What’s your full name?
Alex Santacroce.
How old are you?
Ten.
Where do you live?
Right outside of Philly, aka The County. Havertown, PA.
What’s it like riding for SE Bikes?
Riding for SE Bikes is a dream come true. I traveled across the world with other team riders when I was nine years old. Who else in bike life can say that? And how can you forget all the free bikes they send me?
How did you get into bike life?
Growing up seeing my dad do wheelies on bikes. I thought it was so cool. Then right before my fifth birthday, my mom and dad got me a 16” SE LiL' Quad to ride at the 2017 SE Philly Rideout. It was all downhill after that. Or should I say uphill? I met Dblocks and Oneway Ryan there and began watching YouTube videos of them everyday. I knew that I wanted to be just like them.
How far can you wheelie?
So far the longest wheelie I've done was for exactly two minutes.
What’s the bike life scene like where you live?
It's great because I'm only minutes away from Philly where we have a ton of famous riders that I get to ride with all the time. I'm close to New York and New Jersey where the scene is very popular, too.
What is your favorite thing about bike life?
I always say, "Bikes Bring Bonds." I love showing up to a rideout and making new friends through bikes. When we're on bikes, nothing else matters.
What’s the best rideout you’ve ever been on?
EBRO 2021 because it's definitely the biggest rideout of all time, and it's in New York.
Where is your favorite place to ride?
New York City because I like cuttin' up through all the traffic. Who doesn't love Times Square with all the lights and people?
How many SE bikes do you currently own?
I personally have ten, but my household has 18. I have the 16” LiL' Quad, 16” Vans LiL' Ripper, 20” Ripper customized with Profile hubs, 20” Ripper that I converted to electric, 24” So Cal Flyer (one-of-one Leopard Print), 24” So Cal Flyer I made into a DUB Ripper with Profile hubs, DJ Ripper that I call my "cut up bike", Savage Flyer, and my newest addition is the 2019 Fat Ripper that I currently love for combos. And how could I forget a secret, unreleased brown box So Cal Flyer?
How many followers do you have on Instagram?
251K.
What is your favorite SE bike?
Fat Ripper because I can do the most tricks on it. The fat tires are a “cheat code” for combos.
Are you part of a riding crew?
Yes, I am in Oneway. YKTV OWTTO, One Way The Take Over!!
What is a fun fact that people may not know about you?
How I got the nickname Lilman. When I was a baby, my mom and dad said I looked like a little man. They started calling me "Lilman" and it stuck.
What advice would you give to someone getting into bike life today?
Start a social media presence on all platforms and build yourself up. The earlier you start the better. Stay consistent and post everyday. Interacting with your followers helps a lot. Stay persistent and never give up.
What’s your secret to improving your riding skills?
I keep my favorite motto in my head at all times when I'm on a bike: "Winners never quit. Quitters never win." Do not get discouraged. Sometimes a trick can take 100 tries to land. Just keep trying. The end result is priceless.
What would you do if you never found bike life?
Nothing. I eat, sleep, and poop bike life.
Will you ever stop riding?
Not until I'm in a wheelchair. But, then again, I'll just slap some SE Bikes stickers on it and wheelie that, too.
