https://kinkbmx.com/collections/handlebars

Scene and not Heard - Buga, Colombia

New 'crete, and new clay.

22 Feb 2016

Spinoza  Bmx  Colombia  Phtojrnl 1 Fttble  Rd

Joey Spinoza, letting loose on possibly the funnest right hip in the whole country.

Words and photos by Rob Dolecki

Early in 2015, after hosting a public trails spot in a rundown near-abandoned city park for a few years (with the infamous thorough-the-tree last set), the city of Buga, Colombia, located about 45 minutes from Cali, decided to renovate the entire park, which meant relocating the trails to a different area. The Colombian trails BMX ambassador turned coffee farmer, Alejandro Caro, who was responsible for getting the original trails established, took the opportunity to construct his first concrete park, and a trails line around the perimeter in the new location. In celebration of Skatepark Ciudad Paradiso’s completion, Alejandro worked with the city officials to throw a grand-opening jam last month, and cordially invited Ohio transition roaster Nick Bruce and me to spend a week at his new house overlooking the city and adjoining valley, chill and attend the jam.

This was my third time visiting Colombia, and hopefully not my last. Despite the drug-related crime and violence that has plagued the urban areas over the years, Colombia really is a beautiful place. And thanks in part to Alejandro’s incessant drive to create places like Skatepark Ciudad Paradiso for the riders, the riding scene in the Buga area is solid, and continues to grow, both in numbers and talent. The BMX spirit here is as pure as it gets.

Here’s a glimpse into the new park and trails section in Buga, and the current scene of park and trails shredders located throughout the country, via photos compiled during my week’s stay.

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing
Ruiz  Bmx  Colombia  Phtojrnl  Whip  Rd

Stuard Ruiz doesn't really speak much English, and I don't speak much Spanish, but “Tú hacer style-whip like Chase Hawk de nuevo, por favor?” was enough Spanglish to get the point across.

Cardozo  Bmx  Colombia  Phtojrnl  Tble2  Rd

Jhoan Cardozo hit the Tom Dugan boost button repeatedly over this hip and quarter; his altitude was almost interfering with the flight patterns of the native birds.

Imagine waking up to this scenery every day. Back in the day, Pablo Escobar couldn't have found a better view. You could say Alejandro Caro picked a prime spot when he built his house.

There’s some strange vegetation in the Colombian jungle, and it’s not coca plants.

Pardo  Bmx  Colombia  Phtojrnl 360  Rd

Everyone calls Andres Padro “Shapol”. I call him a badass. Arguably the smoothest, most stylish transition rider in Colombia at the moment. I also witnessed him do a hundred foot-long rail ride that had a forty-plus-foot death drop one side, two times. It didn’t even phase him.

Ruiz  Bmx  Colombia  Phtojrnl  Nhndr  Rd

Stuard Ruiz cuttin' up that rug. The influence of Florida and Brazil's carpet-covered landings has expanded to Buga, at least during the parched dry season.

Bruce  Bmx  Colombia  Phtojrnl  Flrnhndr  Rd

Before beginning construction on his new concrete baby, Alejandro hit up Joe Rich about tips on the proper transition radius. The result is a near perfect concrete quarter replica of the 7 ft mini-ramp section of the T-1 ramp. If you squint hard enough, you could almost make out Chicon Street behind Nick Bruce’s flair no-hander.

DIY part one: the average Colombian usually doesn't have funds to be blowing on the latest camera stabilization devices; sometimes you gotta make do.

DIY part two: apparently it's same with grips.

Canas  Bmx  Colombia  Phtojrnl  Fliptdwn  Rd

The bamboo trees growing in the Buga/ Cali region are humongous. And what better renewable source to use for lip and landing encasement construction material. This look Alejandro has created for the trails is one-of-a-kind. Builder and daily trails maintenance man Rafael Cañas enjoying the fruits of his labor.

Rafael contemplating how many landing case marks he's going to have to fix at the Buga trails. The way most locals ride, it was basically zero.

