Top 5 Legends: Robbie Morales
This week on the site we’ll be having a bit of a theme. The theme for this week is Legends, so every day we’re going to have the top 5 legends of some of today’s most prolific riders and industry bods.
A legend is someone who is the focus of a collection of stories, stories which alter your perception on life or change the path you’re heading down. Legends are responsible for a great deal of positivity in BMX, from simply riding in a different style to showing strength in the face of great personal loss.
We all have legends and influences, so this week we thought we’d find out who are the legends of some people who’ve been around for a little while.
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To kick of this article and this week, Fit Bike Co owner/Team Manager and legend himself, Robbie Morales gives a rundown of his top five legends.
Robbie and his team. Photo courtesy of Fit Bike Co.
JEFF CRAWN
Before Joe and Taj there was Jeff Crawn, I went to the OGÂ POSH with BF and witnessed a rider throwing the bars back and forth through rhythm sections so casual I was blown away.Google his name for proof.Jeff also rode everything,flat,ramp,dirt,street.The most bad ass all around rider for his day.
JAMES SHEPHARD
The Homeless Trash and TREND videos ala Dave Parrick showcased some of the most stylish and progressive riding during the early nineties. James had his own tech style that I really admired and was influenced by.His unique personality adds to his legendary persona. Love ya Sheps.
BRIAN FOSTER
Table over the hip at FDR in Philadelphia. Photo by Rob Dolecki.
Since day one, Brian has pushed his ride everything attitude where ever he traveled. From racing to ramp to street he broke down doors for my generation and did it all with style. Having Brain as a close homie and supporter always made riding with him a blast. To this day ya still can’t beat a trail session with him, anytme, anywhere.
IAN MORRIS
Ghetto kicker to double peg. Photo courtesy of United Bike Co.
For pure street innovation and creativity I always respected what Ian has done. Always pushing the limits like the first backwards rail and more, Ian is in the legends book for sure. Also traveling from the UK to the USA early on and leaving his mark over here will always be remembered.
EDWIN DELAROSA
Huge hop double peg, somewhere in New York. Photo courtesy of Animal Bikes.
Putting some much needed creativity and style into street riding during the late nineties, Edwin proved its not what you do but how you do it. He pushed brakeless riding and made it the norm. His legendary swagger opened doors for a whole new generation of street shredders.
BONUS:MIKE AITKEN
Wallride to lookback at the Brooklyn Banks. Photo courtesy of Fit Bike Co.
When talking about legends this guys name has to come up.His whole approach to riding and life makes him a legend. Like Johnny Cash, Elvis, Biggie etc… Mikey does things his way like no one else can, to me that’s legendary.
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SOURCES: Fit Bike Co, Animal Bike Co, United Bike Co
May 12th, 2009 at 16:05
[...] Ride UK are doing a series this week where a bunch of prominent BMXers tell you about 5 riders they consider legends. First up… Robbie Morales. Robbie Morales May 12th, 2009 Respond Close this box [...]
May 12th, 2009 at 16:19
awesome!!
May 12th, 2009 at 20:09
Edwin and Mikey are too young to be considered legends (aren’t they both younger than Van?, who isn’t even listed); wait like 5 years then you can call them legends.
May 12th, 2009 at 21:35
Id class Mike as a legend look at bmx today nearly every kid rides a fit due to his influance (most of the ones i know do anyway) and most of them are in love with the guy you cant just make the “internet” kids love you these days because there pretty much all filled with hate, he’s got somthing special
May 13th, 2009 at 04:42
now where the hell is dakota roche =] but seriously i like how four out of five ride for the best compaany in ze world fit bikes yo
May 13th, 2009 at 04:43
WATTTT??? how u gonna say edwin aint legend? he shouldve been first, age dont meen shit anymore.
but van homan shouldve been on there too. actually the hole fit team.
May 13th, 2009 at 18:36
Legends are greats from a long time ago. People tell stories about Legends which get passed along through the generations. Therefore, a Legend is someone who is old now, but was amazing many years ago (at least a decade) and probably doesn’t ride anymore.
it’s like Michael Jordan. When he was playing he wasn’t a legend, he was the best the sport had ever seen, but wasn’t a legend because he was still active. now that he’s retired, people call him a legend. it has everything do with what someone used to do in the past but no longer does in the present. hence, edwin and (arguably mikey) are not yet Legends.
look at Jon Taylor’s list: Mat Hoffman and Craig Campbell are definitely legends. Also, Dave Young is a legend; Josh Heino is a legend; Shaun Butler is a legend; Brian Terada is a legend; Ratboy is a legend; The Gonz is a legend. Luc-e is a legend; Colin Winkleman is a legend; and Vic Ayala is a legend. If you don’t know ‘em then shut the hell up.
May 13th, 2009 at 20:27
haha it’s just so terribly typical of robbo to put his whole team on here.i guess this is one of the reasons why fit is going so well(i’m probably the only person under 20 who doesnt have anything fit on his bike).
i’d absolutely second the above comment. though i still think edwin works, since he really went underground(saw him do a smith at simpel session, but nothing else really).
May 13th, 2009 at 22:34
i dont have any fit parts either.but ed is a legend to me because he was my introduction to freestyle bmx in general,along with brakeless,and is still my idea of what style is.
May 15th, 2009 at 17:14
What about dave mirra. He is already a legend before he retired
May 15th, 2009 at 22:25
Legends are told about amazing & pioneering people doing amazing & pioneering things. I’ve never seen anything about a time constraint or saying that they can’t do amazing stuff anymore. Mattt Hoffman is definitely a legend because of what he did, inventing a million tricks, organizing contests and keeping the sport alive. Plus he still rides a fair bit. Craig Campbell was an innovator in street riding before we even called it street. 540 wallride anyone? If someone has done something that made them stand out or impressed a generation, id say that qualifies them as a legend. At that rate, let’s pull in other guys like Mike Dominguez. He was the first kid attempting Tailwhips out of a ramp/pool. And he was 14! Look how many people are doing tailwhips now. And they don’t even know who started it.