Interview: Smoken Spokes
Last Updated on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 05:41 PM Written by Brendt Petersen Thursday, May 21, 2009 11:00 PM
We spend a little time with Steve-O and Joey of Smoken Spokes to get an idea of what they have in store for the gravity scene in AZ.
By now, most everyone in the Phoenix area involved in the DH/FR scene know Smoken Spokes, even though they may not be aware of it. Officially becoming a legit business in early 2009, Smoken Spokes is comprised of two of the craziest ninja's anyone could ever hope to know, Steve "O" Vaughn and Joey Raymond. With roots deep in the DH/FR scene, Joey and Steve-O were the masterminds behind's last years hottest new DH/FR playground on what has been dubbed "Candy Mountain" by all those who have spent time there, and managed to pull of organizing and running one hell of a underground race at the end of the 2008 season. They are back with a vengeance this season and have some big plans for the AZ scene and we got a chance to ask these two yahoo's a few questions about what they have planned for Smoken Spokes.
AZFReeride: Who is Smoken Spokes?
JR/SV: We are like minded enthusiasts who want to freshen up the gravity scene in Arizona. We like to ride bikes, drink beers, build trails and we like to showcase our love of bikes and the honkies by hosting events for riders of all abilities and backgrounds.
AZFReeride: What pushed you guys to start Smoken Spokes?
JR/SV: Smoken Spokes is the direct result of a harsh year for gravity riders in 2008 along with the birth of Candy Mountain. During the summer of '08 myself and Steve-O moved up to Pinetop to open a bike shop intended to support the Sunrise downhill crowd and get involved in the local area. We had been working closely with Sunrise developing a race series, revitalizing the trail network, along with providing a rental fleet of bikes for their users. After many hours of work on and off the hill for the 2008 season we were devastated to hear about their last minute closing to mountain bikes. Stranded with no downhill trails to ride we realized that we had to create our own scene up here. After following up on rumors of a very steep peak with a road to the top we discovered what would later become Candy Mountain. Working all day every day for the months that we were up here we created a small network of trails that began to attract riders from all over the south west. Following a kick ass race event day of riding bikes, rock star partying, lost wallets and flawless execution we realized this is what we had to do.
AZFReeride: Why do you feel Arizona is the place to do what you're doing?
JR: This has always been a land of pioneers. We are surrounded by states such as Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, California and Nevada which are all home to booming gravity scenes. This state has year round riding seasons with some of the best and most diverse terrain a rider could ever ask for.
SV: Plus, we live here...
AZFReeride: Why do you feel 2009 is the right time to do what you're doing?
JR: 2008 was a harsh year for the gravity scene.
SV: 2009 is after 2008.
AZFReeride: What are the long term goals you hope to accomplish with SmokenSpokes?
JR/SV: We want to provide enjoyable event venues that cater to riders of all abilities and backgrounds from newbies, to pros, to guys who just want to ride bikes and get wasted. Everyone that has been to some of our events before knows whats up, and they keep coming back for more.
AZFReeride: In your guys opinions, what sucks about the DH/FR scene in AZ right now?
SV: Your mom.
JR: Midgets
AZFReeride: Touche' But for the record, midgets fucking rule!
AZFReeride: Ok, so with my mom and midgets being the problem, what is right about the DH/FR scene in AZ right now?
SV: There is a swarm of bees looking for a place to call home. And your mom doggie style.
JR: A lot of people are really fired up right now to do some big things. This is the time for something big to happen.
AZFReeride: What does everyone have to look forward to from Smoken Spokes in the near future?
SV: Gettin wasted, riding bikes, and streaking...
JR: Everyone should look forward to some fresh new events, hanging out with all the honkies, and some top notch trails. BRING YOUR GREEN HAT!!
AZFReeride: Oh great, sounds like another summer of bare Steve-0 ass running around the woods... And since this interview has degraded so quickly, we might as well just throw the whole thing down the gutter along with our minds and stick a spork in it.
AZFReeride: On that note who would win in a one handed spork fight between you two?
JR: Steve-O. He's a trained spork fighter. Practices daily.
SV: Chupacabra is my master.
AZFReeride: HA! OK, and finally, tell us all something to get the az scene stoked for this summer.
JR: Brendt's mom is hot.
SV: I'M A DAD! And sweet mommy boobs...
AZFReeride: Awesome, congrats on the future family and get this shit a rolling in AZ for 09!
Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming trail work days and events being organized by Smoken Spokes. In the mean time, be sure to check the out online at www.SmokenSpokes.com
