Durano SKID - For Bikes without Brakes.

Schwalbe keeping it real, yo!

Real Brakeless Racing // Cycle Speedway

From Urban Velo.

A Classic: NO BRAKES!

Oldie, but certainly a goldie. Plenty of people out there ride their phixy bikes 'brakeless'. But 'Kamikaze bicyclist and DJ Ted Shred' was always on a truly next level...

REF:Berlin Cops. Alternative Solution

The Berlin Cops don't apparently like 'brakeless fixies' and that might be bit of a problem as there'll probably be some guys & gals riding real brakeless track bikes at the ECMC 2009. 

Now I don't want to be the problem, I want to be part of the solution. So, problem solved. Thanks to Lauri for suggesting this.

Der Berlin Cops Ain't Nuthin' to F**k Wit'

I posted recently about the Berlin Police's current campaign targetting "the minimalist trend-bikes, e.g. ridden by bike-messengers and members of a growing fan-scene... (which) do not have proper security-measurements, i.e. they lack any sort of brake."

Well, now this seems to be getting actually bit more serious. Like Kenji from Keirin Berlin informed me earlier today and Straightchain reported: 

"Berlin police starts seizing bikes

Seems like the first fixed-gear bike has been seized by police, in Berlin. Its been the bike of a befriended courier. He told them, he went up into a building for a delivery, and when he came back down into the atrium, two policemen in plainclothes were already waiting in front of his bike."

I also posted  the stupid pic of the Polizei on Segways. Well, of course they don't ride them over there. In fact the Berlin Police Department is not known as the nicest bunch of law-officers in the world and, for example, they know a thing or two about riot control, this being Berlin after all. Now I'm quite interested to see what will happen at the ECMC2009.

Anyhow, while waiting for that let's all chant together to the beat of the mighty Wu-Tang Clan: "Der Berlin Cops..." 

Meanwhile In Chi-Town: "No brakes, and they like it"

Full Chicago Tribune article here. 

"...in a controversial and increasingly popular trend, not one of the bicycles had brakes. As the cyclists glided onto the streets on their fixed-gear bikes, the only way for them to slow down was to force the rear wheels into a skid.

State law prohibits riding brakeless bikes on the streets, but that hasn't stopped a growing number of young people from hitting the road with bicycles they see as pure and stripped-down.

While some cyclists say experienced riders are capable of safely handling these bikes, others insist no one should ride one on a public street. Critics say the bikes create potentially dangerous conditions at a time when cycling is on the rise.

Critics are particularly contemptuous of wannabe bike messengers they say are wiping out, flying through red lights and crashing into people."

More Info On Kanye's New Toy Tarck Bike

Ok, some more information concerning Kanye's newly purchased totally rad and trendy as hell Tarck Bike has surfaced on teh webforumz. Here the pics as proof and some best bits from the discussion on bikeforums.net:

'Luke at BrooklynMachineWorks also told me that a friend had it build for Kanye. He custom ordered a color, just like everyone else can, and had to wait for his to be ready, just like everyone else. No special treatment, he had to wait just like you and me.'

'can kanye even ride?'

'Kanye has been spotted riding the BMW in NYC...'

'So I guess dressing up like Michael J. Fox circa Back to the Future is in right now.'

'isn't this the dude who always wore one of those girls leather backpacks? i hope he plans on tying his goddamn shoes when he rides though.'

'Man best roll up them jeans...and maybe his shirt lol.'

'You ever had your shoes come untied while riding? It generally leads to bad things. Not the least of which will be getting chain nastyness all over his $200 limited edition nikes.'

'Try $700 Lanvins...'

'do you guys think he rides his bike often? is it possible for he to ride on stage and accidentally fall over? the thought of him falling off the stage pleases me somehow.'

And here's one more time to Kanye's new hobby... 

MONSTER TRACK 2008 MAIN RACE CANCELED

By now everyone should know this already. The King of All Alleycats, Monster Track, a brakeless race on the streets of NYC, due to take place today got cancelled 'cos "Our reasons are many but the overall factor was that the race has become unmanageable due to the large participation and our concern for the participant’s safety.”

Actually only the main event, the Alley Cat race got cancelled, not the side events so go there if you're in NYC, it will be fun anyway.

Here's the full press release:

"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The organizers of Monster Track 2008 have decided, after careful consideration, to cancel this year’s main race.

This decision did not come easy and was debated at length. Our reasons are many but the overall factor was that the race has become unmanageable due to the large participation and our concern for the participant’s safety.

As many of you know, Monster Track started as a race held for a small, close group of NYC bike messengers. It has now become an overwhelmingly all-inclusive event. This, on its face, may seem like a positive direction for a race but in the context of a solely track bike alleycat it brings many problems. First and foremost, the safety of the racers is compromised. We believe that this is not a tenable position for race organizers.

Although the main race is canceled, please join us for Gold Sprints on Friday evening, Fixed Gear Competition (track stands, skids, footdown, freestyle, sprints, etc.) on Saturday and the Velo City Tour, at Kissena Velodrome on Sunday.

Schedule of Events:

Friday March 7, 8PM
Goldsprints at Third Ward
195 Morgan Ave. Brooklyn

Saturday March 8, 1PM
Fixed Gear Comp and injured messenger fundraiser at Rocky’s
South 5th St. at Kent Ave. Brooklyn

Sunday March 9, 12PM
Velo City Track Competition at Kissena Velodrome
Booth Memorial Ave near Kissena Blvd. Queens"