SEPT 2021 #103
read it/watch it/ride it
BORNTORIDE.COM
Contents
SEPTEMBER ISSUE 103
AD INDEX
FEATURES
King of Flames Dave Perwitz & Bikers Against Bullies
36
Born To Ride Lifestyle
36
Born To Ride - Live
IFC
14
Born To Ride Media
32
Jim Dohms Art at Choppertown Live
18
Born To Ride Group
36
Born To Ride Youtube
32
Boss Hogg Radio
32
Cherokee Blue Ridge Run
10
Choppertown Live
20, BC
Denvers Choppers
28
FTW Kustoms
24
GI Joe Wanted
39
High Seas Rally
7
LawBike Charles Watwood
1
Leather Lid
39
Media Design Shop
39
Metal Sport Wheels
5
Mid-USA Parts
8,22
26
skate[scape] skate + escape by Peter Soutullo
COLUMNS
30
Spyke & Mike Christian Motorcycle Association
38 40
REPORTS
18
9
Born To Ride - Heat Up
Choppertown Live & Born to Ride at Cherokee Blue Ridge Run
Rise Again Tribute to Sabrina
11
11
Angel City Rally
Letter From The Editor Dave Nichols
4
Ride Safe Ride Smart
6
Movie Review - Electra Glide in Blue
35
BTR Kids
40
Paughco 33 Perwitz Paint Show
13
Progressive 3 ProRider Atlanta
6
Rise Up Poker Run
25
Seattle Engraving Center
IBC
Thunder Beach
29
Tom McGrath’s Law Group
23
Toys Wanted
39
Wanted G.I. Joe
39
Cherokee Blue Ridge Run
Wild Mountain Ride Maps
34
September 10, 11, 12, 2021
Wildwood Antique Mall
37
ON THE COVER George Good Looking Customs - Bad Ass Chopper - See it at Choppertown Live
www.blueridgerun.com
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888-795-5779 Start Born To Ride TV and Magazine in your city! Call 888-795-5779 The information contained herein is provided by Born To Ride Magazine or by its advertisers. BTR makes every effort to present accurate and reliable information in the issue. Born To Ride Magazine does not endorse, approve, or certify such information, nor does it guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, timeliness or correct sequencing of such information throughout this magazine. Use of such information is voluntary on your part, and reliance on it should only be undertaken after your independent review. Reference herein to any specific manufacturer, company, commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement of or recommendation of said by Born To Ride Magazine.” “Born To Ride Magazine (including its employees, contributors and agents) assumes no responsibility for consequences that may result from the use of the information herein, including the use of the information obtained at www.borntoride.com and it’s linked sites, or in any respect for the content of such information, including (but not limited to) errors or omissions, the accuracy or reasonableness of factual or scientific assumptions, studies or conclusions, ownership of copyright or other intellectual property rights, and the violation of property, privacy, or personal rights of others. BTR Magazine is not responsible for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on such information. No guarantees or warranties, including (but not limited to) any express or implied warranties are made by BTR Magazine with respect to such information contained throughout the site.” No part may be copied without written permission of the publisher, Born To Ride, Inc. P.O. Box 3021, Brandon, FL 33509. 888-795-5779, Fax 813-689-2996.
BORN TO RIDE Magazine
PO BOX 3021 Brandon, FL 33509
Letter from the Editor
PUBLISHER
DAVE NICHOLS
Ron Galletti 813-785-3895 888-795-5779 rg@borntoride.com
CO PUBLISHER
Deb Galletti dgalletti@borntoride.com
EDITOR
Dave Nichols editor@borntoride.com
ART DIRECTOR
Peter Soutullo art@borntoride.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Erick Runyon
ART DEPARTMENT
Juan Guzman, Jared Hartman, Erick Runyon , Peter Soutullo, Craig Miller, Beatnik Steve Werner art@borntoride.com
WEB DESIGN/ELECTRONIC MEDIA Juan Guzman
OFFICE ADMINISTRATION Nancy Ray nray@borntoride.com
MULTI-MEDIA SPECIALIST Jared Hartman, Craig Miller Jasper Harris
SALES & MARKETING 888-795-5779
ROAD CREW
Vick Velosity, Mark Crowder, Doug Bright, Birdman Mike,
SCENIC RIDE CONSULTANT Steve Finzelber-Finz Finds
ON THE ROAD TEAM
The John & Heather Show
CONTRIBUTORS
JP Brady, Neale Bayly, Susan Hurst, Spyke & Mike, Eric Albright, Eric Vician, Myra McElhaney, Paul Murray, James Gladstone Greg Blackwell, Felicia Morgan, John Sullivan
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ron & Selena Hawks, Chris Miller, Scott Odel, Eric Albright, Chopper Dave, JP Brady, Erick Runyon, Craig Miller
LAW FIRM
Rubenstein Law 1-800-FL-LEGAL BORN TO RIDE OFFICE
888-795-5779 BTR 4 | BORNTORIDE.COM
FROM THE HELM CHOPPERTOWN LIVE
