Intro/Interview: Effraim.
Photos: Jeffery Garland, others sourced from Stephen.
So I am going about my usual social media routine one morning a few months back, and up pops Stephen Cerra! Stephen isn’t the most prominent on social media, so I reached out and we exchanged riding clips and talked about where’s he is at?!
I thought man this would be an interesting interview, and an interview that riders of all generations would be down to read and learn something about this US stylecat.
Let’s get into it,
It’s time for the Flatmattersonline Stephen Cerra interview.
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What’s happening Stephen? Where have you been hiding? It’s been a long time….
I’ve been hiding in the so called underground. I thought it could be a good way to surprise everyone in the ‘28 Olympics – I would have had 3 more years of progression in hiding. I was going to show up just ahead and try to qualify. Everyone would have forgotten I even existed. That was a good plan, right?
Before that, it has always just been in my nature – some of the guys I looked up to like Kevin Jones, Jesse Puente, Paul Osicka were underground, they weren’t always trying to be in the public eye.
Feel that. How long have you been riding?
I’ve been riding over 30 years. Took my brakes off so no plans of stopping.
What was the move to Cali like for you? You hear about the sunshine, and endless riding days. What was that transition like for you?
Within the first 6 weeks of living in Los Angeles, I was jumped and knocked out at Venice beach. It was a sunny Sunday afternoon and my roommate Joe Fedo and I went to Venice to make some money riding. This was a great place to perform cause it was all tourists. We would do tricks, pass a hat and people would drop money in.
This particular day I was in the middle of a crowd of 75-100 people trickin. Headphones jammin in my ears, Flowing thru a spinning link and when I landed it, I hear the crowd applaud. Out of nowhere, not sure where this dude came from, but he walked up to me and blasted me with 4 of the hardest punches to my face while i was still holding my handlebars. He knocked me out. When I came to, all I can hear is him yelling “welcome to Venice.”
Jeez I wasn’t expecting that answer Stephen. You are a flatland lifer. Tell me about your flatland spot, I remember you saying you would only move back to the east coast if you had a spot to ride?
When I left Cali in 2003 I moved back to the area where I grew up. I built an indoor riding area, which I wasn’t able to do in Los Angeles. It was so dope. A lot of baddest riders from around the world came through. What a dream spot.
Now I reside in Jax Florida. We moved during Covid. I haven’t found much of a flat scene here, so I’ve been riding solo which I’ve been doing most of my career. That works good for progression.
2 hours away, there’s a good scene in Orlando with Chad DeGroot, Marcos DeJesus and others. But they ride outdoors. When I first moved to Florida and rode outdoors my tires kept exploding , cause I run high psi.
Now I ride indoors, unfortunately I use discontinued primo comet tires (only tire I know of to run max psi) so I can’t afford for them to keep popping, cause they are not being produced any longer. (Shout out to Pete Olsen he had sent me some.) If anyone reading has any primo comets, let me know. Even old ones. I’ve been putting on older ones i previously took off , the concrete I ride is so smooth, they work great bald.
Yes I used comets for a few years, so fast!
What do you do for work Stephen?
I started Flowstyle trick shows in 2010. They are mostly motivational school assemblies and community events and I am still doing that.
We also started a nonprofit dedicated to providing youth with interesting educational and motivational programs.
Right on. Do you plan to go to contests again? You mentioned the Olympic dream before?
At the moment, I’m not sure. I have anxieties. One of them is airplane (claustrophobic) anxiety which has derailed my contest world since the beginning.
I used to fly to contests all over the world, but I’d have to deal with multiple anxiety attacks each trip.
My last attempt to travel to an event was to a One Love jam in Los Angeles. When I got to the airport I couldn’t get on the flight. Ended up forfeiting my ticket. If you don’t have it, it’s even hard to relate to. It’s not as simple as , “just don’t think about it – it’ll go away”. That’s what people tell me. It makes zero sense to me too. But it’s real.
How old are you Stephen?
I turned 50 in December. I was welcomed to the over the hill crew, so I’m embracing it.
There are comments on social media about you being on steroids / PED’s?
