Name- Reggie Styles ( Real Name- Shane Hall)

Age- 40

Years riding- Off and on since 1984, mostly on.

Location- Ft. Myers Florida, But Indianapolis is home!

Top 5 Riders of all time -
Dennis McCoy,
Mat Hoffman,
Colin Winkelmann (RIP)
Joe Rich
Scotty Yoquelet
Bonus- Jimmy Levan

Reggie and a painting he did, at the Fathouse circa 1994, photo Tim The midget.

Top 5 Spots-
The Fat House
The Ravine
The Flow
Solutions Ramp Park

Any street spots while traveling.

Old School Style.

Top 5 Bands-
Slayer
Black Sabbath
Skinny Puppy
Dark Lotus
The Doors

Reggie and longtime friend Rob Brown.

Top 5 bros to ride with-
Rob Brown
FBM team
Rich Hoppe
Gerber
Whitesnake.

Abubabacas. Plural.

Top 5 places traveled –
Binghamton
Austin
Louisville
Cincinnati
Anywhere on the road!

Reggie in that Fat House days…

Any Shout outs?
Kelly Baker, Crandall, Rob Brown, The Fat House players, Josh Orr, all the Indiana riders, and every one still shredding!

Rob Brown.

Bonus- How many times have you done acid?
Too Many Times to count (at least 1000 hits)

Weirdest trip?
The time I called the cops on myself because I thought I was going to die!

Bryan has a keen eye and it pleases me to say that he’s going to be helping out here on Least Most on a regular basis. Check out some of Sweet Baby’s recent photos:

Here is my friend Devon Swahlan executing a very monotone can jam in Northampton, Massachusetts.

I never bring tools with me street riding. I can be cruising around the block or 8 hours away in Richmond, Virginia. The two rock chain tool actually worked… for a little bit.

Joel Barnett with a very precise wall ride in Syracuse, New York.

This is Devon again. These full pipes are all of 5 minutes from his house in Albany, NY.

John Corts of the FBM fame never looking back to Binghamton, New York.

Australian shredder Kie Ashworth came to the other side of the world to gap to ice pick this famous rail in Albany, New York.

Kyle Hibbard is typically found flowing around trails or the skatepark. Here he is with a slightly out of character gap to flat at his campus in Binghamton, New York.

Mario Martin-Alciati has an affinity for swimming, painting houses, and bunny hops in the streets. Here he indulges in the latter outside of Syracuse, New York.

The original Gypsy, Mike Corts, arrived back on US soil after an extended stay in Australia. He promptly loaded his essential belongings and went on a ten day road trip with twelve of his friends. Nothing but smiles in Stamford, Connecticut.

Here is Trevor Ashworth, one of the previously mentioned dirty dozen with a footjam in Stamford, Connecticut.

My friend Will Bruce told us a story about a previous local from Cambridge, NY dropping off this roof and sending himself over the bars. I guess that is why he decided to ride the wall down a bit first.

Sick of the terrible English weather 5 of us had booked flights to Valencia at the end of February.

Ze and I met Rob in the Gatwick South terminal and the three of us checked in along with a 12 strong hen party also headed for Valencia. Robin and Perry were still MIA as the end of Check-In time drew closer, a phone call found that they were en route and had an ETA of “We should just make it… We think”.

They did make it but needn’t have bothered with the rush as the departures screen added a two-hour delay to our flight departure, followed by further delays. An announcement came on directing passengers of our flight to the arrivals lounge, where our previously checked-in luggage was curiously awaiting us when it should have been expectantly awaiting us on the plane.

I was surprised how calmly our group reacted to the piece of news that was delivered to us by a rather ‘rugged’ looking/acting female Easyjet employee. I believe she got her job for just these qualities as they set her in good stead for the reactions of the passengers upon hearing that the flight was cancelled. To be fair it wasn’t Easyjet’s fault, France air traffic control weren’t allowing flights to pass over their country as they’d just gone on strike.

