There has been a ton of amazing riders that have been coming out of Michigan lately! If you haven’t taken notice, the scene over there has been on absolute fire lately and all the proof you need is in the “The Michigan Video”. One guy who we’ve been seeing more and more of over the past year or two is Nick Bullen. Nick has always been good, but it seems like he’s always flown pretty under the radar… Until recently.
With the ender part in the video and a recent bump up to the Subrosa pro team, Nick is finally getting that well deserved shine time he’s been working his ass off for.
We figured with the recent bump up and everything he has going on, it was more than a perfect time to get to know him a little better. Let’s see what he had to say…
Name: Nick Bullen
Location: Auburn Hills, Michigan
Years riding: I am going on 9 years riding
How’s it going, Nick? I take it things up in Michigan are thawing out about now, huh?
Everything is going well, It has been an exceptionally bitter winter so Michigan is still in the transition period for nice weather. Riding indoors is about the only option you have while it’s cold, and there are only a few parks. Transitions or Modern are the two skateparks that I usually ride during winter.
So it was announced the other day after kicking ass for so long that Subrosa bumped you up to their pro team! Congratulations. Did you expect it at all when they told you or did you think there was a birthday party?
Thanks! I was very surprised when they broke the news. We had just finished riding a skatepark and we were packing up to leave when Bobby pulled out a cake that he had gotten earlier that day. We had gone to a Walmart that morning for tubes, food and drinks. I saw Bobby walk out holding a cake but someone mentioned a birthday or something and I was distracted eating my food so I didn’t think anything of it. He also got into another vehicle to head to the skatepark, so the cake didn’t really cross my mind and I forgot. So, after we rode and started packing up I started getting in the van when Bobby pulled out the cake and starting show it away from me. Once he turned it so I could read it I had just enough time to read it, realize what it said, and close my eyes! I’m so thankful to ride for Subrosa.
So now that it’s all official, I suppose they have you preparing for a hell of a summer on the road. Do you have any trips cooking with them just yet?
Subrosa is doing the Park Party Tour this summer. I’ll be going to the next stop in Ohio with Kyle Hart and Hoang Tran. We’ll be stopping by Chenga 2 and Rays.
I know you have a welcome edit coming along soon. What’s the story on that? When can we expect to see it surface?
I do have a welcome edit in the works. Most of the footage for it is from Phoenix area. I recently took a personal trip to Phoenix and stayed with my friend Greg Moliterno in Tempe. Bobby, Subrosa’s team filmer, also lives in Tempe so we ended up filming during the time I was there. I’m not positive when it is going to be released but it should be very soon.
You have been doing it for Albe’s for a while now too, right? How’s things going with them? Any trips or videos in the works for them at all?
I’ve been repping Albe’s for a long time. Probably since I was 16 when I found out they were based in Michigan and I could just drive an hour to get parts instead of ordering them. Currently there aren’t any trips in the works but when they come up, they are SO much fun. Non stop party haha
I KNOW for a fact that you have to have a story or two from an Albe’s trip… I know how Flip rolls. Care to drop one for us?
Haha, Yes, Flip likes to have a good time. A few years ago we took a road trip to Athens, GA in the Albe’s bus. I think it was for the Twilight jam and to ride the University of Georgia. But the contest had been rained out so the entire hotel was pretty much BMX riders. Raining or not we will have a good time and a good portion of the hotel was partying, playing Cee-low, riding in the rain. It was a great time regardless of bad weather. The other days of the trip were nice and we rode the sickest campus, U of G. It was like something out of a video game. We also rode some trails, a really nice skatepark and some other street. This was my first legit road trip with Albe’s and it couldn’t of been better. No one got hurt, everyone shredded, and I got to experience a new place with some of my good friends! Thank you Albe’s!
Any other sponsor news you can let us in on? I feel like you have been on everyones radar for a while now.
No nothing new really, Im 100% Subrosa as of right now. Albe’s has always helped me a lot over the years and they still hook it up.
So I feel like you have been kicking ass for a while now, but people really took notice of you in the “Michigan Video” that Alex Burnside put out. What’s the story behind that video?
Cory had first come up with the idea of filming a DVD based in Michigan trying to showcase our state. Subrosa’s “Get Used To It” was the first DVD I was ever apart of and it was an awesome learning experience. When I was offered the opportunity to film a part I wanted to put as much work in as possible for it. Taking advantage of all the nice weather we could get. We took as many trips as possible with everyone who had parts in the video. It was difficult getting some of the younger guys to go on all the trips we took but they usually came through. I had full faith that Burnside was going to make us all, and our scene look good, and he did. I had only seen the clips I had once on a time line. I told Burnside I didn’t want to see everything because I felt as if it would spoil it. I held out until the video was finally complete and we burned it to a hard disc. The first time I saw the entire video was that night with a bunch of good friends. I was beyond happy with how it turned out and was very surprised to find out I was given the convented ender. Burnside killed it.
I haven’t had the chance to see the video yet, but you got the well deserved ender part which is rad. If you had to pick a favorite section from the video, who would you pick and why?
It’s really hard to pick a favorite part, each of my friends influence me a lot. Cory’s part definitely opened the video properly, He destroys! I can say I thought Tyler deserved the ender. His part bangs! I thought he would end the video well with his riding. I guess Burnside and the crew talked and thought I deserved it. I consider it an honor to end the video.
Based off the success of the first video, has there been any talks of a Michigan Video 2 or anything like that yet?
