I finally went up to Renegade Skatepark today to ride and FINALLY got my hands on the video they made from the contest last spring. The people who filmed and edited it are skateboarders who work for the park, so it is a little iffy on certain things. I still think it turned out good. I love the end where my buddy Wyatt shows Mini Mark whose boss. Haha Enjoy. Oh by the way, they asked me to throw another contest this winter there. I am thinking some time in January, I don’t know an exact date yet but it should be good.
DK Random Wrench V.2
In this day and age of BMX it is all about how to make frames and parts lighter, stronger, and more appealing to the people buying the products. However, this rule doesn’t only apply to frames and parts. It applies to tools too. I got my hands on a DK Random Wrench V2 recently and I was impressed. The original Random Wrench V1 had come out years ago. I remember my buddy David having one and I would always mess up putting the pieces back in and the cover wouldn’t fit. I think it would be a good idea to add this tool to your collection and this is why…
If you are a “vetern” of BMX and have been in the game for years, you obviously know every piece on your bike. At least I would hope so. You should be able to feel something wrong with your bike, and take every little piece off and know how to fix it. Maybe you are on the other side, just getting into BMX and want to learn how to avoid running to the shop everytime your bike feels off. If that is the case, then you probably have a set of tools that you use.
Before I got my hands of the Random Wrench this is what tools I carry around with me when I am out on the bike. I mean, I leave them in my car so little skateboarders at the park don’t rifle through my shit to find a skate tool, since I would have that?
It is fairly simple, a ratchet with an extension, along with a few sizes of deep sockets. I carry the extra ones to help out the other guys who don’t think to bring their tools. 2 sets of allen wrenches, American, Metric and another 6mm with a little leverage. 2 chain breakers, 2 because one has stripped out pin screw hole, so the pin will move around a bit sometimes. A punch, because you never know when you might need to pound something out. I don’t really know why I carry that in the first place. A wrench for my pedals, and an adjustable wrench for random uses. Then my vice grips, which actually have a really good cable cutter on it too. I have another wire cutter, but I forgot to take it out after I realized the vice grip had one. Also, there is a flat head screw driver. This is just because I broke my plastic tire levers and then got folding tires so it is just to help start the tire off. These are tools I use more frequently, there are a bunch of other tools I have in the garage that we really don’t need to go into.
The biggest difference I noticed from the original Random Wrench was the body of the tool was smaller, and lighter. It even removed the socket extension and put it inside as an attachment. The V.2 also has a much cleaner look to it too.
Once you unscrew the top, which actually is a spoke wrench also, all the attachments are found inside. The first would be a socket extension, 17 mm socket, 5 mm allen, 15 mm socket, and 6 mm allen. These are the more standard sizes for nuts and bolts on the bike. Then obviously the wrench on the end of the casing will fit your pedals. This is awesome because instead of a bunch of seperate tools, it is all put together into a tube and makes for a cleaner tool box, bag, or whatever you use to put your tools when they aren’t in use.
After the Random Wrench was placed into my tool bag, I obviously didn’t need to carry some of those tools anymore. I removed the ratchet, sockets, and extension. I might throw the extra sizes back in just incase my friends get screwed over. The extra wire cutters got removed, along with the wrench I used for my pedals. I even took out one of the allen wrenches because I only used the two sizes that the Random Wrench came with anyways.
With every positive review there at least has to be something I wasn’t a huge fan of. The thing I didn’t like most is that the sockets don’t have the ratchet ability so it slows things down just a bit. That was honestly about all I could think of that I didn’t like..
So, to conclude this review… I would say get the DK Random Wrench V.2 if you are looking to slim down the number of tools you have to carry. I would say the same if you are looking to get your tool collection started. It is made by a BMX company specifically for your BMX bike, why wouldn’t you want it? You can pick the wrench up on Albes, Empire, Staff, and Dan’s for about $32.95. I am sure you could find a way to get it from your local shop too.
Where did he come from?
Since I am waiting on what looks to be about 20 interviews to be returned… ahem… I figured it would be a good time to do my blog post of the week. Oh, by the way I am going to try and do a blog post once a week now. I figure it might just help my writing abilities, and maybe I can spark a little discussion? I don’t know. This time around I figured maybe I should give a little explaination to how or why BMX union came about… I even included some old slightly embarassing pictures…
This is probably 3 or 4 years old now. Local trails that eventually died with the scene around here.
The reason for this is that I actually have been confronted twice this week about how I am doing what I am doing. One, in a positive email and a not so positive one from an anonymous kid on The Come Up Board. So, maybe I can enlighten some of you of what I am all about, or at least what I wish I was about.
If you are firmiliar with web design, HTML, or anything like that, you might be able to remember some of these names I am about to bring up. One of my very first websites was a “crew” website on Expages. It was a free site hosting site that had really easy functions on how to build up a website in a few minutes. This was probably around the time I was in 7th grade. So, I would say about 7 years ago. We’re talking back in the dial-up internet connection days with AOL.
Shortly after that I was starting to teach myself HTML from Web Monkey and HTML Goodies. At that point I started experimenting with Homestead, Geocities, and Tripod. I couldn’t find any of these sites which was kind of a bummer. Then again after so many years I am not surprised they deleted that stuff. After a while I got into Freewebs with a site called BMXrochester. It was a scene website I did with all the local’s from Rochester, Minnesota (not New York, or Michigan).
That site was really the biggest jump with web stuff. If you look at the links and stuff, you can see this was the time when Trend which is now Empire was huge, I rode a Macneil Ruben, and Kyle Stark was doing the Twin Cities BMX site. I don’t remember the exact reason I stopped using Freewebs, but I think it was a mix of a lot of shitty service, and if you notice the template on that site… They had some big outage and lost all the data of my real design that I did all by myself. I didn’t have the code saved obviously, and that was it. I stopped doing web stuff for a few months and then played around with a few other services. After a while I resurected BMXrochester on a Blogger account, but this was right around the time the scene in Rochester started getting bogged down due to people leaving for college, working all the time, dirt bikes, and a bunch of other stuff.
