I remember back in the day when Josh posted up on Bikeguide and he was just this kid who rode really good. Then before I knew it I saw him in the Haro contests, web videos that were great, all sorts of stuff.. The kid is awesome, so there was an interview done. Show some love in the comments!

Age:
19

Location:
From: Cape Cod,MA Living: in Greenville,NC

Sponsors:
Staff BMX, Haro/Premium Flow

Years Riding:
6 or 7

It would appear your riding has been getting real popular among the kids on the internet, did you ever expect to be getting the coverage you have been able to get?
Haha no way, i started out as some kid who had a friend who had a friend(Marcus Tooker) who instantly inspired me. He was this kid with a huge white fullface i saw at the park my first day there. After that my mom went out and got me a white fullface and i would go everyday i could after school.It all went from there i guess which led to the Haro video contest and then me moving here(Greenville) a year or so. Then trying to film for that vital video which Kyle Carlson helped me out with. I always just liked riding and watching my favorite riders in videos and never thought i would be in videos or on the internet and even have one person i don`t know, know my name.

You recently had a web video on vitalbmx, do you have anymore web videos in the works?
Well like i said before Kyle hooked me up with that last video so i have been trying to film some stuff and hopefully make another edit for vital again soon.

How about the sponsors, any trips, video parts, signature parts coming around this year?
Actually the day after Dew Tour in Baltimore I will be going with the Staff team on a week long trip or so in New England area.Other then that no trips i`m aware of or video parts and def no signature parts i know of but would be sweet one day.

It seems like you have had the chance to travel a bit more lately, where all have you been riding lately?
Once i moved to Greenville in January i was gone for a month straight in Canada doing shows with Maximum Velocity. Other then that it was just some of the Dew Tour stops i could afford to make it to and the places on the way. I never have had the chance to travel much or go cool places but id like to someday.

Where are some places you would like to go someday?
Cali and pretty much anywhere outside of the states or North America.

It seems like there has been more and more stuff of you riding in Greenville, do you plan on moving there at some point?
Yeah haha i moved here in January like i said before and love it.Its way more then what people think. Most fun i have ever had on and off my bike and it has everything you could want for riding no matter who you are.

What are your plans for 08′? Dew Tour or any big contests at all?
Yeah i am gonna go to the two open qualifiers and maybe do better in it this year and make it to all of them. Other then that i have no idea of any other contests. I would like to go to some but i`m not to crazy on it if i don`t get to them or not.

Who is your typical riding crew, any guys you think people should expect to see more of?
Back home it was Brandon Christie, Chris Childs,Joe Nelson and all the locals around the NH and MA area. Def watch out for those three which have already been all over the internet. Here in Greenville i ride everyday with Christian Stoessel and Ty Morrow. Then i usually ride with Dan Sieg,Jon Reed,Zak Lamb,James Foster,Joey Johnstone, and all the other regular locals.

It would appear you have a lot of tricks on lock, what are some tricks you could never get sick of doing?
Haha well as everyone knows tailwhips!!!! But i also can never do enough bars,hang five stuff and tucks.

What tricks give you the most trouble?
I think my turndowns always look gross and i try to do them a little more here and there to make em look alright and hang fives tricks are so frustrating but fun.

What parts do you typically go through the most?
Brake cables,pedals,and seats.

If you could go on a road trip with 5 people, who would you bring, where would you go and why?
Brandon Christie,Christian Stoessel,Ty Morrow,Brian hunt,and Danny Hickerson. Brandon,Christian, and Ty because they are my good friends and always have a good time on and off my bike with them.Brian Hunt because that guy is the funniest person in the world and most fun to watch ride and Danny Hickerson because he is my favorite rider and i never met him but it would be amazing to watch him kill everything we rode. I could go anywhere because i know with that crew we would make the best of what we find on and off the bike for sure.

