I remember a long time ago a good buddy of mine Bink had told me about Charlie. Then shortly after his web videos were everywhere.He has this style that is so different that you cannot forget it. He made a name for himself and I have always been a fan since then. If your ever on the Come Up the first thing he says might make you laugh.
Name:
Capone Rider
Location:
Buffalo, NY
Sponsors:
BMXFU, Sunday Skate BMX shop.
Years riding:
No idea, a long time.
What was it that originally got you into BMX and what keeps you going today?
I got into it because I learned how to ride a bike on a BMX and never got anything different, I still do it because I’d go nuts not riding.
How are things coming with the BMXFU clan these days. If I remember right there is a new video in the works?
FU are some of my best friends in the world, FUTU is the new video and it’s close to being done. We’ve already filmed more than the last one and we’ll still be riding for a few months… My friend Bobby Hill and I have been filming and he’s going to be helping me edit as well, it’ll be out at the end of the year, should be deece.
When can we expect to see you getting bumped up to some pro teams? If I remember right you were getting flow from Sunday?
Jim helps me out with stuff when I need it kinda, hand me downs from friends and stuff keep my bike running right now. Greg H and Chris Orbell are my two sponsors most of the time.
Your notorious for always having your helmet on when you ride. Was there something that had happened in your life that got you into that or was it just personal choice?
I just fell into the habit of always having it on and felt funny not wearing it, but now it’s the other way around. It wasn’t so much a safety thing so much as a comfort type jumpoff, I couldn’t ride without it.
In your last web video there were a few clips without your helmet and it blew a few people away, what was that all about?
Lately I haven’t been wearing it as much, pretty much only if I’m riding a park or doing something scary on a rail or something like that. I dunno. Riding without it feels a lot more natural, just me and the bike sorta?
What is the scene like from where you live? You got a few pretty popular parks around to keep the scene together?
The scene on my side of the USA/Canada border is decent, but spread out and everyone kind of does their own thing. If I’m riding near my house it’s usually by myself or with my little brother, but most of the time I’m riding it’s in Canada with everyone else, Niagara St. BMXFU guys.
Other than the BMXFU video, will you be working on anymore web videos or other video parts anytime soon people can look forward to checking out?
Nothing really, ha, all the stuff we film goes to FUTU… in the next few months I’m sure I’ll post some trailers up and a few web edits of clips that didn’t make it into everyone’s parts.
Where are some of your all time favorite spots you have had the chance to ride?
Olympic stadium all gay every gay, that place blew my mind.
Where are some places you would really like to go to?
Olympic stadium again, NYC, Europe, too many places to go and I always spend my money on stupid stuff instead of saving up for trips.
If you could go on a road trip with 5 people, anywhere, with a huge budget. Who would you bring, where would you go, and why?
There’s no way I could pick 5 guys, usually any given day we’re out it’s more than 5 guys… If I could bring anyone it’d be the guys I ride with every week, then people I don’t get to see often enough… David Seavey Esq., Ben from Texas and some other friends from other parts of the country.
You went to the Metro jam this weekend, how did everything go and did you ride in it at all?
Yeah I rode in expert, the weekend was awesome, thanks to Jay for putting it on for us. The riders were treated super well, all the am’s that qualified didn’t have to pay again, the ramps were great, and Kingston has a ton of wild street. Shit was daaa bomb.
What is your best story involving you and Bink?
I’ve got too many stories about Bink, I love the Daver. At the last Chenga contest, there was an afterparty at some shady bar we all went to. We started drinking right after the contest ended and kept going all night long, Bink took on his Doug Fischer alter ego, had a little too much fun and almost died… everyone had to take care of him and we were all clearly in outstanding shape to watch after someone in that situation… glad he’s still alive, his FUTU part would be boring if he had jumped off.
Do you ever get into any of those bike games to play like footdown or anything like that?
Fuck I love footdown. I think the proudest moment I’ve experienced as an older brother was when my little brother Bub won a copy of Forward on DVD playing footdown at Woodward, I guess I taught him well.
If you could change anything about BMX what would you change and why?
Less people caring how the next guy rolls out or does his rail to overs.
What do you think you would be doing if you never got into BMX?
Skateboarding maybe, no idea… probably wasting time like 90 percent of the kids I go to school with.
Outside of riding what are you up to?
School, work, video stuff, jumping off, girls, friends, garage sessions at Orbells…
You do a fair share of filming and editing, what kind of camera gear and editing software are you working with?
I just got a vx2000 and I use a dinosaur of a Dell computer, it’s so touchy and That Counts almost didn’t come out because of it. Next video we’re editing at Bobby Hill’s house.
Do you work or go to school at all?
Yep, I just got a job in produce at a supermarket and I go to Buffalo State College for media production.
If you could see any band live right now, who would you want to see and why?
Paul Hoerdt one man band.
If you could spend the day with anybody, alive or dead, who would you pick and why?
Einstein maybe, or Greg H.
You find a bag full of money, what are some things you want to buy?
Probably a bag full of other stuff.
Do you have any big trips planned at all?
Montreal in a month, can’t wait.
Do you have any crazy stories involving you and cops/security/homeless/hookers/midgets/ect.?
Not any good stories, just a lot of shitty stories about cops being extremely cool and understanding about riding spots. GH spending the night in a Buffalo jail was a good one.
If you could have any super power what would you choose and why?
Flying all gay.
Do you have any favorite websites?
Every day I check www.niagarast.tk, www.thecomeupbmx.net, bmxboard and bikeguide pretty much. Facebook and all that shit too.
If you could change anything about the world, what would you change and why?
More hot girls.
What is the best advice you can give somebody?
Not sure, someone should give me some advice to put here.
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Jim C for everything over the years, all my friends, my parents, and Muffinman.
Anything else you would like to add?
I met Blackman last night, I figured I should fit that in somewhere. FUTU.
