Passionate or Possessed?
foreword by Owain Clegg
Passionate is not a word you would necessarily associate with Jay Miron if you ever had the pleasure of watching him ride in the flesh. Possessed might be more apt, but these two opposing words marry up perfectly in describing Jay for me. His legendary section in Schwinn American Muscle perfectly captures the mans drive and determination, both then, and now.
Before the whole rider owned brands thing really took off during the early naughties the large majority of ‘big named’ riders rode for large corporate bike companies.
But these huge corporations rarely released anything credible video wise that connected with the real riders out there. And the riders who rode for them often saved their best riding for either the contests, or for the more respected and less corporate video series such as Baco, Dorkin or the HB series.
That was until Schwinn’s American Muscle arrived!
Jay went all out in every element of his section, lip tricks, airs, jumping and pool slaying. The section has it all – tech, style, and power.
The intensity, variety and determination he hit everything with is seldom seen anymore. And this is the reason why for many, he is seen as the best all round bike rider there has ever been.
This section will always be my number #1.
Ladies and over 30’s gentlemen I give you, The Canadian Beast.
Every time I rode my bike I wanted to push boundaries. Whether I was in front of ten thousand people or two, whether I was being filmed or not. I always wanted to push the boundaries. That’s how I had fun on a bike.
Jay Miron
Canadian Beast
As Schwinn were a relatively new team in bmx at the time was there a desire from the top to ensure that this first video was something really special?
I’m sure they had high expectations, but nobody put any extra pressure on me to perform. I never felt that kind of pressure at any time that I rode for Schwinn. They were always super supportive, which always made me want to do my best for the company.
I understand that the Schwinn deal was something that finally provided pro riders with a decent level of financial income for getting on the team. Did being on Schwinn affect your approach? Did you push yourself even harder?
Schwinn was just one company out of several putting money into BMX from the corporate world. Schwinn made it possible for me to live comfortably for the first time in my adult life. However it didn’t affect my approach. Even before I earned a decent living from BMX I was honoured and appreciative that I got paid to travel around the world and live my dream. Because of this, I always tried as hard as I could to ride well and put on a good show for people watching, whether live or on video.
Back then were there any specific rider video sections that you loved and used as inspiration for what you wanted to capture in American Muscle?
I was always stoked on Kevin Jones’ sections in the Dorkin in York videos. He dropped a bunch of super amazing new stuff in each video. I took inspiration from him and always tried to give people something they weren’t expecting.
Did you have any input in the selection of Chris Rye to make the video?
I didn’t have any input, but I was happy the Props guys were chosen. I really liked them.
Up until this I think that your previous solo section was on Madd Matt. Did you approach this section (American Muscle) with an aim to really push the boundaries even further than your Mad Matt section?
Every time I rode my bike I wanted to push boundaries. Whether I was in front of ten thousand people or two, whether I was being filmed or not. I always wanted to push the boundaries. That’s how I had fun on a bike.
How long did shooting take for this section?
Around 6 months.
It was a very progressive time in riding, what moves were you most stoked on getting on film for this section and why?
Probably the double backflip and the 720 bars. They were big moves for the time. I liked doing big moves.
Was there anything you were working on at the time that wasn’t just quite ready to film for the edit? I know you nailed 540 whips not long after and I was wondering if they were a work in progress when you were shooting American Muscle.
I’m sure there were some, but I don’t remember anymore. Like I said, I didn’t really have a list of moves or any goals other than to do the best stuff I could. 540 Whips weren’t really top of mind until six months after the video was filmed when I learned 360 Whips over a spine. That’s when I realized I could whip a 540 and I pulled it for the first time a week later in Florida.
23 years on and this section still has people talking that this is the greatest ever rider section. What do you think has made this section stand the test of time?
It’s cool to hear that people feel this way. I’m really honoured by that. I’m not sure what’s made it stand the test of time. I was just riding at a time that I believe my skills were at their peak. I was in super good physical shape and was able to push really hard. Maybe that’s it.
Did you have input into the soundtrack?
I asked for them to use the Tragically Hip.
Were you aware that you were capturing something pretty special when your were in the filming process? And did you get to see the edit before it went out?
I was super busy the year it was filmed. Between all the contests I rode, the demo tours, and other trips I didn’t have much time to keep track of things. I knew I was getting good stuff on tape but it wasn’t until I saw the finished product that I realized I put together a solid section. I didn’t see it until it was finished and had gone to production.
Was there anything in the edit that you weren’t 100% happy with?
I wasn’t stoked on the music from Rad that they started it with. It was an inside joke by the props guys and I thought it was pretty stupid. The Schwinn people were bummed about it too. I didn’t make a fuss over it. I know they were just fucking around but I wish they hadn’t done that.
Looking back. Does viewing the section now feel like watching someone else or can you still feel the energy and movement of every trick?
I actually just watched it for the first time in a long time a few weeks ago. Stew Johnson is putting together a video for ESPN about my departure from BMX into the design world. We’ve been going through old videos looking for footage. While I was watching it, I could remember vividly what it felt like getting nearly every clip.
Finally, (and I know this isn’t related to the edit but I have to ask!) do you still get out for a pedal now and then or does your business pretty much take up 100% of your time?
My new career takes up a lot of my time, but I pedal my city bike as much as I can in the summer. I still size up every handrail or spot I pass. That’s still in me. I also pedal over to Hastings skatepark on sunny days to watch people ride. I just sit on a park bench and watch from a distance. It’s super fun to watch dudes shred. The kids have no idea who I am anymore.
That’s about as close as I get to actual riding these days. I suffer very badly from post concussion issues. I live a really difficult life because of it. I also have two significant tears in my left shoulder that I haven’t had fixed yet. I can’t even bunnyhop up a curb. So I don’t ride, play hockey, snowboard, or do anything else that can cause me injury. I absolutely love my new career as a furniture designer/maker. That’s where I push myself these days.