Subject : Ben Manuel
Interview and Questions : Rob Harrison [with big thanks to Rae Hagley]
Photography : Carinne Leandri (UK), Rae Hagley(Austin), Ken Paul (Canada)

Additional comments [ since this itw Ben has changed sponsor to Haro Bikes)
Location : Austin, Texas
Date : 20/03/2003

[ Thanks to both Ben and Rae Hagley for doing this. Ben was doing a roadtrip - the kind of time when you don't want to be looking at questions from someone on the other side of the world. Rae was the person who brought out the really real side of Ben, then she helped us both out by typing the answers...thanks again].

Attempting to think of an original format for an interview is not an easy thing. The idea behind any interview is to gain an insight into the subject and usually with a slant on whatever made the person 'worth' interviewing. For many reasons I wish there was a better way; within the space and context of an interview there is rarely the ability to convey anything about the real person and what often occurs is a run down of the 'usual suspects' questions. It's double edged however you approach it. Don't get me wrong, I actually like hearing peoples opinions on anything and when I thought about it I don't even need the innovative format I was hunting for because the interviewee is Ben Manuel and he already fits the innovation format. From your point of view you should know that I know Ben, I know him pretty well and because of that I may be biased. However because I know him I already have an insight and certainly a more rounded opinion of what this guy is like good and bad, and what he is capable of. I say this because Ben was (and to an extent still is), in some peoples' eyes a person they do not see as part of the 'scene'. This is changing fast but Ben's attitude and demeanor have met with resistance and worse since he has been riding. From a personal point of view I have been ashamed that the 'scene' have been so negative, but from a riding point of view I appreciate that there are certain unwritten rules that as you spend more time riding you learn. Ben broke these rules, he didn't care - why would he, he just wanted to ride. He's pure South Yorkshire where a spade is a spade and whatever it is you say it. It's this enthusiasm that has driven Ben, no bullshit, no scene baggage, just riding. I should say less and let Ben get on with it. This interview is more about the person - Ben Manuel.

1) I have heard you called many things - 'manuel ben', 'ben manuAl', and I called you a few things myself but what's the correct and the preferred options?
Preferred option: Ben Manuel, Yorkshire wanker, blah blah blah€who really cares? Whatever.

2) Does your name anything to you, or is only that which I can get your attention with?
Obviously saying my name gets my attention, but more so anything that I see or enjoy gets my attention. Either way, it's all good

3) Tell us about the last four or five years of your riding life? Do you feel like things have changed?
Fucking hell! How long do you got?! Through the years I've ridden a lot more places, met a lot more people, and I've really enjoyed the lifestyle that has developed around my love of bmx.

4) Your first interview was a small informal thing, and then you have had an interview in Ride (UK), are there things you feel these interviews missed? Is there a point to another interview?
Hah! Seeing as I've never had a sober interview, I'd say being sober would be a first! Yea, I guess there's a point, only my brains trying to work the logic out, but lets do the odds and try.

5) When I saw the interview in Ride I thought it was a good one but I also thought that there was more to you than that and that we should get a print out of your soul and sell it ;)
Sell what?! My shit ain't worth anything. I enjoy bmx and that's it.

6) Do you consider yourself religious?
Yes and no. When I'm always eating shit and needing a glimmer of hope, then I'm religious. Other times it's all good and God's a bystander.

7) If the option was yours, would you sell your soul?
No, but then again it depends on how much Satan's offering.

8) Does your bike set up say anything about who you are or is it only the tool€or are you the tool ;)
No, I am so the tool. I am probably the biggest tool you'll ever meet. My bike is nothing but an application of the tool.

9) We often see questions about what's your perfect day€€but what would be your idea of the worst day?
Not being able to ride bmx and not being able to ride my bmx with friends

10) I have seen your attitude to riding change in a positive way over the past three to four years, do you feel that you have changed as a person? And is this through riding or just as you got older?
Definitely through riding-through the people I've met along the way. I've become laid back and relaxed, the older I've become

11) When you watch a rider you have respect for, what are you thinking about?
How cool their riding is and how much I'm enjoying watching them ride.

12) Do you have admiration for others or is it something else you see?
I have a lot of admiration for other riders, especially those whose passions lie in positively contributing to bmx.

13) From my own point of view I see you as a versatile rider, I know you like trails, you're a big park rider and vert; is that a fair assumption or can you tell us more?
BMX isn't about labeling or limiting---I see a rail, I'll do it. In park, a wall-I'm there. It's not about competition and limiting myself to classifications. It's about me and my bike and pushing myself to what I can achieve.

