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RADshare 2023: Recapping Rumble in Richmond Round 3

Reportage

RADshare 2023: Recapping Rumble in Richmond Round 3

In a video clip that went viral three years ago an unknown rider from Colombia is towed by motorcycle to jump a massive single dirt jump. Understandably, the feat sent the internet into a frenzy. More impressive the rider, Julian Molina had one leg, and the moto-tow was the only way he could get enough speed to clear the 25-foot-plus gap. It was a wildly uplifting moment that illustrated the human spirit at its best. The whole crowd erupted in cheers of support and disbelief and he cemented his name as an icon of all things rad! The venue? RADshare‘s Rumble in Richmond.

For those of you unfamiliar, the Rumble in Richmond is an event that benefits RADshare, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to educate and empower underrepresented and underserved youth by providing them with the resources needed to participate in outdoor activities, specifically BMX and action sports.

The Tragic Kingdom: Mud and Mayhem at Florideah’s Swampfest

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The Tragic Kingdom: Mud and Mayhem at Florideah’s Swampfest

“THE MOST ASS KICKING EVENT IN BMX,” is the Florideah Swampfest‘s self-described moniker. And, after seeing Bob Crolin‘s photoset from the raucous ramp-and-rail-junkyard extravaganza, we’re not going to argue with that (or the all caps). Scope this rowdy photoset to see what happens when 2,000 of the country’s wildest BMX riders are unleashed in Florida’s tragic kingdom.

Warning, there are some butts in this gallery, so it’s probably NSFW depending on where you work!

Leo Rodgers Meets Julian Molina and Fundraiser for Leo’s Recovery

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Leo Rodgers Meets Julian Molina and Fundraiser for Leo’s Recovery

It doesn’t take long to understand why Leo Rodgers is such an inspirational figure in the cycling world, and beyond. After losing his leg to a motorcycle accident nearly a decade ago, Leo found bicycles as a positive outlet and has been spreading good vibes in communities across the world ever since. He’s always cracking jokes and makes riding bikes look the most fun you’ll ever have. Leo was excited about the upcoming release of his most recent collaboration project with BMXer Julian Molina when, the week before Christmas, he was involved in another accident that resulted in a broken neck and paralysis. Continue reading below for a recap of Leo and Julian’s project by James Luedde, video by Stew Johnson, and Jeff Zielinski‘s excellent photoset. There’s also a link to a fundraiser, which will help support Leo and his family during these difficult and uncertain times.

Radar

Old Enough to Know Better: Rab Wardell

Rab Wardell is striving, fighting, and living his life full of fire and joy. His dreams are still bright, and at 36 his desire to compete at the highest level, and be the best athlete he can be, is a chance for all of us to analyze if we should ever be “old enough to know better.”

With 11 days until the British XC champs, Rab decides to mix things up. His physical shape is looking good – the numbers don’t lie – but what about the mental preparations? Riding an indoor skatepark might not seem like ideal preparation for a national xc championship, but as we find out from some esteemed members of his cohort, the fun can be just as beneficial as physical gains…

Radar

Window Shopper

Ever have that one thing you’d do anything for? How far would you go to get it? Relive the moment you met your first love, the bicycle.
Some things never change….

People Have to Learn Bicycles: Inside / Out at Ted James Design

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People Have to Learn Bicycles: Inside / Out at Ted James Design

As though they’d joined a cult and made some kind of suicide pact, having seen none during the five hours of driving previous, perhaps thirty pheasants lay dead in the road over a quarter-mile3 stretch. What had happened on this quarter-mile stretch? Why here? It made me regret buying the rabbit, but without screeching to a halt on a frozen dual carriageway it wouldn’t have been practical to stop and collect them. Even at 70mph I could tell some were past their best and it’s rude to turn up empty-handed. I was on my way to visit Ted, so turning up with roadkill seemed to make sense. I was running late though and didn’t want to rely on road gifts so I picked up a wild rabbit wrapped in paper from our local butchers. It was a relief they had it because plan B was the pet shop.

I’d debated not going to visit Ted of Ted James Design and just compiling the stories people tell about him. The chronicles of SuperTed! The stories people tell can seem fairly fantastic, however, worryingly most of the time they’re true. I sometimes wonder how Ted is even alive? If I were more superstitious, I’d say his spirit was too big for his body and so it spends all of its time trying to get out. There’s something in his eyes like the sort of superintelligence and frustration a sheepdog has about being domesticated, as though any room that he’s in is somehow too small, so his eyes dance about searching for exits.

Taj Mihelich’s New Book: Back Before They Invented Open Face Helmets: A Book of Cartoons and Doodles

Radar

Taj Mihelich’s New Book: Back Before They Invented Open Face Helmets: A Book of Cartoons and Doodles

For those looking for different holiday gifts, while supporting small, independent publishers and authors look no further. The latest from BMX legend Taj Mihelich is a book of doodles and stories:

“This book is 164 pages of my cartoons and doodles. There is a bunch of bicycle comics (including a number from Sunday Comics with Taj series on Pinkbike), lots of low- brow humor, dad jokes, questionable puns, and some things that are probably only funny to me. There’s a few things I’m actually serious about, but hopefully you can’t tell, and even a few essays. I call it a collection of not-too-artsy-fartsy work I’ve done over the last few years (though, there are a few fart jokes).”

Please note, this is not a children’s book! Head to Taj’s shop to pre-order.

State Bicycle Co and Killer Mike: Fundraiser BMX Bike for Los Angeles Bicycle Academy

Radar

State Bicycle Co and Killer Mike: Fundraiser BMX Bike for Los Angeles Bicycle Academy

Our friends at State Bicycle are running a Killer (Mike) fundraiser!

State Bicycle Co. is giving away, this 1 of 2 (Killer Mike has the other one) – BMX Bike in order to support, raise funds, and awareness for Los Angeles Bicycle Academy. The bike was originally created for rap-legend, community leader and activist Killer Mike. We are asking participants to voluntarily donate $10 for Los Angeles Bicycle Academy on this product page, and they will be automatically entered to win the bike*.  We will draw a person at random. The bicycle recipient will be announced Saturday, June 27th. No purchase necessary, see below for details. 

About Los Angeles Bicycle Academy (LABA): 

Los Angeles Bicycle Academy (LABA) is a youth education program, community bike shop and youth cycling team with a mission to empower, educate and develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills in boys and girls between the ages of 8-18. Within the context of a full-service bike shop we employ a comprehensive hands-on bicycle mechanics, sales and service curriculum including an ‘earn-a-bike’ program. LABA’s cycling team seeks to expand the capabilities of youth from communities where exposure and access to the sport of cycling and lifestyle are limited. LABA will support 9 youth cyclists on its roster for the 2020 season. The bicycle is a tool for liberation and freedom. It is positive for both mental and physical health. Through the ownership of a bicycle, possibilities are expanded, travel becomes easier, new places are discovered.

Head to State to join in on the raffle!

Radar

We the People’s 27.5″ Avenger Has Old School MTB Vibes

Klunkers and Cruisers, the early mountain bikes, took to the fire roads of Marin back in the 1970’s. Klunkers had a derailleur and hand brakes while Cruisers had coaster brakes only. The disambiguation of these two terms doesn’t count for much these days, as just about any bike that looks like this will be dubbed a “klunker”. We the People’s newest bike, the Avenger, is a 27.5″ rigid MTB with klunker/cruiser feels and disc brakes. We’ll look at the predecessor to this bike, a 26″ version, in detail this week but this bike, with a coaster brake would be all kinds of fun! Or just ride it as is. See more on the Avenger at We the People and see more photos below.