Features

GT BMX: Rolling in NYC

New Bikes, New Crew

Photos by Mark Noble

The new GT BMX team were recently all together in New York, launching their new 2017 product range and making a bit of a trip out of it. Brian Kachinsky, Jason Phelan, Dan Conway and Albert Mercado spent a few days cruising around NYC on their new bikes, searching for spots and bonding as a crew. All the coverage we’ve seen up to this point suggested there were some good vibes flowing but now we have words from the riders themselves about how it all went down, their personal highlights and what the other guys on the team are like to hang out with. Read the answers from the dudes below and check out those new complete bikes HERE.

JASON PHELAN

Jason drying his bike after riding in the rain…

– How did it feel rolling with the new crew?

“It feels so good to be part of a team like this. When BMX is so full of young guns these days it’s hard to find an older, more wise, team of men that are still pushing it and having a good time on the bikes. I feel GT has done this just right. A good group of men still killing on the kids’ bikes, haha.”

– Highlight of the trip?

“Bringing in Albert’s 30th Birthday. We had a few beers and played some darts and we found out real quick that were all rubbish.”

– Any low points?

“The fact that I had to leave the trip early.”

– For you, what does GT stand for?

“Well that’s pretty obvious – it’s Gary Turner but I would like to think it’s Good Times.”

Phelan, up to whip at 5050 Skatepark. Tight on the headroom!

DAN CONWAY

– How did it feel rolling with the new crew?

“It was a blast! The team is so diverse. Everyone’s riding and personalities are unique in their own way. It makes for a better time during the session and after the session.”

– Highlight of the trip?

“Just hanging with everyone in New York and getting to pedal around.”

– Any low points?

“None…”

– For you, what does GT stand for?

“For me, it means a BMX brand that’s been around from the start, and we now have an opportunity to push it in a new modern way. So it motivates me to want to ride as hard as I can and to help in anyway get the brand in the heads of the upcoming generation of BMX riders.”

BRIAN KACHINSKY

– How did it feel rolling with the new crew?

“The GT crew feels like a family and here’s why: The minute the crew met up at the airport we were immediately excited to ride new and unfamiliar territory. Laughs and good times were had and then it quickly got down to exploring for spots to shred. I knew it was a great crew because by the last day, despite the summer heat and setbacks, the motivation and stoke was high and I didn’t want to get on the plane to go back home. We are all on the same page and push each other. That’s what a team is. I couldn’t be happier with the chemistry of this crew.”

– Highlight of the trip?

“There were several highlights, but the ones that stand out the most are getting to ride street in NYC for the first time in my life and also getting to visit the GT headquarters in CT to personally thank everyone who keeps us rolling behind the scenes. The excitement in the office for the 2017 BMX line was amazing. Seeing the result of many months of work was very satisfying. I can’t wait to see these new bikes being ridden all across the country and the world!”

– Any low points?

“The only low point was the high summer temps due to a heatwave that swept through the east coast. We went through several gallons of water each day, but it showed that even the most unfavorable conditions can’t hold us back.”

– For you, what does GT stand for?

“I would usually say GT stands for ‘Good Times’, but after these past days with the crew I have to change that to ‘Great Times’. For me GT is pure BMX. My first legit BMX bike was a GT at age 13 and I feel that same excitement many years later with the launch of these new and improved GT bikes. The future is bright.”

ALBERT MERCADO

– How did it feel rolling with the new crew?

“Rolling with the crew felt great! I’m already friends with a few of the dudes on the squad, and meeting the rest of the crew was awesome! We all instantly got along and I couldn’t be happier with the current crew.”

– Highlight of the trip?

“I have two highlights. First off I’m going to have to say the product launch at 50/50 was amazing. Being able to see all the people genuinely excited to see all the new GT bikes was so eye opening. It was truly a great experience. Second I’m going to have to say that pedaling around NYC with the GT crew was amazing. I’ve never experienced anything like it. I am still buzzing off that weekend.”

– Any low points?

“On this trip I was dealing with a rib injury. Having to hold back a little when I knew I wanted to ride more was kind of low point, but nothing I couldn’t handle.”

– For you, what does GT stand for?

“Growing up, GT always represented the highest standard of products, riders, and riding. The weekend in NYC showed me that GT still holds that high standard of quality. I am psyched to be a part of such an awesome crew. Can’t wait for more Good Times!”