Search Results for: it's later than you think

Eric is a rider I have had my eye on for quite a while now. He has been killing it on a bike, and has a pretty interesting life outside of riding also. I shot Eric a few questions to get to know a little bit more about him. He also put together and all new BMXunion EXCLUSIVE edit! I’m stoked about that. So, go check out his interview, the new edit, and then leave him some love in the comments!

Name:
Eric Trepanier
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There is one word that can sum Russell up pretty quickly, and that word is “awesome”. He has been killing it for quite some time now and I felt it was time to see what he has been up to. There is some real good insight on his riding career, real career, and life in general. There are also a lot of really good stories. Plus, he has pretty solid advice for those of you who might end up in prison someday. We even got Rick Moliterno to throw in a few questions, so check out the interview, and leave him some love in the comments!

Photo: Miles

Name:
Russell Wadlin

Location:
Tulsa, Ok

Sponsors:
Standard

Years riding:
Probably 10-12 knowing what BMX is. I always jumped curbs and loved riding around downtown before I knew it was a real thing.

What was it that first got you into BMX? Any early memories come to mind?
I vividly remember seeing Rob Nolli do a superman in the first X-gaymes on TV while on a vacation in South Carolina, haha. Hooked instantly. Coincidentally, I had a friend that I didn’t see very often that also got into riding because he lived by some trails. So the next time I saw him we went to the trails, my front wheel flew off, and we saw a kid break his finger — best day ever. I ended up buying my first “real” bike from that kid — Dyno VFR!

Photo: Jake Giesel

You have been on Standard for quite a while now… How are things going with them? Anything big going on involving you and them?
It’s awesome. Nothing like sig. frames or any of that stuff. I have a custom 250, so that’s like a signature bike…only it’s just for me, haha. The new shop is going strong and they’re cranking out some amazing stuff. I’ll be going up to Iowa this summer and I would assume I’ll get/give a few HJ’s and ZJ’s from/to Rick. So that’ll be sweet. Probably some over-unders too.

What about the rest of your sponsors? Anything awesome?
Yes, very awesome. Ballpark and I have a new, signature frank coming out. They’ll be anatomically correct 100% beef injection molds made from a certain part of my body — they’re delicious and fit in buns perfectly.

I’m watching the STA part, and I am instantly confused. Do you ride a freecoaster or no? Explain.
Both. Freecoasters are awesome but they all suck and aren’t reliable at all. I like aspects of both cassette and freecoaster, so I ride both. It’s just whatever trick phase my head is in at the moment. Most of my STA part is really old footage (we’re talking at least 4 years old when the video came out) so it was before I even tried a freecoaster. It sucks sometimes, because I’d love to just have the best of both worlds. I like the engagement and reliability of cassettes, but with a freecoaster I like a lot of slack. I haven’t tried one of those externally adjustable freecoasters yet. Maybe they’re the answer but I doubt it. So I just go back and forth when I feel like it, variety is the spice of life right? Unfortunately my freecoaster is fucked right now, so I don’t know when I’ll be getting on one again.

It seems like you have to be pretty legit to be on Standard these days. Who did you have to kill to get on the team?
Garret Rapp
First question is funny to me though. What do you mean by legit? Everyone “on” Standard is just a dude that shreds for themselves and doesn’t really give a fuck about what people think about it. If that’s legit, then yes.

Speaking of that, what is your automatic weapon of choice?
Chainsaw — automatically awesome.

How’s the scene where you are living these days? I would imagine you are riding with Miles and Tony a fair amount?
Good and quaint, haha, like always. I’ve always told people it’s sweet enough that I’ve never had a desire to move somewhere else like Austin or something sorta close. There’s not a whole lot of riders but everyone knows each other and is cool to one another for the most part. Tulsa is like a big city, but small at the same time. I’m totally a product of my environment and I’m happy with that. I ride with Miles and Tony a bit. Our lives are on different schedules basically. I work all day and ride at night, they film all day and party/chill at night (this is just a generalization). I’ll usually meet up with them on the weekends though. I ride with Aaron Anderson, Alex Vazquez, Dylan Morris, Hawaiin, and Mike Shaiko a lot too.

Photo: Kyle Kisling

Briefly describe the first and last time that someone on a bmx bike just blew your muthafuckin mind.
1st:
I was at these trails in this shitty little town and this dude shows up. I don’t know who the fuck he is but he is just oozing badass. He’s got the oakleys, he’s putting on the leopard print knee and elbow pads, and he’s on a Hoffman. BADASS. He proceeded to 360 and then flip the “trick” jump. I was astounded. I was seriously dumbstruck. I just witnessed that shit in person!
Most recent:
That new DUB jam video. The riding in that thing is crazy!

I heard you can hop a 45 pound bike higher than your own?
Hahaha, I wouldn’t say it was higher, it was about the same height that I can hop on my normal bike.

Is there an aspect of your riding you always want to pursue but never do?-Rick Moliterno
I wouldn’t say NEVER, but some of the gaps and shit I see I just can’t bring myself to do them. Just not brave enough. It sucks too, because I feel like if I see it, then I should be able to do it. And I really hate walking away from things. I’m not the 3 bitch runs and get it done guy, I’m the take a million run-ups, learning more about it every time, then finally do it. Some people hate that, and I’m sorry if we’re riding together, but it’s just the way I think. I think a lot and am very meticulous. It’s just the way my head is and I’ve accepted it. I’ve done most of what I’ve seen and some have been really hard for me mentally. There’s still some out there that I don’t know if I’ll ever do.

Have you been doing much filming for anything lately? When can we expect to see some new clips of you?
Yeah I’ve been trying. Doing work with Miles and Tony and then also with Chris Mahaffey when we get the chance. I’m working on full parts for them hopefully but I’m not going to stress out and make riding not enjoyable to get them done. You’ll be seeing a little webbie vid soon. I have 2 breaks in my foot right now, so I’ll be making the vid with some new footage that’s not going to Chris anymore (he’s all HD now — what a snob!) and some used stuff that was in my BNQT bio and maybe even some older stuff from the Standard video. Just something sweet and with tricks that I was most psyched on. The kids are calling them remixes nowadays, so I will too.

How much do trends affect your riding?-Rick Moliterno
I’ll be honest. I do follow trends, everyone does in some way no matter how much they deny it. I just do it moderation. I try to do things that are “cool” but then also do some stuff that’s weird or different. I’m really into doing ironic things I guess. Like, lately I’ve been all about can-cans or other silly tricks and doing them in “cool” places like down stair sets or something. I guess the same can be said about my clothing even. I started wearing tie-dye because I thought it was silly and it made me smile. Now I’m seeing kids wearing it and companies selling shirts. I’m not saying I started a trend, because I HIGHLY doubt that, it’s just weird. I’ve noticed a small resurgence of old school tricks and it makes me really happy.

With Summer coming up pretty quickly. What do you have planned riding wise?
I’ll be sweating profusely and getting tanned skin. Nothing really out of the ordinary honestly. Hopefully I’ll be heading up to Iowa for a week or so around the time of Extravajamza (June 20th, everyone go it’s amazing). Just riding my bike a lot more and driving my car a lot less. Hopefully some good trips come up, but if not, oh well.

If you could go on a road trip with only 5 people, who would you bring, where would you go, and why?
I’d take two Tulsa legends: Big Aaron and James double D, Drew York, Fergie, and Rick. I have THE BEST roadtrip memories with Aaron and James. Same with Drew and Rick actually. Some good times on SBC trips! Fergie just because he’s basically the sweetest dude I’ve ever met. With that crew, it wouldn’t matter where we went honestly. So hard to narrow this down to 5 people. Can’t I just bring everyone?

Photo: Kyle Kisling

Who is the biggest animal on SBC in your opinion? Benny P claims he didn’t have a part in the video because you didn’t want him making you look bad?
Yeah, I begged Benny not to do anymore inverts over spines. I guess that equals no riding at all. As an animal, Drew comes to mind instantly, but when I think about it there’s so many. Rick — duh. Jonah — such a badass and is an eccentric person and I really like that in people. Benny — has no front teeth as a result of being an animal. Rob Ridge — just wow. Watch his part on vimeo, so amazing. Greg Litecky — no shirt, cigs, awesome. Jeremiah — because he’s literally a lumberjack, like, literally. Doug E Fresh — he’s a racer that’s jumped the church gap. There’s just so many. I just love everyone on Standard that I’ve met. It’s everything BMX is, but at the same time, everything that it isn’t if you know what I mean.