We found that Easyjet would either refund the flight or we could swap for another flight at no extra cost. We studied the map of Europe showing airports Sleazyjet flew to. The criteria weren’t too much to ask – good weather, potential stuff to ride and cheap beer. This pretty much ruled out anything but southern destinations. The flights that had space for us were flying to: Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt), Marrakech (Morocco) and Istanbul (Turkey). Ze was doing a fine sales pitch on Sharm El Sheikh, which was promptly renamed to Camel Shake for the rest of us that couldn’t pronounce it. It was sounding promising until we heard from an Egyptian lady in the queue that the police and security there would not take kindly to us riding on their buildings. My preconceptions of Egyptian security (based on no facts whatsoever) figured losing a hand for doing a wallride on a Sphinx would not be a fair exchange. I was put off as were the other three for whatever reason. Marrakech had been done recently by another group of riders. So we rolled the dice and changed our flight destination to Turkey (a place that joined the ever lengthening list of countries that eluded my GCSE A-grade geography qualification).

The airline stumped up for a hotel where we could stay until the flight early next morning. Our group stuck out like a sore thumb in the posh hotel, five ratty bmxers in the lobby with bike boxes, complaining at the £5 pint prices were probably not their usual clientele. I hadn’t packed a towel for the trip so thought it only polite to permanently borrow one. Having not seen the larger sized towels I went for a medium hand towel, which left me with a fetching gap to flash a bit of leg or other body parts.

An uncomfortable sleep was interrupted by the early morning alarm signalling 15 minutes until the bus to the airport would arrive. Naturally we stayed in bed for a further 10 minutes and got to the bus stop as the bus pulled up. Once at the airport we checked in and boarded. The longest flight I’d been on previously was just over two hours, which was far too long to be confined to a plane seat with bmxers that arguably suffer from mild ADD. This flight was four hours. We amused ourselves by watching the same three youtube videos repeatedly and played ‘the boner game’, in which any word would become funny when the word boner was added after it. The game had started from a Props Austin housecheck video where the guy confesses to getting ‘anger boners’. This 5 year-old humour would keep us occupied for the rest of the trip. Humour boner.

After forever we landed, paid our £10 to get a visa and a passport stamp, claimed our bikes and got a bus to Taksim. The land was never flat, always rising and falling. We drove through hills with populated areas changing from very shanty looking to slightly less shanty looking and more densely packed. We crossed from Asia back into Europe via bridge. I don’t know what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it. If someone had told me I was looking at large sporadic settlements in China, I would’ve believed them.

The bus let us off in Taksim having done some hill climbs that really shouldn’t have been possible for a vehicle that size. From Taksim we had to make our way to SultanAhmet, which was a 2km hike with our luggage. One of the first things you noticed was the sheer number of stray cats, I’m pretty sure they outnumbered the people there even though Istanbul has one of the highest populations of cities. Once again I was left trailing behind looking longingly at Ze and Perry’s bike bags with wheels. Just put one foot in front of the other and keep telling yourself that the box tormenting your shoulders and arms cost you nothing.

The hostel was paid for in Euros and we made ourselves at home in the room we were given, there were 6 beds, leaving one bed potentially free for a traveller. It was just the five of us in the room for the whole time, which was probably for the best as I would’ve felt so sorry for an unfortunate traveller’s lungs had they been put with us. On one particular morning I swear Perry actually transcended the need for vocal speech and could answer any given question with a bowel movement. I blame the Turkish pepperoni, which is made from Turkey (the clue’s in the title) since pork isn’t allowed by religious law out there.

The next morning we found out what a typical Turkish breakfast consisted of: bread rolls, feta cheese, olives, cucumber and tomato. This was made better when we found out it included unlimited free coffee. After enough coffee to send an army of stray cats to kitty heaven we rolled out in search of spots.

We rode some step setups that we’d passed the night before. The steps were just after a main bridge so was constantly busy with foot traffic. Getting a run in between crowds of people was tough; they’d often stop right in the landing just out of curiosity. Two little street urchins took time out from selling junk to climb all over mine and Perry’s bike, trying to get a lift on the pegs. This was alright until one of them hurt their knee and started shouting and crying pointing at me. We had no idea what he was saying but was causing a lot of people to stop and stare so we packed up and left before things got sketchy and expensive. Shady street rat.

