Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Editor: Polo section of the magazine. We wanna also thank Martina, excellent
Niccolò Poppi photographer and person, that has been following every bike event since
Art director: our very first issue.
Claudio di Santo
On the cover:
Cover shot courtesy of Giorgio Cordini, not only the fastest among the
Cello by Giorgio Cordini
UBM messengers, but also, a good photographer.
Info:
info.cykeln@gmail.com In this issue you will find interviews with some big names in the fixed game
Advertising: from the rest of the world. From Spain to Germany and beyond. Some
advcykeln@hotmail.it cool infos about how the fixed movement got starter in Italy and what they
Web: think of us from abroad.
www.cykeln-mag.com
Photo credits: We want to extend our congratulations to a guy, that is not involved with
Martina Gastaldi the fixed gear world at all, but, but being a mile-crusher and pedalling
Juan Trujillo Andrades across countries, trying to find his inner self, before discovering what
Erik Jonsson actually surround him. Thanks to Giovanni Panbianco, then.
Jason Finn What can i add? I hope to have you all involved in this project,t o make
Giorgio Cordini
this thing growing, telling the world that Italy, is a beautiful country for
biking, with an history, that deserves to be told.
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RUDY MELO pg 6
One of the best England fixed bike rider.
SUICYCLE pg 14
DOSNOVENTA BIKES pg 21
Directly from Barcellona one of the greatest HUB.
LORENZO MOSCHI pg 36
Young Tuscan designer.
PEDAL CONSUMPTION pg 42
The man behind Pedal Consumption.
GIOVANNI PANEBIANCO pg 50
From Salonicco to Istanbul.
CITY RIDERS pg 64
A free space for everyone around the fixed gear world.
RE DEL CEMENTO pg 72
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First of all, introduce yourself to Cykeln, You are one of the world’s most
Who is Rudy Melo. recognized fixed-gear riders at the
Ciao, I am Rudy, I am 25 years old, I was born in Brazil moment. Flying down from London,
and now I live in London. I ride for Leader Bike, PEONFX, UK, you went to LA to race in
The 5th Floor and Brick Lane Bikes. I love bikes, coffee, Wolfpack’s Marathon Crash Race and
travelling, design and photography. I work as a full time ride some great spot with the leader’s
graphic designer and I ride my bike every bit of spare team riders. What do you think about
time I have. the differences between those realities:
London and L.A?
At what age you started riding fixed Thanks for your kind words. I am very fortunate to have
bike? had those opportunities and I appreciate to everyone
I started riding fixed gear bike about 4 years ago. I got that’s made everything happen. Well, like I mentioned
a cheap fixed gear bike to commute to work, slowly got earlier, the scene in LA is HUGE. For example, Trafik’s
really into it and started upgrading my parts, learning weekly rides get at least 30 riders which is awesome. I
and riding more. found the streets very nice to ride on because they are so
big and wide compared to London. I think drivers respect
Did you see the bike as a revolution to you more over there, maybe because they obey the street
the car?
How is the london fixed bike laws a bit more with all the stop signs they have.
scene?
Well, the London fixed gear scene is not as big as it could Cyklen is a brand new magazine
be or as it was before. Comparing it to LA and KL where focused on fixed gear bike scene, but
both scenes are HUGE! There is a lot of sub culture here we are surrounded by history because
in London, Polo players, Fixed gear freestyle, Track only we have some of the most talented
cyclists, and then us guys from The 5th Floor who are into frame builder and trademark, so we
riding track bikes on the streets, bombing traffic, long are really influenced on vintage bike.
rides and also the track. I think the bike hasn’t taken over What do you think about Italy?
the car yet however it is definitely on its way there. I’ve I love Italy. I come from an Italian family, my mom’s side
noticed a lot more commuters in London now. is from Calabria. My relatives went to Brazil probably
during the 2nd World War. I love the food, the culture,
Chris Hoy or Shane Perkins? the people, the country itself, and especially the cycling
Do I really need to answer that? Ha! Sir HOY all the way! history. Italy has the biggest and the most known bike
The guy is a legend, 36 years old and still strong and companies and frame builders in the world. I still want
getting gold medals. I believe he will get another gold, to travel around Italy, hopefully to find a vintage road or
if not 2, at the 2012 Olympics. Shane Perkins is a great track bike that’s been hidden away and not used to bring
track cyclist, super strong and talented too but you got to it back to life.
give it to Sir Chris Hoy
And how London fixed scene perceives
Leader bikes, how the collaboration the Italian scene?
start? I don’t know much about the Italian scene, would love
It started just over 2 years ago, I bought a raw 725 to know more, but from what I gathered it looks like
frame from Tokyo Fixed, and was out riding with Angus there are more riders that are into racing track bikes on
Sung, he took some photos of me that got picked up on criterium races.
