Do you like to explore looking for street spots? Brad Simms: Definitely. But as we all know, the best spots are in the ghetto! So it can be a little sketchy.
Do you use any special tools finding spots like Google Earth, maps, the internet?
Brad Simms: Hahaha. No way, whatever I find is exactly what I'll ride at the time. Or if I am in an area that a friend is familiar with, I'll give that person a call. I'm not knocking anyone who does use that stuff though.
How much do you weigh? Brad Simms: A metric ton haha. 190
Pure muscle?
Brad Simms: Haha. Pretty much.
Does this help you get some pop?
Brad Simms: Nope. Bunnyhopping is seriously all technique. My boy Jon Saunders can hop about 3 inches higher than me and he's a skinny dude, muscle helps with some stuff, but mostly hard falls & ladies haha.
How high have you bunny hopped?
Brad Simms: I've done higher 180s than straight hops. Like 44 inches.
When you see a rail you want to do, do you always do it straight before you go into different ways of grinding down? Brad Simms: No, if I see a rail and I really want to do a certain trick on it I will just go for it.
What's the deal with grinding UP rails?
Brad Simms: Sometimes if I am a little worried about grinding down a rail I'll grind up it to try & warm up. I know that may sound silly.
You do have plenty of moves going over rails too. Is creativity important to you? Brad Simms: I'd like to think I have a few moves. Creativity is really important because you don't want to film the same stuff that you see other people doing. You have to make yourself stand out a bit
Video parts or contests?
Brad Simms: Both. Contests are way different than when I used to ride them 4 years ago. Instead of doing a run with 7 tricks in it, you have to do an air with 7 tricks in it to just make the finals.
What's on your near program at the moment?
Brad Simms: I went to Singapore which was incredible. My summer is going to be packed. Rock n' road fools, filming friends sections footage for 3 videos (Josh Harrington's video, Doug Horton's video "from nothing" & Jeff Klugiewicz "midwest video"
Who do you like to ride with? Brad Simms: When I am around here I ride by myself a bit or with Joe Fowler & Mike D. Sometimes I make it up to the park to ride with Jon Saunders & the Clinton crew.
Diogo Canina seems to be a strong competitor in an arm wrestle match. Do you think you can take him?
Brad Simms: Diogo ain't got nothin' comin'
Last words/thanks to: God, my family & friends you know who you are. Matt Hoffman, Mark Owen, Page Hussey, Jeremy Infelise, anyone that picks the phone up at the HB warehouse .. Shane Rossie, osso oh-so-nice, & Ralph Sinisi at Animal.. Dave Jacobs at Micreation (they all make my day go by a lot smoother) much love.
Bike check:
Frame: Loyalty Hoffman
Fork: Hoffman fat free
Headseat: internal
Crankset: black primo heavybites
BB Set: spanish
Sprocket: grey 25t hoffman dinky
Freewheel: cassette 9t
Chain: shadow
Pedals: grey HB soul mate mag Handlebar: grey HB high rise
Stem: blue animal jumpoff with gyro tabs
Grips: edwin animal grips
Saddle: primo
Seat Post: hoffman
Seat Clamp: no idea
Front Hub: hoffman
Rear Hub: hoffman
Rims: hoffman generator
Spokes: hoffman
Tires: animal ghl
Pegs: 3 animal pegs
Rotor: snafu sealed
Brakes: fly
Brake Lever: old school shimano SLR
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.