SOUTHEAST! HOWDY BROTHERS AND SISTERS! Sizzlin’ September kickstarts with one helluva a two-wheeled bonanza! I am talkin’about Choppertown Live Southeast. It is all part of the fantastic Blue Ridge Run in Cherokee, North Carolina this September 10th through the 12th. Join us to check out the very best bike builders in the entire southeast! If you can only make it for one day of this knockdown, drag out biker bash, make sure you slide in on Saturday the 11th when Born To Ride will pull out all the stops for the ultimate chopper show! The Cherokee Blue Ridge Run Born To Ride Choppertown Ride-In Show will feature an amazing collection of wild rides by today’s top custom bike builders. Top winners will get five sets of Vee Rubber tires from Metalsport Wheels plus $1,000 in cash! We are bringing Choppertown Live to North Carolina as part of one of the best rallies of the year. Meet the amazing photographer Brad Patton who will be shooting the event for Classic Easyriders magazine. The Best of Show winner will also get a bike feature for Classic Easyriders shot by Brad himself! You can meet the builders that Born To Ride is bringing up from Florida in a killer article right here. Plus, motorcycle photographer Jim Dolms will be on hand to showcase his amazing motorcycle art. See the article about his farout photography in this issue!
If vintage bikes are more your thing, we’ve got you covered there as well. We’ll serve up a hot and juicy banquet of mindblowing classic iron for you to feast on. You can also step right up and meet “the King of Flames” Mr. Dave Perewitz. Dave is a truly one of the finest master bike builders in the world and a living biker legend! See his Perewitz Paint Show at the rally and read about how Dave is helping Bikers Against Bullies to raise money for kids in need right here in the September issue of Born To Ride! This issue is packed with September excitement! Pop a coldie and check out the bikes, the babes, and the best times you can have on two-wheels. Nefarious James has much to say about not believing everything you read, see or hear on the Internet. As always, his insights are right on the money. You can also learn about Born To Ride is sporting the 2nd Annual Rise Again Poker Run in honor of Sabrina Best. All this and more is just a pager turn or a mouse click away. Don’t forget that Born To Ride has been offering up quality motorcycle lifestyle entertainment for over 25 years. If you’re looking for throttle-twistin’, tire-burnin’ entertainment, you’ll find it here and at www. borntoride.com. Don’t forget to join the Born To Ride Facebook page to keep tabs on the latest news in the biker world. —Dave Nichols editor@borntoride.com
It’s the soundtrack to every motorcyclist’s nightmare: you’re sitting astride your bike at an intersection, patiently waiting for the red light to change to green, when you hear the screech of tires. Next you’re flying through the air and into the intersection. You’ve just been rear-ended by an inattentive driver who was too busy dialing his cell phone to notice you stopped at the red light. Strategy: Remember, even to attentive drivers, motorcycles are difficult to see—especially at night. Remain aware of the fact that drivers approaching an intersection may not see you. Frequently check your mirrors to monitor traffic approaching from the rear, keeping an eye out for fast-moving traffic approaching from behind. Flash your brake light. If you do notice a car speeding toward you, move to one side or another to get out of its way. Don’t shift into neutral when stopped at an intersection. Keep your bike in gear, so you can quickly escape if a dangerous situation arises. For more info www.msf-usa.org
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THE AND BIKERS AGAINST BULLIES of The Discovery Channel’s “Great Biker Build-off” series. After many years in the motorcycle industry, Dave Perewitz was suddenly an overnight star! Dave was one of the original Hamsters. These custom bike riding scalawags are known for doing good deeds for charities all across America. It is no wonder that Dave has joined Born To Ride as a sponsor of Bikers Against Bullies. Join Dave and like-minded bikers at Bikers Against Bullies USA Ride for our youth! As the Bikers Against Bullies says, BAB USA is a not-forprofit group created by bikers, but not limited to bikers, that is committed to creating awareness and educating both children and adults on the benefits of living in a society of MASTER BUILDER AND PAINTER DAVE respect for each other combined with self-empowerment. Bikers PEREWITZ JOINS FLASH FROM BAB USA Against Bullies strives to create a society in which our mutual When it comes to true master custom bike builders, the old guard respect will create a new role model for others, and through our actions enable others to have the confidence to emulate this of original custom builders are few and far between. I’m talkin’ behavior and reiterate its positive message to others. about the