Filming at night is nothing new in BMX, but what isn't really explored is the reasons for doing it. Some places are so hot, the most comfortable time to ride is at night. More densely populated areas are often so bustling that the best time to be productive is when the average bystander has gone to bed. And for many, the only way to make time for BMX is when you punch out for the day and somehow still have the drive to pedal even after the sun has gone down. After becoming a dad, I learned that I was still very motivated to ride, but had to adapt to new responsibilities in order to keep the stoke alive. I began riding at night more often, despite not having a lot of decent spots, a well-lit skatepark or many others to ride with. Although far from perfect, night time sessions allowed me to balance a new phase of my life as well as make time to enjoy what I love to do.
Gradually, the sessions became less isolated and the stoke started to spread to others. Trips over the hill to ride in San Jose or other nearby cities led to some really fun sessions. A special camaraderie was growing from these night missions, with other riders finding ways to balance their work/responsibilities and make time for BMX. Even though night time conditions offer many challenges, the energy was something that we were all largely growing fond of. On nights where the moon shown in full and provided slightly more visibility, a certain kind of magic enveloped the sessions.
In 2023, I made it a goal to ride and film on every full moon and make an edit. When you think about it, you have 12 sessions to film, which isn't a lot. Factor in people's responsibilities/schedules, weather, spot selection, or simply people being tired, I realized this was quite a feat. Despite these setbacks, everybody came through, whether it was doing some sick moves, patiently filming, or simply providing good company. Big thanks to my family for supporting my idea, and all the riders involved. I'm not sure if I'll continue the tradition of riding on the full moon in 2024, but this truly made riding in 2023 a special and memorable experience.
Featuring: Jesse Sawyer, Andy Maguire, Reed Zirjacks, Kord McKinney, Brendan Bertolini, Mike Edwards, Jordan Murdock, Paul Berendt, Bryan Rodriguez, Tim Maguire, Milad Karimi, Lydon George, Neal Sharma, and Josiah Bledsoe.
Filmed by: Andy Maguire, Milad Karimi, Reed Zirjacks, Jesse Sawyer, Eric Mesta, Kord McKinney, and Anthony Mistah Fabb.