As you may know already, Mike is our art department. He makes the magazine look all spangly and nice, and is always on hand to pick up the pieces of the crew’s shoddy attempts at creativity. When I say the crew, I mean me of course. Here’s Mike’s 2012 round up…

What one rider stood out for you in 2012?

Riding standards always astound me, today people are doing things that I thought would never be possible, but the one rider who is really breaking the rules in my book is Mike Hoder. Now I’ve never been to the spot and stood at the top of the steps, but confirmation of my choice comes from the picture that was run on the Final Frame in the Ride To Glory issue last year. Just look at the size of the ledge and his fingers over the rail, DEDICATION!!!

Mike Hoder And Jose Castillo For S&M Bikes from Nic Gironda on Vimeo.

What one event stood out for you in 2012?

I’ve got to say Texas Toast. When I sleep I usually dream ride, and these dreams are twisted versions of reality. The edits I saw of Texas Toast were the closest thing to really climbing into a dream. Loved it!

CULT ROAD TO TOAST from Cult Crew on Vimeo.

What one moment stood out for you in 2012?

I know this one is personal to me but it’s to do with riding, so I’m gonna tell it anyway. I was down the Haggerston Pump Track, just for a passing ride (I had promised my girlfriend that I wouldn’t be long because she was in a pub at the Broadway flower market). It was a hot summers day and when I get there I met Nathan Beddows, Phil Demattia, Greg Illingworth and a handful of other riders. It was proper amazing, especially since this is just a small pump track in the middle of London. Any how, I’m stoked and I’m at the start hill. I’ve ridden this place so many times and I feel confident, the sun is baking up the ground and my tires are hard. I jump through the first straight with more speed than I usually do and hit the berm to hit a fast and low one. “SMASH!!!!” I eat shit with my front wheel into the back of the landing in front of everyone and tare a heart shaped hole in my elbow the size of half a ham sandwich. I feel embarrassed and try and laugh it off, I ride home and discover I have a broken hand. Dude, I don’t bounce like I used to and designing Ride UK with a broken wrist was tricky.