The BMX In Our Blood

Always psyched on the people I'm fortunate enough to interview and Rob Dolecki is no exception. Long time BMXer and photographer for multiple print and digital publications, Rob talks about his history as well as the changes in riding and media over the years. Please support his personal efforts with the Maintain Series found at www.doleckivisuals.bigcartel.com and the latest issue of Life After Print - 99.8 Shots Fired, Dig BMX's latest hard copy photo journal at www.digbmx.com As always, thank you for listening! It's all for you and the historical preservation of our great hobby. Have a happy and safe New Year!

Scotty Cranmer. Hard to say enough in this show description. Scotty has become a good friend and delivered the most heartfelt words in this interview. Complete open book. He is one of a kind and you will hear why in this interview. If you love inspiration and BMX heroes, this is the podcast for you. My only hope is that this interview reaches the masses for one reason, to motivate and inspire. I produce this podcast purely for the passion of the sport of BMX and the gratification that get from making a difference in someone's life. Scotty will help this goal along with this one! Please support his sponsors that support him and his amazing message as well as the Scotty Cranmer YouTube Channel. Also, please consider Scotty merchandise at www.scottycranmerbmx.com Thank you for listening and thank you for all of your feedback! RIP Incline Club and thank you for the memories! Recording on location at The Incline Club in Lakewood, NJ on 12/8/2017 www.snafubmx.com www.hyperbicycles.com www.vans.com www.foxracing.com www.inclineclub.net www.scottycranmerbmx.com

Episode 13 of The BMX In Our Blood is all about the big sister, Susie Levan. There is definitely talk of Jimmy but we'll leave the big story about him up to the Chris Rye (Props) documentary coming out next year. Go Fast Pull Up. Don't miss that, in that there are many more interviews with the Levan family. Go Fast Pull Up is going to be amazing. Anyhow, Susie has her own story about her BMX career that includes National and World titles as well as just completing her 34th year of racing. She also has a few stories about being the host and the guest of quite a few crazy BMX weekends with so many BMX icons. You can find Susie at USABMX Nationals or at her local track, Central Jersey BMX in Howell, NJ. Thank you Susie!

For Episode 12 I ventured down to New Jersey and met up with Mark Zalewski of TNT Bicycles at the annual Ironman BMX race in Howell, NJ at Central Jersey BMX, Mark's home track. Never put two guys together with unlimited time to talk about the old days of BMX if you want a short podcast! It was well worth the time. We talked about everything from manufacturing to whose idea it was to have Dave Clymer on the team! Mark also talks about the most influential team members of TNT. Many thanks to Mark for being such a great interview and so generous with his time. Support TNT Bicycles by ordering everything from custom wheel sets (only a 48 hour turn around so just in time for holiday gifts)to frames, forks and more. Mark can be reached through Facebook at TNT Bicycles or Instagram @tntbicycles As always, support those that support the sport! Special thanks to Les and Barbara Zalewski for putting is all out there to start TNT back in the 80's. True BMX parent heroes and proud parents of Mark, the 2nd generation of TNT.

Episode #11 was only natural with Keith Terra's major involvement with the iconic 7-11 trails on Long Island. In this interview I go back to the campfire chat format with a bunch of great trail guys along for the interview after the FiftyFoe Jam ended at the Flatlands Trails in Medford. Lots of great questions from the crowd and social media. Thanks for having us Jay! Be sure to listen back to past episodes for more great history. Also, please check out my Instagram account @gromdad2000 or at DDR BMX on Facebook for amazing photos that go with Keith's story. Search DIGBMX.com to see more of Keith Terra's riding and photography as well as on Instagram at @k_terra

Episode 10 is with the diggers behind the Flatlands Trails in Suffolk County, NY-Jay Emmerich and Brian Chliek. The interview took place at the Flatlands trails as they had a jam for FiftyFoe54 to help with his recover from a broken leg at Posh a bit over a month ago. Plenty of trails sounds happening in the background! I talked to Brian about the Splish Splash riding incident he was involved in and how far people will go for YouTube clips. When do YouTube profits outweigh legal costs. Right or wrong it is an interesting story of winners and losers of legal battles involving BMX trespassing.

Episode #9 should be #4, for Danny Bailey aka DB4. Danny was a long time BMXer from Long Island that has left an impression on so many over the years. Currently an amazing endurance athlete on the road bike, Danny discusses how important relationships have been to him over the years with great stories to convey that. You won't find a more passionate guy. Enjoy! By the way, thank you for all of the kind words in support of the podcast. Many more to come throughout the winter! Thank you BMX!