14) So when you watch aspects of riding like flatland, what are your thoughts on that? Think you'll be laying the moves down with Vicky Gomez and Steingrabber at the next worlds or what? a) Think it's harder? b) Different mind set? c) How does it compare?
I appreciate it and admire it so much for so many reasons€It literally is between the bike and the person. The amount of patience and persistence it takes to do flatland is overwhelming---so much so---it's unspeakable that it voids the question. Next!

15) Have you, or when did you realize that there was an appreciation from someone else about your riding? Was it when someone offered you a sponsorship deal?
Perhaps, it was when my mentor, who I respected more than I can even relay, mentioned me in his own interview in Ride UK. He opened my eyes to the world and the thrill of bmx. His acknowledgement of me means more to me than any sentiment I've ever experienced since. He's the reason I'm here in Austin, Texas right now.

16) Do you have an opinion on whether riding is like another sport in terms of attitude or people?
BMX is total commitment. It's not a sport, it's a lifestyle

17) What is the longest period you've spent away from your bike and can you tell us why?
Injury! Mutha' fucker! 12 weeks, broken wrist---fuck you!!!!

18) On the same basis, when you're not riding what are you doing?
Sleeping, eating, drinking€drinking€drinking€.pool, playing a bit of chess€.drinking

19) I have seen you quoted as being from the north, and being a headcase€..which order do you think that these should be in?
Northern monkey

20) Tell us about where you live right now?
In a house; it's got 3 bedrooms, 2 gardens, a conservatory, and a pond. Better known as the Parent's Hotel.

21) Is there a place you'd want to live if it had to be somewhere else?
Anywhere that's got nice weather and good spots to ride---Austin looks pretty good to me right now.

22) Talk about what 'the North' means to you€
€bitter drinking monkeys.

a) What's the north got that the south ain't?
Northerners.

b) What's the south got that the north lacks?
Shandy drinking fairies.

23) €..anything memorable for riding round here?

a) Is there a local favourite€.or do you have to go further a field?
Further a field because I live in bum-fuck (American terminology of sticksville, when it comes to street riding.

b) Do you keep any spots to yourself or is that not your thing?
Not my thing-I'll share anything. [Ed Note: This is Ben completely, he WILL help you]

c) Do you think it's a positive thing for the sport that some of the scenes keep it local?
Ummm€..yea. Due to certain riding spots not becoming a bust-that way they can be ridden for a lot longer.

24) Staying with that theme I remember the backlash from Austin about everyone going there and making the entire place a bust. But it never drew me €€ you fancy a trip stateside?
How ironic! Considering I'm sitting here opposite Barton Springs in Austin, answering questions on an interview that should have been done in England [Rob's a lazy bastard]. [Ed Note: yeah it was kind of like that and i'm not able to justifiably defend myself here]

25) Didn't you get an offer to go with a certain well known vert rider, to Woodward?
Yea

26) Is it still on the cards?
Bloody well hope so! I was guttered that I didn't get to go.

27) You have plans to go to Austin now to visit your mentor€what's the score with this traveling melarky?
I enjoy travelling and it was a good excuse to go on a one-man road-trip.

28) You leave behind the guys who have pushed you, your friends€how do you feel about that?
They're my friends and they'll always be there for me---I'm not worried

29) How do you think they're feeling about it right now?
Hah! Not as good as I am.

30) Ok, more precise now€.i want to hear what you consider to be your favourite mini, midi, vert and park layout. (somewhere in here there should be a mention of rob ridge's place!) a) Tell us why?
I haven't got a favorite - A park's layout has got to be fun, it's got to be challenging, it's got to flow.

31) Ok, now the world has been completely destroyed apart from one riding spot, you and the bike - where is the spot (bare in mind that you pushed the button)?
A curb.

32) Something I realized only recently about you is that you're not an avid watcher of videos nor do you have a particularly magazine hungry appetite? Is this a conscious thing or is it just the way it is for you?
Just because I can't be assed buying 'em. I'd rather be out riding than watching riding. I do enjoy videos, though. I read bmx magazines a lot because I'm always traveling.

33) I see this as another indication that that you're not as into the whole scene thing as you are into your riding, True?
The scene should be about riding, unfortunately other bullshit gets thrown in and gets in the way-i.e. trends, etc.. I'd rather be on me bike.

34) What is it about Chinese food that floats your boat?
Because they don't boil the hell out of the food like Europeans do! It tastes better!

a) How many do you think you have in an average week?
not enough. [Ed Note: You might think he is joking, - but i know he isn't ]

35) From your last interview with Ride Uk there was a photo with the word 'Treats' emblazoned on a rubbish bin or something, tell the relevance of the word Treats to you?
[laughs] Self explanatory if someone pulls a good trick, then it's a treat.

