New Bike, Complete. New Beginnings, Begun.
Sorry for the poor photo but I wanted to share this with you as quickly as possible because it has changed my life. Funny how a “kids” bike can do that eh?
I don’t know if it’s apparent or not but I haven’t been much of a rider for a while. I’ve spent the past years focusing on career and family, as I know many of you do. Hell, this blog is focused on old school riders so I know who my audience is. You people work for a living!
I had been dusting off my old STA250 when I could but it wasn’t enough to pretend that I was still a “rider” in the true sense of the word. I rode everyday for many years to try and innovate and bring something new to Freestyle BMX, whether it was through my riding (ego) or through my bike company (super ego). Your comments and e-mails have given me a good look at how my contribution to BMX has affected you and I sincerely appreciate all of your correspondence and I can’t tell you how much it means to me. I’m no Mike Dominquez, Kevin Jones or even a Rick Moliterno but sure, I had my moment of being a “known” rider. It’s nice to hold onto those feelings and remember the excitement and fun of riding “professionally” but things change quickly and without notice.
The mistake I feel I made was to have loved this sport much more than I could handle. I started a bike company to express not only my commitment to this sport but to make my mark on it. It turned out to be more like squeezing a puppy so tight then suddenly realizing that you’ve squeezed all the air out of it. It seems like a grand idea to show everyone how much you care about something but then in the end, in my mind, I think I ended up killing what made me so happy. Being a rider gave me a lot. It gave me confidence and friendships that last till this day. It taught me that hard work and perseverance would allow me to achieve my goals in life. It made me believe that people were actually interested in my thoughts, feelings and ideas. Those are characteristics worth preserving and I tried to do just that though this blog.
I started this blog in 2006 to try to do something I’ve always done well, which is sharing. I was sending out links of things I saw on the Internet to so many riding friends I thought I would just consolidate it into one place. I had no idea where it would go. I felt that I was sharing information about not only BMX riding but also the things we as “mature” riders think about because what are we all in the end? We are showmen and creative people aren’t we? The whole reason I practiced and learned my first trick (back wheel hops) was because I wanted to show it to someone (my Dad). So that’s what this blog came to represent, another way for me to show you something without actually wowing you with some new “backwards” trick. It worked out and hundreds of people visit this site everyday. It makes me feel great that a lot of you find the same things that I do interesting. It truly does. The problem is this… I think after the past few years I started to fool myself that doing this blog was a lot like actually riding. It took this new bike and a few conversations to make me realize that not only should I share myself through this blog but also through my riding like I had started to do oh so many years ago. I learned an important lesson with this new bike. Some people prosper by “faking it till they make it” and others fool themselves by “making it then faking it”.
I don’t want to be and will not be the latter so I’m letting you all know now that if this blog isn’t as updated as regularly as it used to be please excuse me… I’m out riding.
Popularity: 48% [?]
April 26th, 2009 at 5:21 am
Ride on!
April 26th, 2009 at 5:43 am
Well done, but the seat is a bit high isnt it!!!!!
Keep it up and we expect to see the “new” riding as well. No excuses!!!!
April 26th, 2009 at 6:02 am
Amazingly accurate how you expressed some feelings that I also have about bmx and riding in general. I think this is part of what keeps the “old school” Freestyle heads connected. We all did something special out of our complete love for the sport.
Love the bike, and more importantly I am happy to see you enjoy it. I ended my 8 year hiatus from a BMX bike last summer and have enjoyed tooling around with it…and getting closer to “BMX shape” fitness-wise. I kick myself for such a hiatus. Always in heart, now in the garage as well.
April 26th, 2009 at 7:29 am
I don’t think the seatpost is too high. It works for Krt, and we know what he’s capable of. Have fun man, that’s what it’s all about. Break the ice baby!!!
April 26th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Are those Shimano Dx’s? How about a bike check for us Kurt?
April 26th, 2009 at 10:02 am
I was there when we were all a group, riding those local constests, to the B.S. comps and the Standard comps. I never made it out of Minnesota much. I mostly hung out with the guys from Rochester Minnesota. My best friends today are from biking. High school was hell, because of biking. I’m still trying to figure out sometimes, why I never quit and why i’m still to the day amazed by it.
That contest at the Target Center last night was sick!
I’m glad to see, you want to ride. Of course we can’t do what we used to. I just want to get a little air, and roll a round a bit. Someday when this biking is taken away from me, I want to be able to say, I rode as much as I could…
I don’t have a family or career.. Riding has obsessed me..So its my life.. nobody knows what’s going to happen tomorrow.. Keep it going out there. I’ll be riding also..
April 27th, 2009 at 12:27 am
Make sure some of those not so often posts are of your new riding adventures.
April 27th, 2009 at 12:53 am
nice. I agree, but as newly back on the bike as well, I can tell you typing does not make your chest burn and your arms ache… but its a great feeling.
April 27th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Thanks for that reminder to go out and ride, and thank you for this blog!
April 27th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
yes!!! so stoked for ya, krt!
April 27th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
This is wonderful! It’s so good to see many “old school” riders getting back into it…you might not progress at the level you used too, but don’t be discouraged. As long as you are loving it…that’s what matters.
I turn 36 this year…been riding since 1985, and can hardly imagine a life without riding. I recently got back into flat after being on a hiatus since 1990…figured my body was getting to old and crippled to continue riding street and ramps. I figure if my body can’t handle the riding, then I will adapt my riding to suit my body.
Krt, you have been an inspiration to many of us…and you continue to be so. Keep it up…and ride on!
April 27th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
[...] some awesome things we found in the mags pictured above. Oh and when you’re done, check out Krt Schmidt’s bike! All sorts of radness going on; f&r stoppies, chromies and posties. Plus, the [...]
April 27th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
BMX for life!!Don’t stop ridin!
April 28th, 2009 at 12:18 am
Thanks SO much for your kind words everyone. I sincerely appreciate everything and I hope you keep coming back! Please let me know if there is anything else I’m missing on the site. I love the feedback!
April 28th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Krt- It’s still fun. You have a great bike there. Welcome back.
April 29th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
What? No coaster brake?!! Lol. Good to have you back Krt, you helped make all those old Rampage contests so much fun.
April 30th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
We all love you Krt! Welcome back. You made more of an impact than you may ever know.
May 6th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Great looking bike. Welcome back!
May 23rd, 2009 at 12:18 am
Thanks so much for all the kind words….
April 6th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
I have to say Krt you don’t cease to amaze me! Your story is an inspiration.