Miles just sent me over this edit he put together for Sun. Seriously, he has produced so many good parts and edits in the last year it’s insane. Check back later this week for some more about him!
Frost Bike 2009
Today was day one of Frost Bike up at Quality Bikes in Bloomington, Minnesota. I was lucky enough to be able to get into it and check it all out. I snapped a bunch of photos and got some video as you can see below. I will try and remember all the details going on with the BMX brands that Quality carries.
The photo above was just quick shot of the section that had all of the BMX stuff in it. Frostbike is about 1/15th the size of Interbike so it wasn’t completely overwhelming trying to check out everything. I actually made it around the whole place during a single phone call, so that’s about how small it is. However, the event is just for shop owners to get a chance to meet with the company owners and employees, and check out what’s going on at Quality. I was lucky to even get in.
So, lets get some photos going… Check out the photos and then I will explain what each company is up to, at least from what I can remember.
Jim is going to kill me for that first photo. I did the sneak a photo game on him. Sunday! had a booth set up showing off all of the usual gear. They really haven’t changed up too much since Interbike so you get the 22″, Model C, then the colorways of the bars, forks, and frames of course. The biggest news was that Jim got half of the trailer for the Sunday video today. Yes, half… I don’t know either. He said the video should be dropping in the next month though! That should be a killer video for sure. Other than that, and Jim doing aligator wrestlers on the 22″, it’s business as usual. Oh, if you didn’t know Minnesota’s Reed Stark, and Seth Peterson are on Sunday flow now too. They both were around today to hang out so that was cool. I’m working on getting Reed his interview after I post this article so get stoked to see that.
Nuno was enjoying going from the California sun to Minnesota’s fresh couple of inches of snow. Along with him came a few of the new Flatware products from Odyssey. If you look at the photos closely you can see the prototype flatware forks, plegs, and bars from that new line for Terry Adams. Chase Hawk will have some signature grips coming out also. Other than that, the other news was the G-Spokes finally should be that much closer to going into production and becoming available. I forgot to grab one of those posters from the Electronical team shot. That probably has to be one of my favorite photos of all time for some reason. I can’t say there was too much other big things going on outside of that.
The Eastern dudes were in the building today too. While they weren’t playing on their phones, and taking Facebook photos, there was some talk of actual BMX and company related things. It sounds like Eastern will have a TON of new products coming out this year from low end products to high end. There should be a story on VitalBMX soon about Eastern that explains all of this so I will try and avoid getting too much further into that. They will have some new cranks available sometime next week, and they will no longer be doing the whole mountain bike thing besides the dirt jumper up above. Their freecoaster should be out sometime soon also. It was a bummer that the box with some of the new stuff didn’t actually make it up in time for Frost Bike. The Eastern video is in the works, Eric Holley and Nick Anderson are down close to the Eastern warehouse so they have been getting a lot of filming done for the video.
Other than that, besides talking about horror movies being filmed in their warehouse, and crazy dudes growing organic mushrooms in their basement there didn’t seem to be too much else going on.
Charlie was holding down the Profile booth today. Profile has been kicking a lot of ass lately getting together a bunch of colorways going for their products for sure. If I remember right they have 9 different colors available now. Not too bad option wise for somebody who is into having a bike that looks good. There should be a little special interview about Profile up sometime next week. It’s going to be good! Make sure you check back for that.
The Fly had a booth similar to the one they had at Interbike. The biggest changes were the Kevin Porter signature Tierra with the grande back end, some new colorways, and all that fun stuff. I didn’t actually get the chance to talk to anybody representing Fly. Since that happened, I don’t really have any special news about that for you.
Alienation had a few new products to show off today. They are now making tires, and offer the Skylark rim. The Skylark is a beefier version of the Deviant rim which was designed for racing. They also have a new version of the pivitol seat post in the works that will allow for forward and back adjustment. That will be interesting to see how that works out after they get a few prototypes together.