Once the scene started dying down, I was still itching at the website stuff. I started BMXunion in September of 2007 and didn’t really know exactly what I was going to do with it. To be entirely honest, I was taking a Mass Communications class in my first semester of college and my final project was on how blogging can reach people. I got Catfish to do an interview and before I knew it I was at 150 interviews (actually at this moment it is 149.. who will be the big 150? Well, whoever sends theirs back first).
That is what leads me to Adam22 and The Come Up. I am surprised he even talks to me still to be honest haha. I was constantly asking him questions about how to get a website visitors, and asking if he would post my stuff. It had to be annoying as hell. However, he went on a trip which I don’t even remember what it was for but whatever. He asked if I would want to do updates on the site for him. Sure, why not? HA! I never realized exactly how many people check that site, and how quick they will catch your mistakes of spelling or anything. I guess it must have went well because Adam didn’t delete my log-in after that one. I still wonder why he lets me post on there haha. Oh well, it is fun and I really appreciate the oppertunity he has given me.
BMX is really cool because EVERYONE is connected. I don’t care what you say, if you need to get ahold of somebody it can be done at any time. I remember after a few months of helping out Adam and my site, I started getting a pretty dialed in e-mail contact book for people to get ahold of to get people for interviews and everything. Jump ahead to last September, Kyle Carlson and Alex from Give D are telling me I have to come to Las Vegas for Interbike. I was scared to fly, and never really traveled that far before. Somehow I convinced myself to get a plane ticket and just do it. I regret it for one reason and one reason only… Now all I want to do is travel!
It was really fun to go to Interbike and just bump into all these people who I had been doing interviews, getting in contact, and other things through email. I owe Alex from Give D, and Catfish big ups for introducing me to all the people I probably wouldn’t have just because I didn’t want to bother them.
Did I ever expect to be able to do any of the things I get to do today when I started? No, not at all. It is crazy to think about all the oppertunities I have been given because I was into messing around on the computer too much. I am very greatful though, BMX is the coolest thing to happen to me. To be able to be as involved with it as I am today is amazing.
I was talking to a guy who used to ride back in the day a few weeks ago. He was one of the “older guys” I watched riding when I first started. I was always amazed by the stuff he did. He had said he saw a video of me on Youtube and was shocked at how much has changed since I was the little rat at the trails following my big brother all over the place. I guess it just made me laugh to think about how much BMX really has changed.
I don’t know if that could explain how my web presence came into existance, but I tried. I just hope I don’t come off as a dick, or cocky bastard. I didn’t mean to at all. I am just happy to be able to do whatever it is involving BMX.
This would conclude yet another rambling blog.
There used to be this creepy guy who came to the skatepark called “Skunkboy”. He had to be about 30 and claimed to be an action sports photographer. I am pretty sure he was a pedophile now, but I thought it was cool back in the day for him to get pictures of me.
Believe it or not, I used to do hop barspins. I can’t do them for the life of me anymore. I probably landed 1 handed in this.
Thanks to those sponsor me websites, I some how got onto Psykopath back in the day. Once I realized I sucked at BMX, I quit the team and bought an FBM.
Global support for Kyle
You may have already seen on some other sites, but Just recently Kyle Guidice fell victim to what seems to be a serious coma.
Its a terrible situation that I was notified further about through my dude Tyler Hanlon… I’ve spoken to Tyler numerous times on AIM before the incident and when he hit me up today about the situation, it all clicked together in my head and I realized that Kyle was his cousin. This is a terribly sad situation and I’m happy to see that a lot of people, shredders and non-shredders, all around the world are coming together to support Kyle during all this. For once I see that there is still good in people at a time like this, I visited The Come Up today and there was even little to no bad mouthing on there. I was literally surprised… So, please keep supporting Kyle and keep the good words, thoughts, prayers, any and all forms of positivity coming… If you didn’t happen to read Tyler Hanlon’s email that was posted on The Come Up, its posted below…
“yoo man, my name is tyler o’hanlon.. im from central new jersey. my cousin kyle guidice, was recently put into a coma. i know you dont know either of us, but we both ride bikes, pretty much everyday of our lives. and i love the kid to death but the doctors said he needs a miracle to wake up, because he showed no good signs within 24 hours of the coma. his myspace is www.myspace.com/iliketoridemybmxbike , kid shreds. he never gives up on anything, wether it be on his bike or any other situation.
im not asking for any sympathy or money or anything, just asking if you could maybe post up a picture of him or something on the come up.. and ask people to pray. because he needs it. i know he always talked about going to the banks one day to ride with all you dudes and spam might remember him a bit.
sorry if this is just considered a spam email to you but he needs a miracle to live.. and i just want people to pray. thanks a lot for reading this, itd mean pretty much the world if you posted this up.. sorry if this shit sounds gay but i love the kid and he got me into bmx.”
Get up and out of that coma and shred that bike!!
Casey Strong Interview
Casey is a fairly well known street rider from the Midwest scene and Sputnic flow rider. This interview was really suppossed to happen months ago back when that A.J guy was helping out with the site. I guess it got lost in the process, so I shot him some fresh questions and waited for his new edit to drop. This is what came from it. Enjoy, and leave him a little love in the comments!
Name:
Casey D Strong
Location:
Currently Milwaukee WI
Sponsors:
Sputnic
Years riding:
I think about 8 years now?
What was it that got you into BMX in the first place?
My oldest brother Travis was all about bikes, and he rode BMX along with mountain, road, etc. He pretty much was my main influence he built my first ramp out of a milk crate and plywood, and took me to my first skate park.
How are things going with Sputnic these days? What do you got going on with them, any trips or anything like that going on?
