James McGraw was born in St Louis Mo on 4-10-1970. At age 9
his family moved to Detroit Mi. Like any kid he loved to ride his
bike, jumping curbs and trying to ride no handed. In 1984 he heard
people talking about eight foot ramps that guys where jumping off and
catching eight to ten feet of air. Well this misinterpretation led him to
the sport of Freestlye. Armed with a hammer and some two by fours,
he created his first ramp. It was an eight foot tall wedge ramp. (photo)
Long story short he found himself on the front page of a local
newspaper riding this ramp. A local bike shop put up the article in
their store and it caught the attention of many freestylers who knew
more about the sport than James. After meeting other guys involved
in freestyle, James quickly tore down his over sized wedge ramp and
moved into the world of quarter pipes. A Michigan staple in the world
of BMX Albes bike shop started holding contest and the rest is
history. In 1986 James officially became a member of the Albes
freestyle team with the unforgettable name!! Team Tasty.
his family moved to Detroit Mi. Like any kid he loved to ride his
bike, jumping curbs and trying to ride no handed. In 1984 he heard
people talking about eight foot ramps that guys where jumping off and
catching eight to ten feet of air. Well this misinterpretation led him to
the sport of Freestlye. Armed with a hammer and some two by fours,
he created his first ramp. It was an eight foot tall wedge ramp. (photo)
Long story short he found himself on the front page of a local
newspaper riding this ramp. A local bike shop put up the article in
their store and it caught the attention of many freestylers who knew
more about the sport than James. After meeting other guys involved
in freestyle, James quickly tore down his over sized wedge ramp and
moved into the world of quarter pipes. A Michigan staple in the world
of BMX Albes bike shop started holding contest and the rest is
history. In 1986 James officially became a member of the Albes
freestyle team with the unforgettable name!! Team Tasty.
1986:
James, Started competing in AFA events across America.
Although his passion was for bikes, he also rode Scooters. (No not a razor scooter!) Earning himself the title of
Scooter king.
James made his BMX magazine debut in the April 1986 issue of American Freestyler Magazine in which he had
four scooter how to’s.
1987-1989
James Competed in all AFA masters events consistently placing in the top three for the expert class. Winning his fair
share!!
With help from Albes he acquired sponsorship from Redline and Vision Street Wear. Later on he rode for
Kuwahara and many other BMX oriented companies.
1989-1991
James officially turned pro in 1989 At Wendy’s War of the Stars Contest. This was also Matt Hoffman’s birthday
and James always talks about Matt doing 540’s with balloons tied to his back that day.
In late 1990 James broke a vertebrae in his lower back riding ramps putting him out for over a year.
1992-1995
James returned to the sport after recovering from his back injury and turned all his focus to Flatland.
He personally organized and performed “SAY NO TO DRUGS” shows in elementary and middle schools.
Performed shows all over the U.S for various sponsors.
Competed in the original Hoffman B.S contest series as a pro and consistently placed among the top riders.
1995-1999
Achieved his life long dream and Moved to Colorado.
Got involved with the Colorado Rockies baseball team performing pre-game shows.
James started performing with the Yellow Designs Stunt Team.
Competed in numerous Hoffman B.S contest staying consistently in the top ranks.
Started a Car Audio & Window Tinting Business. The Business took a lot of time and James did not ride much for a
several years.
1999-Present
After selling his business, James moved to Loveland Colorado.
Riding everyday James once again managed to make a come back in the pro class and has maintained a consistent
record of placing top ten. Did a-lot of shows for the Yellow Design Stunt team ranging from halftime shows, fairs,
school shows and even a beer festival. He continues to compete in events all over the globe from Asia – Europe –
Canada – America and anywhere the sport will take him. James has found himself once again in BMX magazines
and videos. Most recently he has moved back to Detroit so he could go back to school to pursue a career in
broadcasting and video production.
(In his own words)
Most memorable trip:
This one is easy; I did a tour in Japan for Ares Bykes. The riders were, myself, Terry Adams, Jeff D, York Uno,
Akira and Cory Strat. We performed shows at temples and rode with the local riders before and after each show.
To experience the culture from that point of view is something I will never forget. Plus to see Terry Adams win the
K.O.G finals in Tokyo, beating out Vicky Gomez and Alex Jumelin is something I will never forget. Travel to a
contest in Japan and you will understand what I mean. I also got to hang out with Travis Collier who I believe to be
one of the most genuine riders I know.
Plans for the future and riding:
I hope to be able to keep riding for as long as possible. As long as I can progress and still love what I do, you will
see me listed at all the big contests! I have no plans to quit anytime soon. Flatland is on the way to getting the
coverage and respect it deserves. I feel Terry Adams and Justin Miller are at the wheel and I am just waiting to see
where they take us!!!!!!
