(Photo: Tim Pipp)

Coincidentally just a few days before Brad Simms’ recent NYC web video dropped, I happened to be riding with him for a few days in Philly and we discussed doing an interview. After finally getting to see his web video, it seemed even more obvious we should get it done. Brad is an interesting character to say the least. He’s been pretty much everywhere on the planet, sure, but he’s also easily one of the most skilled bike riders on the planet. Check out my questions and what Brad had to say after the jump.

AND this has been stickied for the rest of the day.

What have you been up to travel wise lately?

A few weeks ago I just got back from being in Europe for 2 and half months. In a week and half I am headed down to South America for the winter

So how did the NYC web video come about? How many days did it take you to film that?

I’ve been hurt since may, I hope my right wrist in China riding the SMP park than hurt my left wrist at LA X Games. I haven’t had any content on the web lately so I thought I’d make a new web vid now that my wrist are about 85% better

Word. So can we talk about the last clip in there? Is that something you’ve done before on small rails? Is that shit hard?

I’ve done it before on a small rail before but that’s the first time doing it on something that high. It’s not really hard it’s just dangerous. Not much room for error.

You told me that you’re filming a part for Navaz’s new video. When do you plan on starting for that, and do you plan to film it mostly in NYC and Philly or what?

I don’t know. Those 2 are definitely on the list but im surely going to try and get some abroad clips in there because I’ve found some wild stuff in a few countries along the way.

Is it shitty being on trips and not having a filmer to catch you doing all the crazy set ups you find?

That’s the most frustrating thing ever! I’ve been to 36 countries in the last 2 and half years and have had a photographer/filmer at 4 of them at most

A lot of the pro riders out there have the travel budget and the time to travel as much as they want, but a lot of them seem to really only try to do the trips they have to. On the other hand you are obviously intent on seeing just about everything you can in the world, why is that?

Truth. You only live once and I have the opportunity to do so, so why not? I’m addicted to seeing new things so any opportunity that allows me to do it I run for it.

What is the one place you’ve been to that you really wouldn’t want to go back to

Nowhere. Some places I’ve been to haven’t been the most beautiful but from being around the natives they really change your whole perspective

Where are you dying to go that you haven’t been?

So many places but if I have to choose one it would probably be Seychelles, or probably Galapagos Islands.

How big an issue is money in the equation? Like do you frequently want to go places and you can’t because of funds?

Happens all the time because I don’t make a lot of money but from what I do make I put it towards the flier miles that I had saved up from when I used to be sponsored by Target.

Yeah how hard was it losing the Target thing?

Hard. Things definitely changed as far as income goes.

So I’m sure kids want to know what you do for the most part when you’re traveling. Do you always ride a lot, or is there a lot of time when you’re just chilling ?

Both. I’ll go to non-BMX related places just to see something I saw in National Geographic. I love riding but there’s times when I enjoy just walking around with my point and shoot out being a tourist.

How much longer do you see yourself trying to continue to live the pro rider lifestyle? Is there any end in sight?

The end is not in my sight but I guess when it’s over it’s over. As far as seeing the world I’ll probably do that until I’m dead and gone.

Why don’t you lift weights any more.

I do, just not really heavy ones because it makes you really stiff when you ride, I don’t like feeling like a refrigerator when I’m on my bike.

When are you going to go back to El Toro and get that ice up it done???

In the new year. I’ve been wanting to get that done for a long time.

Yeah i’m waiting to see it haha. What happened with that injury you were telling me about. Hopping that rail into the bank?

One of the worst crashes I’ve ever had. I tried to hop this big rail that was like a foot over bar and jumped a split second too early and bonked it on the way down. Went OTB into this brick bank with both my legs crossed over and bounced a foot off the ground and re-hurt both my already hurt wrists. My right leg still hurts from it.

Okay I have a few questions that your buddy Brian Kachinsky sent over too, so here we go with those; before you started traveling did you have any preconceived notions about other countries/cultures that you later learned weren’t true?

Yeah, I had a lot of preconceived notions about practically anywhere that I had never heard of due to being sheltered in America for 21 years of my life. South America, Middle East and Africa. You can’t follow the news every step of the way because what they report is usually the worst of the worst, so if you want to go somewhere don’t follow preconceived notions because that’s only going to keep you further away from your destination.

I’m sure traveling has taught you many things. What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned throughout your travels?

America has it great! And even with all the shit wrong in the country, we are very fortunate. But at the same time, there is vast beauty that can be seen, that money can’t buy—breathtaking landscapes that the poor and rich alike can enjoy. There are places people should go before they die because they are that amazing—and some of these places are not at all wealthy. There are great people throughout the world with great things to offer and teach us. As much as there are scumbags everywhere, good people do exist and there is nothing like the journey to find all of that out for yourself.

And I guess that just about wraps things up. Any shout outs or anything we should be looking forward to from you in 2010?

Thanks to all my friends and sponsors and anyone who works on my bike because I’m 24 and can’t properly work on a bike. Hoffman Bikes, 5050bmx, J-Mac, DC Shoes, Snafu and Skull Candy… Thanks to The Come Up for giving me this interview, peace!