Things with Sputnic are great, a lot of things are going on with the company mainly with Johnny leaving. With Johnny leaving Ronnie B has been in a way running it all, and taking ideas from everybody on the team as to what should be the future for Sputnic. As trips, we do plan on have a couple but that most likely wont be until spring or summer. Me and Mike Hinkens are going to Florida over winter break though so i guess that could count.
Being a Midwest rider, you are no stranger to the cold and snow that will be here all to soon. What are your plans to make it through the winter?
Winter is the worst thing ever. I hate the bitter cold, and even more so i hate the snow. I basically shuts down the street spots and forces you into the park. Although i am luck enough to have 4seasons so close i would much rather ride outside. My plans to attempt to survive the winter are spending a few weeks in Florida riding bikes.
You are living in one of the best scenes in the country with riders like Jeff K, Lil Jon, Mike Hinkens and so many more. Do you ever feel like that plays on your level of progression?
Mike, Jeff, and Jon are all amazing people and bike riders. I have been lucky enough to grow up riding with these guys, mainly Mike and that’s probably why i like street so much. But being able to ride with guys on their level on a daily basis definitely plays a role on progression because of it motivates me to try and learn new things that these guys make look easy.
Outside of those bigger named guys, who are you usually out riding with?
Grant C, Jeff Dowhen, and Nate W. All these dudes kill it. There are a whole bunch of other people that i ride with but these are probably the main three dudes besides Mike that i ride with.
You have had the chance to travel a bit these days, where are some of your favorite places you have had the chance to ride?
I was really stoked on Florida in winter. Good weather, good dudes, good spots. Michigan was pretty fun. I cant even remember where else i have been.
Do you have any trips in the works or places you would like to go sometime?
Sputnic has a few plans for trips coming next summer if everything works out. I would like to go somewhere out of this country, Barcelona looks amazing.
I would imagine you are still brakeless, so do you plan on ever running brakes again?
Still brakeless, will always be too. My first bike was the only bike that had brakes, a DK fury. The brakes lasted a good 3 weeks before the cable broke and smashed the lever off with a hammer.
Your new Sputnic edit just dropped, are you filming for anything else from video parts to web videos?
Not really filming for anything in specific at the time.
What is something about BMX that frustrates you the most?
How serious it has become. I would also say the X GAYmes.
If you were going on a road trip with 5 people, who would you want to be on the trip and where would you want to go?
Mike Hinkens, Johnny Devlin, Grant C, Nate W, and Jamie Bestwick. I think i would probably pick Athens Georgia, that place seems pretty crazy.
Where would you like to see BMX go in the next few years?
TO THE MOON!
What do you think you would be up to if you never got into BMX?
Pretty sure I would be a professional parachuter.
Outside of riding what are you usually up to?
I guess outside of BMX, i am either working, or riding some other bike. I race road bikes in the summer, and usually commute to work on a bike. Also ride cyclocross.
Were you aware there is another Casey Strong who can lift a shit load of weight?
No i wasn’t, but i did know there was a baseball player with the same name.
Do you work or go to school at all?
I work, kinda gave up on school for the time being.
What is the craziest thing you have experienced in your life?
Having a bike change the way i live.
If you could be sponsored by any thing that does or does not have any involvement in BMX, who would you pick and why?
The Green Bay Packers, because football is sweet! Probably Levis though, because of their amazing health insurance for the riders.
How’s your criminal record looking? Any good stories?
My record is pretty clean, but i do have a warrant for my arrest for a unpaid ticket in Philly. The ticket was for riding my bike on the sidewalk.
If you couldn’t live where you live now, and couldn’t live in the Midwest at all. Where would you move and why?
I think Portland Oregon, the place seems really awesome. I would have said Florida, but i would die in the heat.
What kind of music are you into these days?
I have been really into Modest Mouse lately. I jam a lot of old shit too, like CCR, The Doobie Brothers, Kansas, Johnny Cash. List goes on.
Have you seen any good movies lately?
The Dark Knight, so good.
What are some of your favorite websites?
Not going to hide it
Myspace
sputnic-bmx.com
HowToAvoidTheBummerLife.com
YouTube
If you could live like anyone else in this world, who would you pick and why?
Brett Favre, he is a legend.
What would you do if you found a sack of money that you know is not legit?
I would try to do something legit with it like give it to charity, probably pocket some of it though.
What is the worst/dumbest/funniest thing you have ever spent your money on?
Ha, i bought a Mens work out magazine, box of Trojan Magnum XL condoms, along with the toilet paper that Matt Coplan asked me to pick up. That or the giant dildo that me and my roommates bought, no homo.
How do you feel about Obama being elected as president?
I think its pretty cool, i voted for him. Hopefully things will start to get better in the country and i dont have to kick myself in the ass.
What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next few years?
Get my knee fixed, fly on a airplane, find a way to not have to work, end my dependence on a automobile completely and do a BMX trip across the county on a bike.
If you could commit any crime and get away with it, what would you do and why?
Double homicide, because two is better than one. haha.
What is the most embarrassing thing you have done while intoxicated?
Since i don’t drink, i don’t have a good story. I have done some pretty dumb shit while sober though.
If you could change anything about the world, what would you change and why?
I would make Rollerblades illegal.
What is some of the best advice you could give somebody?
I guess do what you think is right, fuck the trends.
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Thanks to Mike Hinkens for putting up with my shit and helping me get to where i am at, Johnny Devlin for being a great friend and helping me get to where i am, Ronnie Bonner at Sputnic for giving me a chance, Ralph and Omar at Animal for all the help, Jeff K for making me jump on shit, Jeff G and 4seasons skate park, Grant C for being a good friend and filming, Kyle Kompas for having fun on his bike helping me to do the same, my mom for being my first sponsor, Jake G for the photos, everybody from Milwaukee who i ride with, Tippy, Jason Minor, Ernie, and Kurt for doing this interview.
Anything else you would like to say?
