Natalie: We share an amazing life together! While Morgan is off traveling the world doing what he loves I stay plenty busy at home studying and presiding over the organizations I’m in at school. When I get a break I travel with him to contests, which is fun because I get to ride half the time. I would say being a rider myself has made our schedules easier to handle, since Morgan is gone about two-thirds of the year!
Do you watch BMX videos together? Natalie: Unfortunately, I don’t really watch BMX videos. I know…I’m a bad BMX’er! If someone puts a video in I’ll definitely watch and get into it. If a good video is in I’ll get super pumped to ride and want to send myself, ha. I hardly ever touch a remote, much less turn on a television to put a video in. I’m stuck in my schoolbooks!
Which one is your favourite? and which one is his?
Natalie: Road Fools 5 because of the antics and Road Fools 14 because I feel that it’s one of the last good pro road trip videos. I also love watching anything that Jim Bauer, Will Stroud and Joe Simon are a part of because of their creativity and style. Morgan’s favourite BMX video is Etnies’ Forward.
Do you travel a lot with Morgan to contests he goes to?
Natalie: Over the summer I try to travel with him. In the beginning of our relationship I went to almost every contest and road trip he participated in, but now that I’m about to graduate I stay at home and pretty much study all the time. Even when I do travel you’re likely to see me in the stands with my books!
Are you on a Radio bike too now?
Natalie: No, I'm riding Seth Kimbrough's Bama frame (one I've wanted for a lonnnnng time). Thanks, Mat!
Do you ride trails, park, flatland, mini, the whole nine yards? Natalie: I mostly ride park but I love a good vert ramp. I don’t like riding ramps under six-and-a-half or seven feet tall because I can’t air out of anything smaller! I blame that on riding mostly vert when I started – I actually aired a vert ramp before I ever bunny-hopped a curb. I just started playing with some flatland moves and I enjoy a good table top in a trails setting – I lost my box jumping skills several years ago; if you find them please give them back to me!
What do you think needs to be done for more girls to get into BMX?
Natalie: More coverage and opportunities for ladies to get together to ride. I guess I’ll use this opportunity to share a project I’m working on. I’m currently making a full-length BMX video featuring four lady riders. The title of the video will be “Chick Flick”. We just started filming so I don’t have a trailer yet, but I want to feature a friends’ section. So ladies – if you would like to participate in the first all girl BMX video please send your footage (in raw format) to Chris Rollins at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Do you think there are enough girl classes in competitions?
Natalie: No. The contests that do include us (Ray’s, JoMoPro, Toronto BMX Jam, BMX Masters) do an amazing job of including us and giving us the opportunity to ride. There are two factors that play into this problem: The first is corporate (and sadly some core-BMX) interest and support. Since we aren’t doing the high-flying circus-style tricks it’s hard to promote girls BMX to corporate contests and venues. I understand that we might not be as entertaining to watch and we progress a lot slower, but c’mon, how many guy BMX’ers were super entertaining to watch when they first started or even after several years of riding? I had a negative experience with a certain corporately sponsored contest here in the states that wouldn’t allow me to ride in the open class because I was a woman. I think that is unfortunate because it discourages participation from a group that could potentially bring in a whole new dynamic to BMX. I got into riding through my brother and friends. Just think how many other girls who might want to start riding because they saw a ladies’ class in a BMX contest they watched on TV with their brother. The other problem is that when any of us ladies travel to a contest we do on our own dime (or are covering the majority of it). I’m sure a lot of pro-BMX guys would have troubles remembering how big a dent going to just one contest put in their wallet. When you factor air travel or gas, hotel (even when you’re cramming twelve people into the room), food and contest entries it gets really expensive, not to mention if something on your bike breaks and you have to buy new parts. There are a lot of ladies who I’m sure would travel to more contests if they received a little bit of financial support.
Which is one event you always look forward to? Natalie: I am very much looking forward to next year’s JoMoPro. It’s centrally located, not too expensive and they hook it up on prizes – and not just for the top three!
Do you have anything to say to all the BMX girls out there?
Natalie: Keep on riding because you love it. You’re going to encounter guys (and girls) who will mislabel you, accuse you of riding for the “wrong” reasons, and talk badly on what you wear, how you ride and every other negative comment under the sun. Keep your chin up and don’t let them get to you. Support girl BMX ventures like Nina and Angie’s “Yeah” zine, www.wofbmx.com, Bea Trang’s Magnolia BMX and keep your eyes and ears peeled for the release of “Chick Flick”!
Thanks to: My Lord, Father and Savior Jesus Christ for providing a wonderful husband, and the opportunity to travel and meet wonderful people who love to ride little kid’s bikes. Morgan for being my better half and living a good example to others, my family for being supportive, my brother for getting me into BMX, and all the people I’ve met over the last six years who have given me parts, worked on my bike, traveled with me, let me tag along, and have made awesome memories with me! Also, thanks to Bart for this interview!
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.