Q&A with Kaz Campbell

– Looks like a hot day! What was the plan, who was involved, how did it go?

It was damn hot but luckily the trees gave us some shade.  Basically I got a call from Matt one day saying he’s got a mate that wanted to shoot some photos at the trails.  I met them there and sure enough Ben unloads about 3 suitcases worth of equipment haha, it was pretty sick.

– Tell us about this trails spot. Who’s involved and what’s the setup?

Me and about 4 or 5 other dudes (Jerobie, Dave, Lee, Sean, Fraser) started digging here about 6 years ago and we just gave up to due to various reasons, one being that Sean and Dave thought they were being shot at by farmers (lol).  Then due to Covid and not being able to ride parks, we decided to carry on where we left off, and actually managed to get a fun little line running.

It’s basically pedal your balls off into two racers, a hip thats nice and close to a tree, then a roller into a trick jump.  We call it Bambi as many sightings of deer have been encountered, but it’s also known as our training facility for The Woodyard.

– Does Matt dig or is he just a dry guy?

Haha, Matt would have to be the driest, but he does try when he’s not busy vlogging.  Matt definitely likes to avoid doing barras, would not recommend him if ya want one pushed up a landing either, haha.

– When did you first meet Matt?

Jeezz I think we must’ve been about 13/14, I just remember him as this funny but cocky kid who had all this amazing bike control but only had the balls to do the roller line at Woodyard! It’s been good growing up with him and seeing him progress.

“I have to say I still find myself watching a lot of Hawk and Aitken…”

– Who were the riders you looked up to when you started riding?

There are so many to choose from but when I first started it had to be the likes of Mirra and Hoffman, and Scotty Cranmer, but as I started to know what I liked to ride, I was instantly drawn to people like Mike Aitken and Chase Hawk, as I grew up riding dirt and became obsessed with stylish tricks and people floating around effortlessly.

I also have to mention being from Cambridge meant that Priesty was a big part of my influence growing up, as he used to rip all my local spots, pretty crazy to think I’m good friends with him now!

– Who are your inspirations now?

I have to say I still find myself watching a lot of Hawk and Aitken, but I’ve been really into watching Corey Walsh and Jason Watts recently, those dudes kill it.

– If you can go on a trip this year, where are you going?

I had a big trip to Malaga already planned so was bummed when I found out it had to be cancelled.  We’re going to try and see if we can still go there in the autumn or something as it’s one of my favourite places!  Apart from that I know that Bas has got some more camping trips planned which are always an absolute blast.  Nothing better than travelling to new spots with your bike.

Q&A with Matt Harris

“I hope my spelling and grammar is on point, I haven’t done this much writing since year 4.”

– Looks like a hot day! What was the plan, who was involved, how did it go?

It was pretty fuckin’ hot, we hit the trails we built over lockdown and my buddy Ben hit me up saying he was trying to take some pictures in the woods.  I got Kaz away from sunbathing in his garden and we went for a session, then myself and Ben went to Dunstable bowl to have a cruise with Sean (AKA Microwave helmet)

– What are you rolling in now? Tell us about your car… You’ve always seemed to have a bit of a different taste in cars…

Haha, so 95% of the time if we’re riding I’m cruising in the orange VW T5, it’s just got all the room for bikes, boys, tools, and beers.  But the other 5%…  I just recently bought a Japanese Kei car, so sometimes you’ll see the bike poking out the top with the roof off…

– Does Sean approve of it?

Sean’s grumpy, I think he approves, but I’m not the sure what’s really going through his head most of the time.  Also, did you know Sean’s been to Australia?

– Who parties harder, Kaz or Bohan?

Kaz would like to think he does, but he’s normally smashed by about 9:30pm…  So for that reason, Bohan.

“The three that I get most stoked from when I see stunts from are Kris Fox, Matt Cordova, and Chaz Mailey.”

– How many tables did you do on this day?

We must have tried to get the one foot table in the pocket for about 45 minutes, so I’m gonna say maybe 420 tables.

– Who were the riders you looked up to when you started riding?

Growing up, Priesty, Inch, Bentley, Damo and Wildhair Cam for sure.  Also, Maris Strombergs was up there back in the racing days.

– Who are your inspirations now?

I’ve got so many people I look up to in riding, but I think the three that I get most stoked from when I see stunts from are Kris Fox, Matt Cordova, and Chaz Mailey.  Those dudes fucking rip.  Oh yeah, and the one and only Chris Herrell.

– What are these trails like?

Pretty much we didn’t really have a lot to ride in lockdown so we started building at an old spot Kaz and the boys used to dig at as kids, now we’ve got a couple racers, a hip, and a fly out style last we’ve named “the resi” so if any of you gumshield wearing, 110psi, squeaky brakes dudes wanna come show us some triple whips, you’re more than welcome, but bet you won’t make it over the first.

– Do you dig?

We’ve been digging, I was never the best at being proactive in the winter, but after we’ve started to see and ride our own jumps I’m definitely going to carry on.  Riding something you built with your mates is so much better, and Kaz will tell you that Bambi is like our little baby now.  We don’t ever wanna leave when we’re down there in the woods.

“We don’t ever wanna leave when we’re down there in the woods.”

– What’s up with the summer beanie?

Beanie all year round.  It’s the best item of clothing, and it means you don’t have to do your hair after you’ve taken your lid off.

– If you can go on a trip this year, where are you going?

Myself and the boys were meant to go to Malaga in April, so I’d love to do that trip with all the Villa Road boys.  Realistically I think flights with bikes won’t happen for a little while, so another campin’ and rampin’ tour around England with Bas and the tall order boys would be rad, and I know Bas is super keen for a camping trip too!