Yeah thanks if you actually took the time to read this.
The Possibilities
I should be entitled to a random blog post every now and then, I think. Right now the thing that is completely stuck on my mind is all the possibilities of BMX. When I say that I mean career/money making potential. I am sure some of you are thinking “BMX is all about fun, not money!” which I completely agree. I am just saying that when a person isn’t capable of pro level riding, but wants to be able to ride for as long as possible these things start coming to mind. This was all sparked by a little interview with Flip on EXPN about judging contests.
Yesterday I turned 20 years old. Don’t get me wrong, I am still young but it is about that time in life when I should be figuring out what I want to do with myself. I am sure a lot of you have been asked what you want to do with your life since “you can’t ride BMX forever”. Obviously, BMX is completely up to you on how long it lasts and I know guys who are older dads who still come out and ride with their kids. I want to be able to do that for sure when I am older too.
The big delima is the question “what do you want to do for a living?” that seems to come up at least twice a week when I am at my school. It just sucks when you don’t know, or feel like the “dream” is unrealistic. That was until I realized exactly how many different jobs there really is that incorporates BMX in daily life. If you happened to see Catfish’s interview on Defgrip he lists off some pretty solid ideas for jobs. Catfish lists off things like an announcer, photographer, journalist, and team manager. That obviously just scratches the surface too.
I started to think of names of people who really influence me when it comes to BMX to get an idea of things I would want to do. These are only a few of the names and why they influence me.
Catfish: For obvious reasons, the guy lives an amazing life. He travels all over because he can talk on a mic. Not only that, he is the team manager for DK. The advice he has given me has been one of the most motivating things for me to keep doing whatever it is I am doing when it comes to BMX.
Adam Grandmaison: Without a doubt, you know who Adam22 is if you spend time on a computer. He is a huge influence to me because he has made a career out of nothing. The guy has a dream job. However, without him BMXunion wouldn’t be what it is today. He has also given me the opportunity to help him with his site. It is weird because I have a lot of fun doing that, even with the shit talkers catching every little mistake I make.
Brian Kachinsky: Pro and well known for that. Obviously I have no chance of going pro but he still influences the hell out of me. Why? because every time I get to talk to him he has something really positive and awesome to talk about. He gets to travel the world and experience so much. I always joke that he needs to get me on the DK pay roll so that I can just go on trips with him all over the world. This is obviously, the biggest of dreams to be paid to travel haha.
Alex B/Give D: Alex is the TM for Give D and The Take and all around good dude. Being a Team manager is obviously a very big responsibility but I think that would be an awesome job. I thought I knew what having fun with BMX was all about until I got to spend a few days with him and the Give D crew. Every single one of those guys are super talented when it comes to riding, and they all pretty much make a living off BMX too. If everyone involved in BMX had the same attitude as these guys, BMX would be more popular than Soccer.
Kyle Carlson: I can think of some pretty interesting things about Kyle that make me laugh. Kyle is a Filmer/photographer/contributor for Vital BMX and Ride UK. One of my biggest interests has always been filming and editing. Shit, I even started the photography class at my old high school. Kyle has always been a very positive force in what I do. He knows the industry well. Being a Filmer, writer, photographer would all be a fun career.
Harrison Boyce: I have only had the chance to very briefly meet Harrison, and to be honest I don’t think he was a fan of me. Harrison has a sweet career in BMX though! He is basically in charge of everything related to design atMacneil and one of the guys at Defgrip. As much as I suck at design it is something I am really into.
Ryan Fudger: I am sure he gets sick of me talking about the influence he has had on me. It is just crazy to think about what he does for a living. Ryan started the website San Diego BMX years ago now, and sadly it doesn’t exist anymore. He then later started working for Ride BMX as one of their writers/photographers/etc. He literally lives a dream of being able to travel all over the world to take photos and write stories about the things that he experiences. How cool of a job would that be?
There are a hand full of other people I could probably talk about but I will save you the pain of my horrible writing abilities.
With the rate of growth of the sport companies out there need a team manager, art designer, product designer, riders, help in some form. Then again it seems like in such a small industry (compare BMX to something like the NFL, MLB, or NHL) there is always room for the next creative idea to start your own company. If that doesn’t intrest you maybe it is more of a free lance thing from photographers, videographers, editors, announcers, judges, and writers you are into.
If you really truly love BMX there will always be room for you in the industry. Over the years I have had friends who would ride every day phase out and do their own things. They liked BMX, but didn’t have the love. I had people always making jokes about how I am such a dork for spending so much time on the computer making little scene websites that have come and gone, which has turned into this site that gets 25-35 thousand page views in a month (which isn’t shit compared to T.C.U, Defgrip, Vital, or Ride BMX). BMX takes time to turn it into a career, I see that… I by no means have a career in BMX but I would love to be able to be a team manager, judge, writer, Filmer/photographer, or something cool along those lines someday.
Maybe after a taste of traveling across the country, and having fun with friends this bug crawled into me. This urge to want to travel the world with the main focus of a bike and friends in it. Sitting in a class room for an hour while listening to a teacher talk about how Shakespear could have been bi-sexual is losing intrest fast. I need to get out there.
That was my random Saturday blog about what was on my mind this morning.
Francis Delapena Interview
It was pretty funny how I first really got to know Francis. We had talked a few times during Interbike, and then I bumped into him at the Mosh party at the Hard Rock. I was with this girl I met on the plane and she was looking to get her drunkness on. It just so happened that we were all not looking to blow our money at the bar and there was a bottle hidden behind a bush in the parking lot. I wonder who put that there? Minutes later we are hanging out in the parking lot and we started talking about doing an interview. This is what comes from meeting people in awesome situations. Enjoy.
Name:
Francis
What was it that originally got you into BMX?
