BMX UNION

Dustin is one of those guys who you always want on your side, no not because he can kick peoples ass’s.. but because he is by far one of the nicest guys around. He is an amazing rider and an even better friend, Everytime I get the chance to be around the guy it is a good time. He is also the guy who brought InterBMX which has been a good step in bringing riders together again!

Name:
Dustin Griess

Location:
Eden Prairie, MN (Suburb of Minneapolis)

Sponsors:
Drive BMX, InterBMX.com

You run interbmx, how is that going?
InterBMX is going great. It’s my baby. I love working on the code, adding new features, improving performance, and all that good stuff.

The coding for the website is pretty intense, how long did it take for you to get it going?
Ha. Oh man, to get it going, I’d say a couple hundred hours (about 6 weeks). To where it is now, I’d say a couple thousand hours (a good 1.5 years).

Do you have any other plans for interbmx, since I have noticed there is always some nice changes?
I always have ideas in the back of my head, they just take time… You could say that InterBMX will never really be “finished”.

Outside of interbmx where else do you work and what do you do there?
I have worked for QBP in Bloomington, MN for nearly 4 years now. I have a full time job as an Application Developer. I work on our QBP.com dealer only e-commerce web site, as well as some of our internal applications. I love my job there, and the people.

You are a really good rider that is some what low key, do you try to do that or do you just let things come to you?
Well thank you! I really haven’t though about that too much, I just ride and see what happens.

A few months back you won the free flow tour that came to overpass in Minnesota. You leave in a few days for Florida, how are you feeling about that? Nervous at all?
Other than the fact that the level of riding will be insane, and nearly impossible to compete with, no not at all… lol yeah definitely nervous, although I am super excited to go. My family is flying down there as well… We’re all going to have a good time.

Do you have any big tricks planned to go down that you have been doing recently?
I’d like to stick with most of my consistent tricks, possibly some fairly new ones. We’ll see what happens…

Are you working on any video parts, personal edits, or anything that will be up soon?
If I had time, I totally would. Honestly I haven’t shot or filmed anything in soooo long. I’d really like to though. I miss watching old video footage. I don’t have much from the past few years.

The winter will be here soon, what is your plan while the snow is falling?
Snow trails. I swear we can do it. Ha, j/k it will definitely go back to the indoor park sessions when the snow flies.

Any big trips or events coming up from now through 2008 you know of yet?
Other than Dew Tour this weekend, I really have nothing planned. Although it would be nice to get out of the cold sometime this winter… I’m sure you would agree.

Has anyone told you that you are too nice?
No but it is nice to hear that someone would ask me that. I try to stay as positive as I can, and support people with what they do. But really, we can thank all the negative people out there, they make the nice ones stand out.

How does a typical day go for you?
Wake up at 7:30, motorcycle to QBP for work around 8am, write some code, eat lunch, write more code, go home around 4pm, then I either go the riding direction, or the more code writing/InterBMX.com direction. Sometimes both if I’m lucky.

Where are some of your favorite places to ride?
G-Shock. Nothing will never even come close to comparing to it. I’ll have those riding memories forever.

Who do you like to ride with?
Anyone who is having a good time on their bike, having fun, learning new things, supporting each other, etc.

What are your favorite bands/songs right now?
I’ll Stand by You, The Pretenders.
Whiskey in the Jar, Metallica.
Wanna Be A Balla, Lil’ Troy.
How Far We’ve Come, Matchbox 20
There’s a nice variety of songs… lol

I have seen you take a few gnarly crashes, in person and in some videos of you, what kind of injuries have you gotten over the years?
I had a cast on my foot in 1997, a few stitches, and a few of those long term “over extended my knee” types of things that are really the worst.

Is there anyone you would like to thank or give a shout out to?
Yes sir! First of all, thank you Kurt, also my family for their support, Erik and Joey at Drive, Mike Corley at Eastern, Everyone at QBP… Todd, Tim, Jay, Andy, Dan, Bernie! And every single person who has ever typed “interbmx.com” into their web browser. All of you rock, thanks for everything.

Any last words, or things you would like to add?
“Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around, you could miss it.”

Name:
Michael Saavedra

Location:
Riverside Ca

Sponsors:
Profile, S&M flow

Do you have a job that isn’t BMX related?
No…. Just ride my bike.

How does a typical day go for you?
Wake up at noon grab some lunch then head to the trails. Do a little digging and a bit of BMX.

A while ago your trails got plowed, do you have any new ones in the works?
It took me almost two years to pick up the shovel again but I have a new spot in the works. Should be better then the last set of trails. (: ))

Your part in the VULT 456 dvd a while back was really good, do you have any new parts coming up?
I’m working with Larry Alvarado on a edit for Profile. As far as a full video part goes if its not all street its not going to happen. Street is what’s hot. But who knows maybe one day someone might want to see some good old fashion trails!

Do you have any new bangers you have been getting done or close to lately?
Lately its been all digging. But there’s always a few things in the works.

Are you still doing demos?
Haha Im at a demo right now filling this out. Its so chill I get to travel and do what I love for a living without having to win the X games.

Who are the main people you ride with?
Jared Eberewin aka jearbear. He’s not only an amazing rider but a really good person. He keeps it real positive and fun. I love that kid.

Who are the people you look up to the most?
My family. With out them I would be lost. As far as BMX goes I would say Corey Bohan.

Where are your favorite places to ride?
Enterprise at woodward west
Blue Bench
jurupa park
Chino park

Do you have any injuries from riding?
Not anything to bad. When I was a kid I broke my left ankle 3 times.

If you couldn’t ride anymore, what would you do?
Start real life.

Do you have any big trips or anything coming up?
Im working with profile on travel for 08. So I hope to travel to a few fun contest like the empire of dirt.

What trick do you think gives you the most trouble that people wouldn’t expect?
Haha Barspins to tire taps are a bitch.

Any shout outs?
Bmxunion for hooking this up. Matt at profile for being on top of things all the time. Woody Itson for give me a job. All the homies for help me dig Lance Jared Boe. Moller over at S&M for hooking me up with the new LTF. Larry for working way harder then he needs to on my profile edit.

Any last words or anything I missed?
Ride your bike and stay positive!