This week’s column comes in the form of the second edition of “Fact Check” featuring Raul Ruiz. I have known Raul for years now and have been riding with him since 2007 so it’s always a good time when we catch up and kick it. We met up in Highland Park, California, caught a sesh at his local park, talked some shit, shot some photos and this is the result. There have only been a few recurring features that I’ve done for the column but one like this is always a nice break from the regular interview process. I like being able to provide riders with a place to be creative and be themselves. It’s been my goal from day one to use this column as a place to interview riders, get creative, and share my passion for photography. It’s amazing to have an outlet that lets me have full creative control and it’s always an honor to be able to select each rider that I want to work with. No outside influence ever effects any decisions that I make for the column and that’s the way it will stay until it’s over. On that note, enjoy the second-edition of “Fact Check.”
Favorite travel destinations:
1. Portland
2. Japan
3. Chicago
4. New York
5. Barcelona
Things the average person doesn’t know about you:
1. I play Frisbee golf
2. I was born in Mexico and I speak Spanish
3. I’ve never pulled a hop whip
4. I’m addicted to World Star Hip Hop
5. I have a pet turtle
Favorite street spots past or present:,
1. My old High School Franklin High in Highland Park, California
2. The Chinatown coping ledge (rip) in Downtown Los Angeles
3. The bank to barrier in Downtown Los Angeles
4. Old folks rail in Highland Park, California
5. The Occidental kinked rail in Eagle Rock, California
Travel necessities:
1. Cash money
2. Neck pillow
3. Extra shoes
4. Toothbrush and toothpaste
5. My phone and charger
Favorite food:
1. Orange chicken
2. Philly cheese steaks
3. Enchiladas
4. Tortas
5. Chicken Katsu
Favorite riding music:
1. Currensy
2. Trademark the Skydiver
3. Kendrick Lamar
4. Smoke DZA
5. A$AP Rocky
Favorite chill music:
1. Pink Floyd
2. Currensy
3. Led Zeppelin
4. Bob Marley
5. The Doors
Favorite alcoholic drink choices:
1. Jack and Coke
2. West Coast IPA
3. Negra Modelo
4. Corona
5. Champagne
Favorite BMX videos from your past:
1. Nowhere Fast
2. Etnies “Forward”
3. Mutiny “Subversion”
4. Animal “Can I Eat”
5. The first Animal video
Favorite videos from the present:
1. Deadline
2. Cult “Talk is Cheap”
3. Dans Comp “Roll Call”
4.BSD “Living for The City” series
5. Chocolate Truck
Favorite ways to spend time off the bike:
1. Hang out with the homies
2. Shoot hoops
3. Hang out with my lady
4. Cook
5. Sleep
Favorite tricks you like to do:
1. Icepick
2. Tire slides
3. 360’s
4. X-up grind
5. Manuals
Favorite tricks you like to see be done:
1. Backward ice grind
2. Over x-up grind
3. Ice hard 180
4. Half cab bars
5. Long ice picks
Favorite things about living in Los Angeles
1. The weather
2. The spots
3. Family
4. Friends
5. Mexican food
Be sure to follow Raul on Instagram @raul_reez
That’s a wrap for this week. Hopefully you enjoyed the second edition of “Fact Check.” I am stoked to have the chance to show a different side of the featured riders that most people don’t know about. Also, be sure to check back next Wednesday for the ninety fifth edition of Through the Lens and as always feel free to leave any questions in the comments section or email me at info@jeremypavia.com and I will hit you back as soon as I can. Feel free to follow me on Twitter and Instagram @jeremypavia.
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