Features

THRICE: Felix Prangenberg

When I first moved to Germany in 2014, Felix Prangenberg was one of the first riders I started riding with on a regular basis. A then 16 year old gangly looking teenager scrolling through Instagram and then ferociously learning any trick that took his fancy in a matter of seconds, I realised pretty quickly that this kid was not just your average rider. His ability to get on his bike on pretty much any terrain and ride with the style and confidence of a rider 10 years his senior was something that completely baffled me, and back then I knew it was only a matter of time before he exploded onto the scene and became a household name.

Intro by Dave Paterson
Photos by Aaron Zwaal

Fast forward 4 years, I’m lucky enough to have witnessed first hand Felix grow into one of the most talented and dedicated BMX riders in the world. One of the youngest riders to ever turn pro (15), Felix has already accomplished more than some riders double his age. At only 20 years old Felix has gathered a long list of video parts, contest podiums, passport stamps and a whole signature line of products which he helped design.

“Learning any trick that took his fancy in a matter of seconds, I realised pretty quickly that this kid was not just your average rider…”

In a generation of riders uploading their best clips straight onto social media and filming what they have for lunch today, Felix has benefitted from being surrounded by an older generation of BMX riders from day one, listening to their wisdom and letting it sink in and shape the way he perceives riding and how he conducts himself.

This is something that has allowed Felix to have a calm and calculated demeanour whilst riding, but still being able to have a good time at any given situation and enjoy BMX for what it is. Coming off a knee injury that took him out for 6 months, Felix flew straight to the USA to film his new Wethepeople video part and came 2nd to Garrett Reynolds at the Vans HB contest and has returned to riding with an unstoppable attitude and a huge hunger to ride as much as he can, as hard as he can. What you see here is merely a glimpse into what Felix can produce in just two short days, and I’m willing to bet most of this was first go.

PAST

What’s been going on?

“I’m from a super small village called Roßbach, which is 70km away from Cologne. I’ve been riding BMX for about 14 years now and it’s everything for me. When I was 6 years old I got my first BMX and I’ve never ever thought about stopping riding since then. My Dad was always into mountain bikes and taught me a lot of bike control like balancing on one point in front of the TV, haha.

“My dad taught me a lot of bike control like balancing on one point in front of the TV, haha.”

My parents have always been super supportive and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I did 10 years of school and started an apprenticeship as a retail dealer after that and it sucked. After a year of doing the same shit every day I quit it and I’d say it was the best decision I’ve ever made.”

PRESENT

What’s happening now?

“I’m lucky enough to be able to be just riding BMX and traveling for the last two years now and it’s the best thing in the world. When I’m home most of the time I live in Cologne with my girlfriend at her parents’ house. Right now I’m just trying to go out and film with friends as much as possible and go some places to see new spots.”