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X Games Chat: Ryan Nyquist
Ryan has been keeping busy this year traveling, competing, and getting in tune for X Games VIII. We're lucky to have Ryan take time out of his busy schedule to chat with you.
Ryan just took second in the Gravity Games' park competition and held on for second in X Games VII Bicycle Stunt Dirt. He is definitely one of the favorites going into the X Games VIII dirt jumping competition, below is a transcript of the chat. Please check our upcoming chat schedule for your chance to chat with other X Games VIII athletes.
Kevin (Malvern): Ryan, you're one of my favorite riders!! I saw your performance at the Gravity Games in street this year, and I was wondering if that was the first time you have pulled the 360-backflip over a spine, because I have never heard anything about it. Ryan Nyquist: It wasn't the first time I pulled it; I think it was actually the third time I had pulled it. The first time was in Germany earlier last month.
Amherst NY: I just wanted to say that the 720 lookback you did at the CFB in NY was insane, and I was wondering if you have any secret tricks for the X Games? Ryan Nyquist: That might be one of them, I guess that's not too big of a secret though. But as far as brand new tricks like that, I don't really have too much going on. Jake: What piece cranks do u have, what is your biggest trick, and what kind of tires do you use for dirt?? Ryan Nyquist: I have 3 piece HARO cranks, my biggest trick is probably the 360 flip over a spine, and the tires I use for dirt are HARO Multisurface 3 Tires. Kate (Greenville): Hey Ryan! I'm a big fan. Anyways, I was just wondering how you like it here in our fine city. Has sessioning at JC park with the likes of Mirra and the new guy (Cooke) been helpful? Has it hindered you? Ryan Nyquist: Yeah, I like Greenville a lot. It's been really helpful riding with guys like Mirra and Cooke as well as everybody else here in town. It can only help riding with the likes of those guys. G. Vegas Forever! Chad Rosh - Sayre, PA: Ryan, seeing that you're a top contender in bike dirt, what do u think of people (ex. Mike Aitken) doing stylish tricks such as 360 lookbacks and tabletops and transferrs and landing smooth and not pedaling in between jumps compared to people who huck themselves in back-flip variations and 720s (no offense you're awesome) and sometimes casing so you have to pedal in between jumps just to get through the section. Yet they sometimes do better than the person who was smooth and didn't pedal and put there own unique style to the jumps rather than doing what a lot of other people are doing? Ryan Nyquist: There's so many different styles in dirt and each person's style is unique. Mike Aitken is a really great rider to see ride. Sometimes style can be a cover up for a lack of tricks, and my own personal style is that I like to do big tricks. Whether that means pedaling through a section to get enough speed for the bigger tricks or just pumping the transition depends on the jump. Dave Levin (Delaware): Hey Ryan, dude you are one of my favorite riders, but what's up with your new pierced lip?? Ryan Nyquist: I was coaxed into it by one of my buddies here in town and I figure it's something different, but less permanent than a tattoo. Ravels ( Belgium ): Ryan, how old were you when you started to do bigger tricks like 360s or truckdrivers? Jan Vermeeren Ryan Nyquist: I'd say I was probably around 16 or 17 years old when I started doing Truckdrivers. And I was probably 15 or 16 when I started doing 360s. Josh "photographers rule forever" Root (Anacortes, Washington): A couple of years ago you stopped competing in vert. While vert riding has progressed faster than ever recently, the average age keeps getting older and more and more guys like yourself, Osato, Miron, and Hoffman are not competing any more. What do you think of the lack of younger pro vert riders these days? Is vert going to suffer? Plus your handplant in Palavas was diggity dope, I took a great photo of it. Word. Ryan Nyquist: For me I figured dirt and street were enough to keep me busy, and vert was always just a fun thing for me. The competition became a lot more intense and I just felt like I wanted to focus on the other two instead of vert. I hope it's not going to suffer (vert) I mean Koji Kraft came in and he's doing great. But things go in cycles and vert riding will come back around. And thanks for the props on the handplant. Marco (Delaware): Hey Ryan, Have you ever thought about joining Mirra and Hoffman, and coming out with Ryan Nyquist Pro BMX?? Ryan Nyquist: The thought crossed my mind but it's not too much of a priority right now. I've never been a huge video game fan, but I love to watch people play them. But maybe sometime down the line it can happen. Jordan Cook - Vancouver, BC.: Ryan, when did you really start to progress?? What age? Oh yes... I was watching the Gravity Games.. those 360 flips looked alot like flat 720s, can you explain? Ryan Nyquist: I think the age I really started to progress was around 16 or 17 and it was mainly with 360 varriations and getting comfortable with those. That was probably the biggest learning curve. If you're talking about the 360 flips on dirt... I had no energy and that's a high energy trick, so the reason they may not have looked exactly like 360 flips is because I didn't have enough energy to do the right pull. And that's probably why it didn't work either. Michelle, Seattle: What's your girlfriend situation? Last I heard you were single, why? You're so hott!!!! Ryan Nyquist: My girlfriend situation is that I've found a wonderful girl that I've been dating for the past 2 1/2 months. And thank you for the compliment. Jon (England): Hey Ryan, I was wondering