I’ve been accused of being on gear (steroids/ peds) by many because of my physique and age. No thanks. I’ve been in the same shape for the last 30 yrs. If I was on the gear, my insides would be shot. Think about it. Also it would do the opposite of what I’m trying to do which is keep my testosterone (test) as high as I could without chemicals. Chemicals like this would shut down my natural way of producing test. I’ve created a program I’ve been following for the last 10 years. It requires commitment, but I’ve experienced slower aging, improved skin and metabolism, more energy and faster healing. It really works, you’re gonna hear about it.
You change set ups a fair bit I noticed, brakes, switch brakes side to side and brakeless. Keeps it fresh I guess?
Yah I’ve tried it all, front & back, just front on ride side, front on the left side, double fronts and now brakeless. Totally, it helps keep it fresh. Been ridin for so long always tryin to find motivations. It can be hard in the beginning mentally/ physically. It can seem like you’re starting over in a lot of situations. But when things start clicking, it’s on.
I call it my multiple personalities.
During shows I’m cleancut, riding with brakes, lots of people & lots of talking . My older style of tricks – Stephen.
Then comes the progression sessions. Off come the brakes, catch the groove, no people, no talking – new trick stylz – Steph.
All my older links come back pretty quickly with brakes, and that’s fun, but that also reminds me that to push my style I need to be brakeless. Flowstyle Futuristic Flatland.
I wasn’t aware you lived in Florida until we started chatting again recently, that’s rad you’re down on the sunshine state now.
Yah we relocated to Florida during COVID in 2021. Florida is great. The weather is incredible. Full sun / summertime all year pretty much. Also we’re close to the beach. That’s rad. We still own FlowMountain, but it’s in Pennsylvania so I haven’t rode it regularly, since I moved here.
Behind every great man there’s a woman, and your married aren’t you. Tell me about married life?
My wife and I are celebrating our 27th wedding anniversary this August. Unreal how fast that flew. I think I started ridin the 2nd year, I met her so she’s been around flatland for 30 plus years. She has a few tricks up her sleeve. She is hardcore business, but also hardcore flatland. She’s always been down for the flat scene. When we lived in Cali we were like a hostel – riders always crashing. It was great for progression. I remember you came through for X trial series, and Dan Rigby was already staying at our house for a couple weeks. Great times. At Flowmountain it was the same – riders often staying. So many stories.
Yes we had some great sessions at your Redondo beach underground spot. It always seemed funny to me, escape the rain of the UK,and go ride in California undercover. Thanks for the hospitality Stephen.
You’re very welcome Big E. That is funny. Come again. Great timez / great progression.
Really good times, Do your kids ride?
My kids don’t ride. I was teaching my oldest (19) when he was around 11 yrs old on a small bike. He was diggin it so then he just tried to ride my bike, which is bigger with no brakes but rides smoother, it’ll take you for a ride. He rode off the platform & crashed – the dream was over. He’s traveling around Europe with a few friends as I write this. They flew into Paris & were gonna hit up the Fise flat Academy, they were stoked. Unfortunately I couldn’t connect with Alex Jumelin, so it didn’t happen.
As I remember you are originally from the east coast of the US, when did you move to the west coast?
I left for the the west coast in 1997. (Shout out Joey Fedo helping me make it happen.)
I moved back to PA after just about 6 years of being in Cali. The ride scene in Cali was great, but I had the chance to build FlowMountain so I traded for progression.
What about Chad Johnston’s influence? I feel he doesn’t get enough credit for what he did for flatland with the intrikat videos? What do you feel about that, you had parts on Chad’s video, what are your memories of that?
At a time when there was no social media , Chad’s videos provided a way for the world to see the newest / up and coming riders & tricks/ stylz. They definitely influenced me & I’d imagine had the same impact on the rest of the world.
And what about your influences, who and what do you feel shaped you as a rider?
The first two hardcore riders I met were Kevin Jones and Chase Gouin in year 1 of my flatland journey. I saw their lifestyle & that’s what I wanted. Long story long- I went to York for the first time in ‘93 & we were riding at the Mount Rose spot & having a little contest, me, Kevin, & Rider C. The goal was to be the first to pull their trick. I was trying a single fire hydrant to double decade. Rider C was trying a double fire hydrant to double decade. Kevin was trying triple to triple. After a bunch of tries no one pulled their trick & Chase pedaled in. KJ says jokingly, don’t let Chase in, he’ll pull it first try. Not warmed up, straight from home, takes his backpack off and pulls it first try. True story. Triple to triple. My mind was blown, holy smokes – I was hooked. Some other early influences in no particular order motivating me through riding were Paul Osiaka, Chad DeGroot, and Andrew Faris.