Out of the whole team, who do you think you could take in a game of checkers?
Fucking hell, probably no one. I don’t even know how to figure an answer for this haha.

When it comes to riding, are you very picky with what you want to ride or are you able to shred a curb and be completely satisfied?
I’m happy to ride a curb! One of the last times I rode before I broke my foot we sessioned a curb in front of the skatepark, haha! I’m not picky at all. I never pick spots because I like showing up with a fresh imagination instead of going in with intentions of doing something I’ve already called out but sometimes I do that too. It’s weird, haha. I started out riding trails, always rode street, and ride skateparks too, so I will seriously ride anything. My imagination always wins and I end up wanting to do stuff that’s weird to other people. At its extreme it borders on not even being BMX at all sometimes, like riding on a cable/wire or something with no tires or tubes — tightrope/circus style. Like, hopping in and out and everything, maybe even tricking out if it works, but I just want to see if the bare rims will ride on the cable/wire like I think they will. Is that BMX to people? Lately, the thinking has translated into about a million thread-the-needles, so nothing too weird there. I’ve thought about making a whole part with NO tricks in it, except hopping, wallrides, manuals, those kind of bike manuever type of things. I don’t really know if I’d include spins or not. It’d be like, gaps and just weird ways to use a bike at normal spots or just doing things at really weird spots. Just bare bones, creative riding, but the intention is that it wouldn’t be boring and it’d still be a sweet video part. Kind of hard to explain, but it makes sense in my head — a problem I have a lot!

Do you envision yourself as an “older” rider yet?-Rick Moliterno
Yes and no. I know I’m not actually that old and that there’s a lot more shredders out there older than I am. Typically at home I am the oldest dude in the session though. I don’t really care because I don’t feel old (unless I’m around kids who don’t know what video Forward is — WOW). Most people don’t even realize I’m 27 until it comes up somehow. They think I’m younger.

Photo: Jake Giesel

If you could change anything about BMX, from removing people, events, places, or anything like that, would you? If yes, what?
I don’t know man, that’s a hard question. It’s like when Marty’s sister or whatever is disappearing from his photo in Back to the Future. If you change something, then the world we know now will be different. You know, cause and effect. If that’s true, then probably not. BMX is what you want it to be, so if you don’t like it, that’s your own fault. I think a lot of people are driven in a negative way by the industry and coverage because they want to be good at something. They think that being “pro” is the only to be good or to ever succeed and that sucks to see. Why not stop stressing over the popular tricks you think you should be doing and do some tricks YOU want to do? Like I said, BMX is yours, it’s what you make it, I do whatever I feel like so I love it. Um sorry about the tangent there, back to the question…If I could change something without changing how BMX is now overall, it’d definitely be the highschool/popularity contest I’ve noticed sometimes. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve liked everyone I’ve ever met, I get along with pretty much anyone. But there’s been times when I’m chilling with a rider, and a “cooler” person comes around, and I no longer matter to them. I haven’t experienced bullshit like that since highschool. Very petty. But fuck it, through all the lost friends, friends quitting, friends changing, people acting shady, people being unnaccepting, etc I will and do still ride (obviously, ha).

Do you have any real good stories involving cops, security, homeless people, hookers, or pedestrians because of BMX?
Cops:
Last year’s Extravajamza after party was wild. A lot of people started claiming couches and floor space to crash. Space ran out quick and I started to get annoyed with all the overly drunk people anyway so I got an AMAZING blanket from someone and went to crash outside. I thought “what would a dog do?” So I cuddled up in the corner next the building, away from the wind. I’m asleep fast and for at least an hour. Eventually someone starts waking me up and I instantly think it’s some drunk dick, so I’m like “FUCK OFF I’M SLEEPING!” Well, it was a cop. He ends up being surprisingly nice, takes me to his cruiser, where I sat for like a damn hour, and he’s trying to get me to get someone inside the house to let me in. Turns out there was a major brawl…like, iron fence posts thrown like spears through cars and shit. Cops had shown up and everyone locked the place down pretending like no one was there. Well, I play dumb saying that I’m from out of town (I was) and that I don’t have any numbers (lie). Eventually they just put me in a random, unlocked parked car with another dude, Duckman, that they found under a tree or something. They eventually leave, the garage door opens and we go back in, haha. I proceeded to whine a bit because I was so salty from being caught up in it when I was actually trying to get away from all of it. I got over it. Awesome memory now.

Homeless people (kinda):
We were down in OKC for a CFB years ago and staying at our friend, Nick Stout’s place. His neighbors across the street were amazing. 2 of the ABSOLUTELY WORST/BEST rednecks I’ve ever met. They eventually were named “All Out Punch Out” and “Riversnake” (not the Square One Riversnake, a blatant copy). Wasted the whole time. Drinking what they were calling “whoooooooooooski.” My buddies James and Mitch among other things, went in their house without them knowing, raided the fridge, pissed on the couch with a passed out dude on it, and stole the TV remote. When the 2 came back home, James and Mitch were changing channels and volume from outside the house and these guys were flipping out and couldn’t figure it out. Eventually James and Mitch just cranked to volume to max and threw the remote in a field. They blamed it on some kids down the street that didn’t even exist and the rednecks went to go find them. I can’t even remember everything these guys did. They were on another level.

You used to rock some dreads. What happened to them and will they ever make a return? Were you bummed when that trend died down?
I hated them for a very long time. My girlfriend at the time (wifey now) and I had this deal where I would keep them until I proposed to her, because she really liked them. She obviously made that deal thinking it was going to take forever, which it didn’t. I eventually proposed and cut them off minutes later, haha. They will never make a return. They were absolutely miserable to ride with. They went down to the top of my ass and would whip me in the face all the time. They weighed a ton, especially wet. They were extremely hot. I was every hippie and goth girl’s dream guy. I can’t even count the number of times I got offered weed from random people at random times, which I suppose would be sweet if I smoked. Just, no. It was never really a trend in my opinion. There’s always just been a few people who have them, not like every kid rocking big bars and skinny jeans.

Photo: Kyle Kisling

What do you think you would be up to if you never got into BMX?
I don’t know. I’d like to think it was something similarly unique and individual. BMX was the first thing I was interested in that I discovered on my own, not through just doing whatever my step-brother was doing. I pretty much quit all the conventional sports I did at the time because I hated coaches and wanted to ride more. Maybe art, but I hate the baggage and douchebaggery that is attached to that word. Who knows. It’d be interesting to find out though.

I see you work as a graphic designer. What’s that like, and how’s it all going?
It’s horribly awesome. I don’t want to say that working 40 hrs a week is awesome, because it’s not and I don’t think humans were meant to spend the majority of their lives working. However, design was my way of making it all not so bad. My specific job is great. I work at the county health department, which sounds so uncool and domesticated. I’m the only designer, the majority of the deadlines are soft, decent pay, good benefits, lots of payed time off, and a lot of flexibility. So basically it’s a job where I do something that I enjoy, there’s low stress, no competitiveness, and I can go on trips pretty much whenever I want. Seems pretty perfect at the moment.

I’d imagine you would have to go to school for something like that? Did you do that? Finally, would you advise people into going into that kind of career?
A lot of people hire on portfolios, so you don’t technically have to have a degree to be successful. I went to TU and got a degree after several years of trying out another major. It’s definitely a very expensive way to raise your chances of success, but school just doesn’t work for all people. There’s just SO MANY self proclaimed designers lowering the value of real design work out there. Photoshop does not make you designer.

How do you feel about the way design is done these days? If you could add or remove anything what would you do different and why?
Well it’s just like everything else, there’s amazing work out there and then there’s those things I see that just make me want to drop a machete on my foot. I don’t think I’d really change anything aside from me getting an easy job for a milli. I mean, my philosophy is less is more, well not mine but I borrowed it, haha. So if every designer thought that, I’d be even more of a little fish in a big pond.

If you couldn’t ride professionally, or work as a graphic designer, what could you see yourself doing for a career?
Um, I was doing video stuff in school before I got this weird vision of me working at the local news station as a cameraman or an editor and I instantly wanted to castrate myself. So maybe I’d be doing that and would have realized there’s better jobs out there (that I probably wouldn’t have gotten) than the news station shit.

