I met Christian Simmonds a few years ago at a skatepark in Tampa. He had full pads on but no helmet, a pony tail, front and back brakes, 4 pegs and a freecoaster. A few years later it’s still the exact same way. He still listens to all the rock classics from his era like Metallica and Iron Maiden. Even though he has a wife, kids, 2 bike shops, a mailorder and a bike company, He stays true to what he is about and what he has loved since he was a teenager: The heart of bmx. BMX at it’s base, in a more simple time before trends, cliques and all the internet haters… or the internet in general for that matter. – Brett Rohlfing

Name:
CHRISTIAN SIMMONDS

Location:
SAN CLEMENTE CALIFORNIA AND WEEKI WACHEE FL.

Years riding:
SINCE 1976 OR EARLIER AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, IVE BEEN BIKING

Who was the first pro you met?
RL OSBORNE

You used to be a pro back in the day right? Tell us about that.
AFA EXPERT FLATLANDER 84-88 TURNED PRO, DID A PEPSI COMMERCIAL FOR $$ AND THEN ILLNESS STOPPED ME FOR A FEW YEARS. DAD PASSED AWAY, HAD TO GET REAL JOB.

You are the owner of hitman bikes, what is the story behind that, when did it start, what makes it different from all the other companies etc.?
HITMAN BIKES WAS STARTED AFTER 2 YEARS OF BUGGING STANDARD AND THEN S&M TO MAKE ME THE FRAME OF MY DREAMS. SINCE 7TH GRADE IVE BEEN DRAWING FRAMES . THEN OUT OF THE BLUE ROBBO MORALES, AND CHRIS MOlLER GAVE US THE GREEN LIGHT, AND SEAN MCKINNEY CALLED AND SAID THEY HAD 38 FIT FLOW FRAMES FOR ME TO MAKE INTO HITMAN TO SEE IF I COULD SELL THEM OR NOT. THEY INVITED/HOSTED US AT INTERBIKE. HITMAN WERE TO BE USA MADE BUT THE S3 TOOK OFF AND THEY HAVE NO EXTRA SUBCONTACT TIME. HITMAN IS DIFFERENT IN THE FACT THAT WE DONT DO THIS TO MAKE A $ WE DO THIS CAUSE ITS BEEN MY LIFE LONG DREAM TO MAKE THE BEST FRAME POSSIBLE.WE DONT CUT ANY CORNERS TO SAVE COST. COST DONT MATTER , STRONGEST FRAME DOES.

What kind of products do you have available, and where can you get them? Isn’t there talks of a 3.8 lb frame!?
1 WE HAVE OUR 5+ STREET FRAME THE RUBY. MY STRONG DESIGN ,
2 A LIGHT PARK FRAME , ABOUT 4 EVEN WHEN DONE, THE SIR HAN SIR HAN.
3 AND A FLATLAND FRAME ,NEW SCHOOL STYLE THE JUDAS,
4 AND IN THE WORKS IS A DAY SMITH SIGNATURE DESIGNED TRADITIONAL FLATLAND FRAME.
5 A RACE FRAME IS IN THE WORKS ALSO , LOOKS LIKE THE SIRHAN PROTO TYPE BUT LONGER BACK END.
SHIRTS SHIRTS AND MORE SHIRTS WE HAVE ART FOR PARTS CONTEST SO OUR DESIGNS ARE RIDER MADE FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

LIGHT FRAMES ARE POSSIBLE NOW BECAUSE OF THE NEW POST WELD HEAT TREATING.LIKE FORKS , THEY USED TO BE 60.OZ AND BEND EASY.

Hitman bikes and Street Mafia… I sense a theme going on. What is the appeal of the gangster terminology to you and how does it relate to bmx?
I GREW UP IN GANG NEIGHBOR HOODS IS SANTA MONICA WHEN YOUNG NOT SURE IF THAT HAD INFLUENCE, IN FLORIDA WE WERE OUTLAWED IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAD TO BUY A WHOLE BUILDING TO BUILD OUR OWN FREE SK8 PARK AFTER CITY TOOK OUR $ AND THEN DENIED BIKES. WE WERE MADE INTO OUTLAWS BY OVER ZELLOUS CITY COUNCIL PEOPLE WHO DONT UNDERSTAND THAT BMX KEEPS KIDS OUT OF TROUBLE. THEY WANTED TO PUNISH US FOR PROTESTING IT GOT UGLY.
MAFIAS HAVE HITMEN .
HITMAN IS THEY WAY YOU HAVE TO RIDE TO AVOID ARREST, HIT IT AND GO! UNSEEN, SNEAKING INTO CONDEMENED MALLS TO RIDE ECT.

