Smith Optics, manufacturer of fine sunglasses and goggles, are the latest to sign on as sponsors for Grand Theft Velo III. Head over to their website and check the new line...come race GTV3 and possibly win some fresh shades! Have you been to the 2009 Scorchers event site yet? Take a sec and head on over to check out all of the sponsors we've got lined up! Come race and win some great stuff!
Subrosa, BMX heads from the Portland, Oregon area are releasing their own fixed-gear, the Malum. Is it just a "cash-in"? In their blog post about the Malum, they seem to send a quiet nod to the TheComeUpBMX's "controversial" anti-fixed stance. "...a new style of bike to our line, even if there is some mixed feelings about it.". They also refer to fixed-gears as bikes to "cruise to bars, and blast around town", which while somewhat accurate, is a far cry from what these bikes are typically used for, even outside of the velodrome. Of course, my favorite quote is "Just remember there might be a better tool for the job, like a BMX bike." Maybe it's just me, or just my sales background, but you might not want to tell potential consumers that your product isn't necessarily what they really want.
All that aside, let's take a look at the bike, shall we? 4130 Chromoly frame, fork, and handlebars, sealed integrated headset, and sealed bottom bracket. Dirty gusset on the down tube only.
Anybody out there riding one of these? We'd love the feedback. Post below if you've got any extra info.
Tyrant BMX is really getting the season rolling. He regularly rents out Haven Skatepark and invites along the fixed-gear hooligans. He just threw down a BMX Jam at the Stratford Skatepark, and now he's got another one coming up on April 18th in Newington. As is the norm with the Tyrant crew, fixed gear/700CMX/tarck riders are welcome, and Tony's holding both a skid and bunny hop comp for the fixed riders. He's scored a ton of stuff from some great area sponsors.
From Tony: Come out and ride! The Newington Park has a bunch of wedges and mellow ramps, perfect for fixie freestyle. I'm going to do a bunch of contests including a skid contest as well as the bunnyhop. I'm awaiting feedback from a bunch of potential "free swag" sponsors, but I'm sure there will be lots of free merch. to go around!
In other Tyrant news, they're blowing out the rest of his Graffiti logo T's at a rock-bottom $10. Hit up the Tyrant site or MySpace to cop one.
After witnessing the Killer No-Hander as performed by Don Pavelka, I had to track this guy down. He's got a blog at donbmx.blogspot.com, where I found this little ditty featuring some of 203/860's finest. These kids aren't afraid to fall.
Tony over at Tyrant has a write-up on his blog about the event, as well as a sneak peek into next weekend's plans. He posted a photoset to his flickr as well.
Thanks to Tony Tyrant, the Scorchers were invited to another night of private skatepark action at Haven in North Haven. This time Sean and Justin showed up to represent, and a bunch of the Tyrant crew reminded us that track bikes look silly next to BMXers at the 'park. This ain't no "The Come Up" crew, a bunch of Tyrant's guys also ride fixed in their daily lives. 32-18 makes for a terrible commute. Ghostship Matt was in attendance, as was TJ from the Hartford Bicycle Messenger Association, rocking his BMX. TJ's been hitting the streets on a geared road-bike for the last few, presumably because fixed became hip, and TJ is uber-anti-hip. Whatever, he's hella fast on anything with two wheels, so Austin, you better watch out!
As usual, Milnes was killing it. He nailed, several times, a 4-stair set. This was, however, a "4-stair" in skateboard parlance -- each stair being about 14" long...
Alternate view, without the pyramid run...
He also attempted some X-ups over the pyramid...
...as well as some wall rides down the "jersey barrier" angled wall...
Of course, all of this goes for nil when you've got crazy BMX kids hangin' as well. This one's Don Pavelka...
Then Tony Tyrant got out the broom and swept the not-quite-open full pipe...
Can't believe you pressed play on that one!
We got a few runs of Sean...
...as well as TJ ->
Ryan Schmidt in the full pipe...
I even attempted the pipe on the ol' clown bike...
...it wasn't so successful.
We even got Rick Craft, Haven's owner, out on the track bike...
Rick was known as Crazy Rick back in college, where he would routinely free climb 4 stories of brick wall to visit our dorm room rather than use the front door.
Great night. Thanks, Tony!
p.s. if you're in the 203 or the 860 (fark, if you're in the NY and can make it out and back on yer own) get in touch, as Tony's been fronting his own duckets for these events and running short in the end. We're psyched that he's willing to lose a little to make this happen, but would be even more excited if he could break even. If he makes extra cash, you get some back, so it's all good. Added bonus: some of the rules get a li'l relaxed after-hours. If you travel up from NY, or down from BOS for one of these events, the Scorchers will guarantee you go home with a little somethin' somethin', even if it is just a hangover.
If you're hitting up the Stratford BMX Jam this Saturday, Tyrant's going to have some great gear for sale, including some super limited edition hoodies.
Again, this event will require a helmet and a waiver. 700CMX / Fixed riders welcome. We've had the opportunity to session with the Tyrant crew a few times now, and these guys are always accommodating to old men on track bikes!
Tyrant BMX is sponsoring a BMX Jam/Throwdown/Ho-down/Bro-down at the Short Beach Park Skatepark this Saturday in Stratford, CT. You'll need a waiver, which you can copy from Tyrant's flickr. There'll be product giveaways as well as some impromptu contests. There's also gonna be a ton of Tyrant gear for sale at rock-bottom pricing.
Directions to the Stratford Park from Central CT area: - 91 South to 95 South - 95 South to Exit 31 - Left at the bottom of the exit ramp onto South Ave. - Follow South Ave. to Main Street - Turn right on Main and follow for 1.6 miles - Turn left into South Beach Park / Dorne Drive - Park the car and get on your bike!
Get more info at Tyrant. Fixed/700CMX riders welcome!
Just watch to the end. Jake Lineberry is my new hero. Freestyle walking is the shizzle! I swear there were Scorchers in attendance. Nobody made the video. Esh.
Tony Tyrant's peeps have set up a plexiglass wall for wallrides in their backyard. This satisfies every bit of my nerd-dom to new levels. Check out his blog or the "Tiny Tyrant Backyard Photoset" on Flickr. Tony's also the guy behind the Stratford BMX Jam on the 28th. To support these backyard terrorists, head over to the Tyrant Store and pick up his new shirt...
UGLY PADS will be making three one-off top tube pads for the summer series. Grand Theft Velo, Route One, and Kings Of New England. What!
Visit their gallery for an idea of what they might look like. And just in case you didn't plan on winning, you can always just go and build and buy your own. Then go see the Ugly crew in action at NorCalFlatland.com.
