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

Questions and Answers: Maxime Bonfil

Making Bicycle Motocross easy on the eye...

24 Jun 2016

Bonafil Bmx Austin Rd 2

Photos by Rob Dolecki

"Maxime Bonfil is an Enigma. A free spirit that marches to the beat of his own drum and just so happens to make Bicycle Motocross very easy on the eye. Hailing from the south of France, his his nomadic lifestyle keeps him traveling and exploring the globe for adventure." -Gaz Sanders

Quiet, humble, and modest would be three words that come to mind when I think of Maxime. Granted, I only really hung out and rode with him a few mornings in Austin, so who knows, maybe he’s some raging party animal when he’s back home across the Atlantic. 

But I doubt it. 

During those days I met up with Maxime, he’d go to House Park at 8AM to avoid the crowds, and ride Mabel Davis park during the mid-afternoon peak of Texas heat, once again probably to avoid the crowds. I’m not sure, though, since he doesn’t seem to speak a whole lot of English, and I can’t speak more than two words of French, so our communication was quite limited. Bottom line, Maxime’s introverted tendencies showed through, as well as his tendency to rage transitions of all types on two wheels, in that silky smooth style. As Gaz put it, he rides like a French version of Roey. 

Shout out to Fabien Conry for translating the following interview from French to English; without his help, you’d most likely be looking at a very bad mess of indecipherable gibberish, thanks to a poor attempt via google translate. -RD

Bonafil Bmx Tireslide Austin Rd 1

Steep transitions, concrete, hips, pool coping, and friends? Check. Looks like Austin's Mabel Davis skatepark had all the factors to be a favorite spot for Maxime this day.

If one day you had the opportunity to design a bowl, what would you do?

I don’t know ha, ha, ha. That’s a sketchy first question ; I really don’t know…

 For example, would you do something like in Malaga, the bowl that Ruben made ?

That bowl looks great. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to ride it, but yeah, it looks really fun to ride. In Malaga, the whole area there seems to be cool, not only the bowl. I really need to ride it to get my own point of view on it.

 Tell us what kind of tricks you dreamed of when you were younger ?

There so many, but the first one was the backflip!  I dreamed of doing it more on big jumps than on fly-outs. Today I’m not doing them really often; but it’s not only the trick, but more the sensation you get that I like.

When you dreamed about tricks, what was the spot it was at? Was it a skatepark, dirt? Try to describe your dream.

It’s not about a huge skatepark but more a cool and fun place to ride, and for sure with my friends. A concrete spot would be nice, as now I’m 100 % concrete, ha, ha, ha. This is all I need, with a great landscape; the atmosphere is also something very important for me.

Bonafil Bmx Canseatgrab Austin Rd 1

This may not the back flip Maxime dreamed about when he was a kid, but any of the classics fit perfect with his style.

Describe your favorite spot to ride in five words.

I like a steep spot, a concrete one, with some hips and pool coping. And with my friends. That would be my five things. At the end, I like to ride everything from a pool to a flat ledge, but you  can understand the concrete bowl is my favorite spot to ride.

What was the most memorable experience in your whole life?

There are a few, but last year when I rode some real pools in Arizona, it was crazy. It’s hard to describe, but it was all perfect when I was there. Riding some stuff that was not create for bike riding to begin with. This experience was cool, I was with some friends, weather was great, atmosphere was nice too! Riding those real pools was like a dream.

What are the difference between the pools in Arizona and the ones you’re riding in France?

In France, most of the pools are square ones; here the pools have got some transitions and are more fun to ride.

 What are your favorite parts on your bike right now?

It’s my frame. I’ve been riding it a while; more than four years. I’m not into frame specs or geometry, so I don’t really know why I’m loving it, but I’m feeling good on it. I don’t want to try another one, because I know this one is perfect for me. I guess that the weight and the size help to get that comfortable feeling on the bike. Maybe there is a mental thing that has helped to enjoy it, as I know that I’m feeling good on it.

Related Video

Control - Maxime Bonfil

Raging in Austin, on two wheels... - More Info

Bonafil Bmx Transfer Austin Rd 1

Maxime turning on some A/C with a high speed transfer during the first days of the Austin summer heat onset.

Maxime Bonfil is supported by Official DIG Partners: Mutiny Bikes

Previous

Setups: David Grant

Six Foot Five And Ready To Jive

Next

The Dave Voelker Podcast

DIG X SNAKEBITE

Related Content

Bonafil Control Video
Play Button

Control - Maxime Bonfil

Raging in Austin, on two wheels...

24 Jun 2016
Jeff Wescott Mutiny After School  Mg 4132 By Greg Moliterno

Jeff Wescott: "Why being interested in something untraditional can be positive and beautiful"

Why the Arizona based Wheels In Motion After School program is doing things right...

16 May 2016
Dig 10riders Title Graphic

10 Riders We Wish Still Rode*

*In the public eye...

16 Mar 2016
mutiny product screen

Productivity - Mutiny

5 of the best from Mutiny's 2016 line

4 Dec 2015
Mutiny-bikes-bmx-street-synthesis-III-3
Play Button

Synthesis III - Mutiny

A connected whole

24 Nov 2015
Justin Simpson mani duster MTNYABQ WM 2
Play Button

Mutiny Bikes - The Land of Enchantment

Justin Simpson, Andy Martinez, Jeff Wescott, Mariano Santiago, and Grant Castelluzzo

6 Jul 2015
Andy Martinez dirty shirt MTNYABQ WM 2

Mutiny Bikes - Albuquerque Trippin' Photo Journal

In a city of rumors, you just have to find out for yourself!

