Name: Ryan Guettler

D.O.B.: 7-17-83

Hometown: Beenleigh, Australia

Riding since: 1995, Competition Participant since 2002

Riding disciplines: BMX Dirt and Park

Occupation: BMX Rider

How does it feel having Dave Mirra as your team mate for the upcoming season?
Ryan: I guess you can only progress from riding with the best.

It will be hard for you to top the 2005 year. Is it all downhill from here?
Ryan: A little bit, since last year was really good competition-wise for me so I don’t feel like I have to really prove myself anymore. This year
I still want to ride great at every competition but I feel my focus will be on X-Games and winning that.

You’re having a signature bike made at Mirraco, how will this benefit you compared to the other bikes you’ve ridden?
Ryan: I’ve broken a lot of bikes in the past and was unhappy about the sizing of them so with me designing my own bike, it’s my input and it’s exactly how I would want my bike to be. With the progression of bike design today, it’s also going to be pretty light.

You’re from Australia but are now living in the USA. What made you make this move?
Ryan: There are many more opportunities in the US than compared to Australia. Sponsors and companies support riding in general a lot more here (US) than back home. The competition scene is much greater in the US as well, there are only 3 major contests in Australia every year so I would have to have a full time job to support myself and only ride when I had free time. Living in the US allows me to ride full time.

What parks did you ride in Australia and where do you ride these days?
Ryan: In Beenleigh, I would ride the local bike park which easily became my second home. Here in the US, since I recently moved to Greenville, NC; I’m just getting a feel for the local parks here as well as building some dirt trails with Colin McKay and Diogo Canina.

You’re into cars, have you always liked automobiles?
Ryan: Yes, for sure. My dad had some cool cars when I was growing up so as soon as I made some money I knew what I wanted to get. My favorite by far is classic cars.

Which one is your favorite at the moment?
Ryan: That’s a tough one; it would either be my 1964 Lincoln Continental or my 2006 300 C Chrysler.

Learning new tricks can be challenging. Do they come natural to you are does everything need to work in the head over and over again before you try a new trick?
Ryan: I usually work them out in my head first and then try them out in the foam pit. If it comes easy to me, I will stick with it, if it’s not turning out how I expected, I will leave it and come back to it later. But learning new tricks comes in stages, as you can’t learn a no-hander until you have one-handers down, it’s really all just progressing and building on older tricks.

You ain’t scared?
Ryan: You’re always going to crash but to try new and harder tricks is what this sport is all about. I would never go to a competition and just
dead air over every jump, I’m going to go all out with what I have got or I’m not going to go at all.

Pressure is another thing to handle at the bigger comps. How do you handle the distractions when you need to concentrate?
Ryan: There is actually not many distractions at competitions. I have a TM (team manager) who knows what to do to keep my mind focused on the competition. He handles anyone who is in my way and deals with any other distractions that come up, but there really aren’t that many.

At the top level, is the competition harsh or is everyone still friends?
Ryan: We’re best mates. At my first major competition I didn’t know what to expect or how I would be treated but everyone was nice as we are all there to further our own careers. No one goes to a competition with the mindset to beat a certain person; it’s all about beating yourself, no one else.

Who do you like to ride with?
Ryan: My roommate Diogo Canina who’s from Brazil is probably the most fun to ride with; but now that I’m in Greenville, I’m also riding with Colin MacKay and Alan Cooke.

Did you ever think that riding BMX would become your job?
Ryan: No way, not in my wildest dreams.

Any advice for the other riders out there?
Ryan: Just have fun, don’t take things too seriously. Oh, and make sure you get your interviews in on time.

Name: Dave Mirra

D.O.B.: 04-04-74

Hometown: Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

Riding since: First race in 1984

Riding disciplines: Compete in vert-street, but I like riding everything

How does it feel having your own bike company?
Dave: It’s a dream. Although there is a lot of responsibility, there has been a lot lifted off my back.

