Catching up with Tyler Jenkins is our 2nd part of Pre-Payne coverage. Another truly positive rider in the Sarasota scene, sessioning with him is a guaranteed good time. Here’s what he had to say regarding his scene. Good dudes, good times.
See you in a couple days at stop #3 of the Fl-Bmx Series.
Tyler Jenkins
19
Sarasota, FL
1. The Payne park went from having a stringent no-bike policy, to being open to bikes 4 days a week. I believe the new manager had something to do with that? Seems like he’s been doing really good things to support the scene?
Mike Walling, the manager of the Sarasota skate park, deserves full recognition for getting bikes into the park. He is the reason why we’re aloud in for one day a week, then gradually got us to four days a week. He’s been doing great to help boost the Sarasota scene. A lot of the street spots and other places to ride have been basically torn out of the town, so him allowing us in for four days a week is amazing!
2. It seems that over the course of the past 15 years, the sarasota bmx scene waxes and wanes. Right now, like it was 15 years ago, its killing it: tons of dudes riding bikes.
You guys stoked on your scene? What do you appreciate about it?
I really like the scene down here. I’ve lived here my whole life and grew up riding and racing at the Sarasota BMX race track. It’s always a good session at the skate park, as well as when we venture out and try to find street spots that haven’t been torn out. It’s always fun just cruising around the town as well a lot of really nice places to see, especially the beaches. It’s always a good time riding with all the people in the Sarasota scene: everyone is supportive of others riding and progressing. I really appreciate the fact that everyone likes to rode bikes and have a good time.
3. Besides Payne, what are some of the staple spots in the SRQ? What else do you enjoy cruising?
Other places I like to ride in Sarasota area is just cruising around the town on the outer edges. It’s a little difficult to find spots, like I said, most of them have been torn out, or you get kicked out within minutes, but it’s still a good time. There is also a small warehouse that is owned by the skate park manager as well. It has a pretty good setup and they just started to expand it and are building a very nice mini ramp in there as well. Other than that, there is bradenton river walk skate park which is open 24/7. Also, Ryan McGary is getting a nice trail spot up and running and is thinking of having a trail jam after the comp.. So if anyone is down to help dig and get some dialed trails up and running in the area hit him up. I’m sure he’d appreciate the help and be stoked to see everyone come out. I like to ride everything in the area, no matter what. Whenever I’m on bike, I’m having a good time. Sarasota is an amazing place to ride, definitely a great place to visit and have a fun time on your bike.