Photo: Jake Dyke
Over the last few months, you guys have probably noticed that we have been doing a lot with the all trails website, Can You Dig It. It was one of the websites that we partnered with at the beginning of the year, and anyone who checks the site on the regular knows it’s the go to place for anything trails related. The website is run by a guy named Jon Saunders who has been digging and riding for years and has a huge appreciation for the art and hard work involved in trails riding and BMX in general. I figured by now a bunch of you are wondering what this dude with a shovel is all about, so I tossed him a bunch of questions to find out more about the guy behind Can You Dig It. Let’s take a look at what he had to say!
Name: Jon Saunders
Location: Washington, DC
Sponsors: None
Years riding: 18
What was it that first got you into BMX? Any early memories come to mind?
When I was growing up my friends older brother was into BMX. His bike had those 80’s wheel discs and I remember thinking that his bike was the coolest thing I had ever seen. I didn’t even know what BMX was at the time, I just wanted a bike like that. One day I was over at their house and I discovered a copy of BMX Action and I’ve been riding since.
I know you grew up with a shovel in your hand. What was your first set of trails that you were really apart of?
Well I built what I thought were trails behind my grandparents house. I just did my best to make what I saw in magazines. The first thing I built was a little four pack that you had to pedal uphill to hit. The first jump couldn’t have been more than two feet tall and five feet long yet you had to start pedaling from all the way down the street to hit it. Eventually I wised up and started building in a spot that was downhill. The first real set of trails I was apart of were the Capital Trails in Virginia. They were Robbie Miranda’s spot and were way ahead of their time. That was the first time that I had seen more than two jumps in a row in person. Robbie had the locals trained real well and they dug as much as they rode. I lived around 30 miles from there but during the summer my mom would drop me off in the morning and pick up at dark. It’s pretty crazy because 18 years later I’m still good friends with most of the original Capital crew.
Anyone who is a trails rider knows how trails can come and go in an instant. How many different spots have you been a local at since that first set?
Not that many really. So the Capitol Trails were in Virginia but I lived in Maryland at the time. I’d try to go to Capital as much as I could but I also rode with a bunch of guys in Maryland and we had trails as well. The original Capital Trails got plowed and then those guys rebuilt in the woods right next to the original spot. I’d say I was semi-local at both of those and then a full time local at the Clinton Trails in Maryland. The original Clinton got blown out because it was in between two neighborhoods and kids would climb all over stuff. We got tired of constantly rebuilding so we found a new spot a few miles away. We’d still ride the original spot in the winter though because it was sandy and would dry out really fast. Eventually all those spots either got plowed or died out. A new spot called 495 popped up in Virginia and thats pretty much all we had for trails for the next 10 years.
Serious question… Have you ever cried when you had a set get plowed or something? I’ll admit I’ve done it.
Haha nah! I did have a dream that my current spot got plowed though. It definitely woke me up and had me stressing for a bit.
Rough estimate: How many different trails spots have you rode over the years? Approximately how many of those have you actually made it through a set first go?
It has to be up somewhere around 100 spots. I used to be pretty good at making it through things first go cause I really didn’t give a fuck. I’d land flat on stuff and just pull up as hard as I could on the next set to compensate. These days I’m a little more cautious. I’m more brittle and trails are a lot gnarlier so it’s not worth getting killed trying to make it through first go all the time.
I saw something the other day that was pretty interesting. Who was your first sponsor? How did you end up getting hooked up with the brand?
Well my first sponsor was my buddy Colin Stiles company called Stileman. I know what you’re talking about though! My second sponsor was Play Clothes. Hal sold the company to this dude Rex who lived in DC. They ended up running an ad and it had the new address in it so one night when I was out street riding with some friends we decided to stop by and check it out. We showed up at this dudes house at like 10pm and just knocked on the door. I guess the door wasn’t closed all the way when I knocked because it blew wide open. I’m sure it scared the shit out of Rex and his girl considering DC was still pretty hood back then.
Photo: Blaine Mazzetti
Who else have you rode for since then?