guys who started the whole chopper craze. When you think about the top three master bike builders of the old guard “We only deserve respect if we respect the people around us,” of fabricators, only three men tick all the boxes to be named the says Fred “Flash” Van de Perre, who co-founded BAB along with best of the best. Those three intrepid bike builders are the late Ken “Jefe” Hughes. Arlen Ness, Donnie Smith and Dave Perewitz. “To get respect you have to give it. Our mission is to empower The noble originator of “the Look” of what a chopper should be is kids by teaching them to embrace their diversity and respect other Dave Perewitz of Halifax, Massachusetts. His Cycle Fabrications people’s diversity.” shop has been around since 1971. Dave is known worldwide as “the King of Flames” since his amazing flame-painted designs have become legendary. Nobody paints flames like Dave. He began by painting his own 1964 Sportster and rode it to Laconia where he and it won rave reviews. This led to more bikes, more customizing and more paintjobs. In 1975 he met California builder Arlen Ness at a Detroit show and formed a friendship that lasted a lifetime. Soon selling Arlen Ness parts, painting and building bikes, Dave was instrumental in creating the long and lean nimble look of what have become known as “Digger-style” bikes. Along with another lifelong best friend, bike builder Donnie Smith, Dave, Arlen and Donnie formed the trifecta of custom builders of the 1970’s and ’80’s, achieving god-like status in the biker world through exposure in custom bike magazines. Dave has built bikes for celebrities such as Hulk Hogan as well as NASCAR drivers, NFL greats and rock stars. Then stardom came knocking at his own door when he appeared in TV episodes BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 11
DAVE IS KNOWN WORLDWIDE AS “THE KING OF FLAMES” SINCE HIS AMAZING FLAME-PAINTED DESIGNS HAVE BECOME LEGENDARY. It all started in Montana back in 2012 when Flash offered to help raise funds so each Hellgate Elementary School District student could receive a T-shirt with the keep-an-eye-on bullying message. He also volunteered to ride into the school gym on his Harley to deliver that message in person.
All bikers have a warm spaot for kids. Why not show up to ride with your friends from Born To Ride as well as “the King of Flames” Dave Perewitz and “Flash” from Bikers Against Bullies this coming September 10th at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds. You can pre-register at www.babusa.org.
Flash recruited Jefe, the road captain for Missoula’s Harley Owners’ Group, to join in creating a presentation for Hellgate. They have since brought that program to over 20 schools in Polson, Dixon, Butte, Anaconda, Helena, Darby, and throughout Missoula – usually with 1,500 to 2,800 students attending. “I was very nervous the first time. I didn’t know how the kids would receive the message,” recalls Jefe. “When we were done, I felt like a rock star with the warm fuzzies. Kids hear and feel that we’re genuinely interested in them and in what they’re doing.”
The more Flash and Jefe learned about the effects of bullying, from destroying self-confidence to taking one’s own life, that genuine interest grew like a wild fire. “Suicide resulting from bullying is the second largest reason for youth fatalities in America,” says Flash. “More than 60 kids a day commit suicide and about 15 of those deaths are a direct result of bullying.” The BAB presentation Flash and Jefe created lasts less than an hour and works to reverse that trend for kids facing taunts and threats at school, in their neighborhood, or online. Included are a couple of skits communicating that bullies empower themselves by putting down others and that you don’t have to be mean to feel good about yourself. “Instead of telling them what not to do, we talk about the positive ramifications of their actions,” Flash tells Born To Ride. “We let them know you can be cool and still make good decisions. Despite our looks, dress, and loud bikes, we’re not the bad guys; we’re the parents and grandparents who live down the street.” BTR 12 | BORNTORIDE.COM
—Dave Nichols
at the
his stable. Most importantly, he’s bringing ‘Boujee,’ the bike that took First Runner Up at our inaugural show. Also returning is Jared Weems of Weems Motor Co. bringing those beautiful David Mann-inspired choppers that will eventually be on permanent display at Barber Motorsports Museum. What do you call it when you bring a bunch of bikers and fun-filled folks together to celebrate choppers, the chopper lifestyle and all the fun that goes along with it? Sprinkle in a few custom vans, hot rods, and really cool vendors? We call that Choppertown Live and baby, it’s back!
