Jeff Dowhen
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mad lib
Jeff Dowhen Interview To save a wordy intro on my end, I'll make it plain and simple: Jeff Dowhen is a sweet dude to hang out with and a real treat to watch ride. We've been helping him out loosely through Madera for the past two years...this past year being a pretty impressive one on Jeff's end. Hinkens and I have been speaking about adding Jeff to flow over the past six months. 2009 offered a cozy little space for Flow, so the bump fell into place quite naturally. Here's a quick Interview we did with Jeff regarding riding, winter, and healthcare. Welcome aboard Jeff!
1.Besides cheese, what is the best part about growing up in Wisconsin? Born and raised there? I'd have to say it's the scene here. Having the winter being pretty serious it gives you a respect for good weather, and when the snow melts its like a mad dash to the streets. But as far as Wisconsin in general, I would have to say the summer festivals, every weekend there is either a huge church festival or events like summer fest that make for hilarious nights. Grinding on cougars at church festivals every weekend makes for some fun stories. 1.2 Yea, I saw you work your magic at Pinzon's New Year's Eve party a couple years ago...it seems like older women are attracted to you because of your aggressive dance moves? That must be it. I remember that party being really awkward because we had slept on a beach and then drove like 12hours to meet you and go to this fancy party. One girl actually said "I think its hot that you guys look so ratty" to me and Casey. 2.I know the scene is quite tight up there in Milwaukee. What do you think holds things together--there always seems to be plenty of stuff going on like that Midwest bmx video contest? Mike Hinkens and Jeff K hold the scene together, mike especially. Mike was talking about moving away from our area and all that I could think of was 'man now I'm going to have to organize all the events. I do not know where he finds the time to do that. But I think all the fun little events like the ghetto-er street jams and the bmx scavenger hunts make us all realize that bmx is about having a good time with some of your best friends, and that's what keeps us tight. It's just another reason to hangout with your friends.
3.Any words on that stadium gap this past summer. I remember driving by it in July and thinking it not possible. What was the deal breaker to get you to try it? When I first saw it, I instantly told Jon to do it because that seems like something he'd be into. Then one day I was riding past it and decided to go for it, and as I was turning around to jump it we got kicked out by stadium security. Then the video contest happened and best trick got a new federal frame, and I had just cracked my t-1 and was riding Casey Strong's old sputnic (thanks again for that Casey!). I figured I didn't have any money and it seemed like a good idea at the time, luckily it worked out. 4.How many tries did it take to get over it smooth, and more importantly, how did you not break a leg, blow out a knee, or become a human lawn dart? I think around 4, I didn't expect the drop to be that bad, I didn't really consider going over the fence and down a steep hill. After the first crash I couldn't just stop. And I drink lots of milk, makes my bones hard to break, as you saw with my arm when you came to Milwaukee, haha. If you watch the video I ditch my bike at a curb and run full speed into a fence after I roll away, that was the best part. I was so pumped to not be lying on the ground I forgot to turn away from the fence. 5. I'm always curious what people are thinking when they get ready to do something seriously wild...what was going on upstairs before that gap? I made everyone drive to the spot I felt kind of obligated to at least try. I don't really remember a lot besides when I was pedaling down the lane of traffic and a car was driving at me and I yelled "sorry", I remember thinking "maybe if I'm a nice guy I wont get hurt". 6.Now that winter has kicked in, what's your schedule like? I know 4 seasons plays a big part in keeping people sane, right? Man, I was hurt for the last month of decent weather, and then I couldn't make it to Florida with everyone, I am so burnt out on cold weather. It is -7 right now with -30-40 wind chills. At this time its even too cold for 4seasons. During the 'warmer' winter weather 4seasons is always there for a fun session. As of right now I'm just working trying to get some money for school and maybe some extra for some roadtrips. Mark Hilson of Baco and Jerry Springer fame, just closed down his amazing park Undercover, that park was the smoothest thing, its sad to see that one go. Besides that there are a few parking garages that are sessioned, I just can't wait for the snow to melt. 7.You've been in and out of school right? What's the master plan? Plan on holding down the fort in Milwaukee for a bit? Yeah I'm going to school for a liberal arts general degree, 3 years on a 2 year degree! I've been taking the bare minimum of credits so I can stay on my parents health care while not being swamped in homework, that's pretty much my main reason for going- I like to get hurt. I plan on staying in Milwaukee for a while but I am itching to get out of here right now, I love being outside and just cruising the streets and these cold winters drive me nuts. Milwaukee will always be home but I can't help but want to see what's out there. 8.You're lucky to have health care, I know so many people without it. That's crazy talk when riding bikes full time...have you seen the doctor quite a few times this year? I know you've been hurt several times, right?
Yeah this year is horrible. Healthcare is a must for someone clumsy like me, I tend to get hurt in the dumbest of ways. I once threw my back out playing racquetball and couldn't ride for weeks. When you came up I wrecked my arm real nasty and almost broke it, then I blew up my wheel and hit my face on my bars, then I messed up my toes then my foot at lake Owen within 5minutes of each other (don't try and ride in a venom mask) and re-injured my healing arm. And then I wrecked both my shins on a guard rail and had swell-bow in the middle of my shins that kept me out for the last month of decent weather. 9.Any places on your radar if you do move? My grandparents live in Florida and I'd like to see them more, but besides that I have no clue. I guess just south. 10.Where was the absolute best place you have traveled to? I once was inside a pop-up camper in North Dakota in the middle of a tornado, which was pretty intense. Besides that I'd have to say redstarspringbreak 1994-1997. Ha ha, every spring break for the last 3 years me and my friends just pick a destination and make a weekend trip out of it. And for some reason the first year we called it redstarbmxspringbreak 1994. Always the best time, more shenanigans than riding, just having fun. -Matt
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