Photos: Derrick Riggs
If there’s one guy that’s always on his hustle, it’s definitely Tammy McCarley. Over the years, Tammy has made a name for himself and it’s always good to see something fresh from him. Recently, Tammy was added to the Freed Bikes team where he has been more more than enthusiastic about the opportunity, pumping out new videos and more. We figured it would be a good time to catch up with him to take a closer look at what he’s riding these days. Yes, we know the tires are flat, but Tammy was about to get on a plane to head to Argentina and sometimes you have a double blow out going hard when the time is tight. Let’s get into it to see what he’s currently riding these days!
Name: Tammy Mccarley
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Sponsors: Freed Bikes, Blunted Athletics, The Trip, DUB, Nike, Kings Rideshop
Years riding: 10 beautiful years
Frame: Freed Bikes FREEDom frame
Bars: Fiend
Fork: Fiend
Stem: Fiend
Grips: Fiend
Headset: Shadow
Cranks: Cult
Pedals: Demolition
Sprocket: Unknown
Chain: KMC
Seat / Post / Clamp: Fiend
Front Wheel / Tire: Primo wheel- Demolition tire
Rear wheel / Tire: Primo wheel- Demolition tire
Pegs: party pegs
Hub Guards: unknown
Brakes? Nike
What’s the newest part on your bike?
Freed Bikes FREEDom frame
What’s the oldest part on your bike?
Wheels
If you had to pick a favorite piece of your bike, what would it be and why?
FREEDom frame. The geometry is great for all around riding and I can trust it won’t be bending or breaking on me.
Do you have to have your bike setup a certain way or can you hop on any bike and ride it like it’s yours?
I actually dislike hopping on anybody else’s bike because I get back on mine and it feels horrible, haha. Y’all know that feeling! I have my own preference just like everyone does, keeps everything original.
Do you ever change your setup up? More pegs, less pegs, brakes, seat post height, bars, etc.?
Na I just stick with what I like and it feels good to me. Again everyone has their own preference.
So you recently joined the Freed Bikes team. How did that opportunity all come about?
Freed happened over the course of talking for some months and accessing what we really want to do for the company and more importantly our riders and continuing the fun of riding BMX and living our dream.
It looks like you have already done some traveling since you got on board with that trip to Miami. Do you have any more trips or anything special planned with them yet?
Yeah, the Miami trip was such a treat and the greatest way to join the Freed fam. Hyped for what’s to come. Just got word a few days ago that I will be leaving for Argentina, South America for two weeks filming for Greg Illingworth’s DVD project, ‘Make It Happen’ he has been working on for the past year or so. Biggest thanks to my dude Greg for that!!! Blunted Athletics ‘Forever Rolling’ also in the works… Happiness. Love,live,BMX.
How are things going with Blunted Athletics? Do you have anything going on with them you can tell us about?
Definitely ‘Forever Rolling DVD’ and always smaller video projects with the entire team. The AM’s are always going so damn hard! I love them. They fucking kill it! S/O to @snowglobestudios for being involved and ready to party on some fun shit
Any other sponsor news? I guess unfortunately no… FREED is amazing and keeps us all very happy with great product to ride.
You’re pretty consistently popping up in videos or putting out new edits. Have you been filming for anything right now? When can we expect to see some more fresh footage of you to pop up?
At the moment I am filming for a FREED skatepark mix, been filming for it forever!!! Which means the past 3 months and 5 different sessions, haha. I’ve been just cruising and collecting, no stress just BMX.
What are your travel plans looking like for the rest of the year? Anywhere you really want to get to?
I really want to get the whole FREED fam out to wherever the weather is good and where everyone is happy. Biggest shout to my dude Greg Illingworth for where I am at as you read this! haha… ARGENTINA!!! “Make It Happen” DVD is going to be awesome make sure you get yourself a copy.
Let’s say you got a fat budget to take 5 riders anywhere in the world for a week to film. Who do you bring, where do you go and why? Who would you pick as your filmer?
I’d bring Greg Illingworth, Robbie Owen, Lahsaan Kobza, Matty Nothnagle and Jeff Wescott. We would go to wherever the weather is good, not very picky and would just be stoked to travel somewhere awesome with my best friends living the BMX dream.
What have you been getting into when you aren’t riding these days? Any hobbies you have been getting into?
Not really too much, just keeping my mind on Freed and where the next adventure with my bike will be.
What’s one thing you could use more of in your life and one thing you could use less of?
Money is stupid but we need it to live so I unfortunately more of that, and I’d say less unproductive activity.
What’s something about yourself that might surprise people?
I’m forced to live on chicken sandwiches.
How can we keep up with you these days? Are you on Twitter, Instagram and all that?
All social media I’m @TammyMccarley
Twitter: @Tammy_McCarley
Instagram: @TammyMcCarley
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Could go on for awhile, but to name a few definitely my boy Greg Illingworth for keeping me included and staying a great dude, Lahsaan for bein my brother and forever having my back Matty Nothnagle for bin a lil G, my dude Robbie Owen for showing my the way of the hawkeye, Sanna cause he’s coul. Miles Rogoish / Ty Morrow and the entire Trip family! Chi Hom @Bluntedathletics, all your support means the most! James Collela @Kingsrideshop, Roman Arriola @snowglobestudios , Lori Kevin River Andy Demarcus Corey @Freed much love, Jack @DUBBMX , Mark Losey @Nike, my parents and all family who are Forever Rollin and makes this trip of life so special and fun, THANK YOU!
Anything else you want to say?
Check out Freedbikes.com and hit the shop! Order some affordable product and use promo code “TAMMY” when you do. Stay living FREED and enjoy the amazing life of BMX!
