I’ve had the chance to ride with Nick quite a few times over the years. He’s a fairly reserved guy who kills it on a bike. It’s cool to see him finally blowing up and getting the coverage he deserves. Given he has the most common name in the world (it’s up there…) he is from Minnesota, which I’m stoked on. Don’t act like you don’t get stoked on the dudes who are making things happen from your area. I got the chance to shoot him a few questions to see what he is up to these days. Check out what he has to say, and then leave him some love in the comments!
Name:
Nicholas Gregory Anderson
Location:
Isanti, Minnesota
Sponsors:
Eastern Bikes!!!
Years riding:
10 years roughly
What was it that first got you into BMX? Any early memories come to mind?
Hmm… well, I always used to watch X Games as a kid and I got super into it. I’ve actually never rode anything but a 20 inch. I learned how to ride when I was 7 and ran into a mail box and I’ve been hooked ever since. Some of the best memories I have are riding with my good friends Steve Jonak, Bryan belsheim and Eric Holley. They were the only friends I had that actually rode. I rode my bike 5 miles into town and back every day for a few years just to ride with them guys.
I figure we might as well start with the Eastern video. How do you feel your part turned out? What are you psyched on the most about the video?
Eric and I share a split part in the video and we’ve always talked about doing something like this from day 1 so I’d have to say I’m very psyched on that. I think that if we had more time to film for it, it would’ve turned out a little better, but I’m very content with the outcome of the project.
You and Eric Holley did quite a bit of traveling to film, where all have you been lately? Do you have any trips over the winter planned?
Actually I haven’t done a whole lot of traveling. I rode back with Eric to Charlotte last winter to camp out at Zach Roger’s crib and we went to Greenville, SC and Raleigh, NC. I was really psyched on meeting the locals like Danny, Trey, Zack Roberts, Steven, Greg and so many others they’re all such real dudes and so much fun to hang out and ride with.
Speaking of traveling, you are living in Minnesota again now after living in North Carolina for a bit right? What made you and Eric want to move down there anyways?
Winter. It’s virtually impossible to ride here on a regular basis when it comes around.
Have you been filming for anything else as of lately?
Well I sprained my ankle right before Mega Tour and haven’t been able to really ride for a couple months but now that I’m feeling pretty healthy I’ll probably bang out a web vid here soon.
Who’s your regular riding crew these days? Any guys coming up you think people should look out for?
Man I ride with a couple solid dudes that keep me laughing and on my toes. Boden, Gelle(mangler version 2.0), and Lee, keep an eye out for that man Boden lol. He kills it. Other than that just Eric man, he’s always there and down to ride. He’s also getting very good at filming which is awesome.
What is the best part about Minneapolis?
It’s all good, the spots are endless, the scene is fresh, and the dudes around like Phlandus, Quinten and all the guys at the 1519 house are super fun to ride with. The worst thing about Minneapolis…. Uptown haha.
It seems like every few years there is a new name tagged to the Minneapolis crew. TCBMX, Allegory, Underline, Team Dilly, and a few others I can’t think of right now. Do you associate with any of those names?
Tcbmx, Allegory, and Team Dilly are all based on the same set of riders. Dilly just put out a video called “It Do” and I have a couple clips in it, so I guess I’m somewhat associated. Underline is an idea from BJ Tomczik, a few other good riders and myself are on the team but it hasn’t really got up and going yet. I would like to see it go somewhere though.
Maybe it’s just me, but you have somewhat of an Aaron Ross style. Has anybody ever told you that before?
Haha, It’s not just you. I’ve heard this on several occasions. I don’t know, personally I don’t see it but Aaron is an amazing rider so it doesn’t really get to me. Style was never really something I worked on, I’ve kinda just always did stuff that came natural to me. I’m not saying that I’m a natural but I just don’t try to force a style. Could just be that I’m big?
I figure with snow ready to fly, and already has a bit, where can you be found riding this year?
I think Eric and I are gonna head for Austin, TX. Our good friend Seth Peterson is already down there and the spots seem real good plus I’ve never been there yet so I can’t wait to try it out.