6 Jul 2015
Golden Navaz MTNYABQ WM 2

Ryan Navazio - Breaking Bad For Real

Chaos at The Crossroads Motel with Navaz and Mutiny Bikes in ABQ

6 Jul 2015
10 rules of the road Malouf Wescott McGrath Puerto rico

10 Rules of the Road - How to be a good BMX House guest

BMX Travellers Respecting The Local Connection in Puerto Rico

9 Mar 2015
Mutiny-Synthesis-2
Play Button

Mutiny - Synthesis II

Mutiny's year summed up in one sweet video...

1 Jan 2015
MUTINY BMX MTNYCTTY PA BKES RD

Cruising That Catty Clay

Mutiny's week-long Autumn stay at one of the best trails in the world.

1 Dec 2014
mutiny-catasauqua
Play Button

Mutiny 'Catasauqua

One week on sacred Pennsylvania dirt with Robbo, Matt Roe and Andy Martinez...

1 Dec 2014
http://www.divisionbrand.com/news/

Latest Content

25wcj Qjx ZE8hqdefault
Play Button
Qie D Gmn Pwh Yhqdefault
Play Button

What's Happenin' at LUXBMX - Episode 3

Bike builds, Cribs update, Boyd Hilder and Josh Dove

8 Aug 2023
M Cc J0c N Va U Mhqdefault
Play Button

odyssey bmx - BROC RAIFORD - INCINERATE

part three of the Broc trilogy

7 Aug 2023
5 Gz W Fo N65 X Qhqdefault
Play Button

LATANE COGHILL | ANIMAL BIKES - 'LET EM HAVE IT'

Closing things out

7 Aug 2023
Z2tvoo4 Cco4hqdefault
Play Button
5u8 Qlcv L Us Ehqdefault
Play Button

S&M bikes - factory Friday - pond fest prep

Production & Pondfest

5 Aug 2023
7bmaqb S Cmgohqdefault
Play Button

Dennis Enarson - greatest hits 2023

Revisiting the vlog

5 Aug 2023
UC Fa Awhdohqdefault
Play Button

Subrosa - big boy - just livin’

Straight to the pedals

4 Aug 2023
Am V8ig G7 Yzkhqdefault
Play Button

Profile racing - Shane’s Day - episode 10

“We’re here, let’s rumble”

4 Aug 2023
Acz8g4 nyohqdefault
Play Button

S&M bikes - chris childs - built different

Wild in the streets

3 Aug 2023
Dan Banks USA 16 THUMB
Play Button

Dan Banks visits California - 'IN THE CUT'

A quick-fire Los Angeles exploration with Dan Banks

3 Aug 2023
IN PHOTOS: RINCON REAL BMX at XGAMES
IN PHOTOS: RINCON REAL BMX at XGAMES
IN PHOTOS: RINCON REAL BMX at XGAMES
IN PHOTOS: RINCON REAL BMX at XGAMES

IN PHOTOS: RINCON REAL BMX at XGAMES

The wildest hour of BMX ever televised?!

3 Aug 2023

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Dig book cover mock better CROP

DIG - THIS BIKE COULD BE YOUR LIFE - PRE-ORDER NOW OPEN

An all new photo book from DIG focusing on 30 years of D.I.Y. BMX culture

4 Aug 2023
Greystoke 1 stack low

GREYSTOKE BMX MAGAZINE - ISSUE 1 OUT NOW

A new magazine from DIG for BMX Lifers

29 Jul 2023
Boh bmx 2023 leader
JUGGERNAUT PEDAL 8

PRODUCTIVITY: ECLAT JUGGERNAUT PEDALS

A firm footing courtesy of Jordan Godwin and Eclat

27 Jul 2023
Bsd loading bay jam DIG SIZE

WELCOME TO GLASGOW - 30 YEARS OF DIG EXHIBITION & BSD Jam

See you at THE LOADING BAY on August 4th

8 Jul 2023
Kai 2

Yang Chun Kai Bike Check

Eclat's Taiwan Connect

4 Jul 2023
2015 FFF JEHU by sandy carson

IN MEMORY - RICK FROBERG

Paying our respects to a musician/artist who has had a huge influence on DIG

2 Jul 2023
Broc retaliate leader image

BROC RAIFORD TALKS 'RETALIATE'

"I don't know how to describe what I feel when a clip just has "it" but not all of them do."

30 Jun 2023
Dan Banks USA setups 2023 15

SETUPS - Dan Banks

Dan Banks goes stateside!

28 Jun 2023
Eclat Slash Alloy pedal group 01

PRODUCTIVITY: ECLAT SLASH ALLOY PEDAL

Save the dolphins!

22 Jun 2023
Tire fps cn6710wht

PRODUCTIVITY: CINEMA FPS TIRES

Introducing Cinema's all new FPS tire

21 Jun 2023
Cinema aspect headset grid

PRODUCTIVITY: CINEMA ASPECT HEADSET

Cinema's flat stack headset up close

21 Jun 2023