Solid Bikes rider Cameron Birdwell Q&A

 Cam is no stranger to going huge,He likes to huck himself! Here is an extended Superman Seat Grab over the Woodward West Megaramp.Photo credit-Cameron Birdwell sent it over.



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!!

Here is cam's spread from Bmx Plus years ago doing a Extended Superman Seat Grab at a B3 comp.
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.

Cam with a huge Double Tailwhip over the big box at the Bay Air skatepark in Oakland.Photo Credit-Cameron Birdwell sent it over.



#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.

Cam has the ability to grab everyone's attention and make their jaw's drop.Huge 1080 attempt at the 2010 warriors of wood.Photo credit-Cam sent it over.


#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.

Cam is no stranger to riding street,Here he does a X-up Crooked grind down a stair rail.Photo Credit-Cam sent it over.


#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.

Cam has a bunch of signature moves he came up with,This being a Spiderman,Which is a Superman seatgrab peg grab.Photo Credit-Cam sent it over.


#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.

Solid Bike's rider and Scientist Zac Costa Q&A

                                                     Photo Credit- Kyle Emery-Peck


The Bay Bmx had the opportunity to interview Solid's Zac Costa. I am honored to interview him.So thanks to Zac for taking time out of his busy schedule to do this Q&A.

Zac is originally from the North Bay area city of Santa Rosa,Ca. Ever since he picked up a bike he quickly made a name for himself. Zac is known for his burly style of street riding, But is also no stranger to riding skateparks and even trails.

Zac is a grind wizard, He easily grinds as good switch as regular.His go big or go home style is astonishing to watch. I have to say Zac's Cuttin It Deep part is legendary.He also has an appearance in Primo's Nice Try and the Animal Cuts video. Costa's riding earned him flow from S&M bikes in the early 2000's,But has now been on Solid for quite some time. Zac also gets help from Revenge,Tip Plus,Franchise clothing,Shitluck, As well as Animal.

Costa is absolutely not your average bmx'er. He also has a devout dedication to his education and profession as a Scientist. Zac graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Evolution and Ecology from UC Davis. He then ventured to the east coast to attend the Virginia Commonwealth University to study Biology, Where he became a grad student.

Zac's education and love for science brought him to Panama to study the wildlife and ecosystem. He also researches with fellow scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research institute in Panama. Zac even teaches an introductory biology lab course when he has time from his other ventures.

With all of Zac's travels,Education and work, His bike has made the journey with him. Whenever Zac has the opportunity he shreds on his bike, Hitting spots all over the East Coast,West Coast, And abroad. To say his life is interesting would be an understatement. So without further introduction here is what Zac had to say when i presented his questions.

                   Zac with a toothpick stall on an oververt DIY bowl. Photo Credit- Kyle Emery-Peck.





#1. What's your Name, Age, And where do you currently reside?

Zacharia James Costa, 26 years old residing in Richmond, VA




#2. Do you have any hook ups?Also What is your current bike set up?

Just got some stuff in the mail, I'm setting up a new Solid 21" King Cobra, Solid stem, Solid bars, Solid cranks, Skavenger forks, Primo back wheel, The rest is Animal and Skavenger parts. I get shirts from Franchise, Tip gives me a little here and there too.

             Zac with a rail ride to 180 barspin out on a makeshift rail.Photo Credit-Kyle Emery-Peck


#3.Tell us a little how you got into riding and what kind of riding do you enjoy most?


I like riding street in foreign countries the most, But I got into it riding jumping curbs in my neighborhood, I started building some little jumps and just never stopped. I lived near the Santa Rosa skatepark so that helped a lot and we had some trails back in the day.



#4.Do you have any favorite spots?Also any recent memories of spots you enjoyed?


Panama City parking garage spot is one I always want to go back to. Three stories of curved downhill tranny like 5 ft, pretty steep, grindable, fucking awesome. Just rode a pool in Jersey that was awesome, o.g. spot is the Prom King pool outside of Santa Rosa shit is amazing, I would do almost anything to ride that again. China banks in s.f. is a o.g. spot I'll never get tired of

    Zac airing with a nice toboggan on transition better then most skateparks in a parking garage in Panama.




#5 If you could change anything about bmx what would it be and why?


It seems like everyone is on some bitch shit one way or another, I don't know keep it real and just ride, who gives a fuck what anybody else is doing.



#6. Who inspired your style of riding and who did you look up to coming up in the game?


My style of riding...I don't know as a youngster I looked up to Kurtis Elwell and Jeremy McCart they were the older guys that killed it in my area. Pro wise I liked Dave Young, Jason Enns and Troy McMurray, Ralph Sinisi's props bio got me thinking about street differently as well.

This is what Zac is famous for, Super burly rail ride with a 2 story drop on the other side-Photo Credit Kyle Emery-Peck


#7.How do you feel about the Nor-Cal bmx scene?


Nor-Cal has its ups and downs, I don't know I haven't spent too much time out there in the past 3 years or so... I was in S.F. in July keepin it lit, clocktower life, Santa Rosa had a jam at the skatepark huge turn out of my old skateboard and bike riding friends, shit north 5s and methaluma were even in the house. Its dope there's the o.g.'s still lurking around and the new blood coming up, that shit will never change.

Zac with a rail ride to bar out somewhere deep in the city of San Francisco.Photo Credit Kyle Emery-Peck




#8.How do you like riding on the east coast and abroad?


East Coast, NY, NJ nothing really compares to it, so much to ride and do. Richmond you sometimes have to work for spots its cool though. Abroad is the best because every block is brand new and you never know what your going to find. Plus most of the countries I've been too chances are no one has ridden or even thought of doing some of the stunts on the weird obstacles I've come across



#9.What is it like Juggling school,Work,Traveling and riding?


School and research has been my work so in that sense its not too bad. My two trips to panama were for work so I can't complain about that. Riding is what it is, if I feel like doing it I'll make time for it. Motivation can make a lot of things happen

Zac's other love besides riding is Science,One of the perks of his research is handling bad ass wildlife,They don't call Costa the King Cobra for nothing,Dude is fearless!

#10.Would you like to give any shout outs?


Huff, Jase and the rest of Solid. Animal for helping me out, Barney at Tip, Sean Ryan and Franchise for putting me on, Bunnyhop bike shop in Richmond, VA, Kyle-Emery Peck for shooting photos and holding down S.F. all the homies on the east coast, West coast, Panama and everywhere else, Keep it lit

Here is Zac's infamous part in Marco Svizzero's 2007 video "Cuttin It Deep,As well as a recent 2011 edit Zac cooked up for Solid. I Also got to give a big shout out to Kyle Emery-Peck for his outstanding quality photos of Zac.
Check out Kyle's website to see his travels and more photography at http://fullframecollective.com/