Pedal Consumption, where I got noticed. For being highly
involved in the scene, Leader Bike and I started talking Do you have any advise for neophytes
for a while then I got picked to be a team rider, I was so of the track bike?
stoked about it. Don’t rush! For anything! Save money, especially if you
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want to build a bike with top parts. Don’t get something
cheap that won’t last long. You don’t have to ride
brakeless, brakes are safer at the end of the day, but if
you want to ride brakeless start with a brake so you can
get used to it. If you want to race, take your time to get
fitter, just train and ride as much as you can, dedication is
the key to success.
www.facebook.com/the5thfloor
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Suicycle needs no introduction. Pretty well known weird, seeing so many cool bikes every day, man! Of
in Europe and abroad, both for their frames and course, there are some posers out there, that got into
riding fixed gear bikes now, but we don’t care , it’s a
parts, and because they represent Hamburg bike
good thing to ride the bike you like or love.
community to the fullest. We had little chat with
the Suicycle guys, to see whats cookin’, and hear
Do you think that there is a re-birth
about the present and what the future is holdin’
of biking thanks to the fixed gear
for them.
thing? What’s your opinion about
it, temporary fad or long lasting
What’s up guys! Can you tell us a little phenomena?
about Suicycle and how did the name Back then, cycling was all about the newest and fanciest
come up? parts and materials. Fixed gear bikes made of steel was a
Suicycle is a bike store in Sankt Pauli, Hamburg founded statement against that, and still is. Any kind of subculture,
by messengers/exengers 10 years ago .Four years ago, and the style that comes with it, get to be mainstream so
we started producing and developing frames and parts. fast these days, so is no surprise to see that happening...I
Frames are built here, in Hamburg, meanwhile, the parts, find it interesting, to see that some old brands, redefine
are outsourced in Asia. The name is obviously, a mix of their catalog with old parts they dumped ages ago, yes, i
the words “suicide” and “bicycle”, fools! like that very mucho!
You are on the scene since, 2002. Now You had two frames comin ‘ out in
in 2012 what’s changed and what do 2011,The Widowmaker trick frame
you think about this kind of new bike and the Sankt Pauli track frame. Tell
life? me more about those two, and unleash
Wait, we’ve been involved in the messenger world since some cool and yet to be released news
mid 90’s.Infamous for a pretty raw, but true style kinda for 2012.
scene, when it comes to riding bikes and partying. Since Basically, it’s like makin’ your first album as a band.
then, the whole world changed. Sometimes , I do feel You pull together all of your experiences, creativity and
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energy, to make it a blast. The Sankt Pauli track is like Do you know the Italian scene? What
that, while, the Widowmaker, is a longer story, because do you think about it, in case you do?
those prototypes get ridden so hard, but don’t know why, To be honest not too much,you should invite us to your
there are still many details to change every month. Seems events, that would be a good chance to clear that one,
like, we cant keep pace with the fast-changin’ scene aight!
and technology , but we’ll see what happens in future.
In 2011/2012 we decided to drop another handmade
Thank you for your time and let’s keep
in Hamburg framekit, the Suicyce Low Pro. Made of
in touch!
Columbus Airplane aluminum, and sold with a carbon
You’re welcome, and thank you!
fork. Look for it out in the streets, or at our galleries!
Suicycle4life!
Herr Meier
How is Hamburg from a cyclist point of
view?
Pretty stressy and narrow, but when you have enough
attitude, and get used to stupid car drivers ,it gets chill to
the max.
IF YOU have FouND INTEREST IN SUICYCLE
STORE
What about Alleycats and Criterium
www.suicycle-store.com
races?
We organized and supported, the Sankt Paulopoly, every INTERVIEW BY: NICCOLO’ POPPI
PICS: CIONKA
march for 10 years. 2012 was the first time for Pankt
Saulopoly, different crew same fun! Come check it out
next year! Also we got the WDC contest thing going on,
It’s about BMX and FGFS, we got more coming for 2012,
stay tuned!
