Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve seen a couple really mind blowing videos from a few of the guys who are absolute animals when it comes to the front brake game these days. Obviously, in the past years brakes have really become obsolete for a good number of riders, which I mean is fine, but I almost feel like it’s almost becoming some sort of a lost art. There are so many tricks that just aren’t possible without brakes or even front brakes for that matter that kick so much ass. It’s always refreshing to see people doing things different and killing it like it was done back in the day.
Watching all of these new videos with all of this front brake magic got me thinking about not only how bad I want to get some on my bike, but a few of the guys I grew up watching who all ran front brakes. I decided since it’s a “Flashback Friday” that it would be a good time to pull out a few of these new videos and then dig in a little bit for some videos spanning the past decade or so front some of the legends of the front brake game so to speak. Let’s take a peek…
Mike Escamilla: Perfect Day – Venice Beach
I can’t imagine how much effort this video took to shoot and edit. I hoped the filmer and editor were well compensated! All in the name of XO cans, which must be pretty gnarly if you can drink them while sky diving, right?
Day in the life with Heath Pinter
This is what I call living the dream. Take a look at how Heath Pinter spends his days when he’s got a little free time in this new edit from Network A.
“Heath Pinter takes you on an epic day of snowboarding and dirt with a star studded cast of BMX’ers. Many people know Heath as a stylish dirt jumper and trail building perfectionist, but his roots in snowboarding go way back. Before he was making a dime in the BMX world Heath was throwing down in Tahoe and still loves shredding Bear with the homies! Guest appearances by Mike Escamilla, Andrew Lazaruk, Jared Eberwein, TJ Ellis and Corey Bohan!”
Through The Lens: The Process – Writing a Magazine Article
Photography is something that I have loved for almost as long as I can remember. It’s one of those things that just makes sense to me. To be able to capture single moments in time and have them to look back on forever is an incredible thing. Photography is not only what I live for but it’s almost somewhat of an obsession. Now, even though the saying is “a picture is worth a thousand words” no one wants to see a magazine without a little something to read. Writing magazine articles is a huge privilege and an opportunity that I never take for granted. Having your own photos in print is one thing but having an article with your photos as well as your words is a pretty amazing feeling. Most people might wonder how articles come about, how magazines decide on which ones to run, who writes them, and who comes up with the ideas. Well, if you happen to be one of those people then you are in luck because that’s what this week’s column is all about; creating an article from a concept to a finished product.
GoPro Hero 3: Week One
There’s a few perks to being a team rider for GoPro. One of which would be getting the brand new Hero 3 before anyone else. Mike Escamilla is one of the lucky guys who got to put it to work already and he got plenty of good use out of it. Check out this video of him getting some riding time in and doing some sky diving and base jumping. This is rad!
GoPro – Mike Escamilla: Full Pipe Dreams Come True
Mike Escamilla goes on a little solo mission to hit up a full pipe he’s had on his shit list for the last 15 years. He brought along a few GoPro cameras to document that adventure since he apparently doesn’t have any friends. I want to ride this spot!
“Shot 100% on the HD HERO2® camera from GoPro.com.
Mike “Rooftop” Escamilla fulfills his long time dream of riding a mysterious fullpipe in the middle of nowhere. Ride along with Mike as he captures photos and video of his BMX adventure – shot 100% by Mike himself using his GoPro Wi-Fi BacPac & Remote control.”
Mike Escamilla and Anthony Napolitan on BMX
This is definitely a really interesting video. It’s cool to get a perspective from Anthony and Mike on things. They both did a real good job of doing this right.
“Mike Escamilla lends his BMX veteran perspective on the sport with the help of Anthony Napolitan to cover all angles. Both Escamilla and Napolitan are considered game changers in the world of BMX. But what do they think it takes to be at the forefront of the sport? Listen up as these two take you Inside BMX.” – Alli Sports
Mike Escamilla on XYIENCE
It sounds like Mike “Rooftop” Escamilla has himself a fresh new sponsor. Here’s the word direct from the source…
“LAS VEGAS (May 6, 2012)—XYIENCE has added Fuel TV host, stuntman and pro BMX rider Mike “Rooftop” Escamilla to its team of brand ambassadors. Escamilla will represent both the Xenergy energy drink and XYIENCE supplements brands through 2012. As a part of his contract, Escamilla will make personal appearances for XYIENCE Xenergy, the official energy drink of the UFC, at key MMA and action sport events as well as beverage industry and health and fitness tradeshows. In addition, his image will appear on the brand’s website and advertising campaign.
Escamilla, 34, rolled onto the BMX scene when he was just 14 years old, landing first place podium finishes in contests like the 1996 ESPN X Trail Street Contest and the ’98 Hard Trick Contest at the Goodwill Games. Named one of Ride Magazine’s most influential riders of the 1990s, his accomplishments include breaking the world records for the longest BMX back flip—measuring 62 feet 2 inches—and the longest 360 performed on a BMX bike, both at X Games 11 in August 2005 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Escamilla is the current co-host of Fuel TV’s “Strangers in Danger” with BMX rider Zack “Catfish” Yankush. The pair travels the world taking part in strange rituals and bizarre stunts such as eating a live octopus, working as sewer divers in Mexico and occasionally breaking bottles on their foreheads. The show is in its second season.
“Mike’s career as an athlete and in media embodies the values that XYIENCE supports—creating a lifestyle that’s centered around one’s passion for a sport,” says John Lennon, XYIENCE president. “He’s been a pioneer in BMX and the audience he reaches is inclusive of MMA fans, but also enables XYIENCE to communicate with a broader group of those committed to an active lifestyle. We are looking forward to a successful relationship.”
The show isn’t Escamilla’s first on-screen appearance, however. He made his feature film debut in 2002, alongside Vin Diesel in “XXX” playing a ramp truck passenger. He’s also spent time doing stunt work for NBC’s “The Cape,” “Chuck” and “Outsourced.” Escamilla is also a regular on The Learning Channel’s (TLC) hit show, “LA Ink.”
“I am thrilled to be part of this dynamic and evolving brand,” says Escamilla. “XYIENCE and I are cut from the same cloth and share a commitment to excellence. With XYIENCE constantly exploring new opportunities and expanding its market, I’m looking forward to helping reach new audiences and solidifying XYIENCE’s reputation for being the leader in sports nutrition and energy.”” – XYIENCE