When I was 11, I basically exchanged a video game for a Huffy from Target. I had never owned a bike before and didn’t even know how to ride one so I figured I’d give it a shot. By sunset that day, I was literally addicted to how it felt to pedal. About a year or two later, I discovered BMX. It came in the form of the 1996 X-Games and watching Mat Hoffman blast the vert ramp with a broken foot. In between his runs, they’d show clips of his foot, all swollen and blue. He always had a smile though and that’s what sold me on it.
You are the man behind the new Odyssey website. How long have you been working for Odyssey and what is your job title?
Yes, I am. I’ve officially been at the office since August. My professional job title is “Website Guy.” Please send all death threats regarding flash websites to: heywebsiteguywhydoyouhavesuchalongemailaddress@odysseybmx.com.
Back to riding, living in California I imagine you don’t have much trouble finding something good to ride. Where are some of your more common stops when it comes to riding? Do you have some usuals you like to ride with?
Downtown Long Beach is a few blocks away from me, so I cruise around there a lot. Fudger and Jeff Z live in town so I try to tag along with them as much as possible. They’re fun to ride with and know where all the good spots are. Sometimes we head out to the Santa Monica park and Bauer’s usually over there. That always ends up being a fun session. If I’m riding by myself, which happens often, I usually just head out the door and start pedaling fast at a crack on the side walk or a curb cut. Then I just ride around aimlessly.
Photo by Stephen Norell.
Circa March 2008.
I have this thing called Radial Tunnel Syndrome and it basically restricts the movement of my left hand (I can’t open it all the way). I didn’t think it’d screw me up as far as riding goes but it has a huge affect on how I hop and land. When the syndrome was at its worse, my hand used to spaz out on harsh impacts and just let go of the grip at the most inopportune moment. This little drop was taken after my surgery and it was basically just a test to see if my hand would be able to hold on. It did but it still hurt and tingled like hell when I landed. If you look at my left-wrist, it’s bent all funny ’cause I didn’t have full control of it.
I know you made it out to Interbike recently. Do you have any other trips you are looking forward to?
Not really. I’m going home for Christmas so I guess I have some drunken kareoke to look forward to.
Where are some places you would really like to experience?
Outerspace. Deep sea. Some tiny, deserted tropical island that maybe has a coconut tree to take a nap under. The roof of the world’s tallest building. Some crazy ancient structure that hasn’t been tapped by tourism. Canada.
If you could be capable of riding like anybody else, who would you pick and why?
Mat Hoffman.
Do you worry about kicking ass and trying to progress or are you just a chiller?
I like to progress but I try not to sweat it. Half the time I’m just trying not to regress. The other half is spent skidding, bunny hopping and/or doing half-assed table-tops.
Photo by Andy Pecchenino
Circa 2003
I went to 5 different dollar stores in search for those spoke-e-dokes.
Have you had the chance to beat yourself up much? Any injuries worth sharing?
I knocked some teeth out at the Ride 150th Issue party. I’m the guy smashing his face on the ground at the end of the video… That one gave me stars and tunnel vision. The funny thing about that crash though is I didn’t see it coming at all. I thought I was going to eat shit on the wall-ride right before.
Seeing as you work at Odyssey, if you could have any signature part what would you make with the help of Ben Ward?
180mm cranks, a coaster brake and a belt that doubles as a bike-lock. Ben teased me for wanting 180s though and I don’t think he’s too into my coaster brake idea either. I haven’t brought up the belt thing yet…
If you could change anything about BMX, what would you change and why?
There’s a lot of silly things going on in BMX, but on a personal level, I don’t see a need in changing any of it. BMX is a sacred entity and it’s at a place in my heart that nobody can ever touch. People can bitch and complain about things all they want but as long as I have a bike to ride, I couldn’t care less. Some other kid’s bike, attitude, pants or anonymous internet comments aren’t going to affect my hop.
Photo by Jason Richardson
Circa 2003
Haro Grinddisk!
What do you think you would be up to if you never picked up a bike?
Either a lawyer, a doctor or a magician. Probably all three.
Outside of work and BMX what are you usually up to?
I started getting into reading for recreation again. I used to try to avoid it at all costs ’cause it cramps my productivity. I don’t mind it too much now, it’s good for the soul. Other than that, if I’m feeling ambitious, I try to shoot photos. I’m a fan of arts and crafts type of stuff too.
When did you first really start getting into computer stuff?
Back in the days of D.O.S.
Did you ever go to college for web design or was it just self taught?
If I start typing on this subject, I won’t be able to stop. Lets just say I did both.
If you weren’t able to work at Odyssey, what do you think your dream job would be?
On my resume, under career objective, all it says is, “Become a financially secured hippie.” I’m not really sure what that entails but I’ll probably strive for that. A transient lifestyle seems interesting, too.
Photo by either Andy Pecchenino or Steve Norell
Circa 2003.
This is actually in the middle of a 360. I learned them that day and found out I can’t turn my head into a spin while doing tables.
Have you ever been in a fight or arrested? Care to elaborate?
I’ve never been in a fight but I did get arrested once for resisting arrest… I’m still not sure how that was possible. It’s considered a felony and when I went to court to fight it, they brought up all of these other ridiculous charges on me. There was some weird loop-hole (or scam?) where if I were to forfeit my bond, it’d all go away and wont be on my record. I looked into it and figured it wasn’t worth my time or stress to try and dance with the legal system. I ended up just giving up the bond. In the end, I basically paid $300 to spend a night in jail after getting in an altercation with a drunk guy holding a shovel in a parking lot. In retrospect, it was all pretty funny. My friends thought it was a prank phone call when I called from jail.
A good night of partying consists of…
…wandering around in public with a few good friends and sipping out of inconspicuous beverage containers, wholesome in appearance but corrupted by bottom-shelf liquor. Night is ok, but I prefer it in broad daylight.
What is your best story you got involving hookers, midgets, alcohol, or crazy people?
This one time, I drank way too much alcohol and ended up making sweet, passionate love to a crazy, midget hooker in a bathroom at 7/11.
