turkey on thanksgiving. I quickly wrote down a few questions so that we could escape this oven. I tried to do a few serious and a few for fun to keep things light. There was not much in the trailer and I ended up using some PA equipment as a table so that I would have somewhere to write. Well, here is the interview with Rick Thorne. I am sure the conditions helped to add to the interview. Why the Warped Tour?
Music, love, sports, wrapped together… I love to be on the road and have been doing this for 24 years. I get to meet new kids, make new friends, and meet new bands. What was your worst experience outside of BMX?
(He hesitated on this for awhile, and seemed to really think about all the things that had happened to him in the past. It looked as though he was rolling a few thoughts around in his mind.)
My parents got divorced when I was 6.
What was your worst experience in BMX? (he kind of just looked at me) You know, bike stolen or an injury. (Again he pondered and took a minute) It would have to be when the industry attacked me for doing positive things for the sport. I was reaching out to get more people involved and I got stabbed in the back by the industry.
Where are the hottest chicks?
California
What has been your biggest mistake? I would have to say that putting my heart in the wrong place in life.
What is your favorite board game?
I have not played any in a long time. (After a long hesitation), when I was younger I really enjoyed Monopoly. I have not played that forever.
What is your favorite place to visit?
Australia.
What is the best bike part ever and why?
I would have to say Profile cranks. They take forever to break. You might bend an arm a little, but overall they are pretty solid.
How do you feel about BMX today?
As far as racing, I do not know much about, I have very little background in it.
Now when it comes to freestyle, it has become uptight. Freestyle is its own worst enemy. There is a lot of bullshit that does not matter. It is the way the industry judges things and it takes things further than it should.
Overall, there is too much negativity towards people who do their own thing. Riding is supposed to be about expression of all shapes and sizes.
What is your biggest upset?
I look at every upset as a growth because I know I have upset others.
What is your favorite tattoo?
(as he points to his neck….) I would have to say BMX PUNK and Natalee. It is the name of my daughter.
How do you feel about your left index finger?
It misses the front brakes.
Who is your favorite old school rider?
Dennis McCoy = Matt Hoffman
Who is your favorite new school rider?
There are so many out there these days. I would have to say anyone that goes out there and kills it.
How have things changed?
The more they change, the more they stay the same
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
I started when I was 12. I am now 38. I still love what I am doing and the feeling of riding all these years. I still get the same feeling as when I was younger. To everyone out there, I hope that you find something that you truly love to do, for the rest of your life, for the right reasons, and for yourself.
(At this point in the interview, the band that is playing right outside the trailer has started their set, and we are yelling in each other’s ears just to be able to hear each other. As the trailer vibrates and sweat is rolling down my face, I ask him one last question.)
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was the best interview ever. It’s great that we did an interview on a PBR box.
Interview done at the Vans Warped Tour, by Thomas Grawey. Pics RT.tv
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.