A good few years back now, I’m talking 2009. We did an article in issue 133 with the guys in Iraq for the first time. The issue with Bas Keep airing that 30ft quater. One of my personal favourite issues of all time for sure. We also had a video to which you can watch here – https://rideukbmx.com/news/rideukbmx-iraq-war-torn-bmx.html

Since then, this team have been going back to Iraq to do demos for the troops and recently a full video documentary has been released and available to buy on itunes. – https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/bikes-over-baghdad/id601738494 Check out the trailer below and be sure to watch the film.

This isn’t a typical action sports film of guys doing insane tricks in remote locations (though it has that), this isn’t a story about the sacrifices our soldiers make day in and day out (though that is in there as well), and this isn’t a story of a group of friends going on an adventure (though, again, there is that). This is a story about what happens when people give for the good of others. When people put their own safety aside to make someone’s life a little better, and how selflessness can change lives.
Bikes over Baghdad ended up traveling to the middle east six seperate times with each tour roughly two weeks in length. We faced extreme conditions, mortar rounds, IED’s, injury, exhaustion and more, but we never missed a show. And while our team read like a who’s who of action sports, egos were put aside and nothing short of a series of miracles were performed.

It seems like a stretch to say riding BMX bikes for the troops could actually change their lives, but this film will show just how special of an experience this was for thousands serving in the Middle East, and hopefully it’ll serve as a reminder that we all have the power to initiate change in our own unique way.
This is Bikes over Baghdad.