Simple Session 16 participant: Ben Wallace (GBR)

Apr 26, 2016

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 2178 times

Name: Ben Wallace
Hometown: Leigh park. Currently living in Riverside, California
Sponsors: Mongoose bikes, Monster Energy, Stay Strong and CTI knee braces
Instagram: benwallacebmx

What's your best Simple Session memory?
Ben Wallace: 2010 when I placed 3rd alongside Brett Banasiewicz in 2nd and Drew Bezanson 1st and it was also the first time I done a 360 lookback to down whip in competition and it was also the first time it was ever done so I was pretty stoked on that and it's a good memory to have and another one to go down in the history books.

Biggest crash you've ever seen on a BMX?
Ben Wallace: In 2008 I went on a local exposure tour with Allan Cooke and we travelled New Hampshire USA. It's a horrible one for me to remember and a hard one to forget but the kid that was involved is ok and lived to tell the tail. Once we all arrived at one of the skate parks all the kids gathered outside to meet us one of the kids went to cross the road from behind a bus but didn't see the car coming in the other direction and got hit at about 30mph and flew down the road about 50 feet maybe more but I was standing 20 feet from him and saw it all happen and it was just so horrible to watch and I'm so great full that the kid was ok. After the kid was fully healed I'm pretty sure he carried on riding and I think Allen even got him loads of freebies to wish him luck through his recovery. Kids always look left and right before crossing the road.

Have you ever eaten fastfood for a month straight?
Ben Wallace: Hell no! I'm an athlete hahaha. I like fast food don't get me wrong but there's no way I could eat that stuff all day everyday, I've seen what happens to the guy who eats it for a month, no thanks.

Have you ever totaled a car?
Ben Wallace: Yes, 6 weeks after I passed my test and I've even got it on video as Mark Webb was filming it out of the window of the car going down a gravel track, I was going a little too fast on a wet surface and just lost control. It's actually at the start of one of my little edits from about 9 years ago here's the link, enjoy lol.

Did you ever get a fine for riding BMX?
Ben Wallace: No that's one thing I've never had, it's because I don't ride enough street haha.

What's your nickname?
Ben Wallace: I don't really have one but some people call me Wallaboy

Who is the biggest legend you've seen at your local park?
Ben Wallace: I can't remember how old I was but I know I was young and I remember seeing Brian Foster ride Southsea skate park, I think he was the biggest legend I've seen there growing up but I know many other riders have been there but at those times I weren't there.

Last time you rode stoned/drunk?
Ben Wallace: I don't smoke but the last time I rode, tipsy not drunk lol was at the last Red Bull dirt conquers and we were having a few drinks after the event had all finished and we decided to have a little ride after and Corey Bohan dared me to flip up the step up and if I did he was gonna buy me a drink so I took him up on that offer haha.

Have you ever been caught by the police?
Ben Wallace: No I've never been in trouble in that way to be on the run from the police.

Worst BMX injury you've had?
Ben Wallace: My ACL. It wasn't too painful when I done it but it was just the recovery time after. I couldn't ride for 6 months because I done more then just my ACL but that was definitely my worst one.

Highest amount you paid for luggage?
Ben Wallace: £400 when I moved to America because I had 6 bags.

Stoked to be going to Simple Session?
Ben Wallace: Yes I'm really looking forward to it as it's been 5 years since the last time I was there and I'm looking forward to see how much it's changed and to go see all the riders and hang out.