Interview: KINGS RIDESHOP - USA

Can you explain how the idea for your store came to be?

I was working at a local shop when the owner had told me he was going to shut the place down. He wasn’t into any aspects of cycling and just liked retail. After talking to somebody who could afford to buy it, we went in together as partners. I knew I wanted to focus on BMX but it took a few years to get to that point and I had to buy him out. That’s when I decided to move to the area the shop is in now; more people with disposable income, still close to the area where I grew up, and far enough away from LA and Orange County to not be in direct competition with a huge chunk of the BMX industry.

The scene barely existed here at the time so it was an uphill battle. I would go to skateparks to find any kid on a bike and then give them stickers, and ask them to come check the shop out. I had riders from the original shop location come and support, and still do.

Can you tell us a bit about your personal history within BMX?

I started riding and understanding what BMX was around 1992, when I was about 10. My Dad had got into mountain bikes at the time. I would ride mountain bikes with my Dad and brother, then ride my mountain bike to parks or trails with my friends, and we’d trade bikes for a bit. As I got older I liked BMX - it was definitely a cooler vibe. It seems like a lot of BMX guys have been finding mountain biking later in life, but I went the other way a bit. I’ve mostly ridden BMX since I was 20, so for the last 19 years. I still ride a few days a week, usually with my kids, but I’ll cruise with a crew when I get the chance. We have a mini in the warehouse space of the shop I like to ride when the space isn’t full of boxes.

Are you primarily a BMX shop?

KR is a BMX only shop - about as core as it gets. We’re super particular about brands we carry and what we sell.

Who's on your team for Vans ‘The Circle’?

We have a range of guys and everyone is so cool in their own way. In no particular order:

Steven Mack - Old enough to know better. On a Cult Walsh 20.75” with Profile Racing hubs/cranks. He is a tough M*F*ER but I’d never tell him that. He loves working on trucks so he always drives a Ford. Jokes aside, Steven rips anywhere, take him to a park, spot, trails and he will blow your mind. Best all-round rider I’ve ever seen. Steven has supported the shop since 2004. He’s gone in for so many projects and asks for nothing - I have to twist his arm to take a hat without paying, the realest dude. I’m grateful for his friendship.

Israel Green - You hear that? That’s the rumble of his STI blacked out pulling up, he isn’t in a rush, time is his own. Israel doesn’t show up to do anything but him. He doesn’t stress, he’s all about the vibe - if it’s hitting he is on. Israel would come by the shop everyday over summer and lend a helping hand with anything and everything he could. He’s a real friend like that.

Ty Crockett - Volume Voyager with some Animal - It’s 120 degrees out and Ty has a beanie on - that’s his commitment to style; on or off the bike. Ty drives hours to meet up and grab a tee or part, have a session and then drive hours back, no matter the weather or what’s going on. He always has a smile or a joke to share. He's here for a good time. He’s always the first to have the flat rail out in the parking lot motivating the crew.

Dan Kruk- We The People Signature Network - Holy Fuck… I’m not just talking about his bars - this dude is a murderer. I met Dan when we had the WTP team out for a meet and greet, he doesn’t live too far away, and we just kept in contact. Reps the KR always. Pillar of the street scene in California and everywhere really. Next level riding and the nicest guy.

Derek Ludolph: Cult Dak - I’ve never heard anyone defend riding a Vespa as much as Derek, he has to be a little Italian. I’d never seen anyone buy pumpkin seeds as a snack at 7-11 until I met Derek, but maybe there is a method to his madness. He kills it on his bike - you can see pure determination in his face staring down a rail. He just messaged as I was writing this asking if I knew of any roof drops… This is the kind of madness he brings to the crew! Every crew needs a Big Luda.

Will Czerwinski: Cult Shorty with some Merritt goods - This guy has some big F’N pants to fill… likes ‘em baggy AF. Will’s riding is creative and pure passion. Will got his first bike from the shop and I remember thinking this wasn’t going to be a rider that stayed in it very long. Here we are so many years later and I could not be happier that I was wrong. Will’s riding either leaves you confused and unsure, or opens your mind. I prefer the latter. Something about watching a move that would never find its way into your mind unfold in front of you to remind you this is BMX. Thanks for the reminder Will.

