The eighth issue of “The Unexplained” came out sometime during the summer of 1988. I remember being very proud of this issue. Looking back at it now, I can see the beginnings of the end of the first wave of our little pastime.
The growing tension(s) between the hardcore riders and the event organizers spilled out into the open at the two contests covered herein: NBL events in Rome and Jeckyll Island, Georgia. Call it a generational divide, a youthful restlessness that recognized that “freestyle” contests were kind of silly, or just the cyclical nature of so-called action sports, but it wouldn’t take long for such events to disappear completely.
Anyway, It looks like I’d figured out how to properly fill an issue with stuff. In addition to the BMX contests, there’s local (southeast Alabama) skateboarding coverage, an interview, zine and video reviews (the Plywood Hoods’ underground classic Dorkin’ in York), rumors, and more.
It’s also evident with this issue that I’d learned a bit more about cameras and copy machines. I hope you dig the results.