I was very surprised with how well the video did. We received a lot of very positive feedback from the masses. I don’t think we will be filming a sequel. Everyone involved has conflicting schedules and it was very hard getting everyone together enough to film the first one.
I feel like Michigan is definitely state flying under the radar but always pumping out some amazing ridings like Dosch, Mikey Tyra, Tyler Fernegel, Cory Wiergowski and you for example. What’s the scene like out there these days? Any other up and comers we should keep an eye out for?
Michigan is definitely a place you have to go out of your way to visit, so it does fly under the radar. You also have to drive a lot if you want to ride the Gems. Not many teams have visited over the past years. Just in the last couple years we’ve seen more teams coming through which is really cool. Subrosa, Shadow, Sun Ringle… Our state has a lot to offer for spot wise. If theres a certain setup, rail, or ledge you want to ride. We probably know where it is and can take you there. Our BMX scene is really awesome, there are so many guys that shred, the young guns coming up are all very talented riders. Connor Keating, who had a part in the video, is an awesome guy and is always down to have a good time on and off his bike. Billy Holcomb is another awesome kid that shreds! Everyone should keep their eyes on him over the years. Chase Krolicki was 16 while we filmed for the DVD and he got a much deserved part. Chase is a very nice, level headed kid who is very respectful. I’m sure he will be turning some heads over the years to come.
Over the winter you were fortunate enough to get some sun out in Arizona, right? How long were you out there? Could you ever see yourself becoming a permanent resident down south?
I love Arizona, everyone out there is awesome and the scene is very good. I made a lot of really good friends while l lived out there in the past so its nice to visit every winter. I took a two week trip last February to basically visit friends, ride some bikes, and enjoy the warmer weather. I don’t want to be a permanent resident anywhere, I get too stir crazy. My ideal goal is to be able to stay in Michigan for the nice weather we have and then go to Arizona for the warm winter.
Speaking of traveling, have you had the chance to get out there much yet? Where are some of the places you have had the chance to go?
I have only ever traveled within the states. I’ve never left the country, even to Canada. Which is right across the bridge from Detroit. The first road trip I ever took with my friends was to Cleveland because it was so close. I went to the Chengas, and Rays a lot. I also took a two car road trip to Florida with friends and got to visit Miami, Tampa, and Ft. Meyers. I was in Denver for a bit when Cory and I drove cross country to Arizona. I also got to enjoy Chicago a few times. Atlanta and Athens, GA. Nashville, TN. Louisville, KY. and Milwaukee, WI.
Where are a few places you really hope you can get to someday?
I would really like to cover the Pacific Northwest and more of the east coast in the states. New York, Boston, Philly, Portland, Salt Lake City. I really enjoy being in new places I’ve never been. As long as its a new place I’m enjoying the experience. I definitely want to go over seas to new countries and see different culture and how people live. I feel like it opens up your mind.
What are you usually getting into when you aren’t riding these days? Aren’t you pretty into drawing and stuff?
If I’m not riding I’m usually drawing, painting, or doing something crafty to keep me busy. I really enjoy multiple forms of art. Tattooing is a very interesting process to me. I started tattooing when I was 18. I used my own skin as canvas to learn. Cory holds the first piece I ever did on someone else which is pretty cool. I also really enjoy being outside in nature, walking through the woods and exploring lets you see how awesome the world really is.
Could you ever see yourself getting into being an artist of some sort for a living? Have you ever thought about actually doing tattoos?
Ever since I was a kid Ive been pretty good at drawing and art stuff. It’s funny, I can distinctly remember in 6th grade my friends all telling me I should be a tattoo artist when I got older. Low and behold that actually happened, haha. Maybe one day ill open up a shop, but that’s up in the air. There is still a lot of learning I need to do.
How many tattoos do you have? Any plans on getting a few more in the future?
Like I said, I learned how a tattoo machine works on my own canvas. My whole right thigh is covered and I did two other larger pieces on my lower leg. I also have a chest and belly piece that Rich Fisher did at Division Tattoo. He also did two sick Mom and Dad pieces for me by my ankles. Aaron Maxwell did my latest piece when I visited Arizona. He works at Fifth Estate and said he could hook it up, which he did. Aaron kills it! I will definitely be getting more work done in the future.
What’s 3 things you could use more of in your life? What’s 3 things you could use less of?
I could go for more traveling, friends, and good memories. I could go for less police, government, and materialistic needs. I’ve never had a cop do anything to help me and in my opinion they are all power pushing and corrupt. Same goes for Government. It’s all ran by money, and money is the root of all evil. My opinion.
What’s some of the best advice you have ever been given or been able to give?
Find what makes you happy and do it! Travel as much as you can. People weren’t meant to live and die in once place.
How can people keep up with you these days? Are you on Instagram, Twitter or any of that?
I use Instagram and Twitter to stay connected. I like seeing what my friends are up to all over. If people would like to see what I’m up to, you can follow me @nickbullen for both accounts.
Instagram: @NickBullen
Twitter: @NickBullen
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
I like to thank my Dad and Mom most of all, They have always supported and helped me work for whatever it is I wanted to do. I’d like to thank all of the guys at Albe’s, Flip, Dane, Scott, Turbo, and John, you guys rock! Shout out to all my homies in Michigan! I’d like to really thank Ryan Sher at Subrosa for giving me the opportunity to ride for the best team ever! S.F.F.S!!! Shout out to Ronnie B and all of the Sparky’s crew!
Anything else you want to say?
Have. Fun. Every. Day!
This website uses cookies.