Welcome to the future. Lizsurley and Kueensaray Villegas Serna are twins who live a few blocks from the new park in Buga, and picked up bikes for the first time about five months ago. These young females are now regulars, and their natural talent is already evident. In about three or four years, it’s going to be crazy to see how much they have progressed.

Ruiz  Bmx  Colombia  Phtojrnl 270 Tdown  Rd

No razor blade required. The lines are endless at the Buga concrete wonderland. Turndown 270 courtesy of Stuard Ruiz.

Mogollon  Bmx  Colombia  Phtojrnl 270 Can  Rd

Michael Mogollon is a prime example of one of many "unknown Colombian kids who rip". It seems like there's an army of them that grows almost daily.

The usual facial expressions of all the Colombian riders- huge smiles across the board. Ivan Mosquera and Stuard.

I met Daniel Giraldo in June of last year in Mexico City, where he happened to be staying indefinitely. Like many Colombians, he's an A.T.S. (all-terrain-shredder). Through my very primitive Spanish skills, I found out he has the nickname “Minus"- still not sure what that means in English, though.

Cardozo  Bmx  Colombia  Phtojrnl  Tble1  Rd

Did you know that Joey Spinoza had moved to Colombia since he came out of jail? Well you do now..

On the final day of our stay, Alejandro was kind enough to drive Nick and I 45 minutes over to Tulúa to check out another set of public trails he was behind building a few years ago. The main section is no joke- a wild setp-down drop into head-height booters that take you to the moon...

... unfortunately for us, a random storm came through the previous night and turned everything into a flooded pile of mud. Next time...

Porras  Bmx  Colombia  Phtojrnl 3 Tble  Rd

FIT made a smart decision when they decided to hook up Cristian Porras a few years back. This dude is the nicest, both on and off his bike. Stylin' as always, from the Colombian Dr. Smooth.

Previous

The Keith Treanor Podcast

Finding a way back to BMX

Next

Street Responsibility - When To Step In

Decisions, Decisions...

Related Content

Keith Terra - 20 Years of Posh Photo Gallery
Keith Terra - 20 Years of Posh Photo Gallery
Keith Terra - 20 Years of Posh Photo Gallery
Keith Terra - 20 Years of Posh Photo Gallery

Keith Terra - 20 Years of Posh Photo Gallery

" I feel honored that I’ve been welcomed into this scene with open arms..."

12 Jun 2015
The Stoke is High - Snapshots of Eastside
The Stoke is High - Snapshots of Eastside
The Stoke is High - Snapshots of Eastside
The Stoke is High - Snapshots of Eastside

The Stoke is High - Snapshots of Eastside

"We shared a lot of good laps in these woods this past season"

2 Dec 2014
11025576 10153263181939309 1427836454 o
Play Button

Cristian Porras - Woo From Colombia!

Colombia meets Austin

31 Mar 2015
Scene and Not Heard - Mexico City
Scene and Not Heard - Mexico City
Scene and Not Heard - Mexico City
Scene and Not Heard - Mexico City

Scene and Not Heard - Mexico City

Wooden kickers, dirt landings, and an endless skyline ripe for exploration...

18 May 2015
Panamoka trails bmx burning tire KT

The Life and Death of Panamoka Trails

Love and Hate in New York State through the lens of Keith Terra

11 Feb 2015
MUTINY BMX MTNYCTTY PA BKES RD

Cruising That Catty Clay

Mutiny's week-long Autumn stay at one of the best trails in the world.

1 Dec 2014
Jay LONERGAN BMX BERMRAOST POSH RD

Re Print: Jay Lonegran - Over 30 and Still In The Woods

A dedicated soul who has found something more to BMX than just doing tricks on a bike...

5 Mar 2015
Maintain  I  V  Cover  Photo

MAINTAIN I.V - A Video Travelogue

Watch the full video and take in a few facts about Chapters I and I.V...

