Mike Hoder (there's more to a man than the tricks he can perform).

I would say that Mike Hoder is one of my favorite riders. One of my favourite riders who is at the top of their game and who is still current. I just finished reading his piece in the Albion 2. I did nothing but reaffirm the fact that I think he's awesome and he's exactly the kind of antihero that BMX needs.

Last month we had 2 work experience kids in at work. I hate having 2 kids together on work experience, they stick together like glue and as a symbiosis they have more rebellious clout than they would singularly. They both rode BMX and being 15 years old were exactly the demographic we cater for at the shop. Saturday is the day when we Hoover-up these dudes pocket money selling grips, tyres, stems, chainrings and bars. I asked the young ones what set ups they rode, where they rode and how they rode. They quietly answered sometimes cockily as if I'm a clueless old man who's well past it Granddad. I asked them who their favorite rider was, but because one of them had 3 pegs, I already knew what his answer would be. The work ex kids answered in unison "Dak Roche".
The kids as they inevitably do asked me who my favorite rider was so I gave them the answer based on who's riding I can appreciate but who is also in the spotlight and I said proudly "MIKE HODER".
Nothing
The two kids kinda looked at each other dumbly.
There was an eerie silence in the workshop and you could cut the tension with a knife.
The kid with 3 pegs looked at me with a trembling lip.
I turned my eyebrow up in expectancy of his answer but he returned his gaze to the floor.
Confused I asked worriedly "do you know Mike hoder?"
They both shook their heads mumbling that they'd never heard of him.
eh?
OK then, I described some of the epic feats Hoder had achieved-Threeing El Toro, jumping off the top of the Seattle tower, his recent NYC edit.
Nothing
He rides for S+M
Nothing
He's got tattoos on his neck.
Err....
And before you say, no not Mark Webb.
Nothing, total silence.
I began to wonder, what the hell is wrong with these kids.
I asked them another question I was sure I knew what their answer would be. "Who's your favorite rider from Newcastle?"
In unison the little lads answered "DYNO".
"NO NO NO NO NO, Your favorite rider from Newcastle should be The Count."
"WHO?"
"Or Cookie, you know with the X pegs?"
Nothing.
"Newrick?"
Nothing.
I was beginning to think these kids were a lost cause. Was it I who was helplessly out of touch or was it them?

I was going to get in to the whole 'is it alright to wear Nike riding shoes debate' but I thought better of it when the lads said Mike Spinner was a better rider than Mat Hoffman.
What, think of all Mat has done for the sport, there is a good chance you would never even have heard of BMX if Mat Hoffman didn't exist, yet you fail to respect him. If there's anyone deserving of respect in BMX, it's Hoffman.
Nothing.

Was Marv right? Is it only the heinous trick ferrets that appeal to the kids? Can they not delve a little deeper and see the man behind the trick?

I despair for the youth.