Shot by Andy Pecchenino
Boise, ID.
Circa 2004
This was shot for the university newspaper for an article about bikes on campus.
I ended up trading that frame (S&M PBR) for a pack of cloves and a bottle of Jack with Andy (the photographer).
What are some things you would really like to experience in your life at some point?
A solo sky-dive jump. Live in a fancy hotel, Royal Tenenbaum style. Watch the speedometer needle squirm at it’s peak. Watch the world turn from the inside of some space ship. Get kicked out of a fancy hotel, Royal Tenenbaum style as well. A near death experience of some sort. Live without having to subscribe to the bureaucracy of society. Base jump. Kiss while falling. Watch a live taping of Conan O’Brien. Sex against a window of a very tall sky-scraper. Fly a large balloon (maybe multiple balloons?) like a kite. Sell a piece of art/shit for a relatively ridiculous amount of money. Live in the Philippines again.
What is the key to success with the ladies?
Don’t sweat it.
Being a web guy I am sure you have some cool websites you suggest people check out?
Google’s pretty good.
Photo by Little Aaron Big Fro
Circa 2007
That was the last bike I bought before I worked at Odyssey. Other than the frame, it pretty much had either Sunday or Odyssey parts on it. Right before I moved down here, the headtube cracked like crazy and I could I feel it flex on bunnyhops.
What kind of music are you into?
Shitty vocals, singing about the crazies in life, coupled with a soundtrack that’d make you feel at ease about driving a car off a cliff.
All time favorite movie?
I don’t have a favorite but there’s a handful I wouldn’t mind watching again: Fight Club. The Royal Tenenbaums. Amelie. Donnie Darko. The Princess Bride. Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind. I’m sure there’s more but I always forget.
What are some things you would really like to accomplish in the next few years?
Build a machine that runs itself.
If you could live like anybody in this world, who would you pick and why?
I can’t really think of anybody in particular. I’m a fan of life experiences though so I’d probably want to just sample a ton of different lifestyles and mix up my favorites. I’d most likely throw my own ingredients into the recipe as well.
What kinds of advice do you have for people looking to get into graphic design and web design?
Get a computer with all of the software you need and then develop an addiction to coffee.
Shot by Bethany Walter
Boise, ID.
Circa 2003.
4 pegs, a gyro and a Primo Pervert!
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
My family for loving me unconditionally, my friends for being accepting of my social ineptness, my dog for being a mutt, Odyssey for providing me with a dream job, Kurt for this interview and ******* for making me happy.
Anything else you would like to say?
Yes.
Denny Pascasio Interview
When I first had seen some footage of Denny, I was laughing so hard. The guy knows how to have a good time and make people laugh. It took me a while to get ahold of him but I am glad I got the chance. This interview turned out awesome. Check it out and leave Denny a little love in the comments!
Name:
full name, Denny McLee Pascasio
Location:
Ridge NY, its on Long Island
Sponsors:
The Take, Long Island Bike Shop, Team Jeff Dupaul
Years riding:
around 8 or 9 I think?
What was it that first got you into BMX?
I live in the middle of nowhere, where deer over populate humans 20 to like 9 it seems. So there was nothing to really do but play on this ratty trampoline in this kids backyard. Once that shit the bed. I started riding my bike over these little dirt mounds in this field by my house. I pretty much set my mind off to this rules from those days on.
Did you ever expect for it to turn into what it has become today?
Phew, definitly not. I used to just be another little 14 year old gromet type kid, who just watched X-gaymes and rode a mongoose KO and a tailwhip was impossible. Now it’s just insane to see every kid with 15 year old fever & being able to hop truck down a 12 stair. Then the people spinning their bikes eight times under them, and how astonishing bikes alone progessed. I used to be stoked on 36tooth sprockets, now the things bikes are capable of and everything is mind blowing, it pretty much rules intensly.
How are things going with The Take? Any cool stuff involved with you going on there?
Oh man, I couldn’t be more stoked! The Take is bringing the fun and helping me out a ton. So I’m just trying to return the favor by bringing that fun out when I go out and pedal everytime. But, we have a whole bunch of stuff in the works that I couldn’t be more excited about. We are starting to do Monthly web edits soon, some kiddies have stuff to enjoy for sure. And with the help of Jeff those should go a total diffrent route then the usual haahaha.
What is the story behind Team Jeff Dupaul anyways?
It started out as a little joke Andre Postell made cause Jeff always seemed to come with the funds when the dude needed ciggs. Andre said its like your my sponsor now. When the time came for Notro Jam, Andre listed Team Jeff Dupaul as one of his sponsors and it kinda blew from there. Just bringing us Northeastern pedalers together. And also for the fact, Jeff just rules and has played a major roll on these parts I think, hahaha his house is pretty much a hotel. I’d like to think I have the super pro contract of the team, only for the fact that some how I end up and his house for weeks and his wallet turns into my ATM. I’m kinda makin this answer lengthy, but now we got some serious duties in the works. So I guess we are becoming like Give D! East, just TJD instead haha.
It seems like Jeff is always posting up videos. Do you have any new web videos, or video parts in the works?
Yeah, we are all currently filming for a TJD web video, that will premiere on Defgrip. No exact date yet, cause we are all pushin in duties and tryin to beat this shit before Frosty comes down to hang haha. In between that, we are putting out little web edits in the mean time to show our fun and big chillin. Aside from TJD videos, Mr.Dupaul has been helpin other dudes get there side projects on, it’s pretty sweet. Too much goin on for one clown to handle.
How do you feel about the scene where you are living? What is the crew like out there?
