I S S U E
7
SOL SMITH Ninja Cat THE LONDON Bike Show Crews Foad, Shred.. UGH THAILAND FIXED Chiang Mai UCI TRACK CYLCLING
World Cup Olympic Velodrome London
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12 James Jordan www.transfixed.com.au SOFB ONLINE MAG
Jason Finn PC www.jasonfinnphotography.com STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Well... This was from the first time I ever meet Matt. It was the 2011 Interbike show and Leader had hooked me up(Thanks Leader!). Matt and I started chatting and decided that we needed to get some photos taken. But with bad weather and just everything going on with Interbike we ended up only having the last day to get some photos taken. The night before we drank and ate buffet food till late in the evening only managing to get a couple of hours of rest to just wake up in the early morning to head to this ditch. When we got there from the rain the days before there was a small river that was covered with algea that was right in the middle of this draining ditch. Matt had to drop in from the opposite bank ride through the slick water to get enough speed to be able to hit this wallride. We got a few gos at it before we got called to head back to catch a ride back home. SOFB ONLINE MAG
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Big Thanks to Ryu Voelkel for his selection of photos from UCI Track Cycling World Cup London full story page 68 www.ryusha.com www.biglensfastshutter.com SOFB ONLINE MAG
CONTENTS SOFB ONLINE MAG 7
FEATURES 16
LBS London
26
FOAD USA
34
Nelson London
44 50 58
Nitkowski / 2MV Music The List On the hunt Thailand Chiang Mai
68 84
UCI Track WC UGH London
98
Bike Polo Riga
REGULARS 10 12 30 48 67 102 110 114
IN STRAPS.. 2012 the end! RIDER INTERVIEW SOL SHOP Suicycles Bike CHECK BB17 HOT DATES Get ready for action TEST Stuff CREW Shred OTHER SIDE OF LENS Matt Lingo
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COVER info_ Sol Smith Nolie South bank 12 stairs Winter time is full on, Ice on the stairs,with a rain and wind in his face. Some times I think thats Sol want to crash and when he lands finishing trick thats not what he realy wants.. he is just sick. The List page 50
CONTENTS Info_Oscar Khan cancan_ skate park Freidrishafen Germany from Euro trip. Oscar after his crash in Barcelona slowly coming back to his best preformance. Its there, just take it easy Oscar!!
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IN STRAPS..
End of the World? Are you ready for it?! Will the world end on Dec. 21, 2012 ?
STOKED ON FIXED BIKES ONLINE MAGAZINE EDITOR - PHOTOGRAPHER DESIGNER - WRITER
Greg Falski REDACTION TEAM Aymee Clark Anto But Ricardo Lino Saskia Haex Sol Smith Oscar Khan
Maybe, thats why I want to ride this year even more!!
CONTRIBUTORS
Just in case.
Ryu Voelkel
What I know for sure that more and more riders are getting hooked up and more comps coming up. Thats the hardest time of the year atleast for riders in Europe.. I wish we could have Cali weather. Any way, you can see in this Issue 7 that no rain no snow no freezing weather stop us from riding.
www.ryusha.com www.biglensfastshutter.com
Jan van Endert
www.van-endert.com
James Jordan
www.transfixed.com.au
Jason Finn PC
www.jasonfinnphotography.com
Tom Bell Summer only one Issue away,
www.belloteque.com
this can’t be so bad ha!
Matt Lingo
Ride on! Greg Falski
http://www.mattlingo.com
http://gattphotos.livejournal.com
Szymon Nieborak
www.delayedpleasure.com www.flickr.com/photos/skyhistoire
ILLUSTRATIONS Jacob Knill
JACOBKNILL.TUMBLR.COM
Christaian Newell
www.christiannewell.com
Online - ISSUU.com Print - magcloude.com SOFB Online Mag part of FOREACH PRODUCTIONS http://foreachproductions.wordpress.com/
www.sofbonlinemag.com For contributions, advertising and other enquiries, please contact
gregfalski@gmail.com Thanks to Family and friends, all crews and riders, organisers and advertisers.. will be not possible without all of you! STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
NEXT ISSUE OUT ON 9 of May 2012
W W W. R A D I O B I K E S . D E P H O T O B Y W W W. M AY M O N E . C O M RIDER: SIMON GOMOK ANDRACA
SICK RIDER INTERVIEW
SOL gap STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
SOL
NinjaCat
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SOL tyre grab dow stairs STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
INTERVIEW with SOL Smith Sol for sure have his soul for fixed riding. I remember just like a bit more then year ago I talked to Sol at the BFF trick show. Years passed and he is one of the best and influential riders. All the time coming out with new tricks. He is pushing his friends to ride harder too. Way to go Sol!! SOFB- What makes you good at riding fixed? S- I believe there is no good or bad riding only good or bad attitude. If you see a spot and think it is impossible to ride then you are limiting yourself as a rider. I think there best riders are the ones who throw themselves into any situation without worrying about how technical or impressive the trick is. Sometimes I think a edit can be much more fun and exciting to watch when the rider is riding a difficult spot with a creative simpler trick than riding a obvious spot doing a high level bmx style trick. Having said this I still have love for all cycling no matter what it is.