What are your responsibilities within the company?
Dave: Jim Ford and I are partners in the company and with him running the day to day operations it gives me the opportunity to pretty much deal with the creative side as well as focus on riding competitively.

You can make a lot of decisions yourself now, how does that feel?
Dave: I’m really happy.

Ryan Guettler: Ryan dominated the contest world last year as we all know. I wanted a rider that was competitive and could represent Mirraco as well as bmx in the spotlight. He does that. His riding stands out and there is no doubt in my mind he wil be around for a long time.

Michael Cleveland: I’ve known Michael through the contest circuit so every Dew contest last year I would sit back and watch him shred in practice. His energy and his attitude is really cool. Haro bikes offered him a ride in the back of the pickup so I said I’ll give you a ride in the front seat. So Mike jumped in .

Mike Laird: Mike and I have been friends for a long time and when I decided to start MirraCo I had him in the plan from day one. Mike has a certain attitude when he rides and I gotta say it brings out the best in all the riders at the session. Mike’s riding will never let you down, whether it’s at a the skatepark or a contest.

Dave Rytell: We offered a flow deal for the rider who won the Local Exposure tour this year and Dave won it. Well, to be honest I really didn’t know what to expect. Dave was so amazing we just decided to put him on the a-team. Dave is one of Florida’s best.

Is having fun the main goal with Mirraco?
Dave: I wouldn’t say main goal but fun has to be in the equation

When are the bikes available?
Dave: September-ish the full line will be available

BMX bikes only or do you have plans for other types of bikes?
Dave: Just BMX

Your distribution network will make sure the bikes are widely available. If for some reason someone can’t find them, what should they do?
Dave: E-mail us.

From the little Mark Eaton video clip that has been circling around the internet, everyone has seen that you have stepped it up once again. Where did this motivation come from?
Dave: A lot of times my motivation comes from the people and things that go on around me from day to day. Starting Mirraco gave me a breath of fresh air and I want to represent that.

You’re one of the few riding with a full face helmet on street, can you explain?
Dave: I have always ridden a full face and it goes with my riding style. There are days I would love to throw on a Pro-tec but it would be for the wrong reasons. I would feel the jinx in full affect.

Riding bikes with friends is the best feeling, who do you ride with on a regular basis?
Dave: I ride with Mike Laird, Allan Cooke, Scott Wirch, Mike Mancuso, Jeremy Fanberg, Josh Boatwright and Austin Hardee.

You’re a super busy guy with people wanting you to do certain things all the time. How do you manage all that?
Dave: These days I try to keep riding my priority, so if something doesn’t seem really interesting, staying home to ride is a great excuse.

Your life is a rollercoaster at times, are you loving it?
Dave: I love life being around family and friends.

Where do you want to take Mirraco?
Dave: All the way. I really want to create a company that is here in twenty -five years .

Last words: Thank you for your support .

Name: Michael Cleveland

D.O.B. : 9-28-84

Hometown: Temecula, CA

Riding since: 1998

Riding disciplines: Skateparks and Trails

What got you into riding in the first place?
Michael: I’m not going to lie, I used to rollerblade all the way through middle school. Then all my friends started riding at the end of 8th grade. I got tired of rollerblading by myself so I started riding with them.

Did you have enough spots to ride when you first started out?
Michael: When I started riding with my friends all we would ride is little flat ledges and really small jumps. There are a few spots in Temecula to ride but to go to a skatepark to ride where you’re not going to get hassled to ride is like 30 minutes away. The first time I ever went to a skatepark I was 16 and I had no idea what I was doing.

What made you stick to BMX and progress so quickly?
Michael: I just stuck with riding just because I had so much fun doing it. A lot of my friends stopped riding when we got out of high school but I just kept riding because it’s fun. After high school I got a job at Point-X camp and that’s where I met a lot of cool people and started to ride a lot harder.

Did living in So Cal help with this?
Michael: Living in So Cal is good. The weather is always nice and you can pretty much ride all year long.

