https://www.danscomp.com/

Print Matters: Let Me Tell You About The Time...

"Every contributor was effected by BMX in some way throughout their lives."

16 Jan 2017

Matt Coplon Print Matters Img 0532

An Interview with Matt Coplon

If you're a regular DIG reader you'll already know that Profile's Matt Coplon is a very busy guy. Well, as if things weren't already hectic enough for him, Matt has just released his second book, 'Let Me Tell You About The Time...': a wonderful collection of tales inspired by, as he nicely puts it, "Bicycle Motocross". Produced with the support of Folklore LMTYATT has lots of long time DIG contributors in the mix to keep you entertained and is available now on the DIG webstore. We asked Matt to tell us a little more...

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing

How did this book come about, what gave you the reason to start it?

Back in October of 2014, I published a collection of personal, creative non-fiction short stories title "Collapsing Into The Whatever." Although the writing process took three years, the formatting/publishing process was a lot more simpler that I thought. I discovered that we have a dialed option for both of these services in Tampa (Eli at Crunch Time (formatting) and A and A (printing).

With the positive feedback from "Collapsing...", I thought it would be rad to see/read stories from folks within the BMX scene. What night over coffee, or at the bar, or on a road trip have not availed some of the best stories you've heard...it's just a bonus to see them in print.

Whats your opinion on attention spans these days? Do you think people need to learn to read again?

Ha! Reading isn't for everyone. We've become such a visual society based on action... I get it. But for those who do, here's a nice little companion piece that you can fit into your pocket, take to work to read during lunch, while stuck in gridlock, or on an airplane. I'm pretty confident this should put a smile on your face.

So, to answer your question: Our attention spans have always been short. That's why these are "short stories." Ha!

Was it easy chasing everyone up to contribute? (and choosing who would contribute)

My initial wish list for contributors was much longer, so choosing those involved was the easy part as there are so many talented story tellers amongst our scene. But, in the end, It was whoever, from that list, could meet the deadline. Committing time, and conjuring motivation (for everyone) was the hardest part. Writing is difficult as shit. We all know this, and we all felt it.

Leigh Ramsdell was the best example. He literally submitted his piece at the very last minute. It took two years to find the right time, the right place, and under the right circumstances to belt it out (and his piece is dialed and well worth the wait). I knew it was going to be a process, and I knew it would take roughly two years. Thanks to everyone involved for their patience.

What are the stories about, all BMX, or BMX culture in general?

The connecting thread is BMX. Every contributor was effected by BMX in some way throughout their lives. Some stories are about the actual, philosophical act of trail riding (Yeagle), some are simply about the wild antics that occur while being with friends who ride BMX (Degroot, Crandall, Rich, Ball, Hinkens), while some are inadvertently historic (Towne and Ramsdell). So, both BMX and BMX culture. 

Matt Coplon Print Matters Img 0462

Will the stories ever go online or is the a print only project?

Some stories have been featured on www.leastmost.com and I'm sure the remainder will end up online at some point. I just wanted to encapsulate them into something tangible, and celebratory.

What can we expect to get out of this from a readers perspective? 
Empathy, some BMX history, some dialed times, some really not so dialed times, a lot of smiles and laughter, some motivation to get out and travel, and a lot of love and appreciation for what BMX has given to all of us.

What’s the last book you read?
Just finished it two days ago: "Oh, Florida. How America's weirdest state influences the rest of the country." By Craig Pitman. I was born and raised in Florida. And although I will defend it to the end, I have finally given into the fact that living here really is as fucked up as it's perceived. Mix the wild west with a bunch of prehistoric reptiles, uber corrupt politicians, brutal, uncompromising weather, human swallowing sink holes, and deadly, disease riddled mosquitos. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Pitman is an incredible story teller, and each paragraph (and chapter) ends up flowing into and introducing the next. I couldn't put it down. One of the best books I've read (and I read a lot). If you've visited Florida, this is a must have for your bookshelf.

Do you read much online? 
DIG and Ride (US). I read the news online too. Most of that news comes vicariously through my wife via Jezebel. I would more than likely be reading Nat Geo, Smithsonian, and The New Yorker online, but I'm too stubborn and would rather read them in print. When my closet starts to over flow with back issues (I have a hard time getting rid of anything in print), then I might make the switch to purely online.

Where can people get ahold of ‘Let me tell you about the time…”
You can either hit up any of the individual contributors (as they will have copies), the DIG store has some, or just direct through myself. You can contact me at xmattcoplonx@gmail.com

Thanks again to all the contributors and thanks to you, DIG, for the support and all you do for BMX! We appreciate this!

Matt Coplon Print Matters Img 0463

You can pick up copies of 'Let Me Tell You About The Time...' and 'Collapsing into the Whatever' here on the DIG store.

Previous

Opinionated: In Defence Of The Bashguard

"In a way, I think this is part of BMX becoming comfortable with its dark days..."

Next

Setups: Pete Sawyer

And His Wethepeople Sterling

Related Content

Milwaukee-Ghetto-er-3

The Jam That Matters More Than You Probably Think...