SOFB- Tell us about the last two competitions you went to. S- The last contest I went to was the Eurobike comp in Germany where I did not get through the first round because we had been so broken through the week of riding street and partying. We rode the comp park on the first day that we arrived and we all shredded hard and got great clips. But the day of the comp it rained and had a very odd energy, which I felt ruined the comp a bit for the riders. But it was still amazing to see all of the rider’s together putting work in the rain. We also met W-Base riders Nasty and Marco who have been fixed gear heros for me since I started riding.
SOFB- Do you like to ride street or park more? Are you better at one more than the other?
S- Riding Street and Park can be equally hard because of many factors such as asshole haters getting ignorant at skateparks. However you can get much more close minded people riding street who try to be a vigilante heroes by targeting riders who aren’t doing anything wrong. I think park is quite fun in person but can be dull in edits because they are usually supposed to be ridden in a specific way which does not suit fixed gear bikes. We should push the style to be different and unique. I also believe that the Fixed gear freestyle bike is way more suited to riding street than bmx because of distance you can explore.
SOFB- Everyone enjoys the Ninjacats edits who makes these webbies happen? S- We all film edit and ride in our edits. The editing process is me at neekiest sitting in front of Final Cut through the night and day until my dad kicks me of to edit his films
SOFB - I know that some riders get scared of big jumps and obstacles. How do you push yourself to not be afraid? S- Doing a trick down some big stairs or of a roof is the most fun ive had in my life. You give your trust to the physics of the world and understand your own fear of reality. Its really like the Matrix…You have to believe!!!! I am also never afraid because my 29ers have actual suspension….yeah that’s right…
SOFB- You inspire a lots of new riders what you will say to them?
S- Come to London and stay at the Ninjacats house
SOFB- How important is your crew? S- NINJACATS IS MA LYFE Nothing is more stimulating than having a team of best friends who shred hard!
SOFB- What is the next of your projects? S-My latest project is twentyninelife.wordpress.com which is a blog dedicated to 700c/29er fixed freestyle. I have a lot of faith in this type of riding. Whenever I see or do tricks on 700c/29er i feel like I am doing something which has never been done before much like the fixed gear drive chain. I also need big wheels to match my big balls…
SOFB- Last question; any shout outs? MY TEAM, OSCAR KHAN, HECTOR WARD, GUS MALLET, LEWIS BERRILL, JORDAN SMITH and CHRISTIAN NEWELL @ NINJACATSLONDON.COM, NINJACATSLONDON.BIGCARTEL.COM, Dickies, BREAKBRAKE17, VANS, SPIKE PARTS, ZONTRAC, ILLUSTRATED PEOPLE, FIXED GEAR LONDON, MY MAMA AND FAMILY FOR SUPORTING ME THE MOST!!! AND TOREY FOR DISCOVERING MY INNER WRAHW lol
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The London EXCEL London 12-15 January 2012 Photos: Greg Falski Text: Greg falski and Anto But
Neil Pryde Slider - Ruben with collaboration and Saskia BMW Groupe Designworks USA STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
n Bike Show
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Ok where to start.. Eurobike feels like yesterday.. and we have already new season of bike shows all ready. Starting with the UK Core bike show and The London Bike Show we will be showing in this Issue. Me and Anto make are way to Exele centre where we could see some brands not really visable at Eurobike. The one I get most stoked on was Neil Pryde. If you are in to windsurfing this name its nothing new. Neil Pryde is one of the producers in the most advanced technology with materials like carbon and plastic. Its complex form is sculpted from C6.7 unidirectional carbon fibre – a unique combination of high-modulus materials What strike me about there vision of bike is the feel of the material. Its something completely new, looks like its come out from a 3d printer.. any way i think thats where the future will bring us. Great concept looking forward to see more bikes from those guys.
