QUICK TALK 52# VAN HOMAN

November 17, 2009 @ 1:06 AM - Paulo's Portugese

Since I don’t know Van Homan in person, any try of doing a good intro would result on common thoughts, or words without interest, so I thought that maybe it would be good if I use the intro that Brian Tunney did for the Van Homan Interview from DIG 57: March/April 2007. Brian is a master on words. Brian I Hope that you don’t mind…

«It’s a few days after Christmas when I make the short drive to Van Homan’s 2x4 BMX/Skate shop in Pennsville, NJ. To any discerning resident of the area, it’s probably way too cold to be spending time outside. But I notice something unusual as I make my way down the main street of Van’s small hometown; BMXers, lots of them. Some are pedaling along the street, others have left their bikes outside of shops and fast food restaurants. It’s clearly too cold to be outside, but this budding scene shows no aversion to it, simply happy to be outside, utilizing whatever new bikes or components they received just a few days prior on Christmas day.
I notice BMXers wherever I go. Usually, it’s one or two people on their own. But there’s something different about Pennsville, NJ. It’s a tiny town, it’s really cold out, and there’s at least ten people on BMX bikes as I drive the mile or so down to Van’s shop. Clearly, this newfound scene is the result of Van’s new shop, which opened in the Summer of 2006. Van’s perspective on this is simple: he wanted to build a community. And so he did, and even though it’s only just begun, it’s growing at an alarming rate.
As I enter the store, I notice that the shop is stocked with everything anyone could ever want in a BMX-related kinda way, from complete bikes to clothing to every imaginable component in a wide assortment of colors. And then I spy Van behind the counter, keeping track of stock on a notepad next to the cash register. This is the same guy that’s produced legendary video parts and done countless amounts of unthinkable acts on his bike, putting himself to work so that BMX can thrive in the place that he grew up.
If he wanted to, he could still be just riding his bike, collecting cheques from his sponsors and getting by pretty comfortably. But that’s not how Van Homan does things. Before moving back to Pennsville, he made a decision that involved giving back to the thing that’s given him so much over the past 15 years. So he moved home, got 2x4 off the ground and put his money where his mouth was.
It’s a side of Van Homan that not many people have seen yet, and it’s inspiration in the making. The video parts and the unspeakable acts he’s accomplished on his bike are only a fraction of his person. He’s gracious, he stands up for what he believes in, and he’s driven enough to make it over whatever bumps in the road he might experience along the way.»

Welcome to the Van Homan Quick Talk!

NAME: Van Homan
AGE: 29
HOMETOWN: Pennsville NJ
SPONSORS/HELP:  Fit Bike Co., Orchid Footwear, Fremont Clothing, Duo Brand, Two by Four
YEARS RIDING: 18

1. INSPIRATIONS: My Parents. 
2. FAVOURITE SPOT TO RIDE?:  Little Devil Bowl RIP
3. BIKE RIDING HEROES?:  Joe Rich, Ian Morris
4. FAVOURITE VIDEO PART?: 1201 as a whole.  Those early videos changed my life.
5. WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT BMX? Riding
6. WHAT’S THE WORST THING ABOUT BMX?: Drama and uneducated shit talking
7. YOUR BIGGEST FEAR IS: Not having passion or motivation.  I don’t care what its for.  It just seems like life would feel empty with out it.
8. MUST HAVE GADGETS: My Digi Camera
9. OTHER THINGS TO DO BESIDES BMX?:  Spend time with my wife Samantha, Two by Four, Poker, Snowboarding, Eagles and Phillies games.
10. THE LAST BOOK YOU READ WAS?:  StaleFish.  It talks about a number of pro skaters history and experiences.  We got it in our X-Games goodie bags haha.  Its actually pretty interesting.
11. THANKS?:  Samantha, Mom, Dad, all my sponsors.  Everyone who ever helped me out.  I’m nervous to start a list because I will forget someone for sure.  Thanks!

VAN HOMAN’S 2x4 PART

Van Homan’s legendary video part from 2001.” Video taken from LDTV. RIP Little Devil Brand.