Epic Racing around the World

Tiger. Lance. Jordan. Gretzky.Tinker.

When you’re known by a single name, you know you’ve made it. When you’re able to begin a story with “Back when I was lining up for my second Olympic Games….” you know you’ve made it. Through out his journey, Tinker has always been just that, Tinker. Humble, generous, hard as nails and still as fast of that poster you have of him on the wall of your garage from 1993.

http://tinkerjuarez.com/

http://tinkerjuarez.blogspot.com/

Tinker, you’ve probably competed in more events than anyone else in mountain biking. What highlights stand ou for you?

Being an Olympian twice is without a doubt the highlight for me. In ‘96, it was the first time mountain biking was an Olympic sport in 1996. I went again in 2000.

I also am a 3X National NORBA XC Champion, 2007 World Solo Champion, and 4X 24 Hour Solo National Champion. I love this sport and when I’m 80 want to win the Senior Olympics!

Most athletes dream of going to the Olympics. Very few make it and ever fewer repeat that achievement. Tell me about what that’s like.

The most intense memory I have and what is more potent than anything from my racing career was being an Olympian and an American and being cheered on by millions of people at the Atlanta Games. I was there representing the United States and all mountain bikers. It was awesome, to pick a singular word for it.

Personal data?

I live in Downey, CA, Happily Married! I have two sons David Jr. and Joshua - 23 years and 15 months, respectively.

Canned question here: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Oldest professional cyclist.

You have more than 20 years of professional mountain bike racing experience…quirks?

I hate shammies in my shorts. I find products that I like, that work great, and I’ll stick with it forever. You’ve got to steal it from me to get me off it. I have always carried a mirror when I train to make sure my dreds don’t look like Bozo’s hair. Oh I mean to look as professional as I can. I just started using an Ipod in 2005 right before the Race Across America. Before that I used a Sony Walkman cassette tape. But I was the FIRST rider I knew to use one when I found it for more than $200 when I was in Japan for a BMX race. I think that was in ‘85?

Bike practice. We all do it. How do you pull it off when most guys are worrying about when they’ll fit in a quick nine holes at the local golf course?

I train every day. Eat well. Sleep and rest a lot. Try and have alternate hard days and recovery days and make sure to rest a lot prior to an event. Rest means not off the bike but ride easy 1-3 hrs.

2008. Goals?

Of course win as many races as I can! Defend and my World Solo Title would be the highest priority, and
this year I have three stage races we’ll be doing and I’d like to pull off excellent finishes for them.

How do you spend your time when you’re not on the bike/training/traveling?

Resting, camping with my family, chores around the house, daily stuff - dropping off Joshua at day care, errands, work on my business, and low stress stuff to make life as easy as possible. Family life is so important and I’m putting a lot of time into this wonderful experience. Cycling is my job. I am lucky to have been able to do it for this long but being a father and husband is a job too and I try and balance it and make the most of every moment.