What kind of partying are you into? Safe and sober, high intoxication, or strippers getting their noses broken status?
Depends on who I’m around. When I’m around all friends, dude party 5000 style I definitely like to get down. Compared to some of my friends though, my raging is very tame, haha. On average though, I’m definitely a chiller. I’m real big on drinking brews by the fire with the wife and homies. That type of thing.

If you were given enough money to live for the rest of your life without any fear of running out. Would you still work? Would you change the way you live or work right now?
I don’t know, if I worked it wouldn’t be very much at all. Enough to kill boredom maybe, but if I had that scrilla I’d be riding jet skis or some shit when I got bored. If I had no fear of ever running out you can best bet I’d be globetrotting like a mother fucker. I’d try my best not to change as a person but I’d definitely change the way I live. I’d buy Kelly and I’s dream home and have the typical BMXer stuff and bunch of dude toys. I’m trying to live life man!

What are 5 of the most important things in your life?
Kelly, BMX (or rather the enjoyment it gives me. I doubt it’ll change but it could be croquet when I’m 60, who knows), being happy, family, and Taco Bueno.

First song to come to mind? What about first movie?
Kid Cudi — Day n Night
Super Troopers

What’s your favorite video game cheat code?
First one that comes to mind is the blood code for the original Mortal Kombat for the Genesis. The one that’s probably brought me the most enjoyment is the weapons cheat on GTA3 (the newest system I have is a PS2). But you can’t forget the classic — the 30 lives code for Contra on the original NES!

What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next few years?
Make those couple video parts and be satisfied with them (this year I guess). Buy a commercial building or multi-floor garage and have the first floor be the craziest ramp set-ups I can think of and the upper floor(s) our home. Continue being happy. Get out of the country more and ride my bike in new cities.

If you were put in prison, what would be the first thing you would do to make sure you didn’t look like somebody they would want to mess with in the showers?
Probably steal the first shank possible, slash my chest in a ‘Z’, Zorro style and then scream “I HAVE AIDS BITCHES!” while charging at everyone while I’m covered in AIDS blood. Hopefully that’d work.

Photo: Kyle Kisling

What would it take for you to drop kick a young child? Would you do it for $1000?
When I worked at the skatepark I would’ve done it for free…to every kid that came in.

What is the most embarassing story you can tell us about anybody in BMX? Do it, you wont.
Some real goodies come to mind but I don’t feel like I can tell them because I didn’t experience them first-hand. However, this dude that used to ride with my first little riding crew in the small town I grew up in went on a blind date. The girl had no arms or legs. How do you think he felt when he realized she was his date? What do you do? He had no teeth though, so it’s cool. I never understood how he talked to her on the phone.

What is the best advice you have ever been given, or able to give?
I don’t know but I like these things:
-Less is more
-Moderation is key
-Live fast, land flat

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Kelly, for sure. My mom and Kelly’s parents too. Rick and Jess at Standard, they’re the best. The Team Iowa dudes for being sweet to me before they even knew me, Drew, Fergie, Danny G, Jake H. Anybody that’s ever pointed a camera my way, especially Miles, Tony, Kyle Kisling, Jake Geisel, and Chris Mahaffey. Matt Coplon for just being a genuinely good person. He had me at hello. My boss Melanie for being most excellent. The Tulsa locals that make it so fun to ride here: Mike, Big Aaron, Lil Aaron, James, Dylan, Hawaiin, Alex, I definitely forgot someone — sorry! Kurt, for having me do this. It was really cool to do. People on the internet who have been a fan of my riding. It gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. Anybody that’s ever let me crash at their place. Anyone who’s ever looked past the quiet and reserved first impression I give off and gotten to know me instead of just thinking I’m a dick. ThAnKs GaIz!

Anything else you want to say?
If you made it this far, thanks. I felt like I got kinda wordy, but fuck it, it’s what I had to say.
ACID!

It’s very apparent Miles has been on his game of ass kicking lately. He has had countless web videos of himself, sponsor changes, and even his own video series on BNQT. I saw it being the perfect time for an interview. It seems like there was so much that could be talked about it was hard to send the interview knowing I had to of left something out. This is what Miles had to say. Check it out, and let him know what’s up in the comments.

Name:
Miles Rogoish

Location:
Tulsa, OK

Sponsors:
Mongoose, and Sun Ringle

Years riding:
10

What was it that first got you into BMX in the first place? Any real early memories?
Yea yea I remember seeing a neighborhood kid always poppin wheelies around my block on a diamond back with a sweet number plate. Then in 4th grade i actually won my first bicycle raising money for the American Heart Association in school. I remember it was a Schwinn with blue bent rainbow tubing and flames, anyways it was sweet. I got to go home early with this bike and I actually had my mom swing by the local shop and they traded for a schwinn superstock 1! I was stoked! A few years later i was riding around the neighborhood and found a house, number 4130, a little more then a block away with a 12ft long rolled landing box jump and trails in the backyard. I’d say from there it was pretty much on….haha

Photo: Jake Giesel

So you recently got picked up by Mongoose? How did that all come about? It seems like they made the big team changes then got quiet again?
Uhhm My TM for Sun Ringle, Jon Wells called me one day and asked what I’d think about riding for Mongoose and I said it wouldn’t hurt to give them my number.

So do you have any big trips, filming projects, signature parts or anything in the works with Mongoose that you can tell us about?
There’s definitly some trips JJ and I have been planning ourselves, It’s really dope though because we have quite a bit of freedom. I think there might have been something jumping around about Australia but I guess you’ll have to wait and see. As for signature parts I only ride a Mongoose frame so maybe something will happen with that next year.

Do you have any other sponsor related things going on at all?
No but much thanks to my local shop LEE’s for always helping me out with the ride.

You have been traveling a lot lately it seems like. Where all have you been in the last year or so?
Last year was definitly a little loose. Lots of working and lots of traveling haha some of my favorite stops last year were Moline, LA, Cinncinati, Florida, Interbike, and I always have a good time in Chicago. This year is going to be nuts…. plenty of jet lag in my near future.

Photo: Jeff Allen

Do you have any trips to film or ride planned at all right now? Where are some places you would like to go?
Right now Tony Malouf and I are going to working on two major projects this year, one is a DVD that will pop out late this year, and one idea that kind of just popped off like a day ago is the PLUSH TaTour and were gonna load up our two vehicles with 8 dudes go get tatoos and hit the road for a little longer then a week and put it out on DVD. I’m probably going to do quite a bit of traveling by myself this year as well so Canada, Europe, and gettin shitty in Mississippi!

If you could go on a road trip and you could only bring 5 people, who would you bring and why?
Drew York, Tony Malouf, Jake Geisel, Lil Jon, and Jeff K because were all pretty young except for grandpa klug…haha. There would be nothing but laughter and good times. Sweet loose dudes pretty much down for whatever. Much love

You have been doing a lot of edits for BNQT lately with your “Tuesdays with Miles” edits. How did you land that job and what can we expect to see of that as time goes on?
Full thanks to Kosman for getting me set up with this… Cody at BNQT is a really sweet dude and hit me with an email asking what I thought about a vid a week and I was down. Next one to pop will be a small trip to Muskogee, OK with my roommates Justin Coble and Tony Malouf. And by the next one i should have made it somewhere else out of town for some new goods…RIDAZ

How long have you been filming and editing anyways? What kind of cameras and editing programs are you using?
Been filming with school friends since middle school but didn’t start filming BMX until about 10th grade year when I bought a Sony VX2100, Century Optics Mark II “death lens” and I downloaded Final cut studio for free, which everyone can do on limewire.

Photo: Jake Geisel

What’s the scene like down in Tulsa these days? Any up and coming guys you think people should be looking out for?
Tulsa is where it’s at these days man haha. The scene has frequent travelers from surrounding areas and mad street spots with plenty of opportunity. As for a look out, peep Justin Coble’s street “Tuesday Edit” droppin in about a month.

You are killing it on street these days, but I heard you grew up riding trails. Do you ever hit up trails ever or are you pretty much all street these days?
I ride street everyday pretty much, but if I’m ever around some trails I’m usually not hesitant to drop in. I was recently in Austin riding 9th st and I think I progressively got sketchier each day..haha..but dirt is awesome.