The sky was overcast and threatening rain so Robin quickly fired out a gap over a dumpster and Ze tweaked his ankle trying to spin a decent set of steps that had a tight, car-dodging run up. Perry found a gap to flat rail and got that done just as the clouds started to spit. We took cover in one of the many outdoor kebab cafes. As soon as you’d sit down a Turkish waiter would appear out of nowhere with a menu and a tray of Turkish tea, called Cha (ch-eye). Looking completely out of place, we’d always be given English translated menus. The translations were misleading at worst and hilarious at best. Upon seeing there was a burger called ‘Returns to Fatso’ we all ordered one (I think Robin got a vegetarian Fatso). My favourite was a meal we found in another café titled ‘Lamb Blown Up’. I’d have paid good money to watch them make that dish!

Having eaten we went looking for an indoor skatepark we had read about on the Internet. There was a lot of walking up hills in the rain with no real idea where the park was. As we were ready to give up Rob looked up a side street and saw the park’s name written on a sign. It was built in the rooms under a kebab shop, which excited Rob with the idea of being no more than 10 metres from ramps and decent Turkish kebabs. Shame it was closed…

The rooms the park was in weren’t huge and had quite low ceilings. But despite this the people that ran it had made use of the space very well getting a variety of ramps into every last square inch of the place. It was more skateboard-orientated but completely worth a session whilst it was wet outside. Rob was the first casualty of the low ceilings. He head butted a beam coming back in from a wall tap, taking him clean off the bike. A 6 year-old kid challenged me to an epic game of chess, which ended in him being victorious. He must have been from Mensa or something, when I was six I couldn’t even spell ‘chess’ let alone known which way the horse moved.

The second and third days saw better weather so we got to scout the city a bit more. We found a street plaza style spot with step sets, blocks and ledges. We had a good session there clocking some clips while dodging passed out, bloodshot-eyed dogs and more cats. A political rally was happening in the square behind us, which we could’ve ignored if it didn’t have a number of 4ft kickers in the centre. Robin and Ze got a few runs at them before we were kicked off. Not knowing the Turkish for “can we have one last go” coupled with the amount of police carrying large rifles helped make our decision to move on. This was the only time on the whole trip we were asked to leave a spot. Other times the police would come up to us interested in what we were doing, laughing when they found out we’d come from England to ride little bikes in their city. They still wouldn’t let us hold their guns though…

We found some decent setups around the city usually just stumbling across them whilst riding up and down Istanbul’s limitless hills. Rob got a big ledge manual at the university, earning himself a 2.1 for sticking it second go. We found an Aladdin look alike hiding between mosques so Perry got a hang five photo rolling past then went on to double peg a long ledge. Robin did his best to catch gangrene by crashing and dragging his knee through the dirtiest patch of the city, and later rode flat out into a 1,600 year-old aqueduct (missing the huge archway he was aiming for) after a gap off an amphitheatre.

Even though we only had three full days in Istanbul the five of us managed to find some good spots, experience a very different culture, eat a lot of animal and have an awesome time! Nothing on this trip went as we had planned, we didn’t end up where we thought we would, but I definitely didn’t want to leave.

An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered; an adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered. - GK Chesterton

What have you been doing since you finished I Love My Bicycle?
I’ve been relaxing and sort of brainstorming new video projects. I’ve started doing a lot more stand up comedy and comedy performances which has been really fun. I’m also working on a new music video for the band Japanther which I’m very excited about. There’s some BMX shots hidden in there. I’m really proud about the way it’s looking, I think folks are gonna be into it. It should hopefully be out in a month or so.

What did you learn while making this movie?
I definitely cut my teeth with this film. I learned a ton about the process. Because the film was basically a one man production until post I was juggling logging existing footage while booking new interviews, while getting in touch with bands and record label to confirm music. And of course being in touch with Steve Crandall on what photos and video I could get my hands on. So I guess in a nutshell just being in touch with everyone while still focusing on content was what I learned most about.