Who have you chosen to film the edit?

I chose Patrick Martinez as this is a local thing and I believe in Patrick’s amazing talent. It was easy. Patrick is a local rider and I first met him in 2006. He has a long list of film and photography that he has accomplished outside of BMX, but what I am more interested in is capturing how the guys and the shop really are. We aren’t trying to be the gnarliest, instead just enjoying the ride wherever it takes us, and Patrick knows and understands that. Patrick has done work for the shop since I met him. Patrick has the ability and attitude to forge goodness from next to nothing. (WATCH: Kings Rideshop Coachella Valley)

Has filming went well so far?

Filming has had the usual difficulties - schedules lining up, security… Dan is coming back after an injury so should squeeze a couple sessions in. We live in the desert and it’s summer. The heat is brutal - even at night the thermometer doesn’t dip below triple digits ‘til after 11pm. All the guys have regular jobs, and some have a wife and kids, which is a priority. We set out to make a video that shows what it’s like to be that rider and to have other responsibilities, but to still make the time to meet up and ride. We’re here for a good time.

How's your local BMX scene looking these days?

Our scene is pretty stable, like 3 groups: 1) New riders 2) Old riders who are always riding; the constant. 3) Riders getting back into riding. With the pandemic, and bike sales going crazy we have a lot of new riders. We have been doing some outreach in the community and the local government has put on bike events which we have supported. We’re hoping to retain a lot of these new riders over the coming years.

How does it compare to when you first opened your store?

It’s polarizing. I remember 2004 being the year the Black Bike frame dropped and ordering one. I put it up on the wall and it sat for a bit until a US Marine walked in, knew what it was, and scooped it up. It was the only “freestyle” frame I sold that year, from May-December. I sold some race frames but I wanted to sell T1, Primo, S&M, Fit, Little Devil, SQ1, Vans, Animal, etc. because that was what myself and my friend, Roger, were into.

Fast forward to 2021 and the shop has done 6 collaborative frame efforts with Cult - we usually start with 24 pieces and we always sell out. That’s just collab frames. We aren’t the biggest, or even close, but it is something I would never have imagined. Thanks to Robbie for the endless opportunities.

Have you seen an increase in female riders and more diversity in general over recent years?

I think everywhere has seen it, it’s not just meeting up with the ‘guys’ anymore. It’s awesome! My daughter Kennedy is six years old and she loves to ride, and to have the guys at the park cheer her on. My wife and I started riding together around 10 years ago and she is always down to ride. Angie Marino selected KR for Vans ‘Foot the Bill’ last year and we are so grateful to her. I had never thought about it, but riding a bike, especially BMX, is a simple pleasure - no gears, nothing you need to set up or adjust… You just go. It's for everyone. We live in a diverse world but the joy of riding is common to each person and I hope it continues to grow.

How important is a good BMX shop in supporting a local scene?

The shop offers opportunities to meet friends or other riders; your favorite rider; a place to share ideas, or be involved in the community; to be part of local or international video projects; to become part of a brand; to find help with your bike or questions about your life. We keep the blood pumping and the wheels turning. We are riders' greatest cheerleaders and the ultimate support in what we all do.

Do you think BMX has been more popular lately?

BMX has grown over the last year especially with the lockdowns. I think it grows best with core brands guiding it. I think having brands that understand real riders at the helm, and how to translate that to the masses is important. BMX needs a lot more to really grow at a greater rate but that’s a whole other topic. Hopefully, sales stay up and steady, and that translates to more growth in the future.

And finally, what's the strangest thing you've ever seen happen out the front of the store?

After 17 years this could be a laundry list of insanity… This would be better with a video of multiple stories I think!

A short, but funny one: one morning just after opening I’m inside the shop working with my wife, and a few younger riders who had just showed up. We all hear a horn honking like crazy outside and look up out of the huge front windows to see a girl flashing everyone in the shop for a few seconds, and then the car she is in speeds off. We were all quiet and kinda confused for the first few seconds and a kid broke the silence with, “oh man! Were those her boobs!?”

No idea who the girl or driver was to this day.