Joel Moody


We may as well rename this issue Ride A T1 BMX Magazine – Joel Moody, front wheel manual / nose wheelie. Photo: Dolecki

1. What is your very first memory of BMX?
I moved to Buda from Austin and some kids in my neighbourhood had BMX bikes. I eventually got one and went to session with them at my friend Jeff’s house. He had a 4ft lip and steep landing, him and all of my other friends were shredding trying supermans and landing crotch in the back tyre.

2. How did you feel when you got your first bike; do you have the same feelings now when you set up a new bike?
I do still feel the same, only older by age. That is one of the great things about BMX, as long as I am on my bike it keeps me young at heart. When I put a new frame together I kind of feel like I did back then when I got my first. I only wish that they made T1 frames in purple, black and blue splatter paint.

3. What was your first bike like?
The ‘95 splatter-painted GT Performer only lasted about six months; it cracked after I overshot the box in my frontyard. It was sad, but all good things come to an end.

4. What is your latest bike like?
My latest bike is a T1 prototype frame, it is designed by Danny Hickerson and myself. I feel good on it, the frame is around five pounds, it has a 75-degree headtube and traditional chain and seat stays. I prefer to run three pegs, two in front and one on the back right. I don’t have the back left peg because I would always jump and get my left heel stuck on the peg throwing me dead sailor. I am into running a freecoaster, it is quiet, smooth, only a little less reliable than a cassette.

5. When & what was the first time you saw a rider do something amazing on a bike?
I eventually found out about 9th Street and my dad loaded up the car full of me and friends’ bikes. We went there and I saw some big burly redheaded dreaded shredder blasting everything, doing threes no problem. I went home and looked in a magazine… and there he was doing a toboggan on a yellow Dirt Bike over a spine.

6. When & what was the last time you saw a rider do something amazing on a bike?
It was recently, I can tell you that. Talent is not hard to come by in Austin; Danny Hickerson is an example. I saw him do like six or seven bunnyhop whips off of this one-and-and-a-half foot curb in the dark no problem to the pedals last week. I don’t know what planet that kid came from…

7. If you hadn’t discovered BMX, what do you think you’d be doing now?
If not BMX, probably skating. I have skated about as long as I have ridden, just not as diligently.

8. When it comes to riding, do you go for style or tricks?
I respect big tricks no doubt, but if they don’t look good I probably wouldn’t do it. Not that everything I do looks stylish, but I would like them to be.

9. Do you have to work on progression, or does it just come naturally to you?
Sometimes I definitely have to work for a trick, but sometimes they just happen. I always have to work for a new flat trick, sometimes six or seven months, sometimes longer. I feel that jumping tricks and street tricks come a little easier.

10. What state of mind enables you to progress your riding?
I can’t specify one state of mind that helps; I think they all play a role in my progression. A few examples: sometimes I will be bummed go ride and just screw around, stumble across something new and love it. Sometimes I will be hyped go out and just want to go high. I can’t pinpoint a specific state of mind.

11. What one rider has influenced you the most?
Wow, one rider, maybe two, maybe three or more. Shout out to Mike Aitken, Chase Hawk, Joe Rich, Taj Mihelich and Ian Schwartz. Originality and style is key to my influences.

12. What goes down if you have a bad day?
A bad day will more than likely lead to a poem or song on my guitar, maybe both. Definitely a trip to Barton Springs – the best, chill swim spot in Austin. Maybe go ride or skate.

13. When was the first time you tried something big/burly/scary?
One time I manualled a wooden handrail in Austin, I jumped over it the first time to flat.

14. When was the last time you scared yourself on your bike?
Lately I haven’t scared myself to tell you the truth. I feel that if I am scared I won’t be in control.

15. What was the last bike part you bought?
The last bike part I bought was from Empire BMX last week. A Fly 2.0 street tyre.

16. What is the greatest BMX product in the last ten years?
The greatest bike part in ten years... internal headset.

17. If you could choose two riders to go riding with daily, who would they be?
Hmm.... daily would be Chase Hawk and Joe Rich.

18. How would you describe your riding?
I would describe my riding as a mix of street and flat.

19. What is your favourite type of riding?
I don’t have a favourite type; sometimes I feel ramps, sometimes street, sometimes flatland, and sometimes the trails.

20. Describe an ideal day.
An ideal day for me would be wake up, stretch out and ride to Mr. Natural’s for breakfast. After I eat, I would go to the Barton Springs, a swimming pool in Austin with a natural bottom that is fed by a spring, hang out, read and swim. Then I’d go to Veggie Heaven for lunch, and after go ride street. After riding street, go to Casa de Luz for dinner, feast and ride home to stretch out, play my guitar and chill.

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