The Bay Bmx was stoked to do a Q&A with Nor-Cal legend Cameron Birdwell. Cam has been a heavyweight contender in the Nor-Cal scene for many years now. Cam was a local at the legendary San Jose Ramp Club, Nor cups trails, Calabazas, and tons of other Nor-Cal spots over the years. Anywhere he went to ride, Cam would show up and blow everyone away!! Cam's fearless,Go big or go home mentality on a bike is awesome to witness.
Cam didn't have foam pits and resi ramps to learn his tricks on back in the day. He came from the days where you either pulled what you were trying, Or you were going off in an ambulance to the hospital! Luckily Cam didn't have to make too many hospital visits, Because he either pulled what he was trying, Or he was tough enough to dust himself off and try again until he pulled it!
Cam has graced BMX Plus! and other magazine's with pictures over the years on several occasions. He also has had full parts in the 2 Hip videos, As well as a bio in the Transit 9 video. Many riders were blown away with his crazy tricks at height. I myself had his superman peg grab picture at a B3 comp hanging on my wall that was featured in Bmx Plus.
Cam has had a few sponsors over the years, Most notably was Ron Wilkerson's 2 hip bikes. For the last few years he has been on the Solid Bikes team, But has also received help from other companies and bike shops over the years.
Cam is still riding better then ever these days.Most notably where he took best trick at the 2010 Warriors of Wood comp. Although he is just starting to ride again after a knee surgery a few months back. Cam has big plans for the end of 2011 & especially 2012, So keep your eyes pealed for some crazy shit in the coming month's and years from Mr. Birdwell.
So without further introduction here is what Cam had to say when i presented his questions,Thanks Cam!!
Photo Credit- Cameron Birdwell sent it over.
#1. What's your Name, Age, And where do you currently reside?
My name is Cameron Birdwell, I’m 32, and I reside in San Jose, Northern California
#2. Do you have any hook ups?Also what is your current bike set up?
I ride for Solid Bikes and Calabazas Cyclery. I am currently riding a Solid AA, but that’s the only part that I can name on my bike really.
#3.Tell us a little how you got into riding, Also what kind of riding do you enjoy most?
I was always into BMX and skating when I was little, but there came a time when I decided I wanted to pick one and get really good at it. I chose BMX because I lived far away from stuff at the time and it was a better form of transportation. My roots are jumping (box, dirt, whatever) and that’s what I like the most, but I like riding everything. I also enjoy riding shorts stories in my spare time.
#4.Do you have any favorite spots?Also any recent memories of spots you enjoyed?
I dig Ramp Rats a lot because the feeling of it reminds me of the SJ Ramp Club. I’ve become a big fan of LCRSP and I’m hoping they work everything out so that it stays open. Aside from the fact they don’t have a good box, everything else is super fun. I really like the Fun Spot in Santa Cruz because it’s a fun spot in Santa Cruz. I think I got Mega fever went I went to Woodward the last time, and as stupid as it makes me, I like the foam and resi-landing. It makes it so much easier to learn everything, and with my old ass, I need all the help I can get.
#5 If you could change anything about bmx what would it be and why?
If I could change BMX, I would make it mandatory that all bikes riders with girl jeans were required to have Hello Kitty seats and rainbow grips…..because it would be funny.
#6. Who inspired your style of riding and who did you look up to coming up in the game?
I looked up to a lot of guys growing up, but basically the top pros at the time. Guys like Hoffman, Miron, Mirra, Joe Rich, Taj, and guys pushing the envelope. I would say the guys I rode with all the time were the ones who inspired my style of riding. Nyquist and I were barspin crazy and leaders in the era of barspins, but me, Ryan, Joey G, Mat M, Crobar, Oscar G, Butthead, Kagy, Squirrel, and everyone else in that era all pushed eachother to become better and better. All the times and riders from Calabazas/SJ Ramp Club days are where my roots will forever be.
#7.How do you feel about the Nor-Cal bmx scene?
You know, it’s decent. I’m not big into the scene or this or that, I just like to ride, and I prefer to ride with my boys. There are all kinds of sick riders in NorCal that always throw down and have an original bag of tricks. Seems like BMX is headed towards some mega era or something, so hopefully we get a Mega-resi or Mega-pit. That would be so much fun. I would live there. I would be the Mega-troll liviing under the Mega-Ramp.
#8.You got injured a while back,Hows the healing process been going?When can you ride again?
Yeah, I tore my ACL again at a contest in April at Ramp Rats. I knew right away and I had it repaired on May 4th by a top notch specialist named Warren King. He does the Raiders, and a butt-load of other professional athletes. I’m about 5 months in and it’s feeling really good, almost better than it ever did after my first surgery. I’m trying not to rush it and I will start riding again in the beginning of November. I’ve been getting into shape hardcore because I’ve only got a few more years in my prime to do the most. I have a hard time holding back when I ride so I need to be as healthy and light as possible.
#9.You are well known for always pushing the envelope as far as riding is concerned.Is there any tricks on your agenda that you want to try and pull?
Oh yeah, if I’m not doing something new, I’m not having fun. It’s the way I’ve always been and the way I’ll always be. I was hung up on whip stuff the last few months before I got hurt (720whips, 3whip to barspins, double whips) so I will probably continue down that path. I have some big new tricks in mind, you know, basically along the line of what the hell are you thinking, you’re an idiot. You won’t be seeing me do ugly front flips off of wedge ramps that’s for sure.
#10. Would you like to give any shout outs?
Big thanks to Calabazas Cyclery for always dialing in my bike after I beat it to crap, and Squirrel too since he deals with it all the time as well. Thanks to Nyquist too for always flowing parts and other things, he shows big time love. Other than that, thanks all the NorCal homies who are part of my BMX brotherhood.
Here is Cam doing a huge Superman Seatgrab over the Megaramp, Courtesy of Squirrel. Squirrel also has other videos of Cam killing it on his Youtube Channel in the related videos,Check that out as well.
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