By Jason “Schwinny” Schwinabart
What happens when you combine world-class bike skills, 28+ hours on the road, a lineup of international cycling legends, and a jam-packed event schedule? You get two of the most intense—and unforgettable—weeks of my life.
Bentonville Bike Fest 2025: Where Legends Converge
Andrei Burton was back in the States for Bentonville Bike Fest, and we took full advantage of every second. Sleep? Not really an option.
Joining us were my good friend Brooks Richardson from Baltimore’s 410 Crew and a global cast of old friends and new faces. The vibe was electric from the moment we arrived.
Bike Fest 2025 was packed with legendary athletes including Jeff Lenosky, Hans Rey, Jack Carthy, Sam Hlavarty, Matt Jones, and more. Having Jeff and Hans watching the trials comp from the sidelines was a testament to their lasting passion for the sport.
Dialed Action Sports: Making BMX Accessible
This year, Dialed Action Sports partnered with Yardi Mountain Bike Features and Strider Bikes to create an interactive fan activation. Big thanks to Ryan, Nicole, and Kirsten from Strider! This hands-on experience gave the public a direct window into what we do—both at major events and in our grassroots school assembly programs.
We also collaborated with YouTube kids’ sensation Brecky Breck on a fun skit where Andrei showed off his bike skills up close and personal. The crowd loved it!
Podcast Highlights and Hilarious Moments
We had a blast appearing on the Gnarkansas Podcast, Naturally Gnar, with Scott and Brandon, alongside Chris Clark, co-owner of Dialed Action Sports. We discussed our “Get Out and Play” School Assembly Tour, upcoming shows like the Detroit Grand Prix, and even the Bermuda Agricultural Exhibition. Huge thanks to the guys for the invite!
Another highlight? Finally connecting with Matty Pengelly and Tom “The Taxi Driver” from the Shindig Podcast. They’re passionate storytellers, great MCs, and absolutely hilarious. Jack Carthy getting hooked on Brooks’ deer hunting stories became the running joke of the weekend.
Also in the mix: Micah Kranz from Division BMX and Catfish—two of the funniest and most legendary personalities in BMX. It was a treat seeing them again.
Epic Parties, Wild Energy
The parties matched the energy of the riding. Things kicked off at The Ledger, where Tom Walton spoke about doing business in Bentonville. It set the tone for an incredible week.
The YT Mill Afterparty was standing-room only. The energy was off the charts, with live sets by Paul Wall and Big Privilege, hosted by the iconic Brett Tippie.
And then there was the Hub Afterparty—an unforgettable night surrounded by our entire crew: Jeff, Jack, Hans, Andrei, Sam, OZ Shredders, Flpside, the Hyper BMX Team, and more. It felt like being in a living highlight reel.
Huge thanks to all the volunteers and to Kenny Belaey, whose passion is the heartbeat of Bike Fest.
Detroit Grand Prix: Bikes Meet Motorsports
Right after Bike Fest, Andrei and I hit the road—14 hours straight to Detroit for three intense days of bike stunt shows at the Detroit Grand Prix.
We performed in front of thousands of racing fans and even fit in a photo shoot with pro BMX photographer Josh McElwee. His ability to capture the heart of action sports is unreal. Stay tuned for those shots!
Helicopters, Content Creation, and Walmart Associate Week
With no time to rest, we drove another 14 hours straight back to Arkansas to link up with the crew at Legends Air Center at Thaden Field. There, we filmed an epic aerial shoot with Aksperience, Denis, and Anna. Big thanks to our pilot, Stan, for the ride and the new perspectives.
From there, it was off to the Walmart Associates Expo in Fayetteville. We delivered two full days of high-energy bike shows for our partners at Bell Helmets, CamelBak, and Blackburn. Thousands of associates and guests turned out—and even running on fumes, we gave it everything we had.
As soon as the last show wrapped, Andrei jumped on a flight back to London to continue his tour across the pond.
Final Thoughts: All This Because of a Bike
A lot went wrong—equipment failures, last-minute changes, unexpected curveballs. But we adapted, solved problems, and kept the show rolling.
Working with Andrei Burton is always an honor. He’s a world-class athlete and a true professional. We worked hard, played hard, and made memories we’ll never forget.
To everyone we met, collaborated with, and laughed with—thank you. Your energy and support made it all worth it.
We’re both running on empty, but I wouldn’t trade a single moment. The hustle was worth it.
Huge shoutout to Jocko Fuel for keeping us moving when we needed it most.
Until the next one…
— Schwinny