It seems like BMX is getting more mainstream these days, how do you feel about it possibly being in the 2012 olympics? Would you be into going if you were picked for it?
I think it’s pretty gnarly… olympians are intense athletes. If I was invited i would definitely go (wouldn’t happen)

What is BMX to you? Would you change anything about it if you could?
FUN. The level of seriousness people take it to.

What do you think you would be up to if you never got into BMX?
No good… ha

Photo: Jake Giesel

What are you usually up to if you aren’t riding, filming, or editing?
Mexican food is badass, I cook a lot with a bartender named Saint.

If you could be sponsored by any company that has nothing to do with BMX, who would you want and why?
Apple for I-phones and American Apperal

You were the guy behind the camera when Drew York pounded that dude for stealing the keg from the party… So, what other crazy stories do you have from messed up stuff like that happening?
Mad stories haha and that was only messed up on that kids part, DREWYORK is the truth. I’ll briefly mention some but if you catch me somewhere I’ll give you the real low down on some goodies haha.
–
In Hollywood we were staying at a pretty nice apartment and we were having fun,it was getting a little late and the security guard showed up the twins that own the apartment were worried and I invited him in and he kicked it with us all night and did a bunch of filming with us for the Plush Pictures DVD – his name was corey and he was dope.

What makes for a good night of partying?
Good friends.

About how many girls have you taken care of business with? Has BMX ever got you laid?
Haahaha. Yea well in Hollywood Tony filmed his Daily Habit with FuelTV and Jeff K and I used that line on a few broads and… well the rest is history haha ended up getting mad free Red Bull.

What kind of money would it take to get you in the ring with a UFC fighter?
Bare Knuckle Box haha yeah right! No way!

Actually, if you got in a fight who is the first person you would want to back you up?
Prob Drew… fighting is stupid tho.

Would you ever consider a job in porn or stripping? What would it take?
I was offered some film work from meeting a David Lee Roth’s daughter in Cali haha and didnt even realize what she offered me at the time.

When it comes to editing a new video every week, do you ever get stuck trying to figure out a song to use or what? What do you do when you can’t come up with something?
I have about 35GB of music on my hard drive from my friends computers so I put it on shuffle hear a newbee and work with it.

Photo: Jake Giesel

If you could change anything about the world, what would you change and why?
Free Health Care

What’s the best advice you have ever been given, or able to give?
Be a man of your word, or be smarter then the thing your dealing with.

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Everyone’s couch I’ve stayed on, my parents, Jon Wells at Sun, Chuck and Brian at Mongoose, Saint, Mason, Vazquezian, Big A, Malouf, Coble, Thomas, Kosman, Cody at BNQT, Christoph at Mk, Catfish, Bk, Stew J at Props, Jeff K, LIl A, SWAB, McFellme, and there’s a ton more…

Anything else you want to say?
RIDAZ.

Go to BNQT for more videos.

For those of you who were unaware, today Kyle Carlson was officially named the Team Manager of Osiris‘s re-instated BMX team. I shot over Kyle some questions about how he got the job, who is on the team, what they got planned so far for the team, and company as a whole. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments.

Name:
Kyle Carlson

Current Location:
Beautiful Henderson, Nevada. The weather is amazing this time of year.

As of this week you were officially named Osiris BMX team manager. How did this all come about? How long have you been working on getting the details dialed in and everything?
I’ve been working pretty closely with Osiris for the past six or seven months, but everything just recently became set in stone. I met William Prokop, one of the marketing dudes at Osiris, through my gig at VitalBMX. We bounced ideas back and forth for a while, I made a few trips out to the office in San Diego, and eventually we got the entire BMX program built. William isn’t a BMXer, but he’s an awesome guy and this whole thing wouldn’t be happening if it wasn’t for him. He’s been down for it since long before I was ever involved and I can’t say enough good things about him.

Who all is on the team? How did you go about picking each person?
The team consists of Sean Burns, Darryl Tocco, Josh Betley, Rob Darden, Anthony “Boy” Flores, and Marcus Tooker. We’re also hooking up Steve Croteau, Ben Hucke, Osiris OG Tom Haugen, and a few other dudes. Basically, in my eyes, BMX is packed full of amazing riders. You can go to any skatepark in any city in the world and find three or four guys riding at a pro level. What I was looking for in a team was a group of self-motivated, down to Earth riders that handle business, but don’t take it too seriously. I think we’ve got a pretty sweet line up and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the year.

I know there had been talk of Sean Burns being on Orchid and everything. How did you manage to get the guys from other companies to come over to Osiris? Is there any bad blood with them making the switch at all?
Sean Burns was never on Orchid. I think they gave him a pair of shoes when he parted ways with Duffs and then posted some stuff about him on their site, but he was never a part of the team. I think he’s actually been riding in Osiris shoes since Interbike. I’m pretty sure there’s no bad blood between Orchid and Osiris/Burns/me because no sort of shady business ever went down; I think it was all just kind of based on a lack of communication. Long story short, Burns is awesome and I’m stoked to have him on our team. He’s a perfect fit.

What are all the guys up to now? When will you be getting everyone together to do a trip?
I think this is the first time in a long time all of the guys are actually at home for a few days. Darden is off to California in a week or so for the St. Patrick’s Day dirt jam, Burns is helping run Metal Bikes and finishing up the Bonedeth video in Seattle, Betley is between Las Vegas and Phoenix filming some stuff for Felt and working on a couple of magazine interviews, Tocco has been trying to keep warm and is always super busy with Kink stuff, Tooker is a fulltime college student and a fulltime landlord, and Boy is wrapping up his section for the new Primo video and working on the launch of a new bike company, which everyone will know a lot more about soon enough.

I’d love to get everyone together for a trip. I’m sure it’ll happen sooner than later, but for the time being all of the guys are so busy with other stuff. I’m stoked to have all of them out there doing their own things.

Will there be any videos or anything like that in the works? I would imagine since you already do so much filming you would be in charge of that?
There are no official plans as of yet, but you’ll see a few clips popping up on the Osiris site really soon.

What shoes has the team been riding in?
A few of the guys are really into mid tops; the Chino Mid and South Bronx are getting a lot of good feedback. Burns and Darryl are more into lower shoes, like the Brockman, the Duffel, and the Corpse. The shoe lines is really big so there is pretty much an option to fit anyone.

Will any of the guys have some signature goods coming out anytime soon?
Once again, it’s a bit too soon to say, but it’s definitely been talked about and I’m pretty sure you’ll be hearing more details soon enough.

As team manager what kinds of things will you be taking on with this role? Aren’t you already busy with your Ride UK and Vital BMX stuff as is?
I’m a busy dude, but it kind of keeps me sane. Along with Vital and Ride UK, I’ve always done my fair share of freelance work. That will probably get cut down a bit. With Osiris, I’ll be running the blog on the site, dealing with all of the riders with anything they need, and pretty much handling anything that has to do with both Osiris and BMX. There’s going to be some photo and video work up in there as well.

Does this mean you will be taking a break from school again or are you almost done?
I’m still in school full time, but I’d be lying if I said it was going good. I’m so busy traveling and living the good life that I don’t get to put nearly as much time and effort into it as I really should. You only live once though, right? Let the good times roll!

So what’s the deal about gay bars? What’s the story behind that one?
Haha, let me preface this by clarifying that I like women. A couple of friends from Vegas talked me into going to a gay bar with them the other night and I figured I might as well check it out, have a few drinks, and just see what that whole scene is all about. I’m not going to lie; it was a really good time. It was me, two other guys, and three good looking girls, so no one got the wrong idea. We ended up getting kicked out for spilling drinks on the dance floor. NO HOMO!

I heard Josh Betley was getting flow from a karoke bar in Las Vegas… is this true?
He wishes. We hit up a karaoke bar every Thursday night we’re in town called Kelley’s Pub. It’s an awesome spot. The karaoke lady is nuts, the crowd is awesome, and the times are great. Betley definitely impressed everyone the other night by knowing every single word to Nickleback’s song “How You Remind me.”

I know for a fact that you are a beard connoisseur, how do you not grow a mustache?
I try really hard and I get nothing. It’s a damn shame. My dad can grow a proper mustache, so I’m hoping one day he’ll pass the power on.

Other than the typical kicking ass blogging, filming, editing, and team managing, what are you up to these days?
School, traveling, partying, chilling, trying to get as many riding sessions in as possible, hanging out with a woman, paying taxes, eating burritos, hanging out with my dog, and answering questions for BMXunion.com. Action packed!

