BMX UNION

Kenny is a guy with a lot of riding history, he’s also the man behind Long Island Bikes new online mail order. So he knows his BMX. He is an interesting dude and this is the interview! There was a lot of help with this interview from Keith Romanowski, he has some photos in this one also.

Name:
Kenny Hirsch

Location:
Patchogue, Long Island

Sponsors at all?
Long Island Bikes, Fit, and Carleton

Your one of the guys behind Long Island Bikes, What’s the story about the shop, hasn’t it been around like 10 years now?
Well Long Island Bikes has been around for 11 years. Dean and Julie are the owners. I’ve worked here for 7 years, they put me in charge of the mail-order. We are like family, I love them!!

You have been working with LIB since basically day one. Have you seen an increased size of the bmx scene on Long Island since the shop has opened?
Yea def.!! Everywhere I go see more & more shredders.

The shop recently added a online mail-order, when did you decide on that and how has it been going?
We always wanted to do it but when I broke my neck things went on pause for few years. I stayed positive and determined and I’m here doing it today(Im blessed). This is a golden opportunity for me. I never wanna leave the game.

What are some of the main brands you work with for the shop?
Fit #1 dealer on the east coast, S&M, Animal, Primo, FBM, Fox, Odyssey, Demolition, Kink, Duo, Shadow, Eastern, Profile and many many others!!

Long Island Bikes is considered to be one of the biggest Fit Bikes dealers. How did that come about?
Well Robo used to live on long island and this was his go-to shop. He supported us and vice versa. So when he opened fit it was just natural that he was gunna do good. FIT is killin it!!!!

Do you have any plans to expand the shop now that your able to do business all over?
No, we already have a big shop its 3500 sq.ft. We just recently built a little warehouse for the extra mail-order stuff.

What do you think makes your shop different from any other?
To start, Dean dials your bike to perfection. Theres always a positive vibe here, all the locals come to just chill and to check out new products. L.I.B always has everything NEW!!!!

Who all is on the Long Island Bikes team?
Myself™, Russ Barone, Shawn Garrett, Justin Crofton, Rich Guidice, and we have a bunch of locals we hook up.

Photos: Keith Romanowski

Is there any DVDs or web edits for L.I.B in the works that people can look forward to?
Yes a trip is in the works right now.

A few years back you used to have a mini ramp in the back of the shop. Do you think you will ever re-build another ramp?
Probably not in the inside of the shop again because we have a lot of stock but outside we have ramps and dean’s building some new stuff this summer.

Besides making tee shirts, do you think LIB will ever start making parts?
No, we like to just have good relationships with our vendors and support them full throttle.

You guys also carry skate and mountain bike stuff, do you do much business on that side?
Yea! We would love more than anything to have a strictly BMX shop but on long island mountain biking, road biking, and skating are very popular as well , so we cover everyone!

What is the most important thing to you when it comes to business?
Making the customers happy and developing a relationship.

How long have you been riding for?
About 10 years

What was your first bmx bike?
Redline 340(purple) then L.I.B hooked me up with a kasten because Russ and I were in the racing scene hardcore.

What kind of riding do you typically do?
Park, street, and trails . Holla

Who are some of the people you typically ride with?
Russ, Shawn, Justin, Lil’Ricky

When did you know you wanted to have bikes be your life?
When I met Russ and all we ever wanted to do was RIDE.

How do you feel about the scene around Long Island?
Besides getting kicked out of street spots/cold weather its good. There’s a lot of young rippers too.

Are there any riders you know that are unknown that you think people should know about?
Lil’ Ricky, Denny P., Matty long

What are some BMX/Skate videos that have come out recently your really into?
Fitlife, Summer of fit, Insight, and Thecomeup dvd

Who were your biggest riding influences growing up, and what about now?
Joe Rich, Taj, Robo, Darryl Nau,B.I., Keith T, Mike Aitken and now still those guys and Russ b, Chase hawk/dehart, and JJ.

