12 Days of Aitken – Day 3 & 4 – “F-It” and Square One “Up In Arms”

Mike kicked off 2001 with a new frame sponsor, which was a freshly-formed bike company that was spawned via S&M Bikes with fellow teammates and heavy hitters Brian Foster, Nate Hanson, Robbo, Justin Inman, and Edwin De La Rosa; him and the crew set FIT into full swing with the release of “F-It.” Mike blessed the video with a well-deserved closing section; one that helped put FIT on the map and set the bar for a soon-to-be legendary team in the coming years. BF and future teammate Van Homan provide some entertaining commentary on this point in time, where Mike was really coming into his own, and the Aitken evolution continued to gain momentum.

Closing out 2001 with another extended stay in Erie, Pennsylvania and enjoying all the newer indoor parks in the area like Section 8 and Shebang, as well as the expanded Buck’s trails, Mike casually filmed his second part of the year. Kris Bennett commanded the video camera lens, who followed up “Empire East” with an unofficial sequel of sorts under the title “Up In Arms”, before Square One was an actual company. In the year span between “Empire East” and “Up In Arms”, you can see such rapid progress happening with Mike’s riding, where he really starts to elevate his signature style to new heights. Who can forget that massive wall ride to crash in the opening clip? Slayer’s “Angel Of Death” and Aitken- the perfect combo. Watch and listen to more commentary by Bennett and Doyle, who were fortunate enough to live this time period in person.