I really could bull about this question so much, but I’m not going to though. In my opinion trying to ride on my end of Long Island sucks so bad. I live in the most redneck of towns. I’m suprised I’m allowed to even live here haah, but anyways theres seriously absolutely nothing, but some handicap slopes, curbs, and some trails. I dont touch trails around here anymore though cause the locals are weird around me I guess. I can say there are a handful of kids that just shred this damn forsaken island, but we are all so spread out so it’s kinda hard to meet up. The crews are so mixed with so many diffrent types of riders and when we do meet up it’s a good time. LIB is doing a good thing too, keepin the kids pedaling on. I have so much to say for this question but, hahaha I don’t want to go nuts on it. Let me just say, that Long Island lacks, but we make the most of it.
If you could live anywhere else because of BMX, where would you go and why?
Even though the lack, I don’t think I’d move, I’d do more of do a reconstruction. I’d smash Boston, Long Island and CT together, bring on some Cali weather and make Long boscalnnecticon. Either that, or just live in Cali for the winters hahaa, thats way more simple.
Have you been doing some traveling lately?
Just around CT my second home, thats about it hahaa. Sometimes rarely, but sometimes like Boston and stuff.
What is the craziest thing you have experienced because of BMX?
Dude, the first splatter of what the f-ck?!! I think of everytime I get this question, is seeing that dude just get at the banks just gettin Gnarley Davidson’d. Just full blow smashed by a guy on a chopper bike, then his bike stolen I believe! I felt like I was in the matrix of oh my damn, cause there was just so many things wrong there. Oh and the best was the roadkill dude saying, Ugghhghhh dat mudda fuggaa, while laying flabbergasted and pretzel’d on the floor.
If you could remove anybody, any trick, anything really from BMX, what would you pick and why?
hmmm… Invert to fakie? Everything else is just awesome for a good laugh or a jaw drop. Oh Oh Oh and X gaymes superpark…what the hell was that?!
What are some things that make you want to go and ride?
Seriously, everything does pretty much. I’ll see some kids far into youtube videos of kids just feebling a ledge and not giving a crap, and just seeing my friends doin there thang. man hahaha I just love laughing and pedaling.
What is your dream set up or spot to ride?
A school with just crazy hips and banks and stuff, fun flowy stairs if thats possible. And just real easy fun chilling trails. It really depends on the day.
Is it all about the trick list or how much style you have?
I lean for style 87% of the time. I mean its rad to see dudes goin crazy and shower themselves in redbull to whip in and out of everything, but I’m all for it looking really original and stylish. I mean I’d def like watching someone do real simple stuff like take a hand and a foot off and make it look super good and clean with flow, then watch a dude that looks like someone kicked a 2×4 off a lip & its flipping and spinning like crazy. So style ftw!
How do you feel about contests? Do you ever hit any of those up or plan on any?
I like contest for the pure fact, they let you travel, have a good time and see all your buddies from all over and get to shred Contest as a whole, naah not really for me. I cringe out, forget what I wanted to do, lose myself and end up huckin somthing dumb for 48 seconds. Stuff like Baco I like cause its really laid back and all for a good time. Dewd tour I’d never touch, I don’t think. I wanted to hit Baco and Notro this year, but umm hahaa thats not happening.
If you could go on a road trip, who would you bring and where would you go right now?
As of right now, I’d be escape the frostbite tour, and I’d be all of my TJD buddies, Jeff, Garret Reeves, Chris Z, Mike Mastroni, Matty Long and the list goes on for all long as the fun does.
What is BMX all about in your eyes?
FUN. 100% and complete fun. Just being stoked, gettin a good laugh, a good story, doing what you want to do. Meeting good friends. It’s just too much good, and too much fun man.
What do you think you would be up to if you never got into BMX?
Well I did/do go to school for Visual Arts and cartooning, so I’d total be a Comicon/Anime freakazoid. Just playing xbox and watching porn 85% of the time. The other drawing dudes with cracked out eyes, puking, and stuff hahaa. Or wishing I was awesome at skating.
What are you up to when your not riding?
Usually, just hangin. On this little life sucker of a machine, just cruising the web or just hangin with some dame of some sort…and as all these webbies of me floating around show. Having fun at a party somewhere, not gettin too out of hand. I need a job asap hahahahahah.
Do you go to school or work at all?
Back to school in the spring and I’m trying to get a job at Target, as I said to Nick(SPAM) “If i get this Target job, it will kinda be like I’m on Hoffman FLOW!” haah
You got a fairly new video series going with Jeff Dupaul called “LOL Material”. What got all this started and when will the next episode be out?
Maybe I should let jeff answer this one, and I’ll put my input to it too hahaha go jeff. HA, “He went kinda nuts on it. The LOL series wasn’t an intentional thing, I just had lots of footage of humerous moments in Denny’s life on tape. I had left over party footage from when I had a little party at my house and between the music video and his take edit, I still had lots of other footage. So, I made a little montage. I also added in a falls montage since Denny falls a lot hahaha. The another day, we had a concert at Haven and Denny talked to all the girls as they walked by, so i turned my camera on and captured Denny being, well Denny. I think everyone who has ever meet Denny has liked him and probably found him to be hilarious, like I do. So I made these little edits for more our friends who know him and would understand his humor and laugh at it. Then one day on the come up, I saw kurt didn’t have much to post so I thought I would send in the videos, maybe other people would find them funny too. Basically, long story short, the LOL series is just me capturing denny being himself every day, and hoping everyone else gets a good laugh outta it just like all my friends and I do. Because lets face it, Bikes are only like 50% riding, the other half is having a good time with your friends and laughing and just making memories. So I thought I’d share them with you all.” Yep that was my dude, Jeff puttin it into college perspective for ya. Cause I have no input on them, I’m just being me thats all.
How do you feel about the Daddy Vision videos? Do you think they influenced you to start yours?
I lost count on Daddy Vision after D.Vision #1,39423. I think they are pretty rad, but I’m totally not aiming to be that. It just seems to be happening hahaha weird man.
Are you just naturally a funny dude or have you hit your head a few times?
I think haha I’m just not serious enough and dumb! I just like to see smiles and a good time for sure!
