Name: Tristan Lee Johns

Age: 21

Where were you born? And where do you live now? I was born in Mount clemens Michigan where I lived for 19 years. 2020 during the pandemic I moved to San Diego, CA to ride my bike year round.

When / how/ why did you start riding?  I was eleven when I was introduced to the BMX scene, through my friend Justin & Jake. At first it was more of a way of transport to school. I started jumping through small trails learning how to jump over sidewalks on the way. I've made it to Algonac skatepark here & there. It was hard to make it there because the bike ride was an 8 mile ride.  At the age of 12 my dad got a low income apartment next to Algonac skate park. Really felt like I was just given a park. There, everyday learning & creating a long term family. Home life was rough. My bike soon turned into a coping method. At times I rode without grips. The end of the day I was grateful to have a bike. It always showed me love.

What are some of your earliest/ favorite memories of riding? First time I ever went to a landslide. Can't remember why it's just more of a memorable feeling.

What are some of your favorite or most memorable sessions or bike related experiences from the last few years? When I first moved to cali I met up with Bottles who I got in contact with from a friend back home. Bottles invited me to ride Memorial skatepark where I met Alex Lebriok, Gary Young & Kevin Peraza.  As a kid coming from a small town in Michigan - I grew up watching these guys on youtube & instagram.. I didn't know how to act. But it pushed me to ride and have fun with it!

Just last year I rode in the annual Turkey Jam at Clairemont Skatepark and it opened my eyes up seeing all the people that supported and love bmx. It showed me that there are people that ride, fall, get back up and still have a great time!

What have you been up to lately? I've been trying to plan a trip with some of my friends to ride Vans skatepark and other parks towards Northern California.

What’s in store for 2023?  I'm going to be dropping a 2023 street edit and park edit well that is my goal!!

What are your Top 3 ?

Foods: Perogies & Cheescake

Things you enjoy when your not riding: Gardening,spending time with my girlfriend, petting my cats and building things!

Dreams / Goals: Pro BMX rider, build an indoor skatepark, I really want to do cross country trips and go hiking through dense forests.

Movies: Forest Gump, Rocky 4,

Books: Harry Potter and the chambers of secrets

Places you would like to visit someday: England, Norway, Dubai

What is your current set up? (bike / parts ) I ride a Haro SD frame, Odyssey current tires, Odyssey Broc grips, Odyssey boss bars, Demolition rig cranks, Haro sprocket, Shadow supreme chain, Premium headset, Odyssey R25 forks, Odyssey hazard complete front wheel, Colony swarm hub laced to a g sport roll cage rim for the back wheel, Odyssey pedals, Demolition Markit stem and seat, Odyssey seat post.

Tristan wears an S1 Lifer Helmet #s1helmets  Portrait photo by : Ryan Fudger