End of an era… I’ve been incredibly fortunate for a kid from Lubbock, Texas who learned to ride a bike in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and grew up a BMXer in Portland, Oregon. If you would have told 1992 me as I was visiting my local bike shop and grabbing the newest GT catalog that I would one day lead an almost ten-year chapter in the brand’s life. Those pages would read about the resurrection of a BMX program. Concept, design and launch of countless products. And collaborations with incredible humans, unreal artists and iconic franchises that not only shaped my life, but the lives of many.
The story would begin with a joke between myself, a GT rider and a BMX legend in the making. “Hey, you should come ride for GT,” and he did. He would be paramount in helping me lay the groundwork for the freestyle years to come and I am forever indebted to him for that. The stories would talk about the development of a new race frame that begin its life by reintroducing THE GT, Gary Turner, back to his namesake brand at its launch event. That same frame would complete its life by carrying two GT riders into the 2020 Olympic final, one going home with the silver medal.
My first foray into MTB would be the development of a new dirt jump frame. With my history of making
In the years I worked for GT Bicycles (1996 - 2001) the international product presentation was always a good time. New products to show, bicycle lovers around, drinks and food aplenty, and media present to take photos of the new products. FATBMX had to miss the 2018 GT product presentation in Nevada but luckily enough we got sent the photos of the special night. Gary Turner (the GT in GT) showed up for it as did trial guru Hans "no way" Rey, England's Dale Holmes (DHR), Box Components' Toby Henderson, GT factory riders, TM Steve Spencer and product manager Ben Ward who explained the new GT BMX Racing product to all listening. GT has been good in creating a family and it's great to see them backing BMX year after year.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.