Did you have a nickname when you were younger?ML: Hell no
What were some things you and your friends did for fun as a child?
ML: Playing a game called "bunz-up". All you need is a tennis ball and a big wall to play on. You need about 4 or more players. The game plays like this..... Throw the tennis ball against the wall. The players will catch the ball with one hand only. And if you miss the catch when you try to catch the ball, you need to run for the wall and touch it. Your friends are going to pick up the ball and try to hit you with it before you touch the wall. If you get hit with the ball before you touch the wall, you've got to take a penalty shot. The penalty shot.... You've got to stand facing to the wall. The player that hit you gets one free shot at you. No head shots. If penalty thrower hits you in the head. He's got to take a penalty shot. The game is nutz.
What was something you did that was really scary?
ML: Get my thumb stuck in an industrial bent sander.
When did you attend your first contest? Who did you look up to there?
ML: My first contest was in 1991 @ Power House bike shop in Yorktown Va. It was a 2B contest in the parking lot of the bike shop. Leigh Ramsdell was here, but I didn't know any pros back then. That comp was a turning point in my ridin' career.
What is your most prominent memory of Dave Mirra?
ML: All the ATV Offroad Fury battles we had back in the day. We played the hell out of that game. Epic battles, I did win about 60% of the games by the way. LOL!
What activities did you enjoy in school?
ML: I really hated school, but when I took welding in vo-tech I loved that. A 2 year program and it got me out of school a half day. Pumped.
What was your first occupation/job? Your starting salary?
ML: I was 14 and a bagger at a supermarket. I believe my salary was $5.25 an hour.
When did you get your first BMX bike? What brand was it? How long did it last?
ML: My first BMX style bike was a Team Muarry. I raced two races with that bike and about ripped the headtube off, and I was 10 years old.
Do you recall any night time street experiences?
ML: ESPN Bicycle Stunt Series in NYC. Both years 1997 and 1998. They had organized a street ride after the comps. Holy smokes! Too many stories and not enough time. All I got to say is 500 riders and NYC together.
What is the raddest thing you've ever seen?
ML: That's such a hard question, I've been ridin' for so long. BMX gets crazier every year. Example: yesterday Chris Hughes pulled a perfect double back flip at the NC State Fair show! It's a show! Not a contest..... a show. Plus, the box is mellow and only 5' tall with a 11' deck! It was CRAZY!?!
What are some of your favorite things to do now?
ML: Hangin' with the family, playin' World at War (soon the be Modern Warfare 2), and Metalcore music.
What do you like about your life today?
ML: My freedom..... welding and ridin', together pay the bills. I own a metal fabricate business. East Carolina Custom Metal (ECCM) and I make my own hours. Freedom is priceless.
Who is your favorite entertainer?
ML: Any metalcore band on the stage in front of me at the time.
If you could re-experience one thing in your life, what would it be?
ML: The first time I played my character in "Dave Mirra's Freestyle BMX" video game. That's just freakin' crazy..... Thank you Mirra!
