Remembering Randy

18 12 2017

The news was a shocker when it came down earlier this month.

Randy Franklin had passed away.

I met Randy at the 4130 Sin Series in Vegas back in 2011.

I’m not sure how we got to talking but it seemed like we were like old friends right from the get-go.

I would run into Randy at subsequent Vegas rides and it would be the same thing…we would pick up like old friends….ribbing each other, laughing, just having a good time.

It seems like every picture I have of those rides, Randy has his arm slung around my shoulder.

He was definitely one of the guys I would hope to run into when I was in Vegas for those rides.

The news of his passing hit me hard.

I keep telling myself that I’m not going to be sad that he’s gone…but to celebrate the times I got to ride and hang out with him.

Even still, I’m still pretty bummed about it.

I guess all I can say is:

It was good to know you brother.

Rest in peace.

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Leaving Las Vegas

19 09 2017

For the first time in I don’t know how many years (five? six?) I’m not heading to the bright lights of Las Vegas for Interbike.

It’s for a few reasons…the main ho-hum reason is some competing obligations at my day job.

The others?

I’m a little burned out on the aforementioned bright lights and incessant sounds of go-go Vegas that accompany the show. I think it has a little to do with my Vegas trip last year that was preceded by a few chill days in Austin…hitting Las Vegas immediately after was a bit of a shock to the system.

And, It just feels like a good time to take a break from the show.

The good news is that the majority of companies have already shared their 2018 offerings ahead of the show. So chances are, I (and by extension, y’all reading this) won’t be missing too much.

I’ll be keeping my eyes on the Interwebs though over the next few days to see if there’s any big reveals…and sharing what I come across (probably on the Facebook page first).

Frankly, what I would like to see is Tracer Finn recreate this iconic Bob Osborn shot of him jumping his dad, Mickey Finn, back in the day. That’s the kind of radness Interbike needs!

Word on the street is that Interbike is moving to Reno next year.

Perhaps, this change of venue will see me back, cruising the aisles of Interbike. If only so I could use the headline, “I did some shots from a bottle in Reno, just to watch it die.”

P.S. I am going to miss rolling with the Sin City Crew …

 


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Rollin’ with the 4130 Sin Series crew

25 09 2015

Beyond walking the aisles of Interbike, checking out the new bikes, parts and trends of the show…one of the high points of the week is meeting up with the crew behind the 4130 Sin City Series ride for night of fun, rolling through the streets of Vegas.

I had to miss it last year (because I had to fly back early for a wedding) but I had my fingers crossed that the stars would align and I would be able to ride this year.

4130 Sin Series ride 2015 shrt

Well, the stars did align.

And, like he has in the past, Mike Leonard came through for me with a bike I could borrow for the night, along with a lift to the meetup spot.

(That’s Mike on the right…not sure why our skin looks like we’re under heat lamps..must be the Vegas lights.)

4130 Sin Series ride 2015 wv

The group was smaller this year (I heard there was  a race nearby that drew away a lot of people that would’ve participated) but it didn’t diminish the fun in the slightest.

4130 Sin Series ride 2015 pit

It was good to catch up with Sal and Cactus, who I had rode with on previous rides.

4130 Sin Series ride 2015 ft

The night was a blast…out in the elements, experiencing the crazy lights of the strip, the high fives of passersby and a good laugh with the other people on the ride.

Definitely a good time.

Let’s do it all again next year!

(All pics by Mike Leonard)


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Categories : shenanigans, street, Tomfoolery

Trailer tease: 4130 Subway Series doc

3 04 2014

From humble beginnings, the 4130 Subway Series Ride has grown to become the largest BMX ride in North America (and probably the world).

Hitting streets of Hollywood, LA, Beverly Hills and points beyond, this ride draws hundreds of riders every month.

Now, for those folks that haven’t made it out to a ride yet, PSi films has teamed up with the 4130 crew to put together a documentary on the ride.  The release date has been pushed out a bit (no confirmation at press time) but if this trailer is any indication, it looks like it’s gonna be a good one!

And in related news, as was mentioned back in the Spring Brake Ride Las Vegas post back in February, the 4130 Subway Series crew is meeting up with Sin City Series crew this month for an epic ride through Vegas.

4130 LA to Vegas

I joined these guys (both the LA and Vegas crews) back in 2011 for the first ride they did together (I’m actually in the pic above, under the Vegas sign) and it was an awesome time. Not to be missed if you can make your way out there.


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Categories : New School, Old School, shenanigans, street, Tomfoolery

Spreading the good word in Sin City

8 01 2013

Mike Leonard‘s been holding it down in Las Vegas for some time now.

Always spreading the good word and reppin’ the 24″ at the skateparks, the trails and the 4130 Sin City Rides.

Mike’s also been on a bit of a tear lately…putting in some serious riding at Bootleg Canyon and Anthem Skatepark.

Sal Alvarado, a rad MTB rider in his own right, has been right there with him and has started to snap a few pictures along the way to document the action.

Here’s just a few of the good ones that have surfaced the past few days after a session at Anthem. I have a feeling there’s more to come of this stuff in 2013!

Busting on the big table at Anthem.

Mike Leonard bustin on the Big Table at Anthem!

Hitting the twinkie hip*

Mike Leonard hitting the twinkie hip at Anthem

*an alternate caption could be: Tail tap on the light pole to front wheel tap on the sun (kinda looks that way, don’t it?)

Throwing a little steez over the big table

Mike Leonard steez over the big table at Anthem

For more on Mike, check out the Cruiser Revolution Facebook page  for a pic of him airing out over Bootleg Canyon (December 23rd post).


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Categories : Freestyle, New School, Skatepark, Trails, Trails/Jumping

Sin City…4130 style

23 09 2011

After a week in Vegas, checking out the latest and greatest  at interbike, celebrating the top riders in the sport at the Nora Cup Awards and just taking in the spectacle of the Strip…it felt there was something missing from my interbike experience.

Sure flashy new bikes and parts are cool but BMX is so much more than that. It’s that feeling you get when you get a group of riders together and have a good ride or session.

Thankfully the 4130 crew, together with Vegas local Micheal Leonard, brought the L.A.-based 4130 Subway Series ride to Las Vegas to coincide with interbike.  Renamed the 4130 Sin City Series ride, 200 plus riders made it out to take part in what would become an epic ride.   Everyone was smiling and having a good time…old school, new school, race or street rider…it didn’t matter. It was a celebration of BMX in it’s purest form.

That good feeling you get when a good group of riders gets together to ride?

The 4130 rides have that in spades.

I’m still hyped on the ride a week later.

So much fun.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

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Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Old School, Tomfoolery