Milwaukee's Last Ghetto-ER Street Jam

15 Sep 2015
matt coplon graphic 1

9 Pros and Cons Of Being One Of The Busiest Men In BMX

Matt Coplon on the ups and downs of the 24/7 hustle...

1 Jun 2015
soundtrack graphic Matt Coplon 1

Soundtrack - Matt Coplon Playlist

100% DIG Approved

12 Jul 2015
Leadmaybe2

Print Matters - Black And Blue

More Northern DIY

16 Dec 2016
collapsing-the-whatever

Collapsing Into The Whatever

False possession, electricity poaching, run-ins with satanists, urban myths and more...

7 Oct 2014
FLBMX Kyle noble TITLE

This Is Freestyle

Mike Hinkens on why BMX needs a little more Brotherhood as witnessed at the FLBMX series

2 Mar 2015
Bad Lands Cover 99

Bad Lands – The Book

Limited Edition DIG X RED BULL Photography Book Now Available

20 Jul 2016
Print Matters Uphill Work Logan Ostrom By Mikey Almodovar

PRINT MATTERS: Uphill Work

'A Book About Street Riding'

9 Jun 2016
Josh Heino Mug By Rick Adam

Whatever Happened to Josh Heino?

A story of Unfinished Business

8 Jan 2017
Permasummer  Our  Wild  Abandon

Print Matters - PERMASUMMER - Vision Kingdom

"getting sideways, grinning and getting it - all things pure and free"

10 Feb 2016
Print Matters Schweppes Z9 A0531

PRINT MATTERS - SCHWEPPES

Buy this instead of that 30ml bottle of vape juice.

16 Sep 2016
https://www.profileracing.com/

Latest Content

5 SX5x5p0v2ghqdefault
Play Button

Matt Coplon - Year 48 - PROFILE BMX

Continuing to shred in his late 40s

27 May 2025
Wree00 Kbp B Ahqdefault
Play Button

TUMBLE

Jayden Fong, Kyle Ralston, Will Fraser and more

26 May 2025
HP3 Pw Z Gu Tlchqdefault
Play Button

Chad Kerley Bike Check 2025

The Henney Monster

26 May 2025
Cw NMR2cohr0hqdefault
Play Button

CULTURESHOCK

A Slaughterhouse Production

25 May 2025
R FXUC2 N Fymshqdefault
Play Button

Source BMX: Dennis Enarson Bike Check 2025

All-around machine

23 May 2025
Nuances
Play Button

DAN PRICE & AMOS BURKE - 'NUANCES'

Giving the kids a run for their money

22 May 2025
I0e I82ht3 V Ehqdefault
Play Button

NATHAN SMITH - 'CALCIUM'

Full Fat

21 May 2025
Yp Zla T0 PY Yhqdefault
Play Button

Ryan "Biz" Jordan - 2025

A minute of Biz-ness

21 May 2025
S Jm V is QY Vwhqdefault
Play Button

Joris Coulomb - OM

Dreads a flowin'

20 May 2025
Gi w Xp6s1 C Ahqdefault
Play Button
Dtyt LR4 S Nlohqdefault
Play Button

"SERENITY - RAW"

Behind-The-Scenes with Max Miller

20 May 2025
P d2u Kaz C Pkhqdefault
Play Button

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Joe Jarvis x pegs CPH

MONSTER ENERGY 'CASH UP' 2025 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Another Year - New Locations - Even More Jams!

26 May 2025
Street station graphic

STREET STATION RETURNS for 2025

"Not your average BMX jam"

26 May 2025
Vans 11 27 21 014 Bruno Gap wall

BRUNO HOFFMANN INTERVIEW - 'FOREIGN'

"I think the scene is doing good..."

21 Apr 2025
RIXIN BIG APPLE ANGLE RAW ON WHITE 2500

PRODUCTIVITY - RIXIN Big Apple Frame

Billy Perry's signature frame - Built around what he needed.

8 Apr 2025
Rad teaser

Rad Day 2025

Anniversary movie screenings and RAD documentary release.

18 Mar 2025
Expert Top 3 Roll On crop

REPO: Keeping it local at the UK 'ROLL ON' Flatland Jam

"My desire was to give something back" – Mike O'Connell

5 Mar 2025
Snow Fight – Naoki Gaman2

20 Tips For Surviving Simple Session 2025

Check yourself before you wreck yourself!

20 Feb 2025
SS finals samples 4

SIMPLE SESSION 25 WRAP UP

Highlight videos, results and more

19 Feb 2025
Stack

DIG BOOK #2024

AVAILABLE VIA THESE BIKE SHOPS AND DISTROS

30 Dec 2024
New dig apparel main image

NEW DIG BMX APPAREL

Available now

27 Dec 2024
30 YRS POSH BOOK MNTN V V 004

(Almost) 30 YEARS OF POSH WOODS

Now available

24 Dec 2024
BSD Grime Safari Reed Stark Austin 6

Reed Stark - A Photo Safari

Safari Forever...

6 Dec 2024