Paul is one of those riders on the east coast whose riding really speaks volumes and stands out. Recently, Paul kind of disappeared for a few months and it turned out he was on the DL list for a little while healing up from some back issues. Now that he’s healed up he has already had two damn good videos drop just in time for summer to roll around. We were wondering what this dude was all about, so we hit him up with a few questions to introduce you to him. He might be a little quiet, but that’s because his riding does all the talking it needs to do! Take a look!
Name: Paul Barnum
Location: Bridgeport, Ct
Sponsors: Merritt, Base Brooklyn Clothing and Tonys Bike Shop of Milford, Ct
Years riding: 6
What was it that first got you into BMX? Any early memories come to mind?
Seeing kids popping sit-down wheels in my neighborhood.
You have been doing it for Merritt these days. How have things been going so far? Did you ever think someday you would be calling dudes like Brad Simms and Brian Foster your teammates?
Things have been going good. I would of never thought that I would be calling them team mates. They’re both so well known in BMX. It’s an honor to be on the same team.
What does Mike and Sean have cooking for you? Do you have any trips or anything you guys are working on that you are getting stoked for?
I’m not sure what plans Mike has for me, but I know that there are some trips that are being plan for the near future.
You were let go from the Skavenger team a while back. Have you had any other sponsor opportunities come up yet? I feel like you’re one dude that would be worth having on a team.
Just Base Brooklyn these days.
So you have your back on the bike edit, then the original for The Union drop the past few weeks. Have you been filming a ton since you got back on the bike? When can we expect to see some more footage of you surface?
I haven’t been filming a lot, but I’m hoping to get back to filming soon.
Aren’t you working on a part for Shane McLellan’s DVD, “I Can’t Stop”? How’s that coming along?
It’s going great, but it’s still a work in progress.
You recently spent quite a bit of time off your bike due to some back issues. What exactly did you do?
I had a herniated disc in my lower back.
Damn that sucks. How long were you off the bike? Are you feeling 100% yet or are you still trying to get things healed up?
I was off my bike just about 3 months. I’m feeling about 95% right now.
I know a lot of guys start doing things like stretching, yoga and just working out in general to stay healthy after a pretty heavy injury. Have you added in anything to your day to day to help you out?
I’ve been doing more stretching and working out for that core strength.
Were you riding at all during the downtime or was it pretty much too painful to even try to ride? It seemed like you were never off your bike in that first edit you dropped when you got back on it.
It was way too painful to ride at all. I just took it easy and went to therapy.
Now that things have been heating up on the East Coast, where have you been getting most of your riding time in lately? Any spots you have been real stoked on?
I was pretty stoked on riding Springfield, Massachusetts on the recent Merritt trip.
Your videos always seem to be a good mix of some crazy street riding and some different skateparks. Are you pretty much into riding whatever or do you have a preference for what you’re doing?
I like to ride both but I prefer street riding over park for sure.
Who are some of the riders that really influenced your riding growing up? Who are some of the guys that really get you motivated to ride these days?
Edwin Delarosa and Garrett Reynolds.
What do you think you would be doing today if you never got into BMX?
I don’t live in the best city, so I would probably be doing something I don’t want to do.
What are you usually up to when you aren’t riding these days? Are you working or going to school at all? Any other hobbies you’re really into?
I’m not going to school right now but I like to graffiti with my free time.
It’s Friday night… What are you getting into? Are you much of a partier? Any must have supplies?
I’m not to much of a partier, but I like to chill with my homies and sip some Ciroc.
I feel like a lot of people don’t know much about you beside the fact that you kill it on a bike. What’s something about yourself that might surprise people?
I love to churp my tires #churplife
What’s one thing you could use more of and one thing you could use less of?
More money and less of Luis Brito talking.
Let’s say you win the lottery… We’re talking millions. What is the very first thing you buy?
A bulldozer to destroy all the scooters in Connecticut.
I know the East coast always has some crazy shit going on. Have you been caught up in any sketchy or weird situations lately? Care to share a story or two?
My boy got stabbed trying to protect someone when we were riding in Bridgeport recently.
What’s the last song you heard, movie you watched and website you visited?
Song: Work – Asap Ferg re-mix
Movie: Kink “Squash It”
Website: TCU
Where do you hope to be in 5 years?
Still riding and living comfortably.
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Thanks to Tony’s bikes, Merritt and Base Brookyln. Shout out to Shane Mclellan, Kevo, Elmo, Mike Brennan, Nelson Febo, Jason Parker, Phil Miklovich, Mike Macisco, Phil Scharn, Anthony Benitez, Ralphy Raymos and Geo!
Anything else you want to say?
Bang Bang
