Yes, the rumors are true, I used to have skills on a dirt bike. Believe it or not, I've rode many contests (never really having a "break-out performance"), traveled to far away lands such as Japan, Australia, Chile and most of Europe to ride, and even rode in the 2001 Winter X Games. The '01 Winter X Games were actually where Moto X made its initial debut in the snow and so to be a part of that was definitely a cool experience.
There's no doubt that I got the shaft, but hey, it's FMX and that's how it goes sometimes. Don't believe me? Just ask Bilko... he'll tell you. Per Cameron Steele's advice, I threw a "Kiss of Death" in my first run — way before Mad Mike Jones. Then wouldn't you know it, Jonesy threw down a KOD as well. Mine may not have been as big as his, but for me to get seventh place and him receive the gold was just absurd. But hey, like I said, whatever — it's a judged sport and that's how it goes. I'm over it by this point...
After my X Games appearance, I didn't have much to show for it besides a few clippings from magazines like Racer X and Transworld MX, but since becoming a part of the ESPN team, I've been able to attain access to some really cool archived material. While ESPN Films was in the process of putting together Moto X: Evolution of the Trick, the producers came across some footage of me from the Winter Games and luckily ESPN marketing guru Michael Orenstein set aside the footage for me, burning a few DVD's for my personal use. Since I know a few of you kids that visit ESPN FMX on the regular are new jacks, I figured it would be cool to show you how I used to get down. Plus it can't hurt with my female game, right?
Nowadays, no matter where I go, riders and industry cats constantly ask me when the last time I rode was. Since it's been longer than I can remember, I've decided to give it another go so I can finally have an answer for everybody. This September I'll be heading to the Red Bull Compound in Southern California for a week of riding so I can relive the glory days of getting sick on the ramps. If you're looking for a good laugh, I highly suggest you stay tuned for the piece we plan to produce from that adventure... things should get interesting.
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Contributors
Ryan Leyba
Leyba is a bitter, retired FMX rider that likes to sit in his cubicle and call the professionals of the sport wussies for not pulling 360s and double backflips. He claims he quit riding FMX before flips were even invented... yeah, right.
Cliff Talley
Making FMX videos exciting is easy. Making them look good is not. Cliff Talley does both of these well and still manages to find enough time to piss off his neighbors with his Travis Barker-esque drum skills.
Chris Tedesco
You've seen his photos on the covers of Transworld, Racer X and more. You've also seen his tequila shooting skills at your local dive bar. Ladies, Chris is single and looking to mingle.
Grant "Goba" O'brien
FMX in Australia wouldn't exist if it weren't for Goba. Well, maybe it would, but it wouldn't be nearly as cool. I don't know why, but we can't quit calling him gobalobadingdong — it just rolls off the tongue.
Tes Sewell
Tes is the dude that's always involved in everything that's going on in FMX. How he does it, we don't know, but that's the reason we hired him to share his plethora of FMX wisdom in the form of a monthly column.
