Quicky: Kris Fox

All photos by Nathan Sykes / @nathantsykes

We had the opportunity to do an interview with Kris Fox way back in 2012. Needless to say, his style and amazing personality has taken him a lot of places since we first got the chance to get to know him. Now days, it would be hard for anyone who rides BMX to not recognize his riding from the insane nac-nac’s he does at the trails to the fast, smooth roasting he does on the cement parks out in California.
We bumped into Kris at the X-Games the other weekend and as always it was awesome just to see the guy. It got us thinking that it was more than a perfect time to catch up and find out everything he has going on from traveling to some fresh signature parts and more! Let’s see what he had to say!

Name: Kris Fox

Location: Huntington Beach, CA

Sponsors: SE Bikes, Demolition Parts, Deft Family

Years riding: Pedaling a bike around for about 18 years now.

Alright, so what’s up, Kris!? It sounds like you have had a pretty crazy schedule lately! Where all have you been the past few weeks?
What’s going on?! Yeah, the last few weeks have been pretty busy, but that’s the way I want it. It started out with a week and a half trip to Japan, getting home for a few days, then heading straight to Austin, TX for the X-Games. It’s been so much fun!

So let’s talk a little bit about the trip to Japan. You made your way over there with some of the Volume and Demolition team, right? How was the experience? Had you ever been there before?
Our trip to Japan was nothing short of amazing. Yes, a crew from the Demolition and Volume teams went over together. The crew that went was amazing and we all got along together while having the best time possible. Those guys are like brothers to me. I went on a trip to Japan last November for demos, so I was extremely thankful to get the opportunity to go again. This time I was able to travel around more and see more of the country itself. I absolutely love Japan. The people there are so welcoming, friendly, and I love the culture. I can’t thank the locals, bike shops, people, and tour guides enough for EVERYTHING they did for us while we were there! Great people.

What were some of the things you got into while you were there? Any good stories you can tell us about?
Like I said, the crew that went was so rad. From how good the bike riding was, to all the experiences and laughs we had, it’s incredibly hard to pin point even a few things to talk about. We were there a week and a half, and I was consistently laughing the entire time. We also got to ride some of the best spots I have ever ridden. In all, the trip was one of the best trips I have ever had the privilege of being on and I will take the memories of it forever.

I’d imagine you went straight from Japan to Austin for the X-Games where you were picked as an alternate this year, right? Had you ever been invited to ride in the X-Games prior to this?
Yes, after I got home from Japan I was home for about a week until I left for the X-Games. I was fortunate enough to get an alternate invite this year for BMX Park and I couldn’t have been more excited. It was my first X-Games, and to be honest, I never thought that could ever happen to me in a million years. I am so thankful that I got to experience that.

Photo: Kurt Hohberger

I know watching you ride the course that there’s a really, really good chance you would have given Chase a run for the money. Was it hard just watching? I’d imagine with a racing background you’re a little competitive.
It wasn’t hard watching for me at all. It was a blessing just to be on the same deck as those guys in practice and I had so much fun riding with everyone. And honestly, I am not really a competitive guy at all. I enjoy my bike as a lifestyle, creative outlet, and fun. That is a small reason why I left the race world early. If I am meant to have my time, it will come when it’s meant to come. In the mean time, I will enjoy the blessings that have already been placed into my life. Plus, the day belonged to Chase Hawk and I am very stoked for him. He rode the course amazing all week and it was only fitting that he got his first ever gold medal in the city he grew up in. I think that is awesome. Congratulations again, Chase!

Actually, what did you think of the course? It looked like you had been riding it for years when I saw you getting some time in during practice!
I actually really enjoyed the course. It had pretty much everything that I really enjoy riding when I ride a “bowl” style set up. It had good spots to air, a fun extension, good manual lines, and it wasn’t slippery. Once I got used to everything in the first practice session, I started to have a lot of fun every session I got on it!

So now where are you? Are you back in Huntington Beach chilling for a bit? What’s the next trip you have lined up?
Yes, I am back in Huntington Beach at the moment and it feels good. The next thing on my list is a trip to Ohio Dreams at the middle of July, then straight into U.S. Open here in Huntington Beach right after that. So I have a little down time before Ohio to enjoy the beach and try to make a couple Woodward West trips because I love riding there with everyone during summer camp. After U.S. Open I am going on a trip with Demolition to England and I am in the process of getting a few other trips worked out from September on to finish out my year. With something going on every month for me, this is one of the busiest times I have ever had and I am overly thankful for it. I love BMX so much!

