Interview With Devan Council : )
My name is Devan, and I've been riding fixed for about 2 years. Before that I rode a single speed for a year or so and before that a road bike for several years.
WHAT DREW YOU INTO FIXED? AND INTO FGFS?
I had a Bianchi Pista set up as a single speed, and I finally just decided to run it fixed (with a little convincing from my boyfriend). I'm really not sure how I got into FGFS. I learned how to do leg over the bar skids and bar spins just for the hell of it. I knew people tricked on their track bikes, but I didn't realize that it was actually a sport I guess until I rode with Chris Layda when he came to town, and he encouraged me to take my riding further.
THERE ARENT MANY WOMEN OUT THERE IN THE FGFS SCENE , WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?
I think it's for a number of reasons. It can be a pretty intimidating thing to get into fgfs, mainly because of the fact that there aren't too many girls doing it. I really think we'll start to see a big change in the amount of girls going for it though, now that there are more of us getting out there, it'll encourage other girls to do the same, and it should just snowball (I'm hoping at least).
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST BIKE ?
My first bike when I was a kid was a Mongoose BMX bike, but my first bike as an (somewhat) adult was a Trek 1000 road bike, and my first fixed gear was a Bianchi Pista.
WHAT OTHER INTRESTS DO YOU HAVE ASIDE FROM BIKES?
Ha, well right now the majority of my time is spent going to school, working at a bike shop, and riding. So I guess school, mainly philosophy, I'm kind of a total nerd. I've also played soccer my whole life, was recruited to play in college, and played my first two years here, until I was just totally burned out on it. I still love to play though; it's kind of a love/hate thing.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING AND THING YOU HATE MOST ABOUT RIDING AND THE FIXED SCENE?
I love how there are so many incredibly cool, fun, and just all around awesome people I've met through riding. I also love how there are so many great guys who have been incredibly supportive of myself as well as other girls getting out there. I think the thing I hate the most is people turning everything into a competition. First and foremost this is all about having fun (at least for me). I don't see why some riders feel the need to cut others down and get so competitive. Don't get me wrong, I'm competitive, but my main goal is to get better, not concern myself with what other people are doing or getting. It just seems silly to get upset because other people are finding success. People should be building each other up, not trying to cut each other down. I just don't know why some people want to try to take the fun out of it; what's the point in doing it if it's not fun?
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE PROGRESION OF FGFS?
I think even in the past few years it's been absolutely crazy. I remember when I'd watch Bootleg Sessions, and my friends and I would all be blown away. All of a sudden it felt like people started taking everything so much further (I think part of it for me was that I just wasn't aware of everything that had been going on), and I would come to realize that there was actually an entire sport out there. Again, I guess that was when I met Chris. I'm pretty sure that was the first time I saw a bike specifically set up for fgfs (he had a Milwaukee Bruiser). I really think that this past year has been especially crazy with bigger companies recognizing fgfs, trying to get into the scene, and making their own frames and parts.
WHAT IS THE FUNNIEST, MOST RANDOM, AND MOST EMBARRASSING THING TO HAPPEN TO YOU ON YOUR BIKE?
Ha wow, I'm not even sure. I fall a lot. I'm pretty clumsy. I once wrecked during a roller race. I'm not sure how that was even possible, but the fork on the bike bent in half (I think it wasn't put onto the mount properly), and I ate it hard in front of every one at the bar. I was winning too! Another pretty embarrassing moment was when I was doing leg over skids in front of my local bike shop, and my foot jammed my front wheel, throwing me over my handlebars. Every one outside and inside the shop saw. Oh and just a few weeks ago I wrecked jumping some stairs and a hobo ran over asking if I needed an ambulance.
SOOOOO THAT SHOULD ABOUT DO IT FOR THIS LITTLE MINI INTERVIEW HAHA ANY LAST THANK YOUS OR SHOUT OUTS?
I'd just like to say thanks to all my sponsors: Brev M, Velocity, and Profile, and every one else who's helped me out!
WEBSITE: www.sortalikeadream.com
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