By Michael Thervil
When it comes to Michael Wagner and Derek Foster, there is so much that can be said between the two of them. But let's start with the basics. Before the start of our interview it was revealed that the two didn't always see eye to eye and were highly competitive towards each other during their time on the Motocross circuit. But somehow, they formed a special brotherly bond between themselves that is so strong that it's hard for anyone to see that bond breaking. And to tell the truth, we at VEDA Magazine can't see it either.
Outside of their jobs as professional roof installers and being extremely talented Trade and Craftsmen. They are also chic home decorators in a manly way. It's like their entire home is a man cave that many men around the world wish they could have. Put in another way, their spacious residence is a place where any man could feel as if they just “belong” there. Even more than that, Derek Foster is a very accomplished Painter. We're featuring a few of his pieces to attest to that fact. Also if you're wondering - yes he does sell his paintings. They have not only renovated and designed one of the best homes in Houston Texas, they are the only ones in the City of Houston to have a custom roof deck built in the fashion that they have. And of course, being the Trade and Craftsmen that they are; they built that with their bare hands. Outside of that, Michael Wagner and Derek Foster have some pretty impressive skills as Motocross enthusiasts.
With a cozy but small and highly functional custom bike garage at their residence, they have an opportunity that many people seldom get to have; and that's the ability to continuously modify and experiment with custom bike builds. During the course of the interview, they took the time out to advise people on which bike manufacturers were worth investing in as well as which bike manufacturers to stay away from if you're considering getting into the sport and or becoming a part of the custom bike culture.
Michael Wagner and Derek Foster are not only very passionate about bike riding and articulating their taste when it comes to creating their own custom built bikes, but they also demonstrate that same level of passion when it comes to being meticulous about which parts they use to construct the different types of bikes within their possession. According to them, custom built bikes or not, there isn't a one size fits all approach that anyone can use when it comes to selecting a bike as specific types of bikes are used for specific types of riding activities. This is especially true when it comes to running bikes on a competitive or professional level.
Both Michael Wagner and Derek Foster made it a point during the interview to highlight the fact that tangibles, such as bike suspension, ergonomics, brakes, and even things like a few extra centimeters of wheel diameter gets factored in when it comes to matching a bike for a specific task. When explained during the interview, it's easy to understand how and why bikes as a whole are built the way they are. Another topic that was touched on was the inevitably of getting injured at some point while running their bikes the way they do.
But there's a lot to be said about the type of person and character of anyone who engages in this sport; and some of those characteristics are resilience, perseverance, dedication, and the willingness to endure when times get rough and/uncertain, And according to Michael Wagner and Derek Foster, times can and have gotten rough. Both riders have suffered severe multiple personal injuries that have ranged from compound fractures to having a broken back. To endure and overcome struggles like these in the name of loving their chosen sport and having the courage to ride again despite these serious injuries says a lot about the character of both of them.
Give their interview a listen to hear what they have to say. We promise it's an interview that will provide you some intriguing insight into not only them as sportsmen and brothers; but into the bike culture as well. We would like to also send a special thank you to “Ling Ling” for making this interview happen.
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