15 Dec 2015
Slc Deadseas Screen
Play Button

DIG Trails - Deadseas - SLC Tanner Trails

The DIG Trails video series continues

19 Jan 2016
2014 Unseen Photo Gallery- Rob Dolecki
2014 Unseen Photo Gallery- Rob Dolecki
2014 Unseen Photo Gallery- Rob Dolecki
2014 Unseen Photo Gallery- Rob Dolecki

2014 Unseen Photo Gallery- Rob Dolecki

15 pics from the U.S. East Coast and the West Coast, with a few Southern Hemisphere snaps for good measure...

1 Jan 2015
https://kinkbmx.com/collections/handlebars

Latest Content

C0 G Unj H b I4hqdefault
Play Button

MIR NG - "TAIWANS GOT IT"

DIG LOCALS

8 May 2025
Xz0 VK8 Pt2zshqdefault
Play Button

'CHICAGRE'

Grenoble, France

7 May 2025
Renato relapse thumb
Play Button

RENATO RANCSO - 'RELAPSED' | LUXBMX

Welcome To LUX!

5 May 2025
7 JQEG Vlz Iq Ahqdefault
Play Button

TOM MARSH - INTERVIEWS EP3 - BMX Direct Thailand

Scotland in Thailand

5 May 2025
It Hsd B Fav Qkhqdefault
Play Button

Dennis Enarson Game of Bike: Jason Watts Vs. Kevin Peraza

High level heaters at Clairemont

2 May 2025
Michael dickson x dig thumb
Play Button

MICHAEL DICKSON X DIG

Whip it real good

1 May 2025
HR55 De6 DEQ4hqdefault
Play Button

Sietse van Berkel - Thread - 2025

Signature style from one of the best.

1 May 2025
Zqqpc P1 Xpu Ehqdefault
Play Button

KINK - Best Of THIRTY Compilation

Choice cuts

1 May 2025
Lqi T5 W Wue Gkhqdefault
Play Button

Launch Box - Spring 2025 - A Profile Mixer

Spring season randomness

1 May 2025
Upa XUT1r Ctkhqdefault
Play Button

CONCRETE PARADISE

ft. Jack Hennicke, Willem Jorgensen & Kevin Bass

30 Apr 2025
Kx6 Pew BD2 V Ahqdefault
Play Button
Mt1 Zn6 N Go Uhqdefault
Play Button

Radical Sabbatical - NorCal Mix

Off the job training

28 Apr 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Vans 11 27 21 014 Bruno Gap wall

BRUNO HOFFMANN INTERVIEW - 'FOREIGN'

"I think the scene is doing good..."

21 Apr 2025
RIXIN BIG APPLE ANGLE RAW ON WHITE 2500

PRODUCTIVITY - RIXIN Big Apple Frame

Billy Perry's signature frame - Built around what he needed.

8 Apr 2025
Rad teaser

Rad Day 2025

Anniversary movie screenings and RAD documentary release.

18 Mar 2025
Expert Top 3 Roll On crop

REPO: Keeping it local at the UK 'ROLL ON' Flatland Jam

"My desire was to give something back" – Mike O'Connell

5 Mar 2025
Snow Fight – Naoki Gaman2

20 Tips For Surviving Simple Session 2025

Check yourself before you wreck yourself!

20 Feb 2025
SS finals samples 4

SIMPLE SESSION 25 WRAP UP

Highlight videos, results and more

19 Feb 2025
Street station graphic

STREET STATION RETURNS for 2025

"Not your average BMX jam"

18 Feb 2025
Stack

DIG BOOK #2024

AVAILABLE VIA THESE BIKE SHOPS AND DISTROS

30 Dec 2024
New dig apparel main image

NEW DIG BMX APPAREL

Available now

27 Dec 2024
30 YRS POSH BOOK MNTN V V 004

(Almost) 30 YEARS OF POSH WOODS

Now available

24 Dec 2024
BSD Grime Safari Reed Stark Austin 6

Reed Stark - A Photo Safari

Safari Forever...

6 Dec 2024
Et FW24 Dig Magazine Collab Shoot 031

Introducing the DIG X ETNIES Collection

Celebrating a 25 year partnership

7 Nov 2024