mutsy88

@4823904823041: Totally agree, and I'm not looking back with rose tinted goggles - there's always been a minority who acted like idiots, and to a greater or lesser extent that counter-culture element has always been part of bmx in the same way its always been part of skateboarding. I remember going to my first bmx jam in the early 2000s and watching someone hop onto and ride over a parked car - not someone who was at the jam, just some saloon car that was parked up nearby. I felt bad but as a young teen i just went along with it because that's what the older guys did. I guess the only difference is that as i get older I'm noticing it more because it irritates me more, particularly where I see companies promoting the behavior and making money off it.

I've been riding BMX for 20 years this autumn and still love it. I've dug my own trails (still do when i have time), and even helped setup and build an indoor park and made some life long friendships from riding bikes. I used to love the community but nowadays the more i see, the less i want anything to do with it. I'm increasingly turned off by BMX culture and the 'destroyer of rails' is a prime example why. It just seem to be more and more focused on having a 'f***-you' attitude to other peoples stuff and glorifying damage, trespassing and vandalism. Maybe its an age thing and linked to me buying a house and starting to have my own 'nice' stuff but it just really grates on me. I cant help but think of that wall/rail/roof/car that they are damaging being my stuff, or my kids school etc. and the hassle and financial stress that would cause others, just so someone can have a 5 second video clip for Instagram. My 4 year old loves bikes, and we go to the skate parks and pump tracks on weekend mornings and i could not be happier that we get to share that as a hobby. Most of the kids there are great, and parents are so happy to see their kids outside doing exercise. But then you go online and its just people promoting drugs, smashing stuff up, fighting security guards and generally act like idiots. It's a shame because I think it holds BMX back from getting more recognition, and keeps it as a hobby that people always assume is for rebellious teens and rebels. Anyway, rant over. Pick up your damn litter and respect other peoples stuff. #OldManShoutsAtSky

Had an inkling I knew what this referred to. Went and checked. Suspicions confirmed.