https://cinemabmx.com/

Re Print: Joey Garcia - Remember Me?

​ “I appreciate the fact that when I ride now, it's completely on my own terms.”

30 May 2015

Joey Garcia BMX2012 JC

Joey Garcia - At Home - Summer 2012 - Photo by Joey Cobbs

Story by Joey Garcia Originally printed in DIG 90 'The Legends Issue' Sept/Oct 2012

It's hard to find things that define me as much as BMX has. It's been a part of my life in many different capacities. As a kid, it was all about racing and dirt jumping with my brother and friends. Through high school it was more about dirt jumping with our local crew (including Chad Kagy, Ryan Nyquist and Mat Mardesich) and it consumed our life. After High School (1996) was when riding became a little more serious as sponsors were now paying, I was traveling every month. Every day we were riding dirt, street, and running/riding the San Jose Ramp Club with Brian Jackson, Ryan Nyquist, Chad Kagy, Mat Mardesich, as well as many others. Today I ride BMX when I can get a few friends together, ride Moto with my brother and a handful of other guys. Riding to me is about escaping the every day tasks and having a blast with good people. It's about the memories, the good times and the friendships.

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing
Joey Garcia UGPROOTS BMX1999 d11 KT

UGP Roots comp wall ride transfer back in 1999 / DIG Issue 11. Photo by Keith Terra

By the time 2001 rolled around, I was riding well, but always felt timid because my knees had been reconstructed four times. I knew the next time I ripped my knee apart I would have to call it quits because the surgeons had already taken all the cartilage out of my knees. The UGP Roots contest was my last contest. In my last run I wrecked myself on a downside feeble across the sub box, as I came into the quarter my foot planted and knee popped out of place. By the time I got up I knew it was all over and the next phase of my life would begin, after another surgery of course.

After reconstruction and rehab #5, I went back to college, got my B.A. in Business, and minored in graphic design. Every time I was hurt, I ended up shooting photography and had an interest in graphic design so I was able to get a formal education in those interests. For a few years I was a freelance web developer/photographer working with agencies in the Monterey Bay area that needed my help. As a freelancer, income always fluctuates and can be frustrating, so I decided to focus on getting into an agency working on print, web and photography projects. I've been at Full Steam, a full service marketing agency for a year and a half now. I work in all departments of the company and work on the photography projects. It's great when you work with talented individuals as a team because you not only meet the clients’ expectations, but you meet your own.

Riding has definitely taken a back seat in my life. Although I miss the traveling and riding with great riders, I appreciate the fact that when I ride, it's completely on my own terms. The pain of progression has taken a backseat and made room for only the good times. – Joey Garcia

"It's hard to beat BMX"

Joey-Garcia-first-bike-sq

DIG: When did you start riding?

Joey: 1982 (racing 4 at years old)

First bike?

A garage sale bike (Mach V) my aunt bought me.

Hometown?

Gilroy, CA

Current location?

Gilroy, CA

First magazine photo?

BMX PLUS! (Mark Losey) 1994

First sponsor?

My parents and my brother Jimmy, they supported me through all my broken parts and took me to riding spots. First company sponsor was a bike shop called Fernandez Bikes in Seaside, CA.

Last sponsor?

Schwinn, UGP, Airwalk. All long-term sponsors that had great people behind them.

Happier then or happier now?

That's comparing two different lives. The life of a pro bmx rider is awesome; travel the world, ride/compete, and surround yourself with friends. "Fortunate" is an understatement and were days I will never forget. The downside was always blowing out my knees. I hated ending up in surgery and being laid up for months. Thanks to my parents, my brother Jimmy, John Paul Rogers, Ron Bonner, and Alan Foster. They made BMX my life, gave inspiration and always looked out for me.

Nowadays I have more appreciation for everything in my life; a career that doesn't kill my knees, awesome friends to ride BMX and Moto with, and an amazing family and fiancé. The pace is a little slower but I'm still surrounded by everyone that made the BMX days fun. I'm happier now because I have a house with my girl and I get to ride whatever I want, wherever the good times are.

High point over the years?

Traveling. Whether it was to Japan with the UGP team, driving 24 hours to Texas to ride 9th St., or to England to ride with Zach Shaw and Simon Tabron.

Low point?

Having both knees reconstructed at the same time and being laid up for 8 months... Buzzkill.

Did you earn more then or now?

When you add up all the airline tickets, contest contingencies, contest winnings, sponsor salaries, it's hard to beat BMX.

Joey Garcia FL BMX1999 d11 KT

Joey Garcia - DK Dirt circuit, Florida '99 / DIG Issue 11. Photo by Keith Terra

Previous

Johnny Atencio - Crank Armed and Ready

An interview with Shadow and Subrosa's latest addition

Next

Soundtrack - FBM Video Playlist Part 2

'There are more FBM videos than I can even remember..." - Steve Crandall

Related Content

Cam WOOD BMX SLASH SNWBRM UT ADJ

Re Print: Getting Creative With Cameron Wood

"People can call it what they want. We're not really skiing; we're bike riding"

29 Jan 2015
Ralph sinisi bmx crop BC

Re Print: First Hand Account

That Time Animal's Ralph Sinisi Broke His Femur Filming for Nowhere Fast...

