Place of birth: Hammond, Louisiana.
Terry Adams, www.ridebmx.com, july 2005: When I was 15, all I thought about was being a pro rider and some day getting respect from the big guns: Andrew Faris, Trevor Meyer, Jason Brown, etc. To me, flatland was my whole world; nothing else existed. I could not sleep until a new trick was pulled, and I am pretty sure that played a big part in me learning so fast.
inTRIKat Linkt video.
Terry Dams, www.theflatlander.com, august 2002: I went to a contest in St. Petersburg, FL and that's where I met Chad. He asked me if I wanted to be in a video and of course I did. So that's it. I was so impatient, I kept calling Chad asking him when the video would be out.
Terry Adams, www.ridebmx.com, december 2006: I sent them a VHS tape with me riding, a list of some contest results and some recent magazine coverage. They called me a week after I sent them the tape and they were like, "We watched your video and we are very impressed with your riding." They asked me if I planned to go anywhere next and I told them I planned to hit the Louisville X-trails. They were stoked and I had my new Bike and paycheck to help with travel the following month. Later on I found out that 2hip had a deal with Odyssey so I got flow from them too. These days, I negotiate bigger deals with companies but I always approach them the same way.
2nd place stuntboys flat @ 1999 BS round 1, april 22-25, 1999, Louisville, KY.
Terry Adams from Louisiana got a well deserved second place. Terry was pulling flawless crossfooted stick bitches to time machines (on the pedals straddling the head tube) and fire hydrant 180 bar flip to hitchhiker. He was also doing some nice funky chicken and hitchhiker links.
Fat Tony, www.terryadamsbmx.com: In 1999, after riding flatland for four years, Terry entered his first pro contest at the age of 16. Severe asthma drove Terry out of the public school system and into a life of home-schooling, which gave the young athlete ample practice time. Through years of dedicated riding, Terry overcame his struggles with asthma and began to rise up as a professional flatland rider.
Terry Adams, cap skewed like a real G. Steam roller bar hopped to crack packer and pedal cranking time machine that is whisker short of copyright infringement.
The july 2001 issue of Ride BMX US was one Terry's very first magazine appearances. Photo by Mark Losey.
Fat Tony, www.ridebmx.com, 2007: This photo was on the "Start" page in the front of the magazine. At the time, I didn't know Terry, but I did know he was a pro flatlander that lived in my area. Today he's one of my best friends and I've shot countless photos with him similar to this one. As I write this, Terry is in a parking lot not far from where this photo was shot riding his bike—true story, I just talked to him…
Flatland Manifesto 4 video released in april 2002.
5th place pro @ 2002 CFB round 2, May 31st-June 2nd, Wheatfield, NY.
Fifth went to Terry Adams who was growing a new hairdo while pedalling a death truck.
1st place pro flat @ 2002 CFB round 3, June 21st-23rd, Joliet IL.
Terry Dams, www.theflatlander.com, august 2002: I never expected to win. My intentions were to do well all year and qualify for the X-games. I didn't watch anyone's run so I couldn't really tell you what went on. At first, I didn't really feel like I deserved to win because I know how difficult the riding level is these days. Also my dad died when I was younger and he is buried about a hour from where the contest was held in Joliet, IL. Before the contest I said to myself I was going to ride in memory of my dad. I don't know if that had anything to do with my winning but I would like to think it did. So I would like to thank my dad because deep down I believe he was there watching me. The feeling was like an accomplishment that I have been waiting for a long time. For me, making it to the finals is a big accomplishment and to win is just unbelievable. My dream was as a kid to be a pro bike rider, and it just felt like I was living my dream. It felt like all that practicing paid off.
16th place @ 2002 X-Games, august 15-19, 2002, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Armin Batoumeni, www.agoride.com: Terry Adams nouveau venu aux x-games a énormément progressé ces 3 dernières années. Mais Terry est tellement sur pression qu'il tremble de tout son corps ce qui n'aide généralement pas à rentrer ses tricks. Il n'a pas beaucoup posé de pied mais s 'est complètement rétamé en essayant de rentrer un pedalling deathtruck. On appréciera aussi ces jumps de steamroller à crackpaker et l'inverse.