Speaking of Demolition, this year has been a pretty big year for you with your signature Stylus stem dropping and everything. Do you have any more signature parts or cool projects in the works with them that you can tell us about?
I never thought in a million years I would have a signature part with a company like Demolition and I can’t thank them enough for that opportunity. I am really excited on how my stem is going and I love the way it feels. No other signature parts in the works at the moment. And as for other cool projects, we have been traveling as a team a lot, so we have some good edits coming out in the near future. And also, once I get a little more free time, I have plans for some more web edit ideas that I am excited about!

I also just saw you have a signature frame and signature complete bike from SE that will be dropping soon. Can you tell us a little bit about your frame like the specs and features?
I may sound like a broken record, but I honestly never thought in a million years I would have my own signature bike as well. The bike is called the “Gaudium” which is the Latin root for “joy and happiness”, and “joy and happiness” is exactly what my bike gives me. So I felt the name fit perfectly. The first run of the Gaudium came out last year, but it was only sold as a complete. This year starting in August, it will be sold as a frame only as well as the complete and I am extremely excited about that. The frame will come in a matte green finish and the complete bike color is still under wraps. I am very excited about the look of both of them! The specs of the frame are 21” top tube, 13.7” chainstays, 11.5” BB height, 75° head tube, 71° seat tube, and it comes in at 5 lbs. I am very excited about it and I can’t thank SE Bikes enough!

Other than that, what do you have going on with SE? Do they have any trips, video projects or anything cool lined up for you?
We actually just had our annual Southern California photo shoot and those are always a good time. I have plans to film for some cool video projects, but like I stated before, I need to be patient until I have a little more free time to do so. I am also still helping Todd Lyons out with various things when he needs it. I owe a huge thanks to Todd and everyone involved at SE for their support. The support that they have given me over the years has been amazing and I can’t thank everyone enough!

I know you have been killing it for years, but it seems like especially in this past year you have been given a lot of well deserved opportunities. Did you ever expect to get to where you are today with the freestyle side of BMX? I know you made it onto the olympic team for racing and everything which is hard to beat!
No, never did I ever think I would be in the position that I am in right now with the freestyle side of BMX. After making the Olympic long team in 2008 and deciding to step away from racing completely in 2009, I personally thought any sort of sponsorship or career was over completely. Since 2009 I have told myself over and over again to stay true to myself on my bike. I want to be a free spirit on my bike and use it to let my creative side out. I never thought about getting sponsors or winning any contests, I just did what was in my heart every time I threw my leg over my bike. I look at riding as an art form and for people to support me for doing what I love means the world to me. BMX has given me so much and it is a full on lifestyle to me. I wake up everyday wanting to ride my bike and it has taken me so many places and I have met so many amazing people. The blessings that have started coming into my life this past year with invites to contests and traveling make it even that much more amazing and I am completely thankful for it. I will continue to work hard and enjoy every bit of the ride that is in store for me.

So other than riding, what have you been getting into these days? Do you have any new hobbies or anything like that, that you have been filling your time with?
Honestly, I don’t really have any other hobbies. I enjoy a very simple life and that is the way I like it. My days consist of being around the beach, hanging out with my friends and family, and riding my bike. That is literally it and that is all I desire in life. Simple life, happy life.

What’s something about yourself that might surprise people?
I don’t know if is surprising or not but I am kind of shy and get nervous to ride in front of a large quantity of people ha-ha. Does that count? I’m a pretty normal and simple dude so that’s all I can really think of that would be a “surprise”.

Haha, that’s actually pretty surprising. Let’s wrap this up! What’s the last song you heard and movie you watched?
Last song I heard was Pink Floyd “Wish You Were Here” and the last movie I watched was Dumb and Dumber.

How can people keep up with you these days? You’re on Instagram, Twitter and all that, right?
Yes I sure am. You can search me on Facebook or follow me on Instagram and Twitter if you want! Thanks!
Instagram: @KrisFoxBMX
Twitter: @KrisFoxBMX

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Of course I do. Shout out to my family for being so supportive, Todd Lyons and everyone at SE Bikes, Brian Castillo & Joey Cobbs as well as everyone at Demolition Parts, Andy Bakken at Deft Family, Jerry Badders at Vans, Ryan Brennan at Team Soil, Everyone at Epic BMX, ALL of my friends, and ANYONE who has helped and supported me along the way. The list goes on and I can’t thank everyone enough. BMX rules.

Anything else you want to say?
One world, one people. Lets all be good to one another and enjoy life.