Some people thought you named your company after that movie “Hitman” came out in theatres, and have taken shots at the “lack of originality” that a move like that would equal. Many people do not know that you had the name and plans for your company long before that movie even began filming most likely; want to clear that up?
S&M AND FIT GAVE US A START IN 06 .WE WERE LOOKING FOR FRAME BUILDERS AS EARLY AS 2004-5. ALMOST STARTED THIS UP IN 1997 BUT WIFE MADE BIGGER $$ THAN I COULD EVER SO I WAS A HOUSE HUSBAND, MR MOM.
I DIDNT EVEN KNOW THERE WAS A GAME CALLED HITMAN.
WE DESIGNED A TSHIRT HOODIE WITH THE HITMAN NAME IN 2004 AND THE LOCALS IN FLORIDA BOUGHT THE SHIT OUT THEM. SOME GIRLS WOULDNT TAKE THEIR HITMAN HOODIES OFF.
SO WHEN FIT CALLED , WE VOTED (ME AND MY 5 MAIN RIDER FRIENDS IN FL.) AND DECIDED TO GO WITH THE LOGO EVERYONE WAS LOVING. AND WE HAD ALREADY PASSED OUT 1000+ HITMAN SHIRTS WORLD WIDE IN THE 2004 YEAR WITH STREETMAFIABMX ORDERS AS THE FREE GIFT.

Any other products in the pipeline that you can tell us about?
MORE SHIRTS , MAYBE SOME USA MADE BARS IF S&M CAN FIT US IN. A DAY SMITH FLATLAND FORK AND STREET FORK IDEAS. RACE FRAME. WE WANT TO CONCENTRATE ON BEING A FRAME COMPANY TO MAKE THE BEST FRAMES POSSIBLE.

Who all is on the team?
PRO TEAM: DAVE MAHONEY (FL) , ALEX LEPACK (FL), JESSIE WARMACK (NC), MATT BROWN (RI), PAUL MEEKS (CA), MARQUESE FOSTER (AZ), BRET CLARK (GA), FLAT LAND LEGEND DAY SMITH (NOR CAL), AND BEN SNOWDEN (CA) WHOS CURRENTY AT THE ASIAN X GAMES.
FLOW TEAM IS MILES LONG WORLD WIDE WE SPONSER SOME CONTEST KILLERS , EVEN 1 YOUNG AUSSI!BUT THE FLOW WHO HOLD IT ALL DOWN ARE MARC RAMSEY, ED (GREG) COX, JUSTIN (ZILLA) LYBERGER, MIKE CRUMP, LIL CLAYTON, FLORIDA GUYS

CALI GUYS ARE NICK HANDY, KEITH SAVAGE AND A BUNCH OF KILLER LOCALS!

I go to hitmanbikes.com and it plays “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas. Why?
CAUSE ITS SMOOTH, DOESNT DRIVE YOU CRAZY WHEN STUCK PLAYING BACK IN YOUR HEAD.I ALSO WANNA FIGHT THE FOO!

You recently moved from Florida to California, what sparked such a major move?
TO MAKE HITMAN HAPPEN . WHEN IN FLORIDA ITS ALL BY PHONE, HERE ITS FACE TO FACE.

What can we expect from Hitman as time goes on?
A COMPANY TRUE TO BMX. BMX HAS BEEN MY LIFE, THIS WILL BE MY LIFES WORK. WE WILL NEVER EVER MAKE A DECISION BASED ON COST. ALL WILL BE MADE ON FUNCTION AND DURABILITY

Is there any road trips/ web videos/ dvds in the works?
MAN I CANT GET THESE YAHOOS TO GET ME A PICTURE EVEN! EXCEPT DAVE MAHONEY, HE GETS BRETT TO SHOOT HIM EVERY NOW AND THEN.

Where are some of your favorite places to ride?
BURNSIDE WAS MY HOME 1990 TO 2000, SM & VENICE BEACH, 688 SKATE PARK , CHAD DEGROOTS OLD MISSION PARK , AND LASTLY I CAN RIDE ANYWHERE ANY THING SO IM NEVER WHINNING NOTHING TO RIDE. HELL, JUST A 1/2 SHEET OF PLY OR A PALLET IS ALL NEED.

