How To Fly: Tom Wrigley - Interview and Video

Tom Wrigley, the greatest thing to come out of the arguably poor riding scene in Sydney. 'Wriggles' seemed to appear out of nowhere in the last year, hanging around the local jumps digging and throwing down. Recently he has progressed to a new level where anything seems to be coming from the recently turned nineteen-year-old. At the start of the year, he was invited to Farm Jam, New Zealand's premiere invite only contest, earning himself the award of Best Style. With a bright outlook for the future, we wish Tom the best of luck in whatever he wishes to pursue and all the contests that he may set his eyes on!











Tell me a bit about yourself?

My name is Tom Wrigley, I am 19 and I am from The Northern Beaches in Sydney, Australia.



How long have you been riding bikes?

I have been riding for around three and a half years now. It all began on my small BMX which wasn't around for long. After I got some roots in the dirt scene on the Northern Beaches, I noticed that most people rode 26-inch wheel dirt jumpers, so that is what convinced me to make the switch from BMX.




Why do you ride?

I love to ride because it's a whole other world. I get to be out in the bushes, away from all the crap the world may bring, and I can just enjoy riding my bike. No matter whether it's just digging by myself, or a big Sunday session in a big train through the jumps with all my mates, I am always enjoying it and that's what keeps bringing me back!



What influenced you to start riding dirt?

When I got my first BMX I was just riding around the street with my friend Aaron for a bit of fun seeing what we could do - and that wasn't much. One day he mentioned that there was an awesome set of dirt jumps just up the road from his house. That afternoon we went up to check them out. When we walked in, I was amazed and so stoked to see all the jumps and how fun they looked! That day was the day that I first met the legendary Dee Man (Duncan). He came up to me and put a shovel in my hand, asking if I wanted to give him a hand in digging a berm - one that we continue to change to this day. After we finished digging, everyone (I mean everyone, there were a lot of people there that day) picked up their bikes, Dee Man cranked the music and everyone started riding. Those jumps now remain my training ground and where I go to have a good time. That's when I fell in love with riding. Shout outs to Dee Man for his hard work and dedication over all these years!




Tell me some of your proudest moments in your short career?

Everything I do on my bike is an achievement for me. I have spent years learning new tricks and just progressing as a rider. I have so many great memories from riding my bike! From the countless amazing Sunday sessions at my local trails to the great trips with the boys. My best memory so far would have to be my trip to Queenstown for Farm Jam at the beginning of the year. I got to ride the famous Gorge Road trails, met some of the best people and was lucky enough to get an invite to ride in Farm Jam. That invite was the ticket to my proudest moment - where I won ‘Best Style’ at the 2016 edition of Farm Jam. #McGazzaForever



What gets you most excited about the sport?

It's kinda hard to explain what gets me excited about riding, there are so manly reasons. Most of it is enjoying the experience with my mates: planning trips or just going up to your local spot to ride. I'm known to get excited over little things so either of those options and I'll be stoked as. I'm super excited for the future and not knowing what's next. After going over to Queenstown, NZ earlier this year, my eyes have really opened up and shown me how much I love riding my bike and where it can take you. The best times have always been riding my local jumps on a Sunday with everyone there to share the experience.



When are the benefits and drawbacks of living where you do?

The one problem for myself and the other riders in Sydney is there isn't a lot of freeride or dirt jump trails, in fact, there’s virtually nothing apart from one set of jumps. I'm lucky enough to have a great spot 10 minutes from my house, but there seems to be a lot of hate for MTB riders in Sydney. On the other hand, things seem to be getting brighter and gaining some traction down south with GreenValleys Freeride Park recently opening up, and talk of a bike park in Sydney in the near future.



Do you currently ride for anyone?

At the moment I don't have any sponsors and or ride for anyone.




Do you have any certain riders who you look up to?

I have always loved watching Andreu Lacondeguy, Brett Rheeder, Matt Macduff, Logan Peat, Martin Söderström and Cam McCaul. I always picture that one day I might be at the same level - let's see where I can take this! Along with the big dogs always comes some close mates, there are a certain few local heroes in Sydney who inspired me to ride and progress so I appreciate their help!



Do you have any goals set for the future?

Ideally, I want to do a whole lot more traveling around the world with my bike, as soon as possible. I would really like the compete in some of the bronze events on the FMB World Tour to see how I stack up against the best in the world. Ultimately, I want to enjoy my time on the bike and not get to the point where I take things too seriously, I want to be a guy that people look up to because they are just enjoying life!