Ruben barspin STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
We couldn’t help are selfs from stopping by the Pinarello stand. They went full on with big rage of bikes and there was a couple fixed bikes. Really nice and classy Catesia and crazy frame build up in collaboration with Deisel 55 (something about new twisted trousers I believe) love it or hate kind of thing. SOFB ONLINE MAG
Michael barspin
Something I look more forward to is the Chris King headsets and external bb. After all in my bad experiences with bb from shimano and race face I look forward to try one of those bad boys. Headsets are nothing new but in this size 1.5 cup at the bottom i think its a way forward and not only for susspention forks. Spin! represent some really nice track bikes and Rotor components. One day we will have a chance to try this bike in the new Londons Olympic Velodrom - Looking forward. STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Nelson wall tap SOFB ONLINE MAG
Fat Frank Technically one hundred percent equal to the Schwalbe Big Apple. They have the special ‘Endurance’ compound for the highest durability. www.schwalbe.co.uk
Jordan barspin STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
After seeing so many tyres at Eurobike in Germany and more recently the bike show in London, there isn’t much change. Tyres are getting wider, new fresh colours and all different patterns for all terrain, which ever takes your fancy.. a bit more about that in test section of magazine page 87
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And last but not least the great idea from London based company Foffa - sticker sets for your bike frame. A bit more about FOFFA in next Issue 8 SOFB
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Photos: Jackson Bradshaw
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We have been seeying some funny footage of The FOAD fgfs crew here and there. do you know these guys? They're good whats more about them there funny!!! FOAD is a crew of homies coming out of Salt Lake City, Utah. They have no aim or agenda, just to have fun and fuck shit up. Enjoy. Sam Allgood, Jackson Bradshaw, Evan Service, Izik Service, Parker Thompson, Connor Weight
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www.foadfixed.com
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“basically the people that work at Suicycle all love to ride their bikes a lot, so we try to get no burnout shit, aight! “ STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Suicycles Hamburg
BIKE SHOP
Photos: Jan van Endert Text: Greg Falski
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http://suicycle-store.com/ STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Tell me how was Suicycles Hamburg born & how did you and sammy,keng & crew meet, tell us about the store and few brands you like and the mission workshop section etc. We come al long way, born in 2002 out of the simple need for good workshop/part service for messengers/djs/locals in St.Pauli.First shop in shop with dope vinyl,dj equipment and used boomboxes then 2004 shop moved 2 houses, bigger workshop/parts depot. Shop is located in the heart of Sankt Pauli,1900 century houses,family atmosphere... Since then we deliver what we like and what is requested.Sometimes not the easiest things to combine but we think if you go do it,you gots to do it with style! We all knew each other through messengerism, total of ca. 40 years professional bike riding in store+workshop. Pierre we know through BMX and hip cats like Hinricht just won the allecats like that. Brands we like would be Cinelli,we had lots of N.O.S. parts,same with Campagnolo,belgian Diamant frames etc.. Miche would be our most constantly parts we used over the years.Rigida DP18 rim too,it’s a shame they changed the production which caused big quality fluctuations. You told me last time about competitions and events around shop you organise, help to make it happend. Since 2001 the infamous St.Paulopoly went hand in hand with Suicycle. After the 10th anniversary last year the crew finally changed,so did the name: its now Pankt Saulopoly,its on sat. 10th,march 2012. come race with lots of international messengers/riders (last year was 250+!) and party hardy!
Future projects. We plan to keep the level we have and to refine our handmade by Hagen Wechsel frames to the maximum. We just added a handmade aluminium lowpro frame to our catalog. Thinking about producing some parts too,we’ll see,basically the people that work at Suicycle all love to ride their bikes/skateboards a lot,so we try to get no burnout shit,aight!
Where do you think fixed gear bike will in a year from now? Meaning classic/modern fix & trick fix freestyle. Thats a tuff question...Let me think...Lets put it that way,there will always be some big hype thing about the fixed gear bike happening in general.People who do this for a long time will hopefully just use their bikes understated and maybe keep one ‘fetish’ bike.The main hype maschine called USA will keep on doing it untill they ged rid of their too big cars,that will take a long time! FGFreestyle is really young,i hope it’ll take its time to sharpen its style...Would be top nice to see all the bangin’ kids putting this to another level like they do right now!
Any shout outs Yo Fish! you stink! Ted Shred,sup? Ninja cats! WDC crew suicycle4lfie
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Nelson wallride Stoke, London This spot was incrredibly gnarly. On Nelsons first sttempt to hit the wallride he landed on his front wheel and amlost fell from the edge STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Photos: Greg Falski Text: Sol Smith and Greg Falski
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Gus nose bonk Gus has been on top of his bonking game since the eraly days of fixed bikes. Now he is doing them faster than ever.
Sol.. I met Nelson at the Death of Barcelona Zontrac trip. He was a super chill dude and had a great riding style and attitude. His long trip around Europe from Seattle with his girlfriend Erika ended in London so decided to invite them to stay at the NINJACATS BASE. Although the weather was icy and deadly we still got a good bit of riding in for a edit im currently working on. Me and Nelson were bizarrely similar having the same taste in music, bikes and herbs. I hope to shred with him very soon SOFB ONLINE MAG
Sol about to bottom bracket grind with Nelson already pedal grinding the higher rail.