Final Thoughts and Thanks:
Well there is a-lot of people who have helped me along the way. I could have a long list but I will start with the
obvious. My friends and family who always support me even if they don’t love what I do. I have to mention Mark
Dandridge from BMXfreestyler.com who has without any motives thru his kindness and love for the sport helped
me to get my web site up and running. Arron Frost who truly is a gifted individual that motivated me to get back
into riding in 1999. Let us not forget my sponsors who thru their support enable me to continue to ride and are
willing to let me offer ideas from a riders view point. Last but most importantly my family known as the flatland
community. There are so many people I have met along the way and I truly view almost everyone (ha-ha) as a
brother of sorts. I look forward to every time we meet at a contest or jam and I love the diversity of our
personalities. We truly are artist and I believe my saying that, my bike is the paint brush, the parking lot is my canvas
and I am Picasso painting my picture.
Peace
James, Started competing in AFA events across America.
Although his passion was for bikes, he also rode Scooters. (No not a razor scooter!) Earning himself the title of
Scooter king.
James made his BMX magazine debut in the April 1986 issue of American Freestyler Magazine in which he had
four scooter how to’s.
1987-1989
James Competed in all AFA masters events consistently placing in the top three for the expert class. Winning his fair
share!!
With help from Albes he acquired sponsorship from Redline and Vision Street Wear. Later on he rode for
Kuwahara and many other BMX oriented companies.
1989-1991
James officially turned pro in 1989 At Wendy’s War of the Stars Contest. This was also Matt Hoffman’s birthday
and James always talks about Matt doing 540’s with balloons tied to his back that day.
In late 1990 James broke a vertebrae in his lower back riding ramps putting him out for over a year.
1992-1995
James returned to the sport after recovering from his back injury and turned all his focus to Flatland.
He personally organized and performed “SAY NO TO DRUGS” shows in elementary and middle schools.
Performed shows all over the U.S for various sponsors.
Competed in the original Hoffman B.S contest series as a pro and consistently placed among the top riders.
1995-1999
Achieved his life long dream and Moved to Colorado.
Got involved with the Colorado Rockies baseball team performing pre-game shows.
James started performing with the Yellow Designs Stunt Team.
Competed in numerous Hoffman B.S contest staying consistently in the top ranks.
Started a Car Audio & Window Tinting Business. The Business took a lot of time and James did not ride much for a
several years.
1999-Present
After selling his business, James moved to Loveland Colorado.
Riding everyday James once again managed to make a come back in the pro class and has maintained a consistent
record of placing top ten. Did a-lot of shows for the Yellow Design Stunt team ranging from halftime shows, fairs,
school shows and even a beer festival. He continues to compete in events all over the globe from Asia – Europe –
Canada – America and anywhere the sport will take him. James has found himself once again in BMX magazines
and videos. Most recently he has moved back to Detroit so he could go back to school to pursue a career in
broadcasting and video production.
(In his own words)
Most memorable trip:
This one is easy; I did a tour in Japan for Ares Bykes. The riders were, myself, Terry Adams, Jeff D, York Uno,
Akira and Cory Strat. We performed shows at temples and rode with the local riders before and after each show.
To experience the culture from that point of view is something I will never forget. Plus to see Terry Adams win the
K.O.G finals in Tokyo, beating out Vicky Gomez and Alex Jumelin is something I will never forget. Travel to a
contest in Japan and you will understand what I mean. I also got to hang out with Travis Collier who I believe to be
one of the most genuine riders I know.
Plans for the future and riding:
I hope to be able to keep riding for as long as possible. As long as I can progress and still love what I do, you will
see me listed at all the big contests! I have no plans to quit anytime soon. Flatland is on the way to getting the
coverage and respect it deserves. I feel Terry Adams and Justin Miller are at the wheel and I am just waiting to see
where they take us!!!!!!
Final Thoughts and Thanks:
Well there is a-lot of people who have helped me along the way. I could have a long list but I will start with the
obvious. My friends and family who always support me even if they don’t love what I do. I have to mention Mark
Dandridge from BMXfreestyler.com who has without any motives thru his kindness and love for the sport helped
me to get my web site up and running. Arron Frost who truly is a gifted individual that motivated me to get back
into riding in 1999. Let us not forget my sponsors who thru their support enable me to continue to ride and are
willing to let me offer ideas from a riders view point. Last but most importantly my family known as the flatland
community. There are so many people I have met along the way and I truly view almost everyone (ha-ha) as a
brother of sorts. I look forward to every time we meet at a contest or jam and I love the diversity of our
personalities. We truly are artist and I believe my saying that, my bike is the paint brush, the parking lot is my canvas
and I am Picasso painting my picture.
Peace