In episode #8 of The BMX in Our Blood I talk to modest Matt Dallas, a current World #4 title holder as well as top 3 nationally ranked rider going into the USABMX Grands this Thanksgiving weekend in Tulsa, OK. Matt has been an integral part of the growth of BMX at Bethel Supercross in Bethel, CT through running an amazing social media campaign to bring riders back each week, if not for their 1st time. In his spare time he has rung the Wall Street Bell and is one fast guy with loads of skill. He is also the parent of a little beast of rider so he has a very balanced approach that certainly comes out in this interview. Oh, and he has backyard trails so he has bonus points with me! Matt is sponsored by www.blotoutgraphics.com You can find Matt through the Bethel Supercross Facebook page (he is the administrator) or through Instagram @dallasmtb You can find more information on BMX racing at Bethel BMX through www.bethelbmx.com or through www.usabmx.com to locate your closest track option. Also, the upcoming National event that we discuss is at the Trumbull TRACK, 189 Whitney Ave, Trumbull, CT on June 22-24, 2018. The first national in New England in 7 years, I believe. Huge deal!

The Episode #7 recording was diverted from the John Superfly Skvarla Keyko birthday trail jam to his Super printing studio because of rain but only after an amazing, heavy session at the trails. The interview turned into an audience participation podcast that worked out really well. Didn't plan on it so turn up the volume to hear the audience questions, it's worth it. John Skvarla has been in BMX for over 30 years straight. Anyone that wants to hear a detailed account of the Long Island BMX scene should definitely listen. Any BMX fan should! Thank you John and friends for a great night of fun and conversation. As John says, I just want to ride this wave as long as I can. You can find John at @superbmx on Instagram This interview was recorded at the Super Printing Studio in Glen Cove, NY.

The story of the Roger Williams Pump Track is amazing and during the interview for this podcast you will hear why. Cara and Vic Bettencourt spearheaded the effort to accomplish one of the best public riding spots around for all levels. The facility is located within the Roger Williams Park that is also the home of the Roger Williams Zoo. Cara gives a detailed account of how the project happened and how generous the City of Providence is to cycling and BMX alike. Cara and Vic have big plans and the full support of the city, a huge plus for New England. So many volunteers have been involved in the project and are noted by Cara in the interview, a true community effort. Huge thanks to the Bettencourts and the Rhode Island community for making the track a reality. Recorded at the Cody Diggs trails during the FiftyFoe54 (IG handle) benefit jam. Additional pump track info found at: Pump Track at Roger Williams Park on Facebook

Since coming back into the sport it became evident very quickly that Circuit BMX in Pawtucket, RI was a shop that is deeply rooted in today's BMX community. Cara and Vic Bettencourt own the shop and have both ridden for years. What impressed me the most is their passion for holding BMX events and trips for the community throughout the year for riders of all levels. Just for the love of it, not for shop promotion. I am posting two podcasts today from interviews with them because they are connected in name but separate efforts (Roger Williams Pump Track). So enjoy and let Cara and Vic know how appreciated they are! Both interviews were recorded in the woods at the Cody Digg's benefit jam for FiftyFoe54. Circuit BMX contact info and location is: 29 Exchange St. Pawtucket, RI 401-305-3636 [email protected]

NORA Cup Trails Rider of the Year Cody Diggs talks about his riding, trail building, importance of helmets, how he stays stoked on BMX, FBM for the people, etc. (as well as a few questions from the fans). I love every interview but this one was a laugh a minute as we sat by Cody's trails campfire on the Friday night before the Circuit Pump Track Jam and the FiftyFoe54 benefit jam the following day at Cody's trails. Bonus background insight from James Nutter, Jake Straight, Seth Medeiros.... ;)Good times, all the reasons I find on site interviews so good! I think you will like this one if you like BMX. Reach Cody through @codydiggs on IG or through FBM Bikes. Anyone you would like to hear interviewed? Send me a message through @gromdad2000 or @ddrbmx on Instagram or email to [email protected]

Quick podcast to get to know me and my history with BMX until the next interviews are ready to go! Great interviews are being recorded in the next few days so hopefully this snapshot of me and why I do what I do from fundraising to riding to doing this podcast is interesting to you. As always, please send questions and subscribe. Thank you!

On the 2nd episode of The BMX In Our Blood I interview Jim Martinez, a long time BMX trail builder with an amazing skill to shape dirt into the best trails around. As access to BMX trails becomes more and more difficult Jim has teamed up with www.climbonline.org to create trails that will remain safe for years to come. Jim also talks about the upcoming Percy Raynor project in Setauket, NY and the amazing trails there that will become a reality next year. Please support climb online.org and visit the Cunningham trails accessible at the trailhead where Oceania St and 67th Ave meet in Queens. To volunteer find Jim on IG at @dirtymaestro Lastly, show up on October 29th at noon for a fun, laid back Halloween Jam!

Interview with Chelsea Fiets Godin, an aspiring professional freestyle BMX rider and first openly transgender BMXer. Chelsea gives a mesmerizing account of overcoming personal challenges and the hurdles she will face while eyeing a spot on the first Olympic BMX Freestyle team to compete in the 2020 Olympics.