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Oscar crank slide handrail We found these rails the night before with Sol and Nelson where we had a drunken session. Next day we came back with the Ninjatiger Oscar, who laid down some super smooth crank slides SOFB ONLINE MAG
Greg.. Nelson get my attention since WDC Comp in Hamburg.. He is getting realy confident with his riding. Im sure that trough this year we will see lots of goos stuff coming from Nelson and his Solid Crew! Stay tune! More info at zlogblog.com
Sol barspin Sol bailed hard a good few times on this spot. But after taking of his jumper and revealing his Ninja cat identity he achieved it catchting the bars before he landed. STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
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SNAP SHOT
Women’s Omnium Time Trial 2nd
Ms Annette Edmonson (AUS) STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Women’s Omnium Time Trial 1st
Ms Sarah Hammer (USA) SOFB ONLINE MAG
Nitkowski Photos: Greg Falski and Tom Bell
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MUSIC
For some reason good music is coming together with the passion for bikes. In this Issue7 of SOFB we are showing friends of ours!. SOFB ONLINE MAG
photos from recent gig in Old Blue Last, London
2MV
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2MV Look Mum No Hands
Nitkowski Flat out Dream Theatre/Miles Davis tribute band; available for weddings, bar mitzvahs, live snuff theatre. Whale band its passionated about bikes! Im sure that many of you which like fast music while bombing hills will like this Check them out They just relese new album Stay In The Home You Love http://www.nitkowski.net
2morrowsvictory (look Issue 3 SOFB) thats another bike related band on 21st feb band relesed Odeon EP In Look Mum No Hands We have for you short video! music -Â http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/2morrows-victory/id491449600 videos -Â http://www.youtube.com/2morrowsvictory
Boiler Room The worlds leading underground music show: http://boilerroom.tv/
Studio 51.15 feelgood music for the people www.studio5115.com
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BIKE CHECK
BB17 SERPENT Oscar its all over the place with his new bike.. I asked him how he likes negative bb with 29ers and he said its the best bike he has ridden.
FRAME: BB17 SERPENT FORK: COBRA V3 PROTOTYPE HANDLEBAR: SPIKE 2PC HEADSET: GENERIC BMX STEM: CULT TOPLOAD GRIPS: VANS CULT SEAT: GENERIC BMX CRANKS: GENERIC BB: SPIKE SPROCKET: SPIKE CROMO 33T STRAPS: HOLD FAST OSCAR KHAN PRO HUBS: SPIKE HUBSET TYRES: FRONT SCHWALBE BIG APPLE 2.35, REAR CONTINENTAL CITY COMFORT 2.1 RIMS: VELOCITY P35 29ERS
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Sol making sure his Ninja cat posse knows what tricks and spots they owe him as the master cat
Monday morning. Early start. Im sure that you hear of the weather break downs happening in London. We always need double sock in the rain, ice and snow. Before we go outside every one is working on there bikes trying to sort them out to be ridden in a fit state. Thats one of the most important factors .. you know it. So many times we just wonder around.. To cold for that we need new kind of hunt The List - Oscar and Sol work on it trough the night. Some times with this list medical stuff is needed.. all hyped up. We left Sols crib which is located in heart of Stoke Newington . At the first spot Sol has written enough tricks for each riders style and tricks. We want to catch up with Gus, before that we go to Angel and surrounding spots on the menu.. We play around but sometime its hard with all the traffic around.. on the other hand the guys have some lorry drivers and funeral convoys to cheer them on. STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Photos and Text: Greg Falski
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Oscar one handed X up
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Gus 180 srair gap
Sol 180 tire grab 8 stair SOFB ONLINE MAG
Oscar rail tap
Oscar pegless ice grind STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Spot after spot guys warming up. Oscar after his last crash in Barcelona has been of the bike for some time now and its hard for him to get back to full power aspecially in this cold weather when you can feel every jump trough your body. We heading towards South bank where Gus session the park for while now with his barspins and 360 effortless. We are all together and Gus finds nice long stairs for his smooth 180.. after his first attempt his fork cracked but not stoping him from landing the trick..No problem any way I think its time for new bike for Gus. Short brake and repairing bikes in Taliban Toms work shop. Couple more spots on the list. Some of them harder then they think. Oscar was ambitious with 180 down 12 wet stairs . He’d was worried he would wind up hurt and not fully recover from his broken thumb. This made him give up this time, I always say thats there no point to smash yourself at the beginning of the season. There will be plenty of occasions to do so trough the year. Sol is on It. Super slippery Nollie 12 stairs.. no fear. Boom down the wet stairs smashing his face on his handlebars. All of us suddenly cracked up. He is maniac. There is more to come.. we go trough the Waterloo area with some sicks spots there.. they add to the list. Continuation will take place soon. Thats not over yet and the List is coming bigger and bigger. More to come page 90
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SHRED ALL DAY RAGE ALL NIGHT Michael Chacon Leader Hurricane
Leader Hurricane (700c) and Pharaoh (26�) 2012 freestyle frames and components available March/April in stores worldwide Sole European distribution by BLB Bigmma orders@blbbigmama.co.uk Pre-orders taken now at Brick Lane Bikes bricklanebikes.co.uk leaderbikeusa.com
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no hander gap transfer
Christian Newell Sol in Barcelona charcoal and graphite on paper www.christiannewell.com www.serpentofold.tumblr.com SOFB ONLINE MAG
While we freezing in London, Tom is shoots for SOFB in remote and sunny Chang Mai. STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Chiang Mai Fixed Photos: Tom Bell Text’ Greg Falski
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Tak start fixed gear movement in Chiang Mai
Fixed gear in Thailand started around 4 -5 years ago and then around 2-3 came in to Chang Mai. Thats not the only city apart of Chang Mai there is a big fixed community in citties like Kuang Kang, Supun and Bankok. Tak build his first fixed bike and all of his friends start to fallow him. They find a whole range of information about fixed on the Internet. This group is into tricks and having fun on there bikes. There is around 4-5 shops in Chang Mai. Number of riders still growing and there is a competition later on this year. STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Wee trys some crazy moves
Num only 13 years old and feels really comftable on the bike SOFB ONLINE MAG
Fang and his bike
Aatt barspin
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Nammon wheeling trough te city In the same city we have more crews and riders. Another one to mention is Dew Seppawit Sadio bikes, you know him from his great preformance from last years Second Fixed Masters contest held in Bangkok where he ride with Ed Wonka and Mike Shmidt Im sure we will have the chance to catch up with him and his crew later on this year!
