Photos: Cody Campbell
Morgan is a name that has been popping up here and there from the Long Beach scene and his sponsor Stolen. I always knew he was a shredder but his latest edit was what sent me over the top and I wanted to find out more about the guy. I got ahold of him and shot him some questions. Check out what Morgan has to say, some real good photos, and a few of his past edits including the banger he had drop a little over a week ago.
Name: Morgan Tobi Long
Location: LBC
Sponsors: Stolen Bike Co., Tioga
Years riding: Eight or nine years.
What was it that got you into BMX in the first place? Any early memories come to mind?
I feel like every kid jumps curbs but once I got my first magazine, I knew I wanted to get a BMX bike.
How are things going with Stolen these days? Any trips, videos, signature parts or anything like that in the works?
The Stolen guys just got moved in to a new building and got “The Vault” up and going. That place is tons of fun. Other than that, nothing really in the works yet for 2011.
Any other new sponsor news you can tell us about?
Nothing at the moment.
Alright, so I gotta do it. That new edit that dropped the other day was nuts. How long were you working on that? Were you scared at all with that bar over the fence clip?
Thanks a lot! I had a few clips laying around with John from just random days that we had meet up. Then, due to us both being busy we didnt film anything for awhile, but a few weeks ago we started going out on my days off to try to finish the edit up. The scariest thing bout the clip was the times when I wasn’t going fast enough!
Have you been working on filming for any video parts or other web edits? I’m sure having John Hicks around it makes it pretty easy to keep motivated for filming.
As soon as Interbike is over with I’m gonna just be working on some web edit stuff. It’s definitely nice having John Hicks living in Long beach. He is close but he definitely stays busy with all kinds of projects, especially for being seventeen.
You’re originally from Illinois but made the transplant to L.A a while back, right? What made you want to move out there and how do you like living in a big city like that compared to the laid back midwest?
Yeah, I’ve been in California for little over three years. I graduated high school a semester early and headed out west with Eben Fischer due to lack of good weather and lack of stuff to ride. I love living in the a big city because there is just too much awsome things happing or going on in the city outside of riding to see compared to living in small Midwest town, and then of course the good spots and weather comes into play also!
Could you ever see yourself back in Illinois or are you stuck in the sun for good?
For now California is perfect for me, the weather is just too good!
Do you have any trips coming up that you are getting psyched for? Anywhere you aren’t going to, but would really like to make it to at some point?
No trips lined up at the moment, soon hopefully. I went out of the country for the first time a few months ago and had an amazing experience. Anywhere new is good to me, but I really want to make it to Japan, and the U.K this next year.
If you had to pick your favorite spot that you have had the chance to ride, where would you pick and why?
Back home before I moved 9 friends and I rented a small warehouse and built some ramps. Over the next few years that we had it, we ended up having a awsome set up. Tons of fun times went down there so that would have to be a favorite.
Who are you usually riding with these days? I know Cali doesn’t have a shortage of people to ride with. Any up and comers you think people gotta keep an eye out for?
Mainly I ride with my roommates Eben Fischer, and Cody Campbell. I also ride a lot with Travis Keisow, and a lot of Long Beach locals like John Hicks, Eric Lichtenburger, and Dominic Clark. As for up and comers look out for Midwest local Bobbie Altiser, he has a really unique riding style.
Who are some of your biggest influences on your riding? Did you grow up racing or have you just always hauled a lot of ass?
The first track I ever rode wasn’t util I got out to California, but there is nothing more fun than just pedaling full speed. The biggest influnces have been just all the older riders back home mainly, Nathan Parker, Josh Delcour, Eben Fischer, Andy Chapman and Josh Scifierdecker.
Do you ever find yourself getting burned out on riding at all? What are some of the things you are into outside of bikes?
I think I would have to ride way more hours per week to get burned out. Outside of riding I like hanging out at the beach and just chillin is up there on the list
What do you think you would be into if you never got into BMX?
Something not near as cool or fun.
Do you work or go to school at all?
Right now I work at Bellflower bicyles. I usually work four to five days a week but I can normally get off work for things that come up which is the best part about the job.
Since I’ve been doing the 21 thing this year as well, I’d imagine you have been doing quite a bit of partying. What makes for a good night out for you? Have you been slaying some girls at the clubs and shit?
It’s funny because I would say that I partied more while I was 19 and 20 than I have this year while being 21. Partying is always a good time with friends, music and some SoCo.
Actually, approximately how many girls lives have you ruined?
Hopefully at least a few!!
What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next few years? Any idea of what’s after BMX?
The thing I would be most be stoked on would be to travel more and to work on a video part. After BMX possibly go to school, but it wouldn’t be bad to stay inside the bike industry if something came up.
If you found a million bucks in a suitcase on the side of the street, what would be the very first thing you would buy with it?
The first purchase would have to be a RV. Straight roadtrip life for atleast the first year straight!
What’s the last song you heard, website you visited, and movie you watched?
Still Ballin – Tupac, YouTube, Cop Out
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Thanks to all my friends and family, Dave, Reevs, and Paul at Stolen.
Anything else you want to say?
Thanks for the chance to do the interview!
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