36) If I think back to the first time I heard anything about you, it was early 1998 and I got a phone call from the elusive Chris Hardy [Sheffield/leeds street rider] about a park in the North and a younger 'ripper' snapper (yourself). How old would you have been then?
16, and "wet behind the ears!" A virgin to the perils of bmx, beer, and women.

37) Tell us about the first time you came down to London?
It was fuckin mental. First time in the "big smoke" It was a duo road-trip with Chris Hardy, who opened my eyes to bmx travel. The accommodation was with you! It was damp, cold, and smelly. It was that bad€you SLEPT in a TENT in your room!! What's that about?! But it was fun and I enjoyed being in London, so the accommodation wasn't that bad. ;)

a) Was the accommodation during your stay acceptable?
See above

b) Do you recall hurting your ass in the rain€explain that one before everyone gets an incorrect impression of your persuasions?
I do recall that certain incidence, where the three muskateers went street riding in the rain, and I went to icepick bonk a small flat 2 feet high cycle barrier and I slipped out and spanked my ass cheek. It hurt at the time, but it's fine now, thanks.

38) I remember you riding stockwell like you were local, did you like that place? (You still have the photo on your wall)
Stockwell Rd is really fun and it was great just bombin around hitting lines, pumping, flowing, and having a good ol' time. I have a really cool photo when we were there. It was taken by a really good friend of mine. I like the photo a lot.

39) With you there it was like grandma holding a baby!
What does that mean? You having to take care of me? So it's all your fault I turned out like this

40) Tell me in three words what 'road-trip' means to you?
Fucked-up, fun with friends [Ed note: --Rae - ben hasn't learned to count].

41) When you pack a bag to go somewhere, what's the first item?
My clothes, then my teddy bear.

42) It's maybe not a good idea to try and describe second-hand humour but can you think of some of the other good times from various trips?

a) Second trip to south,
The second trip to the south [Ed Note: Leeds ->UK tour] was by far one of the most crazy, just because there were more people which always makes for a good time. The Phuck Truck ruled!

b) Reading agents signs and kiwi, Harrow sleeping out
The (for sale) sign we stole was Brill!! It's such a good story. All 7 of us went out and came home drunk (surprise) and on the way back, we saw a for-sale sign called (Vanderpump and-well belove)€It might not seem funny, but when you're pissed, it was hilarious! So we stole it as well as the fence it was connected to! That was a very memorable part of that roadtrip. the kiwi fight we had throwing multiple kiwis around the house! [Ed Note : MY house, can't believe i got the bond back!]

c) France and the roach hotel
[France] Here go's - me, rob, and john went to France for the Nokia Fise contest in Palanas-le-Plo, a small ass fishing town with a real big bmx contest. It was nuts. It was such a good time that I have too many good memories to explain them all apart from all the really cool people I met, the people that were there know what I mean. The roach hotel was scruffy, smelly, and uh€full of cockroaches and mossies, which you got bitten with. It was dirty.

d) Worlds and the three in the tent first night
The three in a tent was an experience to say the least! 1-man tent with 3 men in! Never again. Seriously. ______ (cant remember his damn name!!!!) from Bristol [Ed Note: it was Seb!], we had nowhere to stay and when we arrived, it had been raining and was starting to rain, so we put him up in our small ass tent. It was cozy, but I'm not into guys, so it was not good. It worked out in the end though.

e) Barnstable night outs and the park
Barnstable Park was small and very compact, but we had the best session and the people were very cool, so it was all good. The night out was amazing. It was the Jansport sticker evening, where the adult team of that road trip (which consisted of 4 bmxers) went out and deposited 2000+ Jansport stickers all across the asses of women and the ENTIRE nightclub, which they were getting rowdy in€HELL YEAH!!!

43) Going back a bit, I have seen the footage from the first day the park opened€when was that?
I think 1996-97

a) It was pretty funny to watch now but then I guess if you saw videos of me 10 years ago you'd kill yourself laughing as well?
I probably was wearing doc martins, flares, and a mullet.

b) But the change and progression of your riding is amazing. I watched you almost pulling 360s in that full face and you were how old?
I was 16 and the 360s were the first real trick I ever learnt.

44) Are there things now that you would like to be pulling€.do you think in that way or do things come as they come?
Tricks do come as they come, but some tricks need to be worked on.

45) Is riding really a lifestyle?
For me, totally. I am BMX and BMX is me€.it's who I am and only bmxers understand.

46) The scene is always changing but we've gone from fat, heavy tech and harsh to lightweight and flowing€.do you agree with that and what's going to come next in your eyes?
I'm not sure what the next fad will be in bmx, and personally, why should I care?! As long as I'm having fun and riding, that's all that matters to me.

