http://animalbikes.com/

Justin Hughes - Youth Of Today Interview

"I'm always looking for the next best spot..."

23 Feb 2017

Justin Hughes By Vlad Poloukhine Img 9831

Interview by Jeremy Deme | Photos by Vlad Poloukhine 

Justin Hughes has been in the Montreal scene for what feels like forever so you can quickly forget about how young he actually is. Dubbed as Dillon Lloyd’s protégé in his earliest years of riding, he’s definitely moved well beyond being a wingman into the tech street shredder that he is today. Of the younger generation of Montreal riders, no one knows the streets of Montreal better than Hughes. With a big year in the works, it’s fitting he starts it off with this DIG 'Youth of Today' piece.

https://feverup.com/m/163363

Related Video

Justin Hughes - Youth Of Today

Montreal's Tech Kid - More Info

Name, Age, and Hometown?

Justin Hughes. 20 years old from Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

How long have you been riding and what got you into it?

I’ve been riding for 6 years now. I remember always having a BMX bike but never using it because I was such a small kid. One afternoon I was (skateboarding) and all my friends from school were at the local skatepark, the older kids immediately started bugging me about how I should ride my bike more. I went all the way home and got my Mom to bring it outside for me (since it weighed more than I did at the time) and pedaled as fast as I could back to the skatepark. Once I was back riding it there, I remember laughing and riding with everyone trying the most impossible things. I remember waiting for my turn to drop in feeling like forever, I was so excited to blast the quarter pipe back and forth all day long. I never wanted the day to end and I never wanted to be off my bike again.

About a year later I had a school trip to an indoor bikepark know as UAB, ran by Liam Mulrooney and Jason Herman. This bike park happened to be really close to my house, the next day after school the first thing I did was go directly there where I met Dillon (Lloyd) for the first time. I remember using Dillion's Bike every opportunity I got because it's was so light haha. I eventually got my own high end complete bike from UAB (which happened to be a WTP envy) and from that day on I went back every single day until they closed their doors.

Justin Hughes By Vlad Poloukhine Img 9862

So it's safe to say you were riding more ramps than street at that point. When did you transition to more street?

The skatepark was always the spot where we would ride the most but I really didn’t know you could ride anything other then ramps/skatepark until some of the older dudes let me tag along and cruise around town. Eventually UAB, the indoor bikepark we all loved dearly closed down so we had to ride elsewhere. Luckily le Taz V2 was nearing completion, this park was huge and very street oriented. Adapting to the new park was weird at first but eventually my style started changing just because of what it was.

Who we're some Montreal locals you started riding street with and when did you really start getting stoked on that and MTL spots?

Montreal had a pretty crazy BMX scene when I started riding so the list of riders could be endless. There were a couple dudes who really stood out to me, who I really liked riding with: Greg flag Eric trepanier and Corey Dewey. These guys straight up killed it and rode completely different than anyone I've ever seen. Eric ended up moving into my neighborhood and we started riding together a lot. He'd always encourage me to film clips on his VX1000 I'd say that's what really caught my interest for filming and riding street.

Did you get to know most MTL street spots through those guys or how did/ do you do your searching?

Sure those guys showed me a fair share of spots but I pedalled my ass around the city searching everywhere as well. Whether I'm cruising or going to a friend’s house, I'm always looking for the next best spot. There's no better feeling then finding a new spot, especially one nobody's been to yet.

Nowadays most riders/ teams coming through MTL hit you up to show them around, how did that come about?

I think it's just cause I'm down to shred and take the time to show people around and have a good time. Honestly Dill shreds spots and people tend to hit him up first but doesn’t know his street navigation too well. If you've ever met him you know what I mean (lol). That's why I'm around when most teams come to town.

Justin Hughes By Vlad Poloukhine Img 0325

I can't think of any other Canadian city more visited than Montreal (besides maybe Vancouver?) What do you think brings most dudes through MTL vs any other Canadian city?

Montreal's lit. Straight built to party what else is better than riding tons of spots all day, just minutes between each other and then cracking a couple beers with the homies and hitting the town with multiple bars/clubs at every corner.