Spring Break?
Pretty sure I’m either going to Cancun or Australia. Vacations are beautiful. Every day is spring break when life is great, though.

What kind of advice do you have for people looking into becoming a team manager like myself?
I feel like I have a bit of an upper hand going into the team management game because I’ve worked in the BMX media for as long as I have. Through the media, I think I have a good grasp on what people are into and what is selling. Combine that knowledge with a bit of money and a supportive company, and the result is a successful BMX program. I guess I’d just recommend that you get to know and understand the industry the best you possibly can, make friends, and stand by your opinions and decisions regardless of what anyone else says or does. Gotta keep hustlin’!

Anything else you want to say about anything?
I’d like to give a big shout out to William Prokop and everyone else at Osiris for making this BMX program happen. I’m really excited for the next year and I don’t think anyone is going to be disappointed. Also, thanks to my family and all of my friends for always being so supportive and making my life awesome. Cheers!

Chris is one of those Canadian guys who you may or may not have heard of. He is real good at riding bikes, and even better at remembering exact moments in time. With a little help from Cory Beal, we put together this interview for Chris and it turned out real good. There’s a lot of really cool stories from his past to go along with his great outlook on life and BMX as a whole. I don’t think you will be able to stop reading this one halfway through. So give it a look, and leave some comments on how you feel about Chris!

Name:
Chris Silva

Location:
Toronto Ontario Canada

Sponsors:
10pack-Animal bikes/Macneil bikes, The Warehouse(Toronto indoor bmxpark)

Years riding:
12

What was it that first got you into BMX in the first place? What is the first memory to come to mind from when you started?
Ive always had a bmx since I can remember. I was one of those kids from the mid 90’s in a ghetto hood that had a chrome bike with mags on it, never thought of doing a trick just wanted to have a mint bike.
Then in the summer of 1996 I saw the X-Games and Jay Miron and was blown away. I saved up all my allowance and got a haro shredder on september 23rd 1996. I dont remember doing much on it in ’96 just trying to learn a few flatground things but I was horrible.
I went to the Toronto Bicycle Show for the first time in ’97 with my 2 freinds Kyle and Jay and as we walked in we saw Jay Miron and Dave Osato walking in frunt of us and I shit my pants, we followed them around for about 30 minutes and Kyle asked Miron to sign a piece of paper. Miron told us that him and Osato would be signing posters in a few minutes so we continued to follow him till he got to the autographing session. I think at that exect moment of my life I knew that bmx was real and I wanted to be a part of it.

I took the day I met Miron and Osato at the ’97 bike show.

How are things going with the sponsors these days? Any big trips, filmin projects, or anything like that going on these days?
Everythign is awesome, I couldnt be more stoked on the people I ride for. I kinda plan trips pretty spontaneous, I plan trips a week before I go on them with no idea of what Im getting into, its fun that way. I really dont have any filming projects going on at this time but Im going to film as much as I can this summer. Im sure by the end of the year there will be a project I will donate my blood to.

What’s the deal with the Inner City Circle(ICC)? For those who don’t know, how did that start, and what’s the crew’s current status?
ICC was started fall of ’03 by Taro and “Drifter”Dave, just as an idea to get dudes in the city together and try to get a indoor park for the winter. We got our park, became a tight crew, when the spring came around and we shut the park down about 10-12 of us were really into street riding so we just started to ride with eachother and Id say by the summer of ’04 ICC was not the name of our “winter park” anymore but we now went by it as the name of our street crew. So from then on we did yearly videos and street jams and continued to keep ourselves in the tight crew and always road and hung out with eachother.
I wish I could say good things about the crews status but it dyed pretty good this past year. Theres about 4-5 of us that still ride and chill but we lost some to the fact that people get older and move away, school, get a girl and stop riding, jobs and bills to pay, shit like that. Theres always someone down to ride its always a good time.

Photo: Jamie Burke. from the ’07 icc toronto street jam.

It’s about that point in the year where the snow will start slowly melting, what are you most excited to ride once everything gets dried out?
The Toronto winters can be deceiving, around this time of year it always looks like the weather is going to start to get better but anyone who knows Toronto knows that we will be hit with more storms that will stretch the winter long into April. I hope that im proved wrong though.
Once it is gone I just love to call up the ICC crew and get out on the streets. Just rip around downtown.

I am pretty sure you are the only person I have ever seen do a candybar vader jam. How the hell do you learn tricks like that?
I always have like 20 tricks I cant do and I just mess around with them for fun, weird different things I have ideas of when Im bored and that candyjam was one that just worked out. Its just a joke trick, I think so much of that footjam stuff is just funny.

If you were offered to go on two trips, one with a bunch of pros you look up to and the other with a bunch of your friends, at the same time. Who would you go with and why?
I could care less about “pros” and going on a trip with them. I have gone on lots of trips with freinds in the past so Id like to create a third option where I go on a trip with local “pros” who I looked up to who I am now freinds with. The trip would consist of Keven Salmon, Mike Wilkinson, Jamie Dalaney, Phil McPhadden, as well as some dudes I dont know to well like John Pratt, Justin and Tom Clappison and Josh Lichti. Thats all that comes to mind right now Im sure there is more. I dont think we would make it a hour without getting pulled over and put in jail.

Who is one person you have always wanted to ride with but have never had the chance to? Any reason why?
Paul Buchanan! The dude is just amazing and does his own thing. I hear lots of stories about him from people now and then, I would feel privileged to just be in the presence of him.

If you could relive any trip, session, moment in BMX when would you go back to and why?
I 180’d over the rail at Brooklyn Banks a few years ago and smoked my head off the floor and saw the most amazing bright lights for a few seconds, I think I would want to relive that cause it was a weird but enjoyable experience. I still dont know why I saw bright lights, it was trippy.

What is the coolest thing you have been able to experience because of bikes?
The coolest thing that happens every now and then is going somewhere new away from home and meeting a new bmxer, after a day they trust you enough to let you sleep in their house. I think thats crazy.
One situstion that stands out is a trip I went on this past October, my friend Jamie and I were traveling Europe riding and we were on our way to Paris France and had nowhere to stay so I got some info from Ralph at Animal about this dude Willy who lived there. One e-mail later we had a place to stay in Paris. So we met up with Willy and go to his place in downtown Paris, chilled out with him and his girlfreind for a bit then midnight rolls around and he says that hes going to stay at his girlfriends for the weekend and we have the place all to ourselves! hands the keys over and takes off. Willy also hooked up with us during the days to show us around the city. It was an amazing time and I dont think Ill ever forget that. Thanks Willy!

Photo: Jamie Burke in Paris France

What about the shadiest thing?
In 2005 my friends Patrick, Leland and I took a month long trip in a van around the north eastern states. The first night we were in Philly we ran into some dudes riding street and they told us that they were going to some new place under a bridge to ride. It was super late and we still had not figured where we were going to sleep, so in a act to get in with the locals we followed them along. These dudes were some grimy street dudes that all had U-locks hangin off their bikes, not sure for locking the bikes up or for beating the shit out of people,haha. But we went along with them hoping for the best. We road for about a half hour across the city threw the most sketch streets Id ever been pedaling at top speed. We had no clue where we were or where we were going, it didnt help that Patrick, Leland and I were about a city block behind the locals and could be lost at any second. It was a pretty shady situation but we made it to the destionation alive and it turned out to be a fun night.

Patrick, Leland and I on our month long van trip around the states.

What do you think you would be up to if you never got into BMX?
Like most people from my hood I think Id be living at home and jobless(not a big change) but instead of riding Id be into heavy drugs and selling it as well. Some dudes around here are fucked up but still freinds for life. Im glad I didnt become a product of my environment, bmx really kept me away from all that. Although I think I would have had a lot more money,haha.

I read that you actually don’t like getting money from your sponsors… So what do you do to pay those bills?
-There is no way of putting it without sounding stupid. Its just something I feel is right. I have been paid to do demos and shows of course but getting a actual pay from a company to ride their bikes just seems stupid to me to ride my bike and receive money for it. Its something I do cause I love it. I got into bmx cause it was rad and I loved the fun I have on my bike, that has never changed. If money was the issue I would have gone to school and had a great job that paid a lot, but what kind of life is that? A life fuled by the thought of money, thats not for me. Of corse the day will come when I got to realize Im not a kid anymore and I have bills to pay and what not but till then Im still the same kid on a bike that I was 12 years ago and he didnt care about making money.

