http://www.wethepeoplebmx.de/

Call That A Spot?

Joe Embrey and the art of making something out of nothing...

12 Dec 2018

Joe Embrey By Stu Barnaham Slab Slab Tuck

Words and Photos by Stu Farnham @againbmx

Back in December 2017 I moved from the sleepy market town of Bury St Edmunds, UK to the (relatively) bustling city of Norwich. I already knew of a few spots and at least one skatepark in the city but I was keen to do some investigating and find some new spots where possible. Now it was just a case of waiting for some decent weather to have a look around and see what was out there. 

Eventually, the seemingly endless winter of 2017/18 drew to a close. After a few exploratory missions I found a number of ‘nearly’ spots - things that looked almost rideable but they either weren’t big enough, had no run up/out or various other negating factors. Unwilling to completely write these off, I hit up Joe Embrey, knowing he’s down for a challenge and can always make something out of nothing when the need arises. I sent him pictures of the spots and he was indeed up for it. Having lived in Norwich himself a while back, it’s not entirely unfamiliar territory for him anyway. This is how the Non Spots idea began. 

But... owing to having a new baby in my life, about 30 weddings to attend over the summer, plus Joe’s commitments throughout the year, the opportunities to get the pictures were few and far between. We made it out a few times and were pretty productive - we even expanded beyond Norwich for some of the pictures. Joe always comes through so it was easy to get something each time we did manage to make it out. Plus, it was a good time so well worth the effort. Definitely glad we didn’t fall into the ‘nothing to ride’ trap that’s so easy to surrender to.

Joe Embrey By Stu Barnaham Academy Railhop2

A grass landing but this was a fun one. Shooting a photo straight into the sun is always a treat too.

Joe Embrey By Stu Barnaham Courts Tyreslide

Tried and tested Norwich spot given the tyre slide treatment at the often wall-ridden bank section.

Joe Embrey By Stu Barnaham Woodward Invert

Woodward, Norwich. Ish. Possibly the ropiest skatepark I’ve ever seen. Joe gets it done over the, ahem, ‘jump box’.

Joe Embrey By Stu Barnaham Hill Bank Footjam

Nasty run-up – check. Sharp bump at the bottom of the bank – check. Joe coming through, as ever – check.

Joe Embrey By Stu Barnaham Library Wride

This spot was riddled with broken glass and a ‘colourful’ selection of Thetford’s finest citizens. Favourite was the guy that wanted to take our names, then produced a set of handcuffs before shuffling off.

Joe Embrey By Stu Barnaham Roof180

Relatively small gap but this 180 was done under pressure – locals were circling and we were pretty certain the police were being called to get us out.

Joe Embrey By Stu Barnaham Whitewall Wride

Last spot of the project, a random white wall with barely slanted kerb/bank. Lovely lady kindly moved her shiny new BMW so we could have the spot to ourselves too.

Joe Embrey By Stu Barnaham Hop Cobble Bank Euro

Just around the corner from the worst skatepark in history, we found this decent bank. All good until someone parked their car right in the way of Joe’s ideal run-up

Previous

8 Things You Didn't Know: Jordan Godwin and The WTP Doomsayer Frame

Get up to scratch on one of the most anticipated frames of this year

Next

DIG 99.9 - Book Sold Out!

Annual Collector's Edition - Featuring The DIG Awards

Related Content

Profile Dungeon Rd 02

Forgotten Artifacts From Profile's BMX Dungeon

Some truly Old School history that you don't see every day...

16 Apr 2018
Tuck No Hander Final

Re-Print: Style Police - The No-Hander

Look Mom! Is my variation of this legendary style legit?

13 Apr 2018
Elsinore Park 3 Of 3

SETUPS: Matt Cordova

A first look at his new Verde rig

10 Apr 2018
Alex Raban Xup Grind Dig Bmx Volume 2018 Devin Feil

Alex Raban - Making Moves in Morro Bay

Quick Q&A with one of the most interesting characters in BMX

27 Mar 2018
Baco Rye Dscf0508

A little wild. Somewhat unpolished. Completely our own.

Looking back at Baco A Go-Go 2018

22 Mar 2018
Nathan Setups 2018 By7 U8125

Setups: Nathan Williams

New Sponsor, New Setup

15 Mar 2018
Metal Bomber

Born into Levangelism

Ben 'Bomber' Counter's Metal Bikes Memoirs

13 Mar 2018
Brad Podcast Screen

The Brad Simms Podcast

DIG X SNAKEBITE

12 Mar 2018
Mankind Thunder 20 Bike Matt Black 001

First Look: Mankind 2019 Completes

All New From The German Tech Masters

8 Mar 2018
Hoffman King Of Vert Finals January 27 1990

Why We Need To keep The UCI out of BMX, for now...