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http://chiangmaifixedgear.exteen.com/
Aof trackstand
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Min the only girl in the grup
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custom handmade messenger bags and accessories www.bagaboo.hu
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EVENTS 2012
Updates on comps, jams, race venues and all crazy fixed bikes events happening near you. If you are running kind of events then let SOFB know as soon as possible and we will put it here.
03.03.2012 Restrap and Fixed Gear Leeds Jam UK 09.03.2012 PANKT SAULOPOLY Hamburg Germany 23-25.03.2012 BESPOKE Bristol UK 28.04.2011 Red Bull Ride and Style LA USA 27.05.2012 Mini drome, trick comp Riga Litvia 27.05.2012 The Hunt London UK 09.06.2012 WestJam Lisbon Portugal 28.08. - 02.09. 2012 Eurobike 2012
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Photos and Text: Greg Falski l’m here at the new Olympic Velodrome! The atmosphere is electric and with a packed out stadium the crowd are louder than ever, god knows what the main Olympic event will sound like in July. The highlight of the whole weekend for me, was Sir Chris Hoy and his 2 finals in both races, the sprint & keirin. Sir Chris Hoy was behind Rene with half a lap to go, where I was standing with my camera it looked like he wasn’t going to make it, then the crowd went wild, everyone was on their feet shouting, he made the move on the corner neck to neck.. boom!!! he powered down the last straight to victory, happy days. Page 78
UCi World Cup Track R at Olympic Velodrome STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Race e London SOFB ONLINE MAG
Laura Trott on crowd at the Olympic velodrome:
“The last k (kilkometre) was so hard, but to have the crowd behaind you is amazing. I was suffering so much but then they just spur you on�
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Women's team pursuit. Laura TROTT, Danielle KING and Joanna ROSWSELL winning the gold medal and setting up a world record time 3:18.148s
Laura Trott on winning gold medal:
“We knew we had it in us. It’s just about riding it right”
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Today was Women’s team sprint final, all about Jess VARNISH, she kicked in a fast time for Victoria PENDELETON to power through for a world record time 32.754s.
Victoria Pendleton on crowd at the Olympic velodrome:
“It is unbelievable when crowd roars. I was shaking on my bike”
Victoria Pendleton on riding with her new race partner Jess Varnish:
“We work really hard together. It says that all the hard work has paid off. Now is the time to take risks, before the worlds and befor the Olympics.” “I didn’t think we were going to go faster in the final but we did. We’re fairly new team. We tried something different in the final and it worked.”
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Unlike the sprint, where you have just one rider to worry about, you have up to seven other people to compete against in Keirin. Last two and half laps are the most interesting, riders constantly changing positions everything is possible.
Keirin
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Women’s Keirin 1 Simona Krupeckaite (LTU) 2 Wai Sze Lee (HKG) 3 Shuang Guo (CHN)
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Chris Hoy on his race tactics: “I made it hard for myself. I sat behind the French guy (Mickael Bourgain) and he was impressive early on. I was going to try and come around him, but I left it pretty late. With half lap to go I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. Only on the last straight I knew I was going to win and it’s a great feeling when you cross the line” Mens Keirin 1. Sir Chris Hoy .(Great Britian) 2. Rene Ender. (Germany) 3. Mickael Bourgain.(France) SOFB ONLINE MAG
Sprint
All racers spend lots of time in semifinal and final shows who is the stongest and creative.
