two minutes or whatever amount of time they had. I watched Daniel Dhers run who typically blows my mind and it was just repetitive. I was so bummed, but I know it just is because there was such a limit to what was available to do. Imagine how much better park would have been if it would have been the courses of the past, or even the Dew Tour park?

I need a nap!

I think if the X-Games people who make decisions they will do a little research of what the hell happened this year because if they don’t change I can only see the “contest” a.k.a freak of nature show lasting maybe two or three more years before the ratings start shitting out real good because people just get bored. I can honestly say that I haven’t really had much interest in the X-Games the last few years and that I lost all respect when they took out dirt and almost took out vert.

So if somebody involves with the X-Games decision making comes accross this for some weird reason, pull your heads out of your asses and talk to the pros and people who are involved in the sports or industry and see where you should be. Forget the money, it will still come pouring in as long as you can put a huge Wendys ad or something somewhere.

/End Rant.

Maybe I am wrong, but that is just how I feel about this. Thanks for reading. I know the videos I used were all skateboarding videos but Youtube doesn’t have much for BMX videos..