GT Bicycles

Mountain Riders

Tyler McCaul

Q & A

How did you get into biking? How old were you?: I just kind of grew up doing it. I never even owned a BMX bike either. My first 20 inch bike was a full suspension from Toys ‘R Us and once that broke I upgraded to a bigger and better bike. It was a 26 inch mountain bike that was full suspension and I was only nine and probably about 4’8”. I think that I could barely even reach the pedals.
What do you love most about mountain biking?: It’s something that I love doing and I don’t think that I’ll ever get tired of it because there’s so many different ways that you can do it. Also getting to travel to places I would normally never get to see and I’ve met some of my best friends through it.
What do you like least about mountain biking?: The injuries. Also when there are contests that are super windy and you have to ride.
Best place biking has taken you?: Fort William, Scotland for the ’07 Jr. World Championships. That place is sweet.
Worst place biking has taken you?: Milan, Italy for the first stop of the ’08 Qashqai Challenge. I wasn’t to down with that place…bad experience.
What do you miss most when you are traveling? Burritos!: They don’t have them in Europe and my friends and family. If you could only ride at one place forever, where would it be? Probably where I already live in Aptos, California because there are so many different kinds of things that you can ride here.
What riders have influenced you the most?: Greg Minnaar, Shaun Palmer, Kirt Voreis, Mike Aitken, and Jeremy Stenberg.
What are your interests outside of riding?: Building jumps and trails, skimboarding, snowboarding, surfing.
Who were your heroes as a kid?: Robin Williams, Barry Bonds, Jeremy McGrath, Nicolas Vouilloz.
Who are your heroes now?: Steve Peat, Lance Armstrong
If you could ride with anyone who would it be?: Mike Aitken but he recently had a crash that put him into a coma so I hope that he gets better soon!
If you were stuck on a desert island what three things would you take with you?: My bike, a shovel, and Posh Spice…but I’d make her divorce David Beckham first.
If you weren’t a MTB pro, what other profession would you be involved in?: I’d become a professional underwater basket weaver or I’d have my own show like Jerry Springer. But I’d change my name to Harry Winger first.
What is your favorite Music / Band / Artist?: Nirvana
What is your favorite color?: Green or black
What is your favorite food?: Sushi
What is the last thing you spent more than $100 on?: Probably like 12 days worth of burritos.
When was the last time you were seriously scared?: Sketchy nightmare
What was your first bike set up and how has it changed?: My first bike had training wheels and I recently ditched those things.
Describe your perfect day.: Wake up at a lake, do some wake surfing early in the morning before the water gets choppy then I’d eat a burrito and do some DH shuttle runs, eat some sushi, and then chill at the beach for a bit until the weather cools down enough to have an evening dirt jump session. I’d end it with a sweet house party with all of my friends and lots of girls. Lots and lots of girls.
What are you most looking forward to in 2009?: Kokanee Crankworx Slopestyle. I qualified for it last year by earning a wildcard but then I got injured a couple days before the comp. So now I’m hungry for it…
What is one thing that most people might not know about you?: I have a super duper sensitive left funny bone. And it’s really not very funny!
What was your most embarrassing moment?: Trying to show off at the dirt jumps and then I crashed and made a fool of myself.
If you won $500 million dollars today – what would you do with it?: Not spend it in one place. I’d put a couple of million dollars in the bank and then blow the rest on things that go fast, things that make big explosions, things that fly and things that taste good.
One place you have to see before you die.: Deepest part of the ocean.
Best advice you’ve ever been given.: “Don’t let it get to your head.” Kyle Ebbett told me that when I was a young rider and I was starting to get recognized. He didn’t want me to get cocky and I think that that’s the most important thing to remember if you want to go places.
What’s one thing you would change about your life if you could?: Can’t really think of anything to be honest.
If you could back into time and do one thing over – what would it be?: I would have gone a little bit faster at the US Open a few years ago when I lost by 0.2 seconds.
If you could spend an afternoon with anyone – past, present or future – who would it be?: Kurt Cobain
Peanut or Regular M&M’s?: Regular for sure
Favorite Movie?: Memento, Step Brother
What’s one thing you always take with you when you travel?: Ipod
Any advice for the young ‘uns coming into MTB?: Work harder than you think is necessary and never think that you are better than you are.
What was the worst car you ever owned?: Well I’ve only ever had one and it’s the truck that I still own…and it’s pretty sweet.
If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be and why?: David Beckham, so I could beat him up and steal his wife.

AGE: 20

BIRTHDATE: 10/07/89

HOME: Aptos, CA

Status: Single

My Rides: G10RUCDX

Career Highlights

2009 Best Trick at Ranchstyle
2009 Ranchstyle – 3rd
2009 Crankworx Colorado Slopestyle – 6th
2008 Highland Claymore Challenge Slopestyle – 6th
2007 Junior Downhill World Championships Team Member