There was a few new things from UGP. Obviously, their clothing is all recent and pretty new. They also had a few new seats including the new more flatland specific models. It was cool to talk to Chad DeGroot for a while too, that guy always has a good story to hear.
I won’t lie, I really didn’t talk to anyone from Stolen. It seemed like everytime I walked by there was a Quality employee running it for them, similar to that of Jay who is in the photo above. It looked like basically all of their usual stuff. They had a Sunday all built up with their new parts kit. Basically, they got everything to build a complete and you pick the frame. That was pretty cool. I was still a little confused why they used the Sunday frame and not their own to show it off but what do I know?
So, that would be Frost bike for you. It was a real chill event that lead to finding out some fresh info for some of you. A big ups to Todd Johnson for getting me on the list so I could get in there today. Below is just a video of all the product, so if the photos didn’t do enough for you, check that thing out.
On the Horizon: Federal Bikes
One of the best things about this website is all the unique people I get to meet who keep this industry rolling. One of those people is Chris Harrison. If you don’t know who that is he is the product designer for Federal Bikes. I got him some questions about Federal for you all to check out, I think you will find this pretty interesting! Check it out and let us know how you feel about it in the comments!
Federal has been involved in BMX for quite a few years now. When did the company get its start and is it still under the same owners as the originals when it started?
Federal is the house brand of Seventies Distribution which is owned by former Ride cover boy Stu Dawkins. Federal came about when Stu and the staff at the time saw the opportunity to embrace the emerging market for products manufactured outside of America. As a result Federal is one of the companies that helped pioneer manufacturing in Taiwan and continues to do so to this day. As with all companies people have come and gone, and things have changed, but Stu still remains the owner and he still rides occasionally contrary to popular belief.
Where are you guys based out of? Has the location changed at all over the years?
We’re currently based out of Seventies Distribution in St Leonards, both Seventies and Federal used to be based in the centre of Hastings but when a bigger premises was required they moved up the hill to St Leonards and have been there ever since.
Who are the people who keep running Federal from the owners to the other people nobody really knows about? From designers to guys getting the coffee.
Everyone at Seventies has an input with regards to Federal and we’re lucky to have such a great team behind it. The team is as follows:
Stu Dawkins: Owner
Stu and Chris
Myself [Chris Harrison]: Product Design and Manufacturing, general overseer and other random day to day things.
Bas: Team Manager and also general overseer.
Edd: Epic Film creator
Elwood: Graphic and web design
Everyone else who works at Seventies helps out as well with regards to sales, accounts and warranty etc. We’re one big happy family……..except for Roger who was born salty haha!
Sadly we haven’t got as far as hiring a designated tea boy but everyone has to take their turn as the tea bitch!
What is a typical day like for you? Is there such thing as a typical day even?
My day isn’t really that typical, I currently work from home as I’m studying for my Masters degree at uni. So basically I wake up, answer emails and talk to our agent in Taiwan on Skype, then I’ll head into Uni for the day, taking the chance to answer emails as I go on my phone. Then in the evenings I’ll sit down to do some designing etc and answer any other emails I have left. It’s pretty intensive trying to balance it all but I love it!
It seems like Federal has made some huge changes in the last few years with the direction of the company. So what are the goals of the company as a whole, and where do you see it going as time goes on?
I guess our goals are to make products that we’re happy with and that people are into. We’re re-growing the brand again and as it hopefully gets stronger and stronger we’ll be able to diversify a bit more and we’ll have the funds to put more into product research and development. I’m conscious of the market already being saturated product wise and we try not to add to that where possible as I feel it’s not only detrimental to ourselves but also the industry. We’ve been really lucky with the team that has come together, from everyone at Federal to the pro and flow team riders. I hope we offer something that people want to buy into and be a part of, I mean obviously sales are important but I personally get more pride and enjoyment from doing something that people are in to.
I noticed there have been quite a few new products coming out for 2009. One of those things was two different versions of the frames, one being heat treated and one not. What can you tell us about that? Also, if you could go over some of the other new products you have coming out?