What were you favorite parts of the process?
Everything was awesome. I can only hope that the fun I had while making this film is typical every time you make a film, and if that’s not the case that’s my goal. I can’t pinpoint a favorite part really. I got to meet so many people in BMX and music that I respect and look up to. I also got to witness sights like the FBM Ghetto Big Air and the Nacho Jumping Contest both with Mat Hoffman. Insane. I’m still enjoying the process by having folks come up to me and say they liked the film, or other folks that want to set up screenings in their towns. I’ve been most amazed by the incredible minds and talent that came together to make the film possible.

Whats next?
I’d just like to keep the ball rolling. I met so many incredible people workin on ILMB. The more I meet people the more I’m finding out everybody’s connected. It was a good feeling to have so many people involved in a film, and some of them may not really know any of the others, but now they are all connected by this movie. So I’ve sort of been working on another documentary that works with this idea. Just idea’s and emails at this point. I also hope to continue and keep up my work with music videos. I’d really like to do everything in every direction. Who knows!

LM: What was the first BMX magazine you ever picked up?
MN: Probably Ride UK, late ’99 with Jason Aliano’s front garden on the cover. It was pretty sweet.

LM: Were you already pretty engrossed in BMX at that point, or were you just getting into it?
MN: I actually picked up that magazine at a King of Concrete event in Southsea. I was there with my parents, looking through the fence, saw people riding the vert ramp and was psyched, just went in, checked out the comp and got a copy of said mag.

LM: Did you already have a bike by then?
MN: Nah, nah, I was just, fuckin… saw BMX and was just like, “yeahhhh that was rad!” That was late August, and I think I got a bike for Christmas that year.

LM: A lot of kids our age, we got into magazines when there were still a bunch of ‘em running. I’m guessing magazines were a big reason why you got into BMX; is that something you’re trying to recreate now with Case?
MN: When I grew up, there was only magazines. I’d rather see everyday content on the internet, and decent articles in magazines. I used to look forward to reading somebodys interview or a scene report, rather than just reading it on a 15-inch computer screen.

LM: What’s the motivation to do print, during a time when print seems to be dying?
MN: I enjoyed working with Ride UK, taking photos and stuff, and I just wanted to do more and more. I don’t really like the internet, or looking at photos online. I’d rather see a nice big picture printed.

LM: Where do you feel Case fits into the current BMX media spectrum?
MN: I think the fact that it’s free, and every single kid can pick it up, it’s kind of like how the interent is free. You don’t have to spend $5 on a magazine, you can just go in a shop, pick it up & enjoy it.

LM: Has it been possible to make any money, or break even doing Case?
MN: Nearly impossible. Well, not impossible, but I’m still putting in a fair bit of money each issue myself. The 2nd issue doubled from the 1st one, the 3rd one has almost doubled from the 2nd. Hopefully the 4th will be even better. It’s still not…. it’s getting there. slow but steady progress. I’m happy.

LM: You’re on your annual trip to ride trails in the US; what got you started coming over here?
MN: Old videos & magazines of Posh & Push, Suffield and all the crazy spots; old FBM videos of Bakers Acres & “Welcome to Pittsburgh”. It just looked like a fun scene to be involved in.

LM: What was the first year you came over here?
MN: This is the 5th year, so summer 2006.

LM: How do trails here in the US compare to trails in the UK?
MN: Not dissimilar in the slightest. There are certain spots in England that are perfectly groomed, like they are here, and there are shady spots as well.Huts, BBQ’s, cookin’ out & all that sort of stuff, it’s pretty similar. Just a different atmosphere.

LM: Are UK trail builders as salty as US ones?
MN: Ha! They used to be, doesn’t seem so much anymore. Certainly a few years ago, there was that whole “no dig, no ride” thing. I’ve always been fairly welcomed at most spots and it’s cool. It seems pretty lighthearted now. That doesnt mean you can turn up and take the piss. If help is needed, help.

Cottle: Do you guys have flathead shovels in England?
MN: We have to order them(laughs). Just shitty, 4ft long… shitty shovels.

