How old are you, and where are you from? 24, and right out the Hood-Burbs Bloomfield, NJ
How long have you been riding? I’ve been riding bikes for awhile now, probably about 12 years. I rode BMX for 5 years and now mountain bikes for about 7.
How did you get into riding mountain bikes? Well I used to ride BMX and my friend Wayne hooked me up with a MTB and I started liking it better than my BMX bike. I retired my BMX bike and rode the MTB all the time and always like pushing it and trying something new and riding something new.
How would you describe the New Jersey Riding scene? The NJ riding scene is all over the place, we have got it all. Street, Parks, Downhill, and Trails. I live in a cool place where 20 minutes in either direction will get me in the heart of NYC or in the middle of the woods. I like it.
What type of riding are you into? I would say I’m known more for my street riding because of the area I’m from, but I love riding anything on two wheels. I like being given a challenge. It pushes me as a rider.
I know you have a huge passion for cars. What are your favorite things to do when you aren’t riding? When I’m not riding for whatever reason I'm in my garage working on my beast, a 1988 VW Golf. I’ve spent A LOT of time on her. The problem is that when I’m driving it I beat the hell out of it, so I end up back in the garage. I didn’t build it to sit there looking pretty.
Obviously, you ride for Blk Mrkt, how did that come about? I met Carter at Sea Otter when Black Market was starting out. We rode together all weekend and he told me if I needed some help to give him a call, so I did and the rest is history.
Filming for NWD is a one in a million shot for any rider and you got in at the end. What do you love and hate the most about filming in a movie of that caliber? Filming for NWD was amazing. We built up the dirt half pipe at Highland Mountain so having some amazing spots made things easy. The down side would be waiting for light and going to a spot with just you and a filmer. You pretty much get out of the car and try the hardest trick or craziest thing you’ve ever done. No build up, just get out and send it!
Your section in NWD 10 had some pretty serious stuff. Were you happy with how it came out? I was definitely pumped to be part of the NWD series and my part turned out pretty sick. When a video part of me comes out I tend to be my worst critic, I always feel like I could have done better.
Since then, what have you been up to? Since NWD, I’ve been trying to get more involved in the sport. I started coaching at Highland Mountain and building courses with Jeff Lenosky and became a FMBA Certified judge, I also broke my scaphoid and that took 8 months to heal. I didn’t know it was broken and rode contests for 3 months before I went to the doctor and it was shattered. Then I was riding/filming a ton and I tore my ACL and had to get surgery for that! Now I’m almost healed and back on my bike.
How do you like coaching shredders at Highland's summer camp? Coaching is awesome! The kids have been cool and there not that much younger than me so we have a lot in common like video games, music and what not. It's cool to see the progression from the first day and seeing them shred by the end of the week.
What’s the craziest thing that has happened to you lately? That’s funny because weird stuff happens to me all the time, but the craziest would be last week or so Aaron Chase and myself tattooed our signatures on the back of Geof Ayr's legs at the sketchiest pop-up tattoo stand during Bike Week in Laconia. He most likely is regretting it. Mine looks like shit, but Chase’s doesn’t look that bad.
Let’s say the MTB thing didn’t pan out like it has for you. Where do you think you would be today if you never got into riding? The riding thing panning out can be a tough one and a struggle at times. It’s definitely a lot more work than you think. But if it wasn’t for riding I’d be racing cars. My Dad ran a garage 10 feet behind my house, so I’ve always been around cars.
If you could go anywhere in the world to ride where would it be? I’m claiming I’m going to Barcelona this winter. I’ve never been and I’m dying to go ride and soak it all up.
What riders influenced you when you were younger? I grew up in the heart of street riding. I was lucky enough to have an insane bike and skate shop by my house when I was younger. I looked up to a bunch of local guys like Joe Tiseo, George Dosantos, and then Mike Aitken and Chris Doyle.
What riders influence you now? Any rider that pushes it. I really get the most out of myself when I’m riding with other people who are trying to ride just as hard, so we’re all feeding off each other. I really enjoy the fear of a new trick and the adventures riding brings.
What’s something about yourself that might surprise people? I'm really good at basketball.
I heard you used to have the ultimate backyard set up, what was that like? It was the best thing ever for me and the worst thing ever for my Mom. I loved it! I would build something new almost everyday. 90% of it was built from scrap wood and a recycled shed which made the whole thing quite cheap to make. It was always expanding which is why my mom hated it so much. It took over the backyard pretty fast and sessions would be going on all the time. But the day finally came where my mom had enough and it had to go.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I have no idea. I’ll hopefully still be in the cycling community. I’d love to get into product development and design.
When should we expect to see you back on the bike? I’ll be back on my bike at the end of the summer. I’ve been pumping around, but I have to take it super easy.
If you could ask for one thing in the world what would it be? I feel like the obvious answer for anyone who doesn’t have it would be money. Not the obvious answer my own compound with house, garage, shred zone, and rally track.
You get one "do over" in life. Do you save it or use it? on what? Use it. I'd get my broken wrist looked at way sooner.
Shout outs? Wayne Neufield, Sonia Buruiana, Mom, Carter Holland, Aaron Chase, Jeff Lenosky, Highland Mountain, Rays Mtb, Eric Davis, George Ryan, Nick Brandreth, NobreaksChris, Kara Chase, Pinkbike, Thrashbike crew, Scott Heart, The internet, Blackmarket bikes, Bell Helmets, Native Eye wear, Maxxis, Diety,Hayes, Sunn, Manitou, Teva and any one else who has helped me out!
Photography -
Ian HylandsWords -
Nic Genovese