BMX riders from Addison, Batavia soar in circus ring
When Koji Kraft performs, his family isn't necessarily eager to watch.
That's because the Addison native leads a group of seven competitive BMX bike riders - including one from Batavia - whose stunts include flying nearly 15 feet in the air and performing side-by-side back and front flips. The group, Freewheelers BMX Riders, is the newest addition to Circus XTREME, the 145th edition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth, which starts Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont.
"It's a pretty intense act," Kraft says. "You get seven guys together with a creative outlook, and you get something pretty dangerous. There's not a lot of room for error. You really have to know each other's routine and who can do what and where."
Some family members came to a recent show and, when Kraft's act was sidelined because of technical issues, they breathed a sigh of relief, he says. "They were like, 'Thank goodness,'" he says. "They just want to make sure I'm not hurt."
Circus fans come seeking that element of danger - whether it's with the tiger acts, trampoline daredevils or a bungee sky diving display. Show producers say the extreme sports and competitive acrobatics make for the most contemporary show they've ever created.
"With Circus XTREME, we wanted to create a show that keeps pace with modern families and caters to the 'edge-of-the-seat' thrill that parents and kids are seeking in live entertainment," says show producer Nicole Feld.
For Kraft - whose sport results in regular injuries - the riders bring a new level of excitement. "This is the biggest theatrical production that there is for BMX," he says, "but it never gets old."
Kraft began competing in the X Games in 2000, when he was 17, leaving with three silver medals. He also has medaled in the BMX World Championships and the World Championships.
He is only the second person in the world to land a double back flip in competition on a bike. In addition to his bike skills, Kraft is a firearms safety instructor.
Still, performing in a circus arena was an adjustment.
"The most difficult thing for us in learning the show was the choreography," Kraft says. "The tricks are the easy part."
Another member of the circus' BMX group is Nick Johnson from Batavia, who is performing in his first large-scale show. During his act, he does tricks on a quarter pipe and box jump.
He became interested in the sport after going to Las Vegas with his family as a child and seeing a family friend ride at a skate park.
"I thought it was the coolest thing ever," Johnson says. "Since then, riding my bike has been a huge part of my life."
Kraft shares that excitement, but he also admits he has some jitters before taking to the circus ring. And, like his family, he understands that the stunts are risky.
"Each show is pretty nerve-wracking," Kraft says. "It's kind of like, 'Which one of these is the one that will paralyze me?'"
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Circus XTREME
When: Various showtimes from Thursday, Nov. 5, to Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Allstate Arena, and Thursday, Nov. 19, through Sunday, Nov. 29, at the United Center
Where: Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont, and the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago
Tickets: Start at $20. Available at
ticketmaster.com, through the Allstate and United Center box offices or by calling (800) 745-3000. Parking is included with ticket price.