On the 5th day of the 12 Days of Aitken, we get a look at Mike’s “The Beginning 2” Part!

Matt Beringer and Shawn “Elf” Walters sit down to talk about Mike Aitken’s part for “The Beginning 2” that never was actually released as a full video, but Mike’s part did make it into the “Fit Life” bonus section. As we’ve seen the past 5 days, Mike’s level of progression just keeps going and this is a clear indicator of that. Amazing riding in this one.

“Day 5 in our ‘Twelve days of Aitken’, which is a retrospective look at Mike Aitken’s BMX career as seen through the eyes of some of those who know him best via a selection of his hugely influential video parts, continues with Matt Beringer’s “The Beginning 2”, filmed in 2002.

Matt never released the video, and since Mike had a completed section ready to go to VHS duplication (VHS tapes still existed at this point, but were quickly going the way of the Sabre-toothed Tiger, thanks to the influx of DVDs), it ended up being included in the bonus section of “Fit Life.” Like the first “The Beginning”, this was also filmed primarily by longtime friends Matt and Shawn “Elf” Walters (who provide the commentary). Filmed less a year after “Up In Arms”, Aitken just kept going bigger and bigger, with a more refined signature style. Mike was a regular at many of the bigger contests during this time, and there are a few clips sprinkled throughout of him killing it at them. Some of the transfers and lines documented in his section at parks around Salt Lake area are insane, and haven’t been replicated fifteen years later. -RD

RIder: Mike Aitken
Featuring: Matt Beringer & Shawn ‘Elf” Walters
Music: “Five to One” by The Doors” – Fit Bike Co.

Fit Bike Co. had Shawn “Elf” Walters and Matt Beringer sit down and talk about Mike Aitken’s first video part in “The Beginning”…

The 12 days of Mike Aitken continues! This time around Fit Bike Co. had Shawn “Elf” Walters and Matt Beringer to talk a little bit about Mike Aitken’s first video pat in “The Beginning” video that Matt produced back in 2000. Hit play and take it all in!

“Day 2 of ‘Twelve days of Aitken’, which is a retrospective look at Mike Aitken’s BMX career as seen through the eyes of some of those who know him best via a selection of his hugely influential video parts, is Mikey’s section in Matt Beringer’s video “The Beginning.”

“The Beginning” is Mike’s first video section ever (released in 2000, around the same time as Empire East), spanning from when he was 13 (around the time he had those clips in Road Fools 2 at Fuzzy’s backyard) to about 16. It documents the transition from ripping around on a race bike to his Mosh days, and filmed by Matt and Shawn “Elf” Walters (who provide the commentary). Includes his first rail (which is massive for a first rail!), contest footage, baggy pants, and the classic Mikey style in it’s infancy documented while flowing through some of the old trails and indoor skateparks around Salt Lake City, Utah. This was the beginning, literally and figuratively. -RD

Rider: Mike Aitken
Commentators: Matt Beringer & Shawn “Elf” Walters
Filmed & Edited by: Stew Johnson” – Fit Bike Co.