Outside of work and bikes, what are you into?
Having a good time going out with my dudes, cars, and girls.haha

Do you find much time to travel, and where are some places you have been?
I try too. I’ve been all over the U.S. Canada and Vegas were awesome!!

Where are some places you would really like to visit some point in your life?
Australia, Barcelona and Italy

Who or what are some of the biggest influences in your life?
Too many to list

What is something interesting about yourself that nobody would really expect of you?
I’m always smiling!!!!! haha

If you never got involved in bikes and stuff, what do you think you would be doing for a career?
Hmm. I honestly don’t know.

Did you ever go to college for business or anything?
Yes, I still currently go

What are 5 things you cannot live without?
Celly, my bicycle, food, NewEra‘s, friends n family

Have you ever had an epiphany in your life that changed the way you acted?
My accident I guess. I take some many things for granted

If you had to sum yourself up in a few words, what would you say those words would be?
Cheesin’, positive, outgoing, goal orientated

What are some of your favorite non riding movies?
Dumb n Dumber, Wedding Crashers, Super bad. I’m a Comedy dude

What are some of the bands or music you are into, any unknown stuff you think people should check out?
Circa Survive, Brand New, Chiodos, Lil’ Weezy, Marley’s

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Peanut Butter because its amazing!

What are some of your favorite websites?
LIBbmx.com
Fitbikeco.com
The Come Up
Rascats.blogspot.com
Carl-eton.com
and myspace. haha

What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next few years?
Keep getting stronger, take this mailorder on another level, and live life.

What kind of advice do you have for somebody getting into BMX or Skateboarding?
Just to keep riding or skating and enjoy it!!

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Kurt for giving me this interview, Dean and Julie @ L.I.B, Robo@fit, Momma dukes, My sister and Nephew (lil mart), Russ, Poppy, Barone Family, Bivs, Reid, Dugan, Skinny, Anellos, Adam22, Jay Emer, Keith Romanowski, Shawn, Jeff S., Darryl N., Lil Ricky, Hooligans crew, Andrew@SAS and I’m sure im forgetting a bunch but you all know. thanks

Anything else I forgot you would like to add?
Be sure to peep libbmx.com THANKS!!

Big Daddy has brought a whole new view of BMX. To be honest the first time I saw a video of him I thought he was a tool, then I watched a few more videos and I discovered hes actually just funny as hell. So, this was an interview that HAD to be done. Welcome to the Animal House.
All photos are by Brad Gethard except the last one by Kevin Connors

Name:
(editors note: Daddy was laying in bed spinning cause of too much partying and hitting on other peoples girlfriends all night we did this interview) OH MY GOD, I’LL DO THIS INTERVIEW IN MY UNDERWEAR., BIG DADDY

Location:
HEAVYHITTERS, NORTHEAST PHILLY, BENSALEM.

Sponsors:
ORCHID, LITTLE DEVIL, SE SHIFT, ALEX WHEELS

Max Bench:
300 FRICKEN LBS.

Max Dead lift:
SOMEONES ENITRE HOUSE.!

Max Curl:
OFF AXIS CURLING MACHINE WITH A HUMAN APPLIED!

Largest object ever picked up:
DUNE BUGGY

What is “The Animal House”?
BIG DADDY’S LITTLE ENVIRONMENT

What are some of your nicknames?
BIG DADDY, AKA THE HEAVYHITTER, AKA THE JACKHAMMER IN THE SACK, AKA LUMPY, AKA BIGGEST RIMS ON A MUSTANG ON THE EAST COAST!!

When did you decide to start filming your life and when will it become a daily thing?
DAILY THING=CASH MONEY, MAKIN MONEY SINCE 1997!

What is the most autographs you have signed in one day?
ONE THOUSAND, EIGHT BILLION, SEVEN HUNDRED SANDWICHES ON ONE FRICKEN BUN!!!