Next up is George Girod out of South Florida bringing his fresh new Triumph build called ‘Endless Summer.’ Last, but certainly not least on this impressive list of Florida builders, is Nick Pensabene of Mad
Choppertown Live, sponsored by Born To Ride, is headed to the beautiful countryside of Cherokee, North Carolina, and will be held concurrently with the Cherokee Blue Ridge Run on September 10th, 11th and 12th. Staying true to form with the first Choppertown Live event a few months back, Born To Ride will be highlighting some of the very best bike builders found in the entire Southeast. First off, we have four very talented builders coming up from Florida, bringing along a total of 15 beautiful bikes. You’ll meet George Casale of Goodlooking Customs coming to the event with a bunch of beauties from BTR 14 | BORNTORIDE.COM
Let Born To Ride, Brand, Market & Promote your Next Rally. 888-795-5779 Consulting also available
eleven! The Chillbillys will be there with chops, vans and anything else cool that contains a motor and wheels, while the Chillbunnys will be there to add just the right amount of stylistically good flavor to the pot to make things perfect. If you can only make it out for one day, Saturday, September 11 would be the perfect day as we are also hosting the huge Cherokee Blue Ridge Run Born To Ride Choppertown Ride-in Show with our friends from FTW Kustoms. This event is open to all makes and models of
Pen Cycles out of the Daytona area. Every one of Nick’s amazing builds are the perfect blend of artistic creativity and style. We can’t wait to see what he brings. We also have a great contingent of builders representing the entire Southeast. We have John and Kristin Shipwash of ‘The Rebel Spirit’ in North Carolina returning to Choppertown with their groovy Honda chopper build, as well as a couple others nice scooters. Brandon Shipwash of Midnight Oil Cycles, also out of North Carolina, is bringing a bunch of great builds. Our friends at The Low Road Motor Co. will be there to show us how they do things in the Atlanta area, and Stay Humble Performance will be there from North Carolina with a couple of great rides. We also have Caleb Dula from the same area, bringing his sweet chopper. The Southeast will certainly be greatly represented, and the list continues to grow by the day. As if all this wasn’t enough, we have our good friends the Chillbunnys and Chillbillys returning to Choppertown Live to turn the good time factor up to
It’s coming back in September 2021 • more info: www.BlueRidgeRun.com
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motorcycles. Registration starts at 10AM and will continue until 2PM. If antique motorcycles are your thing, there will also be a separate Vintage Motorcycle Show on Saturday. So custom or classic, we’ve got you covered! Where, you scream with drooling lips? Why, at the Cherokee Blue Ridge Run Born to Ride Choppertown Ride in Show! Damn, that’s a long name. Born To Ride will be giving away five sets of VeeRubber tires from Metalsport Wheels to our Choppertown Live builders plus $1,000 CASH and prizes to our bike show winners. If that’s not enough, Classic Easyriders magazine will be bringing out photographer Brad Patton to document the entire thrill-packed threeday event and the custom motorcycle that is picked as Best of Show will get
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a full bike feature in Classic Easyriders magazine! Where, you whisper aghast and agog with tongue all aquiver? Why, at the Cherokee Blue Ridge Run Born to Ride Choppertown Ride in Show, that’s where!
But wait, there’s more! Oh, so much more. Ace photographer Jim Dolms will have his amazing art on display in our Choppertown Live Pavilion and sensational moto painter Makoto Endo will be painting a live performance of his unbelievable, “must see” art. All this plus legendary custom bike builder and painter Dave Perewitz will be on hand with his astounding Perewitz Paint Show. Come on out and meet this biker legend! We’re excited to bring Choppertown Live to this world-class event at the
Cherokee Blue Ridge Run. Located in Cherokee, North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Run is located deep in the heart of some of the best motorcycle riding in the United States. Add an impressive lineup of bands, entertainment, vendors, great people and Choppertown Live will definitely be a weekend you will never forget.
You don’t want to miss this one and there is still time to get involved. For more information on Born To Ride’s Choppertown Live and the Cherokee Blue Ridge Run, call 888-795-5779 or visit www.cherokeeblueridgerun.com See you there!
