well. You’re an example that age shouldn’t let anyone down to try and keep riding their BMX bike. Do you feel like you’re an example for other people out there? Dennis: Thanks Bart. I suppose it's turning out that way. At the first X Games I was the oldest rider at 28, which is no longer considered old. I will be 45 by the time X Games 18 rolls around and I know I can outride the 1995 version of me. Everyone should do what feels right to them. I've never let others' perceptions change my reality. It's as simple as that. Do you use your routine when you ride contests, or do you still want to add to the table with new tricks, more style, different flow, or/and putting more tricks in your runs?
Dennis: I like to mix things up and continue to progress. There are always tricks to relearn or dial in and things you hope to try at some point. I pulled my barspin to barspin back 540 first try in Vegas last year after 15 years of thinking about it. It felt awesome. How happy are you with the vert ramps being wide these days. You used to shoot off the ramps every now and then in the past didn’t you?
Dennis: I never like to limit myself. Why limit my run to just the ramp? That's one downside to the current width - some of my best clips involve what happens after landing a big trick. Mutt still claims he was traumatized by my bars backwards launch into the crowd at Scrap when a one and a half barspin 540 ran out of room.
What kind of stem do you use? No more 1/4 inch allen key in the pocket? Dennis: Haro. My bars rarely move these days after I decided to stop landing low. I used to do the occasional bottom out, just to mix things up and get a little extra hang time. A 12' air feels like 25' if you can avoid the transition on the way down.
The number of vert riders is on the low side compared to those riding street, park and dirt. What needs to be done to get more riders on the vert ramp? Dennis: There are quite a few new riders entering vert comps lately, but vert has always been more about the quality of riding than the quantity of riders. There are more pro vert riders now than ever, and I see plenty of park riders that could tear it up if they took the time to adjust to a full-face helmet. Finding a place to ride the other disciplines is easier than building a vert ramp. After convincing cities to open public parks, it's time to get a vert ramp added to the menu.
You’re “close to the fire” running the BMX events at the Dew Tour. Do you think vert would have a place there if you wouldn’t be in the organisation or if Mat wouldn’t be involved in the organisation at the X-Games to keep vert in?
Dennis: It should always have a place. Vert comps never disappoint and so many staple tricks were done on vert ramps first. It has played a huge role in the evolution of BMX and will continue to do so. For Vert to be absent from the biggest events would require people to disregard where freestyle BMX came from and the potential of where it could go next. The level of riding keeps rising. Bestwick is considered the top Vert rider and was practically 
competing against himself a couple years back. Yet at the last 4 Dew Tour stops, he's been outridden 3 times by 3 different riders. Vert is going to be insane in 2012. 2016 Olympics in Rio. If BMX makes it in the Games, what discipline should be in?
Dennis: I'm leaning toward flatland, park, vert, street and dirt. If it were up to me swap rock and trash fights would get serious consideration too.
It’s amazing you guys have just finished a huge vert ramp in Kansas. Just in time to get ready for the Olympics?
Dennis: Way ahead of schedule for that. Anyone practicing 4 1/2 years for a contest should reevaluate their priorities. Count me in ready or not. Slayer cranking during an Olympics event is going to rule.
Do you still ride a bit of street, flatland or park? Dennis: I still ride everything, but mostly concrete parks and I work hang 5's, decades, etc., into lip tricks. Street is still a blast when I'm healthy, and almost as fun when I'm not.
What are your thoughts on FATBMX’ Vert Week?
Dennis: It's cool to reminisce and catch up on so many riders I've sessioned with through the years. Good stuff!
Thanks to/shout outs?
Dennis: Paridy of course, our family, all of our posse at McCoy Productions, the BMX Brigade, the Sprocket Jockey's, the Boom Boom HuckJam crew, and everyone else I've had the pleasure of working with or riding with since the late 70's. Special thanks to my lifelong friend John "Poodle" Hensley. You are missed. RIP.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.