Women's Sprint UCI World Cup London  1. Guo Shuang(CHN) 2. Anna Meares (AUS) 3. Lee Wai Sze (HKG)
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I love watching sprint races they start slow, probing the build-up and chess style outmanoeuvring of your opponent, before the race explodes into action on the final lap. I need to mention here about battle for bronze medal where Robert Forstemann changed the rules of the game a bit and almost overlap his oponent!! Photo on the right.. just looking back.. SOFB ONLINE MAG
Hoy and Max head to head
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Men's Sprint UCI World Cup London  1. Sir Chris Hoy (Great Britian) 2. Max Levy (Germany) 3. Robert Forstemann (Germany)
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Oscar Ninja Tiger Khan Rumors collum
HIYERRRR this is @xxXHENTAIXxx how are you? I have taken a break from riding around London in the snow with the ninjacatslondon.wordpress.com to bring you a collum which should be a fun break from greg’s broken English lolololol. BASICALY here are some secret rumours that I have heard through my deep undercover espionage status in the world of fixed gear. Enjoyyyyy yerrrrrrrr m8 ^________^
SECRET 1: its not much of a secret but sooooooooome people have converted to 26” recently including bro mckeag of the city of Compton. I am all for his conversion as I cherish the thought of me, sol, torey, sam and forest being the only ones on 29 inches. We will be a renegade cult that only rode gruesome spots in eastern Europe where we would breed a whole new 29” scene. Get ready. SECRET 2: a certain Delco sledgehammer has been rumoured to be returning to a real wheel size. Expect him to drop edits in a balaclava so as not to infringe on corporate sponsorships. It will be the best thing to happen to fixed gear. SECRET 3: unless you’ve been here you would be forgiven not to know but London has the most disgusting spots in the world. Riding here is like nowhere else in the world. We ride in abandoned 70s dystopias that would make you so confused and scared that you would probably give up riding. If you think you are up to the challenge meet us this summer, a certain candyman and vamp glider are already planning trips o_O SECRET 4: Sol Smith has been going so hard It scares me. He’s a positive person but the positive bb is making him breakbrake himself. Rumour is that he will be transcending his current setup real soon. Look out for the craziness that will be occurring very soon.
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We have always wanted to set this up and ive never done work that can be so satisfying and stressful in my life haha. When Ninjacats started it was a way to bring all the crews of riders in London together and stop of the weird lame hate. Our crew consists of Gus Mallet, Jordan Smith (originally from Mixtmeat) Oscar Khan, Hector Ward, Lewis Berrill, Christian Newell and myself. We all skated before fixed but never fully rode bmx which I think shows in all our styles. We also have a very mixed crew of 29ers, 26ers, Whites, Blacks, Asians which I think represents what London is.
NINJA CATS T-shirts Photos: Greg Falski Text: Sol Smith
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The t shirts are printed at our good friends Illustrated People who specialize in screen printing stunning womenswear. We handprint all the shirts ourselves so everyone is unique. We iron the white on black logos to keep it looking fly after a wash. The print lasts so well even after loads of washes which I was happily surprised by as a lot of shirts ive bought have not aged well. You can trust us when we say these stay fresh even after bailing hard in the horrible London rain Illustrated People www.illustratedpeople.com Check out their new webstore at ninjacatslondon.bigcartel.com and promo video at http://vimeo.com/37237710
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Hector rock tyre grab 180
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SIMON wheele skiny ledge
Just after releasing Issue 6 I spoke with Reanua and he informed me that he and Simon would be visiting London in Febuary.. Stoked! Ricardo from Grime Portugal heard about the idea and thought it’d be great to join in the fun so thanks to the Grime guys his ticket was booked to London happy days. Time went by before and before I knew it I was at St Pancras Station awaiting the arrival of the UGH guys. Reanua arrived from Brussels first and just 4 mins after him, Simon from Paris. Reanua greeted me with the reminder, After a year of hanging out at comps and talking about how it would be good to ride London city one day, and here we finally are. STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Photos: Greg Falski and Szymon Nieborak Text: Greg Falski and Anto But
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Ricardo wallride STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Reanua rockride Camden
From the point of getting off the Eurostar to putting their bikes together we rode towards Shoredich where Anto was at the Etnies Store Boxpark organising welcome drinks .. It’s Thursday night and in London the first Thursday of every month ( well every thursday pretty much!!) there is always something going on where there is free beer. No better person than Anto would know where it’s at...Thanks Anto! A whole bunch of people turned up, but after we finished 100 bottles of fine beer we.. move to exhibition around the corner for more beers, and culture, obviously...”we ride hard but we party harder”, the night was still young and we needed to welcome Ricardo.We headed over to Sols place where the guys chilled and caught up on what’s going on in the fixed world whilst I went to pick up Ricardo. So I got myself to London Bridge station in the fastest time ever. When I got there it was easy to spot Ricardo and his famous smile, instantly it gets to you and already I feel better, if you know him you’ll know what I mean.
