https://shop.odysseybmx.com/collections/odyssey-bags?utm_medium=banner&utm_source=dig

The Percept DVD With Bob Randel

"My whole life is a trip but none of it is organized."

13 Aug 2017

Crook Dig Bmx Percept Devin Feil

Bob lacing a steep crook at a Bay Area school. Got it first go, but did it again for cleaner make. Photo: Feil

Intro & Interview by Devin Feil / Photos by Devin Feil and Christian Rigal

It may have taken longer than Bob Randel originally hoped, but after many years of anticipation 'Percept' is a reality.  After having seen it myself, I think it's fair to call it the best full length video to come out of the Bay Area in many years.  The last great scene video I can recall was 'Cuttin' It Deep', which featured Eddie Cleveland and Zac Costa, and was released roughly a decade ago now.  We've seen plenty from many talented riders in NorCal since then, but the area has been underrepresented overall.  

Bob Randel has changed all that with 'Percept' by providing the world an honest representation of the present day scene.  Shining a bright light on familiar faces like Jackson Ratima, Kurt Russell, and Bob himself who are still going hard as ever, and bringing to the surface sleepers in Bubbie Gowin and John McGowan whose sections will certainly sear their names into your memory.  Lucky for us Bob was kind enough to answer some questions about the project, so without further ado, here's the man himself..

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing
Bob Randel Filming Dig Bmx Percept Devin Feil

Bob behind the lens on a weekend mission down to Los Angeles. Photo: Feil

First off when did the initial filming start for the Percept DVD?

It’s hard to say, maybe somewhere around 2010, but I was calling a DVD out long before I knew what it would actually take to get it done haha.

What were your motivations to produce this project?

The motivation has always been the same. Try and get guys in Northern California some coverage. Which in the beginning wasn't too big of a deal either, but over the years photographers and filmers have came and went in NorCal. Kinda just leaving a handful of guys who still do it, spread out over a big ass area, so I think its important we keep it pushing.


Kurt Russell Downside Whip Dig Bmx Percept Devin Feil

Kurt Russell kicked off a productive day with a downside whip. Photo: Feil

What can our readers expect to see?  What's the lineup of full sections?

As far as the riding its definitely not the Deadline video haha, but expect it to still have a homies vibe. Full parts from myself, Bubbie Gowin, Kurt Russell, Jackson Ratima, John McGowan, Samar Carillo, and D Block.

I know there were some major hiccups in production, care to fill us in on some reasons the video took so many years?

Like I was saying couple of those early years I was bullshitting, but by the time I was dedicated to it some life shit would come and slow me down... computer melting, cars breaking down. I've had my house broken into and everything stolen from me. The homies will always give me shit about how long it took, but it was never because we were trying to get these crazy tricks or something, it was always some bullshit on the other end of it.

Were there ever moments you doubted it would reach completion?

Oh yeah. The one time I had all the boys come over to my house to check there footage for the first time, my house just so happen to get raided for weed plants. So it was looking pretty ugly then, and just when the video was damn near done one of my best friends committed suicide so that had me at a low point for a while.

Samar Carillo Railhop Percept Dig Bmx Christian Rigal

Samar Carillo proper tuck over a SF rail hop. Photo: Rigal

Bob all smiles manning the VX. Photo: Rigal

The crew watching what D Block just fired out. Photo: Rigal

Who are some of your favorite BMX video creators?  And which past videos do you feel influenced your riding and video style?

Navaz, Darryl, Christian, all of em. I'm a BMX nerd at heart. I love crew videos; Chocolate Truck, ALYK, if we're talking past videos then the OG Animal vids of course, Peg Leg!, all the Shook videos, the Standpoint series.

I know you live in Modesto, and the majority of the riders featured are in the Bay Area, how did you deal with the distance?

10 years of working and hustling to get gas money haha, both my parents commuted to the Bay for work for years so I guess its in my blood.

For those who don't know where exactly is Modesto?  What's the scene like there?

Its a small, shitty little city, basically in the middle of California. Its believed to be the meth capital of CA, so its can be pretty grimey. I have a couple homies that live out here and ride but theres never really been a scene. That's probably what got me into driving all over the place when I was a kid. Its about an hour from SF, or an hour from Sac, if i go the other direction.

John Mc Gowan Feeble Hopover Percept Dig Bmx Christian Rigal

John McGowan feeble hop over an L to a massive drop. Photo: Rigal

A few good tumbles and a split brow later and Nick "Vern" Black had conquered an opposite hanger he'd been eyeing for a while. Photo: Feil

D Block hop in and out. You can't feel something like this out, just have to commit and go. Photo: Rigal

Jackson Ratima Over Smith Dig Bmx Percept Devin Feil

Jackson Ratima over smith to pull back over. This was the spot of a day spent riding around Oakland, and quite a few guys got clips here. Photo: Feil

How many trips did you guys organize together?

Countless lol my whole life is a trip but none of it is organized.

Was Barcelona everything you hoped for?

And then some! Def trying to get back there ASAP!

What amount of filming got done in the last few months of crunch time?

It was pretty scattered out but we all had something we were plotting on, or wanted to go back too, John got his two last tricks on the same day.

How do you feel now that the video is done and available?  How's the response been?