Moved to LA in 97 to ride with some of the other Michael Jordans of flatland. Day Smith & Jesse Puente. Day gave me some of the best advice at one of my first contests, in Oceanside, CA. He saw me stressing in warm ups watching the other riders hitting their links & said don’t worry about them. Just worry about you & pulling your links. As simple as it’s sounds, it makes so much sense. If you don’t pull your own stuff, where you going? Day became a good friend.
Jesse was great too & gave me early advice to be original & have your own style. A great story – one time my answering machine goes off at 3am and I’m sleeping of course. Jesse is leaving a message – “Stephen it’s Jesse, I’m here at Cal State, riding hard core, original styles, progression, got new tricks. Come up Stephen let’s ride – I’ll be here till sun up.” He pushed you to not only learn the trick, but to try and advance it even further. So inspirational.
Did you just get on social media?
I’ve been on FB forever, but I’m new to IG. Give me a follow.
Do you have the same persona on social media, and in real life?
I try to be cool, positive and easy going, but I’m sure there are people that may tell you otherwise. Don’t always believe the hype.
Here’s a story that sums up how I try to be & it’s one of my best accomplishments in BMX & in real life.
When I lived in Los Angeles, my Ride spot was at a Ralph’s grocery store parking garage. 18-wheelers would drop off the food for the store. There were two entrances/ exits. You can go in or out each one. They’re about 35 feet wide. Big enough for an 18 wheeler to maneuver around. if you watch explorations ,(Bobby C) video or intrikat connect (Chad J)they were filmed in there. You can get the vibe. One day when I showed up, there was an old man stuck in the back of the parking garage. He was blind and he had his stick, he was hitting it off the wall. I approached him and asked him what’s up and he said his name was Leo & told me he was stuck in there for the last 3/4 hours. So I walked him out. I rode here on the daily for the next 2 years, so I made it my mission to help Leo walk across thst section. I’d see him get off the bus and start walking down toward me and I’d yell “Leo” and a huge smile from ear to ear would appear, that’s all I needed.
Yes, this could be a made up story, it was before social media. But, one day Freedom Magazine from Germany was in town they were staying at my home/hostel in Redondo beach. I didn’t really know these guys and I don’t think they even rode flat, but we’re always trying to be good humans.
So they stayed and they wanted to do an interview on me for the mag, so we did the pictures at Ralph’s. while we there, Leo happened to be walking down the street like always and I ended up helping him walk across the section which they snapped a picture & put it in the magazine interview. I still have the magazine & will post the picture on IG. I also believe the karma from this helped me land the lead spot in a national Coca Cola commercial. I got to do the infamous Coke drinking shot and this commercial wound up in the Coca Cola Hall of Fame in Atlanta Georgia. I found out a group of coke cola employees had an office just across the street and watched me help Leo every day.
They came out of their way to alert me to the audition opportunity which I was so fortunate to book. No agent or anything, all wet behind the ears, breath smelling like Similac. lol. Extra interesting, Jesse Puente also appears in the commercial.
Do you think now you’re more active on social media, we will see a video part from you?
Video part, yes, depending the situation. Are there a lot of people making videos?
Sadly not many video parts, it feels more like a trend not to. It’s not a good trend in my opinion, I remember last time we hung out riding we were both riding Nike air flights and we got in a discussion about the soles. You have that little indent in the middle, you still on that project?
Yah I’m still on that project. It’s kind of a must for me & these sneakers I’ve been running. I ride in both Jordans & Flight 89s- a lot of them have the exact same bottoms. It seems to be a harder compound than skate shoes that hurt my feet. I do customize the bottoms. I cut a piece of a sole from another sneaker & glue it into the cut-out (OCD)because my peg keeps finding its way into it. I also glue another piece where the sole indents from say stepping on pegs, to keep it flat (OCD). Makes the sole totally flat. Who has the hookup on Jordan’s / flights? That’s the goal. A Street rider in NYC has a signature Jordan with these bottoms.
?