How do you feel about BMX being in the Olympics, getting almost completely cut out of the X-games, and just BMX in the main-stream as a whole?
I think its rad being in the Olympics but wish it was all disciplines and kinda lame for getting out of x-games. For the main-stream part i have no idea. It would be cool it was treated as all other sports and gave opportunities to anyone instead of just some.

If you could change anything about BMX, what would you change and why?
I would want it to be treated equally as other sports like i said because i think its lame that guys playing sports involving a ball can sit on a bench and make a living for not doing anything.

Outside of riding, what are some things you are into?
Just hanging out with my friends and doing whatever we do at the moment and my girlfriend. I wish i was into more but i`m not haha.

Do you work at all or is it just riding now days?
I worked full time for a while and then started doing shows and saved up a lot from those and just been riding for now. I don`t make any kind of money off riding unless i do a show or place well enough in a contest. I am trying to get a job right now since i have bills to pay and left home.

You seem to be into some heavier music, what are some bands you like? any you suggest people to check out?
Haha how am i into heavier music or how do you know that? I seriously like every kind of music. If you went through my ipod you could find any kind of music you could think of besides country and the blues haha. I love it all.
I guessed from your last video part and your myspace

Seen any good movies lately?
Riding wise, End Search is the most amazing video ever and then Garrett’s part from the shook video. Other then that Forgetting Sarah marshal haha i`m not to updated with movies and bmx videos.

What are some of your favorite websites?
Vital,the come up,staff-bmx,myspace, and facebook.

If you could have any super power, what would you choose and why?
I would want to be like Ashton Kutcher in that movie butterfly effect but do things right haha and not fuck it up and die at the end.

How do you feel about public intoxication, strippers, and or midgets?
its funny,strippers are rad, and midgets are funny as hell, this one dude i would see at the local park when i first started riding would come to the park high as fuck on rollerblades and just do headstands on every ramp from 4-10 feet and then go back in fakie.

Who or what are the biggest influences on your life?
My Parents,girlfriend,friends, and BMX.

What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next few years?
Have a job and save up, get a car,have a nicer place to live in with my lady,figure out what i wanna do with my life and try and go somewhere cool one day.

If you could be sponsored by any non-BMX related company who would you want to be sponsored by and why?
Well Apple for sure, their shit is amazing. Wendy’s because i could eat there everyday. Also some kind of car sponsor would be sweet so i could have a nice car.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?
‘Do what makes you happy and don`t do something for someone other then yourself to make them happy’. ~mom

What kind of advice do you have for kids getting into BMX?
Pretty much the above and don`t stress ‘making it’ in BMX. If it happens it happens and awesome if not don`t hate on others and just have fun in BMX don`t take it to serious and miss out on the point of it,FUN. Also don`t forget who your friends are at any time.

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
My parents for sure,Tony Long for always fixing my bike when i was younger,all my friends and girlfriend,Family,Bob at Staff ,Haro, Kyle Carlson, and you for this interview.Also Josh Kirtland for the photos.

Anything else you would like to say?
‘New England Baby’ haha.

A bunch of Josh’s videos on Vimeo

Dave Jacobs is a man you should respect. He is the man behind Micreation and has a very clear minded sense of things that a lot of people are not capable of pulling together. With that being said here is his interview, I hope you enjoy it.

Name:
Dave Jacobs

Photo: Tommy Blanco

Location:
Long Beach, CA

Sponsors:
Micreation, ODI, and hookups from Sputnic, Primo, and Etnies.

Years riding?
15

So Micreation has had some big changes lately, new site, new video formats and everything, how long has this been in the works?
The new site and new HD video player were both in the works for about 4 months, then Brad’s video spot was filmed over about a year.

What else can we expect from the changes? New clothing lines? Full length DVD? anything in particular?
Well, I just finished setting it up so that people can own both Brad and Eli’s video spots. You’ll be able to download a high resolution version, and also one sized for an I-Pod. Currently we are working on doing a video spot with Barney, and also Aaron Bostrom. Joe Cox said he wants to do one sometime soon also. There are some more big changes to the site coming, and the new line is currently in development. We’re also going to be releasing the “Synopsis” video in the near future. I think that will be some kind of DVD/web release. We will see what happens with that.