First up I just want to specify that the heat treating referred to here is post weld, our regular frames come with heat treated headtube, dropouts and BB as standard. Just to clear up any confusion.
Our heat treating options were actually introduced as a 3 tier option, with regular, front triangle and 100% heat treated. This was mainly done as I got annoyed that some companies were marketing front triangle only heat treated frames as 100% heat treated, this I personally don’t agree with as i feel it misleads the consumer. So we introduced the 3 tier system to show the differences and to see where the market would eventually lie as we enter this new territory. It’s become apparent that the middle tier is not viable so in future it will be either non heat treated or 100%. There’s still a long way to go with what the market will actually settle on, given the economy etc, but for now that’s where we stand.
Does Federal have any plans to branch out into other markets like a lot of the other companies? Any beach cruisers, fixed gears, or anything like that in the works?
No, none whatsoever. Imagine if IRO tried to enter BMX? It just wouldn’t work and would piss people off. It would also detract from what we are as a company. I know a lot of people involved in the London Fixie scene but I think it’s ultimately their industry to grow and not ours to rape and cash in on. I’ll add that there’s definitely room for a Taiwan fixie specific company though but we want to focus on BMX.
What is the soft goods, stickers, and small things you guys also make looking like? Is there any new designs or anything coming out you can tell us about?
Our first range of clothing dropped a few months ago and has gone done pretty well I think, we’re working on the new range now, which Elwood is in charge of. One of the t shirts features an angry letter that Hamilton’s Mom sent him one day when he’d just upped and fucked off to San Francisco, it’s pretty epic!
It seems like lately everyone has been making a team video. Do you guys have any new web videos or DVD’s in the works you can tell us about?
After a quiet year last year, with Brighton Ain’t Ready and Ride to Glory we’ve got some big things planned for this year that I sadly can’t go into too much detail about right now as they’re still being planned. We’ll most likely do a few trips and do some high quality edits along the lines of the Paris and Cologne video and then release them on a DVD later in the year with a bunch of other footage collected.
How about road trips with the team? Any big trips or a get together in the works?
Yes, America baby!
Speaking of the team who are you guys hooking up these days from pros to just people you hook up?
Jesus that’s a long list, here we go in no particular order:
Bruce Crisman
Jared Washington
Davey Watson
Dan Lacey
Mark Love
Derek Strickland
Steven Hamilton
Max Vincent
Dan Cox
Shayn Steel
Mike Mills
Scott Taylor
Loz Taylor
Marty Meenaghan
Chaz Mailey
Duncan Lloyd
Josh Eilken
Eric “Barney” Cuiper
Chris Gille
Greg Flag
Corey Dewey
Troy Jackson
Tyson Jones Perri
Jesse Bull
How do you guys go about picking new people to sponsor? What kind of advice do you have for kids out there looking to get on the team?
Umm Bas handles all the pro team stuff and we just discuss who we think fits with the brand and what we’re about, as they’re going to be paid its quite a big decision to make so it’s not taken lightly. With flow guys I usually just pay attention to the ComeUp etc and like to look for kids who are doing their own thing and making stuff happen for themselves. Everyone we sponsor are individually nice people in their own right too and that helps. I know it’s a cliché but if you’re looking to get sponsored just do your own thing and put yourself about, eventually someone will notice.
So somebody has an issue with one of your products. Who should they contact to work out a warranty issue? What kind of turn around time can people expect if they send in something?
Any warranty issues should be dealt with through the respective distributor of the country the product was purchased in, if you don’t know it then the shop you bought it from should be able to help you. If you have a particular gripe feel free to email info@federalbikes.com or chris@federalbikes.com and I’ll try my best to sort it out. As far as turnaround goes its obviously dependant on the issue but we’ll try and get it sorted as quickly as possible.
If somebody has a general question about Federal who should they contact? How about if a shop or distributor would like to pick up Federal products who should they contact?
info@federalbikes.com or chris@federalbikes.com
Is there anything I might have missed that you would like to say?