Have you ever been scheduled to ride a contest or show and skipped it before?
Haha, ya! Ever since 2003 I ride ever other year at the Toronto Bike Show. I always enter every year but pull out last second. But I think the real story your looking for is ’08 Kingston Metro! I was scedualed to ride again but when I showed up I told them I wasnt going to ride and I was going to go shoot photos around the city instead. Then that night I was told to do a box jump demo for the city fair in the morning. Im no box jumper, so I didnt go to that either. It was a pretty shitty move on my part Ill admit, I saw Gary Young the next day and he said to me “I got a call to do a box jump demo this morning cause you werent going to show up”,haha. Well I guess the kids got a way better show with him rather then me. Sorry again Gary.

This is from when I took off from the contest in kingston to go ride street. photo: Dave Hawthorne

What are you usually up to when you aren’t riding?
Ive been into researching random things lately. I dont like to watch stupid TV, if I do its always History or Discovery stuff. Im a huge fan of Neil Young and hes got some crazy lyrics, so I take some of his ideas and research stuff on it. It leads me to some interesting topics that keep me busy for hours and days, weird stuff like Charlie Manson, Hernan Cortez and the Aztec people, time traveling, civil war, and just random weird things like that.

If you could no longer live in Canada, where specifically would you move and why?
Its hard to see a life away from Toronto I dont think I can truly leave for ever but if it came to it I think Id go to Portugal, the Azores to be exact. Its smack in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, 9 volcanic islands, its where my parents are from its the most beautiful place ever. Id Learn to speak portuguese and get a piece of land and become a farmer. My uncle lives there and hes a big time drug dealer so if farming doesnt work out I can always work for him.

If a midget came up and kicked you in the nuts, then told you he wanted to fight, would you fight back? Do you think you would win?
There is a dude named Khagendra Magar whos the smallest person in the world or something I think I would let him kick me in the nuts. Of corse I would fight back I think it would be a fare fight.

What would it take to get you to go 10 minutes in a ring with Hulk Hogan?
I would rather do 10 minutes in the sack with Brook Hogan!

If you could bang any famous person, dude or chick I don’t care, who would you pick and why?
Would siamese twins count as one person or two??? Because that can drastically change my answer.

What is the worst thing you have ever spent your money on and why did you do it?
I got magic beans off a dude for about $5.00. He told me it would grow to the sky….It didnt.

What is the meaning of life?
Its a movie by The Monty Pythons from 1983. Its pretty funny.

What is the best advice you have ever been given or able to give?
When I was younger and I had ramps in my backyard, one day this old man came walking down the laneway and said to me “be careful with your knees, youll need them when your older” or something like that. I didnt listen I guess but I have started to and I think of him sometimes and the good advice he gave. I also think that when Im about 60 years old I time travel back to 2003 and I am the man that is in the laneway that day telling my younger self to take care of my knees.

Where would you like to see yourself in about 5 years?
I can see myself in 2 different places either a broken down bmxer with shot knees living off of past glory telling kids at the park that I used to do that shit, with a huge beer belly hanging down past my large t-shirt that is skin tight. Going home to my trailer to my welfare wife with 4 kids that are not mine cause Im impatient from all those years of crushing my nuts on my seat. Watching old reruns of Highway Patrol widdling with my knife contemplating ending it all night after night.
Or I could also see myself getting my act together and going to college and actually getting a job Id like and make a living from. Riding the bmx on weekends and keeping my knees healthy. I think Id like this one over the first. Although I hear welfare mothers make better lovers? So who knows? Time will tell…..

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Thanks to you and Cory for hooking this interview up, my parents for conceiving me sometime around october 1983, Bernard Shakey, Ron at The Warehouse, Ralph at Animal bikes, Jay and everyone at Macneil/Tenpack, ICC crew, and the Harwood Park boys.

The people out there who can get rediculously tech blow my mind. I’ve wanted to interview Chijoke for a long time just because he has been killing it for so long without any form of coverage. Sure enough, myself and Cory Beal were talking about doing an interview with him and he goes and gets sponsored. So, here is the long awaited interview with Canada’s Chijoke! with some commentary from Cory Beal! Leave some love in the comments.

Photo: Harry Silegren

Name:
Chijioke Okafo

Location:
Barrie, Ontario. Soon to be Toronto

Sponsors:
Ten pack, Volume, Demolition, Repset, Warehouse Bike Park, Joe Mamma Clothing, Mom and Pop

Years riding:
3 in BMX, 5 in total

What first got you into BMX in the first place?
I was riding mountain bikes for a couple years, but just lost interest in that. All my friends were making the switch to smaller wheels, and my sponsor at the time was really dicking me around. So, I quit the team and started building up a new mtb. When I got to work later that week, my boss had built up a really nice BMX for shits, so I randomly decided to buy that instead. Haven’t looked back since.

You were recently picked up by Volume and Demolition through Ten Pack. How did that all come about, and how do you feel about the whole situation? I feel like you should have been sponsored a long time ago.
Ha ha, yeah, within the past 2 weeks or so. It was pretty nuts, I wasn’t expecting it all. I was driving home one day and got a call from a weird 604 number, ended up being Jay Miron. Not a call I’m used to getting. I think that they just picked a name out of a hat or something and I got lucky. With all the dudes coming up in the Toronto scene, I’m not sure why I got picked, but I’m truly grateful that I was.

Photo: Eric Vardy

Do you have any big trips or filming projects going on now or anything you would like to get going?
I always dream about going on big trips or whatever, but being stuck in Barrie with a stack of bills to pay, it’s kind of hard to get things going. Same thing goes with filming. I did just buy a camera set-up, so that should make things easier. Also, the move to Toronto should help out, with the trips. I’m selling my car, which eats up all the money that could go towards trips.

Cory Beal wanted me to ask you what it’s like being a sponsored contest rider in Canada?
Well, being a sponsored rider in Canada is totally different than the states, from what I hear. BMX is still growing in Canada, and the exposure isn’t really there yet. It’s awesome for sure, but it’s not like we’re getting flown all over the place to film in crazy locations, or to ride every contest out there. I really wouldn’t even consider myself a contest rider, seeing as I only enter one or two annually.

It seems like you ride mostly park and some street, did you ever race, ride trails, or anything like that? Has those things affected your riding much?
I actually ride a lot more street then I do park, but with these long Canadian winters, I’ve been riding the warehouse a serious amount trying to get my basic park skills down. Like I said before, I started with mountain bikes before BMX, so I never experienced racing or riding trails, which is something I kind of regret. Riding trials (not trails) on mtbs really kind of influenced my style a lot, I think.

Photo: Mike Andrews

You seem to be pretty involved with The Warehouse these days. How did that whole deal come about and is there anything big like contests or anything going on around there?
The warehouse is just a bunch of really good dudes having a good time. It’s like a big family there. I rode there as much as possible last winter (seeing as the next closest indoor was X-wheels in Buffalo), then just became more and more involved with the scene there. Ron threw me a birthday bash for my 19th, which was probably the coolest thing ever. Ever since then, we’ve been really tight. I don’t think there are any big contests going on, but we are having a few big parties within the coming months, namely the Notro after party on the Friday or Saturday of that weekend. Parties at the warehouse are always the most fun ever. It’s just good friends, and sometimes hot girls like to show up. If you’re in the area, swing by and check the place out!

You have a pretty unique style of a lot of big tricks mixed in with some ridiculous tech stuff. What are you more into doing and why?
Ha, up until this winter I was always into staying as close to the ground as possible, so when all my friends were learning how to air and do crazy box jump tricks, I was always riding tiny ass quarters or banks and shit. I always find it really fun to try and do shit that no one else gives a bother trying. Sometimes it works out; sometimes I just look like a fool. And as long as I’m on my bike, I really don’t care what I’m doing. I’m even pumped riding a parking lot full of curb islands, which I do on a regular basis in the summer.

What is the key to getting tech as hell… is it the dreads?
Ha ha, yeah. Having predator hair helps. I don’t know man, patience and having someone like Moxley to ride with a lot helps.

