Wednesday, November 21

Dave Osato and Friends

By Sarah Blythe
EXPN.com

Editor's Note:We wanted an interview with Dave Osato and figured the best way to do it would be through one of his friends, in this case that would be Sarah - aka, Slayrah. So, Slayrah in turn thought the best way to really get a feel for Dave would be to round up a bunch of his friends and have them ask a bunch of questions. Some of the "questions" actually turned out to be statements, thus you have the all encompassing Dave Osato feature brought to you by... his homies.

Steve Calette, friend/bmxer:
I think the most amazing thing about Dave Osato is not what he can do on his bike, but what kind of a person he is off his bike. In a world of megalomaniac superstars, Dave is one of the few who is genuine. He has helped me out a number of times for only a thanx in return. Most of us want to be able to ride a bike as good as him but to be truly like Dave, just be the best person you can be.

Diana Day:
He looks like Elvis

Dave airs out of one of the burly quarter-pipes at the Hastings park in Vancouver, BC.

Chris Young, chasebmxmag.com:
"Seeing Dave ride in person all the time I think we take for granted how great of a rider Dave is... Darcy Saccucci and I were talking after watching after Dave's final run at the Vans Triple Crown finals in Oceanside, CA. Dave had already done an unforgettable run, then finished it off with a perfect tailwhip-bunnyhop to the pedals off the sub-box then straight into a 540-nosepick on the VERY EDGE of the sub-rail. Nobody does that... NOBODY!!! All the riders and people in the stands were completely freaking out. Everybody was screaming so loud it made all the hair on my arms stand straight up -- that's the kind of respect his riding deserves. And yet he was bumped out of the top 10??? How the hell does that work?"

Luke Hurdle, friend/riding partner:
What is the deal with Schwinn? What do you got on the backburner when you are done riding?

Dave O:
Well, Schwinn has just got bought out by I guess the people who own Mongoose. They are moving shop from Boulder CO to Wisconsin and they cut their BMX program for now. I think they want to start one up again but I don't really know at this time.

Luke:
What do you got on the backburner when you are done riding?

Dave O:
When I am done riding I am going to maybe go back to school or something to that effect. I will take some course in metal work as that is what I like to do in my spare time when I get the chance. My goal would to have a dope workshop where I could create anything I wanted.

Judith Feller, Dave's lovely girlfriend:
What is your favourite thing to do besides riding your bicyclette?

Dave O:
I like to pretty much experience anything that is out there. I definitely enjoy playing some golf here and there, snowboarding in the winter is pretty fun too. Well I just like to do anything where there's a challenge as I strive to do the best I can at anything I do.

Judith:
Who motivated you as a young rider?

Dave O:
As a young rider I was motivated by the feeling I would get by learning new tricks on the bike. That is what pretty much kept me going as I am the kind of person that will not stop until I succeed in my goal that I am out to get. When you reach that goal you move on to the next goal and that just pushes me even more.

Peg grind at the University of Bristish Columbia campus..

John Heaton, MacNeil team rider:
I want to know what is the one thing that motivates you to ride, is it spots, riders, style, progression, one certian trick and if you had to pick one thing what would it be?

Dave O:
Well what motivates me now in riding is, pretty much the same as before. I think riding with your friends definitely gives me some motivation because you are comfortable with your surroundings which makes me feel good. Feeling good about yourself also helps alot too.Doing certain tricks makes me feel good as well which gives me motivation.

Jonathan Cote, random guy:
I would like to know when you started out riding what you first bike was? how did you get the funds to buy parts? where did you grow up riding?

Dave O:
My first real bike I got was a Kuwahara E.T. bike. I was into racing at the time and when I started to do tricks I broke quick.That entailed getting some funds by doing odd jobs for the parents for that allowence. I also got a job at the hockey games selling drinks and popcorn for next to nothing. I did what I could to keep my bike running as I loved to ride it so much. I grew up in Winnipeg Manitoba. That is located above North Dakota a couple hours. Half the year was riding and the other half was either playing hockey or watching videos inside until the Edge skatepark opened.

Ken Paul, Editor Chase BMX Magazine:
You won a lot of contests and gone on a lot of trips, really you have done a lot, looking back on the past what would be your most memorable contest?

Dave O:
The most memorable contest for me was in the Oklahoma B.S. contest in like '95 or '96. I was told I had to turn pro and ride against the pros I looked up to all my life. I did not think I was ready but went anyway. While riding in the contest I was psyched to be on the deck as I had one of the best seats in the house to watch the comp. After it was all over they were announcing the results and it got down to second, and I was so psyched to get second, and as they said Jay Miron that meant I had just won my first pro contest and it was like some one riged it or something. The feeling I had there was by far the best and most memorable contest ever.

Yanick Dubois, friend/BMXer/filmer/photographer:
Which direction do you plan on taking your riding since you can do whatever the f*ck you want on a bike and make it look disturbingly easy?

Dave O:
The direction I want to take my riding is the same as always. I want to stay comfortable on it and just try and progress. I just want to take my riding as far as I can weather I do a tech trick I have never done before or just stalling out a nose pick a bit longer.

Darren Bolton, friend/BMXer/photographer:
When you were younger, you were a super good shredder, but when you rode with other people you chilled shyly in the corner. At what point did the gorilla in you make a public appearance and start shredding in front of other people?

Dave O:
I was a very shy rider when I was young as I would not ride in front of people a lot. Even to this day sometimes I just chill in some sessions. I think when I got to know or feel comfortable around the people I was riding with. This is when I would start to ride not necessarily in front but more with the other people.

Dave rides for Schwinn, Toyota, Osiris, Mutation clothing and SST. Dave thanks Derick at Osiris and all the friends he rides with. He can be seen at spots around BC, select contests and the Dave Mirra Super Tour.

Related Photos:
Osato and Friends Gallery