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2015 ROUND UP: Jordan Aleppo

Jordan is pretty out there as an individual. He’s a joker – he’s loud, he’s bold, he gets our attention – which is why we love him. There aren’t many characters like Jordan in BMX, hence why he has so many fans. I’ve been on several trips with him and have seen even the driest dudes creasing at the insane, wild, often vulgar speech coming from his mouth. He’s not too much to handle, but he’s pretty out there. In a really good way. Thankfully though, it’s not just that – his riding backs it all up. Jordan can make some pretty amazing stuff happen on two wheels, that’s for sure.

Here’s Jordan’s year in review.

Cover photo by Robin Pearson.

Jordan Aleppo:
This year I haven’t actually been able to ride a lot at all, pretty much the only time I’ve ridden has been in a edit or Instagram video. I’ve had all my exams and write ups to become a qualified electrician on top of working like 60 hour weeks, so I had to really knuckle down and instead of riding my bike, partying and meeting loads of naughty tinder girls I spent most of my time working, revising and doing homework. But other than that, my year’s been really good!

A photo posted by Jordan Aleppo (@jordan_aleppo) on Feb 6, 2015 at 10:17am PST

Vans

To start off, in February I received a phone call from Mad Jon Taylor who asked me to ride for Vans UK. I couldn’t believe it, I even said “Bruv, me? Are you sure?” I still think to this day he got the wrong number, haha. But honestly it’s a massive honour to be a part of Vans and I would like to thank Mad Jon and Vans for all the support.

Stay Strong in London

In April, my boss said to me I had to use up some of my holiday allowance before the end of the month so I hit up Marco (the Stay Strong team manager) and said I needed to take some time off work and I wanted to film an edit with Anthony Watkinson. Probably like three days later we had a whole trip planned and the next thing I knew I was on the train to London to meet Anthony and Robin Pearson (the filmer). I had so much fun on this trip riding my bike every day with good people, went out every night and even ended up making best friends with everyone in our hostel.

Primo

Also in April, I got offered to ride for probably three of the biggest parts companies, which was crazy because I’ve never really had any offers before. So I left Demolition, all on good terms, and decided to ride for Primo Parts, which made a lot more sense as it’s distributed by Seventies and I was already friends with a lot of the team.

So, on the last day of the Stay Strong LDN trip, I was speaking to Robin about an idea I had for a kind of welcome to the team/bike check video. I hit up the Seventies boss man Stu Dawkins, he gave me the go ahead, then the weekend after Robin came down to Seventies to film my Primo video. Robin did an amazing job with the edit, Joe-Tek helped me get clearance on a song I loved and even though it rained I think it still came out OK!

GoPro edit

Originally Marco gave me the GoPro for the Stay Strong LDN trip, but I left it in my bag, forgot about it and found it a couple of weeks later. Then one day after work I just decided to take it with me and film a little session.

Borrowed the @staystrongbmx @gopro and filmed this one day after work.✌️ #gopro @federalbikes @vansbmx66@pijinbmx@seventiesdistro@sterling_estate

Posted by Jordan Aleppo on Tuesday, 12 May 2015

I’ve actually been filming a new GoPro edit throughout the year, taking it with with me everywhere and filming everything – day to day life, riding, raves… girls… I mean EVERYTHING! Haha… But I’m trying to make it at least ‘rated 12’ so Facebook don’t delete the video and deactivate my account as they gave me my final warning, haha. make sure you keep an eye out for it on my Facebook.

California

In October I went to Cali for a month to film with Stevie Churchill for our Federal Split Series. Going to America was so surreal for me, I’ve always wanted to go ever since I was a yoot.

Prior to the trip I was working ridiculously long days, revising and writing essays every day so I didn’t really get to ride for like 4 months before it. I felt like a proper virgin on a bike and was just about to be filming with one of the most talented riders in the world… I felt I put myself under so much pressure to make a good edit and as this was only the 2nd ever trip abroad I’ve been on, I really wanted to make a good impression to Federal.

Riding-wise, me and Stevie didn’t really have the best of luck. I’ve never been to a hot country or somewhere with a time difference before so for the first week or so I think I was well jet-lagged. Then poor Stevie had some bad news and had to go back home to Connecticut for a week. The week after, we went to a mental strip club for Stevie’s birthday with the OSS boys and Stevie got his foot run over by a Porsche that Alfredo (the OSS team manager) and I just so happened to be in, haha… But all in all given the circumstances I think we done alright and if Rich Forne is anything to do with the video it’s bound to be sick!

Tip+

While I was in Cali I managed to ride the Tip+ set up for a couple of hours and even film a little “Tuesday’s at Tip” edit.

I would like to thank the OSS crew for looking after me and showing me a sick time! And most of all I would like to thank everyone at Federal and especially Stu Dawkins for sending me there and allowing me to have the amazing experience.

I’ve had an amazing year and would like thank everyone who was involved. I think now I’m finally qualified, in the new year I’m going to quit my job and for the first time dedicate my time to do something I love and make BMX my main priority.

Safe for reading

Much love

Jordan Aleppo