Next to the hi-class trips, I’m sure you’ve slept in many places that you did not really want to go back to. Have you ever been stuck in the streets? Brad Simms: Never! but really close to sleeping on the streets in Santiago, Chile.. all my friends were out of town and in another city and I was low on money and actually had to borrow money from a few good friends to scrape by until I got paid.
What scares you when you’re on the road on your own? Brad Simms: Being robbed for all my stuff because I travel with everything and don't exactly have a home base anywhere, so if you rob me that's all my stuff .. hopefully that'll never happen though.
The internet is a great thing. Where do you usually search for a free wifi spot?
Brad Simms: 98% of the time when I travel I'm staying at someone's house in some random country so most people have internet or I'll goto a cafe and use their net if none is available where I'm at.
Riding BMX is an instant bond between riders all over the world. Where did you connect with riders in 2010? Brad Simms: Yeah it's pretty amazing how so many people around the world share this in common but I connected with people on every continent... Norway, Colombia, Chile, Ecuardor, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Russia, Latvia, Puerto Rico, Australia, Kuwait, Iraq, probably a few I'm missing in there but that gives you an idea.
Riding for an Australian company meant that you got to go to Australia to ride with the team. How’s Australia for BMX?
Brad Simms: Definitely a good winter escape.. Australia is similar to America besides it's waaaaay more expensive! Good parks and street to ride everywhere out here so if you want to go to Australia to ride or get away for the winter and chase the sun while everyone is stuck back in the cold this is a good destination.
People were looking out for a Ty Morrow, AK and Brad Simms bunny hop battle in Estonia. How come you weren’t there this year?
Brad Simms: I was actually supposed to be there but some stuff came up while in Australia so I couldn't make it but if they have a hop comp next year at SS we will surely make the people happy because I know how bad people wanna see that.
Being a BMX rider most likely you have to watch the money you spend while on the road. Do you have any tips on how to save money on food, travel, housing, etc.? Brad Simms: Buy groceries, meet riders around the world and experience their cultures and stay out of those hotels because if you stay in hotels on every trip you won't experience anything and you'll be spending all your money or sponsors $$.
Do you keep the travel memories in your head, or do you take pics, film, keep a diary/blog or anything like that to remember what you’re experiencing on the road?
Brad Simms: No diary but I take pics and keep everything in my head because I remember everything and one of these days I'll write it down for the world to hear.
If you could pick a place to go to, where would you go?
Brad Simms: As cocky as this may sound but nowhere really because I have had the opportunity to go any and everywhere you can imagine and if I haven't been there I will be going really soon.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.