—Erick Runyon
Let Born To Ride, Brand, Market & Promote your Next Rally. 888-795-5779 Consulting also available
MOTORCYCLE PHOTOGRAPHER
CHECKOUT JIM’S ART on display at Choppertown LIVE I began my journey into motorcycle photography in 2010 on the Florida West Coast where I was living at the time. Since then I have met many riders and collectors who have allowed me to photograph their bikes, and in some cases, their motorcycle collections. There are many different groups, each passionate about their machines. Daily
riders, show bikes, vintage bikes, even racing bikes. Then there are sub-groups within each group like race bikes, where I have photographed board track racers, vintage race bikes, motocross and flat track. In 2012, I traveled to Maggie Valley, North Carolina, to photograph the collection of bikes that the late Dale
Walksler curated at his Wheels Through Time; a world-class museum which showcases over 300 vintage Americanmade motorcycles and automobiles. I photographed hill climbers, board track racers, flat track bikes raced on Daytona Beach, Harleys and Indians starting from the early 1900s, and other bikes manufactured by companies long
gone. There were plenty of subjects to photograph and I published a book in 2014 entitled “Classic American Motorcycles Wheels Through Time.” In 2015, I left Florida for the mountains and now live just ten minutes from the museum. Since my move, I’ve had the opportunity to create portraits of riders with their bikes with mountains in the background and various road runs featuring vintage motorcycles. There’s nothing like pulling alongside a 1942 Harley Knucklehead riding through the Blue Ridge Mountains
to grab a shot. I had the opportunity to meet motorcycle artist Scott Jacobs in 2012. Scott’s ability to create paintings of motorcycles with fine detail is unrivaled. In 2013, he asked me to photograph three 110th Anniversary Harley-Davidson motorcycles for a painting he wanted to create to commemorate the occasion. I arranged with the former Jim’s HarleyDavidson dealership in St. Petersburg to allow me the use of the bikes for the photo shoot. From the image I submitted, Scott created “110 Years of Great Motorcycles” which was unveiled
at the 110th Anniversary Motorcycle Rally in Milwaukee. I’ve been photographing the Sons of Speed Races founded by Billy Lane since the first race during Bike Week in 2017. Twelve racers in a single class of early Harley twin engine bikes has grown to include 50 racers in three classes. I hope to have the group shot taken at the last race in March 2020 on display at the Cherokee Blue Ridge Run coming up on September 10. Also on display will be the photos in this article and may more. Hope to see you there. — Jim Dohms
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JUST AS THE PHOENIX ROSE FROM THE ASHES, SO TOO WILL SABRINA BEST.
emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. All to feed the addiction that could never be satisfied. A detox will not fix this. A 30-day program will not fix this. Women need to have access to, not only quality substance abuse care, but also long term emotional support. In conjunction with treating the chemical addiction, they need group and individual therapy sessions via Intensive Outpatient Programs. They need mentoring, so they may reenter society as healthy individuals. They need the opportunity to find their self-worth outside of the environment of their sickness. Unfortunately, many of these women do not have the financial resources to obtain this level of care.” That’s where Rise Again comes in. Humankind is at its best when it takes a personal tragedy and turns it into a way to help others. Such people rise above the pain and sorrow of loss to create an enduring legacy. One such person is Heather Cooper, who lost her daughter Sabrina to a Fentanyl overdose last year. Rising above her grief, Heather created the Sabrina Best Foundation to provide support to women and their families in an effort to obtain quality treatment programs, recovery housing, and counseling for addiction.
Born To Ride is a proud sponsor of the Sabrina Best Foundation and Rise Again’s 2nd Annual Poker Run in memory of Sabrina. We asked Heather Cooper to share her hopes regarding the goals of the Foundation. “Rise Again is a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to supporting women (and their families) seeking help for an addiction to drugs and alcohol. Although I was not afflicted by this devastating disease, I experienced the next worst thing. I helplessly watched my daughter, Sabrina, battle against it for ten years. My daughter lost her life to a Fentanyl overdose on February 13, 2020.” “At the time, I thought there was no pain greater than what I was feeling,” Heather recalls. “That was until I read the words she had written during treatment, until I listened to the stories of other women fighting for their lives. It wasn’t until then, that I truly began to understand the trauma these women endure; BTR 26 | BORNTORIDE.COM
“Our goal at Rise Again is to assist women and families during their journey. Through the support of our donors, we can provide access to quality treatment, for both physical and emotional health,” Heather says. “We can reduce the financial burden to encourage family involvement in treatment. And we can ease the transition back into responsible adulthood.”
How can you help? We all know that bikers go out of their way to participate and give to charitable causes, especially those that help the young. Join Born To Ride on the 2nd Annual Rise Up Against Addiction Poker Run in Memory of Sabrina Best this coming Saturday, September 18, 2021. The ride starts at High Octane Harley-Davidson at 1 Chelmsford Rd, North Billerica, Massachusetts 01862. Meet up with us at 9:30am at the dealership to register. There will be food, raffle tickets and a 50/50 raffle. The cost is $25 per rider, per hand in advance and $30 the day of the event. Passengers are just $10. We’ll be kickstands up at 11:00am, rain or shine, and cars are welcome too. Winners will be announced at 5:30pm with $250 going to the best hand and a free drink for the worst hand. Food and live music is included with registration. Poker Run stops will include The Boat in Dracut, Massachusetts; Saddle Up Saloon in Londonderry, New
“I TRULY BEGAN TO UNDERSTAND THE TRAUMA THESE WOMEN ENDURE; EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE ALL TO FEED THE ADDICTION THAT COULD NEVER BE SATISFIED.”