So this new web video idea going around is pretty interesting. Do you expect web videos like this to catch on with other companies?
Well, I think the internet is definitely becoming more and more where people are going for the latest in BMX. So that combined with the dwindling DVD market is pushing companies in that direction I think. As far as other companies doing it like we are, possibly.

Is there any team changes or other team news you can tell us about?
Yeah, Eric Lichtenberger is the newest member of the Micreation family. I’ve known him for a while now and he’s a down to earth genuine person. He’s also very talented at riding. He is a perfect fit.

What do you think the biggest difference between when Micreation had started to what it has become today?
Its just become more focused and refined. I’d like to think that we’ve grown as a whole, and become better at everything we do.

Your on the road, or was just on the road for a trip, what was that for? How did it go? Or how is it going?
I went on The Local Exposure tour to film and hang out. It was great fun. I met a lot of people that I’ve never met before and got to witness Quinn Sembling blowing up a ralley car. haha

A piece of Dave’s art called “Flobot”

What are your plans for 08′? Is there many road trips planned or anything?
No full team road trips as of yet. We’ll just be focused on new designs, and smaller road trips to film for these video spots.

When will you have a HD video of you for the site?
Actually I thought about that. I’m going to be working on an interview for a bmx magazine this summer, and I’d like to film some stuff while I’m at it. We’ll see what happens.

Where would you like to take your riding and company in general over the course of the next few years?
As far as riding goes, I’d like to get back into dirt jumping and riding ramps. I’d also like to get more dialed on street and just keep progressing. As far as Micreation goes, I’d like to do a full length team video and grow as a whole. I’m going to expand the line and work on getting into more boutiques.

What are some of your favorite spots to ride?
Right now I’ve been having alot of fun riding the Z spot in Long Beach. Its real simple, not a lot to it other then a manual pad and a couple bump jumps but its super fun.

Do you have a trick that you could never get sick of no matter how many times you do it?
Tabletops.

What is that one trick you cannot get on the list no matter how many times you try?
I’ve been working on hop whips for a while now, but haven’t nailed it yet. Maybe tomorrow?

Being the owner of a business you tend to be very busy, do you find a lot of time to ride?
Well, the last month I didn’t ride much at all because I was rushing to get the new site done, and also Brad’s video spot before the local exposure trip. Now that I’m back I’ve been going out and its been alot of fun.

What are some of the highlights for you since BMX became apart of your life?
The friends that I’ve made and getting the opportunity to travel. Its made a huge impact on me. To me I see bmx as a tool to learn how to live. I put myself in these situations where I have to be focused or I’m going to work myself. I learned how to stay calm under pressure. When I did get hurt, I learned from that too. It taught me how to keep pushing and not give up.

How do you feel about the current industry as a whole? If you could change anything would you?
Its changing so rapidly now. It seems to be growing in popularity in the main stream I think. I see in on TV all the time now. Not too long ago it was rare to catch it on TV, but not anymore. I think its awsome. More people are getting exposed to BMX, and thats only going to help BMX grow. There is some wild shit going down too. I can’t imagine what people will be doing 5 years from now. The sky is the limit. As far as the core industry goes, I think that esthetics are becoming more important and more emphasis is being put into making things look good. If I could change anything, I would like to see more emphasis on making changes instead of bitching about how things are.

Where do you see things going with BMX being in the olympics and everything?
Honestly I don’t know too much about it other then its going to be there. From what I know, its only racing. If that is the case, I think that sucks. If BMX is going to be in the olympics then vert, street, dirt, and flat should all be included.

Who are some of the people you ride with on a more daily basis?
Jeff Z and Aaron Bostrom both live in riding distance from me, so I ride with them mainly.

Is there any riders out there that you really see coming up and could do some big things?
Garrett Reynolds is already doing big things and he’s 17. I just watched his shook part and I can’t believe the shit he’s doing. Its nuts.