Thanks Kurt for the opportunity do this, apologies its 5 months late haha. Thanks to everyone at Seventies/Federal and all the team riders involved, you’re the best, especially Stu who doesn’t get nearly half the credit he deserves for what he’s done for BMX as a whole. Thanks as well to anyone who’s ever helped me out with anything, you know who you are.
On the Horizon: Eastern Bikes
It has been a while since I have done one of these, I should probably get back to it since it’s a new year and everything.
I sent over some questions for Leigh and his crew over at Eastern to get a little history and a look into the future of the company for you guys. Theres some talk of videos, and other interesting things going on so go check it out, and leave some lovin’ for them in the comments!
Eastern has been in the BMX industry for years. Who was the original founder(s) of Eastern and when did it get its start?
(Leigh) Jon Byers and Mike Corley started Eastern in 1996. Jon use to ride for Bully bikes back when RL Osborne owned it. Mike welded his first frame at his house. They both just wanted to start a company and the name came from Mike’s late fathers initials who took him to buy his first BMX bike. From that they just started slowly first making frames then a few other parts and eventually complete bikes.
Where are you guys located and has that changed at all over the years? Who are the other people who keep things running smooth from product design to the guys packing shipments?
(Leigh) Our sales office is in Raleigh, NC and the warehouse is outside of Charlotte, NC. We had them both together for a few years but it was keeping Mike away from his family so we split them back up but things are smooth as butter still. So Mike runs the Warehouse and Jon is in the sales office. We have guys like Seamus McKeon that helps in the Warehouse and does warranties. And here at the office we have guys that all ride (Bryan Byrd, Joe Haley and Andrew York) that do sales and I handle team, media and being an idiot duties.
Jon Byers – Table
What is a typical day like for you?
(Leigh) I don’t think there is any typical day in the bike industry. I start the day off answering email and checking out my to-do list and hitting that. It can be anything from making an ad, talking to riders, helping design a shirt, talking to the guys here, taking a poop, shooting product photos, to you-name-it. I guess that’s what’s great about it and frustrating at the same time…you just never know what you’re going to be doing when you walk in the door that day.
(Byrd) Wake up about 6:30, curse at my alarm clock. Then depending on whether or not my foot’s been hurt in a living room wrestling match I like to ride my road bike on the trainer. Eat some Kashi Go Lean and check my email on the Crackberry®. Shake a tower and hop on my steed to pedal to work (weather dependent). Get in, check all the news sites, talk some shit to Leigh, then wait for our sales assitant to come in late. I stay in pretty close contact with our top dealers throughout the day and spend a lot of time with sales numbers and product stuff. Our phones ring pretty steadily throughout the day and we have a ton of outgoing calls to make as there’s always more business out there somewhere. Once I’ve had my fill of all this(somewhere around 7pm), I usually head home or out to eat a decent meal. Then I talk to the lady and crash out, unless Count Treycula comes knockin’ w/ a wrasslin’ challenge…then it’s on bitch!
Jon Byers – Cherokee Air
Obviously people are always looking for a sweet job, are you guys hiring for any positions right now? How does somebody go about getting a job with Eastern?
(Byrd) Not at the moment, but you never know what’s around the corner. Opportunities are everywhere and we’re never shy about jumping on top of them and wrasslin’ them to the ground. Then we like to have our way with them…
Eastern has been pushing a lot of buttons with a lot of the new products coming out. Either the kids like it or they talk bad about it. What is the 09′ product line looking like? Any new additions you can tell us about?
(Byrd) 2009 stuff looks great, we have plenty of new products coming out and actually have been in development mode for the last little bit. As for the whole love/hate thing, it is what it is. We had one very public warranty issue that we more than completely resolved, and in many cases gave riders 2 frames for one broken one. It’s over and done with. Many companies have problems, just not on such a revolutionary product; that’s what made the Grim Reaper V1 issues so huge, the fact that they were on a frame like no one had ever seen. If the first flying car comes out and catches fire, it’s gonna leave a bad taste in a lot of mouths. Some will overcome this stigma, yet some will let it keep them from getting the fastest, most efficient mode of transportation available…marinate on that for a minute.