What's the MTL scene like these days?

Montreal's my hometown so it's hard not to love, the beautiful woman great food and overall culture is one of a kind. The scene hasn't been as active as it used to be but I try to stay positive and keep everyone around me motivated to get out and ride.

What/ who are some of your biggest influences/ motivators in riding?

I've always loved watching Alex Donnachie and Bruno Hoffman ride, there crazy technical styles have always caught my attention and given me a thrill to ride.

If  you could only watch 5 edits or videos for the rest of your life, which would they be?

I’d say my top 5 favourite videos are : OSS - On Everything, Deadline DVD , United - Still United DVD, Markit DVD, Kevin Kiraly MacNeil 2013

Who are some of your fav dudes to cruise with?

Fuckin' love getting out with you guys, hahaha.

"Sure those guys showed me a fair share of spots but I pedaled my ass around the city searching everywhere as well. " - Justin Hughes

Give us a solid Dill (Dillon Lloyd) story or two...

One day me and Dillon were heading back into the city from his place driving his 1993 turquoise Honda Civic when suddenly the front wheel started making noise. At first Dillon thought it was just the brake pads rubbing so he started jolting the steering wheel back and forth to hopefully solve the problem but the noise just got worst. He then sticks his head out the window going 100mph on the highway and loses his "favourite" hat. He instantly freaks out (in typical Dillon fashion) and wants to stop the car to go look for this hat. Obviously that was out of the question so we continued down the highway with the noise only getting louder and Dillon getting more frustrated. Switching lanes and violently ripping the steering wheel around, we eventually reached our destination Dillon and myself got out of the car and checked out the problem. We took off the hubcaps and the wheel was about to fall off. Every single bolt had unscrewed and the hubcap was the only thing holding everything together. Thankfully we made it safe and sound to the city and nothing dangerous happened with Dillon yanking the wheel all around town.

Whats the plan for 2017?

I'm trying to travel and experience as much as possible just turning 21. Finally having a camera at my disposal makes filming and flying a lot more convenient, hopefully everything goes as planned and I make this year one to remember

Any thanks?

I honestly can't thank We the people OGC and 514BMX enough for everything they do to keep me rolling, DIG for letting me do this, shoutout Vlad at imported BMX for always filming me, Jeremy Deme for always holding it down and a special thank you to my mom for always being super supportive and encouraging.

Justin Hughes By Vlad Poloukhine Img 0282

Justin Hughes (@justinhugz) is supported by Official DIG Partners: Wethepeople

Previous

The Chase Hawk Podcast

DIG X SNAKEBITE

Next

Setups - Alec Siemon

Sunday's Cali AM Shredder

Related Content

4clipfriday
Play Button

Justin Hughes #FOURCLIPFRIDAY

Four killer clips from WTP's Canadian connect...

13 Feb 2015
Rob-Harris-Smith-Hard-360-DIG-BMX-NW

Rob Harris - Youth of Today Interview

"No idea how I didn’t get mugged, a 15 year old dragging around a broken bike is probably an easy target."

17 Nov 2015
Stephan-August-DIG-BMX-Youth-Of-Today-Lifestyle-1-DF

Youth Of Today - Stephan August Interview

Fuck a Super Bowl. Let's ride...

10 Feb 2015
Justin Hughes Imported 2016
Play Button

Justin Hughes Imported 2016

Indoor techness

30 Jul 2016
Justin  Hughes  Pat  Morse  Wtp  Lit
Play Button

Wethepeople LIT - Justin Hughes & Pat Morse

That's some serious fakie manual and cab control

15 Mar 2016
Justin  Hughes  Wtp  Fourclipfriday
Play Button

WTP - Justin Hughes #FOURCLIPFRIDAY Vol II

Getting tech at Le Taz in Montreal

26 Feb 2016
Justin Hughes Youtube Screen
Play Button

Justin Hughes - Youth Of Today

Montreal's Tech Kid

23 Feb 2017
Felix-Prangenberg-Youth-of-Today-06-X

Felix Prangenberg - Youth of Today Interview

When your Dad looks out for the cops while you get a clip...

