Q. First things first… How’s life in the US treating you?
Yeah real good man. Before I went home in August I was missing everything back home a lot but after being back there for 10 days it really made me realize how sweet it is over here. Think I just needed that first trip home out of the way.

Q. You chose the etnies Barge LS for your shoe with a Purple colour-way combo. You’re known for keeping things simple. Why that choice?
I was going to use the Barge originally as that was one of my favourite models since I got on etnies, that shoe got discontinued which i was kinda bummed about then Ian told me they were doing an LS version of that shoe so I went with that. When it came to colours I only really wear black shoes so I thought I would stick with that and just add some small colour details.

Q. You had a nasty crash when you was on the Euro etnies trip. You hurt your knee quite bad, how’s it going and when will you be back riding again?
Yeah I have had a torn acl for about 3 years now and have just been dealing with it because getting it fixed was going to be such a long process. When I tweaked it again in Berlin I thought I was going to be able to build the muscle up and just keep dealing with it but the thing is knackered. I got in contact with Aaron Cooke at the ARF and he instantly got the ball rolling for me to get surgery. I’m seeing this dude Dr Chao down in San Diego who seems to be the go to guy, just from going there for my first appointment i can see why they have a real good set up down there. I should be getting surgery any day now, hope to be back on it around February/March time. Wanna give a big shout out to Aaron and everyone at ARF with out their help non of this would be possible, also Ian and Harry have been a big help.

We asked our Facebook fans, “If you were to ask Ashley Charles a question. What would it be…?” Could you answer their questions for them?

Tim Shenton asks – What is the best park you’ve ridden in the UK? Man that’s a tough one! I feel like the concrete parks in the uk are just starting to compare to ones in other countries. Would probably have to say my old local in Bournemouth, it’s got some good hips to blast and if you it’s quiet you pump around for days.

Max Higginson asks – What would you do if you didn’t ride? I’m quiet a hands on person so probably be doing a trade of some sort. I’ve been real lucky when it comes to travelling and pretty much haven’t stopped since i was 21. I would like to think that i would still do that even though most of it has happened through bike riding. It seems like if you have a trade, one you can get work anywhere and two you can always go away for a while and find work when you get home.

Chris Yorke asks – How’s the new crib in Long Beach? It’s sick but I’m in the process of moving at the moment which I’m a little bummed about because I love everything about the spot I’m in now. I plan on staying in the same area though so hopefully I can find somewhere just as sweet.

Roy van Kempen asks – What do you miss most about the UK besides friends and family. And did you already spend all my spare coins from the United van, haha?I would have to say the grey skies and old brick buildings, just the feel of the UK. Of course the weather sucks when your there dealing with it but when it’s at all over cast here I’m almost stoked. I have spoke to other people that aren’t from here that feel the same. The coins went towards washing my clothes thanks.

Q. Each of you guys had one of your tattoos printed on the in-sole of the shoe. Which on your tattoos did you choose and why? Well Ian told me that it was an option to print something on the insole of the shoe. I wanted to keep mine pretty simple, so I thought it would be sweet to have some tattoo art printed on it insole, so the shoe had some detail, but when you had the shoe on it still had a simple look. I originally was going to have something I have tattooed in there, but then I thought some one might look at it and want to get the same thing for themselves which I don’t want. I have been going to the same studio for the past 6/7 years, so I just took down some cut out insoles showed my guy the colours of the shoe and just told him to draw what he wanted. His work is always good and I’m stoked on the out come.

Click for larger image.

Q. Any signature United parts that you’re working on that you can tell us about exclusively. None at the minute

Q. So what’s your plans for this Winter? Get settled in a new apartment and get this bloody knee working good again.