Sam Pops The Question

This just in over the BMX News “Big Ears” ticker: Long Time BF/GF BMX power couple Sam Willoughby and Alise Post are engaged to be married. Sam popped the question on what appeared to be a waterfront stroll in beautiful San Diego Sunday afternoon.

Sam tweeted out the following this morning:

On a “picture is worth 1000 words” basis, it looks like Alise was surprised by the proposal–which is the best kind. It’s great seeing two of our friends so in love and so happy, and we wish them all the best in this new chapter of their lives together.

Behind the scenes: Sam enlisted the help of good buddy (and ace photographer) Derek Betcher to cook-up the surprise scheme. Here’s what DB told News

Sam and I collectively planned to fool her into a photo shoot “for Pull Magazine” on Coronado Island by telling her I wanted to shoot something different from the normal track side portraits. I might have been as nervous as he was because I had to lie to her face about the purpose of the shoot when she arrived, without cracking a smile. I was really froze out during the first few shots before he hit her with the question, but then once he popped the question it was all good.

She jokingly commented that it felt like an engagement photoshoot, and will be good practice for when Sam decides to propose. Seconds later he did, and at first she thought it was a joke I think until she saw the ring.

Above is the photo from seconds before the proposal, she still really had no idea why she was there, and I think we were all just laughing at this point to make it less awkward.

No word yet on when/where the nuptials will take place, but were sure it will be mindful of the racing schedule.

—Mike Carruth (photos courtesy of Derek Betcher, via Facebook)

Links

Sam Willoughby on Twitter

Alise Post on Twitter

BMX Wedding: Jake Reeder and Afton Schrimpf

BMX weddings are always the best kind of weddings. Probably because we get to see the people we see in BMX duds every week, showboat their wardrobe skills. Last weekend, Jake Reeder and Afton Schrimpf tied the knot in California. The reception was held aboard the world-famous luxe-liner, RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach Harbor. And what is a BMX wedding without cameo appearances by famous BMXers. Old Schooler Johnny Johnson was spinning the tunes in the DJ pit, and BMX Plus! Editor Ben Crockett was behind the camera.

Afton posted this on Facebook on Monday:

Jake and I would just like to thank everyone who came and shared our most perfect wedding day with us!!! It was such an amazing day and we truly are so thankful to all of our wonderful friends and family for being so great to us! And special thanks to Ben Crockett for capturing it in photos and Johnny Johnson for making our reception the best dance party ever!! #reederwedding

The happy couple is off the Europe for a honeymoon as we speak. We wish them all the best from their pals here at BMX News!

BMX Wedding Bells

Saw this on Instagram last night. Mike Day and long-time girlfriend, “Amazing” Leigh Walter were engaged over the weekend. Sorry ladies, now he’s taken for keeps. No word on the big day just yet, but we wanted to extend a big BMX News congrats to Mike and Leigh, and to compliment Mike on picking some tasty carats of the carbon variety.

In other wedding bell news, J&R Bicycles owner, Kirk Morrison got engaged a few months ago to his gal, Delaney Johnson. Wedding is set for early November, strategically timed during the lull between Disney Cup and the Grands. As any BMX wedding should be.

All the best to the brides and grooms-to be!

The Wildman Snaps the Gate, then Pops the Question

It was great to see The Wildman, Todd Lyons, in Chula Vista– suited up in his SE attack gear, and doing battle on the track, this time with the 36-40 Cruiser class. He made the main both days at the USA BMX So. Cal Nationals, scoring an 8th on day one, and a fourth on day two. Not bad for that stacked class.

Then, on Sunday, just before the semis jumped off, Todd and his long-time girlfriend, Mare Galletti, joined Mike Redman down by the finish line for an improptu “filling some dead time in the program” interview. After a few minutes of banter, Todd said:

“You know…I’ve done a lot of crazy things on a BMX Track in my life…backflips during a race, 360s during a race…but the craziest thing I have ever done at a BMX track…is goin’ down right now.”

With that, he produced a hinged box (from where, we don’t know, as he had his full race kit on), turned to Mare, got down on one knee and…POW! popped the question.

Here’s the video (via Rich Montalvo), complete with her acceptance

No word on a wedding date just yet, but we’ll keep ya’ posted.

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Engage!

Big BMX News congrats to ABA BMXer Editor Dan Mooney and girlfriend Emily Souza on their December 26 engagement. Dan reported on his Facebook page that he popped the question on the beach while the couple was on Christmas retreat in Oregon. A glimpse of the impressive engagement hardware can be seen in the above shot, also pinched from Dan’s Facebook page. No word on a wedding date, or if the ABA semi will be used as a wedding limo and mobile dressing room for the happy couple.

Congrats, Dan and Emily!