BMX UNION

Name:
Brad Simms aka b-simms

Sponsors:
hoffman/target/micreation/ snafu

It seems like you have been traveling a lot lately, where all did you get to go in 2007?
Singapore, South Africa, Canada, Germany, Mexico, China, Australia and Dubai

So your “living the nomadic life”, does that mean you have plenty of traveling planned for 2008, where all do you know your going?
yes, 08 is going to be crazy, in the summer i am planning to go to europe and tour around for 3 months

Where are some places you haven’t had a chance to go to yet that you really want to go to?
I really want to go to Egypt, Sri Lanka, India and Japan. the first 3 countries would be really hard to get to not knowing if any bmx exist there, But I’m sure it does because it’s everywhere

Do you have any new signature parts or items coming out anytime soon?
Not that I know of?

Any new sponsors or sponsor changes you can share with us for the new year?
Nope, but if so I’ll let you know

You got a new web edit in the works for Micreation, how long have you been working on that, and when do you expect it to be all over the internet?
I was actually saving most of the stuff for something else, but at the last minute I decided to use it for my edit. So for about a month and a half I’ve been filming stuff off and on it should be on the web in a few weeks………look out

Do you have any new video parts or anything else coming out besides the Micreation edit?
top secret!

Your an all around rider for sure, what do you like better, a big blasted air on a super smooth quarter or a big 180 over somethin on street?
Doesn’t matter really. Street is my favorite, but I do love pedaling fast at a big quarter and seeing if I can touch the moon.

What is something nobody really knows about you that nobody would expect?
If I told you then everyone would know. haha

What is one thing you have had the most trouble with when it comes to riding?
Trusting myself to barspin something big

Is it weird to be somewhere you have never been and have people come up and talk to you because they recognize you?
Sometimes it is and sometimes it’s not. Some kids are really cool and some people creep you out

Who are some of the riders you looked up to when you were growing up? Has that changed at all currently?
Matt hoffman, and not even because I ride for Hoffman, but because he does so much for the sport and he’s an amazing person/rider. Joe Rich, Ruben Alcantara and Garrett Burns. those dudes have been everywhere that I want to go besides being amazing riders

Do you have a group of friends you normally ride with or is it hard being so busy?
I’ve been hanging out in cali for the winter so I don’t get to ride with a bunch of people. lately I’ve just been riding with Aaron Bostrom, Dave Jacobs and Jeff Z.

Any riders that are unknown now that you think will be getting coverage soon or deserve it?
That Tyler Morrow dude from Greenville, NC

If you could only do one trick or ride one type of obstacle for a day, what would it be and why?
I don’t know, I could bunnyhop over stuff all day long and that would be fine

You got a few tattoos, did you do it just because they looked cool or do they have more of a meaning to you?
sounds dumb, but I was bored. haha. I’ll probably hate all of them in 5 years.

Your pretty beefy (no homo?) do you work out a lot? any advice for the dudes looking to get a little bigger?
Sometimes. not really because if you do too much of it your upper body will get stiff. my only advice is to do it in moderation and don’t go over board with it

When your not riding what kind of stuff are you into doing?
listening to music, internet, go out from time to time and hang out with friends. practice chinese (mandarin)

What kind of music are you into? Any unknown artists you think people should check out?
Not really. rap, rock, r&b whatever sounds good

What is the last movie you watched?
American Gangster and I Am Legend

5 years ago did you ever expect to be in the position you are in right now?
hell no! not even a year ago did I know I was going to travel the world like I did in 07

What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next 5 years?
continue to stay healthy push myself to the limit and see more of the world.

What is one thing you currently don’t own that you wish you did?
A house, but I probably would never be in it

5 favorite websites?
hiphopgame.com
youtube.com
google.com
bankofamerica.com
myspace.com

I don’t know if your a big trend follower, but what trend do you think needs to go for ’08 and do you see any new ones coming on soon?
I’m defnitely not a trend follower, I don’t see any new ones coming, but people cutting their seat tubes off and zip tying it to the frame has got to go.

What is one thing you feel everyone should experience in their life at some point?
Traveling. you’ll learn more about yourself and life then any class/teacher/professor will teach you

What do you think needs to be changed in BMX?
It’s cool where it’s at we just need way more kids to start riding so all the new companies can survive because it’s tough out here

What kind of advice do you have for newer riders just getting into things?
Have fun and learn at your own pace

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
hoffman bikes/target/ micreation/ snafu/ all of my friends and family you know who you are. much love in that area. bmxunion for the interview, peace!

Anything I might have missed you would like to add?
nope!

Brad gave me the heads up that I could use this, I usually feel bad to post up legit dvd stuff.