When is your rap CD going to drop?
2009, I DON’T EVEN GIVE A SHIT!

What’s up with you and Kelly Bolton?
KELLY BOLTON DECIDED TO TRY AND LIFT A BUNCH OF WEIGHT HE COULDN’T LIFT!

Actually, what’s up with “the death list”?
KNOW THE DEATHLIST, RESPECT THE DEATHLIST, AND WALK A STRAIGHT LINE AND YOU WON’T BE ON IT!

How many chicks have you picked up?… Ill let you take that how you want.
7 TRILLION IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, ACTUALLY ALOMST A MILLION, I GOT LOOKS AND AB’S FOR WEEKS!

Your signature trick the X factor hop is pretty intense, Are you still the only one doing it in the pro circuit?
OF COURSE, AIN’T NO ONE DOING THE X-FACTOR OVER THE ENTIRE ARENAS LIKE DADDY!

Recently there was rumors you were going to join the flatland circuit for x games 2008, can you confirm this?
FLATLAND TRICKS FOR WEEKS!

Who all is in the heavy hitters?
ANYONE WHO CAN LIFT UP AS MUCH AS BIG DADDY, AKA THE WHEELBARROW IN THE SHEETS!

If you and Chuck Norris had a pick up random stuff contest, who would win?
I’LL PICK CHUCK NORRIS OUTTA HIS MULLET!

Are you naturally a beefcake or do you spend hours in the gym?
BEEN IN THE GYM SINCE 1991, WHAT KINDA QUESTION IS THAT!

What’s up with the champ stamp, what does it say and when did you get it?
GOT IN DECEMBER 2006, BECAME THE CHAMP IN 2007.

How many years have you been riding for?
15 FRICKEN YEARS.!

What are some of your favorite places to ride?
ANYPLACE THAT HAS A GOOD RAIL OR A GARGANTUAN DIRT JUMP.

If you could only do one trick for the rest of your life what would it be and why?
BACKFLIP X-FACTOR OUTTA THE STADIUM!! CAUSE ITS AERODYNAMICAL!

What is one trick you cannot do for the life of you?
360 BACKFLIP X-FACTOR!!

Your on little devil and orchid, do you have any signature big daddy stuff coming from them?
WIFEBEATER, LIGHTHEAVY WEIGHT DIVISION SERIES.

Your also on SE, how’s things going with that and when did you get on that?
I INVITED MYSELF ON THE TEAM, SELF INVITE!

Who are some of your biggest riding influences?
NYQUINCH, VAN HOMAN, MORGAN WADE, EDWIN DELAROSA, AND ADAM ALOISE(BIG JEWISH).

You have hit up a few contests lately, how have those been going?
2 FOR 2, JACKHAMMER.

Where all can we expect to see you riding this year? dew tour at all?
EVERY FRICKEN PLACE IN THE WORLD!

What are some of your favorite riding and none riding movies?
RAD, ANIMAL VIDEOS (CAUSE THERES ALOTTA BARSPINS AND IT MAKES MY HEAD SPIN!) AND TOMMY BOY.

What are some bands you are into?
50 CENT, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, EMINEM.

Who or what are your biggest influences on your life?
RIDING WISE, RYAN NYQUIST, HE’S THE THIRSTY VETERAN OF THE BMX SOCIETY!

If you could spend the day with anybody alive or dead, who would it be and why?
COLIN WINKELMANN. CAUSE HE WENT FOR BIG SHIT!

If you won the lottery what would you do with the cash?
OH MY GOD!! MAKE SURE EVERYONE IN B-TOWN(BENSALEM) HAD A MUSTANG ON DUBBS!

What are some of your favorite websites?
I DON’T EVEN GO ON THE FRICKEN INTERNET!

What are some of your favorite tv shows?
CHAPPELLE, CRAZY POLICE VIDEOS AND THE NATURE BRACKET.

