Podcast: Blind Bobby Interviews Santa Cruz Bicycles' Rob Roskopp

Jan 17, 2020
by Sarah Moore  


Bobby McMullen has battled Type 1 diabetes, loss of his vision, kidney failure, years of dialysis, two kidney/pancreas transplants, open-heart surgery, and beat back a particularly aggressive form of cancer. He has broken more bones than he can count. In spite of challenges that would take most people out, Bobby lives life full-on. He has long been a passionate extreme sport competitor — a tenacious adrenaline junkie who competes alongside fully able racers. While competing in many sports at many levels, his “life support” has long been his family, his friends, and his bike.

Bobby is an inductee to the National Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame, and has been nominated to the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. You can read his impressive biography on his website here.

Now, Blind Bobby has started a podcast "The Way Bobby Hears It". In the first episode, McMullen he sits down with Santa Cruz's Rob Roskopp.



Luca Shaw and Rob Roskopp watch trackside.


Author Info:
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Member since Mar 30, 2011
1,321 articles

26 Comments
  • 7 2
 As a skateboarder and mountain biker, I respect Santa Cruz more than any other brand. Such a badass company with one of the deepest histories, going back to the '80's skateboarding scene.
  • 6 4
 FYI the skateboard company is actually not the same company that makes Santa Cruz bicycles.
  • 3 0
 It is still manage by Roskopp, but now owned by a Dutch company, Pon Holdings. They make rad bikes, but they are uber pricey.
  • 3 0
 @IsaacO: I know, but they were loosely associated with each other early on.
  • 3 0
 @tacklingdummy: Wow..!! Never knew this... That’s Pon as in Ben Pon. They also import VW into The Netherlands etc... Bigtime Porsche guy too.. I see they also own Gazelle (Dutch bicycle company) and Cervélo...
  • 2 3
 @IsaacO: Rob Roskopp started Santa Cruz skateboards and Santa Cruz bicycles, although they are not affiliated currently.
  • 3 0
 @IsaacO: true now, but the history is still very intertwined. Rob Roskopp was an original at SC skateboards.
  • 3 0
 @DriverB: Rob Roskopp was a pro skater. He had his own SC Rob Roskopp pro model skateboard. There are old videos of him skating.
  • 2 0
 @tacklingdummy:
youtu.be/MyjTx44hwJQ
Roskopps a legend, met him at fort william one year, was so cool to chat about all the 80s skate heros
  • 1 0
 @IsaacO: that's a technicality. All three branches (surfboards, skateboards, and bikes are owned by Novak.
  • 2 0
 The surfboards were first.
  • 3 1
 @dualsuspensiondave: no he didn't, and it started with surfboards.
  • 2 0
 @Websterminator: Rob Roskopp was an OG at Santa Cruz skateboards. It’s very well known in skateboarding, and even more from the city that we both grew up in.
  • 3 0
 @dualsuspensiondave: he didn't start Santa Cruz, he skated for them first, then worked there. I used be on the surf team in the early 80s.
  • 1 0
 Agreed. I wanted the first Tazman as soon as I saw it. That bike was ahead of its time but at the time I was also riding Santa Cruz decks exclusively so it seemed like a natural fit.
  • 2 0
 Bobby has been an inspiration to me since the day I met him. Spending time with him ALWAYS helps me put my life in perspective, and I'm very thankful to be able to call him a friend. So stoked to see this take off for him! Be sure to watch his free movie on You Tube: The Way Bobby Sees It www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8YGDTagWrE
  • 4 0
 two UNITS. Huge respect to Bobby (and Rob!), a great podcast and a lesson in perseverance and tenacity. And to think, some of us won't even ride in the rain.....
  • 3 0
 I have no idea who Bobby is, but after learning his story and hearing this podcast, I can tell the guy's a legend.
  • 2 0
 Watch vid @hapaleno posted, u will love it.
  • 2 0
 Ive had the pleasure of meeting and riding with Bobby a couple of times over the years. Very nice guy. His perseverance is inspiring.
  • 1 0
 Blind Bobby is an absolute legend. Witnessing him follow Mark Weir at mach-chicken some 10 or so years ago was something else. Against all odds. Also... where does one acquire a Santa Cruz Bicycles onesie like that?
  • 1 0
 random observation: I visited Santa Cruz Ca. in 2000,and still remember seeing a fully uniformed bike cop riding a SC Bullit ,could have missed a great cop chase opportunity, those bikes ruled the BC coast back then....
  • 1 0
 Here is the PinkBike 2011 Rob Roskopp interview.

www.pinkbike.com/news/rob-roskopp-interview-2011.html
  • 2 0
 Skated with Roskopp in Va Beach forever ago. Ripper.
  • 1 0
 Awesome, way to go Bobby!!!







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