When you see the name John McCord, you probably think of the movie The Ride. It’s a gritty, high-stakes film starring Ludacris that hit Prime Video a few years back. In the movie, Shane Graham plays a kid named John McCord, a troubled youth with a white supremacist background who finds salvation on two wheels.
But here is the thing: John McCord isn’t a real person in the way most people think.
He’s a fictionalized version of a very real man named John Buultjens. If you’re a BMX nerd, you already know that name. He’s a legend. He's the guy who helped revive Haro Bikes and basically lived the most insane life story in extreme sports history. The "John McCord" character was created to tell Buultjens’ story while giving the filmmakers some creative room to move.
The Reality Behind the John McCord BMX Story
John Buultjens—the real John McCord—didn't grow up in the US. He grew up in Dundee, Scotland. It was rough. Honestly, "rough" doesn't even cover it. He was raised in a household filled with violence and hate. By the time he was seven, he was in the foster care system.
His life changed when he was adopted by an interracial couple, Eldridge and Marianna Buultjens. Just like in the film, the real-life Eldridge (played by Ludacris) was the one who bought John his first BMX bike.
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It wasn't just a toy. It was a lifeline.
Imagine being a kid with that much trauma and finally finding something that makes the world go quiet. That’s what BMX was for him. He started riding in 1982. He wasn't just some kid at the park; he became obsessed. He eventually moved to Australia, then to California, chasing the dream of being part of the industry he loved.
Why the Movie Changed the Name
Movies do this all the time. They take a real person’s life and "reimagine" it for a broader audience. By calling the lead character John McCord, the writers could dramatize certain events for pacing without people nitpicking every single date or location.
But the core of the John McCord BMX journey is 100% authentic to Buultjens’ experience:
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- The struggle with a hateful upbringing.
- The transformative power of a foster family that wouldn't give up.
- The obsession with 80s BMX culture (specifically Haro).
- The redemption found through sports.
From the Streets of Scotland to Haro Brand Manager
If you want to know what happened to the real "John McCord" after the credits rolled, it’s actually more impressive than the movie. John Buultjens didn't just ride; he became one of the most influential figures in the business side of the sport.
He ended up becoming the Global Brand Manager for Haro Bikes.
Think about that. The kid who was gifted a bike by his foster dad ended up running the very company that made the bikes he worshipped. He’s the reason we have those awesome "Lineage" throwback bikes today. He used his position to preserve the history of freestyle BMX, meticulously recreating the 1982 Haro Freestyler and other iconic frames.
He’s also a massive collector. At one point, he had over 120 vintage bikes. He’s basically the keeper of the flame for 80s and 90s BMX culture.
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Common Misconceptions About John McCord
People often search for John McCord's competition stats. You won't find them under that name. If you're looking for contest results or old video parts, you have to search for John Buultjens.
Another big one? The timeline. The movie feels very "modern-day US," but the real events started decades ago in the UK. The film translates that 80s/90s struggle into a contemporary setting to make it feel more immediate for today's viewers.
What You Can Learn From This Story
The story of John McCord (and John Buultjens) is basically a masterclass in resilience. It shows that your starting point doesn't have to be your finish line.
If you're a rider or just someone looking for a bit of a spark, there are a few real-world takeaways here. First, find a community. For John, it was the BMX scene. It didn't matter where he came from once he was on the ramps. Second, obsession can be a superpower if you point it in the right direction. He turned a hobby into a world-class career.
Next Steps for BMX Fans:
- Watch "The Ride": Now that you know the "John McCord" character is actually John Buultjens, the movie hits different. Look for it on Prime Video.
- Check out the Haro Lineage series: If you want to see the physical results of John's work, look up the Haro 40th Anniversary bikes. The attention to detail is wild.
- Follow the real John: Look up John Buultjens on social media. He’s constantly posting about BMX history, vintage restorations, and the actual people who built the sport.