bio

Name: Michael Saavedra

Age: 24

Residence: Cali 

Profession: Slacker/Pro BMX

 
Years riding: 10

What/who inspires you to ride?: Any one who can make bike riding look like fun.

 
What does a perfect day consist of?: good food good trails and good friends. 

interview

There must be something in the water in Riverside that makes everyone pretty laid back. Larry Alvarado, Chris Gille, and Jared Eberwein are points in case, but even more so is Mike Saavedra. I've been talking to Mike for a couple years. But I really didn't get the full Saavedra until our trip out to Cali last year. That's when I realized that the dude was super chill, super loyal to his friends, and someone who seriously loves to ride his bike. From that point on, I knew he was someone I could count on for good times, good sessions, and someone who I'd become closer friends with; even though I had to wait for him to get his hair cut in Hollywood while we rode street. But it was free on his end, so I'll let him slide just this time. Here are some Q and A's with Saavedra. We leave for a Profile trip to the NE. in less than a month. We'll meet up with Conall Keenan, Mulville, Tony Cardona, and Vic Bettencourt and the Circuit guys. All trails, all New England. I'm looking forward to it. Enjoy.

1.Of the places you've traveled to, what was the one place that left the heaviest impression?

Amsterdam. That place is amazing. The people are real laid back and easy going. The whole city rides bikes. What more could you ask for. Have a smoke and go for a ride. . .

2.And you were born and raised in Riverside?

No I was born in Bellflower CA moved to Ontario CA when I was 7 where I lived until I was 18. Then I moved to Riverside.

3.With so many places to ride within an hour radius of Riverside, how often do you head out of town?

Well, there's so much stuff in Riverside that it makes it hard to go anywhere when we have almost everything you could want here. From UCR to your pick of four different trails spots. But I think Larry is getting his car soon, so that means we're going to be going to a lot more places.... Thanks Larry ;)




4.So what are your favorite spots in Riverside?

As far as park goes, Jaraupa is awesome... So many lines and lots of chill tech stuff at the same time. I just started to explore UCR. It has lots to offer on the street along with downtown Riverside.

5.What is UCR? It seems that many of the spots in your area have been over-shredded...do you find yourself riding the same spots or do you go explore?

Over-shredded is a good way to put it. UCR is the Univ of California Riverside. There's so much to ride at that school. If the weather is good then I'm at the trails, if the weather's been crap, then I'll try to explore to see what I can find in and around town, or just end up digging,

6.How much time do you spend at the trails digging as opposed to riding them?

I like to dig a bit before and after riding them. If the weather is bad, I'll just dig all day. Other days, just add water and enjoy. It's a lot of work to keep them in really good shape, but its well worth the time and labor. I just wish I could get people to water the trails before they ride them!!! Thank you :)

7.Your trails are more like an east coast set up based more on flow and style. What trails/who inspired you to build that way?

I hated the idea of going in nothing but a straight line and coming to a dead end. Who said that's what trails were? Maybe a set of dirt jumps, but trails have rhythm and flow, berms and trees and are steep and fast. Well at least that was my idea.



8.Tell me about the chain over the first jump? Does it do its job? Who has the key?

Two steel posts, four feet deep and over a half ton of cement. 12 foot of heat treated chain across the berm. All the locals have a key, because it's a combo lock. The chain isn't there because I want to keep everyone out and not let anyone ride. It's there to keep out people who never want to dig and just show up and ride. It also keeps out little grom kids that would just kill themselves. If anyone ever wants to ride, I'm not hard to get a hold of. Or just show up, help out and you're in.

9.And the irrigation system? Heard it saved the trails the other day?

The irrigation system is still a work in progress, but it still managed to save the trails. Near-by sprinklers were left running over night, creating a small river through the trails. Since this wasn't the first time the trails had flooded I was a little more prepared for it this time. By running 6 inch PVC pipe underneath the transitions, it allowed water flow through the irrigation versus flowing over the flat bottom. Saving me hours of rebuilding, and allowing us to still get a day's riding in.



10.The Riverside trails report in Props was captured over one day....tell us about the week build up to it. It was a lot of work, correct?

About five weeks before Props came out, we really started to put in some work. It was all stuff I had wanted to do but maybe just never got around to... It worked out really good because every one was super motivated to help. So after a few rider meetings we got to work ; )

11.Ne trails trip next week, you haven't been that far east right? What's your preconceived notions? Big, Fast, FUN ! I cant wait :)

12.Your bikes aesthetic is really important to you. Give us some insight?

I have a lot of fun coming up with different colors ways... It's half the fun of putting together a new ride.



13.I know you're into some artsy ass music, how much is that a part of your riding?

I love hearing new music, I am open to all kinds of different stuff. As far as riding goes I think music can will make or break a video part.

14.How did it work with your video part - I know it took like 8 months to finish the newest Profile web edit.

The riding had to be perfectly laid out as well as the music, right? Yeah, Larry and I wanted it to be just right. If one of us didn't feel a clip it was cut, so it took some time. But I would much rather take my time over rushing out something I wasn't 100% happy with.

15.Is there a song right now that sticks out, one that always makes you want to ride? Goose, bring it on By Steve Aoki. Find it Love it!

16.To wrap up this interview....is there a couple words that could sum up your life philosophy?

Life's not about the destination. It's about the journey we take.