How often do you watch a BMX DVD?
Michael: I don’t really watch a lot of movies so I would say one every 2 weeks.

Are you a remote control maniac?
Michael: The only thing I own with a remote is a TV, so I would say no

Are you rather doing things outside than doing things inside the house?
Michael: I would rather do things outside than inside just because the weather is so nice

Who have influenced your riding so far?
Michael: when I first started riding at the skatepark I was really influenced by Whitesnake. He would be at the skatepark just flowing around and killing it. The more I started riding and going to other skateparks I got to see other people ride like Gary Young and Mike Parenti who can just do everything. A guy named Steve Woodward who lives in San Diego might be my favorite person to watch ride and just ride with because he makes everything he does look like he’s not even trying. There is a million people who have influenced my riding over time, but those were the first to come to mind.

Are your new team mates of any influence to you?
Michael: I would have to say yes to that on and off of riding bikes. Dave Mirra and Ryan Guettler are not only amazing bike riders, but they are just awesome to be around and hang out with. When I got the chance to go ride and just hang out with the two of them I had an amazing time, and they both push me to do different things that I normally don’t do when I rode.

How does it feel to be on Mirraco?
Michael: It is an honor to be on a team like Mirraco. I feel very privileged to be a part of Mirraco and am really looking forward to the next few years.

Is it a hustle for you to both work and ride?
Michael: Kind of, but not really. When I didn’t work I don’t think I rode as much as when I do work. When I spend all day at work all I want to do is go ride after work. When I didn’t work I would wake up at like noon waste the whole day then go ride at night. I appreciate the free time that I have so I like to go ride when I can.
You make long days then?
Michael: Ya. I get up around 7:30am go to work till 5pm, go home, eat some dinner, then go to the park around 7pm. I usually get home around 11:30pm then finally get to bed around 1am.

How many weekends out of the year are spent BMX related?
Michael: It just depends what time of the year it is. I would say half of the weekends are bmx related

Are you looking forward to the contests?
Michael: Very much so. Last year I had a rough start to the year. I broke my hand and had to have surgery a week before the first Dew Tour. I got my pin out a few days before the second one, then knocked my teeth out for the second time during dirt practice for the second Dew Tour. I just hope that I can stay healthy and have a good year.

Last words: I would like say thanks to everyone at Mirraco for making this possible. Also the person that has always supported my riding through time and all the injuries, my mom, I can never thank enough. To all the guys at home that I ride with Spencer, Eric H., Shawn Lee, Berto, Eddie, Dennis, Jeff Emory, Josh (even though you just go and hang out) and anyone that rides at Realride, thanks for always making it fun. And to the rest of my friends and family thanks for all the support.

Name: Dave Rytell

D.O.B. : OCTOBER 12 1985

Hometown: OCOEE

Riding since:1999

Occupation: I work at a sign shop

Sprechen sie Deutsch?
Dave: Ich erinnere mich nicht an viel ( I don’t remember much).

You got picked up by Mirraco after the Local Exposure tour came to town. How was that tour anyway?
Dave: Man, a lot of good stuff went down, a lot of fun people to hang out with. My favorite part of the tour was when we all packed up and went to the Maitlin trannies.

Did you learn something about Mirra that you didn’t already know?
Dave: I learned that he had a thing for cool sweater shirts and he wears them in Florida.

How does it feel to be on the same team?
Dave: It doesn’t even feel like it has hit me yet….but it’s awesome.

What are you looking forward to most?
Dave: Traveling and going to places that I have never seen. Just being apart of something huge!

What trails do you ride on a regular basis?
Dave: Casselberry Trails, Florida.

Do you sometimes go downtown with a posse of riders to ride street?
Dave: Yes every so often with some friends of mine but street in Orlando is just nasty..SUCKS!