if you felt under more pressure to develop bigger tricks (like the 720 lookback etc) when you see guys like Stephen Murray pulling double loops in major comps, and how do you feel it helps the progression of dirt jumping? Ryan Nyquist: I've been seeing Stephen Murray and some other guys pulling double backflips for years. So I don't really feel pressure form those guys to develop new tricks, it's more like I just want to develop new tricks, it's fun. And any kind of progression helps the sport of dirt jumping. It just kind of raises the bar and steps it up a level. It keeps things fresh. Jimmy (Littleton): What tricks are you going to do at the X Games this year? Ryan Nyquist: Really Really Big Ones! Actually I'm not sure because I haven't seen the course and a lot of tricks I do depend on the course. So I'll know when you know. John (Cleveland): Speaking of Cooke, he stole your trick dude! I think he is lucky to be riding with you. Did that bug you at all? Ryan Nyquist: Imitation is the best form of flattery. No, me and Cooke are pretty good friends so it doesn't bother me at all. Cheese Steak (Philly): We all know about the parting at the X Games. How do you feel about the athletes who are able to rally all night at the clubs and still make it to the comp the next day? Do you feel it disrespects the sport/comp or do you think skills pay the bills so it doesn't matter? Ryan Nyquist: Whatever floats their boats. I'm not too much of a partier, but I don't feel that disrespects the sport. If you can pull it off during the competition then it doesn't matter what you do the night before. Rory Fulber (Canada): Ryan, what do you think of all these people bonking their pegs and spinning their cranks? Are you down for the new technical riding? What age did you strat flipping and how did you start attempting them? Your rule! thanks Ryan Nyquist: I'm not a huge fan of it... Some of it looks good and other stuff I think looks pretty dumb. I like the bigger style of riding. I did my first backflip when I was 16 and I tried that into a lake and that didn't work so then I tried them onto a bunch of mattresses and that seemed to do the trick. Be careful, backflips aren't the hardest tricks but they can be the scariest to learn. Kinetic Rules (Seatown): Hey Ryan, The 360 flip is gnarly, keep it up. Which competitions do you enjoy the most: Gravity, X Games or some more independent competitions? Ryan Nyquist: Gravity and X are a different breed of competitions. There's a lot more on the line therefore they can be a little more stressful at times. The more independent competitions tend to be more fun because there's a lot less stress and it's kind of like you just out there having fun with your buddies. All competitions can be fun if you make them fun. El Dedo: Hey Ryan what would you think about a BMX street competition like the skaters have for the X Games? Maybe open up City Hall or whatever for you guys too. Ryan Nyquist: I think it would be a great idea, I just hope nobody would get hurt. Crashes on street for bikes tend to be a lot harder than for skateboarder guys. Katie (Troy): Hey! Shout out from Troy! Me and my girls wish you and the Greenville Gang would come up here (metro-Detroit) for an exhibition so that we could see you ride first hand! Think about it and tell Allan Cooke that I am his BIGGEST fan! Thanks hon! Ryan Nyquist: Thanks for the invite, we've got a lot horny single guys down here in Greenville, so it might just work out. Dirt Bag (Las Vegas): With the development of the MTX backflip, what do you think is comparable in the BMX area. What are some tricks that seem almost impossible that you guys have been keeping your eye on? Ryan Nyquist: In the past the tailwhip flip had always been one of those tricks that was "impossible." But people have been pulling those lately so I don't know. Plus with foam and Resi, it seems like almost anything is possible. And I think the Moto X guys are starting to figure that out. Deb (Honolulu): Any concern that increased corporate involvement (sponsorships) might affect your sport in a negative way? Ryan Nyquist: I don't think so, all the corporate sponsorships are going to do is allow more guys to ride full-time and make a living doing it. And I don't think there's anything wrong about that. Mar (Wilmington): What's the worst BMX related injury you've ever had? Ryan Nyquist: I'd say the worst one would probably be my ankle. I sprained it horribly in '98. It doesn't sound that bad but it was basically 2 1/2 years later that I had it fixed. So imagine having your ankle fold over at any time it wanted. But really I've been pretty lucky with injuries. Mark: How much longer do you think you will be competing? Do you have any plans for afterwards, working with a bike company or something? Ryan Nyquist: I'll be competing as long as my heart's still into it and it's fun. As far as plans for afterwards... I'll cross that bridge when I get there. Kevin (Malvern): I am the only one that rides where I live, so it's hard to feed off of other riders. Could you give me advice that could help me excel as much as the people do who ride with other, better people? Ryan Nyquist: Motivation is the key. It's not always the people you ride with. it's more like how badly you want to accel. Stick with it and make sure it's fun, because if it's fun that's pretty much all you need. When I first started riding I rode with a bunch of skateboarders, and it was fun. So you really just have to make sure that it keeps being fun. Moderator: Ryan has to get going so here are his last words. Ryan Nyquist: Time to go ride! Thanks to everyone who logged on and asked a question. See you at the X Games. Copyright ©2002 ESPN Internet Ventures. 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