LM: Being a heavy trail rider, did you ever want Case to be more of a trail-orientated magazine, or do you feel like you’d be pigeon-holing yourself?
MN: I wouldn’t say I’m a ‘heavy’ trail rider first off. And i wouldn’t say it’s “pigeon-holed”, but that’s certainly where my first love of BMX resides, but I have as much respect for Tom White riding street & Garrett Reynolds winning park contests as I do J-Bone or Stauffer shredding the trails, and people like Mullville still doing it today, killing it. Even flatland is impressive; those King of Concrete events when I first started riding, flatland was one of the main disciplines and i loved it. I’d always go for both days, sit in the stands and watch all day. Vert, flatland, street; Effraim (Catlow) shredding the flatland & Jerry Galley shredding the vert ramp, stuff like that, it’s all cool. Trails is what I like to ride most, so I’m probably shooting more trails than anything else.

LM: How did you meet Mike Cottle?
MN: Ahh, sent him a message on MYspace, seeing if we could come hang out in Pittsburgh. That was about 5 years ago.

LM: Do you really trust this kid helping out on your magazine? I’ve seen him misspell his own name.
MN: He’s keen to support the cause, which is sweet. He’s as psyched as I am on the magazine, so it’s cool.

LM: Is Case going to have any other type of media presence? Are you going to incorporate videos or web stuff for any future Case projects?
MN: I’ve spoken with a few people about doing an exclusive web-edit for a full-on rider interview in the magazine, so when a magazine comes out, there’s a web-exclusive video to go with it. It’s not happened yet, but it’s certainly something that I want to do. I know, obviously, that the Internet is huge, so Case does need a decent-sized web presence. It doesn’t at the moment, but it’s soemthing that I’m working on. Just a lot to take on at one time.

LM: What are your thoughts on other magazines right now?
MN: Dig is sweet, and it always has been. I’ve always had a soft spot for its ‘close to home’ and arty feel. Not to mention that Ricky Adam is the best photographer out there. Ride UK, Ride US… every other issue, there’s a decent article. I don’t think it’s consistent, and I get bored looking at 30 pages of ads at the beginning, but I understand from making a magazine that they need to do that for revenue. I think that some issues are good, but on a whole… I don’t know, I still buy them every month, and I’m still interested to pick them up. I struggle to do a magazine every three months so god knows how they chuck them out month after month. Props to Banners and Chris at Ride UK. They’re working their asses off and it’s awesome what they’re doing.

LM: Have you had any sort of editorial pressure from any of your sponsors to change content, or focus on a specific rider/spot/etc?
MN: Nothing at all, no. I’ve said to potential advertisers that we could feature their riders, but I’m as interested in their riding as I am the company advertising. It’s not gotten to that stage, and I don’t think it ever will. I’ve been on a couple of trips with companies, and that’s been fun. They’ve been psyched to see the magazine, and I’ve been psyched to go on the trip, so it’s all good.

LM: Have you ever used the line “I run a magazine” to help get you laid?
MN: Nope! I don’t talk to girls as it is, so…(laughs). I’m probably too modest.

Cottle: How many girls did you have sex with in one week in Pittsburgh last year?
MN: Ha, umm… 4 chicks in 3 1/2 weeks, which i think is pretty good..?

Cottle: And did your mates from England have any sort of sexual run-in with them before you?
LM: Probably not, but probably (laughs). Stirring the porridge, stirring the porridge.

LM: What would be your dream interview or road trip for the magazine?
MN: East Coast trails trips are up there. I’d like to do something with Ben Lewis; that dude is amazing on a bike. Still trying to do the whole “legend on the cover” of each issue. Would love to do something with Bestwick riding vert at some point. I’d like to get a decent portrait of somebody for a cover at some point, like when Dig had that one cover of Bestwick that was just him holding the vert ramp made from light trails. That was awesome. All stuff that’s in the pipeline.

LM: What’s been the biggest general ball-up in starting the magazine?
MN: Not keeping everyone happy; you cant please everybody all the time. Some contributors getting pissed off that their articles didn’t make the cut, but that’s just something that happens. You can’t do much about it. Sorry to those few.

LM: In doing my research, I noticed you used to rock a platinum kizzy wig. You get over to the states now, and you’re rocking the creeper moustache. What’s next, a bowl cut?
MN: I had a bowl cut a couple of years ago, which was fun for a while. I’m a little bit of a sucker for trends; not too badly. More of it’s just… like, the whole blond hair thing, I don’t know where that came from; just a change after 24 years. The moustache is pretty popular at the moment, thought I’d try to rock it for a bit(laughs).