Hampshire; The Crow’s Nest Pub in Plaistow and the Chop Shop in Seabrook. All proceeds give Rise Again the ability to scholarship women into a structured sober living program and provide support to families by giving them the opportunity to rebuild relationships. “Last year’s event was a huge success with close to 100 bikes coming out to help raise awareness in Sabrina’s memory,” Heather tells Born To Ride. “One of the strongest weapons we have in the war against addiction is awareness!”
Through your generous donations, the 1st Annual Rise Up Against Addiction Poker Run raised enough money to put several women into treatment. Please join us this September 18, for a day of riding, food, fun, and prizes. Enjoy the passion for motorcycles and the comradery of like-minded brothers and sisters for a good cause. Let’s double last year’s numbers!
Big thanks to The Ancient Craft Chapter of Widows Sons Branded MRA who stepped up when I needed help creating a fundraiser that would raise awareness while having a safe ride for all. Widow’s Sons are committed to supporting charities all over the world. But extra love to Ken Murnane and the whole Massachusetts group for the love and support of Rise Again: The Sabrina Best Foundation. This couldn’t happen without them.
If you are unable to attend and still want to donate, please visit shewillriseagain.org or scan the QR code with your smartphone
www.shewillriseagain.org
To register for the Poker Run visit shewillriseagain.org or contact heather@shewillriseagain.org —Dave Nichols
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skate + escape The Relationship Between Creativity and Skateboarding - Visualized
skate[scape] skate + escape is an unique book capturing the creative intersection of graphic design and skateboarding. Through interviews, visuals and words and seeks answers the question,“Why do you skate?” This project, years in the making, was an idea to merge Peter Soutullo’s two passions: graphic design and skateboarding.
The creative element that can be found throughout skateboarding has always had a unique kinship to art and design. Both can be extremely creative, expressive, rewarding, loud or quiet — whatever the hell you want it to be. For some, it could be an escape from real life or maybe an outlet for creative expression or just a mode of transportation to the corner store. It’s different for everyone. There is no wrong or right reason to ride a skateboard. Just push.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR/DESIGNER — Peter has over 25 years in the design industry, 13 years in collegiate design education and has been skating since the late 80s. He has a great passion for skateboarding, graphic design, music and family that he uses as creative inspiration for this new project. In middle school, Peter found skateboarding and was introduced to new types of music through skateboarding, specifically, punk, hardcore and heavy metal and this was the beginning! Peter loved the graphics on the boards, t-shirts, album covers, stickers and the skate magazines. He couldn’t get
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enough of it. He says he owes a lot to skateboarding, as it has been the catalyst for many things in his life — his career as a designer, this book project, the music he listens to and even how he observes the city landscape. Skateboarding has given Peter an unlimited source of inspiration. Now go skate + escape!
ABOUT THE BOOK — This book is a visual collaboration between graphic design and skateboarding. The connection between creativity and skateboarding is unquestionable and this book is a great example of that. This is a unique collection of meticulously designed layouts, insightful words and awesome photos of amazing skateboarders like Lizzie Armanto, Mark Gonzales, Natas Kaupas, Tommy Guerrero, Tony Hawk and more. It also features iconic photographs from the amazing J. Grant Brittain along with other photo contributors such as Jerry Martin, Pete Hon, Paige Rudolph Wester and others. The book is available on the Kindle and Apple digital bookstores and a beautiful printed copy can be ordered soon, from the website — skate + escape! www.theskatescape.com
“To outsiders, it was just wood and ink. To me, it represented everything good about art, creativity and freedom. ”
—-- Don Pendleton
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Movie Review
Biker “Exploitation” is a term coined by producers, actors, and ultimately YOU the viewer. Not all biker films are actually geared at the (exploitation) or in other words, the “bad” angle of the biker lifestyle. Some of these actually “miss the target” and simply feature the motorcycle as secondary component to the plot. However, in literally every film involving bikers or the biker ‘lifestyle’, one thing you, as a viewer can count on is the presence of the Police. Electra Glide in Blue has the unique twist of actually using story of a motorcycle cop as the baseline. In this film, Blake plays a motor officer named John Wintergreen. His character is not really into being a ‘traffic cop’ as he has aspired to become a homicide detective. In my opinion, if you had to be a cop, what better job than cruising around on your departmentally funded Harley? But hey, this review isn’t about me, it’s about the film!! Back to the chase, and no code-4! John Wintergreen patrols the rural Arizona highways with his partner “Zipper.” Wintergreen is laid-back but upright about enforcing the law, while Zipper is predominately lazy. Zipper likes busting Hippies (remember them?) even going so far as to plant evidence on a young ‘hippie’ during a search of his van. Wintergreen again proves to be the polar opposite of his partner Zipper, as he continuously states how much he hates riding his motorcycle, and Zipper’s only real dream is to own his own motorcycle. Zip spends a lot of time reading comic books, and eating junk food while John takes his job seriously. One of the things about Wintergreen that is out of place in this film is (in one scene) he is firing his pistol at an “Easy Rider” poster in the police firing range. … It gets worse! Crazy Willie, an older local – perhaps homeless- person comes in contact with John
