When it comes to BMX, it’s pretty much inevitable that eventually life will get hectic and things will change. It can go from riding all day every day, to having a job, family and more responsibilities, catching a session when you get the chance. Sure, there are a ton of lifers out there that keep riding regardless of where their path takes them, but there are also a lot of talented riders that kind of fade off and you just don’t see them or hear much about what they’re getting into. It’s always pretty interesting to see where “life after BMX” takes riders, and there are a lot of interesting and cool stories!
Chris Doyle and Kris Bennett recently reconnected with a rider they rode with back in the day that ultimately took a different path that lead him to his career as a corporate pilot. Chris, Kris and George Polachek sat down to talk about his story from how he got into BMX, traveling, building trails and more, on through how he got to where he is today as a pilot, which we can imagine is just a little more lucrative than being a BMX pro, haha. Hit play and take it all in!
“George Polachek was a dedicated, passionate trail kid from western, PA. Coming up in one of the most respected trail scenes in the world, Pittsburgh, PA, George honed his skills as a trail rider and builder that could rival the worlds best. George was one of many Pittsburgh BMXers that had the right skills and attitude to be somebody who would be around in BMX for a long long time. However, in the early millennium, just as George was starting to gain some notoriety and momentum in the sport, he seemingly disappeared. George and I recently reconnected and I was in awe when he told me what he had been up to. George is now a corporate pilot who, literally, jet-sets around the world. He loves what he does but still looks back fondly on the days that he would spend in the woods of western, PA. I enjoyed listening to the way George was able to seamlessly transfer his passion for riding BMX to flying airplanes… and I think you’ll like it, too! This is George Polachek. Enjoy!” – Chris Doyle