Photo: Mike Fawcett

I am sure somebody will say “prove it”, but what is the craziest set of tricks you have done at one time?
Ha ha, humm, that’s a doozie. I think at last years notro I did luc-e to 180 fuf to footjam to vader to tiretap to pedal to tire tap to footjam to tiretap to pedal to 270. It’s either that or fuf to ice to hop up luc-e to 180 fuf to footjam to tiretap to pedal to 270. I’ve been trying really hard to tone down the dumb-ass tech combos lately, or add more bars/whips to make them less lame, ha ha.

I love them. Never stop.-Cory Beal

I would imagine you have taken a pretty solid beating from BMX, any good crash or injury stories for us?
Umm, other than my shoulders constantly dislocating, I cracked my pelvis once a couple years ago at X-wheels. Jim C showed up, and I was like “wow, he’s real!”. So like any kid, I tried to step up my game in front of him. We started riding a rail there, doing random shit, I called out something and he goes “yeah, do it!”. I ended up missing my back peg trying to go up the rail and sitting on it really hard. The ride home wasn’t fun, lemme tell you. I’m always just hurt with small shit, like any rider. It’s funny because when I consider myself at 100%, any normal person would consider themselves to be at 70 or 80%. BMXers just get used to being broke off.

If you could relive any session or moment on your bike, when would you want to go back to and why?
Probably my first BMX contest, which was the first Ten pack Muskoka woods AM jam. It was an amazing weekend filled with sessions that were too good. I ended up getting 2nd place in the 17 and under category, which was awesome. I know that’s a bunch of sessions/moments, but still. I guess the one moment that really sticks out would be the year after that when I busted the rail out of the course. Last trick of the comp, I was trying to go up this big rail, and I hit one of the up-rights on my way up and the fucking thing fell over. Scared the shit out of me, I felt pretty bad ass though. That pretty much ended the riding, and everyone was pumped.

In your own opinion what is BMX all about? Would you change anything about it?
To be as blunt as possible, BMX is about riding bikes. That’s what people need to remember. Not clothes, or stupid scooter bikes, or internet shit-talk. Just like anyone else with a brain/conscience, I’m really not down with the anonymous bullshit that people post on the net. Those “anonymous” people are the dudes that you just wanna poke in the eye with your thumb, really hard. You should have to write a test to be granted internet access.

Photo: Nick Varney

When you meet somebody new, how do you explain BMX to them?
Ha ha, I had a sweet conversation about this the other day. I basically just name off some of the households, Mirra, Hoffman ect ect, and go from there. I’ve realized that people who are asking these questions don’t give anything remotely close to a fuck about BMX, and are just trying to make conversation for the sake of not having silence or being “nice” or whatever.

When it comes to contests, in your opinion is it about who can do the craziest tricks or the most style?
Craziest tricks, for sure. Video parts are all about making things perfect and stylish. Contests are where you just throw your shit down and see what happens.

Who or what are some of the biggest influences on your riding?
Guys like Ryan Senechal, Mike Gooch, Mike Headford, Silva, the Brokeback crew and a lot of mtb dudes I grew up riding with. I wasn’t exposed to much BMX until a couple years ago, so I was influenced by different people than most riders.

What can people expect out of you or where would you like to take your riding for 2009?
Onward and upward, I suppose. Gonna really try to concentrate on riding this year, rather than working and squeezing riding in where I can. Hopefully weasel my way onto a few road trips, and clock a bunch of footage. Should be a good year.

Photo: Harry Silegren

Who is one pro or person you have never had the opportunity to ride with, that you really would want to?
It would have to be Chris Doyle. Dude seems like he just loves being on his bike, and would be really fun to ride with.

If you came to Kingston Metro you would have got to see him 360 over my head.-Cory Beal

What is it about BMX that keeps you doing it day after day?
The simplicity of it. You can’t go wrong with just rolling out your front door and going for a ride. No coaches to yell at you, no court/rink times to book, no crazy league fees to pay. It’s just so much easier. And plus, chicks think it’s hot.

Photo: Eric Vardy

What do you think you would be doing if you never got into BMX?
Oh jesus, I’d probably be in medical school or something. I’d be an even bigger geek, that’s for sure.

What are you usually up to when you aren’t riding or anything?
I work way too much, so that, sitting in front of the computer or hanging out with friends/the girl. I lead a very boring life, which is nice.

I gotta ask how long you are going to let those dreads grow before they get the cut?
Ha ha, that’s a hard one man. I honestly think about just shaving my head every couple days. They’re such a fucking bother sometimes. I’d regret it as soon as they were all off my head, I know it. I’ll probably trim them fairly soon, but who knows when they’ll be actually gone.

Photo: Eric Vardy

About how many fights have you been in, in your day? Ever spent time behind bars for anything?
I’ve never been in a fight in my life. I’m super non-confrontational, and a big wuss. I went to a jail on an elementary school trip once, that’s about as close as I got.

Your name is real unique. Do you know why your parents named you that or what kind of ethnicity is it? Anything really to explain it.
Well, my dad is from Nigeria, so my siblings and I all have authentic Nigerian names (as well as Canadian names). His best friend growing up had the same name, but he lost contact with him during a civil war, so he named me after him as a tribute. Pops is good shit, he’s got stories for miles. Just for the record, I’m half Nigerian, half Newfie. How fucked up is that?

A good night of partying consists of…
Chillin at home with some good friends, twisting one and watching a new video or movie. I fucking hate parties, usually. Too many people in one spot gets me real antsy. I’m always that weird dude sitting by himself in the corner contemplating punching all the drunk retards in the face. I don’t drink, so it’s hard to deal with sloppy people.

Who would win in a fight between Barbara Walters and Cher?
Cher, hands down.

What is one thing you really wish or know you should do less of?
Eat shitty food. It really takes a toll on your body and how you feel. My mom is always yelling at me for eating Mcdonalds and shit. My friends are always making fun of me for eating ridiculous amounts of candy in one sitting.

This one time you were tripping balls and you… (I have no idea if you like to party that hard or not, but why not?)
Put on an hour long drum and bass mix. That shit can make your dreams come true if you’re in the right state of mind. Clipping your nails is pretty crazy too. I told you I don’t get out much.

Getting blazed and hearing that YOU GOT MAIL, MOTHAFUCKA was also deece.- Cory Beal

Photo: Ryan Senechal

What is the worst thing you have spent your money on recently? What is the best thing?
They’re actually both one in the same. I bought 5 pairs of jeans the other day. I’m switching back over to guy pants from girl pants. It’s good because they actually fit me and I don’t look retarded anymore, but it’s bad because I could have paid off the visa or done something “responsible”.

Are you currently living the pro dream due to the new sponsors or do you work or go to school at all?
Ha, not even close. I work a ton, have zero cash and do nothing exciting ever. But, I can’t really complain.

Do you spend much time on the internet? Any favorite websites?
Yeah, way too much time. The Come Up, repset, boingboing.net, juxtapoz.net, bikeguide, all that crap.

First song to come to mind? Any reason why?
Assjackin’ by Flyzzard, just because it’s playing. I’m at work right now, and I always put on those long ass mixes I was talking about so I don’t have to rush back and change the song when something bad comes on.

Top 3 favorite video parts ever?
Wiz’s or Corey’s part in Wide Awake Nightmare, Jonah Lidberg’s part in Drop The Hammer, and Jared Washington’s part in Can I eat.

About how many girls have you had relations with in the last year?
Definitely not as many as Cory, that’s for sure. Dude is too good with the ladies.

In a given year about how much do you spend on condoms and abortions?
Ha, implying that I actually get laid on any sort of a regular basis, not very much. And I’m pretty sure abortions are free until the 4th one, ha ha. True north, strong and free, homie.

Is that really true? How did I go my whole life without knowing that? Way cheaper than child support. – Cory Beal

Have you ever set anything on fire intentionally? How awesome was that?
Oh most definitely. I think it’s an integral part of growing up as a boy. You’re just not normal if you don’t light shit up from time to time. I set shit on fire/blow shit up on a weekly basis. You’ll know what I’m talking about if you work at a bikeshop during the winter.

If you could have the ability to do or control anything in your life, what would you pick and why?
If I could actually make myself chill out from time to time, that’d be wicked. Ask anyone I know, they’ll say I’m way too stressed and high strung about shit. That or fly.

Photo: Jaclyn Cohen

If you could change anything about the world, what would you change and why?
Fuck, that’s a loaded one. I dunno, it’d be rad if girls were to come up to guys and start shit, not vice versa. I’d be so much more set.

