What is your name, age, and hometown?
My name is Matt Rickard. I am 49 years old, and I live in RioLinda (Sacramento), California. I turn 50 in July.
What was it that got you hooked on bike life?
I bumped into a large group of riders in Lake Tahoe back in 2017. They were from Sacramento. I bought my first Big Ripper that week. I’ve been riding a Big Ripper an average of 30 miles per week since then.
Where are some of your favorite places to ride?
One of my favorite places to ride is down the coast of Southern California every year on the So Cal BMX Ride. I have traveled with my bike all over the United States and even into other countries. Last year, I rode my bike in Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Riding my bike in London was an amazing experience and I cannot wait to go back there.
Describe the bike life scene where you live.
The bike life scene where I live has been thriving for the last seven or eight years. We have people from all ages and backgrounds. We have a great mix of older riders and younger riders. The ELK GROVE BIKELIFE group has hosted mid-week rides for almost seven years now, every single week.
What is your favorite thing about bike life?
My favorite thing about bike life is how it brings everybody together. Everybody is in a great mood and having a great time while exercising and enjoying the views of the world from the seats of our bikes.
What has been your favorite rideout?
My favorite rideout is definitely the So Cal BMX Ride. Last year we rode five days in a row with a minimum of 40 miles each day. This ride challenges your personal limits. We rode a total of 275 miles over the span of five days and we made it from downtown Los Angeles all the way into Tijuana, Mexico.
List some (or all) of the SE bikes that you own.
All of the bikes I own are:
2006 X4 Flyer (dirt jumper)
2018 Baby Blue Big Ripper
2018 Black City Grounds Big Ripper
2019 Shiny Red Big Ripper
Big Flyer HD Prototype
Sacramento Big Flyer
Green Camo Dblocks Big Ripper
Black Sparkle Fast Ripper
Blue Vans Big Ripper
Ball Burnished Big Ripper
Two Yellow Sparkle Big Rippers
Checkerboard Big Ripper
Which are your personal favorites?
My favorite out of all these bikes is my 2006 X4 Flyer. I bought it used at a local bike shop in 2010. I knew when I saw that SE head badge I had to have it. I rode that bike for almost seven years before I bought my first Big Ripper. Fast forward to today and you will find me shredding the streets on a 29 inch Big Ripper. I am six foot-five and the Big Ripper fits me perfectly.
What is the key to improving your riding skills?
The key to improving my riding skills is lots and lots of practice, plain and simple. Get out and get in those miles. I have averaged 30 miles a week for the past six years. Get on your bike and ride, ride, ride.
How many followers do you have on social media?
I currently have 18.5K followers on Instagram. I love sharing my bike life journey with my followers.
What would you be doing if you never found bike life?
I’m not sure what I would be doing if I had never found bike life. I have always had very active hobbies in my life. Whether it was softball, soccer, or riding bikes with a small group of friends. I am so grateful that I found bike life. It has changed me and challenged me in so many ways to make me a better person.