23 Jun 2015
justin-hughes-winter
Play Button

Wethepeople - Justin Hughes winter edit

No winter blues here

30 Apr 2015
Owen  Dawson  Portrait  Dig  Bmx  Devin  Feil

Owen Dawson - Youth of Today Interview

"It was also very empowering just realizing I'm my own captain and I can go where ever I want"

4 Feb 2016
https://en.khebikes.com/BMX-folding-tire-KHE-MAC2-20-inch-x-2.3-inch/5111-020-02

Latest Content

1 KJ Dnh7fi Wohqdefault
Play Button
L Jls E3 Ks Yrwhqdefault
Play Button

Lewis Mills Presents "LewShoe" | Vans BMX

Mannys & Masterpieces

18 Apr 2024
MO Vu Evsj87whqdefault
Play Button

BMX Chile - Fourth BMX | Thirty One

No Chill(e)

18 Apr 2024
Ty C Qy Xf S Wkhqdefault
Play Button

WAR PARTY - WE BE VLOGGING - 002

Alex Headlands skatepark

18 Apr 2024
Jamie Pipe Tribe

A Brave New World - The history of KHE Bikes, Part 2

Taiwan, a pornstar, and innovation in a can

18 Apr 2024
C Rj A3 H3 Wmychqdefault
Play Button

DIG LOCALS - 'HAENIM'

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

17 Apr 2024
AW Wxpy5 C Qwhqdefault
Play Button

BLKWDS - VOL 1

Fresh Trails Down Under

17 Apr 2024
W Mt1rbrlu B4hqdefault
Play Button

Kanode Knows - Steven Hamilton

Catching up with a true legend

16 Apr 2024
5dd Dm Huvje Ahqdefault
Play Button

TYLER HARNISH - BSD / OGC

"Years in the making"

15 Apr 2024
Cngh Gf970xshqdefault
Play Button

BCTHECREW - Progress and Some Money

Throughout Brazil

15 Apr 2024
R HKQ2 Qn76l0hqdefault
Play Button

Factory Friday: Talkin' Trans #Hot Topic

How youuuuuuuuu Duuuugan?

15 Apr 2024
STVPU0 X2 Djchqdefault
Play Button

SUNRISE - Tyler Frenzel in Hawaii

O'ahu Concrete Dreams

15 Apr 2024

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

WTP ECLAT JACKAL FRAME FORK 3

PRODUCTIVITY: WTP/ECLAT JACKAL FRAME & FORK

Did someone say titanium?!

13 Apr 2024
435840693 1414960675891844 3313287078063579831 n

PRODUCT DROP: LEWIS MILLS SIGNATURE VANS 'PEAK'

An all new BMX specific shoe from Vans

10 Apr 2024
Thee void leader
Cinema apparel 24 sring
DSCF2930

PRODUCTIVITY - ECLAT 1023 STEM

Designed in Cologne. Made in Kyoto.

31 Jan 2024
Dig2023stack

DIG BOOK #2023

NOW SHIPPING

8 Jan 2024
Wheel mill winter welcome 24 WIDE

EVENT NEWS: The Wheel Mill - Winter Welcome Jam 2024

Shelter from the storm.

19 Dec 2023
TJP WTP 22 6

SETUPS: TYSON JONES-PENI'S 22" CHAOS MACHINE

"I'm not saying the 22" will become the new standard, but it might help some riders stay on a BMX, rather than switching to MTB."

18 Dec 2023
TAMERICA tam roastin BSD 2023 mcgrath 11

The TAMerica Interview

The USA didn't know what was coming!

12 Dec 2023
Wethepeople THE SWAMPMASTER matt black 01 web

PRODUCTIVITY: WETHEPEOPLE SWAMP MASTER

Bouncy BMX Time

11 Dec 2023
Jj book cover crop

PRINT MATTERS: The Dirt in Our Skin

When BMX and literature collide

7 Dec 2023
Sniper Lever Yuma 11

ARE BRAKES COMING BACK?! - THE ECLAT SNIPER LEVER

Read what brakey boy Yuma Oshimo had to say on. the subject.

21 Nov 2023