Are you into contests or do you prefer to just ride?
Dave: I prefer just riding I think everyone does but I don’t mind going to contest and seeing all my friends from all over that I have not seen in a while.. so contest or just riding.

Do you believe anything is possible on a bike?
Dave: Anything you can see in your head I think it is possible to do it on a bike.

Do you mind using a resi ramp or foam pit to progress your trick list?
Dave: I have never used a resi ramp. Actually I have never seen one in real life. Foam pits I can’t stand. Every time I try one out I get hurt so I would rather just go and do it on a real ramp.

Have you ever lake-jumped on your bike?
Dave: Man that’s one thing I do like. I live by a lake and yes we lake jump haha..

Did you land flat?
Dave: Everyone has landed flat. It happens..

Country or Rock ‘n roll?
Dave: I would have to go with rock ‘n roll

Soda or beer?
Dave: Soda! I can’t stand beer!

Style or tricks?
Dave: I like to watch people that have good style other than people hucking themselves

BMX magazines, BMX videos or the Internet?
Dave: All three sound good to me..

Any last words?
Dave: Yea, thanks but hey tag you’re it.

Name: Mike Laird

D.O.B. : 7-1-74

Hometown: Va. Beach, VA. USA

Riding since: 1981

Riding disciplines: Park

Occupation: Welder

Years ago you moved from Virginia to Greenville, NC. How has Greenville been for you?
Mike: After my park in Virginia got shut down, I had no choice but to move to Greenville if I wanted to ride at a professional level. So moving to Greenville has changed my life greatly. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

From 1997 - 2000 you seemed to travel a lot doing a bunch of contests. What happened after that?
Mike: I was a full-time rider and had a sponsor to get me anywhere I wanted to go at that time. Now I go to all the contests when I can. Working a full-time job and trying to ride full-time is so tough.

You weld a lot. What kind of stuff do you work on?
Mike: Jeremy Fanberg and I just got finished with the new JC Park here in Greenville. We also build show ramps for King Stunt Shows. Making custom furniture for some of the pros there in town.

What hobbies do you have that people don’t know about?
Mike: I’m into car audio and video games

What does your music mean to you?
Mike: Music is all about raw emotions, Hardcore and Medalcore styles of music bring an intense in-your-face attitude. The same emotions and attitude I feel I bring to bike riding.

Have you considered playing in a band?
Mike: No…… But I can play the hell out of some air guitar and drums

What’s the best concert you’ve seen live?
Mike: I’d say HELLFEST 2004, New Jersey. Prayer For Cleansing’s last show ever. R.I.P.

What places do you ride at on a regular basis?
Mike: Mirra’s Animal House, JC Park and the UNIT

What’s the latest trick you learned?
Mike: Barspin-to-tailwhip on box, can-can foot jam on a quarter

How does it feel riding for Mirraco?
Mike: Mirra and I have been good friends for over 10 years and we ride hard on a daily basis. Mirra has helped me out so much in my riding career, from the Mirra video game and having some metal work done to his house to Mirraco now. I’m just very thankful to have a friend like Dave. Mirraco will rule the world.

What motivates you to ride?
Mike: The desire to be the best bike rider I can be. And contests give me the chance to push and test myself. I go to contests to compete with myself. If you can do all of your hardest tricks back-to-back in one one minute run. To me that’s pretty sick and that gets my blood going.

Has being over 30 been a burden for you when you ride?
Mike: I’m confident and more dialed at 31 then I was at 21. So I’d say hell no!

You showed last year that you can never be ruled out. Do you have any plans to show people what you’ve got?
Mike: The Dew Action Sports Tour last year was one of my best years on a bike. I made 3 out-of 5 finals. Won Playstation trick-of-the-week in Denver and then trick-of-the-year out of all the Dew athletes (skate,moto and bike) in the whole year for a double tailwhip 360. Crazy. I’d like to say I feel I show people what I’ve got every time I ride. I’m not the best rider, but I’m the best I can be.

Final comments: Now get off your computer and go ride.