My name is Deaf BMX Freestyler Anthony Yourgulez. Bike riding has long been popular in Yucaipa by Jennifer Mitchell.If you have spent any amount of time at the Yucaipa BMX track or the Yucaipa skate park, chances are, you have seen Anthony Yourgulez out on his bike. He is not your typical kid out there racing or practicing tricks.

Anthony has been riding since about 12 years old and he is now 48 years old. Anthony was first featured in a Yucaipa Valley Life article featured August 14, 1985. He was 15 at the time, attending the California School for the Deaf in Riverside and could often be seen riding his bike around Yucaipa, performing tricks with his friends. When I first started riding, I rode all day every day. After getting married at 22 I gave it a break, only riding occasionally as work and my children came first, said Anthony who is a father of two. doctors visit not long after my divorce made me realize that I needed to take care of myself.

I had high blood pressure and was borderline diabetic, so I decided to start working out and riding my bike again, He continued. Other than the bike track and skate park, Anthony can be found at Yucaipa Jazzercise. It helps so much with keeping my balance on the bike. Between Jazzercise and riding my bike again, I have lost a bit of weight also,

he continued. Amazingly Anthony has been riding on the same bike frame for over 30 years. It has changed over the years with me switching out parts, but the frame is still the same, he said. Freestyle BMX bike frames have long been designed to take a beating and continue on. They are lightweight and usually brightly colored. Riders often change out parts on their bikes as needed or to fit the style of riding the person does. Antony interest in BMX riding began, as it gave him a way to stay focused and out of trouble. Back in 1981, I was young, and my mom worked. My siblings would always be off with their hearing friends and so I hung around with CODA(Children of deaf adult) because I could communicate with them.

I remember my mother would always tell me not to build ramps around the house, so I would ask what she would prefer, me out with the wrong people or at home, outside enjoying myself and the air. Learning how to perform tricks as a kid in the 80s was not the easiest. Way back in the day there was not videos or texting.

I would go to watch pro contests live and learn things from magazines. I would look at still shots to learn tricks, Anthony said. When asked if he had suggestions or tips for kids who want to start riding he said, Only do it if you really want it, you have to be committed.

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Youtube.

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