The Rob Darden interview. By BdJ

Jun 30, 2011

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 4405 times

Name: Rob Darden
Age: 30
Sponsors: Guerra, Rockstar, Arnette, Rogue Fitness, Vans, Carhartt, Skullcany, Ogio.

Talking about sponsors, you've been going through some sponsor changes. How did you end up riding for Guerra bikes?
Rob: Leigh Rasmdell gave me a call and gave me the low down and everything sounded great. Guerra is just what I was looking for, a fresh start.

Can you tell us a bit more about that company? Are there any plans with the brand/team for 2011?
Rob: Guerra is a high-end frame fork and bar brand which is being sold through VeinBMX.com. Right now for 2011 the team consists of Rich Scott, Nick Anderson and myself.

Being a family man now you kinda need to have some sort

of steady income. Who else are helping out for 2011?
Rob: My sponsors are putting food on the table right now and I cannot thank them enough.

You had to deal with a serious injury that had you sidelined for a while. Are you back at 100%?
Rob: Injuries have been the story of my life the last couple of years. I am not a 100% right now but my confidence and strength improves every time I go riding, which always has me coming back for more.

During that recovery time, do you ever think of quitting BMX altogether and getting a different job to pay the bills?
Rob: A lot of those things crossed my mind. There are times when you feel so down that you just want to give up, but in the end quitting would be the easiest thing to do. Before going in to my surgeries I told myself I got this and I won't let this bring me down. I am physically and mentally stronger then that. Plus before my injuries I felt the best I have ever felt on my bike and my goal right is to feel better then that. The best thing can do is set goals, that might be a goal for the day/week/month. Mine was to be stronger then I was the day before. Slow motion is better then no motion!

Having good places to ride and riders to ride with must feel awesome. Are you enjoying the Greenville life?
Rob: Greenville is great. There are times when things get old, but that is going to happen anywhere. I have plenty of other hobbies outside of BMX that keep everything fresh.

Now that Ryan Nyquist lives on the West Coast, does it feel like you're having your own private warehouse to ride (the Unit)?
Rob: I guess you can look at it like that, but I never do. I just feel blessed to have Ryan as such a great friend and have him trust me with a key. Nyquist is seriously an amazing individual! We are lucky to have him in BMX.

Where do the Greenville riders ride dirt?
Rob: There are some local trails is town, but they are run down at the moment. We really never ride dirt which is a bummer cause that is my favorite thing to ride. I hate to say it, but I ride more dirt at contest then I do at home.

Do you ever hit up the vert ramp at Mancuso's?
Rob: I have ever been there, but I would like to start pumping around.

Where do you think Vert is going?
Rob: I think vert is strong and always will be. The only thing I would like to see is some smaller more friendly sized vert ramps so kids are not so intimidated.

When you show up at a park contest do you look around where on the park you could do your nice one-handed flattie?
Rob: Pretty much. If there is something that I can go as high as I can on, you will probably see a one-handed flattie come out.

Do you have any travel plans in the near future?
Rob: Just riding as much as possible, filming and shooting photos, staying healthy and getting stronger.

Are you filming for anyone right now?
Rob: I was filming for Still Searching before I got hurt, now that I am back riding I will try to film as much as I can for that. I'll probably start filming some web stuff for Guerra in the near future.

Any shout outs?
Rob: I would like to thank all my sponsors for all the love and support, Guerra, Rockstar, Arnette, Rogue Fitness, Vans, Carhartt, Skullcany, Ogio. My wife for putting up with my lifestyle and being a wonderful mother, my daughter for always keeping a smile on my face, my parents for all their support, Josh Harrington for being my partner in crime the past 10 years and Nyquist for being Nyquist.