Haro Generations Exhibit-Interbike

Rider of the Month - Pat Lipovski

How did you become involved with RAD?
Our sponsor, NORCO Bicycles (in Vancouver) let us (Terry Lipovski, Kirk Bihun, Brent Christensen and myself) know about the movie as NORCO was going to be a Sponsor. NORCO asked us all if we'd like to take part in the movie. This meant moving to Calgary for a while NORCO and DairyLand (and the Super Socco fruit drink) were the main sponsors of our Freestyle show summer tour and we were just wrapping up our summer of shows. NORCO called us while we were on our way back home, and we immediately said "we're in". We really didn't know what we were getting into. Only knew it was a BMX movie. We all thought is would be cool to be a part of it. No one had ever asked us to be in a movie. What else would we have to say. This was just too cool to be true.

Do you remember what bike you rode? Any special setup?
We (the NORCO guys: Terry, Kirk, Brent and myself) all rode the NORCO Freestyler, Signature Series. This was a bike designed by the 4 of us. It was really cool designing a bike, and the final product had a sticker on the down tube (where the seat goes in) with all 4 of our signatures on it.


What is your favorite part of RAD?
There are so many favourite parts. Being part of a film with such a famous Director, Producer, Cast and group of riders were the coolest. Some memories that really stick out in my mind include just riding with all of the American guys we all looked up to so much. Mike Miranda had a major impact. He was an amazing leader and very well grounded. Another great guy was Jamie Clark. Jamie has gone on to do so many amazing things in life since the move. When meeting him on the set, you just knew he was destine for good things.

After all these years, my favourite part of the move is watching the 1st time the guys rode down Hell Track. I remember how hard it was to do it for the first time. I remember as Beatle, one of the youngest riders in the movie, climbed up a tall ladder held by a bunch of us, 3/4 of the way up to the top and push off the ladder to ride down Hell Track, then head to the top to show the others it could be done. I think each rider lost hair (not as much as me now) when the rode down the first time. Even Sheep-Dog must have shed some of his big doo when he rode down that first time.

Another favourite memory was rooming with Jose Yanez (I hope I've spelled his name right). One day, Jose was lacing up some new Vans and the laces were too long. Jose was looking for scissors to trim the laces down. We were minutes away from leaving for the set and he didn't want to go without cutting the laces down. At the last minute, Jose whipped a glass stray into a solid garbage can to break it. He cut his laces with a broken shard of glass. He did this so quickly and low-key. I was just blown away at his creativity. Jose is a guy who wan't only the 1st to to a flip on a bike, he had an ability to deal with life in a comfortable, composed way. His way of doing things really blew us all away. He was a really cool and great guy.

Overall, my favourite part of RAD was just being part of a major motion picture. We were treated like kings. Everyone was very professional. We were all treated the same. Meals were catered daily, fans were on sight looking for autographs daily, and the entire group of riders, actors and film crew were all great people to be with.

Did you do any stunt double work? Why or why not?
Mostly play myself. I did some stunt work. In one scene, I was asked to crash and have guys run me over. Richie Anderson rode right up the middle of me (face-up) in one take. It hurt, and was a real honour all at the same time.

Any stories you can share about life on the set or off?
Life on and off the set was awesome. We all lived at the International Hotel in downtown Calgary. The hotel is still there, under the same name. We'd arrive each day back at the hotel after a day of filming to watch the "Day-lies". Each day, the riders would have dinner, then watch the scenes shot that day, and vote for the best of each "take". This was fun. It really brought all the riders together. After day-lies we'd grab our bikes and go find cool places to ride downtown Calgary. I remember this one jump we'd do by Princes Island Park (just north of the hotel). My kids (2-boys) ride over that same jump today. We'd also hit movies and head down to the restaurant in the lower level of the hotel. We'd hang-out there with Mr. Hand (from Fast Times at Ridgemont High), Bart Conner (US Gold Metal Gymnast) and Lori Laughlin (from Full House). I think the entire group of riders had HUGE crush on Lori.

One of my biggest memories off-set was also a small faux-pas of mine. During filming, Rick Molniterno crashed on Hell Track and broke his ankle. He had to get to the airport to fly home, and I offered to give him a ride. When I returned to the set, Hal had filmed the individual shots at the top of Hell Track, introducing each rider. I missed this part of the filming. I had some regrets but knew we'd done the right thing. Rick was bummed about having to leave. Brent Christensen and I were there for him. Rick is a great guy and we didn't want to see him dumped into a cab and sent home.

The relationship with Hal, Robert, etc.
Hal & Robert were great guys. They were like the CEO of a big company while on set. They were at a distance from many of us, and almost seemed like the "Untouchables". Both guys were very professional and passionate on set. When you did talk with them off set, they were very personable. Overall, just good guys.

It was very cool seeing and talking with Hal & Robert at the 25th reunion last summer. I wonder sometimes how forward thinking Robert and Hal were in creating RAD. BMX is s sport that had so much potential in it's day. Today it's bigger than ever. Something tells me Robert and Hal saw this potential in doing a BMX movie knowing where things could go.

Have you enjoyed the interest people have 26 years later?
The interest in RAD has been amazing. I had no idea the movie would be such a big thing today. I just want any rider to know that I would be more than happy to answer any questions at all. Just email me at pat.lipovski@shaw.ca.

What are you working on now?
Today, Im an Executive Coach. I help leaders in big companies get promoted, and help leaders develop the people in their respective companies, and on their teams. I work Internationally with high potential leaders, Executives and elite athletes. For more on what I do now, please visit www.envisiongroup.ca.

Anything else you can add?
Nothing else to add. Just stay RAD! (I've wanted to say this again for years) :)