Chances are you've heard the phrase, it's as easy as riding a bike, but if you're Mexican-born, San Diego-bred Pro BMX rider Erick Soto, that phrase is taken to a whole other level.

Soto's version includes mastering kick-ass twists and turns, jumps with crazy air suspension and fierce flips and 360° "Tailwhips," which started out as one of his signature moves in the '90s before it caught on like wildfire and became common practice today.

While many of us don't have the ability to know what it's like to actually take flight on a bike, Soto, aka "Soto Moto," took some time out of his busy schedule to reflect on his successful BMX career, the evolution of the extreme sport and its impact in his native Mexico, in an exclusive interview with Latin Post.

Now 35 years old, which puts him in the "retirement" phase of his career, according to some, Soto's still on the top of his game. He's still "California Dreamin' on a such a winter's day" -- yes, just like the song, and he has no qualms about it.

As a kid growing up in Tijuana, the largest city in the Baja California peninsula in Mexico, Soto began his love affair with bikes when he was just 6 years old when he received his first bike.

"I was into bikes since I was at least 6. My aunt showed me some videos, and it was amazing. I was like, 'Wow, I want to do that.' In Mexico, there weren't any spots really to ride on, but when I moved to America, there were spots to ride, and kids were really into it. So that's how I kind of kicked it off, just by seeing others," Soto said.

Moving to San Diego as an impressionable 15-year-old, Soto continued to improve his craft with more accessibility to skate parks and eventually realized he was ready compete and show off his skills.

"First you have to get good. It's kind of a trial-and-error kind of thing. So when you feel at a level where you can compete, then you go to local contests, try to win, get some exposure and make an impression, then you will find people who like your style," he said.

Soto's skills and signature style catapulted his career, and he went on to become a Pro BMX bike rider with the backing of huge sponsors like DC Shoes and Monster Energy. Eventually, he also became a show rider and a positive role model for students around the country through Perfection on Wheels.

While Soto definitely has his battle scars from BMX riding, including permanent damage from breaking his hand twice, knee surgery and has had numerous stitches and bumps and bruises, that has never stopped Soto from pursuing his passion. According to Soto, some of his "most notorious" competitions have been the "Red Bull Elevation" 2009 and "X Games" Mexico City.

When he's not on his bike, he's training at the gym, or he's in the ring. Soto is also an amateur MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter. His brother, Alex Soto, is a professional UFC fighter. He is also a guide for American Pro BMX riders who want to visit the Baja Peninsula in Mexico to train or see the games out there.

Reflecting on his upbringing in Mexico and his teen to adult years in California, which eventually led to his Pro BMX career, Soto said it's been a great run filled with amazing opportunities along the way. That is why he hopes other dedicated and talented Mexican and Latino kids in the U.S. will be afforded the same opportunities.

During Soto's youth, the accessibility to state-of-the-art skate parks was pretty much nonexistent, but Mexico's approach to BMX training is slowly but surely changing, which has been a thrill for Soto to witness and take part.

"Nowadays, in 2014 times have definitely changed since when I started in the '80s," he said. "There were hardly any places to ride in Mexico, maybe one. Tijuana, alone only had one skate park, now there are 14 skate parks there. They aren't as good, but they have them."

While installing more skate parks has been a score for Mexico, there are still some fundamental differences, Soto pointed out.

"There is definitely a big difference in BMX in Mexico. You can never judge it by talent; the talent is there -- like in any given city, in any given country in the world. ... The riders have the skills, but there are not as many opportunities," he said.

While there aren't a lot of sponsors to further challenge the riders' skills, "things are moving forward in the right direction in Mexico, it's just going very slow," Soto added.

It's also important to note that in Mexico, sponsors like Gatorade and Monster Energy, which Soto rode for four years in Mexico, are starting to invest. Also, a couple of the up-and-coming BMX Latino riders on the scene that have caught Soto's eye include Kevin Peraza and Daniel Sanchez.

"BMX pro rider Daniel Sanchez, coming out of Guadalajara is the number one coming out of Mexico, in my opinion," he said.

Does Soto see more Latino athletes in the U.S. getting into the sport?

"Definitely, in my community I'd say every time I go to the skate park and practice, which is not as often since I have a son, but when I do get a chance, I see a lot of kids. And I see the older kids and their level keeps getting better and better every time," he said. "There are also a lot of riders, coming out of Chula Vista, which is where I'm from, the Latinos and they are doing their thing, so yes, I would say so.

"If the next generation wants to start, it's so easy now, there are so many facilities," he said. There is this place called Woodward on the West Coast and (Camp) Woodward in Pennsylvania on the East Coast and they have ramps from one foot tall to 26 foot tall and anything else in between. So, you can go there for a week and come back with 10-15 different tricks. It's easier and cool, but the tricks are starting to get a little crazy.

"YouTube is actually the way to get noticed now," he said. "Everyone is online now. That's the way to do it now for sure."

While a bit premature, considering he has a 1 year old son, does Soto want his son to carry on the BMX legacy?

"I am very aware, I don't want to live vicariously through my kid," he said. "BMX was my dream, but if that is his dream, then by all means. ... There are two paths you can go in BMX either you compete or you are a show rider. ... At shows, you can keep it more conservative and you don't get hurt and you still make money."

The show rider route was the way Soto and many other pro BMX stunt athletes have taken. That's where Perfection on Wheels comes into play.

Soto helps run Perfection on Wheels, which are BMX school assembly programs and presentations that inspire and enlighten with anti-bullying messages, anti-tobacco stories, bicycle safety advice, character building, making healthy choices, etc.

"He's just a great ambassador for BMX," longtime friend and former Pro BMX stunt and freestyle rider Tony Peloquin said.  "He's keeping the sport moving in the right direction by helping it progress on a daily basis. He's helping pave the way for kids in freestyle today."

"I am 35 years old so I am kind of a veteran now," Soto said. "I am still doing shows; I am doing something that I love for a living. I made a good living, I bought a house, I have a son, and I am living the California dream by doing what I love."