You have a bunch of kids, are they all riders too?
OLDEST BROKE HIS KNEE WHEN HE WAS 8Y/O OVER A SPINE, SO HES OUT
#2 RIDES WITH ME ALWAYS AND SKATES TOO.
#3 SUMMER GOT SCARRED RACING SO PARK IS OUT OF THE QUESTION
#4 IS 2 YEAR OLD RACER XAVIER (RACER X) HES BEING DUCK TAPED TO THE GRIPS AND PEDALS AS WE SPEAK, DONT WORRY, WE UNTAPE HIM AT BED TIME.

Outside of riding and running a business and dealing with your kids, what are you into?
MUSTANGS, COBRAS, REALESTATE, HOTRODS

How do you feel about big contests like dew tour?
GREAT IF RAN BY BIKERS. SOME RIDERS NEED THE CONTEST, IT USE TO BE MY BIGGEST HIGH.

What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next few years personally?
ID LIKE TO GO ONE WEEK END WITH OUT CRAWLING ON MONDAY. HAVE HITMAN GET A BIG FOLLOWING LIKE OLD HUTCH OR JMC. SO 30 YEARS LATER THE STUFF IS STILL WANTED.

What are the biggest influences in your life?
GRANDPA- MY MOM WHO RAISED MY BRO AND I ALONE- JESUS- DAD RIP- RICK MOLENTERNO, CHRIS MOLER (BOTH FOLLOWED THEIR DREAMS AND NEVER SOLDOUT) , RON WILKERSON , MAT HOFFMAN, WIFE

Any shout outs or thanks?
THANKS TO THE ENTIRE S&M FIT REVENGE FAMILY FOR THE START UP AND BIG BIG GIANT THANKS TO MATTHIAS OF DRAGONLY BIKES (GER) FOR MAKING HITMANS FINALY AVAIL BY HELPING TURN CHICKEN SCRATCH DRAWINGS INTO CAD THEN INTO CHROMO. THANKS! I CANT BELIEVE THIS IS MY LIFE.

Check Out Hitmanbikes.com

See More BMX Videos at VitalBMX.com

Team Rider: Dave Mahoney

Tim is a guy who I recently met through an indoor park I ride at due to winter. I remember hearing stories of him doing ceiling ride flips and all sorts of other stuff from friends who have met him over the years. Since then I think we have become pretty good friends and hes always a super good guy to ride with, really surprises me when he decides to throw down. Tim deserved this interview and I think you will enjoy this.

Name:
Tim Oliver

Sponsors:
to die for clothing, crusty demons clothing, boogieman brigade fmx.

Job:
full time factory crap.

Your a Minnesota legend, how many years have you been on a BMX for?
I started riding around 1990 but really got into it about 93.

You used to do demos with Chaos On Wheels, how did that all start and what did you think of it?
well my days with chaos started out back in 2000. I was at the mankato park just riding and Jeremiah Anderson(the owner of chaos on wheels) came up to me and asked me about a sticker I had on my bike that said real men love Jesus. he asked me if I was a christian and I said yes and we sorta hit it off and a few weeks after that he called and asked me if I wanted to do a show, and I said yes for sure I would. and that was it. I started doing every show I could. ill tell ya doing shows with chaos was some of the best years of my life. I met so many good people and saw so many new places I probably would have never got a chance to see.

What is one trick you cannot do for the life of you?
360 whips I have tried that trick off and on for like 14 years.

Word on the street is you used to do half flip ceiling ride half flip out over the box at Mankato back in the day?
hahaya ya I did a couple of those. the first time was by total mistake I just went too fast and the ceilings are really low at mankato’s park. so I went for a flip and the next thing I know both wheels are on the ceiling so I just pulled as hard as I could and ended up landing it. every one there went nuts it was so scary but I just told everyone I tried to do it. hahaha but than i figured if I did it once i could do it again so i dropped in and went for it and did it again next try. it was sweet but that’s it, it’s never happened again.

Whats it like to have a skatepark so close that lets you put so much input into it?
It’s awesome mike Carlson (the owner) is such a good guy I got to know him and his family good. he doesnt know anything about bikes so when he needs something he usually asked me for my input.