47) Do you remember the last stop over at the park€.you had work the next day real early and got pissed at people being noisy!? I thought it was pretty funny ;)
It wasn't funny when I had to work, but looking back on it now, I can't imagine how funny it really was. What a dick I was.

48) The choice of Proper bikes for you was an important one which I think has perhaps been played down a little before, I see similarities in attitude and motivation and wondered if you're thinking along the same lines? To put it another way, it was a financial decision was it!?
Bullshit it was. It was a good opportunity for me to travel and ride my bike. Carlo's cool and we have a real good relationship.

49) I guess that you're one of the most traveled UK contest riders€.what sort of riding mileage do you think you've but on the bus?
I've accumulated thousands of air-miles, but driving in the love bus, it must be close to the air-miles I've done.

50) But you didn't take the bus to the urban games this year, what was that contest like for you?
It was great apart from separating my elbow. I had such a good time, it was cool as fuck being back in London as well as being at a contest and seeing friends.

a) The wet t-shirt comp?
I semi-helped organized the wet t-shirt contest with James Hitcox, Elvis, Pill, and Mahoney. It turned out food€we got to see tits for free! ;)

b) Elvis's home made shirt?
Elvis' shirts r cool. So original, skin daddy will overcome?!

c) The girl who won? There was cock blocking there that was out of hand!?
The girl that won the t-shirt contest was good looking so all the guys wanted part of the action, so there was serious cockblocking going on.

d) Explain "cockblocking" then?
Cockblocking is when you try to "get with" a girl that your friend or any guy is also trying to "get with" hence the term cockblocking

e) Did you feel like you wanted to leave Jansport in favour of Eastpack?
Why?! Because they bought me a pizza?! Hell no!! they didn't know me when I didn't have a backpack sponsor so why should I leave my current one 2 months after getting it? Besides, the offer wasn't better.

f) Not even after the pizza? ;)
No! I'm not food orientated€only beer€nah, didn't consider it.

51) Jansport has been there for you, and any sales exec who is willing to join us lot on tour deserves his props. Barry is one alone like that I think? Even though he missed the rowdiest parts like Barnstable! a) He's not media hungry but tell us how happy was he when you made the cover of ride? Then tell us why he was that happy!?
I know, Barry is super cool and he fully knows I'm 100% supportive what he does for me. He's the man.

52) Has there been a specific moment in your life that you think changed you?
Splitting up with my fianc¹ for sure, because that was the beginning of my new lifestyle and where I am today. I quit work, became single, traveled more, and really got into riding my BMX more.

53) Everyone has good and bad things in their life, how do you take these€as a positive or a negative?
I try and take these as best I can but I have problems dealing with negative things. Maybe because I haven't been subjected to that many, or maybe because I take positive one's well€either way it's a learning curve.

54) Is there something or somewhere you'd like to be remembered for if you die tomorrow?
I'm not sure apart from that guy who was there for his friends who was ready for a laugh and just being me.

55) Have a taste in music? Don't tell me you like everything cause I won't buy it?
Yes, I do. But I've started listening to other friends' choice of music to try and appreciate and experience other varieties out there. Lately I've been getting into Jazz and a little classical. I'm just experimenting with sound. It's fun.

56) Tell us about the ghost you have in the house here? And I don't mean your previous girlfriends.
I don't have many previous girlfriends, it's been awhile, but we did have a ghost that arrived with a piece of furniture that belonged to a dead woman€so we think it's her.

57) You work as a forklift instructor and a warehouse manager in the UK, can you tell me one technical job specific term that I might not have heard of or understand?
ummm€.

58) Imagine that you're cold, you're alone and cold and the only thing you have is a tree - like a desert island.

a) Do you cut the tree down?
No, what am I gonna cut it down with? My hands? (ya' dumb fuck!)

b) On the island you see a message in a bottle floating towards you, what would you most want the message to say?
"I'm a genie, bitch!"

59) You have met a lot of good people while you have been riding and traveling, who was the best ;) no I'm joking forget it.
) I don't have a best person-everyone's so unique and different and I like them all [single tear down cheek].

60) Most people have photographs of themselves that they really don't like, have you got one? What about a photograph that you do like ?
Uh, yea. It's a picture of me riding my trials motorcycle at a show in Scarbourghe. I've got a really gay look on my face, but I was young-that's my excuse. Favorite would have to be the one I had in RideUK where I did a downside walltap on the wave ramp at Redcar-the treats photo.

