Tyson McCrea Interview

Who is Tyson McCrea? Tyson is a member of THE BIKE TEAM and is a very accomplished rider. He is currently the Canadian National BMX Champ and has a shot at being on the Canadian Olympic BMX team. So why is he part of [L=http://www.ironhorsebikes.com]Iron Horse’s [/L]new freeride team? Lets find out?TYSON MCCREA- New member of [L=http://www.ironhorsebikes.com]Iron Horse’s [/L]THE BIKE TEAM and Canadian National BMX Champ.

Interview by Chris Glew, The Bike Team Manager and rider.

Tyson tell us about yourself? How did you get into riding?

Well basically my dad was into bmx and I started racing when I was only 2. After that my dad got hurt and couldn’t ride anymore so I started going out with my friends. At the age of 13 I just started exploring what I could do on dirt, racing, and just really anything.

So where are you at right now with BMX?

I am basically as good as you can get in Canada right now in BMX racing without getting more support. There isn’t enough backing to go race in the States. I’m on a full training program and I’m number 1 in Canada but there isn’t enough funding to compete at an aggressive level in the states. So there is nothing keeping me motivated cause I can’t do any better without support and without moving to the States.

Why is that? Is the race scene dying or is it just not well supported in Canada?

Yea, Canada’s scene just has no backing! Sponsors just aren’t really interested unless you race A or AA in the states. It’s like anything, when you get to the top and there isn’t anything pushing you forward you get bored of the sport. With freestyle you can always learn something new or try something creative to push yourself.

In the states how would you compare?

In A I could race competitively but in AA those guys are outa hand cause they don’t have to work racing is there job but without that kind of support I couldn’t compete. Riding is their life. I gotta work still.

Would want to race AA or A in the states if you had the support?

It would be good, but there is just something about the mountain biking! I don’t know it just excites me but maybe in 8 years I will be burnt out on it just like I am on BMX. Maybe I will be excited about BMX again I don’t know. But right now I want to concentrate on mountain biking. I will still race BMX cause I still love it but it won’t be my only focus.


Why not race mountain bikes?

Racing's good! There are just different kinds of races. Like downhill and the big a-line race in Whistler. It’s just more versatile. I guess I am trying to say what I like about mountain biking is the versatility. So I want to do a bit of everything and not just concentrate on something like racing. I’ll race events like Joyride, Whistler, and some other but I want to freeride and do the movies and comps.

When you mountain bike what do you like to do? What’s fun?

I enjoy everything from dirt jumping to super high-speed single-track stuff. I’m not super interested in the big hucking but I am learning it and want to get into it.


So you feel like you can express yourself more on a mountain bike?

With the bmx racing the tracks are so similar and the jumps are all the same. The tracks only last for like 30 or 40 seconds. With mountain biking you can take a heli-ride into the mountains and ride for hours exploring the terrain. Or you can look at something or build something and just ride it.


With THE BIKE TEAM what do you bring to the table that some of the other guys might not have?

Well from what I can tell I have the race background and have the speed. If someone is doing something I can learn it really fast. So if I’m riding with someone and they are doing something, it doesn't take much for me to be able to do it too. So if you show me something I can progress up to that level pretty quickly.

Why this team?

Basically, because I didn’t have mountain bike backing before. And you asked and it I thought is was a great opportunity. I am really excited about it.

Who do you look up to?

Glew—skinny master hahahah, Ricky Carmichael and Berrecloth. And this photographer I know Harookz he’s kinda good. And Jesse Roberts he owns Bicycle Rockers, so he must be good.

What do you wanna do this year?

Slopestyle events like Crankworkx and vids like The Collective and Trickin’. The Collective is just amazing, so I would really like to shoot with those guys. Basically any video part.

How do feel about the sponsors?

I am really stoked I couldn’t ask for much more. Glew you're so cool. (Laughs)


Got any secrets up your sleeves? Rad lines?

Me and harookz have stuff behind closed doors.

So you gonna take some racers like Lopes and Gracia?

I’m gonna give them a good run. Last year I finished 3rd right behind them at Joyride on a crappy bike, so now that I got a good bike I should be on them.


So you gonna kill some races?

Heck ya I am!!

So where do you see yourself in the future? What do you want?

Blunts, 40s, and bitches. Laughs. No, no, no…. Just joking, I just want to be successful at it and make a living at it. This 9-5 job thing sucks, so it would be cool if I could get outta that.

Is the team thing where you wanna go? Or do you wanna blow up and be a rock superstar?

I don’t think I’m gonna blow and I like the team thing its good we have support. We can help each other.

Do you wanna blow up?

Well I want to do well.

Is this interview making you uncomfortable?

Yea, it’s okay, its funny.

What’s you favourite drink?

Stoli and Coke

Car? Just pick one?

McClaren F1

Damn! Just pick the most expensive one why don’t you! Okay music, what ya listening to now?

Lil’ John, The Game, NWA, I pods on random, Kanye on Remix, The Black Album- surrey stylze!

Whats your favourite colour?

Pink… No I like Black-stealth

What else do you like to do?

I like to play computers. Play MSN. I do a whole lot of TV watching. I got the whole training program.

Can you drink Harookz under the table?

I can keep pace with him, but I can’t shotgun like him.

Should I include anything else? BMX? Anything?

Not really.

I should write something else!

Chris Glew is cool….. hahahhahahha!!

One sponsor, who would you pick?

VISA

If you could go to anyplace in the world, where would you go?

I saw some pics of Bella Coola and it looked pretty cool....

We can go to Bella Coola. I’ll drive you to Bella Coola. Do you follow the mountain bike scene?

Yea I follow it and I read the mags.

How long have you been mountain biking?

I have been riding for a while, but I have been pursuing it for only a couple years now.


What was the final push to get you to pursue being a pro mountain biker?

Harookz said he would kill me if I didn’t. And if I want to get any further in BMX I would have to move to Cali and I have been there, done that. Mountain Biking's spotlight is in BC and I love BC!! Look at it!!!!

Final Words? Call sign whatever?

Money laid is money played. That’s a harookz quote.


Okay, well look out for Tyson this year and check out Iron Horse Bikes, The Bike Team and Freeride Tours for info. Keep checking pinkbike for the latest news from THE BIKE TEAM.

All photos supplied by Harookz.