What do you think of the Minnesota scene as a whole?
well as a whole I think the mn scene is good there is so much talent here in MN. Ive watched a lot of guys come up and they all rip. I’m proud to be from MN.

Where are some places you would like to go that you haven’t?
well I would love to get up to Canada and go to NYC to go street riding besides that I’m content.

Who were some of your biggest riding influences over the years?
first and foremost jay schlie. that’s the guy that really helped me fall in love with bmx. I saw the love he had and I wanted that. so thank you jay love ya bro. and I would say tom haugan for sure. tom is a great guy. he is a very humble guy. I remember I went to a contest and was watching him ride and just blew me away. I was soooo intimidated by him. thinking this guy is so good he will never even know im here. well I was way wrong. he came write up to me and started talking to me. and we have Ben friends ever since. and lets see. all the chaos on wheels guys. jermiah, frank, travis, aj, donny, sean. I spent 8 years of my life with them they are like family.

What do you think of the riding level of today compared to back in the day?
kids today are fricken nuts!!!! back in the day a flip was huge and not a lot of people did tailwhips. but today a kid will get a bike for his birthday go to a skate park and learn a flip in 5 min. its not fair haha I had to learn that stuff the old fashioned way. you build a dirt jump and just Huck yourself.

You have so much going on, how do you still find time to ride?
I will always make time to ride. riding is what keeps me sane. not only is my bike fun but its a huge stress reliever and right now more than ever in my life I need a little stress relief

What is your favorite memory from BMX?
one of my favorite memories was the day I met tom haugan. there was a dirt jumping contest in this park and me and some friends showed up to check it out. and some how tom found out I did flips and the next thing I know tom was yelling for people to stop what they were doing to watch me flip. and if I remember correctly i broke my crank first flip out. and I just remember tom invited us to come to there house to have a box jump session and I was so mad I could ride but tom invited us back up to ride again. man those days were fun.

What are some riding videos you have always really liked?
i love the mad Matt video and some of the old fbm videos

What are some bands you are into?
I like a lot of music the new august burns red is good. actually right now its all johnny cash and billy Joel.

What are some of your favorite websites?
I would like to tell ya i don’t have a myspace but i do and im on there way too much. and Interbmx.com site. and our fmx page brigadefmx.com

You also do some freestyle motocross, when did you get into that?
about 3 years ago. its just another step up from bmx. I love the adrenelaine. I don’t do any kind of drugs at all and never have. so I guess im looking for that high and let me tell ya there is no bigger rush than hitting a 10ft tall lip 3 gear pinned and jumping over 100ft.

What is the biggest difference between that and BMX for you?
just the jumping. I love to ride Mini ramps on my bmx. there is none of that on a mx bike. its all about jumping and how big you can get your tricks.

What is your worst injury from either BMX or FMX?
I broke my back in 3 spots and was almost paralyzed. it was a rough time. besides that just the typical concussions(9) and bruzes.
I broke my foot and wrist on my dirtbike thats it I have gotten really lucky.

Rumor has it you have some plans to try some backflips on the dirtbike this summer?
ya I was one of the first guys to flip bmx in mn if not the first so I want to do the same with the mx bike.

You just had another baby boy, hows that going?
wow I forgot how exhausting it is I have gotten 4 hours of sleep in two days. ya its time to go ride.

You have an interview with the local news in Fairbult coming out, how did that all come about?
I don’t know I just came to the park to ride one day and there was a name and # to call and next thing ya know I’m on the phone telling this guy my life story. It actually comes out this friday and they did a good job.

What are some things you would like to experience in your life you haven’t had a chance to yet?
oh man i have lived a good life so far I have already done so much probably more than most people will ever do in there life time. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I’ll take it day by day and see what life has for me.

What are some things your looking forward to for 08′?
just being a good dad to my kids and being the best person I can. I want to be a positive influence to kids coming up and just enjoy life.

If you could spend the day with anybody, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
I would spend it with my dad. he passed when I was younger and I would want to show him all i have accomplished. I think he would be proud.

Your a cagefighter eh? When did you get into that?
ya it’s ben about 4 years now I did some training at the American school of martial arts. and have had some good fights and than I have had some bad ones to haha. I dont want to go anywhere with it its just a hobby a some times pain full hobby.

You have some pretty sweet tattoos, do they have any meaning or just more because they look cool?
no they all have meaning to them some are related to straight edge and my religion. the way I see it I’m only on this earth for so long so I’m going to
enjoy my time here no regrets. I got way more tattoos to come.