and Zip near an old shack in the desert. They almost playfully chase Willie on their bikes and finally capture him. He tells John about his friend Frank who had committed suicide in the shack. John goes to the shack and discovers the body and believes the case is not a suicide, but a murder. The coroner later arrives and disagrees with John who was feverishly taking notes. After a shouting match with the coroner, in walks Detective Harve Poole, who admires Wintergreen’s savvy, and arranges for Wintergreen to be transferred to homicide as his ‘driver’ to help with the case. Harve and John return to the shack and find a large statue of Jesus, which is full of “Reds” and as the investigation continues, John and Harve interrogate a group of hippies, looking for a drug dealer named Bob Zemko. The theme of good cop – bad cop comes into play as Harve roughs some of the hippies up after John had nicely questioned them. John’s initial joy at being promoted is short-lived, as his relationship with Harve deteriorates after he finds out that John has been sleeping with ‘Jolene” (Harve’s girlfriend) and the waitress at the local bar. But when Jolene mocks Harve’s sexual prowess (implying that Harve is impotent) and brags that Wintergreen can “go three times in one morning” things just go downhill for our hero and he is demoted back to traffic. After a wild motorcycle and car chase the pair capture and question Zemko. More good cop - bad cop scenes cause Wintergreen to eventually realize that Crazy Willie committed the murder; the victim was an old friend of his who had taken to selling the drugs and hanging around with a younger crowd. Jealous, Willie had murdered his friend and arranged it so it appeared to be a suicide. As usual there is some stolen money, and the search for this money is when Wintergreen discovers another terrible fact: Zipper’s dream was to own his own motorcycle, and had stolen the dead man’s drug money (initially blamed on Zemko) to pay for it. At Zippers trailer in the desert, the movie’s theme is uncovered when zipper shows John the “Electra Glide in Blue” sitting in the yard. Later, Zipper is drunk and begins firing his gun at Wintergreen, missing him but striking a random passer-by. Wintergreen then shoots Zipper in self-defense, and Zipper dies in his arms. Back in the desert on patrol, Wintergreen spots the same van that was featured earlier in the film, and he pulls it over. He recognizes one of the hippies as the very same one that Zip had planted the drugs on in the beginning of the film, and decides to let them go. They take off down the highway, but Wintergreen realizes that he still has the hippie’s Driver license in his hand. As he tries once again to pull the van over to return the license, the passenger opens the rear window and fires a shotgun killing Wintergreen. It’s a very sad ending to a really weird flick! For me, this is where the whole deal goes bad. The movie is loaded with plagiarism of the iconic film “Easy Rider.” Yeah, I believe that “Electra Glide in Blue” truly is a ‘cult-classic’ sort of piece, but the constant blasts from Easy Rider kinda turned me off. The Phantom Movie Review
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Hey, there my BTR friends. Blooming what’s the puzzle of. She replied, “It’s a big the guy write down some notes on a pad season is almost gone and so are most rooster. Will you three please help me, it’s then go over to the door, look out, and snowbirds and spring breakers. Adios and driving me crazy.” shout, “green side up!” Moving towards the good riddance. The Fat Bird 2 was down other side of the bar we heard him saying, Deciding to take a break for a cold one, we for a few weeks because of a terrible lifter followed her inside. She starts yapping about “I would like this wall to be a bright red with failure that took out the nice Screaming some orange undertones.” The gentleman the pieces all over the table. Kevin looked Eagle cam that was making her breathe so took some notes then walked back over over her shoulder and said. “Honey put the well. It figures, Harley-Davidson discontinued Corn Flakes back in the box.” to the same door. He looked out, shook that sucker, so we had to get the next best his head, and yelled, “green side up!” He I squabble, ‘Yeah Mike, that was a live, thing. This gave Mike a chance to install walks back over to the owner who’s at the love, and laugh moment for sure.’ Mike an S&S easy start cam. That bad boy stage. He begins telling the contractor how babbles, “Remember when we stayed at opens the exhaust valve when cranking and he would like to paint the front of the stage Leesburg till Monday just cuz we wanted to relieves the pressure on the starting system red white and blue. The dude becomes busy that most Harley’s suffer from. Bill and Nate see what the town was like after the event?” sketching and writing. He pardons himself over at Wild Bill’s Motorcycles in Largo and goes back over the door, then waves I cackle, ‘Yeah right Mike! I do recall we performed the operation as they came with got an extra night at the Holiday Inn for free his hands and says, “green side up!” high credentials. Mike babbles, “You know because of what they did to us, but that’s The owner walks over and asks, “Why do me Spyke, only the best for my two birds. another story. … you keep coming over, looking out this door, And if any of your avid readers need quality and yelling, green side up?” Let me reminisce, we decided to go right work done right the first time at a reasonable down to the town square and a little bar just The contractor said, “I’m sorry, but across price, these are the go-to guys!”I cackle, off the main lawn and water fountain. the street, I’ve got a crew of blondes laying ‘Standing on that brake pedal and gazing turf that all the bikers tore up around the into the chest of the Fat Bird 2 just made Mike and I grab some chairs on the inside me want to cry. Then, seeing that good cam part of the bar. We were the only ones there front of the stage.” lobe looking like one of my eggs and the except for the bartender, the owner, and a Mike exclaims, “Damn Spike! That was a other looking as round as a full moon made contractor. Mike got a cold one for himself great live, love, and laugh moment also. me realize why you cried when you got and pineapple juice for me. He asked the Finish your story so I can get your wings in the news. I hope you never have to stare bartender, “What’s up?” He replies, “New the wind, my knees in the breeze, and the into my guts and see something like that! owner going over some changes for the Fat Bird 2’s wheels rolling down the road, But, it’s good to see you’re taking care of interior designer.” We overheard the owner breaking in that new cam. the objects that got you this far in the BTR saying how he wanted to change the back — SPYKE world. Most things in life, including me, don’t wall of the bar to a bright silver. We see like to get ridden hard and put away wet ALL the time.’ Mike replies, “Well Spyke if I ever did have to look inside you and found a cam like that, I think I’d have to change your diet. ... I’m trying my little feathered friend, but sometimes life just doesn’t let me do what I need to do. I’m always busier than a moth in a mitten. I wish there were 25 hours in a day and the only time I could sleep is when I’m dead.Life is way too short and it’s made me realize that we need to live, love, and laugh at every precious moment. I’m gonna do what grampa used to say, I’ll be making hay while the sun shines!Speaking of precious moments, remember when we were at Kevin’s house helping put a back tire on his scoot? For about an hour we kept hearing his blonde girlfriend cussing and yelling from inside the kitchen. Finally, she walks out to the garage and says, “I’m doing a jigsaw puzzle and I can’t fit any of the edge pieces together.” Kevin asked Do you have a riding pet story? Let us know, Spyke wants to feature them! editor@borntoride.com BTR 38 | BORNTORIDE.COM
R.I.P. SID HAIG 1939–2019
RONNIE and EMILY’S
CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLISTS ASSOCIATION Riding a motorcycle is a great way to learn some of life’s lessons. This is especially true for young people learning to ride a dirt bike Hopefully, the art of riding a bicycle has already been mastered. Many of the things that one learned on a bicycle can be the foundation for riding a motorcycle successfully. I started riding in the late 1960s and the motorcycles were primitive compared to today’s awesome hardware. Thankfully, we no longer need to mix the gas and oil on dirt bikes or street rides. We just fill the tank with quality fuel and away we go. The shock absorbers of today are incredible compared to those of days past, and it’s not as difficult to hang on while going through a bad pothole in the street, or through the whoops in the dirt. I have a friend who actually rode his full dresser Harley over an extension ladder that was laying in the road. He used his experience, got up on his floorboards, and just before hitting the ladder, he hit the throttle! Learning to ride can be full of difficulties and physical challenges. One must learn to lean the bike in tight curves, and power their way through, while making sure not to drop the bike, or put their foot down to keep the bike up. When riding, and in life, one must be careful to keep their eyes BTR 40 | BORNTORIDE.COM
focused on the terrain before them, being aware of rough ground, obstacles, or hills to climb. Endurance is important and perhaps harder on a dirt bike as the shaking and bouncing can be quite pronounced. There is even a special kidney belt that some riders may use to lessen the jarring impact. Road bikers can also use them for the longer rides. Stamina and durability are gained through practice and experience. One great benefit to learning to ride a bike is that there are numerous life lessons that apply not only to riding, but also to everyday life. The Bible tells us, in Romans 5:3 (NLT), that “You can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.” There is even a class of motorcycles called trial bikes; they are ridden slowly and under much control, focusing on endurance and overcoming obstacles. Learning to keep our riding and our lives under control makes for a safer and more enjoyable ride through life. In life, we quite often face challenges and difficulties. When we practice our riding skills, as well as our life skills, we develop strength to conquer difficulties and successfully overcome life’s tests. And let’s not forget the source of our rejoicing, which comes from walking with the Lord. He will be there with you every step of the way! All you have to do is put your trust in Jesus. He will guide and direct you to help you overcome the trials of life. In the Wind, Denny Dingler
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