Its crazy to me still that its done. Not quite how I pictured it but aye, I'm just happy we have something to call our own, and hopefully the homies will get some shine from it. I've been getting a good response I would say. I can't thank anyone who bought one or gave me good feedback enough, I'm stoked.

Crew Oakland Bridge Dig Bmx Percept Devin Feil

Bob made the drive out from Modesto and the crew rolled around Oakland on a sweltering hot July afternoon. Photo: Feil

"I'm just happy we have something to call our own, and hopefully the homies will get some shine from it."

So what's up next?

Happy to put these VX's up and quit capturing tapes for a while. Got a bunch of HD projects started already that I'm excited for.

Lastly where can people purchase a copy of the video?

Videos are available through a couple different places (sorry if i left you out)

BayGame SF
Empire BMX
Berks Street
All Day BMX Shop
Cult Clubhouse
Blackout Distribution
Or just DM me (@bangerboyz) on the gram! 

Related Video

Percept DVD Trailer

Bob Randel, Jackson Ratima, Bubbie Gowin, D Block, John McGowan, and more - More Info

Bob Randel is supported by Official DIG Partners: Kink | Animal

Previous

Next

The Street Series - END OF AN ERA? - An Interview with Tom Creasy

The man with the plan tells us what's in store...

Related Content

BayGame-Weather-Report
Play Button

BayGame - Weather Report

Bob Randel, Tomy Prince, Jackson Ratima, Kurt Russell, and more

8 Jul 2015
Percept Dvd Dig Bmx 1280 720
Play Button

Percept DVD Trailer

Bob Randel, Jackson Ratima, Bubbie Gowin, D Block, John McGowan, and more

13 Aug 2017
Kink Bmx Bob Randel Owns The 6040 Grind
Play Button

Kink BMX - Bob Randel Owns The 60/40 Grind

You better be good at fractions to keep up with Bob

8 Jul 2017
Bubbie-Gowin-Baygame-2015
Play Button

Bubbie Gowin - Baygame 2015

Bay Area rail boss!

11 Aug 2015
Sat Selects 2
Play Button

Tony Hamlin in Mexico City - Kink Saturday Selects

Tony Hamlin in Mexico City

16 Jul 2017
Bob Randel Kink
Play Button

Bob Randel - Kink BMX x BAYGAME

Destroyer Of All Things Grindable

27 Feb 2017
Jackson Ratima 2017
Play Button

Jackson Ratima 2017 Frame Promo

Jack killing it in San Francisco and Barcelona

15 Jan 2017
Bay Game Pack Flips Not Backflips
Play Button

BayGame X DIG - Pack Flips Not Backflips

Over 8 minutes of superb San Francisco street

11 Aug 2016
Bay-game-d-block-bmx-street
Play Button

BAYGAME - DBLOCK

A quick glimpse of what's to come

13 Nov 2015
Jackson Ratima Percept Dvd Extras
Play Button

Jackson Ratima - Percept DVD Extras

Goodies from the Bay

4 Jul 2017
http://www.divisionbrand.com/news/

Latest Content

Bn T fq S Nu00hqdefault
Play Button
E H6csl QAX Sghqdefault
Play Button
K OL2b Bj Ez Mhqdefault
Play Button

TAXI JAM! - HAMMER & NAILS / CASH UP

Rev-Limiters and Smashed Windows

26 Jul 2025
8 Nigji Cd Nr8hqdefault
Play Button

Battle of Hastings - Qualifier 2025 - Source BMX

Wildcard for one of the wildest events of the year

26 Jul 2025
C11wlz J Hww0hqdefault
Play Button

SAN DIEGO BMX DAY 'CASH UP' JAM hosted by OUR BMX - DAY 2

Check full highlights of day 2 right here.

25 Jul 2025
W81c14sw Yz Uhqdefault
Play Button

BMX DAY 2025 with Aaron Ross - Odyssey BMX

Ross the Boss on the mic

25 Jul 2025
Y49a2k3 Hg5 Ehqdefault
Play Button

Strangeways Volume 6 - Full Video - 2025

50 minutes of pure street action

24 Jul 2025
Lh Se TO4u56khqdefault
Play Button

Alex Donnachie 'EDIT' | BSD

12 Minutes of Mind-Melters

24 Jul 2025
Zr ASP6 H1id Uhqdefault
Play Button

DAY 1 - BMX DAY by OUR BMX / CASH UP | SAN DIEGO

Clairemont, San Diego

23 Jul 2025
M 3gg E4 Bbzshqdefault
Play Button

BOYD HILDER - JETLAG

The first in a four part series from Monster Energy

23 Jul 2025
Ox Q Bwp U9o Yhqdefault
Play Button

OUR TRIES

Felix Prangenberg, Moritz Rieger, Kilian Roth, and Bruno Hoffmann

23 Jul 2025
KADY3y WL3j Ihqdefault
Play Button

LA Bangers with Mike Hoder

Reminiscing with No.1

23 Jul 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Shirt swell k0150m back

Product Drop - KINK 2025 APPAREL

For Fall/Winter

23 Jul 2025
Big boyd black

Product Drop - ODYSSEY BIG BOYD RIMS

Boyd Hilder signature BIG BOYD rims in Black and Coffee.

11 Jun 2025
LOW Street station Saturday Jarvis 1 copy

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
Dig shirt collection 2025 new

NEW DIG BMX APPAREL

Available now

27 Dec 2024