If you couldn’t live in Minnesota anymore, where would you go and why?
I think I would head to the west coast. so cal. I have some good friends that live out there. and Calli is the meca for bmx and fmx so when I’m done riding I could still be around the sports I love.

What kind of advice do you have for kids just getting into BMX?
first and foremost you need to ride for yourself you need to enjoy riding. don’t worry about trying to turn pro and make a ton of money. all that will come in time if you want it to. and just never forget why you picked up that bike in the first place. for the love to ride that’s it.

If you could change one thing about BMX what would it be and why?
The girl pants have to go!!!! I don’t know its so crazy to me how far the sport has come in the past 10 years. I don’t know if I would change anything its a fun ride.

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
I want to thank you for taking the time out to do this interview. and all the people i have ridden with over the years you all know who you are. my wife amy and my kids. jay s ,tom h, frank s, and there is so many more but I’m cant remember I have had 9 concussions haha. any one that rides for the love of bmx I thank you.

Anything else you would like to add I forgot?
no I think we are good to go. now lets go ride.

The Pactus Alamannorum or Pactus legis Alamannorum on https://bestapp.dating is the older of the two codes, dating to the early 7th century.

Name:
Nick Corsiglia

Sponsors:
Give D clothing and my parents haha

Your on the give D crew, what’s that like and what does it mean to you?
To me it’s just a bunch of friends that I happened to start riding with right when they started making webvideos and stuff. I moved to SD a little over a year ago and it turns I out I made a good decision in doing that! Pretty much my favorite people.

Your another San Diego Ripper, do you feel like you have an advantage riding with so much talent compared to other riders?
Yeah I definitely think so, riding with everyone motivates me a lot and gets me to do things I normally can’t be asked to do or am too much of a bitch to do! Also watching them all ride gives me some good ideas.

I noticed a picture of you where you are doing a hop barspin without shoes or socks!? what’s that all about, did it hurt?
hahaha that day! it was last summer and Hoang and I were chillin at the beach with some girls. We had our bikes and I didn’t have any shoes. Hoang had his camera so I told him to shoot a photo of a barefoot hop bars. Fortunately it was back when I did enough pedal grinds to have a flat side of my pedal so it didn’t hurt at all! I guess I just thought it’d be a funny picture doing a trick barefoot at the beach!

If you could only do one trick for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
I should say barspins because I do them a lot and really like them.. but if I was any good at them probably tables!

What is your greatest accomplishment with BMX?
traveling/moving places without worrying about whether or not I know anyone because I know I’ll be able to meet people through riding.

What is your best story involving the Give D crew?
Living with pretty much the entire crew in a 3 bedroom (well, 2 bedroom really) apartment near SDSU. Best time of my life! Every night was a party, people over all the time, never had to call someone to go ride, wake up every morning to see Albert playing Dave Mirra 2, come home from school to see a dozen friends chillin watching videos, playing videogames or gettin rad in one way or another, Ron’s golden birthday is still one of the best parties I’ve ever been too and it was at our apartment!

Where are some places you have been that you would suggest someone go to before they die?
NYC, Barcelona, Leeds UK if you like drinking and freezing your balls off, California!

Where are some places you would like to go to before you die?
Everywhere, all of Europe and Eastern Europe, Russia, Australia, South America, anywhere that’s a little off the normal tourist map.

Do you realize how nice you have it in San Diego? (it is 9 degrees out where I am right now)
Yes, everyday!

Name a few bands you think people should check out?
Beneath the sky, CCR, Cold war kids, Converge, Dangerdoom/MF Doom/Madvillain, David Bowie, Dizzee Rascal, The Go! Team, The Lovely Feathers, The Misfits, The Mountain Goats, Of Montreal, Papoose, Ratatat, Ryan Adams, Wilco.. I like music!

Who are your biggest influences outside of riding?
Writers, I’m a literature major so I spend a fair amount of time with my nose in a book and the stuff I’ve gotten out of books has changed the way I see the world.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Either travelling or living in a different country! Still riding, not yet settled into a career or anything crazy like that.

What do you think needs to change in BMX?
Too many people out there trying way too hard to come up and all that shit. It’s riding a kids bike don’t take it so seriously! Oh and also people doing shit just to ‘get street cred’

Anything I might have missed you would like to add?
I think you covered everything pretty well!