24. Greg Mathias, Harry Leary was "one of the most influential people" - "racing 50 frickin years"

Record details

Video ID

bUJ69dq5ZyQ

Published

2025-11-11

Availability

Public

Duration

1:35

Transcript

YouTube automatic caption

Description snapshot

24. In Greg Mathias’ opinion, Harry Leary was one of the most influential people in the sport of BMX. He raced for over 50 years. Greg tells a story of how when he and Harry Leary first started training, Harry would go to Greg’s business. Greg’s wife works there too and didn’t know who Harry was, so she asked Harry how long he has been doing this - “Oh about 55 years.” - Also, Greg reflects on younger people not knowing who Harry was but eventually we came to the decision that Harry is still relevant and will remain relevant in the sport of BMX.

Full length recording - https://youtu.be/EUTzVetaoLc?feature=shared

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Transcript

You think about it, he was probably one of the most influential people. I mean,
of the most influential people. I mean, he's been racing 50 freaking years.
he's been racing 50 freaking years. >> Exactly.
>> Exactly. >> Funny story is he was over when we first
>> Funny story is he was over when we first started training. He used to come over
started training. He used to come over to my business and he'd train after
to my business and he'd train after everybody left and do some training out
everybody left and do some training out there, sprints and stuff.
there, sprints and stuff. >> But my wife was there one time. She
>> But my wife was there one time. She works for me. And she didn't know who he
works for me. And she didn't know who he is. She had no idea even though she grew
is. She had no idea even though she grew up with me when I was racing back when I
up with me when I was racing back when I was a teenager and actually racing. But
was a teenager and actually racing. But she started asking him questions. She's
she started asking him questions. She's like, "Well, how long you been doing
like, "Well, how long you been doing this?" He goes, "Oh, 55 years."
this?" He goes, "Oh, 55 years." [laughter]
[laughter] And she's just like, "OH."
And she's just like, "OH." [laughter]
I I could just see she happened to see a magazine I had that had that one JMC
magazine I had that had that one JMC picture of him, you know, the famous
picture of him, you know, the famous one. She goes, "Is that him?" I go,
one. She goes, "Is that him?" I go, "Yeah, it's him." Like 1979.
"Yeah, it's him." Like 1979. >> Yeah. [laughter]
>> Wow. >> Yeah. I said, "Yeah, he's Yeah, younger
>> Yeah. I said, "Yeah, he's Yeah, younger people nowadays don't really know who he
people nowadays don't really know who he is, but he was he was it."
is, but he was he was it." >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> Back then, he still was it. He was He
>> Back then, he still was it. He was He was awesome.
was awesome. >> He never went away. I mean, I know
>> He never went away. I mean, I know >> I don't know who else has a track
>> I don't know who else has a track record, but my understanding is he never
record, but my understanding is he never missed a season of racing. Now, I'll
missed a season of racing. Now, I'll caveat that with in seasons where he was
caveat that with in seasons where he was quote unquote retired, he still raced at
quote unquote retired, he still raced at least two races per season. Yeah.
least two races per season. Yeah. >> Yeah. He always raced. He always
>> Yeah. He always raced. He always trained. Yeah,
trained. Yeah, >> it never stopped. He was an animal. He
>> it never stopped. He was an animal. He was just, you know, just absolute
was just, you know, just absolute animal. It's like, god damn, man. You're
animal. It's like, god damn, man. You're going to kill us. [laughter]

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