If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?
WOULDN’T BE TO FLY CAUSE i CAN ALREADY DO THAT, BE ABLE TO DO A BACKFLIP X-FACTOR WITHOUT ANY HATERS!

Where are some of your favorite places you have been?
CALIFORNIA, IN THE KITCHEN COOKIN EGGS FOR WOMEN ALL FRICKEN MORNING AND IN MY OLD BACKYARD RIDING DIRT.R.I.P

Where are some places you would like to go to that you haven’t been to yet?
DAVE MIRRA’S KITCHEN.

What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next few years?
LETTING THE WORLD KNOW I’M A HEAVYHITTER.

What kind of advice do you have for kids getting into bmx?
STRAP ON YOUR HELMET AND PEDAL AS FAST AS YOU CAN GO AND GO AS HIGH AS YOU CAN AT EVERYTHING!!

What kind of advice do you have for kids looking to start picking everything up?
WATCH BIG DADDY HEAVYHITTING.

*Photo Credit: Kevin Connors

If you could change anything about BMX what would it be and why?
ALL THESE PUNK ASS DUDES WITH SMART ASS ATTITUDES.

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
DEREK ADAMS AT LD AND ORCHID, WILDMAN AT SE, THOR, ALEX RIMS, BRAD GEEZY, MY FRIENDS, AND PARENTS AND YOU GUYS FOR WANTING TO DO THIS INTERVIEW! THANKX

Anything I missed you would like to add?
BIG DADDY IS AN INNOVATOR, PUSH YOUR LIMIT TO BIG DADDY’S SUBSTANTIONALIARY BRACKET. (WHATEVER THAT MEANS)

This is parts 1-7 of Daddy Vision in order!

This is another Daddy Vision Edit by BNQT

Sometimes when I am surfing the different forums I check out I come accross people I am really stoked on. In this case I saw a video of Ryan that his friend had posted on Bikeguide and I just had this urge to get an interview with the kid. So his buddy Ginger (I forgot his real name =/ ) got me in a contact with him and this is what came from it. The kid rips! All the photos in this interview are from James Wade.

Name:
Ryan Lloyd

Location:
Blyth, South Australia, Australia

Sponsors:
None

Your riding is real impressive, how long have you been riding?
Thanks. I’ve always ridden bikes since I was a little kid but I only really started getting into it about 5 or 6 years ago. I’m 18 now so when I was around 12.

Did you race at all when you were younger?
Nah never. I’ve only really ever been interested in jumping stuff and going fast.

From a recent video it would appear your a blaster, are you all bout the big tricks or do you have some tech stuff?
I wouldn’t really say they’re big tricks. Haha. Yeah I love to get tech aswell. Depends on the mood I guess.

What are some of your favorite tricks?
At the moment I am having heaps of fun doing tuck no hander airs and tables. It changes all the time.

What is one trick you cannot do for the life of you?
fufanu’s cause I don’t run brakes!

Your from Australia, is there something about Australian’s that make you guys so good?
Vegemite maybe?

Who or what are some of the biggest influences on your riding?
Just watching guys like Aitken, Brian Foster, the Forte bros, Corey Bohan, Gary Young and Chase Hawk in videos. I love to watch anyone that goes fast and high.

Are you into the contest scene or are you more of a chiller?
We’ll in SA there really isn’t a contest scene at all. So just chillin with my mates and hitting up Adelaide every now and then is real fun.

Do you have any plans for trips with your friends, contests or anything like that for 08′?
I’ve got nothing planned at the moment. A mate of mine is moving to Melbourne so I hope to go visit him at some stage.

You just had a really good edit of you come out, are you filming for anything in particular or just kind of doing your own thing?
Nah nothing in particular. Its funny cause at around 2am last Saturday in Adelaide me and my mate Tim decided to get some clips on his dads camera and I just made a small edit out of it and yeah. I guess it turned out ok. haha

If you could only do one trick for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Probably turndowns cause they took me sooo long to learn. And you can do them on anything.

