Search

We caught up with the action sports veteran at this year’s It’s Not Dead Fest.

Rick Thorne is one of the most famous and likeable BMX riders in history, there’s no denying that. 

When Thorne isn’t showing off as one of the best acrobats on two wheels, he’s displaying the other world-class talent that’s made him so successful: His knack for entertainment. 

The 46-year-old Kansas City native brought his skills out to SoCal in 1997, where he’s become famous not only for his involvement in the top BMX competitions (he’s hosted a “behind the scenes” video series for the X Games aside from competing in them) but also his work in music, TV, film and more. 

Myspace caught up with Thorne to talk bikes, stardom, and that famous episode of MTV Cribs.

One of your most recent appearances was at It’s Not Dead Fest, what’s it like to ride at a big music festival?

Well, I’ve done 14 out of the 20 Warped Tours, so when Vans and Kevin Lyman asked me to do it, I was like “Yeah!” because I know pretty much all these bands and the vibe. It’s like an early Warped Tour vibe. It kind of feels like I never left. When I first did Warped Tour in ‘96, it’s the same feeling to this day. I’m a punk rocker, I have a punk band, but I also ride bikes, so it’s perfect. 

Right now the riders are me and (Mat) Hoffman, and then Dennis McCoy is another legend, and then Coco Zurita and all the skaters. I’ve been doing demos with Mat since ‘88 and I grew up with Dennis, so it just feels like it’s the boys hanging out. 

What do you think people don’t know about BMX?

Not only people, but riders. I meet riders all the time and it’s like I met a kid yesterday who was 19 and the first thing he said to me was “Hey, are you sponsored?” before he even asked me my name, and then he goes “I want to be sponsored,” which I get, but that’s not everything to the sport. It’s part of it, and yes it’s amazing to have cool sponsors you fit with, but what I’m getting at is that what people don’t get is that riding is an expression; it’s a lifestyle; it’s a feeling. 

Yeah, contests are part of it, sponsors are part of it, riding empty pools is part of it, the X Games are part of it, but it’s not these branches that branch out into a formula in one dimension, it’s very multi-dimensional. It’s not just about contests and sponsors, but really I ride because of the way it makes me feel. If someone’s watching on TV and thinks “Oh, I can get my son sponsored and it can be his job,” then for some riders that’s what they want to do, but the majority of riders aren’t like that. The majority of riders are well-rounded and very multi-dimensional.

As one of the most visible riders in the world, how has your career changed as you’ve become more popular outside of BMX? 

Well, you have to be careful who you get married to, that’s the number one thing. Ask yourself “Does this girl like me for me or like me for what I can give her?” Look, when I had nothing growing up in Missouri, I had the same energy as now. I’m still a big kid. When I had nothing or when I have something, my personality’s been pretty consistent. I’ve never let fame or success go to my head. I’m super grateful and honored every time.

How has BMX changed since you got into it? 

The more things change, the more things stay the same. The only thing that’s changed is our hairstyle. No, but things have changed like tricks, and sports go through phases. Old stuff gets reinvented, but really all in all, the feeling of riding is kind of the same feeling, just with different tricks, different clothes, and different stuff with levels. It’s changed to be more open-minded about styles within the sport. That would be the main thing

Back in 2005, you had one of the most famous episodes of MTV Cribs. What’s it like for people to know you from that even if they don’t know you ride?

It’s crazy, man. One thing I like about it is that they know about riding now, but like the Cribs episode was cool because I wanted to do something different. I did feel really weird bragging about possessions like “Here’s my bed.” I worked with Ice-T back in ‘97 and he was super cool and he did an episode of Cribs, so I was like “One day, I’m going to do an episode of Cribs.” Then like seven years later I got to, right? For me it was just a way to get what I do and get my name out there, and it was just fun. People see it who didn’t know I ride, I get it all the time, but now they know I ride and they know about the sport. Maybe they got into it or their kids got into it, so it’s a good avenue for motivation.

33 95 17
Close

Press esc to close.
Close
Press esc to close.
Close

Connecting to your webcam.

You may be prompted by your browser for permission.