Pete Sawyer Interview

Photo: Matty Lambert

One guy who has been making waves on the streets and really anything he comes across from the U.K the past few years has been Pete Sawyer. Over the course of the past year or so, things have really taken off with getting bumped up to the Wethepeople Pro team along with being given his own signature line of products to his latest deal with Merritt, things have definitely made it so we’ve been able to see way more of Pete and it’s been awesome. With all these good things going for the guy and the release of his signature Sterling line dropping soon, we figured it would be a good time to get ahold of the guy to find out a little bit more about him. Let’s take a look at what he had to say!

Name: Pete Sawyer

Location: England

Sponsors: WeThePeople, Merritt, Vans, Who? Clothing

Years riding: Eight years

What was it that first got you into BMX? Any early memories just come to mind?
First memories of riding was a local guy that rode mini. I must have been like 12 and was skateboarding at the time. I first got into riding when I was almost sixteen. I had not long quit skating due to lack of spots and other skaters because I had moved home.

So you have been on the Wethepeople pro team for a little over a year now. How have things been going with them? Have you got used to having signature parts yet?
Yeah, it’s been amazing. I’ve been riding for WTP for like four years now and being asked to join the pro team was such a privilege. I was real happy, then to have the chance to work on my own signature line as well is just something I never thought I’d get the chance to do. I couldn’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for me.

Photo: Nathan Beddows

You have a signature frame that’s getting real close to being released. When is that due out? Care to give us a little bit of info on it?
For sure, its coming out in Autumn/Fall and will be available from all respectable BMX retailers, I named it the Sterling, it has a low bb and a high stand over, with a 69 degree seat tube which means although I have a spacious 21.2″ top tube, I also have a short wheel base which makes everything more responsive for street riding.

What do you have planned for the rest of your summer? Any trips you’re looking forward to?
Definitely I’m heading out to the East Coast of the states for a Merritt trip which I’m really looking forward to. I love riding with those guys, it’s so much fun.

How are things going with Merritt? Have you been working on any signature products or anything with them?
Things are going great, Mike and Sean really have the stuff Dialed! I’m currently working on a signature grip with them which is something I have always wanted to have the chance to do. There’s a few of us that are testing them at the minute and they feel perfect to me. So keep on the look out for these.

Any other sponsor news you can tell us about?
The Vans Ride to Glory video from when we went to California has just gone online if you want to peep that, Alex kills it!

You have always had a pretty steady flow of footage surfacing. I know that video you did with Figure a little while back turned out real good. Have you been filming for any new web edits or video parts? When can we expect some fresh footage to surface?
I am usually filming something with someone. Just the odd things from I’m out having a session and somebody has a camera. It’s one of those things, where somebody will make a little video and there will be a little 30 seconds of clips. Those are the edits iIlove to see, pure homies edits.
Yeah, thanks! the Figure video was probably one of the hardest I’ve ever had to film, it must have been like minus one and I was the only one riding which is always hard, but it came out good, so I’m happy.

How do you feel about shooting photos and filming?
I much prefer to Film, I find it really hard to get in the mind set of taking photos. All I see are lines everywhere
and they don’t look great in a photo.

Do you feel like you’re kind of expected to do it these days, or is it something that motivates you?
I film and shoot photos because i love to do it, and seeing the results after all the effort that has been put in really gets me motivated to keep at it.

I know you spend a fair amount of time bouncing back and forth from the U.K and U.S these days. Where are some of your favorite places you have had the opportunity to go so far?
My favorite place I’ve ever been has to be Portland! The people, the spots and the city just really make it. Other than that, it would have to be Liverpool. I Love that place!

Photo: Robin Pearson

What are a few of the places you haven’t been but you really want to get to at some point?
I would love to get out to San Francisco. It looks incredible. I’d just love to ride loads of places in the US, the food weather and people are sick!

Do you have a perfect setup you are always on a mission to find?
Not so much. My favorite spots are ones that aren’t something that is a real mission to ride and most other people would over look and not even try.

What’s one trick you have always wanted to do but can’t do for the life of you?
I feel like i would to do an oppo bar but for the life of me I just can’t sling them. It doesn’t really bother me all that much though.

Ben Lewis, Paul Ryan, Matty Lambert, Bruce Crisman and Max Gaertig. I think I’d go to Rotterdam or something like that, good people and a good place.

Actually, who are some of the riders that really get you motivated to ride these days?
Same, haha. Ben Lewis, Paul Ryan, Matty Lambert, Bruce Crisman and Max Gaertig.

Do you ever find yourself getting burned out?
Not burned out, but the little injuries that prevent you riding to full potential really gets me down.

What are some of the things you like to do to keep things fresh for yourself?
I like to ride everything. Every type of spot including skateparks and trails. I love to ride everything and I feel it keeps things from getting boring.

Photo: Boz

This is probably a weird question to think about, but what do you think you would be doing if you never got into BMX?
I’m not sure, if I didn’t get into riding I would have paid moreattention in school and got better grades maybe gone to college or uni.. I’d end up with a desk job or something using my good looks, haha.

What are you usually up to when you aren’t riding these days? Do you work or anything?
I don’t work at the moment, usually hang with my girl, play video games, watch 90’s cartoons or drink down the local.

What’s the shittiest job you have ever had?
I had a dishwashing job for two weeks in which I was treated like absolute shit. That was the most disgusting job I’ve ever had, the boss was a weapon!

What’s one thing you could use more of, one thing you could use less of?
I could use more good weather and street riding session with friends. I could use less of long haul flights. They
need to speed those things up.

Who have been some of the biggest influences on who you are today?
Same people that did years ago, Bruce Crisman, Chase Dehart, Mike Aitken, Ian Schwartz, loads more.

Photo: George Marshall

Are you much of a partier? What makes for a good night out for you?
I love to party, and I love to drink. Good friends, chilled start in a quiet bar, leading into a heavy night which becomes a massive blur, finishing with Chicken and bed

What’s the last song you heard, movie you watched and website you visited?
Cashin Out, Anchorman, TCU!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Riding my bike with a smile on my face, its the only way to be.

How can people keep up with you these days? Are you on Twitter, Instagram and all that social media stuff?
Twitter @SawyerPeter
Instagram @SawyerPeter
I’ve also got my facebook page: Pete Sawyer

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Thanks to Harry Schmid, Mike Brennan, Mad John, Chris Mcardle and Scott Magill

Anything else you want to say?
Enjoy doing what ever you do, otherwise why are you doing it!