If you could only ride one place for the rest of your life, where would it be and why?
Some real good trails or a real flowy park. I love the feeling of just flowing around.

Have you had the chance to travel to ride much at all?
Not yet. I haven’t even been outside SA to ride. The furthest I’ve travelled to ride is probably 3 hours away!

Where are some places you would really like to go someday?
I’d love to go and see the trails scene over in the UK. Anywhere in Europe or the US aswell. And I’d like to see more of Aus as well. haha.

What are some companies your really digging?
I really like United and Odyssey’s stuff. I’m getting the new United 40 frame real soon so that will be sweet! and all odysseys parts are just dope!

What do you feel about the scene in Australia?
Well the scene in SA at the moment is real strong. There are jams on all the time and lots of real good riders. It’s really good.

Who are some of your favorite people to ride with?
All the Clare kids, you know who you are! And all the Adelaide dudes as well. It’s always real fun when I get to ride with those guys.

Where are some of your favorite spots to ride?
My trails are always a favourite but lately its just been too dry to ride them. I ride Clare skatepark all the time. Adelaide city skatepark is real good and there are lots of other good parks nearby.

What do you think you would be doing if you never picked up a bike?
I’d probably still be playing Aussie rules football and cricket!

What does BMX mean to you?
Freedom to be creative and cruise around exploring new places.

Outside of riding what are some things your into?
Going to the beach, hanging out with mates, spear fishing, body boarding, jetty jumping, anything fun!

Are you in school at all?
I finished yr 12 last year. Now I’m just working with my dad as a builder.
You edited your video of yourself, what are you using to film and edit?
Those clips were filmed on a canon ixus photo camera. And I just used Microsoft movie maker to edit it. Pretty basic. haha

If you could spend the day with anybody alive or dead, who would it be and why?
My Grandpa Schroeder (my mums dad) and Grandma Lloyd (my dads mum) cause I never got to meet them.

What are some of your favorite riding movies and regular movies?
All the props dvds, Chill bro, Fitlife, any decent web edits. Regular movies would be the Castle and Lords of Dogtown.

What kind of music are you into, any bands you suggest people to check out?
Not really into any particular stuff. Rock, instrumental, pretty much anything with a good beat.

What are some of your favourite websites?
ugzine, vitalbmx, rideuk, bmxonline, defgrip, unitedbikeco, focalpointbmx

If you won the lottery, what would you do with it?
Go on a world trip with the family, give some to charity, buy some land and build trails, open up a bike shop.

How do you feel about Myspace?
I have one. I don’t have a mobile phone so it’s the only real way I can chat to the Adelaide riders.

If you could do anything as a career other than riding bikes, what would it be and why?
Anything in the bmx industry. I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do.

What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next few years?
Just to stay healthy and continue to have fun riding my bike. I would love to travel around as well.

Is there anybody you would like to give a shout out or thanks to?
Firstly God for keeping me safe and giving me the ability to ride, all my family and parents for their support, all my friends, all the Clare kids and Adelaide dudes who I ride with, James for taking the photos, ginger for posting the vid on bikeguide which resulted in this interview, cheers mate. And Kurt at bmxunion for hooking up the interview. Thanks heaps guys!

Anything I forgot you would like to add?
Have fun!!

A little edit from Ryan Lloyd on Vimeo.

If you work in the BMX industry your life is always going, deadlines, trips, all that stuff. So when I sent Chad this interview a while back I had no idea when he would have a chance to get it done. However, he finally got a chance to do it up. This dude has made some real amazing videos in his day… Enjoy.

Name:
Chad Shackelford

Location:
Currently Nomad, soon to be Austin-ite

Years riding BMX?
12

Years filming and editing BMX / anything?
7

How did you get into filming and everything?
bike riding

What kind of cameras do you use? Are you fully “in HD” now?
HVX 200, fully HD

What do you use to edit?
Final Cut Studio

When did you realize you could make a career out of filming?
Never, just sorta fell into it.