Terry quits 2Hip and is now riding for Ares.
Fat Tony, www.terryadamsbmx.com: In 2002, Terry’s career and confidence skyrocketed after a big win in Chicago landed him an invitation to his first ESPN X-Games. The same year, Terry won a King of Ground contest in Japan and another competition in New York. Terry went on to another X-Games appearance in the United States and traveled through Europe and Asia doing what he did best – riding and winning flatland contests. His unique style and impossible to duplicate tricks made Terry stand out from other flatlanders around the world and garnered him a signature frame from a renowned flatland company.
Terry Adams jumping around the front wheel at the 2002 CFB round 2. Photo by Brian Chapman.
Diversion video magazine issue 3.
Diversion 3.0 will be forever remembered for the footage of Terry Adams riding in the rain. Maybe downpour would be a better word than rain. At times the water in that lot is almost peg height. This has to be seen.
Terry Adams, www.ridebmx.com, july 2005: Maybe not the hardest thing I have ever done, but it was really fun filming that. It's always a challenge for me to see if I can do my tricks in other places than a perfect parking lot. I want to do video sections that force people to remember flatland. I have always wanted to set my bike on fire with lighter fluid and ride for a video. I'm just stoked that so many people remember that rain scene.
10th place pro @ 2003 Worlds, Beja, Portugal, June, 26th-29th, 2003.
13th place @ 2003 X-Games, august 14-18, 2003, Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA.
The March April 2004 Issue of the French Magazine Cream contains several pages of interviews and photos.
Redbull Circle Of Balance April 24, 2004, Gasometer, Oberhausen, Germany.
Matt Wilhelm, www.ridebmx.com, july 2005: At the Red Bull Circle of Balance last year, Terry was killing it all day in practice. He was so excited to be there that he forgot to drink any water, which led to the most severe case of dehydration you could imagine. Terry was so sick he couldn't walk, had uncontrollable vomiting (in my hotel room), and temporarily lost his hearing. In all honesty, I have never seen anyone that sick. With the contest just hours away, everyone knew he couldn't ride-everyone except Terry. Watching him throw down in the contest just hours after throwing up was so inspiring, I often find myself thinking about that moment when I am frustrated or struggling with tricks.
Terry Adams, www.ridebmx.com, july 2005: I was so stoked to be there even after I got sick; I had to get well so I could ride. This is truly the one contest where I did not care what I placed. I simply just wanted to go out there and ride my ass off. I felt like I was given the chance to be a part of the greatest contest, and the last thing I wanted to do was drop out. Even when I was sitting on the toilet, vomiting on my feet, I knew I was going to try and ride.
4th place pro @ 2004 Worlds, Cologne, Germany, June 24th to 27th, 2004.
Matt Wilhelm, www.ridebmx.com, july 2005: An airline lost Terry's bike on his trip to the Worlds. Instead of stressing about it, he acted like it was no big deal to ride someone else's bike in the comp. Not only did he make the finals in the hardest contest of the year, he did it on a bike that was not even close to his set up-it even had zero offset forks, which Terry doesn't ride.
The July 2004 Issue of Transworld BMX contains a short Interview with Terry and includes one large photo spread.
2nd place pro @ 2004 Voodoo jam, New Orleans Louisiana, September 25, 2004.
Had a lot of fun while riding, signature pimp glide, crackpacker 360 flip to cross-footed hitchhiker.
ACS sponsor Terry Adams.
1st place pro flat @ Urban Games 2005, July 22-24, 2005, Clapham Common, London.
The August 2005 Issue of Ride BMX magazine contains a 9 page interview with Terry, including tons of pictures.
Terry Adams, www.agoride.com, january 2006: I thought of trick and thought it was impossible. After thinking about it I started trying and and soon realized it was impossible or so i thought, About a week later I went outside on a mission and I was so stoked to see that my feet actually made it to the pegs. I had to learn to jump really light on my feet because the handlebar tend to move when i jump. I had to learn to jump high but very soft. The name of this trick/link is katrina, I named it this because I learned it during one of the worst storms in history of my state (katrina). At this point it is my favorite new trick . I am very stoked that I have thought of this link. I am also stoked that I made it happen but yes i think I can do much better in time.