I never approach girls, you gotta work on the swagger.-Cory Beal

What is the best advice you have ever been given? “Double pegs are the exact same thing as a bitch run”
I believe the direct quote is just ‘double pegs are bitch runs’. He [Silva] told me this when I asked him what it would take to be in the ICC, and he said I gotta do three rail tricks first try on a real rail. Double pegs are bitch runs so they don’t count, and icepicks are a park rider’s rail trick so they don’t count either. Hahah. –Cory Beal

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Hell yeah. You for giving me this opportunity, my non riding friends and family, Jay, Terry and everyone at ten pack, Jason at volume/demolition, my boys at TBZ, Jordan Savas, Silva, Cory at Repset, Ronnie and the entire warehouse crew, brokeback, (All of those people/crews are fam for life) Orillia crew, my girl, anyone who’s helped me out along the way, thanks. You all know who you are.

Anything else you would like to say?
“We’ll do it live! Fuck it!!”

Andy has appeared in two videos I have seen. Those would be Lateral Progression and Innocent Bystanders “Debts Coming” where he had full parts. After seeing Lateral Progression about two weeks ago I asked Mike Hines to get me in contact with Andy for this. Andy is one of those names that has been popping up a little bit here and there lately, so I wanted to ask him some questions. Check it out and leave him some comments!

Name:
Andy AKA “Floyd” “Ranimal” “Floyd Gondoli” “Floyd the roid” and anything else Grady comes up with when hes ragin.

Where did you get the nickname “Floyd” and what’s the story behind that?
hahahaha, I was riding at Grady’s ramps and he first started calling me Randy, which turned into Randal Pink Floyd (from dazed n confused), and then it just turned into Floyd. Since then, I have accumulated dozens of nic-names. Grady just introduces me as Floyd now, and McKinney calls me Pink.

Location:
Tucson is my home, but I spend a lot of time in Brea CA, and NYC

Sponsors:
Revenge Industries, Team Shralp, IB (Innocent Bystander), and gettin some flow from Rob-O

Years riding:
Raced from 8-11, so about 8 years doing what I do now.

What was it that first got you hooked on BMX? What keeps you going today?
My neighbor got a bike, showed me a BMX plus, and have been hooked since then. Fresh pools and cuts spots.

I saw something about you on the Fit site a little while ago. What’s going on with all that? Do you have any other sponsor stuff going on?
I’ve been talkin to Rob-O for awhile, he just hooked me up with a DAK frame, just tryin to get my shit out there for people to see. Working on filming for the Team Shralp video and trying to get some stills for McKinney, but fools are lagging on taking pics.

Seeing as most of the country is unable to ride due to snow, hows the riding going down in Arizona? Have you been taking advantage of that?
All day every day, even when its 115° out. Theres always someone down to ride around here.

I would imagine you have a pretty sweet list of spots down there. If you had to pick your all time favorite, what one would you pick and why?
Probably this pool we had going for awhile called the black desert snake. The first time Grady and I tried to ride it, there was this crazy black snake almost guarding the pool, we almost stepped on it, and the sessions that went down were sick, with lots of memories

Where is a spot or two you have always dreamed about going to? Any reason why you want to go there so bad?
Barcelona Spain, the street set ups look amazing, and Edwin said they have the best street, and he’s been everywhere.

I have been seeing some really amazing cement parks popping up all over Arizona and the Southwest lately. What keeps you more into street than the parks?
Two words, “park whores”. Parks are alright, I’ve just been to so many in the NW that the parks around here don’t even compare, It’s just the same shit over and over.

You have already had two full video parts. One in the Innocent Bystander video, and then recently in Lateral Progression. How do you feel about those video parts? Have you been doing much filming lately for anything at all?
Well, I guess those are my “full parts”, the IB part could have been a lot better because they didnt use all of my clips, but thats how it goes I guess. The clicked video was alright, I just threw a bunch of clips together. I am putting out my KRIMZEN video in late 2009, so be ready for that. I am also fimling for the Team Shralp video which I think will be in the bone deth video.

What trick took you the longest to learn? Are you one to give up on something if it’s “too hard”?
Probably the nose press, it’s a trick that you can never have completely dialed. I won’t give up on a trick, but if im out riding/filming and im bustin my ass 50 times, I’ll just say fuck it and come get it another day.

Who or what are some of the biggest influences on your riding?
Hamilton and Stricker mainly, BF, pretty much the whole Animal crew and my boy Grady, cause he always makes it a good time.

Are you into contests at all? How do you feel about those?
Not into them at all. I’m not into people riding to show off for a crowd. The smaller, rider organized comps are good, like all the FBM, bone deth, and the Red Bull dirt comps are pretty sick.

You are invited on a road trip with a bunch of your favorite pros, and the exact same time there is a road trip with a bunch of your friends. Which one do you go on and why?
Because everyone is being so salty right now, I would say the pros.

Are you one of the guys who ride listening to music, or are you not a fan of that? What kind of music gets you excited about riding?
I listen to music all the time, rarely when i ride, unless im riding solo. It depends on my mood really, anything from Judas Priest to Joy Division, Wu, and Biggie

Actually, what are the things that really get your dick hard to ride? (I hope you have seen Step Brothers to get that one)
Fresh pools and cuts spots.

What is one trend you would love to see blow up in BMX? If you say girl pants coming back this is over…
Lay back seat posts and frame stands. I dont follow the trends so i dont care if they ever come back really

In your own opinion… What is BMX all about?
Getting a session with your friends, bust a few tricks (no homo) and have some laughs, maybe a tall can of some Schaefer or a country club 40

If you could change anything about BMX at all, what would you change and why?
Everyone being salty, so that Tucson could actually have a real scene instead of everyone hatin on everyone else.

What do you think you would be up to if you never got into BMX?
I dont even know, probably nothin good, everyone I grew up with and rode with back in day got into some bad shit after they stopped riding.

What are you up to when your not riding your bike?
Working on videos cause I got a crazy amount of random clips. Hangin with friends and looking for spots.

Do you do the school or work thing at all?
Just started school, takin a class on video editing. No work right now, the economy is in the shitter so there aint no work to be had.

In a perfect world, other than being a pro BMX rider, what would your dream job be?
Jenna Jameson’s fluffer, or makin videos, something to do with video production.

What is your all time favorite food?
A good burrito or a good burger

Photo: Bob Scerbo

What is something you are horrible at, but wish you had the power?
Probably drawing, I can’t draw for shit

How are you with the ladies? What is the key to those locked panties?
Straight lying your ass off, and start workin on em when they are 17 so when they turn 18 it’s all good hahahaha. No, I dont know, flowers and poetry?

If somebody offered you $200. Would you go in the ring with a UFC fighter for 10 minutes?
FUCK THAT, I need at least a thousand

What is the most disgusting thing to come to mind? What would it take to get you to do it?
Well thats a tough one because my boy Juan Lokes has come up with some of the most fucked up shit I’ve ever heard in my life.

What are some of the most valued things in your life?
My bike, my family, camera, computer, and I-pod

Are you into cars at all? If you could be rolling around in any vehicle right now, what would you want to be in?
The GRAVE DIGGER, hands down

What is the meaning of life?
Friends and good times

What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next 5 years?
Get as many bitches as EAZY, without the AIDS. Possibly a job fimling or editing of some kind.

A dude comes up to you and attempts to rob you at knife point… What do you do?
That shit happens regularly in my hood, but then they realize they know me, and sell me a DVD player for $12

Who would win in a fight between Lindsay Lohan and Miley Cyrus?
My money is on Lindsay cause shes always coked out and raging, and shes covered in freckles, so shes gotta be pissed about that.

If you could be anywhere in the world this very second, where would you want to be?
Probably here cause everywhere else is like 0°, maybe Barcelona if the weather is good.

If you could change anything about this world, what would you want different?
No security guards

What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Just the other day my boy Grady said “aint nothin but peanut butter and jealousy”

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
SFH, Troy McMurray, Sean McKinney, Rob-O, Mike Hines for puting out the video and all my other clips, the whole crew in Tucson, Grady for always puttin shit in perspective, Chandler, Deans Dream thanks for the shirt, just came in today, TEAM SHRALP, IB, Clicked, KRIMZEN, mom, (and the mom pool), and anyone else that I have had a ridden with, or let me crash on their floor,GC crew.

Anything else you would like to say?
Thanks for the interview. Everyone keep their eyes open, KRIMZEM video droppin late 2009