Photo: Matt Coplon
If you caught the Dillon Leeper interview we dropped yesterday, you would know we have a bit of a Leeper week going on up in here! After years of hearing stories about the two brothers, we finally decided it was time to get ahold of these guys to find out all about what they are about! This time around we caught up with the big brother, Shane, to get his side of the story! Check out what he had to say!
Name: Shane Leeper
Location: Richmond, Virigina
Sponsors: Friends and Family
Years riding: 15 – 16 years solid.
What was it that first got you into BMX? Any early memories come to mind?
I used to skateboard around the neighborhood and I would see these guys jumping ramps, it got me totally hyped. Around the same time I saw the first MTV Sports and Music fest on TV in ’97. From then on I was hooked!
You have been pretty tight with the FBM guys for quite a while. How did you get in with that crew? Approximately how many beers did that take?
Dillon and I had met Steve Crandall a while back, and we have always rode with a lot of the dudes on the team like Eric, Neil, Latanae and Kenny. We were all out drinkin one night, Steve asked Dill to ride for him and we have ben chilling hard since!
Do you have any trips or anything you can tell us about?
I’m not totally happy unless I’m wearing my self out traveling. Dillon and myself just try to go everywhere all the time. Coming up we have Baltimore, Charlotte, and Washington D.C planned as well as Tampa in December for the Spot Roast!
How are things going with Profile Racing? Do you have anything cooking with Matt as far as trips or anything goes?
I don’t have much in the way for Profile, that’s more less that Dillon is on the team and Matt and Dillon do whatever they can for me. Most of all it’s just Matt’s the dude and I try to meet up with him as much as possible!
Have you been filming for anything at all? When can we expect to see some fresh Shane Leeper footage?
Dillon and myself are just always out filming things were into and I catch clips usally where ever we go. Plus, Latanae Coghill is always out with his VX, so we do get a good amount done.
You spent a little time out at Woodward Camp this past summer, right? What were you guys doing out there? Any good stories?
Woodward is always a good experience! Dillon worked there for a summer and we ended meeting a bunch of folks there. As for stories there isn’t much craziness that happens there. They run a tight ship and it usally takes all the energy you have to ride that place so I end up crashing out a lot.
Photo: Dillon Leeper
Where are some of the best places you have had the chance to go ride over the years?
Ahh man… We have ben all over the 48 states. Definitely all of the ghetto’s in the cities like Philly, Baltimore and Washington D.C have the best spots, so we always end up with a story from these trips that make it all worth it.
Let’s say you are given a big travel budget to go anywhere in the world for a week of riding… Where do you go and why?
Haha, I don’t even know what I’d do with a travel budget! I’d definitely like to check out Europe, France, Spain and those type of places with crazy architecture.
Let’s say you and your brother get into a game of B-I-K-E. What’s one trick you know he’s going to do that you can’t? What about you can do that he can’t?
We don’t get into many games of bike becuase that little joker just has it! I always end up losing, but when we end up doing it, I’d like to think I got crooked grinds on him.
One trick you think should be mandatory for all riders?
I’d have to say manuals. All around fun and easy to do.
Do you think if your brother didn’t ride, you would still be riding BMX today?
I would like to think I would, but I’m sure it wouldn’t be the same.
Do you ever get burned out on riding? What are some of the things you like to do to keep things fresh after all these years?
Honestly no. I’ve been riding for so long, I think staying around guys that are stoked and traveling is the best way to stay in it!
Photo: Matt Coplon
What are you usually getting into when you aren’t riding these days?
I work a lot so that takes most of my time. Otherwise partying, riding the moto around and spending time with the family.
Where do you think you would be today if you never started riding BMX
I’m sure I’d be some sort of a greaser auto mechanic type working on cars.
I’d imagine you’re pretty experienced in the party department? What are a few key party essentials for you?
I do my fair share of partying. All’s I need are my buddies, some drinks, my cat and I’m good to go!
Let’s say you win the lottery. What’s the first thing you buy?
Definitely would travel the world and give a lot away to friends and family!
One thing you could use more of in your life and one thing you could use less of?
I could use more warm weather and more sunlight in the day! I could use less work getting in the way of riding!
What’s something about yourself that might surprise people?
If you didn’t know me, I would say my luck would surprise anyone! Good and bad, I seem to always get into something!
Last song you heard, movie you watched and website you visited?
I heard Dragonuat by Sleep, watched the Blues Brothers, and FBMBMX.com
Photo: Shane Leeper
How can people keep up with you these days? Are you on Instagram, Twitter or anything like that?
I’m on instagram @shane_leeper, other than that it’s not uncommon to run into Dill and myself anywhere, anytime!
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Definitely! Matt at Profile and Steve at FBM for including us in everything! Bunnyhop bike shop, Luke and Neil are the best dudes and always helping out. Last but not least my mom, haha! She’s been so supportive since the start.
Anything else you want to say?
I just think that BMX as a whole group needs to take a step back and look at what were doing. We are grown me and women on little kids bikes. No need for so many opinions and hate towards other riding types and styles. It’s all about fun and how you have it!