You never know when you’ll end up in battle with radical Rick!

…or run out of hooks for your sporting gear.

There’s also the drunk chicks, Tabletops and Rob Tibbs Scenario

Where’s weird hand?

need help- can’t turn page…

Paint a picture of a pug!

Have you ever needed a hand with a Rick Allen moped ramp carve?

Sport hands have many uses!

So early January, we left Virginia Beach, Va., with no real plan, no route, just headed south, and what was to be a simple bike ride turned into a 3 month long adventure, overing over 1600 miles. Some days we rode over 100 miles, others we only rode 20, if we even rode at all. No pressure, plans, (freebird style) , and oh yea, No money!

Dylan And I had never traveled on bicycles like this before, but we did have plenty of experience flying by the seat of our pants, so we managed to get by. We never asked for anything, and stole what we needed ( not from people) from Wal-Mart, and an occasional 12er from an Exxon. Most of what we needed we found dumpster diving. Did you know Winn-Dixie cuts wholes in their expired food and pours bleach all over it? Fuckers! Anyway we rode for about a month, sleeping where we could, mostly just trying to stay dry and warm. We eventually ended up in Port Salerno Florida, and found an abandoned trailer, setting up shop with dollar signs in our eyes. We started doing day labor, which consisted of anything from digging ditches, to shoveling shit at the water reclamation plant. we eventually ended up getting a job at the fish market, packing fish in ice, weighing them, and shipping hem all over the east coast. Dylan was even working nights on a fishing boat, fighting off tiger sharks, for 200 bucks per evening!

Fifteen dollar thrift store bicycle, homemade wooden rack, over 1500 miles

We hooked up with fellow travelers on the road, all out there for their own reasons, this dude rode all the way from Wisconsin because there was a band playing in Florida that he liked. Banyon trees are amazing, and make good camp spots as well.

Homemade wooden rack and some bungee cord, floating rack and basket, and tour rack and pannier, all made at the same place.

Dylan’s shoes, the whole trip.

Blazing temperatures in Florida, who wouldn’t want to make some extra cash shoveling ice?

What does this mean to you?

Scavenging for free coconuts-We slept in this barn one night during a gnarly storm, it was super sketchy, and we slept with our helmets on in fear it would collapse.

Inside our trailer- Mattress, shelter, baskets of dumpstered food, dialed!

Dylan and his T-rex helmet, we wore helmets every second we rode bikes.

Hotels were few and far between, but when we did get one it felt like the Taj Mahal. We got so used to sleeping on the ground, it was almost uncomfortable to fall asleep in a bed.

When you ride to the southern most point of the United States, this is your reward.

Fake tourists?

We celebrated when we finally made it to the Keys.

Closing time at Dunkin Donuts- ” Hey, whatcha gonna do with all those leftover donuts?” – Paddle, plus a sheet and a canoe = sailboat to Cuba

Southern florida has produce stands like Va. Beach has 7-11s, this meal was 85 cents.

Pelicans loved the fish market, it was pretty sad though when the fishermen would feed them fish that were too big, getting stuck in their gullet, causing them to die. Don’t feed the pelicans.

Abandoned trailer trailer with a fallen tree on it, home for a month.

Full of duct tape and bank cards, this tire made it over 700 miles.

Once our wallets were too fat to fit in our back pockets, we hit the road again, with full bellies, and some new gear. With no end in sight, we said fuck it, lets go all the way, and Key West was the destination. We ended up in the Keys in the middle of spring break, which wasn’t the best of timing. After a few blurry nights, and hazy days, we headed northwest through the everglades towards Naples.

Never in my life had I seen so many alligators! once we made it to Naples, we rested for a few days and decided to call it quits. We had ridden further that we had ever imagined, and experienced things we had only dreamed about. We were lucky enough to catch a ride back to Va. Beach, to a welcome home party thrown by our friends and family, it was a great way to end an adventure!