Do you ever find yourself getting burned out on riding at all? What are some things you like to do to keep things fresh?
Riding has always been an escape from reality for me. No matter what mood I’m in everything feels right when I’m on my bike. I consider it a blessing everytime I get to ride. But yeah I’ve been feeling a little burned out and I find myself being choosey about the shit I do compared to when I used do something just to do it, with or without a camera around. New spots are always good. Getting fresh ass spots to ride keeps me real motivated, especially when I’m on a trip and I know that I might not be there again for a while really psychs my ass up. But usually a good game of b-i-k-e will keep that shit hot.
What do you think you would be into if you didn’t get into BMX?
Baseball, pitching somewhere maybe. I did it as a kid for many years and it was one of those things that came natural for me. But bmx doesn’t have any coaches screaming at me and I can fall at my own expense so I chose to give it up.
What are you usually up to when you aren’t riding or anything?
Play EA Skate, hang out with friends, and just have a good time no matter what. If you’re not trying to have fun then I don’t know what you’re trying to do haha.
What do you do for work? Do you go to school at all?
Currently I’m helping out my dad with an addition on his house and it’s good cuz I normally don’t take the time to do the whole father/son thing. I tried school right when I got out of high school but I had trouble focusing on anything haha. Maybe I’ll give it another shot in a few years.
What makes for a good night out for you?
All my good friends and beers to play with after riding all day.
I know you got some ink. Can you tell us a little be about that? Do you have any more tattoo’s in the works?
I have Isaiah 41:10 from the bible on my arm. I had a job doing locomotive maintanence and we spent a lot of time at hotels. And I would usually end up reading the bible that they have in the drawer by the bed and I came across that verse and it just kinda stuck with me so I figured I might as well actually stick it on me. I haven’t really thought about any new tattoos lately. I guess if I were to get anything new, it would be bmx or family related. They’re the only two things that have been consistant my whole life.
Has your family been supportive of your riding?
Yeah, they definitely were in the beginning. I had quit baseball already and they seemed to be psyched that I had so much drive towards something, but as I grew up, and even still to this day, they sometimes question what I’m doing with my life and all I have to say is “I’m just riding dude”. I think that scares them. But the little coverage I get, they love to see. And that’s good enough for me:)
What kind of music is a dude like you into?
I’m into all kinds of music, besides country, but lately I’ve been into this little band called Pelican and I can’t stop listening to it. They’re so heavy and just plain raw. In between listening to that, I’m really into Eyedea & Abilities. They got the sickest lyrics and give me a different perspective on things around me. It’s good to think outside yourself sometimes.
What is your favorite thing about The Mangler?
Oh my God! He is such a dude! I love that man. His personality just does it for me. He’s got this thing about him and he never breaks character.
Approximately how many women have you ravished in your day? Are you pretty good when it comes to girls?
hahaha, ravished??? That sounds so primitave and sweet! Do I really have to answer that?… I’m terrible with girls, I’m an asshole to them. I gotta work on that.
You ever been arrested or anything like that?
Twice. Both times lame as hell. But you get free food and cable!!!
What is something you could use more of these days besides money?
How do you know I need money??? haha. Trips, I definitely need to get out more and travel, but obviously that takes money. I feel like I’m suffocating in my own life right now.
Where do you see yourself in a few years?
Still riding for sure, maybe try and go to school again. I don’t have a real valid answer, I pretty much live day to day haha.
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
For sure. Eric for always being there for me. Leigh for helping me and bringing that ingredient to the table that I love. Definitely The Mangler for spending so much of his time trying to film my lame ass tricks haha. All my friends for dealing with my bullshit. Erica for everything you’ve done for me. Ben Austin for taking photos for me. Thanks Boden for making me laugh every second we hang out. Thanks to anyone who contributed a brick in the wall of my life.
Anything else you want to say?
Would it be too much?
Eastern Bikes Inside/Out Minneapolis from Eastern Bikes on Vimeo.
Nick Anderson Edit from lee mies on Vimeo.
