Leigh Ramsdell interview

Oct 29, 2011

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 5901 times

Name: Leigh Ramsdell
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Hook-ups: Eastern Bikes, Animal hooks it up too.

Do you remember the first ramp you rode that had some vert on it?
Leigh: Oh yeah. Well, whether it actually had vert is questionable but it was in 1984 and my friend took me to this seven foot quarter at the end of a street with trees behind it. He said this guy Greg jumps this and I was thinking 'into the trees?'. I thought he went over the ramp not straight up in the air and then back into the quarter. So the next day I came back and Greg was airing four or five feet out of it and coming back in. I was blown away and tried it then and was hooked for life.

When did you decide you needed your own ramp to do your tricks on?
Leigh: I never thought I needed a ramp of my own to do

tricks on, I just wanted any ramp to ride. But it is nice when you do have one real close to ride anytime.

Did you use any building guidelines to build your ramp?
Leigh: Not really. Just as long as it doesn't fall over when I am riding, which did happen once...I flew out on the deck (Voelker style) and the back supports blew out and the ramp and myself went down. Good times.

Who rode with you when you were exploring the vert section of the ramp?
Leigh: Greg Bloom and Matt Shearer were the two main dudes I rode with when I started. Good times. I still ride with them from time to time.

What were the trick team shows that you attended in the eighties?
Leigh: Hutch with Woody Itson was the first, he did a 540. Then Haro and Diamond Back.

What was the first vert ramp (halfpipe) you rode?
Leigh: The first halfpipe was this skaters ramp in 85 or 86. It was just a little bit of flat and a foot and a half of vert. The flat bottom was calling my name, and I answered.

When and where was your first vert contest?
Leigh: I rode a few local vert comps but my first major one was the 1987 2-Hip King of Vert in Washington, DC. This was the first ten foot ramp I rode. I thought it was giagantic.

Who did you look up to?
Leigh: People taller than me and DMC too, haha. Plus Hoffman, Mirra, Wilkerson, Joe Johnson...so many really.

You've traveled all over the world, where did you see the best vert ramp?
Leigh: The vert ramp I went the highest on was the one in Shimerville, PA but my favorite one was the one in Mirra's backyard.

What do you think of vert riding nowadays?
Leigh: It is cool to actually see more of the younger guys getting into. I was just in Brazil and met Douglas Leite who was riding the vert ramp there, going high and looking smooth. If people could find smaller half-pipes to start out on then I bet more guys would get into it. More 540's and less flairs!

Is Bestwick going to rule the U-pipe next year?
Leigh: With the new format it will be close between him, McCann, Kagy and Byron. And that is awesome to have competition like that again. It actually got boring knowing that Jamie would most likely win every contest (however I must say, it NEVER got boring to watch him ride those events). I can't wait for vert comps next year!

Your thoughts on Vert Week on FATBMX?
Leigh: It's awesome to see someone take an interest in a part of the sport that is small but also has the gnarliest dudes in it. Vert em up!