James "MERK" Baldino
Age:21
Location: CHICAGO
How long have you been riding, and at what point did you begin stunting?
Been stunting for 3 years now, never rode before. I bought a bike to do wheelies.

What skills have you had to pick up out of necessity to stay in the game that in no way pertain to riding a motorcycle? Be able to still enjoy it! As soon as the riding becomes work that will show through in your riding and progression.

Stunt riding seems to be synonymous with traveling. What’s the most outrageous thing/incident you’ve seen/had happen on the road? A lot of cool people all over the place, alot of nasty wrecks and other confidential incidents.

What stunt in your bag of tricks has been the hardest fought? Fuckin circles, a good trick to the bag but etremely boring and time consuming to learn.

Do you do anything aside from ride the wheels off of your motorcycle(s) to condition yourself to ride? Constantly trying to balance things, chairs, sticks, handstands, etc..

Is there a stunt that stands out right now as just the most fun you can have on a motorcycle? I would have to say combo wheelies and stoppies and the most fun

What are your interests outside of riding? Fine women and sandwiches

What is the worst hardship/or sacrifice you’ve had to make to stay in the game? I've had to sacrifice riding to try to stay in the game.

Who are your favorite stunters to watch and why? There are so many stunters coming up that bring something of their own to the table its hard to say. My favorite stunters to watch are the ones that are trying to push the sport everytime they ride. Kyle woods, Darius, Mana, Big Joe, Brando, Warren Jamez, Crow, Dan Jackson...I could list all day but those are some that come to mind right now.

Coming up on the horizon for you- shows, videos, stunt riding domination of your city/state/country/planet –What are you looking forward to? I am looking forward to the progression of this sport. I think that the next few years will be monumental for us.

Tell us about the people that keep you going, be they sponsors or even friends and family There has been so many people that have helped me along the way. My family, Project, Digidy, Ray and Brando, Foto, Matt Weber, Curt, Jeremy, Keith, Kira, Warren Jamez, Big Joe, Darius, Pimpit, Full Throttle, Racing 905, Drew ASJ, Kyle, Erica, Jay SOI... Man there is too many to list but that is just a taste.