Brian is a hardcore street shredder, if you’re not familiar with his riding there will be some links to check out at the end, but it’s his positivity, his giving back and his sense of humor that drove me to want to ask him some questions. Lots of followers sent in questions and I thank you all.

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Q. Best Chicago food we do not have out here in So Cal?

Chicago has AMAZING food. I could go cliche on this one and say that we have Chicago style pizza and hotdogs but really it goes way beyond that. I’d say one of the top would be Kuma’s Corner, a famous heavy metal theme’d burger joint. I mean who doesn’t want a Slayer Burger? Great food and great experience.

Q. While recovering from knee surgery, what new time waster have you discovered?

There are plenty of things I’ve kept busy with since my surgery. Physical therapy, updating The Bakery facility, and Twitter have all taken up some time but none of it is a waste. I have also been expanding my horizons of music, art, and other local talent. I am a sucker for live comedy and Chicago has tons of that. I supposed that’s a good time waster but really, if you’re laughing, it’s never a waste.

Q. I was really impressed by you auctioning off one of your ridden bikes to raise money for Nina Buitrago’s medical costs. What lead you to help her?

I had a “used but not used up” DK Passport which I had rode up until the day of my surgery. The bike was going to sit there for a few months and collect dust. At the same time I saw that my DK/Etnies teammate, Nina, was battling with some medical/dental bills. She is the toughest girl alive and has always inspired me to push myself. It just felt like the right thing to do.

Q. Why #bananaart?

Well first of all bananas are delicious and convenient but I had gotten a bit bored of them after eating them just about every day. My friend had started #bananaart and it made me chuckle. I began to contribute to the daily laughter via twitter and the rest is history. They say bananas are good “brain food” but banana art exercises the brain and creativity when you need it most… in the morning.

Q. When you are about to get extra gnarley do you have any routines or rituals to get ready?

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Yeah, I always take a few run ups at something before doing it. This gives me time to visualize the trick in my head before making it happen for real. I usually do a line to something big even if the line is never filmed. Doing a few smaller tricks right before something big always helps me get in the proper mindset to send it.

Q. I have been stoked on the level of creative riding released in the Baker’s Dozen features. Has The Bakery lived up to your hopes so far?

Yes, in fact it has surpassed my hopes and visions and turned into something totally different. It has been a lot of work and I have spend a lot of my personal money on it but all in all it’s been amazing. I have some amazing help with Dave Leep and Andrew Brady, not to mention everyone who has helped me build like Wessel, Jeff K and Povah. We are going to keep baking the goods in 2012!

Q. How often does your beanie fly off?

Not too often actually. I do wear beanies often but between those and my silly ass hats I wear at times they usually all stay pretty steady on my noggin. I think it’s the static in my blonde hair that keeps them on.

Q. Pegs, what’s your theory on them?

Trick sticks, Homie Haulers, Stunt Nuts, Action Bars, whatever you want to call them, I love them! I feel like my bike is naked without them. I am motivated by pegless riders as well but for me they are just too much fun and i’ll keep rocking them.

Q. You can only have one, is it Hostess, Little Debbie or Tasty Cake?

I have to go with Little Debbie just based on the logo along.

Q. What aspects of the pro life do you find to be work?

There is tons of behind the scenes stuff that people don’t see. Lots of emails, planning, staying healthy, travel, cops, thinking of new tricks, finding new spots, keeping in touch with fans, the list goes on. This doesn’t feel like “work” all the time but sometimes you have to do things you might not want to do. There are days where you have to spend so much time planning and emailing that you might not get to actually ride the entire day. You have to really budget your time and at the end of the day, get things done. I wouldn’t trade this “job” for anything though. Right now my main thing is physical therapy for my knee. That feels like “work” but knowing that it will help me be a better rider later is what keeps me going.

Q. Who is the funnest person to hang out with in BMX?

2.

This is the hardest question in the interview! I’d have to say Rooftop or Catfish. We’ve traveled so much together and had so many adventures that each time we go somewhere new it just gets better and better because we have so many inside jokes and experiences.

Q. What are your favorite tricks, what gets you stoked on the bike?

My favorite trick is grinding, doesn’t really matter what it is but a nice buttery ledge or rail is always fun. If it’s a gap to grind I almost prefer it be the opposite, dry and rough, for some reason those grinds feel so sweet when you’re going fast.