Simon tyre grab SOFB ONLINE MAG
Simon double peg stall to fakie STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Ricardo double peg grind to nose pick SOFB ONLINE MAG
Chris drop in Photo: Szymon Nieborak
Simon double peg grind
Photo: Szymon Nieborak
That evening Simon and Reanua crashed at my place which helped alot as we were looking for an early start. We picked up Ricardo from Bricklane Bikes, pop in to see Anto at Etnies and headed up towards Camden where Jordan and Gus were waiting for us. I don’t know how but Ricardo managed to bring the Portuguese sunshine with him, it was a spring summer weekend in London..result. First stop was Cantlops skatepark Camden. This is Gus backyard, where he’s dropping smooth sick lines 360 combo. The guys took their time as London was sinking in for the first time for them, so they’re checking the place out and what a better way to see it than on your bike. We had a good session with Ricardo, who took a liking to the big rock and Simon practised some tricks like tyre grabs and his great barspins to wheelie. STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Ricardo feeble grind to drop in to switch wallride other bank
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Ricardo feeble grind
Simon feeble grind to barspin Simon feeble grind
Ricardo 180
Simon ice grind
After few laughs & chilling with friends we deciding to join Ninja Cats at Illustrated People where they’re working on a new line of tshirts. NC really getting into their business... Whilst we were waiting for them to finish their printing we set up a ghetto ramp outside and popped in to see Super Ted at work. Ricardo was already on the table throwing down flat table 180 over. Finally NC are done and so we head off on our night ride. Oscar knows his way around and he STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Ricardo nose manual
knows where the hot spots are for Ricardo, Simon and Reanua’s preferences.. rail the whole way. The first day was always going to be long as the boys wanted to see & ride everything in sight so we didn’t stay out too late as there was still another few more days of riding to look forward to. On the second day, we had a couple more people to pick up, Szymon Nieborak and Ricky first as they wanted to join in the city ride. The first location of the day was the famous South Bank where we were join by Chris Delia
who had just got back from his trip to Australia where he rode with the M-base crew. South Bank Skate park starting to get busy as usual and it dawned on us that there was no point being in the shade with this nice and rare sunshine we’re getting. We hit the London city streets towards Wandsworth roundabout, people pointing, camera clicking, cutting up traffic, dam cyclist hahah all the jokes started to come out ..typical tourists road trip jokes are best.
Simon 180 barspin to fakie roll back into bank
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Reanua sprocked stall South Bank
Last time I was here, I shot Super Ted, Tom La Marche and Tony Fast back in 2008. Ricardo and Simon rode hard on this spot and the highlights from today were Simon getting crazy air to double peg grind on the top of the ledge and Ricardo grind to hop down off a scary wall ride. Chris show off with drops and his original style. We managed to shoot a couple photos taken straight from Stanley Kubrick film ClockWork Orange. We’d ridden over 30 miles of London today, seeing and riding alot of spots, the sun was out all day, everyone was having a blast. We settled down with some refreshments or rather some more beers and where my tired legs was no more. STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Ricardo crokkd grind
Day 3. Hell yes more sunshine..Lets keep it with everyone feeling knackard from the past few days riding we take it easy today.. Simon and Ricky leave London, Anto took the day off at Etnies to join the ride. We started Sunday morning with coffee consisting of flat white, latte & espresso. The guys wanted to ride the new Victoria Park skatepark so we headed that way until we hit the flower market where there are some nice rails, Ricardo, Simon & Reanua instantly nailed it - perfect start of the day’s session.
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Once we landed at Vicky Park the place was busy with bmxer’s, sk8ers ect. After dropping into the bowl, riding around finding lines and getting inverted in the cradle we started to
Simon bunny over fance Simon over rail hop
Chris bunnyhop from static
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find a few spots that they wanted to hit. Simon locked down on the long S-rail to bar spin off clean. Ricardo peg tap mauals and at one point was doing grids fakie. The Ninja Cats turned up and Oscar took us to Mile End skatepark area where there were lots of spots to ride. Some nice concrete grinds was killed, Sols gap jump and Simon wheelie mauals. At this point everyone was getting hungry so we headed back to Bricklane Spitalfield market for some fine ale, yes more beer refreshment, man what would we do without this!
Ricardo had to pack up and catch the plane home so we said our goodbyes over some more beers.. roll on lisbon trick comp june. oh and while we were chatting about the events of the weekend, Simon saw a nice fence and though “yeah I can bunny hop that” and before you know it he was over it haha. On the way home we passed a gap rail by my house that Simon had been eyeing up since the day he arrived. So we parked up and I got my faithful camera out and boom!! He nail it. Day 4. home time for Reanua & Simon.
Ricardo really did take the sunshine home with him as it was all grey in London on the last day. Not to worry as we were all pretty tired, we must have clock over 50 + miles of London. So I rode the guys back to the Eurostar to catch their train home. I can’t imaging this visit being any better. Many Thanks to all friends crews and people who hang out with us!! It’s made me hungry for more road trips this summer! peace love ride SOFB ONLINE MAG
pedal grind
Photos: Jānis Saliņš Text: Greg Falski and Gundars Vaitekūns
First time I came along to Riga Bike Polo was while preparing for a interview with Toms Alsbergs who is the triple champ of Red Bull mini drome and world record holder. We spoke about Tru Fix Kru - fixie union. In this spring they are going to organize a fixed gear weekend. From 25th till 27th of May!! “Red Bull Tru Fix” event will be on 26th of May, and minidrome competitions and Bike Polo!!
While we wait with Minidrome article Tomas hook me up with Gundars. One of the main players and organizers.
Latvia got to know about the bike polo a few years ago. The first hit by the ball was in 2008. The first competition was in 2010 where 7 teams played. Today there are ~ 40 players in Riga. We established the first cycle cafe in Riga MiiT were excited about the bike polo, and with a little help we popularize the bike polo here.
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From the beginning it was not on a serious level. But now its still fun. We are training every Wednesday at a pre-arannged place, even when outside its -22 degrees. What's important - we enjoy it! Till this day we have held 3 competitions, and the last was in 21.01.2012. - Winter Fest.