Mike Corley – One Hander One Footer
How about soft goods and small products you guys make? Anything-new there?
(Leigh) The guys on the team do most of our designs. They are called the “Rider Concept Series”. The guys on the team come up with a design and we put it out and they money from each sale. It’s a good way for Eastern to get great shirts and to also help the riders out more.
Eastern has built up a really good team these last few years, who all is on the team from pro and flow, to other guys you hook up? Will there be any additions or changes to the team you can tell us about anytime soon?
(Leigh) Yeah the team is pretty great right now. I love how diverse the team is. One the pro team we have Mike Andrews, Adam Banton, Kelly Bolton, Daniel Donges, Eric Holley, Zach Rogers Craig Mast, and Brian Wizmerski.
The Flow team consists of Nick Anderson, Darren Bouldin, Cody Jennings, Seamus McKeon and Josh Perry. We also have a small group of local rippers, Trey Doig and Zack Roberts who are on the Test team. They test the new stuff along with the rest of the team and give us feedback. We are going to pick up a real big name guy in 2015 be on the look out.
Leigh Ramsdell – Toboggan
How do you go about picking new people for the team anyways? Do you ever consider sponsor videos or is that a thing of the past?
(Leigh) It seems like picking people for the team just happens. I have no real formula getting guys. It’s real important to hang out with the guys before we put them on the team just to make sure they are cool. Sponsor videos rarely work just because of what I just mentioned but it can’t hurt to start getting your name out there in case you run into the person.
Is there any big team trips, DVDs, contests, or other projects like that going on other than the “Inside Out” videos you got going on?
(Leigh) We are actually working on our first Team Video that will be released around Interbike. Mike McQueen is editing the whole thing in Manglevision™ so you know it’s going to kick ass.
Speaking of “Inside Out”, when will the next one be out? Who will be in it and where will it be filmed?
(Leigh) We just filmed the final one for the year in Philly back in November. We are going to put them on hold right now to focus on the Team Video.
Jon Byers – Candybar Lookback
Where does Eastern as a company see itself in the next few years?
(Leigh) We see ourselves in the future with flying cars and talking avocados,
(Byrd) perhaps making love to mannequins.
What about just other questions people might have for Eastern, whom should they contact?
(Leigh) Just hit up info@easternbikes.com if it’s a general question and I will answer you. But if it’s a warranty question then email warranty@easternbikes.com and Seamus will handle those.
What do you feel separates Eastern from all the other companies out there?
(Byrd) A heightened drive for innovation and success; we want to make the best products and develop the most efficient ways of delivering them to our dealers and consumers. Customer service is paramount here at Eastern Bikes and that is something that we’re really proud of. Another great separation piece is that we don’t take ourselves too seriously; I just peed myself to be funny.
Where can people pick up Eastern products?
(Leigh) Once they buy an Eastern Bikes product they are free to pick it up anywhere they bring it. Our stuff is pretty light so it shouldn’t be that bad lifting it. What was the question again? Oh just check out www.easternbikes.com/dealers/.
Bryan Byrd – Shocka Brah Tree Ride
Who should shops or distributors contact to get Eastern in their shops and warehouses?
(Leigh) Just email our handsome sales manager Bryan Byrd, at bryan@easternbikes.com
Anything else you can tell us about Eastern that I might not know about?
(Leigh) I think the biggest misconception about Eastern is that we are just some company from Taiwan. Eastern is owned by riders and other than our accountant and two guys in the warehouse, most everyone here rides and is very passionate about BMX.
(Byrd) Also, given the right circumstances; me love you long time.
Check out the rest of the Eastern video on their Vimeo page.
Wyatt Kreel Edit
I happened to have some random clips of Wyatt on my computer from this winter and figured they would never get used once spring hit anyways. So, I threw it together and made this little edit of some of the better clips. Yes, that tattoo is real. I honestly believe because of that he should be sponsored, he most likely would probably tattoo that sponsor on himself also haha.
