If there is a single rider I could choose to emmulate in my riding style its Mike Aitkin. My first memory of Mike is from a State Championship when I was just a kid, maybe 8 or 9, and he was an up and coming 13x. Twin Peaks Supercross had this big triple into a bonsai that only a handful of older experts could jump. Before the main events Mike decided he was going to put a show on for the crowd and boost it despite everyone saying there was no way he could clear it. I remember being nervous for him as he charged fearless towards the jump, launched waaay over the landing, and dissapeared into the bonsai. I held my breath waiting for him to come flying up the other side but he didnt. People started racing over there in a panic but before they reached him he came running up the other side with his bike in two peices and laughing as he shouted his victory at clearing the jump.
Not long after that, Mike started turning heads with skills that kill. By the time he was 15 he was already well known in the dirt jumping community and my own personal BMX idol. If "grace" is allowed to be used in conjunction with dirt jumping then thats the word I would pin on Mike. There are few people that have as much style and flow as he does, he has such a connection with his bike it might as well be his 5th appendage. He was so cool to kids like myself that looked up to him and followed him everywhere when he came to the BMX track, and to a kid that means everything. Over the years Mike made shredding his bike into a legit career and I still find myself holding my breath when I watch him ride, its pure beauty mixed with insanity. Despite his success, he has never forgotten his roots and is the most humble guy I know. When I fractured my spine at 17 he went through the effort to look up my email and send me a get well message, I think I even printed it off it meant so much to me. Mike is not only passionate about his riding but also about his wife and son, my admiration of him only continues to grow as I watch how he balances his riding with being a devoted husband and father.
Not long after winning the dirt comp at the Dew Tour in Utah, Mike crashed while filming a video in Pennsylvania and has been in the ICU ever since with severe head injuries. Its been a few weeks since the accident and its not looking good for him. He is still on a ventilator and hasn't regained full consciousness yet, they are flying him back to Utah where he will recieve further care and treatment. Because of his "job," Mike is uninsurable so the bills are piling up. There are a few accounts that have been set up to help as well as auctions being held in his benefit.
Current updates and info on how to help can be found on http://www.mikeaitken.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3pIQvusfjQ
Ways for you to help:
www.5050bmx.com There is a link and a Paypal account set up for Mike and his family.
www.athleterecoveryfund.com Click the “Make a donation button” and because ARF is a 501(c)3 Non Profit the PayPal fees are less than most anywhere else, meaning more of your donation goes to Mike and his family. All donations made at this time go directly to Mike Aitken and his family.
Mail a check to:
Athlete Recovery Fund c/o Mike Aitken
27636 Ynez Road L-7 #284
Temecula, CA 92591
Write check payable to Mike Aitken
Athlete Recovery Fund is in the process of providing a grant to also assist Mike and his family through this tough time. While extremely unfortunate this is the reason why we started our charity. For the PayPal and mailing address we are simply helping coordinate donations with the approval of Mike Aitken’s family. For large donations or concerns about receiving tax deductibility please contact aaron@athleterecoveryfund.com.
