Interview

What first got you into riding?
Just the kids in the neighborhood, then they all got cars or arrested and that was the end of that.

Out of all your video parts, web edits etc, do you have a favourite clip ever?
maybe the S rail from my last United edit, or the swingset grind.

What’s an average day in the life of Mike Rooftop Escamilla like?
Lately my days are different, I’m getting ready to start filming season 2 of Strangers In Danger, which is alot of getting in shape and running around, not really geting to do the things I want to do. When that’s not happening its up early and out riding or skydiving.

If you had to choose one spot to ride for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
The P.O.W. house circa 95… Cause that’s where it all started.

What’s the best thing about where you currently live?
The weather.

What’s the worst thing about where you currently live?
The traffic.

What was the first contest you rode in, and where did you place?
It was a dirt jumping contest at a Whittier Narrows race, three jumps over a table top. I did a 360, bar hop and double tire grab, It must have been in like the 7th grade, so I would have been 12 or so. I won it, I think Mike Ocoboc was in it too.

What was your bike set up and clothing of choice at the time?
I think I had a GT Mach One race bike with a Uni seat, maybe those Powerlite bars with the curved grips hahah… I was a racer, I have no idea what I wore, it was before there was the web and I hadn’t seen many bmx magazines yet.

What is your favourite and least favourite BMX related fad?
Pedal grinds and peg chinks, I don’t think I have a favourite.

If you could be ‘pro’ in any other sport what would it be and why?
Snowboarder or surfer cause the places to travel for those sports are insane. Or maybe a kayaker cause I wanna go over an insane waterfall sometime in my life…

Do you have any specific rituals or things you do before doing tricks / things you are scared of?
Not really, but when I film a trick I have to do the same ritual every take, like if my arm rubbed a bush on the first couple tries I have to let it happen everytime, or when I circle around if I go around a certain crack or pebble, I have to do it everytime.

What was the scariest thing you ever done on your bike?
The grind loop for Nitro Circus. Nobody has any idea how gnarly it was to pedal full speed in a 4 inch wide opening between to pieces of coping, after that it was the grind flip probably.

Outside of BMX, what is your favourite way to waste time?
Skydiving.

Favorite Vehicle?
FJ cruiser for the one I own, and the two i’d like to own one day would be a 74 Toyota Land Cruiser and a 67 Mustang Fastback.

Top 5 Riders?
Dave Osato, Biz Jordan, Dennis Enarson, Ian Morris, Brian Kachinsky.

Top 5 People To Follow On Twitter
@scottdeyager, @jasonenns, @outsidemagazine, @bkachinsky, @tonyhawk

Top 3 Spots?
I wouldn’t pick spots but secret cities. I cannot reveal those locations without risking getting kicked out of BMX by Jason Enns and Biz.

Top 3 Movies?
That’s a tough one, it changes month to month but right now: Way Of The Gun, Dawn Of The Dead 1978, Big Trouble In Little China.

Top 5 Websites?
Besides Twitter I don’t go on many sites, i’m trying to just get off them all.