YORK TOWN SQUARE

Photos: The history of freestyle BMX in York, Pa.

Brett Downs, a BMX biker from York, grips the handlebars of his bike at Reid Menzer Memorial Skatepark in York on Tuesday, April 19, 2016.
Brett Downs, a BMX biker from York, grips the handlebars of his bike at Reid Menzer Memorial Skatepark in York on Tuesday, April 19, 2016.
Abigail Geiger, York Daily Record
Downs is one of the founders of the Plywood Hoods, a BMX crew that started in York in 1984. Many of the freestyle BMX moves still used today were created by early bikers.
Downs is one of the founders of the Plywood Hoods, a BMX crew that started in York in 1984. Many of the freestyle BMX moves still used today were created by early bikers.
Abigail Geiger, York Daily Record
Pictured is a flatland freestyle BMX move. Parking lots are favored spots for BMX bikers.
Pictured is a flatland freestyle BMX move. Parking lots are favored spots for BMX bikers.
Abigail Geiger, York Daily Record
Downs has been riding BMX since the early 70s, when he was a kid.
Downs has been riding BMX since the early 70s, when he was a kid.
Abigail Geiger, York Daily Record
Though Downs is pictured above the bowl at the Reid Menzer Memorial Skatepark in York, his specialty is flatland freestyle BMX riding, which is done in generally flat, open, paved spaces.
Though Downs is pictured above the bowl at the Reid Menzer Memorial Skatepark in York, his specialty is flatland freestyle BMX riding, which is done in generally flat, open, paved spaces.
Abigail Geiger, York Daily Record
Downs is pictured in an aerial move at Reid Menzer Memorial Skatepark. His lifetime BMX focus, however, has been on flatland, which consists of tricks and trick links, when several tricks are performed together, in wide open paved spaces.
Downs is pictured in an aerial move at Reid Menzer Memorial Skatepark. His lifetime BMX focus, however, has been on flatland, which consists of tricks and trick links, when several tricks are performed together, in wide open paved spaces.
Abigail Geiger, York Daily Record
The pedal and chain is pictured on Down's Hoffman bike. The bike company's namesake Mat Hoffman is an American BMX biker who's focus on vert (vertical) ramp biking.
The pedal and chain is pictured on Down's Hoffman bike. The bike company's namesake Mat Hoffman is an American BMX biker who's focus on vert (vertical) ramp biking.
Abigail Geiger, York Daily Record
Kevin Jones is pictured mid-air in 1983.
Kevin Jones is pictured mid-air in 1983.
Submitted
A team photo shows Kevin Jones, Dale Mitzel, Brett Downs, Mark Eaton and Jamie McKulik in 1989.
A team photo shows Kevin Jones, Dale Mitzel, Brett Downs, Mark Eaton and Jamie McKulik in 1989.
Submitted
Mark Eaton is pictured riding BMX freestyle in an undated photo.
Mark Eaton is pictured riding BMX freestyle in an undated photo.
Submitted
Brett Downs is seen riding BMX in 1986.
Brett Downs is seen riding BMX in 1986.
Submitted
Downs currently lives in Philadelphia, and still comes down to York to bike with his friend and fellow longtime BMX biker Kevin Jones.
Downs currently lives in Philadelphia, and still comes down to York to bike with his friend and fellow longtime BMX biker Kevin Jones.
Abigail Geiger, York Daily Record
Brett Downs and Kevin Jones, both longtime BMX bikers, are pictured in a parking lot in York.
Brett Downs and Kevin Jones, both longtime BMX bikers, are pictured in a parking lot in York.
Abigail Geiger, York Daily Record