CATCHING UP WITH DAKOTA ROCHE

Since the news dropped that Dakota had scored the cover of Ride BMX #188, the internet’s been buzzing. Dak’s cover photo is from his Talk Is Cheap ender, which the internet is also buzzing about, and for good reason — it’s off the charts. We caught up with Dak and asked some quick questions to get his take on it all.

2012 has been a huge year for you. You’ve been traveling non-stop, finished your amazing Talk Is Cheap part, scored covers and interviews in both DIG and Ride, got third place at X Games and filmed several solid web edits for your sponsors. You have to be stoked, right?
I’m real stoked! I’ve been blessed with so many rad opportunities, it’s overwhelming at times.

I know you’ve been dealing with some knee problems lately. How did you hurt it and what’s the current status?
So, I tweaked my knee at Rebel Jam back in early October and have been in pain ever since. Luckily a closer look at my MRI revealed no damage to my ligaments, just several small fractures in the base of my femur. I don’t have any restrictions against riding so that’s nice, it just gets sore really easy. Should be feeling 100% in the next month or so.

You’re heading to England next week for a UK Talk Is Cheap premiere tour. You put some much blood, sweat & tears into this project. How does it feel to finally be done with it? You must be proud, right?
Yeah, real psyched to be heading out to the UK, it’s been a while! Everyone involved with the project put so much work into it for two years, it’s actually surreal that it’s done. I kinda feel like I have post-Talk is Cheap depression!

Any interesting “behind the scenes” stories that happened while filming TIC that you can share? It looks like you had some clips filmed in the hood of Philly, right?
There was quite a few crazy things that happened during the filming process, it’s almost hard to just pin point one. At one point a security guard tried to kick me mid wallride. That was pretty entertaining. The cops were on there way shortly after so I had to hide in a neighborhood and wait for the crew to scoop me up in the van. Good times, good times.

What are your plans for 2013? Projects, trips, comps, etc.?
2013 is going to be a busy one! In a good way though so I’m psyched. Going to be filming for the Cinema video, the Dan’s Comp video, as well as some Monster, Cult and Vans projects. A lot of traveling and surfing when I’m home. I’m sure a few contests will be peppered in here and there too. Good times ahead!