Santa Cruz Bicycles is pleased to announce the addition of Jamie Goldman to the Santa Cruz Syndicate. Goldman will join the Syndicate to showcase his freeride and dirt jump abilities. He will cross over from the ranks of the Santa Cruz Free Agents to the factory team for 2006 through 2008, signing a three-year deal. The Syndicate is excited to have a long-term commitment and will pull out all the stops to help Goldman achieve his goals.
Goldman will compete around the world in freeride and dirt jump competitions, as well as do filming trips. The Syndicate recognized his dedication to the sport and his hard work within it. He excelled in 2005 and his achievements have taken him to the next level. His 2005 highlights include winning the dirt jump comp at the Sea Otter Classic, placing 3 rd at the Bike Magazine Monster Park event, and placing first in the qualifier at Crankworx Slopestyle, to finish the final round in 6 th place.
Goldman is a homegrown success story for Santa Cruz Bicycles. This 19-year old was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California , where he currently resides. He tells the story best when asked about his start at Santa Cruz Bicycles:
“So, all my life I have lived in the same house here in beautiful Santa Cruz . I always rode bikes and I used to race BMX bikes when I was a wee laddy, but started rallying my BMX on the MTB trails around my house.
When I was 12, it came time for me to earn some money. I asked my dad where he thought I should get a job. Being 12, it was either picking up dog poop for the neighbors and having a job or well, picking up dog poop for my parents and getting allowance. So, when I asked my dad, he said we could go toSanta Cruz Bicycles and see if I could do some work there. I was stoked! So we went there to see what the deal was and Rob Roskopp hired me right away. I mean, right then and there - my dad left me for the rest of the day.
Rob handed me this humongous pile of mail. “These are all the people who want free stickers, you stick stickers in this envelope, stick the mail to address it on there, lick it, close it, run it through the postage machine and send it off,” said Rob. You would not believe how long I did that for, every day after school for probably 6 or 8 months. After the first day someone gave me a lifesaver, it was a letter licker. If I didn't have that I think I would have died! Seriously. I had that mailing stuff dialed. I thought I was the bomb, 12 years old, and a real job, what could be better?
The mail to list was finally done, and Rob said “Well here's another never ending job for you, small parts for the bikes.” Oh man, I was freaking out! It was sweet. I moved up from small parts to kit building, then to stickering the frames. That was cool, but the stickers they had then were horrible and really tough to put on without getting messed up.
I kept riding bikes and started going to contests and Rob finally came around and hired me to do something really fun; just go and ride my bike. I am really stoked! I have always ridden Santa Cruz bikes. I can't believe that one decision I made when I was 12 about not wanting to pick up dog poop decided what would become my life. I guess that's the way things work though.
Living in Santa Cruz so close to the factory is awesome because I can go hassle everyone there anytime that I want to. I love to ride and surf and just be in this type of weather and environment, so Santa Cruz is the perfect place for me.”