This interview would have been up a while ago… However with some confusion it finally got figured out! Here is a long awaited interview…

Name:
Ron “sometimes dirt”

Sponsors:
Give D Clothing, Homies, change droppers.

Ron isn’t a typical name, how did that come about?
Well I’m named after my great grandfather who died in world war II in the Guadal Canal. It’s Ron on the birth certificate and not Ronald so I guess that’s kinda different.

I hear your a pretty artistic dude, can you give us an abstract view on what Give D is?
Give D is like the dirty feather that everyone steps on until one day someone picks it up and realizes how beautiful it is.. but actually Give D is just the dirty feather that no one likes. To straightforward?

Your into drawing some pretty crazy stuff, where do you come up with that stuff?
I’ve been drawing since I was a kid and I would always just draw things that would make me laugh. I usually don’t think about what I’m going to draw and something pretty wierd comes out of it. Some times controversial. If you come to my house you can look into my drawings and I gaurentee you’ll laugh atleast once.

How long have you been riding?
Since I was 12 and I’m 22 now so about 10years. My knees are 40yrs old.

What was your first bmx bike?
Oooh. A chrome gt/robinson. I miss shining the chrome.

What kind of stuff do you like to ride the most?
Cement parks, tight tranny, any weird tranny. I’ll ride whatever. Especially tranny.

According to Alex your pants are pretty…snug. What kind of jeans do you prefer and why so tight?
They don’t seem that tight to me but I usually wear some krews or these cheaper hot topic pants that don’t rip as easy. I just like the way they look and they’re pretty comfy.
Snazzy.

Spinning sounds to be your thing, why are you so into them, and how far have you gotten?
I don’t know. I guess I just like me a spin. I did a 720 on dennis’s bike once. Usually I just like a good ole’ 540.

5 things you don’t leave your house without:
1. Bottle opener
2. Shuffle
3. Yes “greatest hits” CD
4. Slip ons
5. Maybe a jacket

What is the funniest moment in riding you have had?
One time in oceanside most of the D krew and I were riding by the pier and this guy was talking S*$# on our SNUG pants. I had a brew earlier in the day so I was feeling frisky. I felt that he had no reason to judge me and my friends. I was aggrivated so I kept questioning the guy and aggrivating him. At some point I was on my knees because the guys girlfriend told me to suck her c#*%. The guy punched me in the side of the head. By the time my head sprung up the guy was falling back because he had felt the rath of kyles Lightning bolt fist. The guy called his friends who would apparently be kicking our asses. His friends were a bunch of pot heads sitting in the bleachers right above where we were laughing at there friend who kyle had just dealt with. We rode for a little bit longer then left. There was a lot of testosterone in the air.

Where are some of the places you have traveled?
Hawaii (birthplace), Colorado, TJ, All those desert states. I haven’t gone to that many places.

What are some of your favorite movies? (riding and non riding)
Nowhere fast, Label Live, Forrest Gump, Amelie, Indiana Jones trilogy, lots and lots more.

Outside of riding do you go to school or work at all?
I went to community college for a few semesters but it became costly and I lost intrest. I like to read books on my own and learn through the experience of life. I’ve learned a lot that way. If I am ever able to afford it I wouldn’t mind going back to school just cause. Also I’m a bmx and skatecamp instructor at the clairemont YMCA. I also work in the office.

What are some of the things you would like to accomplish in the next 5 years?
I would like to travel more ofcourse, Learn to play the piano on a very primitive level, I’d like to have a van/house, be able to skate the mini ramp at clairemont park, and.. be in a legit art show.

What kind of music are you into?
I like a lot. Classical, Punk, New wave, Experimental, Classic rock, a little hip hop. I didn’t have much exposure to music until I was almost 20 so I have a much greater urge to look for and listen to music constantly.

If you couldnt live where you do now, where would you go and why?
Probablly oregon for all the cement or san fran for all the ladies.

What is one thing you wish would change in BMX?
More kids wanting to have fun and less shit talk. Less clones. Less media tempting me to notice what I don’t want to notice.

Anything I missed you would like to add?
“Failure is the mother of success.”

When I started riding 7 years ago or so if you told me that I would interview Chris Doyle someday I would have probably laughed and brushed it off. However I decided to give it a shot and when Chris said he was all for it I was super excited since hes seriously has been one of my favorite riders since I started and still is today. I think you guys will enjoy this one.

Name:
Chris Doyle

Sponsors:
Kink, Rockstar Games, DC, Demolition, Duo, Pro-tec, Square One, Bicycle Union

Location:
Pittsburgh, PA

This will make for how many interviews now?
haha. Haha, I don’t know. This same sort of thing happend to me when I was 17/18 years old. I had a ton of interviews come at me all at once and then there wasn’t too much until… well, last month. If history repeats itself, I can look forward to another onslaught of interviews when I’m 36, hahaha.

