..By PAUL MOSER Special to AllAroundPhilly.com

"I was 4 years old and I learned in front of my house; one of my older brothers taught me," the Rhode Island native said. "I remember it clear as day, it was one of the best days of my life. I felt such freedom and I was so excited in my mind, it was the most amazing thing in my life. I was amazed that I could make this machine balance on two wheels."

Soon after learning how to ride his Kent BMX, he took things to the next level by going down his first ramp.

"My friend who I met through BMX racing had a six-foot ramp in his yard. It was so big back then and it was fun, just the feeling of riding it was amazing," Robinson said.

Now the 19-year bike stunt veteran is used to 15-foot vertical jumps and getting geared up to compete at X Games VIII in Philadelphia, and through his vigorous training regimen he is sure to be ready.

"Somebody else asked me ‘how do I prepare?’ and my answer is by playing golf and sitting by the pool. It’s a different approach," Robinson said. "Last year I took it real serious and stressed myself out and came in fourth when I know I could have done better, so this year I’m taking a different approach and if it doesn’t work out there’s always next year."

In between catching rays and hitting the links, Robinson does find time to practice riding.

He has lived at Camp Woodward, in Woodward, Pa. since 1999, a place which hosts a bike and skate park for professionals and amateurs alike.

"The decision to live here did not take much thought, their training facilities are unbelievable," Robinson said. "They have foam pits and padded ramps which helps me to break intervals, I’m able to ride and stay healthy, and being around the kids is inspiring."

This year will be Robinson’s seventh year competing in bike stunt vertical competition at the X Games, and he is looking forward to wowing the crowd.

"I have a real big burly style, I like to go real high which is probably my trademark," Robinson said. "I like to go really big with flairs and flip tricks and I’m always willing to take a chance in a contest.

"I’m never conservative and never play it safe, sometimes it pays off, and sometimes it doesn’t."

The times it has not paid off for Robinson come in the form of hospital bills.

The list of injuries includes a twice broken pelvis, broken legs, ankles, a broken wrist, torn rotator cuffs, and a separated AC joint.

After all that why would anybody want to continue in bike stunts?

"When you get into this sport you have to be willing to accept that you will suffer injuries, it’s part of the work, and as long as you accept that from the beginning you’re going to be challenged and be hurt," Robinson said. "If you have a passion for something you’ll do what it takes, it’s who I am and it built me to who I am today."

Nonetheless, Robinson is not only a member of the X Games competition, but is also a fan.

"I love it, it’s fun to see that many people," Robinson said. "This year I’m trying to keep a low-key mentality, it’s a little overwhelming at times, but I’m just trying to stay relaxed."

As a seasoned veteran in the sport of bicycle stunt, Robinson has seen a lot of changes and wishes to see more.

"Today I think too many kids worry about how they look and think they have to dress a certain way to ride, some of them are too wrapped up in trying to be cool and ‘hardcore’ whatever that means," Robinson said. "They called the sport freestyle in the beginning because everybody had a different style, I wish kids would realize that we all share a common bond, we all like to ride bikes and it doesn’t matter how you set up your bike or how you dress as long as you’re having fun."

To see Robinson one can go to the First Union Center on Friday for the vertical bike stunt preliminary from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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