Eli Platt Interview:Josh Suhre
Photo: Adam Baker
So what have you been up to recently?
Just living life. The only thing that jumps to mind worth mentioning is that I just discovered snowboarding. It is incredible. I just built up a new bike as well, thanks to the guys at Sparky’s. I feel like a kid again with my new-found enthusiasm for toys.
What’s the schedule of a typical day for Eli?
All the normal stuff. Wake up with a bunch of coffee, go to the gym, then head to work. Five days a week I work at a bike shop, where I work with Leif Valin and Adam Baker. Those guys are awesome and certainly keep things entertaining. On my days off I try to get wrapped up in some adventure. Since moving to Denver, the craziest experiences are to be had in my backyard. I started mountain biking pretty seriously upon moving out here, so that was a bit all-consuming for a large part of last year. The season culminated in a friend of mine and I riding in the 24hr National Championships down in Colorado Springs last fall. Now, with the trails either snow-covered or soggy, I’m trying to snowboard as much as the finances permit. Sometimes it’s just a hike, but I try to get out in the mountains as much as possible.
Do you still live in Columbus, Ohio?
Nope. My girlfriend, our dog and I moved to Denver at the beginning of last summer. I miss home though, especially when fall comes around.
I remember you studied Philosophy in school and were looking into furthering your education in that field. Are you currently involved with Philosophy academically, professionally, or in your personal time?
I suppose it’s just in my in my casual reading these days. I look at it as building block of who I am today, so though I may not think explicitly about philosophy, I certainly like to peel back the layers in everyday life. My studies were only ever about personal development, practicality be damned.
Have you been riding much since you stepped down from the pro BMX lifestyle?
I actually didn’t touch my bike for nearly a year after all that. I went back to school for a while and focused other things. I was having some pretty bad back issues that made riding really uncomfortable. I was honestly scared of it. It got to the point that I was afraid to wreck at all, because I couldn’t pick my leg up to run out of anything.
But, I’m feeling much better after a long time of figuring out what the hell was wrong with my back, and I’m really excited to explore the new city I’m living in.
What was it liking growing up as a rider in Columbus, Ohio riding with guys like Steven Hamilton, and Ian Schwartz?
We all didn’t really ride together until we were all in college, living in the same house. It was incredible though. Those two were amazing. Ian and I would ride together the most and it was always an amazing time, even when he just wanted to ride a curb island for hours.
Do you stay in touch with either of them anymore?
I kept in touch with Ian for a while after the house broke up. Since moving, not so much, but Ian’s a great guy and somebody I have a lot of respect for, on and off the bike.
What’s your fondest memory of BMX? How about the worst?
My best memories are probably when I first moved into the Maynard house and I was filming for my Shook part. Riding was absolutely my life and it was uncomplicated. I was so fortunate to have such incredible influences around me and I was just completely lost in riding my bike. I guess it comes down to the fact that I had the enthusiasm and opportunity to exercise my ideas.
As far as the bad times, they were all the result my being uncomfortable with a sense of obligation.
What’s your favorite place you traveled to as a rider?
Without a doubt, it would be Columbia with the original Subrosa crew. That was such an incredible experience with such a great group. That was one of the best experiences of my life. It was one of the times where it hit me hard how incredibly fortunate I have been.
You had a section drop in Anthem 2, how was filming for that compared to other projects?
In all honesty, it wasn’t quite what I was used to. Stew is a great guy, and he’s a more professional filmer than I was a rider.
Were you thinking Anthem 2 may be the last video you would be filming for?
Not at all. There was a rather sudden point where I just couldn’t fathom going on another filming trip. My back was killing me and I was starting to feel pulled in different directions. I couldn’t imagine half-assing it for Stew, so I told him I was done.
Any shout outs?
I suppose just a big thanks to Ryan and Ronnie at Subrosa and Shadow for the bike I just put together. To everyone else that made riding bikes such an incredible experience, thanks a million and perhaps I’ll see ya down the road.