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Our near plans are two more competitions, we hope to make it international. More info at: www.rigabikepolo.wordpress.com or our Facebook page: facebook.com/RigaBikePolo
OScar 180 road gap
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Photos from Bike Polo Grand Prix
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TEST
Since the end of the last year we have received a couple bike parts to test. Together with Anto and riders like Gus and Nelson we are working on a long running test of those parts. BLB KING HUBS PHOENIX Fork, pedals, straps BLKMRKT frame, steam and handelbars SCHWALBE tyres AXE grips and more This is also the place for all of you which have some good or bad experience and you want to share it with SOFB readers. Please send us your review! You can expect more about it in Issue 8. At the moment please have a look at some of stuff which goes trough SOFB. STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
TEST SECTION
Greg South Bank Photo: Szymon Nieborak
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BLKMRKT NSF, NS Bikes Analog, Schwalbe Fat Frank
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Chosen/ bear bike fixed to freewheel hub http://www.bearsbike.com.au/
San Marco Pristine colab condor seat http://www.pristinefixedgear.com/ Â
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Kashimas Aero seat and Sugino 12t cog http://tracksupermarket.com/
Knog Boomer USB lights http://www.knog.com.au/ Infini lights http://www.infini.tw Blackmarket bada boom bars, C4 pedals and underboss stem http://blackmarketbikes.com SOFB ONLINE MAG
Small backpack new model from Bagaboo to be released early this year http://bagaboo.hu/
Trafiic distribution taking care of Almondfootwear Ricardo and other riders already give me some positive feedback about them.. chcek them out http://www.almondfootwear.com// STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
INTRODUCING... BLB LA PIOVRA AERO The all new La Piovra Aero, a lo-pro frameset by BLB – available now at Brick Lane Bikes. Hand built and beautifully finished in Europe using Columbus steel. Available in store now at Brick Lane Bikes info@bricklanebikes.co.uk
bricklanebikes.co.uk blbbigmama.co.uk
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CREW
David rock ride STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
David, Laurenta and Pepy
Photos: Leo Ceravolo Text: Pepy Todesky
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David wall ride
“Shred is run by three riders from Geneva. David Pili, Pepy Todesky and Laurent Pili. We are friend for a long time, and we started fixedfreestyle for one year and a half now. We’re inspired by skateboarding, rock’n’roll, beer, and street fights. Always motivated to ride, we don’t hesitate to move across Europe to ride new spots and meet other people. The three of us share the same point of view, so it’s always pleasant to start new projects, and every session is productive. We particulary push ourselves to progress together, and that’s really cool. We really try to get involved in the Freestyle scene, and make things come alive in Europe, where it’s still evolving. Shred is still at the beginning, and many projects are coming. So stay tuned! “ http://www.shredcrew.com/ http://vimeo.com/shredcrew info@shredcrew.com STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Laurent no hander
Pepy barspin
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Other side of lens Issue 7 with
Matt Lingo http://www.mattlingo.com
http://gattphotos.livejournal.com
wall ride 180
Ok this is another new section which from now will have its own place in SOFB. No proff no glory way.. Were starting with Matt Lingo one of the most respected photgraphers in the fixed gear scene. Ok lets start
SOFB - You lives in Cali, how this influence you and your work? Matt - I live in San Diego, California. The weather here generally stays the same all year long, meaning we can shoot outside anytime which helps alot.
You riding yourmuch dose this afway you look at trough your lens?
SOFB - If you could give younger you advice on his way to the first freelance assignment what would you tell him?
Matt - It gives me a greater respect for my friends and how talented they are.
Matt - No matter how dire the situation is, always tell yourself and the client that you'll make things work. Gear will break, the sky will rain on you, and talent will show up late, but no matter what you have to make good pictures. People feed off stress, so it's important you calm them down by remaining confident.
SOFB self, how fect the the sport
SOFB - whats your favourite time of day light to shoot in?
SOFB bag -
Matt - Either just a little bit after noon, or at sunset.
Matt - Heavy enough that I've had to make frequent trips to the chiropractor. I bring alot of lighting gear with me when I shoot.
SOFB - Who is your favourite rider to shoot with? Matt - Josh Boothby. He's always surprising me with what tricks he'll call out at a spot, and what he's capable of on a bike. SOFB
-
Film
or
digital?
Matt - If I had my choice I'd shoot medium format all day, but clients need quick turn arounds and film isn't cheap.
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SOFB
I did see how heavy
-
Minimal
your its?
setup?
Matt - any camera body with a 50mm, one strobe. you can make any situation work if you have to with that gear. SOFB Dream tion for shoot this
locayear?
Matt - I want to shoot a mega ramp. Out at X-Games last year I had the chance to and want to try it again.
SOFB - Any final thoughts you would like to add? Matt - Thanks for choosing me for the interview!
We are happy to show a couple images that Matt shot with Joe McKeag while in the Royal HC Flash Comp in Long Beach, CA.
flat table
River gap SOFB ONLINE MAG
Š sofbonlinemag 2012