Nigel Sylvester your talking about, It’s only a conversation a flatland lifer could have, would love to see this design you have. How long does it last for?
It last pretty much the duration of the sneaker, might have to add a little glue.
Let’s talk about eras in your riding, I remember at one point you did a lot of fork stand steam, no foot tomahawk stuff, then you had the no foot crackpacker walk around stuff on the intrikat videos, then the pedalling upside down era on the orange quamen, pedal steams etc, where would you say you are now? We talked about two wheels on the floor flatland style, and how misunderstood that’s, ie it’s hard…
Through the years I’ve tried to learn tricks out of my comfort zone. It kinda help me change up my style. Also having the different brake set ups and I think having different spots and relocating helped change up my style from time to time. It’s cool to go back & see the different stylez I had thru the years. As of now, I’m really tripping on the brakeless scene. Pedal to the metal, all gas & hold on.
As for the two wheels tricks, don’t sleep on those. They can be way harder than they look or get credit for. It’ll be interesting to see where they go. Diggin’ where you’re takin those Big E and James White I see him pushing that path as well.
The Pedal steams era was great. Once I learned the reg one, it was on. With the front brake , it helped alot. I had a few variations. X-footed both ft on pedals. Underneath the down tube was rad. Back peg. The one from cliff hanger pivot to leg behind seat on opp pedal was my hardest most original. Haven’t done it in awhile but it’s a great feeling. Pedal steams are so stylish.
Thanks Stephen, I recall that Cliffhanger to pedal steam over back seat, crazy position to be in. Asking that question brought me back, the quamen era…. How did your hook up with them come about? Any good stories from that era?
Quamen era came about from that contest in Oceanside, Ca – that story where Day Smith had given me the advice to concentrate on my game.
I ended up placing 7th out of 30 or so and Zenta & Auggie (Quamen owner & team manager) were in the crowd.
They approached me and asked if I wanted to rep Quamen. And of course. Hell to the yah. What a dream. Living so close to the quamen headquarters was so dope too. Always having the newest products, testing them and giving feedback. Being right in the middle of it all. Great era. Zenta was a smart man. I still have a lot of my Quamen stuff boxed up.
What about music? What’s your vibe?
Music , I listen to everything. Different kinds of music can lead to different styles of tricks. Anything with a good beat, I’m down. Hip hop helps me flow the most. Not too much country in the mix. I’m Always lookin for new tunes .
What set up you running these days?
I’m riding a S&M Dagger 19.5 frame and have a backup, so I’m stoked on that. (shout out to my boyz Wade Phillips & Darren Hough for keepin me rolling/ good dudes).
Still running odyssey zero fork. We bars 8.75 high/ 24.5 wide, S&M 40 mm stem. Connoisseur Stem pad. Primo rims / spokes. Primo comet tires 1.5s (140 psi). Profile mag cranks, not sure the spindle , Deco bb, 16 tooth, We sprocket up front. Back hub is a salt plus freecoaster (9 tooth driver) which has been great. Front hub is S&M . Primo seat. Same Bizhouse grips for last 15 plus yrs. Man they last forever.
If you see duct tape/ electrical tape. Don’t be judging. hahaha . Between always riding / and the Florida humidity, which is the real, my bike looks pretty trashed. Although it’s solid.
This has been great catching up Stephen. I’m stoked to regularly see post on social media ands still going hard. Any final words to close this out?
To end this I just want to say man I love this Spart( sport/ art) & how rad all the riders are. I’ve appreciated the support & feedback & hope to give back by sharing what I’ve learned.
I feel like I’m in my second chapter in flatland. Even though I never really left, I am reengaging with the flatland community for the first time in many years. The riders have been really welcoming & supportive,and that’s one of the best things about this our spart. In this era I intend to still try to progress my style, keep having fun & continue to not take my self too serious. Also to collaborate with my fellow riders & share as much as possible with the intent of helping others progress in this spart. I just want to thank everyone, like you Effraim, who have welcomed me back. Hellz yah brah, thanks so much. Glad to be here. Flat4life.
You’re welcome Stephen, really enjoyed catching up. Keep in touch, and most importantly keep the fire burning. Hope you enjoyed this one ladies and gentlemen. It’s been a while since a big Flatmattersonline interview.
