Shoe-G just posted an interview with Verde’s Mike Ardelean on his site, shoe-g.com. Mike talks business, goals, lifestyle, and influences. The best advice that Mike can give to up-and-coming riders is: “Ride your ass off and be humble.” This comes from one of the most humble, down to earth people we’ve ever known… You can check out the full interview here.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Verde’s Mike Ardelean today. Mike celebrated his 31st a little early last weekend, attending the inaugural Old School BMX Reunion at Woodward West and getting his photo taken with 80′s freestyle legend Lee Reynolds. Mike’s got a cool story up on Defgrip about meeting Lee and watching him kill the vert ramp on his Verde complete. You can check that out here. Happy birthday, Mike!

The latest issue of Ride UK just arrived at Verde headquarters. Photographer (and now Managing Editor of Dig USA) Rob Dolecki has an article entitled “Simplicity” featuring none other than our very own Brian Yeagle. The simple things done well are one of our favorite things about BMX, and this article (and the above photo of Brian) is a perfect example of that. Nice work Rob, Brian, and Ride UK!

Friend and photographer Justin Kosman sent up this photo (downside icepick grind) of myself for Dean Dickinson’s fund raiser at the Lotek retail location. He has the green-hued image in a stained wood frame. Very Verde I say…

Verde and Ten Pack (our Canadian distributor) have added Matt Beyers to the roster. Matt has been a part of the Ten Pack family for quite some time now. He has had some photos up on Defgrip lately of himself and the trails he builds on Vancouver Island. I look forward to seeing Matt this summer!

Our latest UK addition Martyn Tambling has a video up on Twoand8. Congrats to Martyn and his new clothing sponsor. Go check their site to watch the video and buy one of those Joy Division shirts!

Vital BMX just posted a bike check with Verde’s Kevin Kiraly from his visit to Woodward West last month. Kevin’s currently running our 20.5″ Cartel Series Frame and Cartel Fork with a Verde Integrated Headset and a Verde Timber Pivotal Seat. You can check out the complete details of Kevin’s ride here. Oh, and for the record — Kevin’s bike REALLY doesn’t weight anywhere close to 37 pounds!!!

Dig and Vinyl are coming together for an exclusive video series. Last week they posted the first of, hopefully, more to come. Tom’s (the guy behind Vinyl) edits always leave you with that “Damn, I want to go ride” feeling. Yeagle has some clips in this one!

More 2009 Verde completes are now available at The Greenhouse. A fresh shipment of bikes just arrived and are ready to ship to local shops. If you’d like to treat yourself to one of our ’09 models, have your local bike shop contact Greenhouse BMX at 614-777-0900 and Lou can hook them up.

Your local skatepark disappears, except for one obstacle, which one do you keep and why? This one flat ledge; it’s just what’s fun right now!

(more…)