How is the winter treating you so far?
Not too bad, we haven’t had too much snow but the temp. is definitely too cold to ride outside right now. I went to Arizona for about a week to get a head start on filming for the Kink video, on the second to last day I ended up smashing my face and getting eight stitches in my chin and spraining my thumb. Now, I’m just chillin’ and letting my body rest up a little bit… It’s been a long year.

Your recent Props interview was a hit, how cool was it to be able to look at an interview when you were 17, and then do one for now looking back on it all, was it weird at all?
I definitely had some good laughs after looking back at that old interview, I can’t believe how young and naive I was back then, I guess most 17 year olds are. When that first interview came out I remember being really bummed and a little bit embarrassed – I was 17, I’d only been around for a year, and I didn’t really have anything to say, I think I was just stoked to be in Props. I’m really happy that they let me have a do-over on that one.

How did you feel about contests this year?
I had my fair share of ups and downs but overall I’m pretty stoked on how I did.

What contest are you looking forward to the most next year?
Man, I don’t know. I don’t think there’s an “Elevation” contest this year and that’s usually my favorite comp. Oh wait! I think they’re doing that “Empire Of Dirt” contest in England next year, I’ll be looking forward to that one for sure!

Where have you been riding since the winter has hit? Is there many indoor spots nearby?
There’s two indoor parks in our area, both of which are about 45 minutes away from my house – not too bad. They’re good parks but I’m trying to pace myself, the winter is long and I don’t want to burn myself out on ’em too quick. Other than those two parks, every tuesday a crew of guys usually goes up to Rays MTB park which is about 2.5 hours away. That place is hella good.

Now that the holidays are over for the most part what do you have going on?
Not too much. I’m pretty much chillin’ for a month or so before I start taking some trips (which are below). I’m gonna start filming for a new Demolition online vid soon and I’d like to film half here (in Pittsburgh) and half out in Cali.

Are you planning any big trips anytime in the next few months?
Nothing too big. I’m going out to Cali in early February to film for Kink and Demolition and then in late Feb/early March I’m going to Austin to start filming for Anthem 2.

If I remember right, a few years ago in an interview when 401 trails got plowed, you had talked about buying some land and starting a new set that you owned. Did that already happen or am I just imagining things?
It was actually the 22 trails here in Pittsburgh that got plowed… 401 is still there but it’s beat. And, no I haven’t bought any land… yet. I’d still really like to but there’s a lot of ins and outs to it and it’s obviously gonna cost some serious money… However, I’ve been trying to come up with a better plan, I’d like to rent out my current house and buy a new house that has some land where I could put my own trails on, that’d be ideal. It’s just a matter of committing to making large purchases… it’s hard for me to do, I’m very conservative.

You have been on Kink for a while now, how have things been going with that? Your frame is out now, do you have any more plans for signature parts coming out this year?
Kink has been awesome, so stress free and laid back. I think my favorite thing about riding for Kink is taking trips with the team. Everyone shreds and everyone gets along, we’ve done a couple trips so far and they’ve been awesome. So far the frame is awesome and I’m getting a lot of positive feedback, as far as other signature parts go, I might start working on a signature fork with Demolition.

How are things at Duo? Any new additions to the team or new products coming anytime soon?
There’s one rider that may or may not start riding for us soon but I don’t feel I’m at liberty to talk about it just yet… I wouldn’t want him to get in trouble with his other sponsors. As far as new products go, the Van Homan grip just came out and we just released a limited edition seat in which we collaborated with Rogue Status. Also, I’d like to get Bohan’s grip moving along. We’d also like to start doing some cool apparel and bags.

After being pro for so long now, I would imagine you have been just about everywhere. Is there anywhere you have not been that you would like to go to?
I’ve never been to New Zealand before, I’ve been close, I went to Australia back in ’02. Everyone of my friends that’s been to New Zealand says it’s an amazing place.

I figure this was probably asked in your video interview but didn’t make the cut. Is there any set dates for a wedding anytime soon?
Haha, no, no set plans as of yet. Believe it or not, my girl is as busy or busier than myself. We’re happy together and It’ll happen someday but we’re in no rush.

Then and now, 1997 Vs. 2007
Frame
Then: S&M Challenger that I later traded for a Holmes.
Now: Kink “Farside” 21.25 top tube (blue).

Weight of bike
Then: Who knows? Probably pretty light though, my bikes were always pretty “raced out”.
Now: I’ve actually never checked, nor do I care. Light enough, I guess.