Damn there needs to be an emoticon indicating you’re saying something under your breath, but yeah I rode for Bulldog. One of my good friends raced for them and he got myself and Brad Simms on the team. It was before their infamous Props commercial came out so I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into. Jimmy Mac is a wild dude and it was definitely an adventure. They were co-sponsored by The Source and got this ridiculous dually truck out of the deal. I don’t know anything about stereo systems but whatever this thing had was top of the line. We’d be riding in the thing and Jimmy would have the shit cranked up so loud that the bass made it seriously hard to breath. Anyway I ended up getting kicked off of the team for some joke Brad came up with. Jimmy was dating this English girl at the time and Brad being like 13 and straight out of Southern Maryland had never heard someone speak with an English accent. This fool thought it was the funniest thing and came up with the phrase “Oh Jimmy, my titty” in his own version of the accent. This shit was so damn funny! So we were up in New York for a week with Jimmy and some other dudes on the team and Brad had everyone dying with his little mockery. Jimmy didn’t catch on to it until later in the week when we were on the way to Pittsburgh to go to the race at South Park. When he got wind of it he flipped the fuck out. I got blamed even though it was Brad who was saying it because I was apparently supposed to be Brad’s older and more responsible mentor. He decided to kick me off of the team and wanted the Bulldog frame back right then. I was supposed to be meeting up with some friends to go to Woodward and all of a sudden I was frameless and had no money to buy a new one. Standard was also at South Park so I headed over to their tent to ask if they had an old frame I could buy with what little money I did have. Moliterno was manning the tent and I explained to him why I needed a frame. He said that they didn’t have anything old with them and pulls down brand new STA that was hanging up. I was like thanks but I don’t have the money for that, and he says no man take it. I was completely blown away! Standard was still huge back then and for Rick Moliterno to personally hand a frame to some random kid he just met was unreal. Still to this day that’s one of the coolest things anyone has ever done for me. So after the Bulldog thing I really haven’t had any sponsors. It really wasn’t something I was ever too concerned with. I’ve been friends with the guys at Kink for quite a long time and they’ve always helped me out with stuff when I needed it.
About a year ago now, you started up Can You Dig It as a place for pretty much everything trails related. What made you want to start it up?
There was definitely a time when I was into everything that was BMX. I enjoyed watching street and skatepark stuff just as much as I did watching stuff from the trails. As street riding got more popular it just seemed like that’s all that you would see on websites. Every now and then a trails edit would pop up but it would be so rare that it really wasn’t worth sifting through all the street videos to find it. There was point where I pretty much all but stopped looking at BMX sites. I’d always joke around and say that someone needed to start a website that was strictly trails. I figured at some point someone would do it but it never happened. Well there was Pretty Shady but that has other stuff Joe is into like F1 and old bikes. Last summer I was just like, fuck it I’ll do it. I thought Can You Dig It would be an appropriate name for an all trails site so I bought the domain and started putting stuff on there. I kind of figured that maybe I could find one or two trails related things to post per day but as I started looking for content I quickly realized that there was a whole lot of stuff being created that wasn’t making it onto other sites.
Did you ever really expect it to catch on like it has? I know there’s a ton of people that check it pretty religiously now days.
Not at all! Honestly until I started Can You Dig It I had no idea that there were that many people still digging and riding trails. I guess I had bought into the whole “trails are dead” thing since they were barely being shown by other media outlets.
You have started branching out and doing more with the site lately like the original edits such as the collaboration you did with Tom Arkus and Vinyl. Have you started working out some fresh original videos for the future at all?
Yeah, we have some in the works that I’m really excited about! I can’t mention what they are quite yet but believe me people are going to be stoked.
Photo: Jake Dyke
Can You Dig It also took on another new venture. You became the first U.S distributor / dealer of France based brand, Shape Bicycles. How did that all come about? How has things been going so far with that?
I’m not even sure how I came across Shape originally. Somehow I ended up on their site and I was really impressed with their products. I emailed Sylvain about getting a stem and from then on we would email back and forth. One of the things I wanted to do with Can You Dig It was to create a hub for all things trails. Shape’s products are geared towards trails so I figured why not see about getting them into the C.Y.D.I. store. I mentioned it to Sylvain and he was instantly onboard. Shape makes premium products, so when you factor that in with the exchange rate the parts end up being pretty pricey. Luckily the majority of guys riding trails are older and have a little more disposable income to spend on their bikes. Shape’s stuff is expensive compared to a lot of stuff on the market but if you look at the cost of parts for other cycling genres it doesn’t even compare. Plus there is always that guy who wants something for his bike that no one else has and is willing to pay a bit more for it.
Could you see yourself expanding the online store in the future with maybe other brands or even some limited Can You Dig It stuff like stickers, hats and t-shirts?