Chris Silva Interview
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.
Krimzen Web Video
Andy Erickson sent through this new web edit (trailer?) from the Krimzen crew!
Steven Hamilton Interview
When Chris Harrison dropped me an email telling me to hit up Steven about an interview, I wasn’t quite sure how to approach this whole thing. I felt like I really knew nothing about him since his re-surfacing on the BMX scene with an all new style and everything. I didn’t have any idea of how he would respond to the questions either. However, here it is the Steven Hamilton interview. Leave your thoughts in the comments!
Photo: Steven’s Blog
Name:
Steven Hamilton
Location:
Columbus Ohio
Sponsors:
Animal Bikes, Federal Bikes
Years riding:
20
What was it that first got you into BMX?
I always thought bikes were cool.
In the last two months or so you have blown up on the BMX scene again.Where did you go for a while there?
I was working on a solo project.
How are things going with Federal? Do you have any big sponsor news at all you can tell us about?
Pretty good, no not really.
What do you have planned for 2009? Any big trips, video parts, filming for web videos? It seems like you have a new web edit daily these days.
Lots of riding.
You have had some amazing video parts over the years. If you could pick your all time favorite, which one would you pick and why?
Thanks. I can’t say one is my all time favorite, I like them all.
Photo: Federal
It seems like your style has changed up a fair amount lately. Are you still dropping huge drops to flat?
Not really, sometimes.
Have you ever wanted to go back to that huge stair set you trieddropping over and over again in the Orchid video “Step On It” just toget it done?
I only tried it twice, I might try it again.
What gets you motivated to ride your bike these days?
It’s one of my favorite things to do.
After the years of riding, what is one trick you have never been able to do? Do you wish you could do it or not really?
Nothing comes to mind.
How do you feel about the way BMX has been going these days?
It’s been going great for me.
Did you imagine still after all these years, your signature frame would still be such a popular frame?
I figured it always would be.
In your eyes, what is BMX all about?
Whatever you want it to be.
If you could change anything about BMX, what would you change and why?
I wouldn’t change it.
What are you usually up to when you aren’t riding your bike?
Maybe skating, I might be on walk or on the computer.
Your blog has been getting updated around 10 times a day! Where do you come up with the stuff you post?
A lot of the things I write about come from dreams the night before.
I would imagine spending so much time on you blog you have a few other favorite websites. Do you have any you think people should check out?
Not really.
I’ve noticed quite a few good looking girls pictures getting posted up with you. What’s the Steven Hamilton key to success with the women?
I think I’m good looking.
It seems like you have been doing a lot of skateboarding lately also,how is that going for you? Will you ever make a full skate edit?
Good, maybe this summer.
Photo: Federal
In your own opinion, what is the meaning of life?
I like to experience as much as possible.
What are the 3 most important things in your life right now?
My apartment, my time, my sense of humor.
What kinds of music are you into? What’s the first song to come to mind?
Bananna Republic by the B52’s, I’m into all kinds.
What is the first movie to come to mind? Any reason why?
Rainman. I was just thinking about it.
What is the craziest thing you have ever experienced in your life?
love.
If you could spend the day with anybody, alive, dead, fictitious for aday. Who would you pick, and what would you do?
I’d pick myself, I’d sleep all day.
Have you ever been arrested or gone to jail?
No.
A good night of partying consists of…?
something to celebrate.
Photo: Federal
How do you feel about Obama being president?
He seems cool.
If you could have any super power at all, which one would you pick and why?
I have lots of super powers.
If you could no longer live in the city/state that you currently live in and you had to move, Where would you go go and why?
I like Seattle and New York City, they are fun/scary.
What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next few years?
Develop my riding style more, I’d like to be more flexible, physically and mentally.
If you could change anything about the world, what would you changeand why?
Less pollution, I love animals.
What kinds of advice do you have for the kids out there just getting into BMX?
The world is yours, so is bmx.
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
thank you
Anything else you would like to say?
shhhhhh.
