Tyler Heinrichs is a 14-year-old BMX Racer from Tampa, Florida who was recently named to
the 2009 United States National BMX Team. AS I BE Magazine had an opportunity to sit with him
recently upon his return from a trip to Adelaide, Australia
where he represented the United States in the 2009 BMX World Championships.
AS*I*BE: Not many kids your age get a chance to go to Australia. What was that like?
TH: Well, it was winter there, which kind of threw me off because we’re in the middle of summer here. My family and I did get a chance to sightsee a little. We went to this place called Kangaroo Island where all these kangaroos just roam free. I thought they might be mean but they were more like giant teddy bears. They don’t care if you go near them. I even laid down on top of on one. But it was weird because the next day we ended up eating kangaroo for lunch. It didn’t taste that good.
AS*I*BE: As far as the competition, what was it like?
TH: It’s always very competitive. There are kids there from Japan, China, South America, Zimbabwe and a host of other countries. At first it’s very friendly, but once the racing starts it can be tough because we’re all there to win and sometimes they don’t like you so much after you beat them. But overall, it was a great experience
AS*I*BE: Twenty-eight hours of flying and it turns out you ended up re-injuring a broken clavicle on a crash during a practice run on the first day. Yet you decided to stay in the race. How tough to do you have to be to compete in BMX racing?
TH: Well, we didn’t know I fractured it again until we got x-rays after the competition. But I hit pretty hard and had a feeling it was broken. But I had come all that way and wasn’t going to let it stop me. You kind of have to be fearless in this sport. If you think about going down, you’re probably going to. After my crash on the first day, every time I tried to do anything with my arms, it sent a quick shock through my body and they would almost give out. I’ve broken my wrist three or four times and my elbow as well, so yeah, I guess you have to be pretty tough.
AS*I*BE: You must have tried other sports. Why BMX? Did you think it could take you to these places?
TH: I just turned 14 and I’ve only been racing since I was 11. Before that, I played football and soccer. But since I began riding I haven’t done anything else. I just love it because it takes determination, strength and a lot of the same skills you would use in other sports. But no, I didn’t think I would go this for, not at all. It has been a real challenge and a lot of fun.
AS*I*BE: I guess the world of “extreme sports” has taken a turn to the mainstream with The X-Games and other events attended in mass. However, BMX has been around for a while. Where do you see it going?
TH: I think The X-Games just made freestyle biking more popular. BMX was actually bigger before. Now we’re trying to bring it back up. I’m trying to get my friends doing it and so far I’d say I’ve gotten about 20 people to try it out and get started.
AS*I*BE: So your family and friends are very supportive?
TH: My mom doesn’t always like it because she’s worried I’ll get hurt. And my dad always helps me, especially when I’m down, like after the crash in Australia. He’s always cheering me on. I’m on my bike four or five days a week for three or four hours at a time, so it takes up a lot of my time. And it means a lot to me that my friends and family support what I do and help me through all the good and bad times no matter how big or small.
AS*I*BE: When you’re not riding, what do you like to do?
TH: When I’m not riding or racing I’m normally hanging with friends and just doing what comes my way. I don’t really make plans, I just go with the world. But you could say I’m into music. I’d say my favorite kind is either techno or screamo (Yeah, we Googled it: a genre of music which predominantly evolved from hardcore punk) Bring Me The Horizon and The Maine are a couple of my favorite bands. I mean, when you’re practicing they always play music. It gets in your veins. Makes you work harder.
AS*I*BE: Where do you see yourself in five years?
TH: I might be at the top. I might be in the hospital. Either way, I love the sport and I’ll never stop.
