[August 1999]

<!-- I first met Jesse Hicks probably 8 years ago or so. He was a "member" of Team Welfare, a group of riders "led" by David Muggleston (I use quotes because I don't really know if they considered themselves an actual "team"). He was just a little kid from Pepperell (muscle car capital of Massachusetts) who had a couple impressive front wheel scuffing tricks. He has since built on early first moves, and now regularly does front wheel strings that last for what seems like hours...then goes straight into a rear-wheel link just as long! Jesse's another in a long list of really good New England flatlanders that don't get any coverage, and don't really seek it out, either — in addition to being a great rider, he's also pretty modest. -->

Age, home, family:

I'm 22, the home is a three bedroom colonial, Jessica is my wife, and baby Ian is due Sept. 26.

What's it like to drive a minivan at your age?

If you asked Jessica that question she would tell you how much she hates it, how she feels like a soccer mom, or she's driving her parents car or something. I love it!!! It's the best road trip vehicle — the seats come out and the bike goes in. I've always wanted one. But the main reason we bought it was for our cleaning company.

Years riding?

9 or 10. I've been competing for about 8 years.

How'd you get started riding?

Mike Boyd and I had some copies of Freestylin' and some videos with RL Osborn and Chris Day, so we decided to start riding. Then we hooked up with David Muggleston, the Shattucks, Mike Clary, and Brian Armstrong. Team Welfare was born.

What was Team Welfare like in the early days? Any interesting stories?

It was fun — we were a bunch of kids having fun on bikes. In the summer none of us had a job, so we just rode all the time; every weekend we were gone somewhere riding. As for stories, there are more than I can mention, except that there was the big green car with "Team Welfare" painted on the doors. That car ruled — most people didn't get it, but that made it even better. Seven kids, seven bikes hanging out of the trunk, and Sour Patch Kids...life couldn't have been better.

Can you offer any possible explanation for the whole recent Muggleston/Rye incedent [in the October 1999 issue of Ride magazine]?

Since I wasn't there I don't know if it's my place to offer an explanation. I haven't spoken to David about the incident, either, but from reading the letter I can see David's issue. Think about it: if some riders come to your area to ride, you want to ride with them, especially if they are so-called "elite" riders. I can also see Chris Rye's reasoning to an extent. I think Jared handled the whole thing properly by letting Chris answer the letter in the same issue of Ride that David's letter was to be in. Let's hope that the Ride letters section doesn't become an avenue for clowns with too much time on their hands to vent about this. This is between David Muggleston and the Road Fools. So let's all put this to rest before it gets blown up like the Terra thing and worry about riding instead of things that don't involve us. Now that I got that off my chest, I give David props for saying something that most people would be too nervous to say, though I don't think I would have written the letter quite like he did.

Favorite tricks to do; tricks you've invented:

Favorite tricks is always a tough one — it depends on what mood I'm in. Currently I've been doing triple decades to try and get those consistent. Big switches are always a favorite. As for stuff I've invented: lots of little stuff, switches etc. I'm working on some big stuff that I have under wraps until I can get it consistant. I just try to keep it original.

How important is it to be original when riding?

In my opinion it's the most important thing. I try not to bite other rider's stuff. Sometimes it can be hard; there's been tricks that I'll work on and then see them done in a video or at a contest, so sometimes you can't avoid doing the same link or trick that someone else does. I just don't like seeing someone learn every trick they see in a video — that's too easy. The fact that there are so many different styles is what makes flatland so great.

What do you think about the brakeless trend in flatland? Have you ever tried it?

If it's done to make you a better, more controlled rider then that's cool. Personally, I don't want to limit myself. If I choose to do something brakeless, I'll take my fingers off of my levers. Some of my tricks have to be done without brakes, so I guess I ride brakeless if it is needed.

Favorite riders:

Chad Degroot, he's always been one of my favorite riders because of his originality and the fact that he rides more than just flatland. Andrew Faris for all those huge tricks. Matt Hoffman, Trevor Meyer, and Kevin Jones.

Worst road trip you ever took and why?

I can honestly say that all the road trips I have taken have been great experiences, though I can't speak for others that have been on the same trips with me (ask Brian Chapman about Chicago, he'll tell you how much fun he had, heh heh).

Best placement at a contest:

I won the overall title for expert at the Play Clothes contest series in '95. Hal put on a good series that year: it was Montreal, Chicago, and Orlando. It was a lot of fun.

I need something calibrated — can you help me out?

Even though I am a highly skilled metrologist with all the answers to your most technical questions, I think Mark Florek is the man most capable to help you out. I recommend you ask him.

Final words?