Life is Better When You Take the Jump: A Look Back at RAD
GUEST POST by Bill Allen
A showbiz veteran of over forty years, Bill Allen is known the world over as “Cru Jones”, the hero from the iconic BMX movie RAD, and has become a beloved ambassador for action sports ever since. With the Cru Jones character returning in a new comic book project, HELLTRACK (available to back on Kickstarter now), he wanted to share his thoughts on the impact of the character on fans and his own life.
Cru Jones in the movie “RAD” in 1985
When people stop me today and say, “You’re Cru Jones,” I smile because I know they’re not just talking about a movie character. They’re remembering a time when BMX exploded into the heart of American culture and gave a generation permission to dream big.
Looking back as the actor who played Cru Jones in RAD, I can honestly say that none of us fully understood in 1985 and 1986 what kind of impact BMX would have. We were making a fun movie about bicycles, competition, and believing in yourself. What happened afterward was something much bigger.
The eighties were a decade built on energy. It was the era of MTV, arcades, neon colors, and a belief that anything was possible. Young people wanted action, excitement, and identity. BMX provided all three. It wasn’t just a sport. It became a lifestyle. Kids saw freedom in two wheels. They saw creativity, independence, and a way to express themselves. Unlike many sports that required expensive facilities or organized teams, BMX belonged to anyone with a bike and the courage to try something new.
Bill Allen behind the scenes of “RAD” in 1985.
When I played Cru Jones, I saw him as an underdog. He wasn’t a superstar. He wasn’t rich. He just loved riding. That resonated with audiences because millions of kids felt the same way. They weren’t looking for fame. They were looking for something that belonged to them. BMX gave them that. Every neighborhood became a racetrack. Every dirt pile became a jump. Every parking lot became an arena where friendships and rivalries were formed.
RAD captured that spirit at exactly the right time. The movie arrived when freestyle BMX was exploding, and riders like Martin Aparijo and other pioneers were pushing the limits of what was possible. Their tricks looked impossible to most people. They transformed bicycles into instruments of creativity and athleticism. The riders in our film weren’t pretending. They were real athletes, and their passion came through on screen. That authenticity helped audiences connect with the story.
What surprised me most over the years has been hearing from fans all over the world. People tell me they became BMX racers, professional riders, or lifelong enthusiasts because they watched RAD as kids. Others tell me the movie inspired them to pursue completely different dreams. They saw Cru Jones as a reminder that determination matters more than status. To this day, parents introduce me to their children and grandchildren, creating a bridge between generations through a simple bicycle movie.
The eighties culture surrounding BMX was unique because it represented optimism. There was a sense that the future was bright and that ordinary kids could accomplish extraordinary things. BMX magazines were everywhere. Companies built colorful bikes with mag wheels and pads. Kids wore Vans and bright jerseys. Music and sports became intertwined. Freestyle demonstrations drew huge crowds. BMX stars were celebrities to millions of young riders.
For many kids, BMX wasn’t something they did after school. It was who they were. There was also an innocence to the culture that I think people miss today. We didn’t have social media. There were no followers or viral videos. Recognition came from your friends at the local track or the neighborhood kids who gathered to watch you jump. You learned by falling down and getting back up. BMX taught perseverance, courage, and creativity. Those lessons extended far beyond riding a bicycle.
Bill Allen today
Nearly forty years later, I continue to be amazed by the love people have for RAD and for Cru Jones. At conventions and events, fans often tell me that watching the movie instantly transports them back to childhood. They remember racing home after school, grabbing their bikes, and trying to imitate what they had seen on screen. That nostalgia isn’t just about a film. It’s about a feeling. It’s about freedom.
From my perspective as the guy who played Cru Jones, BMX helped define the spirit of the eighties. It embodied the decade’s excitement, individuality, and belief that dreams were worth chasing. It brought together athletes, artists, and everyday kids who simply loved to ride. Most importantly, it reminded us that joy can be found in simple things—a bicycle, a group of friends, and the courage to go “balls out.”
Cru Jones taught audiences that heart matters more than odds, and BMX taught an entire generation that life is better when you take the jump. Looking back now, I realize that RAD wasn’t just a movie. It became part of a cultural moment, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have ridden along for the journey.
If RAD made you want to grab your BMX bike and hit the nearest dirt track, you'll love this. Here's your first look at HELLTRACK, the official graphic novel sequel that reunites fans with Cru Jones—and proves some races are worth waiting 40 years to finish. MORE!
From Tami:
If RAD was part of your childhood, you'll probably smile at this news. Forty years after Cru Jones inspired a generation of kids to hop on their bikes and chase impossible dreams, Bill Allen is helping continue the story with HELLTRACK, the official graphic novel sequel to RAD. Created with original RAD screenwriter Sam Bernard, the story introduces Cru's grandson, Billy, as he faces the legendary Helltrack while carrying on his grandfather's legacy. It's a fun way to revisit a movie that meant so much to so many of us—and to introduce a whole new generation to the spirit that made RAD a cult classic. If that sounds like your kind of nostalgia, check out the Kickstarter here: HELLTRACK Kickstarter campaign.
Are you a RAD fan? Excited about the comic book? Leave your thoughts here!
Thanks much to PR pro Keith Davidsen and to Bill for this guest post.
Blessings to all,
Tami
