Name: Josh Marsele
AKA: axelpeg
Age: 32
Years Riding: A # won't
work. I stopped for 12 years.
Rode seriously for about 7
years BITD. Just started less
than a year ago.
work. I stopped for 12 years.
Rode seriously for about 7
years BITD. Just started less
than a year ago.
What got you started?
I was just a crazy little kid jumping everything like I was Evil Kenevil. One day in early '83 my
stepfather bought me an issue of BMX Action. He was good like that about trying to get me into
constructive activities. I carried that thing around memorizing it until it was like tissue paper for a full
year before I got my next mag. Bike riding was a passion, and a great way to deal with growing
pains of youth...and escape the cliques. I might have been a backwards kid with cheapo/uncool
clothes, but I deflected a lot of flak by doing things on my bike the other guys couldn't do.
stepfather bought me an issue of BMX Action. He was good like that about trying to get me into
constructive activities. I carried that thing around memorizing it until it was like tissue paper for a full
year before I got my next mag. Bike riding was a passion, and a great way to deal with growing
pains of youth...and escape the cliques. I might have been a backwards kid with cheapo/uncool
clothes, but I deflected a lot of flak by doing things on my bike the other guys couldn't do.
What inspires you to ride?
Personal achievement and the adrenaline rush of pulling
something cool. I'd be lying if I didn't say I get a rush out
of showing -off in front of people too. That and all the
guys on the board who are in the same boat as me...
re-learning old stuff and maybe even trying to progress and
learn stuff they never thought they'd be able to do.
something cool. I'd be lying if I didn't say I get a rush out
of showing -off in front of people too. That and all the
guys on the board who are in the same boat as me...
re-learning old stuff and maybe even trying to progress and
learn stuff they never thought they'd be able to do.
How did you find out about Vintage BMX?
I used to collect vintage toys, but at a point, I acquired all that
interested me. I was thinkin' the cherry on top would be to
have a vintage freestyle bike. For whatever reason , my boss
got me a computer for my office. I did a net search for Hutch
Trick Star one day and the rest is history.
interested me. I was thinkin' the cherry on top would be to
have a vintage freestyle bike. For whatever reason , my boss
got me a computer for my office. I did a net search for Hutch
Trick Star one day and the rest is history.
What is your favorite topic?
I like when guys post pics of themselves getting read, especially
vintage, but recent is very cool also. I like post that are
educational for me, where I learn stuff I'd never even known to
ask about. I like seeing someone post a pic of a build they just
finished. You can tell that the guy is beaming with pride and
happiness. So far this Spotlight section has been cool, getting to
know the guys who you read everyday. Actually, I'd rather not
be on this side of it, but at least I'm getting it over with.
vintage, but recent is very cool also. I like post that are
educational for me, where I learn stuff I'd never even known to
ask about. I like seeing someone post a pic of a build they just
finished. You can tell that the guy is beaming with pride and
happiness. So far this Spotlight section has been cool, getting to
know the guys who you read everyday. Actually, I'd rather not
be on this side of it, but at least I'm getting it over with.
What was your first trick?
What is your hardest trick?
Probably some crazy long link. As a short answer, I
pulled a dumptruck into a deathtruck back into a
dumptruck in my one and only Pro competition in
1990.
pulled a dumptruck into a deathtruck back into a
dumptruck in my one and only Pro competition in
1990.
What is your best memory?
What is your worst memory?
I 've got a couple of those, too! In 1988 I just could NOT get my shit together for a national comp. I'd
totally suck and get like 30th or 33rd. I 'm still disappointed for throwing my bike at the end of my Ohio
routine. NJ was probably worse though. The night before unbeknown to me, the Plywood Hoods
released and showed Dorkin' in York #1 to everyone there. There was a great section of riding to Herbie
Hancock's "Rock it". The next day I totally stunk up the joint riding to the same song. That was more
than just a faux pas...I practically got booed off the floor.
totally suck and get like 30th or 33rd. I 'm still disappointed for throwing my bike at the end of my Ohio
routine. NJ was probably worse though. The night before unbeknown to me, the Plywood Hoods
released and showed Dorkin' in York #1 to everyone there. There was a great section of riding to Herbie
Hancock's "Rock it". The next day I totally stunk up the joint riding to the same song. That was more
than just a faux pas...I practically got booed off the floor.
What kind of Bike do you ride now?
A '94 Hoffman Big Daddy f/f,pegs + stem.
GT Show 165 cranks w/DX pedals.
Peregrine Super Pro Hp's fake Haro Bars.
I've got tp get a freecoster for it one of these
days...I miss a lot of tricks having a
freewheel.
GT Show 165 cranks w/DX pedals.
Peregrine Super Pro Hp's fake Haro Bars.
I've got tp get a freecoster for it one of these
days...I miss a lot of tricks having a
freewheel.
Last Words....
Thanks again for this and all that you do for us freestylers on the board Mark. Thanks for
nominating me guys. I'm really looking forward to reading about all of YOU, for many individual
reasons. Furious, Maurice, djbdb, Thlayli, Paulie, Anthony B, J, Team Total, Orb, Greame,
mnewxcv, race - inc, Fossile, M. Curphy, Mr Coasterbrake, Twintoptuber and way too many to
mention here. I'm curious about EVERBODY! Last but certainly not least, are the guys who really
make this all possible. Bill Curtin, Rick and Hal. You guys and VintageBMX.com Kick ASS
Thanks - Josh
nominating me guys. I'm really looking forward to reading about all of YOU, for many individual
reasons. Furious, Maurice, djbdb, Thlayli, Paulie, Anthony B, J, Team Total, Orb, Greame,
mnewxcv, race - inc, Fossile, M. Curphy, Mr Coasterbrake, Twintoptuber and way too many to
mention here. I'm curious about EVERBODY! Last but certainly not least, are the guys who really
make this all possible. Bill Curtin, Rick and Hal. You guys and VintageBMX.com Kick ASS
Thanks - Josh
Jeez I don't know. What is a trick? Riding no handed,
kickout, footjam, curbendo, framstand, wheelbalance,
pogo and stuff like that.
kickout, footjam, curbendo, framstand, wheelbalance,
pogo and stuff like that.
I've got enough of those to last a lifetime. Definitely the relationships I developed with other riders is up
at the top of the list. Shows were fun. Winning a big comp (or some times just beating a rival) or getting
my pic or even name in the mags was a thrill. My father was in the hospital dying of leukemia when I
won the '89 AFA Masters Overall for the year in 16-17X Flatland. It's somewhat comforting to know
that I gave him something to be proud of me for right before he passed.
at the top of the list. Shows were fun. Winning a big comp (or some times just beating a rival) or getting
my pic or even name in the mags was a thrill. My father was in the hospital dying of leukemia when I
won the '89 AFA Masters Overall for the year in 16-17X Flatland. It's somewhat comforting to know
that I gave him something to be proud of me for right before he passed.
Interview conducted July 2004