Has anyone ever told you that you remind them of Chris Tucker? Would you be pissed if I told you that I get that vibe?
Crap, I’m trying to think how many other people have said that, I wish my voice was as high pitched as that guy! I come close to it cause Jeff Dupaul is pretty much my Jackie Chan. I guess I can take that as a honor, guy has some steez!
What are some of the keys to an awesome party or night out?
Alright, this list is
-Enough of party influencial products to get you going but not retarded
– Some where with alot of people and open space if not go the total oppisite, tight space with alot of people.
– MUSIC, you need music no matter what
– have some GIRLS, DAMES, GALS, TRICKS, HOES, IDIOTS.
smash that all together in a blender, with sprinkle of love
and thats pretty much it. Automatic, no manual needed fun.
write that down Kurt hahahhaha!
What are some of the most important things in your life?
I’m real bad with priorites for sure, but definitly getting a education, staying in school, family and blah blah. All and all is remember to not stress, things can only be bad for so long and theres always something good around or some good you can make or learn from it. So don’t stress hard, Have a lot of fun, no matter what the situation.
What are some approaches you use when picking up girls? Any advice for the hopeless ones out there?
hahahaha! Don’t push yourself on them. Make em giggle and they might show you some jiggle. Make em laugh and you might get some ASS. I don’t know what I do to make em think I’m something special, cause I gots nothing. I had game, then my playstation 2 broke.
Have you ever been in a fight or arrested?
Never a fight in my life, I mean the closest thing to a fight, was me punching this kid on the bus in the eye by accident in 1st grade. I had one of those sweet gay 50cent rings on, so it did some serious damage. Arrested, no. I have had/have a ticket for $75 dollars for something real dumb (drinking in public even though it was closed beach & it was a half a beer or some crap)
What is the first song to come to mind?
Spams re-make to Loquat’s Swingset Chain or whatever. His was ” Theres a plaaaay ground that we used to play on, and Mike Mastroni films alllllll alone…” we all died including mike hahaa so freakin awesome. oh and Listen to J.Dilla instrumentals that guy was a genious!
If you won the lottery what would you blow the money on?
Phew, Umm I’d have to payback Jeff. Buy a random ass house somewhere over here, have some of my best people stay. Give my mama some money(I gotcho back Momz!), wait now see…what if it was only 30 bucks?
What is the most embarassing thing you have ever spent your money on?
hahahhha man, I can’t even rememeber. I haven’t had money since like January 20th of this year. I’m a bum!
What kind of a car are you driving around? What is your dream car?
You want to hear a sad secret, I don’t even have my license, my road test is the 5th of Novemeber. My dream car…a smart car with 4 people seating! Heck Yeah! Thats asking for a good time!
If you could hook up with any model or famous chick, who would you pick and why?
dude, you see that girl CASSIE?!
She can totally be my official girl! Or maybe Vanessa Hudgens, I’d totally make another kind of high school musical with that dame sheesh!
Do you have any good stories involving hookers, midgets, cops, pissed off people, or the homeless?
I could show you a sweet kid with dwarfism that lives down the road, that kid has real moves and can punch you in the nuts with no effort! The only thing I have crazy with Bums of some sort that I can think of was, this one time when I was riding in my town we were all heading off to eat some Mickey D’s and get some sweet slop feeling going but, on the way there we see some like person in the middle of the road with super long hair. And we are like “is that some naked girl?”, so we pedal up closer and come to find out its some crazy naked redneck dude in the middle of the road, in front of some mobile home complex. He is screaming ” YA GUYS SEEN MY DAWG?! HUHHH?! HAVE YOU GUYS SEEN MY DAWGGG?!WHO TOOK MY DAWGG?” completely naked, not even the decent enough to wear socks hahahha. Then after we got to the McSpot, my friend pointed out after all the laughter and says “I like how no one said he has a small penis…”, the guy had the right to hangout I guess haa.
What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next few years?
Yeah for sure! I want to get out to the west sometime soon, give Texas a check too. Mostly see more out west and stuff. And get some more things done for The Take and stuff, web edit wise and product design help.
What is something you aren’t very good at but wish you were?
When it comes to me filming a clip, hahahah. It’s even a big joke around with my TJD pals, I fail so hard. It’s like I can do stuff during a regular session first try and even laugh after it, but once the camera is out, I forget what I want to do and get out my riding character and forget what I want to do and it takes like 50 tries. So If I could, I’d like to be able to turn it on and keep having fun even when I’m gettin chased around with big ol soul stealer!
What is the best advice you got for the people out there?
Just listen, remember what you’re doing you’re things for. Not what “ANONYMOUS” says. HAVE FUN EVERYDAY, laugh and stuff, even though I sound like a played out Halmark Card, ya gotta do it.
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Heck Yeah, everyones fave.BIG BIG thanks to you Kurt for giving me this opportunity to do something as rad as this. Thanks a bunch dude. I’d like to give a big thanks to all the dudes at The Take, Alex for being so freakin awesome and keeping a “nig-nog on lock”, John Lee for being THEE nicest dude on the planet, Mike Erb/FBM dudes for helping me with last minute goodies and such. HUGE THANKS for Jeff Dupaul, cause face it without that dude, I don’t even know what I’d be doing N/H or whatever.Long Island Bike shop for hookin me up big time, even though I barely ever make it out there cause I suck. ALL my TJD pals that I see doing there thang and reppin that fun. My Mom for putting up with my broke bum butt for so long.Dan Foley for being Dan Foley. Tyson chicken wings for being so good in the morning. Girls for being so awesome to look at no matter what the situation hahahhaa. And sleep.
Anything else you want to say?
I just hope that everyone gets to know me at some point hahaha and realizes I’m the least serious person you’ll ever meet and pretty much am stoked for anything, hahahaa even crap talk. And thanks a bunch again Kurt, this ruled and it was was kinda hard!