That’s the plan! We recently got in some shirts and seats from Back Bone. It’s the first time either of them have been available in the U.S. and we are the exclusive retailer of the seats. When the shipment showed up I was blown away. Both the shirts and the seats are bad ass and it’s an honor to have them in the store.
As far as Can You Dig It stuff goes, we just got in stickers. Actually we are pretty much out already, but another order is on the way. T-shirts are in the works as well. I’m always keeping my eyes open for cool stuff to make so I’m sure there will be more C.Y.D.I. stuff popping up in the store soon.
Let’s say somebody wants to get a video posted up on Can You Dig It? How can they go about submitting it for you to check out?
Just drop me an email at [email protected] and I’ll check it out!
Where would you like to take things with the site as time progresses?
Right now I’m focusing on creating more original content. It’s tough at times just due to there not being enough hours in the day to devote as much time to the site as I’d like. Up until recently C.Y.D.I. has pretty much been a one man show with the exception of some reviews that my roommate did. I recently asked Tom Arkus if he’d help out with things. He’s supported the site since day one and it’s been great working on projects with him. We have a lot of similar ideas as to where to take Can You Dig It so it just seemed natural to have him take on more of an official roll with the site. My main goal is to make sure that the site continues to evolve so that people continue to be psyched on it, and equally important is making sure that we are doing to the best job we can to support and grow the trails scene.
Photo: Thad Allender
Over the years trails and dirt riding in general has had its ups and downs. I remember a few years ago somebody claimed “dirt is dead”… What is your take on all of that? What do you feel the current state of dirt riding is these days?
I think things are on the upswing. Trails certainly had a downturn as street riding became more popular but it was never dead. The dudes who built and rode trails were still doing their thing but you just weren’t seeing it as much in the media outlets because that’s not what kids were in to and not what was selling product. The thing about building and riding trails is that it’s fucking hard. It’s a lot easier for a kid to get dropped off at a skatepark or find some stairs to jump down than it is for them to go out and build a place to ride. Another problem is that there is a pretty big disconnect from the older generation who grew up riding trails and the current generation of riders. Most of the people building trails these days have been riding for a long time and that shows in what they build. So if a kid who just started out riding happens to end up at a set of trails more than likely they are going to be pretty intimidating and way too advanced for them. Part of the reason why street riding has gotten so popular is due to it’s accessibility. Unless you are in bum fuck nowhere then street is all around you. The average kid can cruise out of their front door and find something to nibble on right in their neighborhood. They can find little ledges and stairs to do stuff on and then easily progress on to bigger stuff. It’s the same way with park riding. We complain about it but honestly we as the trails community haven’t done much to make trails accessible to younger riders. I’m as guilty as anyone because I definitely haven’t taken the time to build anything beginner friendly at my spot. The result is that on the chance occasion that a kid or someone who has never ridden trails does come out, there’s nothing there for them to ride and they usually don’t come back. On one hand I don’t care because my trails are the way that I want them and I build stuff that I want to ride, but on the other hand it would be nice to have some new blood out there to ride with and to lend a hand digging.
How do you feel about it making its way back into the X-Games just in time for their big expansion for the major stops all over the world?
I personally could really care less about X Games dirt. The riding that goes down there is basically bicycle assisted gymnastics (with the exception of Chris Doyle). Seeing how many times someone can whip their bike around doesn’t appeal to me at all. I’m not the person who matters though. It’s the kids who are just getting into riding and are being exposed to dirt because of the X Games. Hopefully them seeing that will inspire them to pick up a shovel and build a jump themselves. Maybe with a little luck that one kid building a jump will influence his friends to help out and then a set of trails and a new generation or trail riders will develop.
So you’re from Washington D.C… What’s the scene like there these days? It’s hard to think BMX when you think of that place.
The scene in DC is pretty small. The cost of living here is really high so it doesn’t really lend itself very well to the average BMXer. Most of the people that I grew up riding with have either moved or traded in their bikes for a suit in order to keep their heads above water. There’s still a few guys who ride downtown pretty regularly and I have my trails in the city as well. There’s only four of us who really ride the trails so with people having different work schedules I usually end up riding alone most of the time.
Photo: Thad Allender
Is there much for spots? What’s it like riding there? I feel like that place is crawling with cops, CIA, FBI, Secret Service and pretty much any other form of law possible.