Did you ever go to college for art or anything of that nature?
I went to college and got an associates degree in industrial technology. Its basically a minor in engineering with an emphasis on C.A.D.(Computer Aided Design). I’ve always loved making things, drawing, poetry etc. C.A.D. wasn’t for me because there was minimal creative freedom. So I started delving into photoshop, final cut, and after effects. I think I’ve found my nitch, I love it.

Outside of riding and work, what are some things you are into?
When I’m not so busy, I like to read and watch documentaries. I also enjoy writing poetry and doing spoken word but its been a while since I’ve done it. Most of my interests are focused around science, spirituality, philosophy things like that.

What are some things that you think everyone should experience at some point in their life?
A realization that there is no separation between you and everything else, I would say that is the biggest one.

What are some movies you are really into?
Lately the biggest one is Zeitgeist. Its a free documentary that you can see at zeitgeistmovie.com. You’ll just have to see it to understand why. Its revolutionary.

Any good music you would recommend to people?
I’ve been listening to instrumental stuff like Explosions in the Sky, Omid, Alias, Yppah, Sound in Color. Classics for me are Eyedea, old Aesop Rock, and of course Wu-Tang.

Being a business owner, do you feel the economy has effected you at all?
I would say the biggest effect so far is the price of gas. Riding in California can get expensive because you have to drive to just about every spot. Unless you live in Long Beach, so thats why I tend to stick in my own neighborhood.

How do you feel about the elections, Hillary? Obama? Other? who has your vote?
I dont subscribe to any particular party line or candidate. The democratic party seems to be becoming more conservative and complacent. The people that really pull the strings are the ones that you don’t see. Not to be a pessimist, but I don’t think it matters at this point who gets elected. There are so many vested interests in the changes that need to be made like pulling out of the war in Iraq. I think its going to require massive protests and disobedience to end it. I think that the biggest changes we can make will come when each individual takes responsibility for themselves and their own community. We need to wake up soon.

Who or what are some of the biggest influences on your life?
I would say first and foremost is my Mom. She had always supported me in whatever I wanted to do and always had high expectations for me. The next big ones would be reading books and music.

What are some of your favorite websites?
Sites that I visit frequently would be dopeawards.com, Defgrip.net, and a lot of random design, science, and political websites. I also frequent youtube for random documentaries and funny videos.

If you happened to win the lottery, what would the cash go towards?
First I would buy my Mom a nice house, then a house for myself. The rest of it would go into Micreation and the Micreation family.

What are some things you personally would like to accomplish in the next few years?
To make Micreation everything it can be and get everyone on the team paid good. Also to do a good full length video part because I haven’t had an official video part since DK Intuition. I’m also planning on doing a documentary sometime in the future.

If you could have any super power, what would you chose and why?
Invisibility. So I can creep around and make weird noises and freak people out. That would be sweet.

What is one of your favorite quotes?
I don’t have a favorite, but here is a good one from Albert Einstein – “A human being is a part of a whole, called by us – “universe”, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest… a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”

What kind of advice do you have for people when it comes to BMX?
Have fun. Its not about getting sponsored.

What advice do you have for people who want to start a business?
Start working on it now. If you keep putting it off it might not happen. Get a business plan together, start networking, make it happen! Learn as much as you can about the particular business and become an expert. Keep pushing and don’t give up no matter what. Don’t focus on reasons why it couldn’t work, think of ways it can happen. I guess thats it.

What is BMX to you?
To me, BMX is and evolutionary tool. I see it as an instrument for self expression that helps me learn about myself and life in general, and its a load of fun. Its definitely the best thing thats ever happened to me.

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Yeah, thanks to my Mom for being awsome. Also the Micreation family, and everyone who has supported and helped me out in one way or another. You know who you are. Finally, thanks to Kurt Hohberger for the interview.

Anything else you would like to add I may have forgot?
I think thats it. Thanks for reading. Peace.

