Louis Pepin Interview

Louis is Fit‘s French Canadian connect through 1664 distribution. Over the course of the last year or so, he has had numerous edits pop up, and his style has got the attention of a lot of people. I figured he would make for an interesting guy to find out a little bit more about, so I got him some questions and this is what he had to say. Also, check out a couple real good photos by Richard Desaulniers Jr. and some of Louis’ past edits and then leave him some love in the comments!

Name: Louis Pepin

Location: Canada, Quebec, Saint-Benoît labre (Beauce)

Sponsors: 1664 / Fit Bike Co, Primetime, Empire Urbain St-Georges

Years riding:
I have been riding for around 6 or 7 years now.

What was it that first got you in to BMX? Any early memories come to mind?
I started to jump with a mountain bike on a rocky jump, haha, seriously. Maybe that’s why I can ride anything sketchy?

How are things going with 1664 these days? Do you have any trips, edits, or anything like that in the works for them?
1664 helps me out like nobody else could before. I have got a real good edit for 1664 in the works. I don’t have any trips planned at this moment.

What’s new with you and Fit? Do you have anything in the works with them that you are psyched on?
Honestly, I don’t have anything directly related to Fit since I get hooked by them through 1664. I hope that I’ll get to meet the guys and maybe ride with the team someday. That would be cool.

Any other sponsor news you care to share?
Empire Urban is working on a DVD with their team. There are around 6 or 7 riders on their team and I’m psyched to be the only BMX’er on the team.

I’d imagine you are finally starting to get some good weather up in Canada. Have you been able to get out on the streets yet or are you stuck indoors still?
Indoor is finished for the winter! I finally get to ride street and I’ve been starting to shred a couple of real good spots. I think it’s going to be a freaky summer!

Photo: Richard Desaulniers Jr.

Do you have any trips planned yet for the year you are getting psyched on? Anywhere you haven’t been but want to get to at some point?
You know, I travel a lot for work, like Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec city, but I never get to go very far like to the USA. I’m still stuck around here. I would like to go to Barcelona sometime though.

Where can you usually be found riding these days? What are some of these spots you have been psyched on?
In the summer I’m usually found cruising in the big region of Beauce. Always trying to find some spots in those little villages, but yeah, you can find me everywhere that could be fun to ride. Maybe in front of a church, haha.

How’s the scene where you are from? Do you have a pretty solid crew to ride with?
Where I’m from (Beauce), I’m the only rider that I know of, so I have to travel from Beauce to Quebec city if I want to ride with someone. If you want to ride with a solid crew, you better go in Montreal. That’s like 4 hours from Beauce.

Outside of stuff for 1664, Fit and Empire Urbain have you been filming much? When can we expect a new web edit or video part out of you?
You know, I’m pretty much only filming for 1664/Fit right now because my other sponsors don’t really expect those things from me. I’ve always got a ton of good footage for another web edit though.

Let’s say you got a van and a bunch of money for one week. Where do you go and who do you bring with? Why those places and people?
Probably this way…Uh, no this way.. Honestly, I’ll go as far as possible partying with my friends, riding crazy shit that has never been rode before and end up coming back in a greyhound bus because we sold the van to get more money, haha!

Photo: Richard Desaulniers Jr.

What are a few things you would like to accomplish riding wise for 2011? Do you have any tricks at certain spots you have been waiting to get done?
I need to pull dipped 360’s everywhere! Seriously, i just don’t want to hurt myself. That’s gonna be enough for me!

What do you think you would be up to if you never got into BMX?
Maybe skateboarding, or riding motorcycles?

What are you usually up to when you aren’t riding?
Riding my motorcycle, working and sleeping.

So, you have a motorcycle, right? What kind do you have? Do you have much put into it?
I got a 2006 Softail Springer! Full chrome baby.

Don’t you skateboard a bit too? How long have you been doing that for? Are you any good?
I skateboard a bit at my local park, but I usually ride my longboard that I got from Primetime. That thing is rad.

How are the ladies treating you these days? Any good stories you want to share?
They don’t treat me like a king, but I can say they look at me, haha.

What makes for a good night out for you? What’s the drinks of choice?
Beer for sure, friends, music, fire, bikes and a mini ramp.

What’s the last song you heard, movie you watched and website you visited?
My last song was the Weight by The band. My last movie was Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid and I just watched the Brian Foster at the Incline Club edit on the Fit website.

Photo: Richard Desaulniers Jr.

Where are you working these days? Did you go to college at all?
No, I finish up high school and then I started to work for my father’s company. These days we are working at the Manoir Richelieu in Charlevoix.

If you couldn’t live in Canada anymore, where could you see yourself living? Any reason why?
California. What else!?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Exactly five years? …Probably on my motorcycle.

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Big thanks to the 1664 staff, Bernie, Issac, Craig and everyone. Fit bike co, Prime Time, Empire Urbain, my family, parents, girlfriend, friends and everyone who supports me as well!

Anything else you would like to say?
Do it your way, but respect anyway.