11 Questions with Nicholi Rogatkin

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NICHOLI ROGATKIN

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When and how did you discover mountain biking?

I have always had great respect for mountain bikers and for their sport. In 2013, I wanted to have fun riding a different bike, and have a bike to ride at Highland Mountain, which is in driving distance for me. Thankfully, Martin Soderstrom and Geoff Rogers were able to help get me hooked up with a Specialized P3, and riding it was awesome. The bike took a bit of getting used to, but eventually I started to learn a lot of my BMX tricks on it and decided to compete. My first big MTB contest was the Colorado Freeride Festival. I knew a few of the guys like Martin, Yannick Granieri, and Sam Reynolds from riding Masters of Dirt with them every year since I was 13. All the other riders were super cool too me and I was really stoked on the all around vibe. I finished 6th. After that I went to Spain for another FMB event - O'Marisquino. It was the funnest event and I won it. Finally, at the end of the year I got invited to compete in best trick at Crankworx Whistler, where I got on the podium. It was such an insane experience, and after it I couldn't wait for 2014.


Your background is in BMX, how did that start?

When I was 5 years old, my neighbor showed me some dirt jumps near my house. I couldn't pull myself away from watching people ride there, so my dad got bikes for himself and me, and we started riding at the jumps together. From the first second I ever got on a bike I wanted to be in the air and learn tricks, I never had the motivation or the patience to learn technical tricks, I just wanted to fly. Riding quickly became the funnest thing for me, and my favorite part of life, so I started doing contests when I was 7. I went on to land my first backflip, tail whip, and 360 all when I was 9. When I was 12, I got my first prize money from a pro contest at King of New York. All of those moments are unforgettable for me. Right before I started riding mountain bikes, I had some of the best moments of my life in BMX; winning the BMX Worlds Dirt, and the ASA Triples.


When did slopestyle become your focus? Why?

After being at Crankworx Whistler in 2013, I saw the magnitude of the event, and essentially got to experience the pinnacle of mountain biking, and that inspired me to try and get to the highest level of competition in slopestyle. It was extremely difficult to learn all my biggest BMX tricks on MTB, and perform all of them in contest runs. Fortunately, I was able to do well in several events in early 2014, and then I won 26 Trix, which qualified me into the Diamond Series. To get to the biggest stage of slopestyle in my rookie year was unreal for me.

What was your last season like? What events did you compete in? What were your results like? Injuries?

I was stoked on everything I was able to do this year. It was crazy for me to realize that I had a shot at getting the podium or winning several of the events I rode in. Getting the opportunity to compete in all of the biggest MTB contests was incredible. Unfortunately I blew it at Joyride, after pulling the hardest tricks in my run I got a gust of wind and crashed on a tail whip drop. It was a bummer but the amount of support the crowd gave me was incredible to me, I was super thankful for that. Then after qualifying first at District Ride, I tried to triple whip a 45 foot jump that I hadn't jumped at all in practice. My wheel hit my leg after the 1st whip, and I bailed and went flying through the air. Nonetheless, the year was sweet. I'll always remember my first experiences, and all the good times with everyone. To win 4 qualifiers, get on the podium at 5 events, and win two of those events was seriously awesome.


How do you feel about all of the attention you've receive after your performance this season?

One of the best feelings for me is getting people stoked. When I am riding, no matter where it is, it's an awesome feeling when my riding happens to be appreciated by someone else, or maybe even inspiring to someone else.

Who are you riding for - how do your sponsorships align with your goals and personality as a rider?

I am sponsored by Specialized Bikes, Kali Protectives, DT Swiss, and Ninjaz Gloves. It's awesome to have sponsors of my choice. I love all of the companies I ride for, the products they produce, and the people that work within those companies. My sponsors have all helped me push my career to where it is now, and helped me achieve my goals on my bike.

What are your goals for competing next year? What competitions will you be at?

For next year I plan to go big, send it, and have fun. I am very lucky to have bike riding as my career, so I'm always enjoying it as much as possible. At Rampage I had a lot of fun riding my DH bike. Although it was unbelievably scary for me, it was fun throughout and I'd like to ride way more big bikes next year. And, of course, I hope to ride all of the biggest FMB events once again. This year was full of experiences that I'll never forget, and I hope next year will bring even better, sicker experiences.


What are some of your biking highlights?

First place wins at 26 Trix, BMX Worlds, OMarisquino 2013, and OMarisquino 2014.

How are you managing to 'live the dream (funding, training, travelling, etc.)?

This year I graduated high school, and I have put off my college plans for a while for my MTB career. I have become fully committed to professional bike riding. I really am living my personal dream now, as I have the opportunity to do what I love most, and get compete on my bike as my career. I couldn't be more thankful for that.

How do you find your personality and riding style sets you apart from other riders?

I come from BMX, and I do different tricks from most of the other riders, so my overall riding style is unique. Thus, I have developed a mindset in which I just ride the way I want to, and the way that feels best to me. When I compete, I don't really consider it as a competition against others, I compete against myself. Every contest, I try to put my absolute best run out there no matter what. And, many of my current competitors are guys I look up to. Riding against them is seriously such an honor for me.


Who has influenced/inspired your riding?

Growing up I was inspired by Dave Mirra. He absolutely killed everything in BMX. Then I rode with Jamie Bestwick many summers at Woodward Camp in Pennsylvania. He was the man, I looked up to him.  

Are you working on any filming/shooting projects this winter?

I just returned from a video contest at Ray's MTB in Cleveland. Nick Bruce and I teamed up for an edit and ended up winning the best video. The video will be released this week. In terms of other filming and shooting, I'm not sure if there's anything in store. Nonetheless, this winter I'll be riding and having fun on my bike as always. Every time I get on my bike I'm motivated to learn new tricks, so I'll definitely be working on some new things this winter. And, after taking quite a beating this year, I'll be taking some time off as well.

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Mentions: @Specialized @KaliProtectives

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