We dive into her journey from those early days to the grand stage, representing the USA BMX Olympic Team in Tokyo in 2020. Plus, she shares her thoughts on her impressive 2021 World Cup finish in Bogotá, Colombia, and her role as an alternate for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Payton also shares her thoughts on racing Vintage BMX bikes, how to train as an Olympic BMX racer and what it's like to train at the USA BMX Hardesty Arena track in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
But there’s more to Payton than racing! She’s also an author, inspiring the next generation with her children’s book, A to Z BMX Style, an alphabet book that features her dog Rocket on each page. Join us as we explore her incredible journey, her passion for BMX, and her dedication to giving back.
Whether you're a seasoned rider, a dedicated fan, or just someone who loves the adrenaline rush of BMX, this podcast is for you. Each episode, we dive into the latest BMX news, interview BMX legends, along with top riders from around the world, and explore the culture that makes BMX so rad. From behind-the-scenes stories and epic competitions, we've got it all covered. Tune in, gear up, and get ready to ride with the Super Rad BMX Podcast – where the BMX stoke never ends!
Subscribe to Radmattic for more exciting interviews with BMX legends, industry insiders, and the stories behind the brands that shaped BMX. If you loved this episode, hit that like button, share it with fellow BMX enthusiasts, and let us know your thoughts on Payton Ridenour's amazing story in the comments below!
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Super Rad BMX Podcast Introduction.
05:07 Brad and Tim welcome Payton to the show.
05:52 Payton shares her thoughts on vintage BMX compared to modern BMX.
08:10 Payton races a Mongoose California Special reproduction bike at the USA BMX Vintage Nationals.
11:24 Payton's father raced BMX and introduced her to the sport in Pennsylvania.
14:19 Payton and her parents move to Tulsa, Oklahoma to train at USA BMX Hardesty Arena.
18:32 Payton qualifies and competes in BMX at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
20:01 Arielle Martin-Verhaaren has been Payton's coach since 2017.
20:51 Payton rides to a second place finish at the 2021 World Cup in Bogotá, Colombia.
22:44 Payton goes to the 2024 Paris Olympics as an alternate and enjoys the Olympic experience.
26:19 We talk about the ways Payton's coach helps her with training.
30:54 We talk about proper diet for BMX training and go off track a bit with funny stories!
34:14 What should young BMX racers focus on to improve their racing?
39:52 Payton has traveled the World with BMX racing. What are some of her favorite places? What are BMX racers like in other countries?
44:26 Who are some of the other BMX racers Payton looks up to?
47:14 How long does Payton want her BMX career to last?
49:13 Payton talks about her 2024 season and her current second place points standings leading up to the 2024 USA BMX Grand Nationals.
52:19 We ask Payton about her children's book A to Z BMX Style.
59:11 Payton talks about her sponsors including Mongoose, WD-40 and Oakley.
01:03:14 We wrap up the show with more about Payton's book and as always, some good humor!
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.