MUSIC FLICKS THE SWITCH
RILEY: Music is a big part of our lives, outside of BMX. My father and I go to a lot of concerts. Right after the Houston national, we’d gone and seen Tool, on that Sunday night. When Tool comes on the radio, me and my dad fangirl-out hard. I’ve seen them live four times now.
Maliek (Byndloss -2013 No.1 Amateur) told us the same thing. They played Eminem, Lose Yourself, when he got in the gate. He said as soon as he heard it, he knew he had it won. It’s crazy how music can flick that switch.
RILEY: That’s it. It flicked the switch hardcore, baby. Big time. I’ve never felt that feeling inside of me, like when I was behind that gate. I had lane eight, the No.1 title was on the line, all the odds were against me. Affoo next to me in lane seven. Cam was in there. But I knew in my mind that I could do it.
YOU’VE JUST GOT TO WIN
RILEY: I was down by the finish line, warming up, and I asked one of the ABA workers, ‘Yo, can you see what I have to do to get the title right now?’ I already knew that I had gate eight in the main. So basically, they say, ‘You’ve got to beat Cam Wood, you’ve got to beat Kye Affoo, and Nick Adams.’ I would’ve had to beat Jesse Welch too, but he went out early. Basically, I just had to win. We were all up there in points.
Then when I heard the (title-chase) video, with that Monster-Energy voice, talking about Cam and I going at it all year long, hyping it all up, I was like ‘Let’s go boys! I’m ready!’
We were just re-watching the video, and if Brayden Kempel hadn’t unclipped in the first turn, that hole might not have been there for you to dive low to hit the pro set.
This story is from the March 2020 edition of PULL Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2020 edition of PULL Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
GOLD CUP NORTH CENTRAL
If there is one good thing about this year’s Covid closures of states and counties, it is that tracks that might not normally have gotten a shot at hosting a National or Gold Cup event, were now given that opportunity.
MID-AMERICA NATIONALS
2ND COMING USA BMX STOPS IN NEBRASKA ...AGAIN.
GOLD CUP SOUTHEAST
This year the DK Bicycles Gold Cup South East Finals were held at one of the fastest BMX tracks in Alabama - Circle City BMX, in Dothan. If trying to claim one of the coveted Gold Cup Plates brought you to Circle City BMX for your first time you might have been surprised when you first saw the track layout.
GOLD CUP SOUTHWEST
When you roll into the local Quiktrip and one of Tucson’s finest looks at your shirt and asks if you know Corben Sharrah, you can only be in one city in America. Often coined as the loudest city in BMX, it doesn’t matter if there is a single fan or a gaggle of Tucsonans, they know how to bring the energy.
GOLD CUP NORTHEAST
With all of the uncertainty in event planning this year, it was not a huge surprise that the DK Bicycles North East Gold Cup Finals shifted locations somewhat last minute. We were very lucky to have it and at a great location, Akron BMX in Akron, Ohio. The Big Red Truck was last here for the 2018 North East Gold Cup Finals, and the track is located in a pretty incredible location.
FALL CLASSIC NATIONALS
JUST OVER THE UTAH BORDER WE’D FIND THE WEST’S LAST STAND FOR 2020
DERBY CITY
It might not have been LaborDay, but the BMX world was anxious to finally return to the longtime Louisville tradition. ...and it was well worth the wait!
1998 HARO Monocque
“Captain America” ShowBike Custom painted by Troy Lee.
HOW TO GROW THE SPORT OF BMX RACING
Are you interested in starting a new track?
SECOND TIMES A CHARM
It just seems like yesterday that we were in Rock Hill for the Carolina Nationals and here we are again.