What are some of your favorite projects you have worked on that are complete?
Shook, Odyssey, Hoffman, Local Exposure, Vice Versa.

What are you currently working on? You were in Barcelona for some stuff recently?
Sunday Bikes DVD. We were there for a week and will return this may for 2 months.

Who are some of your favorite people to film or work with and why?
Kurt Rasmusson, Ian Schwartz, Sean Sexton, Chase Hawk, Mike Aitken, Brad Simms, Eric Lichtenberger, Will Stroud, Dave Jacobs, Jim Bauer, etc…

Obviously your traveling a fair bit, where are your favorite places you have been?
South Africa, Estonia, Spain, Austin

Where are some places you have yet to go that you would like to?
Norway and Iran

What kind of advice do you have for people looking to get into filming and editing?
absorb as much information as possible.

Do you do photography at all?
I dont, but am becoming more and more interested in it.
I just bought my first point in shoot, which is hilarious, but I dont think it will be long before I get a fully professional setup.

What are your favorite websites?
Defgrip, Micreation, You Porn, Stumble upon, The come up, Woozy, Kayak, Myspace

What are some of your favorite bands?
MGMT, Talking Heads, Kimya Dawson, The Sword, Ghostland Observatory, clap your hands, of montreal, caribou, sabbath, black mountain, Nuetral milk hotel, band of horses, brian jonestown massacre, etc…..

Do you ever find it hard to pick music for edits?
nope, its what im into at the moment.

What do you have planned for 08′ so far?
work really hard on the Sunday DVD and ride more.

If you won the lottery what would you do with the money?
Buy a giant warehouse in Austin, section it off as a hostel, studio, club/bar, and cafe. Donate a lot to PETA and take my friends out and get hammered.

What is your dream car?
72 mini cooper with a type R vtech engine (everyday driver) Diesel Dodge Sprinter w/ veggie oil conversion (production vehicle)

Do you find yourself on Myspace a lot?
on a hourly basis.

What are some of your favorite movies regular and bmx wise?
Zeigeist, Loose Change, Anthem, Electronical, Left Right, SOBP, 1201, Donnie Darko, Thrashin, Rad, Breakfast club, No country for old men, there will be blood, babel, JFK, spaceballs, i could keep going.

What are 5 things you can’t live without?
air, water, food, music, books

What are some things you think people need to experience before they die?
traveling and experiencing cultures outside their bubble. Learning from others and striving to understand how different but alike we all are.

If you could spend the day with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
My grandfather, we never spent enough time.

What do you think your favorite part about riding is?
The freedom.

Do you ever get much time to ride when you go on trips, or is work constant?
mostly just work. i try but, im usually too busy.

Who are some of your favorite people to ride with?
Dave Jacobs, Tony neyer, Chase Hawk, Sean Sexton, Scooter, Willy, Ryan Vincent and Ian Montel.

If you could only ride one thing or do one trick for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Bank to subs, hang five variations.

What are some of your favorite tricks or things you like to do on your bike?
hang nothings.

You got some tattoos, do they have any special meaning or are they just cool looking?
the ones on my wrist were just for fun on Local exposure. The one on my chest, which was just recently finished has to do with Shook and my fingers say patience, which is a constant reminder.

What is the worst part about your job/life?
theres no worst part, the negative is as important as the positive.

What is the best part about your job/life?
traveling with friends.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Answering this interview if it continues, damn you got lots of questions, haha JK.

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
BMX and the usual, family, friends, Odyssey, Sunday, Dave Jacobs, Will Stroud and everyone who has supported Shook and all the things Ive put work into.

I think thats it man, thanks for the opportunity.

you can find more of his work on Ninetofivefilms.com