BMX
Brian Kachinsky: Grinding Rails Around the World
The Chicago-based street rider is a seasoned traveler, to say the least; find out what he's learned.
Brian Kachinsky
© Justin Kosman/Red Bull
A passport is more than just a legal document that allows you to cross borders -- it's a key to the wild world outside your comfort zone. It unlocks the strange, the frightening, the amazing, the unimaginable and -- most importantly -- the unforgettable.
Brian Kachinsky is the ultimate opportunist; with little more than an invitation and an airport code he has found himself circling the globe, grinding from one outrageous adventure to the next. Who better to answer our travel questions than the guy whose signature frame is called the Passport?
Red Bull Bike: What’s your local airport?
Brian Kachinsky: Chicago's O'Hare airport (ORD). It's one of the biggest and busiest airports in the USA so I'm happy to have it as my local airport. It's easy to navigate and has a ton of direct flights to endless desinations.
Total number of frequent flyer miles you have:
On United I have 500,000+ since I started keeping track.
Have you ever cashed any in for anything?
Yes, I usually cash them in for travel for friends and family. I flew both my parents to Poland last year for a vacation ALL on my miles. It was pretty rewarding since they don't get to go on many vacations and they had the time of their life. I feel lucky to travel as much as I do so it's awesome when you can spread the love around.
Brian Kachinsky icepick grinds a rail in Phoenix
© Justin Kosman/Red Bull
What countries have you flown to?
I’ve flown to over 30 countries. I love them all for different reasons and have great friends in all those places.
Have you brought any souvenirs back from any of those countries?
YES! I have brought back a ton of souvenirs and gifts. Some of the most notable are crystals and an exploded vase from Saddam's palace in Baghdad. A small piece of the Great Wall of China and plenty of candy and chocolate from around the world that I love to give to friends when I get home to Chicago.
Flying in a Blackhawk helicopter with your bike and your closest friends over downtown Baghdad is a pretty surreal experience.
What’s your favorite place you’ve flown to so far?
I love New Zealand because of the sheer beauty of the place but I also love flying to places where you are outside of your comfort zone. I have flown in C-130s and Blackhawk helicopters all around Iraq and the Middle East -- that was pretty wild. Flying in a Blackhawk helicopter with your bike and your closest friends over downtown Baghdad is a pretty surreal experience. I could go on and on; I have a ton of stories and memories from them all.
What’s a place you still want to go to?
There are a ton of places I still want to visit. I'd love to see more of Russia and Eastern Europe. I'd love to go to Japan, more cities in China, the beaches of Thailand, etc. I find out about awesome places all the time and wish I could visit them all. I'm trying my best to cross many of them off the list.
Do you have a favorite airport?
I love the Copenhagen and Stockholm airports. They are so clean and nice. The lounges there are awesome as well. Getting to take a shower and a nap on a long layover is pretty amazing. Those Scandinavian countries seem to always pay close attention to detail. I love that.
Brian Kachinsky, toothpick grind at SPoT
© Ryan Fudger/Red Bull Content Pool
Have you ever flown first class?
Yes, I get upgraded for free sometimes with my status on United. I’ve never paid for it but when it happens it's amazing. I got a first-class upgrade from Shanghai to Chicago once; that was incredible. A 14-hour flight with unlimited food, drinks and a bed is priceless. Jetlag wasn't nearly as bad after that trip; I landed in the USA feeling refreshed. Usually it's the opposite and I'm a complete zombie when I land.
Do you prefer aisle or window? Why?
I like window if I know I'm flying over somewhere beautiful during the day. I love taking airplane window photos for my own personal collection. A few years ago I had a collage made of some of my window shots and had it mounted on a 4x6 canvas in my living room. I love it and could add so many more just from the past few years.
I used to be an impatient person and traveling has helped that a lot.
Peanuts or pretzels?
Pretzels.
How do you kill time on the plane?
I usually read, sleep or catch up on emails. It's also a great time to brainstorm new ideas and reevaluate your life for a second. It's pretty peaceful since your phone isn't going off every two seconds. I sometimes have a good convo with the person next to me. Other times I just love to put my headphones in and clear my ever-running mind.
Do you do anything different to kill time on long layovers?
If I have the chance I like to leave the airport and go see/do/eat something special in that city. This doesn't always work out but when it does it's awesome!
Brian Kachinsky, nollie to nose wheelie
© Ryan Fudger/Red Bull Content Pool
Is there anything (besides I.D.) you always make sure you have with you when you fly?
Headphones for sure. I also bring an extra toothbrush and a hoodie just in case it's cold on the plane.
If you had to give one piece of travel advice, what would it be?
I'd just say to stay patient. I used to be an impatient person and traveling has helped that a lot. There are times when things are just beyond your control and you have to wait and make the best of it. I've had dozens of cancelled flights, delays, lost luggage, etc. It's all part of the experience and more often than not you'll get to your destination quicker and safer than any other type of transportation.
Has anything scary, funny, or weird happened on any of your flights?
I've had emergency landings because of weather and people have had heart attacks and strokes on planes which required emergency landings as well. Those times are always scary but overall I know flying is very safe so it's usually pretty peaceful. Turbulence doesn't really bother me either, so I just sit back and relax even if the boat is rockin'.
Have you ever missed a flight?
Only once and luckily it was a short domestic flight. I overslept and literally woke up in my hotel at the same exact time my flight was taking off. Oops.
What would make flying better or easier for you?
I think if other passengers relaxed a bit more it would make it easier for me but I totally understand that the average person doesn't fly as much as me and is probably nervous. I just wish they didn't have irrational fears about it. Flying is safer than driving, biking, running, horse and buggy, motorcycles, etc. I'm thankful air travel is accessible. It allows me to see the world, learn, and enjoy/enrich my life.
Keep up with Kachinsky's travel adventures on his Instagram account, and follow Red Bull Bike on Twitter for more from the world of BMX.