An Open Letter From Mat Hoffman

7 Mar 2018
Nepal By Gregbarnes  Dec2220

Universal Vibrations - Nothing's Wrong In Nepal

The resilience of the Nepalese is truly remarkable

7 Mar 2018
Etnies Spring 18 Signature

Productivity: ETNIES 2018 Spring Signature Collection

Devon Smillie's First Colorway & More...

6 Mar 2018
https://us.bsdforever.com/collections/bsd-revolution/products/revolution-hub

Latest Content

25wcj Qjx ZE8hqdefault
Play Button
Qie D Gmn Pwh Yhqdefault
Play Button

What's Happenin' at LUXBMX - Episode 3

Bike builds, Cribs update, Boyd Hilder and Josh Dove

8 Aug 2023
M Cc J0c N Va U Mhqdefault
Play Button

odyssey bmx - BROC RAIFORD - INCINERATE

part three of the Broc trilogy

7 Aug 2023
5 Gz W Fo N65 X Qhqdefault
Play Button

LATANE COGHILL | ANIMAL BIKES - 'LET EM HAVE IT'

Closing things out

7 Aug 2023
Z2tvoo4 Cco4hqdefault
Play Button
5u8 Qlcv L Us Ehqdefault
Play Button

S&M bikes - factory Friday - pond fest prep

Production & Pondfest

5 Aug 2023
7bmaqb S Cmgohqdefault
Play Button

Dennis Enarson - greatest hits 2023

Revisiting the vlog

5 Aug 2023
UC Fa Awhdohqdefault
Play Button

Subrosa - big boy - just livin’

Straight to the pedals

4 Aug 2023
Am V8ig G7 Yzkhqdefault
Play Button

Profile racing - Shane’s Day - episode 10

“We’re here, let’s rumble”

4 Aug 2023
Acz8g4 nyohqdefault
Play Button

S&M bikes - chris childs - built different

Wild in the streets

3 Aug 2023
Dan Banks USA 16 THUMB
Play Button

Dan Banks visits California - 'IN THE CUT'

A quick-fire Los Angeles exploration with Dan Banks

3 Aug 2023
IN PHOTOS: RINCON REAL BMX at XGAMES
IN PHOTOS: RINCON REAL BMX at XGAMES
IN PHOTOS: RINCON REAL BMX at XGAMES
IN PHOTOS: RINCON REAL BMX at XGAMES

IN PHOTOS: RINCON REAL BMX at XGAMES

The wildest hour of BMX ever televised?!

3 Aug 2023

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Dig book cover mock better CROP

DIG - THIS BIKE COULD BE YOUR LIFE - PRE-ORDER NOW OPEN

An all new photo book from DIG focusing on 30 years of D.I.Y. BMX culture

4 Aug 2023
Greystoke 1 stack low

GREYSTOKE BMX MAGAZINE - ISSUE 1 OUT NOW

A new magazine from DIG for BMX Lifers

29 Jul 2023
Boh bmx 2023 leader
JUGGERNAUT PEDAL 8

PRODUCTIVITY: ECLAT JUGGERNAUT PEDALS

A firm footing courtesy of Jordan Godwin and Eclat

27 Jul 2023
Bsd loading bay jam DIG SIZE

WELCOME TO GLASGOW - 30 YEARS OF DIG EXHIBITION & BSD Jam

See you at THE LOADING BAY on August 4th

8 Jul 2023
Kai 2

Yang Chun Kai Bike Check

Eclat's Taiwan Connect

4 Jul 2023
2015 FFF JEHU by sandy carson

IN MEMORY - RICK FROBERG

Paying our respects to a musician/artist who has had a huge influence on DIG

2 Jul 2023
Broc retaliate leader image

BROC RAIFORD TALKS 'RETALIATE'

"I don't know how to describe what I feel when a clip just has "it" but not all of them do."

30 Jun 2023
Dan Banks USA setups 2023 15

SETUPS - Dan Banks

Dan Banks goes stateside!

28 Jun 2023
Eclat Slash Alloy pedal group 01

PRODUCTIVITY: ECLAT SLASH ALLOY PEDAL

Save the dolphins!

22 Jun 2023
Tire fps cn6710wht

PRODUCTIVITY: CINEMA FPS TIRES

Introducing Cinema's all new FPS tire

21 Jun 2023
Cinema aspect headset grid

PRODUCTIVITY: CINEMA ASPECT HEADSET

Cinema's flat stack headset up close

21 Jun 2023