61) Tell me one uk rider, one European and one international rider that you'd give props to?
Uk-James Hitchcox European-Alex Bender International-Byron Anderson

62) Your father Keith has a lot of engineering experience and some of this has been passed on to you, so do you have thoughts on the fact that the double diamond cromoly frame is king?
The double diamond chromoly frame must be a good design because its been well-tested and shows to be a reliable design. So, from my superb engineering experience, it's all good.

63) Your dad and John Hall have been working on their own frames. What's the score with that? Will you ride for them and Hallmark products?
John had the idea to design a frame, so between him and my dad, they made the dream a reality and built a frame. I have no plans to leave Proper Bikes anytime in the near future.

64) What role do you think that magazines play? Do you think that they have a role at all or perhaps we'd all still be here without them?
It's definitely a positive thing that there is now so much exposure of BMX to kids these days€magazines act as inspiration and ego-check in one. Good deal. We'd still be here w/out them, but perhaps a unified international BMX community would not.

65) But would you consider that much of our motivation comes from questioning, and from that point of view the magazines play an unconscious role whether we like them or not?
Yeah€it's obvious you like questioning€.

66) Do you agree with saying if a magazine is crap, and encouraging such a view point to others? As opposed to just accepting it as a different viewpoint or perspective and talking about it?
It's my own personal opinion-if the magazine's really crap, other people will find out for themselves when they read it.

67) If you had the choice of doing a 'how-to' page, what trick would you do (regardless of if you can do it or not)?
Obviously, I'm gonna have to able to pull the trick to write a "how to" on it. With all the "how-to"s out there, though, the only one it seems these kids really need is called "PRACTICE".

68) Do you think that their remains a divide between skateboarders and bmx, not just the differences in the sports but the attitude of each and in between - like the 'them and us' attitude?
Yea, but I think the division exists partly because of skatepark owners and city ordinances. If skaters are allowed some places and bikers aren't, obviously someone's going to get upset and that causes that stupid rivalry bullshit. It's retarded.

a) From your point is bmx influenced by skating?
yea, like grinding rails and stuff.

b) More or less than in the past?
dunno, I think they are influencing each other more now than ever. The door's been left open as to what's possible, so I think each is looking at what the other is doing and trying to apply it to their own.

c) Do you consider it a bad thing?
no.

d) From the media point of view?
fuck the media.

e) From the image point of view?
" " image.

69) Do you feel influenced by the euro scene?
We all influence each other whether we realize it or not.

a) The high standard of euro riders?
meaning to say euro riders have higher standards than other riders? I push myself.

b) Contest scene in Europe?
I'm just riding my bike. [What's with all this influence shit?]

c) Ripcurl shoes - can you tell us about them?
no.

70) There are a couple of things outside of riding that you're synonymous with when it comes to the people who know you€. a) "Get yersen fucked off" - this is definitely YOUR statement, I have no idea where it came from but it seems to be applicable to all situations. Tell us about it?
Get yersen fucked off! Haha, I dunno it's one those stupid things I say. I'm a self-induced bastard.

b) All you can drink for €€
hell yea!

c) Practical jokes, you love these and you like having the final say in them - as an example flour/eggs on your mates car?
haha, yea, that was ace. Some people just have it coming, ya know? ;)

d) Go karting, it's known that you're a go-Kartin' hustler. You generally beat all of us repeatedly but I recall you joining another group's session and starting at the back and working your way right to the front to beat them all.
and I brag a lot about it too€

e) Transformer wallpaper, ok your not really known for it but it existed and I wanted to bring it up. Just how short a time ago did the paper come down?
it came down??!?

f) That you have only two speeds slow and stop when you're asked to do something? It definitely does not apply when you're on your bike cause you've ridden so hard sometimes you've puked€.but for the rest€.is it true?
haha, yea, considering I had to beg Rae to type up all your long ass interview questions for me. (what can I say, she's the best). I'm amazed I even answered them at all€.you probably are too ;) Why do something today if you can put it off 'til tomorrow?!

71) This is the part when you can say anything you like without a question reference?
you might want to ask Ben about this one. ;) [Ed Note: I don't know exactly what Rae meant by this but with Ben i can only dread, and didn't ask...your imagination is probably cleaner]

Ed Note: I have spent many years with Ben, not since he started riding but it won't be far from that. I met him when he was sixteen, his talent was just starting to show through and he echoed the place where he has grown up, South Yorkshire. I consider him to be one of the most real and true peoaple i have ever met, he's an incredible rider with talent and balls who will always try and help people out and is the first into defending those he cares about. I feel like i owe him alot.

[last updated 29/07/03] - Since then Ben has moved sponsorwise onto HaroUK and IPath [01/10/04]