French riders were largely ignored because they didn’t go out of France. But some of them were killing it back then, riders like P.Pereira, John Petit, Christophe chevalier, and lot of other great riders.
Steff Bones
Age?
49
Location?
Gisors, a little town near Paris France
Never stopped, New Starter or Comeback King?
“Never stop” expected for injuries and 5 years ago during 1 year after a back surgery.
Tell us about your early days in BMX, where did you ride? did you enter contests?
Had my first bmx ( called bicross in France at this era 😉) in 1984, at this time I rode with friends on tracks but just for fun, we just wanted to jump the bumps, not race.
In 1987 I bought my first freestyle bike, a skyway streetbeat, and beginning doing flatland and trail, in this era we hadn’t any ramps close from home, we only rode ramps when we went south of Paris after 2 hours of train travel. We went to Longjumeau where Philippe Pereira was riding, and I was lucky to learn ramp riding with him.
After the world’s in Paris we had been fortunate enough to have a big ramp in my town (cergy at this time), and in 1991 a wooden bowl and mini ramp with spine well built with skaters.
I had a lot of skater friends at the time and I was beginning riding street too. During this era I rode a lot the mini ramp and bowl with my buddy John Petit and others friends like stephane meneau aka shogun, Jose, and Michel Delgado sometimes too.
I rode parks and trails around Paris a lot with José until 2014 when he moved away and I had back surgery.
I didn’t really enter many contests, I think 2 street contest and 1 ramp contest in the 90’s and dirt at 1995 BackYard Jam, 2 ramp contests in the beginning of 2000’s ( one for French championship and at the FISE in 2001.
Contests aren’t really for me. I’m not a competitor
Bike?
My actual bike is a 2017 Haro sport
Where do you ride now?
I ride essentially in Paris at the EGP18 (espace glisse Paris ) with my son Liam (12 year old), a mini ramp close home where I love doing aerials, and other bowls around Paris
Do you mostly Ride Solo or in a crew?
I try as much as possible to ride with buddy’s, I hate riding alone.
Is it hard to connect with other riders in France – especially now you’re a bit older?
I haven’t a problem connecting with other riders especially because I’m “older” . Younger riders are happy to see that you can still ride and take pleasure at advanced age.
How often do you ride?
I try to ride every weekend when I’m not too tired, but my son pushes me even I’m tired.
Did you feel the whole French scene was largely ignored throughout the 80’s and 90’s?
French riders were largely ignored because they didn’t go out of France. But some of them were killing it back then, riders like P.Pereira, John Petit, Christophe chevalier, and lot of other great riders.
Prior to digital, what were the sponsorship opportunities in France like?
Sponsorship opportunities were essentially from French magazines, like “bicross magazine ” in the 80’s and early 90’s. And after in “Soul” and “Cream”.
But I’m not an expert on that , I’ve never been and never tried to get sponsored.
Has the rise in digital culture helped showcase and connect the French bmx scene?
Certainly, you just have to see guys like M.dandois or M.charveron. But I have the impression that the French riders aren’t that bothered about exposure.
What part does social media play on your riding and motivation?
I love watching videos, especially bowl and trail riding, but i like to watch street riding too. it motivates me to go riding. The problem is that after my session, when I compare my riding with the videos that I have seen before, I tell myself that it may be time to stop! Ha Ha!
What do you love about modern BMX?
I love the commitment and the technicality of the guys in street and the bowl riding when guys make big airs or transfer with basic tricks well stretched.
What do you dislike about modern BMX?
I hate scooter-style tricks. And the guys who do them all with the same style, just to have an Olympic medal!!
Who do you look to for influence these days?
My son
Whats the story for you and injuries now that you’re an older dude?
I hurt myself a lot in the past and broke some bones (hip, cocsis, ankle, foot, wrist, thumb, scapula + a lot of sprains ) and with age it takes longer to recover from injuries so my riding has changed, I throw myself less, well most of the time.
What’s next for you?
Keep riding as long as I can and learn some lip tricks (especially manuals) because I’m really bad!!
Any last words?
Keep riding for your own pleasure, not for winning medals or bucks!
Just have fun
And
BMX FOR LIFE