Crêpes with Dimitri Coste.
Comment allez-vous?
Dimitri Coste is a French photographer known for his portrait and commercial photography, short film making and being a purveyor of motorcycle culture, all laced with a California nostalgia. He’s also a mad racer, sliding around tracks pre-COVID in different corners of the world. I met Dimitri at the 2019 Born Free Sportsman’s Cup Motorcycle Races and Festival in Santa Maria, California, and with events of 2020 curtailing international travel, I contacted my French friend to check in for a short interview.
Q: You’re a Frenchman with California blood, living at the intersection of motorcycles, skateboards and film. How did you get there?
One skid after the other, fueled by passion and a huge thirst for action and adventures. No plans, no targets, innocently played by ear the song of my life so far. Like the Dakar Rally but without navigation, going from dune to dune looking for traction and happy to lose it when it happens.
Q: What has been keeping you busy during COVID?
During the first lockdown in France, going through my archives, 20+ years of slides, contact sheets and forgotten shots. I actually spent very little time in the garage.
I just took the Triumph Trackmaster out for a good cleaning. I also enjoyed that privileged time with my wife and kids. It was an unexpected opportunity to fully live together, share every meal, play ping-pong and cards, listen and talk to each other.
It happened to be also a way to look into the mirror and check on my past two decades in terms of work, life itinerary, etc. Then back to shooting photos and getting that fridge filled again. I rode three times only in 2020: one dirt-track half-day practice in Macon on my Trackmaster, one morning VMX ride on my 1983 YZ and another flat track afternoon practice on a muddy speedway before Christmas.
It was poor in riding but rich in other ways, and I still get to ride a lot going from my crib in the ‘burbs to the studio in the heart of Paris and every commute is a blast on the FTR 1200. I raced a lot in 2019, winning the DTRA championship in both the Vintage 4-stroke and Minibike class; felt lucky I could do it. So many memories to relate to when not riding that not racing actually didn't hurt much.
Q: What are some post-COVID projects you’re looking forward to?
RIDING! Maybe racing some, but no full series. I’m working on a pretty serious book and exhibition project for fall 2021. Would also like to finally make a small selection of my One Size Fits All (OSFA) merch because I get lots of requests, and this could be both fun and a way to fund the racing.
Q: What’s your favorite camera and why?
Pentax 67, even though I’m not using em too much lately. I shot most of my favorite photos with this camera; I dreamed a lot about it before getting my first one. I also love the clumsy noise of its trigger, and this camera is the reason why my racing number is #67 ;-)
Q: Who are some of your skate heroes?
Ray Barbee, because when I first saw his part in Public Domain I was just charmed by his elegant smooth moves and no compromises. When he skates it feels like listening to Miles Davis. He also is a true photography enthusiast and a good photographer. Mike Vallely of course; John Cardiel: radness and style. The Gonz as well. Lance Mountain, Tommy Guerrero, mostly Eighties skaters.
Q: Describe a perfect day on the bike: which bike, where and with whom?
Feels like you just put me at the intersection of so many rad options. Most days spent on the bike is close to perfection. but it must involve friends. Let's mix it up: it would be riding a modified Indian Challenger sidehack with a flat tracker on the basket, parked in the pits excited to meet the friends, make it to the main, start back row and move all the way upfront to the top box, celebrate in the pits and ride back home towards the sunset.
Q: Who are your closest friends in the motorcycle scene?
They know who they are, and I love ‘em strong.
Thanks Gaz! I needed a dose of Dimitri this morning. Took me straight back to that grand day at the Sportsman’s Cup! No better place than among bikes with friends.