DC has a ton of awesome spots. Pretty much every ledge downtown is marble so the nibblers love that. There’s also some incredible stuff tucked away in the hoods. You’re right in that DC is crawling with cops but they rarely mess with you. Since the scene is so small here it’s not like there are mobs of kids riding spots every day. That and the fact that the cops really have better stuff to do with their time means that you very rarely get hassled. I’d say in the 18 years I’ve been riding DC I’ve gotten kicked out of a spot maybe 20 times.
Where do you spend most of your time riding when the weather is sloppy like it is this time of the year with the snow, rain and ice?
Nowhere! There’s an indoor park up in Baltimore but that place is terrible. Pretty much every time I go there I say that it’s the last time. I’d much rather go out and stack dirt at the trails. It’s worth not riding during the winter so that I can get stuff done out there to make summer and fall awesome.
I know you get a fair amount of traveling time in. What do you have planned for the summer? Any big trips you want to make happen?
I actually just got back from San Diego where I went to visit some friends. I’m going to try to travel this summer as much as I can to get some fresh content for Can You Dig It. I don’t have any definite plans but I’m sure I’ll be in Pennsylvania a good bit. Oh and I’m going to make it a point to finally get out to Long Island! As far as big trips I want to make happen. All that depends on time and money. I’d love to go to Europe, Australia, or New Zealand to check out the trails there. Hopefully I’ll be able to make one of those happen soon.
When was the last time you had some footage of you pop up online? Can we expect a new video from you this spring / summer?
Shit I don’t even know! Occasionally I’ll get a text from someone saying that they saw me on Fuel. I guess they show the Ghetto Street contest fairly regularly on there or something. I wouldn’t know since our cable company doesn’t carry Fuel. I’ve never filmed a web edit or anything but it could be fun so we’ll see what happens.
What are you usually up to when you aren’t riding or working on Can You Dig It? I know you have a real job, right?
I work for a dental firm handling all their web content and online advertising. It’s a pretty sweet gig since I get to work from home and don’t really have a set schedule. I just have certain things that I have to get done. As long as they are done on time I can pretty much do what I want. It’s cool because I can nibble away at Can You Dig It stuff and sneak off to the trails throughout the day.
Anyone that has been in BMX long enough has been caught up in some sketchy situations. Care to share a good story or two? Have you ever been in jail or anything cool?
Nope never been in jail or anything like that. I’ve seen some sketchy stuff for sure but one thing instantly comes to mind. It happened one of the first times I ever rode downtown DC. Everything was new to us so we were just riding around exploring. We came across this long bank and ended up riding it for a bit. A guy in a suit walks down the sidewalk on the other side of the street which seemed normal enough until he took his briefcase and stuck it into some bushes that were up on a ledge. He didn’t even stop walking as he did that. As we are all looking at each other wondering what the hell he did that for another guy comes walking from the opposite direction and reaches in and retrieves the briefcase. At this point we are freaking out wondering what we just witnessed. Drug deal, spy shit, who the fuck knows! We got the hell out of there though. It seriously was like something you would see in the movies.
Photo: Blaine Mazzetti
What’s something about yourself that might surprise the shit out of people?
I actually do like riding stuff other than trails. People who call and try to get me to come ride street with them would probably disagree with that though. I love riding my bike period but these days kids are all about filming everything they do. Street to me has always been about cruising around the city, hitting stuff as you go, and just causing a ruckus. Whether that be scaring tourist, skitching on cars, getting bike cops to chase you, or whatever. I don’t want to go to a spot and sit there for an hour waiting for someone to pull a line. That shit fucking blows! Also I don’t like concrete skateparks. Well modern ones at least. I don’t know, they just don’t really do it for me. I do love ones from the seventies and eighties though.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Waking up in a new Bugatti?
What’s the last song you heard, movie you watched and website you visited?
Song- Dance Floor Dale/ Flying Lotus “Parisian Goldfish”
Movie- I took my daughter to see Oz the other week.
Website- Weather.com
How can people keep up with you these days? Are you on Instagram, Twitter and all that shit?
I’m on it all but my personal social media pages have taken a backseat to the Can You Dig It ones. I very rarely update them so the best way to keep up with me is @canyoudigitbmx on instagram and twitter or via the Can You Dig It Facebook page.
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Thanks to all the people who check out Can You Dig It and an even bigger thanks to all the trail builders out there.
Anything else you want to say?
European shovels are weird!