Interview in Cream may 2006.
13th place pro @ 2006 Voodoo jam, New Orleans Louisiana, May 20, 2006.
3rd place @ 2007 Circle Of Balance, February 24, 2007, Tokyo, Japan.
2nd place pro @ 2007 Voodoo jam, New Orleans Louisiana, June 30, 2007.
Louisiana’s own Terry Adams who doubled as a contest co-organizer managed to deliver his latest signature tricks and insane combos.
Terry Adams, www.aresbykes.com, december 2007: Katsu & York,
I want to thank you for supporting me the last 6 years of my riding career. Ares Bikes has given me opportunities to explore the world and ride my bike everyday without having a Job. York has believed in me along time and I want to say I appreciate this on so many levels. It’s been an honor representing the Ares brand all over the world. I want to thank you once again for helping me live my dream with Flatland.
At this time, I would like to move forward in a different direction. I would like to help the growth of the flatland industry in the United States. I have been presented with the opportunity to do so.
Starting in 2008, I will be working with a parts company in the United States to help the flatland industry grow here. With that said, I will not be renewing my contract with ARES in 2008. I want everyone to know at ARES (Katsu) (York) (Sean)(Scott) and (Hiro) I look forward to staying friends and keeping our friendships alive. I will never forget my sponsor with Ares and everything you guys have given me. (Friendships) (Opportunities) (And Loyalty) Thank you again for believing in my riding and me. I wish Ares and all of you the best of luck in the
future.
Follow BMX flatland pro Terry Adams as he journeys through the heart of Mexico to the fabled ghost town of Real de Catorce for the Red Bull 14 contest.
Terry Adams, december 2007: After six years of amazing support from Ares Bykes and four years with Dia-Tech brakes, I´ll be leaving both companies starting in 2008 to ride for Odyssey BMX and A Bad Thing. I will still be riding for Red Bull, Lotek Shoes, and Raising Cane´s, but before I get into the changes for next year, I want to take a minute to thank everyone at Ares and Dia-Tech. Both companies took me in, treated me better than family, and gave me the opportunity to do what I love. I can´t even begin express my appreciation for both organizations and I´ll never forget the great things they did for me. With that said, I am extremely excited about what the New Year has in store for me. Odyssey BMX brought me on board to help build their flatland program. This will be a chance for me to put my ideas on paper and work with the guys at Odyssey to come up with great products for flatlanders around the world. Along with their current flatland rider, Chase Gouin, and two other riders that will join us on the team soon, we hope to create staple parts for flatland just as Odyssey has done for street and ramp riding. When I look into the future with Odyssey, I see flatland in the U.S. growing because of what we can accomplish together. I recently met with the Odyssey crew, including team manager Jim Bauer, and know we can do great things together for our sport. A Bad Thing is a new flatland company out of France that already has an incredible team made up of Matthias Dandois, Alex Jumelin, Raphael Chiquet, and Alain Massabova. I will only be riding the frames, which are available now, and I can´t wait to build mine up when I visit Paris the first week of January! I am already good friends with everyone on the team, and I am anxious to see where things go in the next few years with this young company. With the addition of both new sponsors in 2008, I will be able to continue to travel to contests around the globe and promote all of my sponsors through demos, videos, and magazine coverage. I will also be working on my solo video this year that is due out in September, and of course riding in my parking lot and having fun on a regular basis. Thanks again to my past sponsors, along with my new ones, and thanks to my fans for their continued support. See you in ´08!
Interview in and cover of Props 69.
Terry Adams won the NORA Cup Flatland of the Year Award.
Terry, www.global-flat.com, september 2008: To be honest , I really wanted to win this award. I work pretty hard to promote myself and flatland so it was a huge relief. It feels great because my goal has always been to showcase flatland in a way that everyone can enjoy it. I am honored to know that I have the respect from the other professionals in this industry. Some of my closest friends voted for me this year and that makes it that much more special. Flatland is a big part of BMX and I am super stoked that Transworld recognizes that. I want to thank all the pro riders that voted for me. I am honored to have your support.
Dreams.
Terry Adams pulls 37 stunts in his indoor spot near his house in Hammond, Louisiana, april 2008.
