Crappy Tape Deck: March 2009

Here's an interview I did with Joe Rich for the now defunct Canadian BMX scene website FYSbmx.net. It's from almost a year ago, i like it so im posting it on my own blog...

1. with Taj leaving T-1 and you traveling as much as you do how have you found a way to maintain a progressive direction with T-1? like finding the time to put a new stem into development, considering that everything that T-1 creates is usually breaking new ground.

- Well, to be honest, I've had to limit my traveling quite a bit since then. Especially over the past year. I've been feeling the weight of "running in place" a bit. By this, I mean that with all that I have to keep up with in order to keep it all going at T1, I find it hard to pull up the inspiration for new concepts at times. Whether it be for an ad, for the website for for products. Its tough. For me, I rely on friends that are involved for much of their help. When I didn't have as much responsibility to worry about, I found that my brain was much more free and open for ideas for formulate. I was out and about more, so I was taking in more from that which was going on around me. It is much tougher for me now. Especially since we have had so much good stuff come out in our past. And that was when there were 5 people here at T1. The new stem idea is all John Povah's doing. I had actually spoke to John about some of his ideas. I told him that I would be stoked to make some of them a reality. It would help him out because I could pay him for his efforts, and it would help us out because it would be having some much needed new products. So that one is going nicely. Right now, I just want T1 to be something that gives a good feeling to people . . . including myself. We will do things as we see fit for us, even if that puts us on a different pace than everyone else that's doing a company. i see a lot of new stuff coming out that is just "different", but not necessarily better. I want to make sure what we are doing is a step forward for us.

2. you always seem to be putting thought into things and looking for good experiances so what was the best trip/experiance you went on this past year?

- Thank you for that ! I'm glad that you are getting that feeling from things I have been involved with. To me, the experience is the best part. Its something that I will always keep with me throughout my entire life. And sometimes those experiences can help me during other times that aren't so great. I always feel that I learn when I travel. I learn something more about myself . . and something more about the rest of the world. It feels good. Even when I learn the harsh lessons from it. That's life. Its not always roses. But I just try to take the tough times and learn from them. And that will bring me one step closer to the day I get to smell the roses again. . . Last year, I'd have to say my favorite trip was the "going to" and " coming from " part of Interbike last year. I had 2 friends from Spain along for the ride, as well as my good friend Logan Balbirona who has lived in Austin for the past year. Its fun to share the good sights and fun places I've learned from taking that trip time and time again. Its like watching kids in a candy store. Its pretty awesome.

3. BMX seems to be filled with haters and shit talk these days but i rarely hear any about you or T-1, how do you think youve managed to gain so much respect for you and your company in the BMX community? and do you have any advice on keeping your head above the heated BMX waters?

- I'm not really sure. I guess if anything, I just go about my ways. I try not to waste too much of my time with worrying what everyone else is up to. And regardless if I'm paying attention or not, I try to remember that everyone is entitled to do what they want to do. Of course I don't agree with it all, but at the same time, I don't have to. I figure that people do what they feel is best for them. There are so many variables that can go into a decision. And there is no way that I could ever understand all of what that could be just by reading a post on a message board. We only get total control of one thing in this world, and that would be our own actions. That's why I do things the way I choose, and so forth on the other side of the coin. Simple as that.

4. speaking of politics who would you want to see win the nearing election... my votes for crandall, even though hes not running.

- Oh hell yeah ! That would mean that there would be a national holiday for drinking coffee . . . that alone would make the world a better place.

5. what else can we expect from T-1 and the rest of the T-1 family in 09?

- Well we'll have to see. I've never been that good at planning too far ahead. But we have a few things on the horizon. Obviously the new stem, some new frame changes. Some frame additions. The bars and pegs have been revamped a bit. We have an entire new softgoods line coming out. I want to do another zine and a new website as well. Oh yeah, I'm going to start on a new video too. And once again, it won't be following the norm as far as format goes.

6. still rocking the fist rule on you seat post?

- I never heard of that one before, but I think I could get my fist in there. And my knees are happier for it !