I’m not a street rider myself, but I’ve always been deeply impressed by Matt MacDuff’s riding. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when I first met Matt, but I believe it was around five years ago through our mutual friend Vishneviy. He was staying at my place at the time. Even before I had the chance to meet Matt in person, I was completely captivated by Justin Browne’s BMX videos like “The Ten Commandments” and “Raised In The Streets.” These videos fueled my stoke to dive into street riding. Back then, I was riding with a less-than-ideal painted Marzocchi DJ 2 fork, but honestly, I didn’t even care because it had the Macduff look that I admired. My brother and I were also heavily inspired by those Dobermann frames and seriously considered getting a couple for ourselves.
One night, as I lay in bed before falling asleep, my mind started racing with thoughts. Amidst these random thoughts, an idea sparked: I wanted to shoot an entire roll of black and white film with Matt MacDuff navigating the streets of Barcelona. It felt like it could be a really unique experience. Street photography was uncharted territory for me, this whole photography venture was still pretty new, but I was eager to try. I immediately messaged Matt with my idea. After about a week of planning, and just after Matt returned from an incredible dirt jump trip to South Africa—where he not only competed in and won The Night Harvest contest but also filmed for the upcoming Pure Darkness 2 video—we found ourselves hitting the streets. We had our bikes, my camera, and my lenses, ready to capture the action.
What follows is what I captured over two days of shooting with the undisputed King Of The Streets in Barcelona, all before he started filming for his latest video.
Matt MacDuff prepares for a trick at Forum Sea Walls
Matt MacDuff BMX street riding in Barcelona
Our first spot was the iconic Forum Sea Walls. Matt was attempting a tuck-knee quarterpipe six or seven times, but he couldn’t quite get the arm extension he was looking for. Instead of getting frustrated, he effortlessly switched to a clean and stylish toboggan. It was a testament to his adaptability and skill; even when a trick doesn’t go exactly as planned, the king of the streets always lands on his feet, or rather, his wheels, with unmatched style.
Matt MacDuff executes a table top at Barcelona skate spot
Matt had a specific vision for this spot before we even arrived. “I want to air the whole thing and do a table or toboggan at the peak,” he told me. And, true to his word, that’s precisely what he executed. This pre-visualization and flawless execution are hallmarks of a rider at the top of their game, solidifying his reputation as the king of the streets.
Matt MacDuff performs a barspin near Barcelona harbor
As we were heading to grab lunch at a kebab shop, a cool-looking ship caught my eye at the end of the harbor. “Hey Matt, let’s check that out, I think it could make for a great photo,” I suggested. “What should I do here?” Matt asked, ever the collaborator. “Hmm, how about a barspin?” I replied. Right as he spun the bars, I clicked the shutter. His ability to instantly adapt to new environments and perform at a high level is why he’s considered the king of the streets.
Matt MacDuff mid-barspin at a Barcelona street spot
Back from lunch, Matt was already back to his wild street riding. Here he is barspinning at another great spot near the beach. For someone of Matt’s caliber, tricks like this are just another day in the life. He navigates the urban landscape with such ease and confidence, further cementing his status as the king of the streets.
Matt MacDuff grinds a rail in Barcelona
Matt MacDuff doing a trick on a handrail at The Waves
To wrap up our first day, we headed to another well-known location called The Waves. Despite being crowded with skateboarders, Matt managed to squeeze in several tricks over the handrail between their runs. The skaters were so impressed they even cheered him on, recognizing the prowess of the king of the streets in their own domain.
Matt MacDuff BMX handrail trick in Barcelona
Matt MacDuff street riding at The Waves spot in Barcelona
A couple of days later, we were back at it. This time, we were joined by Aidan Horn, Vishneviy, and a few other riders. We started our session at the top of Barcelona, near the mountains, at a vast plaza filled with banks.
BMX riders session banks at Barcelona plaza
Matt MacDuff and friends riding BMX in Barcelona
While everyone else was riding the banks, I noticed these platforms surrounded by water and a bridge that would give me a perfect vantage point for photos. “Matt, we should go over there and see what we can come up with. I have a photo idea in my head I want to try.” And what we got was a series of tailwhip shots from one platform to the other. Always pushing creative boundaries, the king of the streets is constantly seeking new challenges and perspectives.
Matt MacDuff tailwhip jump between platforms in Barcelona
Matt MacDuff mid-tailwhip over water in Barcelona
We moved down from the plaza to explore another spot. After about fifteen minutes of riding and attempting some technical maneuvers, Matt effortlessly landed a downside whip for the group. Vishneviy also achieved a milestone that day, landing his first bunny hop oppo-bars, captured in the following image. It’s moments like these, pushing personal limits alongside the king of the streets, that make street riding so rewarding.
Vishneviy performs a bunny hop oppo-bars in Barcelona
Matt MacDuff executes a downside whip for the camera
As the day drew to a close, fatigue set in after a non-stop riding session. We loaded all the bikes into a van and made our way back to the Forum Sea Walls for a final few shots. But our energy was waning. The weather turned cloudy and freezing, and I had just finished my roll of film, so we decided to call it a day.
Following Matt around Barcelona was an incredible experience. Witnessing his riding firsthand was truly insane. His bike control is so refined that he seems capable of anything on two wheels. It was like stepping into one of those BMX videos that had initially inspired me. Matt MacDuff is not just a rider; he is the king of the streets, and watching him command the urban environment is an unforgettable spectacle.
Thanks for the awesome times, Matt.
Until we ride again.
Matt MacDuff BMX portrait in Barcelona
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Photos + Words by Héctor Saura
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