Q. I know you’ve been to China, what was the strangest thing that happened there?

I got a friendly “poke” in the eye from a bathroom attendant at a club in Shanghai once. It was so bizarre since I had just gotten stitches that day in my eye and he (a complete stranger) decided he wanted to touch it. He couldn’t speak English and I couldn’t speak Mandarin so I have no idea why he wanted to tough the fresh, bleeding wound of a stranger… but he did!

Q. Speaking of China, what are your thoughts on XGames spreading out around the world?

I think this is amazing. BMX has so much room to grow across the world and here at home in the USA. Having events like X-Games in various countries across the world just introduce more people into BMX and hopefully inspire more people to ride.

Q. Do you like Chuck Norris or Most Interesting Man jokes more?

I gotta go with Norris. He’s the boss.

Q. What riders did you look up to as a kid?

I looked up to Friemuth and Miron a lot. Both those guys are complete savages on a bike. They had unreal technical skill but also weren’t afraid to test that skill and take it to an often frightening level. The combo of tech/big has always fascinated me.

Q. What candy or snack are you eating right now?

I just made a really good tomato/avocado salad. Keeping it healthy these days since my body is healing from surgery. I do have a sweet tooth though. If you put a cookie or ice cream in front of me it’s hard to resist.

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Q. What socks feel the best in your Etnies colorway?

Socks are my second favorite article of clothing (first being hats of course). I love both Etnies and Wigwam socks. Luckily both companies are generous and I’m often well stocked.

Q. Is it still fun for you to ride a bike without tricking?

I love the feeling of pedaling fast down the street, weaving in and out of traffic. It’s hard for me to not hop or grind something when I’m riding by though. I just love the feeling of cruising though and it always reminds me of why I started riding in the first place. That feeling of freedom with a dash of rebelliousness.

Q. What does BMX need more of?

I think BMX just needs more education. When I say that i’m not saying “school” necessarily (but I am glad I went to college). When I say education I just mean riders having other interests and backgrounds that don’t involve BMX. I think this ability to look beyond BMX to, in turn, better BMX as a whole is something I wish there was more of. All in all though BMX is really cool and I have learned a ton from it and met so many amazing people because of it.

From RyanrideBMX-

Q. How did the Bakery start? The Bakery just started as a place to escape winter, that place happened to be an abandoned bread factory. Hence the name.
Q. When did you first start riding? I started riding right around 1994 or so. I’ve been hooked ever since!
Q. What’s the biggest hanger you’ve done? I think it was a good 18-19 stairs.
Q. Favorite place you’ve been? Russia and New Zealand but I love everywhere.

From Allbigbilz-

Q. If a burger was a hot dog would a dinosaur eat a penguin?Yes, of course. Watch Jurassic Park, those things will eat anything, saturated fat and preservatives don’t matter to a T-Rex. I can’t speak from Brontosaurus though. He’s got his head in the clouds.

From Catfish-

Q. What’s your favorite rail of all time? There was the big curved rail that I did in Madison, WI back in 2000 or so. It curved 90 degrees to the outside and was fast as hell. Still one of the coolest feelings I’ve ever had on a bike. The clip was in an old Props Wisconsin/Illinois scene report.
Q. Dream rail setup? I’d love to find 3 or more gap-to-rails in a row so you could ride it like a rhythm section and do different tricks down each. Minimal pedaling required and perfect steel rails. That would be so fun. I will find it someday.
Q. Favorite video as a kid? Baco 6 and Standard Style Cats.

Q. What can we expect from you and The Bakery next?

Many good things all around. There is always good stuff in the works and plenty that comes up when you least expect it. I can’t give too much away but there is some really awesome stuff happening in the next few months. I’m lucky enough to have awesome opportunities and great people supporting me and hardworking enough to make them a reality. That’s what i’m all about.

Q. Who would you like to thank, shout out or high five?

Yes! My parents/family for all the support in some recent tough times. Sponsors (DK, Etnies, Arnette) for being both supportive, loyal and amazing friends all at the same time. Dr. Cole and Donna Williams at Rush Orthopedics here in Chicago. Anyone who has helped with The Bakery. Anyone who laughs at my stupid jokes on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/Mobli. Also a huge thanks to anyone I forgot, hopefully I’ll continue to thank you in person even though I’m not mentioning you in this interview. Last but not least thanks soreeyesports.com for this interview. Cheers!

* – Photos by David Leep and Andrew Brady.
2. – Photo by Walter Pieringer. Shot at FOB Hunter: A small, remote US Army base in southern Iraq.

Passport Video

Brian presented by Etnies

A recent Bakery video