BMX star relives stunt at 50

A FORMER BMX champion has returned to Dundee to recreate one of his favourite childhood stunts.

Fifty-year-old Dundonian John Buultjens has ventured from his new property in California back to where it all began.

He set up on Monifieth High Street on Friday to reminisce about one of his most beloved memories, and to put his skills to the test 31 years on.

His favourite trick emerged back in 1991 when he crafted a ramp on the high street, jumped off it, and rode across the wall.

The memory is so significant to him that he decided to return to the area and recreate it as part of the celebrations for his 50th birthday.

He even rebuilt the original BMX bike that he used to add to the nostalgic return, as well as wearing the same jacket which features the tears and holes that it sustained during the original go.

John grew up in Drumchapel and would sleep rough just to avoid going home and being beaten.

John was picked up by local authorities after an altercation with his father and was fostered by Marianna and Eldridge Buultjens, who lived in the Kelvinside area of Glasgow, and took him to see the movie ET at the cinema in 1982.

Speaking to The Tele, John said: “That was when I saw a BMX for the first time.

“I saw it flying through the sky and I said, I’m going to do that. I want to do that.

“So after the film, my foster father searched around Glasgow for local BMX tracks.

“They were just up and coming in 1982, it was such a new thing.

“But eventually, we found a track. “My dad took me down and the organisers would let me have a go on one of their spare bikes.

Six days before his 11th birthday, John’s foster parents took him to their local bike shop.

He said: “That was when they bought me my first ever, chrome, BMX. And that was it.

“My parents let me ride it home from the shop. It was the first time that I ever really felt free.”

The memory of that first ride has been a defining moment for John.

John and his family moved from Glasgow to Dundee in 1986, when he was 14 years old.

Speaking about recreating the stunt 31 years later, John said: “I wish I’d been able to get a bit more height.

“The original ramp was just made out of old plywood and a couple of bricks. It was like a springboard!

“Today’s was a bit more sturdy, so it’s trickier. But I’m still so happy to have been back here today and to have done this.

“It’s all about the memories.”

John recreates one of his favourite stunts for his birthday.

Home from LA – John Buultjens.