Name: Kaan Geylani
Age: 18
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
When did you start riding? Why ride flatland above other forms of BMX?
I have been riding since 2008. There is no BMX park in the city that I’m living on, so I do flatland. I didn’t know other forms of BMX, I just saw freestyle riders (street and flat) for the first time. But I like flatland more than street.
How often do you ride?
I ride ever day in summer, but 3 days of a week in winter, maybe 4. There are 4 seasons in Turkey and my time of riding depends on the season. My favourite season is spring not cold and not hot :)
Do you ride contests? If yes, what has been your biggest success? If no, why not? (It’s interesting to find out people’s views on competition…)
I couldn’t get a good result from the BMX Worlds because it was my first contest. But I did gain experience from it. I met flatlanders from all over the world and I am the first Turkish flatlander who participated in the BMX Worlds since 1986. That was a big success for Turkey. That was my goal for this year, but for next year I want to be placed. Now I saw that what kind of atmosphere there is at the BMX Worlds, for next year I will work harder to be better.
Where do you ride?
I ride Caddebostan activity area with Hakki özen on Sundays. It’s next to the beach. Hakki özen has HKK BMX SHOP, he is my sponsor :)))
I usually ride empty areas around my home.
What is the riding scene in your town like? Are there any other flatlanders?
There are flatlanders in my town, but I usually ride alone. Sometimes I ride with Hakki özen. Turkey has some good riders, but they are in other part of the country.
If you could take a flatland world tour, which 5 places would you like to visit for riding and why?
1) Japan. In Japan there are really good riders and interesting styles, and they have their own tricks. I would really like to ride with them, they are really my types of riders, and I also want to visit Japan.
2) Spain. In Spain there are very good riders and I did meet them at the BMX Worlds this year. They are really good people. Also I want to visit Spain. Spain is a different European country, they have interesting culture and Spain is where football is born (Erm, I think you’ll find the ‘birth’ country of Football is England, and I don’t even follow football! LOL! - Morgan.) I want to see the football stadiums
3) Holland. This year at the BMX Worlds, I met 5 park riders, and I did stay with them in the same room at hotel. They are really good friends. I heard Holland is one of the most flat countries, I also want to see the history of Holland and one of my favourite rider Dez Maarsen lives in Holland.
Generally these countries, but also England, because there are old flatland riders and maybe France. To see New York, and France also has pro riders.
Is there a goal you would like to reach concerning your riding?
I want a first place for amateur class; it’s important for me, or first 3. But contest for fun... See, respect is important for me by other riders. I could have it in the BMX Worlds; they said that I had original tricks. I heard this sentence and I am very happy!!!
Which trick/combo are you working on at the moment?
I really like half packer combos. Now I am working on half packer switches and trying to find peculiar switches at this moment I have 2 of them. In my opinion in flatland the most important part is to have your own style and being peculiar. This will make you different from all other flatland riders
What kind of music do you like? What are your 3 favourite songs?
I listen to all kinds of music which will not disturb me. But while I was riding I need to listen to music like ´Jack in the Box´.
The Black Keys - Lonely Boy
Lana del Rey - Blue Jeans (Patrick Reza remix)
Ellie Goulding - Lights (WIRED Dubstep Remix)
Tell us 3 things you like and 3 things you don’t like
LIKE
1) Riding with my friends
2) Family. It’s important in my life!!!!
3) Watching football...
DON’T LIKE
Tire trouble and long road trips...
Do you work or study?
I’m a student. I am in a university. My uni is about airplane technology. When my school finishes I can get home in an hour and it doesn’t matter how tired I am, I always go to ride
Do you have any hobbies besides flatland and do they influence your way of riding? (For example music you listen to, another sport, whatever)
Besides flatland I like to watch football matches with my friends, I like all the type of sports but generally flatland is always my main one.
Bikecheck:
Frame: KHE A-damn 12 pro 19”
Fork: KHE Tanaka with out pivots
Bars: Autum esco bar
Cranks: St.Martin Holloflat’s 08 145mm
Pedals: Eastern plastic pedal white
Chain: KHE Tanga chain
Stem: Sequence hook stem
Grips: KINK grips
Seat: KINK saddle pivotal
Seatpost: Primo pivotal
Pegs: Front - Sequence with titanium cap pegs; Back - Sequence plastic pegs
Front wheel: KHE Geisha front hub
Back wheel: KGB Nankai freecoaster
Tires: Odyssey Frequency G
Have your say: This is the place for shoutouts, wise words or whatever you would like to tell the world!
Just be original...don´t copy just be yourself, and always have your own differences. Try to be happy from what you do, not matter what the result is...patience is the key to salvation..!!
BIG THANKS HKK BMX SHOP...
Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8upk8UZkNuw
http://vimeo.com/44974926