Riders you looked up to most
Then: K. Bennett, Joey Garcia, Brian Foster, Joe Rich, and Brandon Pundai
Now: Brian Foster, Chase Hawk, Jason Enns, Joe Rich, and Corey Bohan

Time you have to wake up
Then: I think I had to be at school by 8:00, so probably around 7:00.
Now: Around 9:00 on most days.

Favorite Food
Then: Bojangles chicken, biscuits, and fries.
Now: Peanut butter and banana sandwiches

What you wanted for Christmas or Birthday the most
Then: Bike Parts
Now: Apple gadgets

Biggest Fear:
Then: Not getting into a good college
Now: Arthritis

What advice do you have for keeping those 200 LBS+ girls away from a guy?
Haha, my problem was always that I was too nice, don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you to be a dick, just be careful.

Your a pretty influencial rider, do you have any crazy stories of stalkers or obsessed fans?
Haha, this may be one of my favorite stories to tell, I’ll give you the short side of it. I think it was 2001 and I was down in Orlando for the Roots Jam. There was an after party / video premier – it was packed but it was your normal BMX gathering, you know, a ton of dudes and about three girls, all of which had boyfriends. So anyways, this girl starts talking to me and being really flirty and touchy – she was showering me with compliments left and right. Needless to say, I was stoked – she was HOT. All of the sudden this dude taps me on the shoulder and says, “yo Doyle, that’s my girlfriend”. I didn’t know the guy and he was a bit bigger than me but he was being pretty cool, he told me that myself and Aitken were him and his girlfriend’s favorite riders, he then followed it up by saying that it would be his honor if I hooked up with his girlfriend. He’d said that she was TOTALLY DOWN and that she’d been looking forward to meeting me and Aitken for weeks. I ended up turning her down, I said that I was flattered but I had a girl at home (even though I didn’t at the time). The guy was a little bummed and then asked me, “where’s Aitken”?

If you were forced to only be able to ride contests to one song (Like Nyquist and “Jump Around”) what song would it be and why?
“Back before you go” by Dinosaur Jr.

By now you have had the opportunity to meet so many riders, who are some people you haven’t had the chance to meet that you would like to?
I’d like to meet Jerry Galley someday. He’s from England and was way ahead of his time. He’s been known to do things like HUGE 540’s and inverts on vert wearing nothing but a pro-tec, shorts (no pads), and a T-shirt.

How mad do your friends get when you have all the stories about what actually happend the nights they were drinking?
I wouldn’t say that any of them ever get mad. It seems though that they always think they had the wildest time ever, even when it was mellow. I think the alcohol just makes them exaggerate their stories more.

What do you think you would be doing if you didn’t start riding BMX, and the meteorologist thing didn’t pan out?
I honestly have no idea.

What kind of TV show are you into?
Seinfeld, Scrubs, Chappelles Show

What about some of your favorite bands?
My Current favorites are Dinosaur Jr. and Band Of Horses. Some of my all time favorites are Blankface, The Get Up Kids and The Farside; all of which are now broken up.

And to keep going with these, favorite movies?
My favorite riding videos have always been the early FBM videos (Ring of Fire, The Bar Is Closed, Live Fast Die), 1201, Lights Out, and Anthem “Home of the brave”. Non riding… There are too many to mention.

Outside of the riding world, what are your biggest influences in your life?
Probably my mom, bro, and sis. We’ve been through a lot together and they’re some of the strongest, most driven people that I’ve ever known.

If you could spend the day with anybody to ever exist, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
Elvis. I don’t know why, that’d dude just seemed cool.

What would you like to accomplish in the next 5 years?
I’d like to film a couple more video parts with each one being better than the last, travel to some new spots, stay healthy, and move to a house with enough space for trails or a ramp (both!).

What is something that you feel needs to be changed in BMX?
Less talk, more rock!

What kind of advice do you have for people getting into BMX?
Pace yourself and have fun, you don’t need to turn pro your second year riding.

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
In my Props interview I said thanks to my sponsors but I should’ve thanked them individually, so here goes. Zack, Jay, Chris, and Matt at Kink – you guys are the best! Ken, Damon, Bree, Sean, and Eric at DC, Brian Castillo and La at Demolition, The Bad Boy (Badders) at Pro-Tec, John Dye, Cory Muth, Steve Buddendeck, Kris Bennett, Todd Walk, Pittsburgh locals, NC locals, Wild Will, Barrett snake, and my friends and family everywhere.

Anything else I missed that you would like to add?
I think we’re all set.

Trying to find a video of Chris is not hard to go with this, finding one that isn’t a recent video part is. Here are some random clips and a recent one just posted up on the Square One website.

Square One Clip