Story and Photos by Jason Anderson

Festival Clean up = ground scores, we walked away with anything from campstoves, to bags of weed, and 100 dollars a day to clean up
cigarette butts…

Tom Blyth – Ithaca Ny, summer 2010

Crucifix Shifter

Evan V. Fun Police.

The High Life

KB and Tom B.

Kenny Bodyhearme?

Ithaca is Gorges

Tom Blyth- Newark Valley

Joel Barnett- Newark Valley

Jaun Footer

Kelly Baker Eyes

Evan Venditti on a 1970′s Yamaha Moto Bike

Photos courtesy of Keith Treanor, Jared Souney and others

I met Mike in Hawaii in 1990 and he’s been a good friend ever since. From working for S&M and Hoffman to judging the world’s biggest contests to becoming an accomplished tattoo artist Mike brings the aloha spirit to everything he does. Now a dad and a business owner, Mike got plenty on his plate but he’s never too busy to hang out with his friends when he’s in town. I love the dude and I’m lookin’ forward to being friends for another 20 years! Mahalo! - Chris Moeller

Brah , no could find the pic cha of bigs but I get 1 good story cuz das wat we hawaiins do , no joke………… so I stay cruzing hawaii wen I was 16, fo see my ohana fo da first time ya? and I stay riding already flatland fo tree years and I know of 1 bike shop in Hawaii das da’ kine BIKEFACTORY. My fada when cruz me to da’kine and hooo was mean! Das wenI tink I hear of 1 bugga dat was 1 freestyle guy MIKE, later to become BIG ISLAND. I neva meet him on da islands, but yet maybe 1991 on da main land @ CHRIS MOELLER & JOHN POVAH’S house. I tink maybe wen he was young he small kine same for being hawaiin, because he neva wear slippa’s,………… eva. He always stay hard core bike guy, he like wear shoes , socks, all black in summer time @ da beach??? afta buss’n for years on his bike and riding fo S&M BIKES, HOFFAMAN BIKES, now he has been working wit dat bugga MAT HOFFMAN wit da high maka maka job X-GAMES judge, BIG time tattoo artist wit plenty tattoos all ova his body, he still goes BIKEFACTORY and is respected by all da riders, especially da mokes on da island because he neva scared fo leave da ohana like most lazy Hawaiians………………………. And I even notice he wear slippas now @ da beach , even when he not @ da beach, tanks BIGS for always being Hawaiian warrior and making people on da island proud, even KING KAMEHAMEHA stay proud!!!!!! SHOOTS BRAH!!!!! - Sean McKinney

Back in the day, BMX was a lot smaller and you could count on seeing the same dedicated crew at every single Bicycle Stunt Contest. And you could also count on seeing Big Island 180 off the deck of the box jump to flat, wearing the same camo shorts, at every comp. I have no idea why this is my earliest memory of Bigs, but it stands out like it was yesterday. Since those days in the early 90s I’ve been on countless trips with him, and they’ve all been a blast. He may be covered with tattoos and possibly cause old ladies to clutch their purses and cross the street, but he’s still the nicest tough-looking guy you’ll ever meet. - Mark Losey

Name:
Michael Castillo aka Big Island

Age:
38

Born:
Feb. 19, 1972

When did you start riding BMX?
I started riding in 1985, racing BMX, doing tricks at the basketball courts and riding all over Hawaii. My parents let me build a little track in the backyard and we rode the ditch right behind my house. We built sketchy ass ramps that we got the plans out of BMX Plus!

You have done many different things behind the scenes of BMX (photographer, designer, company owner, shop owner, nomad) Would you care to describe some of these occupations?
I was a photographer all throughout high school and took a semester in college. I shot a lot of skateboarding growing up in Hawaii. Mark Losey and Adam Booth helped me out a lot with learning how to shoot stuff and getting my photos in BMX Plus or Ride. I did bike graphics for a couple different companies. One year at Interbike S&M Bikes, Hoffman Bikes, and Rick Thorne’s Free Agent line all had graphics I did for them. My main job was for Mat at Hoffman Bikes. He was cool about me doing side jobs cause he knew they were my friends. I rode for S&M at that time too. I worked for Mat for about nine years out in Oklahoma. Then, moved back to Hawaii in 2002. I owned a bike, skate, coffee shop called the Big House with my friend Kala. We had the Terrible One crew, the Samurai crew, and a few other riders come out for BBQs and demos. I’ve also been judging BMX contest all over the place. I started off with the old B.S. Comps back in 1992, I’d fly over from Hawaii, I was always broke, so Mat would let me help judge or sell shirts to help pay my entry fees. I’m still judging X-Games and some Dew Tours. I’ve been lucky enough, depending on how you look at it, to help judge all 15 and this years X-Games.