Another Gary Young interview?! Serving you up with some San D! Woozy posted that rad interview with Gary recently and this is just another little something for you all to read up on if you’re interested. I shot this interview at Gary a few months ago and after some solid heckling about it, he finally filled it out a couple days ago… Gary doesn’t care to be on the computer much and isn’t one to have heavy internet rot sessions, so it generally takes him a while to get things like this done. But thats completely understandable when you live in Sunny San Diego, where the great weather never stops kicking ass! Putting down bikes in exchange for Mac laptops is always questionable…

Your full name, age and years you’ve been shredding:
My name is Gary Bernard Chapman Young, I am twenty-four years old and I started riding sixteen years ago.

Well, we all know you’re a San Diegoian but do you ever plan on leaving us for somewhere else? Or have you ever thought about living in a far away land?
One day when my wife and I have kids. We decided that we are going to take our kids to some far away land and have them learn the language while we are there, sort of immersing them in culture, you know?

A lot, if not all people have come to know you as San Diego’s hometown hero… How do you feel about that and does it affect how you represent yourself as a rider?
Wow thanks. I don’t feel like I am any different than any other rider, we are all just having fun on kids bikes. As far as representing goes I just try to do things that I can be proud of later.

You’ve traveled to numerous countries, but is there anywhere you’ve yet to visit that you really want to see?
Everywhere I haven’t been yet.

You ride Clairemont skatepark on a normal basis with the homies, tell me how you feel about the park… Favorite lines, the dudes that ride there and the general vibe, etc…
The YMCA is awesome, they treat the bmxers so well and I am very thankful to Lazlo and the rest of the staff for that. As far as favorite lines, they change regularly because the park is always building new stuff. (Thanks Brad!) There is an eclectic mix of rad riders here, but no matter which locals end up at the park it usually ends up being a really fun session.

What’s your favorite terrain for shredding? Favorite spots and set ups to ride?
It changes with what sort of mood I am in, but the top three are street, bowls, and trails. I really liked the Empire of Dirt set up in England, it had a good mix of everything.

The new Odyssey video recently dropped, how did you feel about your section? Also, are there any lines or stunts in the section that were particularly hard to achieve? Perhaps the curve wall transfer to curve wall?
I am never satisfied with my sections, but deadlines are deadlines and videos have to come out. That curve wall haunts me I really want to go back and get it done OFFICIALLY.

You recently partook in your first actual trip with the Give D Crew, any highlights on the San Francisco trip you would like to inform those about? The parks, the crew, the college kids, etc…
That was one of the most fun trips I’ve ever been on.

Macneil’s been taking care of you for years now, how happy are you with the new line of products and designs from Macneil? Are there any new G.Y. signature products coming out any time soon?
We just revised my second frame a little bit, now the chain stays are lower so you can run any gearing now. We will have new colors and stickers around Interbike.

Describe a day in the life of Gary Young:
I get up when my wife is going to work around 8 AM. I then eat breakfast, and then check my emails and start calling dudes to go ride. Then I fight traffic run errands and ride. Then I come home and figure out dinner plans with my wife. Lastly I usually fall asleep watching Seinfeld.

Also, how do you feel about regrets?
They are over rated.

Would you happen to know the top 3 priorities of a dolphin?
Eating Fish, Playing, and Boofies!

(Editorial Note)
The top 3 priorities of a dolphin are:
1. Nestling
2. Kissies
3. Style
(I’m giving credit to Gary on that though for the use of the word Boofies!)

In the words of Crandall, How stoked are you?
I’m super stoked.

Is there any shout outs or people you would like to thank?!
My thanks goes to god, my wife, family and friends. Big thanks the GDC crew for having so much fun, also Vans, MacNeil, Odyssey, CTI, and ProTec for supporting me to live my dream. Thanks dudes!

(Photos snaked from Gary’s Myspace and top picture of Gary and the fufanu at Alameda are credited to XJosh HayesX)