Riding with Legends: My BMX Journey with Dennis McCoy and Rick Thorne

In 1981, I received my first BMX bike, and my life changed forever. That was the year when legends like Dennis McCoy and Rick Thorne were making waves in the industry, and I was lucky enough to ride with them. As a kid, I was around six or seven years younger than them, but every chance I got to ride with them, I was stoked. They were part of a crew called "The BMX Brigade" - a tight-knit family of more than 30 riders.

My mother worked with McCoy's father, Jerry, at an insurance company, which meant my brothers and I got access to all sorts of bike parts from Dennis and his brother. In 1984/85, I ended up with a custom factory Haro Master that had belonged to McCoy. Hanging out in his backyard, riding with such talent was a dream come true. Learning to Play Hard and Ride Even Harder There are countless stories of adolescent mischief that I will cherish forever. Those days taught me to play hard and ride even harder. I owe a lot to Dennis, Rick, and the countless other riders who helped shape my early years.

As Rick Thorne said, "Riding is more than pullin’ tricks; it’s also about the people you surround yourself with." I'm grateful for the riders I surrounded myself with, not just back then, but also today. People who ride for the right reasons, putting their heart into something they love, taking chances, and having guts. These are the people who inspire me. Finding Success in My Hometown Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, I learned that you must find what you're good at and have a passion for working hard.

Without passion, talent will fade because you need to hit rock bottom to understand the top. Riding with Dennis and Rick was my first look at success, and it was in my hometown.

Memories That Will Last a Lifetime Looking back on those days, I can't help but smile. We used to meet up at 11 PM, even on school nights, in illegal parking garages downtown to practice tricks and hang out. Those were the moments that mattered, and the memories will last a lifetime. Thank You, Dennis and Rick Thank you, Dennis and Rick, for being a part of my BMX journey.

You were more than just riders; you were mentors, friends, and family.

You inspired me to be the best rider I could be, and for that, I'm eternally grateful. Riding with legends like you made me who I am today, and for that, I will always be proud.