You have been a judge for some of the biggest BMX events and traveled the world for many of the events. What have some of the events been like and what is your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
Judging is the hardest thing ever. I get to see all sides of riding, and competitions are the most stressful and organized. I ride with my friends and just have a great time, whether I’m doing something new or the same old manual or grind line. That’s why I love riding so much. Then, you have the pros, doing shows or contests. Training is what I’ve heard a few call it and then having to ride when you don’t want to. And on top of all that, you got a group of guys judging your every move. I guess that’s why they are pros. But for the most part everyone I meet on the different levels of riding, and different scenes, have the same love for riding, just different outlets. But, yes I love judging cause it’s the best seats in the house, you get to witness the best riding, and you get to cheer for your friends.

You lived at the POW house? For how long? How did that affect your life?
I lived in the house for about a year and a half. I experienced more then, than any other period in my life time. The things that happened there, things I’ve done and seen, amazing stories, scary stories, just great life experiences. It was growing up and living, riding at that time was a big bonus. The friends I made at the house are very close to me, even if we only see each other once every few years, it’s always great to see everyone and hang out. Chris Moeller wrote a great story about the P.O.W. House for Dirt magazine back in the day. Find it if you can.

What gets you stoked?
Seeing my daughter, Izabella. Riding with good friends, pulling stuff, and not getting too hurt. Seeing, doing, getting great tattoos. Food in Hawaii. I’m easily amused.

What has BMX taught you?
It definitely toughens you up all around, your mind, body and soul. You learn how to take a good slam and get back up, if you can, and go at it again. Traveling the world riding, experiencing so much, let’s you know how little you really know about anything.

You’ve done some serious partying over the years. I’m sure there are many stories, what is one memorable time you care to tell about?
I’m just going to say don’t go to Amsterdam after partying at the X-Games one week, Backyard Jam the next week, drink absolutely nothing but beer and alcohol and eat only McDonalds for a week straight, then get the ferry from England and drive two vans through Europe to Amsterdam for the Worlds, smoke a bunch of weed and do mushrooms, carry your friend with a broken foot on your back around town, sleep in the van if you make it there or just sleep in some bushes… cause it makes you feel like you are really going to die.

These days you own a tattoo shop. How did you get into tattooing and end up owning your own shop?
Once I started getting tattooed, the more got, the more I wanted to know about it. I was lucky enough to fall into a great crowd that helped me out. I apprenticed under Mark Mahoney in Hollywood at the Shamrock Social Club and at South Pacific Tattoo Co. in Waikiki with Wondo. I ended up buying the shop from Wondo last year and we changed the name to Hale Nui tattoos, which means Big House in Hawaiian. The whole aspect of tattooing and its history is just fascinating.

Is there anyone you would like to thank? Shout outs?
Shouts and Mahalos to God and all the Heavens above, my daughter, Izabella and my baby’s mamma for taking care of her, my family for the support, Keith Treanor for always looking out for me, Chris Moeller and the S.M.O.G., Mat Hoffman and the whole HB crew, Rick Thorne, Page Hussey, Da Bikefactory Boys, Mark Mahoney and the Shamrock Social Club, Wondo and da Hale Nui crew, The P.O.W. BMX, McKinney and Revenge Industries, Bad Boy Badders at Vans, John Povah at Etnies, Leigh Ramsdell, Mark Losey, Sheps, Roni, Parrick, Stephen Murray and Stay Strong, anyone who has bought me a beer, and all those who inspire. Always remembered… Mark Udell, Richard “Boyle” Ball, Colin Winklemann, Anthony Maglalang, Smilin’ Paul, Kenny Brimer.