10 Sep 2020
adam roye for Dig high res

Re-Print: Adam Roye - Creating A Cult

"I like shit that's a little fucked up" - A true BMX artisan speaks his mind

15 Sep 2014
Ruben alcantara BMX face tight VP

Re Print: DIG Legends - Ruben Alcantara

“He sees things very differently, and what makes sense to him, leaves most people scratching their head.” - Joe Rich

22 Jan 2015
james-cox-dig-94-4

Re Print: James Cox - Committed

“ I don’t ever feel like it’s time to finish the video. ”

18 Dec 2014
Paul HORAN BMX van RD

Re Print: Inside Story - Paul Horan

"Life on the outside might get shitty from time to time, but you have no idea..."

27 Nov 2014
Hucker bmx portrait D98 -AW

Re Print: Mike 'Hucker' Clark - Trail Reflections

"they didn't want to watch me ride 'cause I was so sketchy. It kind of bummed me out."

2 Apr 2015
jason enns bmx WM

Re Print: My Favourite Photo

Featuring Joe 'Butcher' Kowalski, Ian Morris, Brian Castillo, Jason Enns and Keith Terra

1 Jan 2015
Dave clymer backyard jam flip 1994 PD 1

Re Print: 10 Things You Didn't Know About the Backyard Jams

"By '97 the events had just got out of control!"

14 May 2015
Stew Johnson bmx aggro man AW

Re-Print: The Eddie Roman Influence

Stew Johnson reflects on 3 of his all time favorite videos, and the man behind them...

30 Oct 2014
hawk-lacey-kennedy-hoder

Re-Print: First Encounters

Recognise these guys? Our earliest photos with some of the best in the game…

2 Oct 2014
anto lille BSD morocco BMX donkey VP

Re Print: BSD - Hippies in Morocco

Our Favourite Travel Article of 2014

26 Dec 2014
http://www.divisionbrand.com/news/

Latest Content

Usi8 IEP Nq 4hqdefault
Play Button

JORDAN GODWIN - JETLAG

Another jaw-dropper in Monster Energy series

20 Oct 2025
SAEZS Le E Ztwhqdefault
Play Button
05 Dudb DO Nxchqdefault
Play Button

Satoski Enda - 47 to 50

Repping level 5

18 Oct 2025
Gwbk WJ7 Ly94hqdefault
Play Button

SAM GRACE - RAW CUT

FUL LFACE REQUIRED

18 Oct 2025
MQX1 ZM1 Nf Dkhqdefault
Play Button

Gaspar Guendulain Focus Bike Check - BSD

An alternative street machine

17 Oct 2025
M0 P6ju G Xu O Ehqdefault
Play Button
KW Vvcjw Mr Ihqdefault
Play Button

CASEY STARLING - PROJECT Xtras

"The Eiffel Tower is somewhere around here"

16 Oct 2025
Y Zzr Xz OR Dbwhqdefault
Play Button

Stephan Atencio | Sophie

He's back

16 Oct 2025
Uq3c Rb T6 G Jghqdefault
Play Button

SEAN GARDNER - SHF

A LOVELY BLEND OF TECH & STYLE

15 Oct 2025
Iycmp Z9z Wchqdefault
Play Button

CLUUT JAM 2025 / 'CASH UP'

Brussels, Belgium

14 Oct 2025
1g VAC Jov5 O Mhqdefault
Play Button
Z M33usz7 D Rghqdefault
Play Button

Snakebite BMX - Jared Souney Podcast

Integral BMX media manisfestation

13 Oct 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

VANS ODYSSEY 2025 COLLECTION FF RAMP 003

"The inspiration was right in front of our eyes" The story behind the Vans X Odyssey 40 Year Collab

An interview with Nuno Oliveira (Odyssey) and Justin Villano (Vans)

25 Sep 2025
07 2025 Huffy Sledgehammer Launch Project 132

Product Drop: HUFFY Sledgehammer frame

Huffy returns to BMX...

22 Sep 2025
Team kevin peraza boh winner 2025

BATTLE OF HASTING 2025 - TEAM PERAZA TAKES THE WIN

Results, Livestream re-runs, DIG Highlights & more

27 Aug 2025
Dig book cover mock better CROP

DIG - THIS BIKE COULD BE YOUR LIFE - "DOCUMENTING OVER 30 YEARS of D.I.Y. BMX CULTURE" PRE-ORDER NOW OPEN

An all new photo book from DIG focusing on our magazine history and the rise of the mid-school

1 Aug 2025
Thumbnail 2

Product Drop - ODYSSEY '85 Splatter kit

Nord, Walsh stems and Hazard lite rims

29 Jul 2025
Shirt swell k0150m back

Product Drop - KINK 2025 APPAREL

For Fall/Winter

23 Jul 2025
Big boyd black

Product Drop - ODYSSEY BIG BOYD RIMS

Boyd Hilder signature BIG BOYD rims in Black and Coffee.

11 Jun 2025
LOW Street station Saturday Jarvis 1 copy

MONSTER ENERGY 'CASH UP' 2025 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Another Year - New Locations - Even More Jams!

26 May 2025
Street station graphic

STREET STATION RETURNS for 2025

"Not your average BMX jam"

26 May 2025
Vans 11 27 21 014 Bruno Gap wall

BRUNO HOFFMANN INTERVIEW - 'FOREIGN'

"I think the scene is doing good..."

21 Apr 2025
RIXIN BIG APPLE ANGLE RAW ON WHITE 2500

PRODUCTIVITY - RIXIN Big Apple Frame

Billy Perry's signature frame - Built around what he needed.

8 Apr 2025
Rad teaser

Rad Day 2025

Anniversary movie screenings and RAD documentary release.

18 Mar 2025