Tinker is regarded as a legend by his fans and fellow competitors. That he's among the best bicycle racers ever is indisputable; he's won races in BMX, mountain bike racing and endurance road racing. He's represented the USA in two Olympics (1996 and 2000), he's a three-time U.S. Cross- Country National Champion and 4-time U.S. 24-Hour National Champion. He's also a Pan Am Games Gold Medalist, a Cross Country World Championship Silver Medalist, a 24-Hour World Solo Championship Gold Medalist, and won the Master World Champion title in 2010 at age 49. On the road he's won the Heart of the South 500 mile race and placed third in the 2006 Race Across America, finishing that 3050-mile race in just ten days!
Tinker began racing bicycles in 1974 during the formative years of BMX, "It was pretty primitive back then," he says of those early days, "We used paper plates for number plates and we built our own bikes out of old Schwinn Sting-Rays and whatever parts we could scrounge up." Tinker's racing prowess quickly became legendary and he amassed quite a collection of trophies before becoming the new sport's youngest pro at age 15. Racing against competitors who were usually much older, he earned a reputation as being a quick starter and a strong but clean competitor, "BMX racing isn't supposed to be a contact sport," Tinker says with a laugh, "But a lot of riders back then didn't seem to know that. But I didn't see the point in racing that way," he explains, "The guy you put over a berm this week will probably return the favor next week!"
That sense of sportsmanship has carried him through a very successful pro career that has been unmarred by either incident or controversy and is part of the reason he's been with his Cannondale Bicycles since 1994. As of 2011, Tinker has amassed over 35 years as a professional bicycle racer. Right, he's been a pro for longer than most of his competition has been alive! Yet, he has no plans of hanging up his helmet any time soon. "I'm still having fun and doing what I love to do," he says. "Why would I want to stop?"
Last year Tinker posted a survey on this website, asking his fans whether he should retire. The response was overwhelming that he should continue. So to all of his fans and fellow competitors, Tinker invites you all to be a part of his 2011 season, which we're calling "NOT Tinker's Farewell Tour 2011." He has a full schedule of events, including several national XC races, the Leadville 100 in August, USA Marathon National Championships in Bend, Oregon; and the 24 Hours National Championships at Colorado Springs in October.