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We at Cykeln, love people that get busy.Busy, with the intent of creating something new, busy being aware of their
own roots,busy putting heart and passion on what they have decided to do.When all these things come together,
when old school craftmanship meets the DOSNOVENTA guys, the future turns into something wide-open and
brighter than ever.
Let’s hear what the DOSNOVENTA crew has to say,when it comes about bikes and things!
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Steel, Carbon, Titanium ? Which one And what about your team?
is the best material from your point of The idea for the team came from our crew! Thanks
Every single one of the materials has its own advantages. Team. We want to be able to start an International Team
We believe more in a good geometry than the material (surprises coming soon), but at the moment we only have
itself If we had to choose a material, I would tell you that our National riders. Among them, we have guys like
it would depend on the future use of the bike. A good Fernando Marcos, Yeyo from Madrid, Alin...We believe
part of our frame models, uses the same geometry. We that,the best way to test our frames, is to take them to the
do this, thinking about the future user. You can have limit, either racing CRITERIUMS, alleycats,races...and
two or three different models from Dosnoventa, and the who’s better than our riders for such task? Thanks guys!
to break,and they realize they aren’t worth the hassle,to the awareness of drivers it makes you think that we,the
go buy new parts. That’s why, people,come to us to get a cyclists, are invisible on the road...truth is that Barcelona
new real bike. is a tough city for riding everyday, more and more people
are using the bike as daily transportation.
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Tell us some news about your future IF YOU have fouND INTEREST IN DOSNOVENTA
frame! BIKES
www.dosnoventabikes.com
For the remainder of the year, we’re going to keep
trusting/believing in the five models we have on the www.facebook.com/dosnoventa
market, But who knows! maybe we will surprise you guys! INTERVIEW BY: claudio di santo
PICS: DOSNOVENTA BIKE ARCHIVE
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Cykeln has been around for a couple of months now, and as you may have noticed,our aim is to cover all aspects of
the fixed gear world. Hoping to let people know what comes within this culture,like the simple pleasure of pedalling
around town. Starting with this issue, we will have a monthly feature about Bike Polo. A discipline that hasnt been
officially recognized yet, but is being played since 2009, by a small ,but growing, group of Italian aficionados. A
group of people with a deep passion for it, ready to drive for miles, to simply attend tournaments around Italy, and
outside the country.
But lets bring it back for a second,before our interview with the Mantova Polo Collective,to know how things got started
in Italy.
Is 2009, fixed gear bikes are booming, and the first standards, skills and rule-wise.
bike polo games are being played, among random The scene now, is pretty well defined, with the north-
group of friends. Milano, Roma, Vicenza, Catania, east, being the birth-place of bike polo. With this being
Fano parking lots, along with some more from other said, there is no lack of action in other cities, like
cities,are no longer empty. Plastic cones are placed Milano, Roma, Catania, Torino, and they all are ready
at the two ends of the court. A street hockey ball and to take over the egemony of Triveneto area.
homemade mallets, that were made out of old skiing-
sticks and plastic drain pipes used by plumbers, are the After this brief introduction, that I hope gives you a
weapons for this new thing called Bike Polo. quick explanation about bike polo, I now proceed
to interview the guys behind the Mantova Bike Polo
Passion grows, day after day, game after game. Polo Collective, which I am a proud member as well.
communities multiplies,and new cities gets on the
map. Modena, Bologna, Padova, Mantova, Torino, Mantova’s Polo crew was born in summer of 2009,
Pordenone, Bergamo, Vercelli, Corsico etc all have and after migratin from parking lots to skating rinks,
now a team.Alleycats are an extra reason to play,since the guys finally found a place to train, in Castelbelforte,
many riders,shows up at any event,bringing their bike near Mantova.
polo gear as well. It looked like that the polo fever
spreading, faster than ever thought, and teams from Of course, our story goes through phases, with people
various cities, wanted to play against the ones they coming and goin, but, as of today, there are six guys
never played with before. that havent given up. Alessio, the veteran (Ketam),
Marcello (Cello), Alessandro (Ale) and Roberto, the
Polo Tournaments are being organized, and Pipe Gang foreigner (Robben)
guys from Milano, are the first that throws the first
challenge, having the first Bike Polo Tournament on june First of all, how your passion for bike
14th 2009, at the ex-area Pozzi,in Corsico. polo, was born?
Ketam: My passion for the sport, activity, discipline or
Padova boys raised the bar, putting up a travelling whatever you wanna call it, was born just like any other
event, called Mazza D’Oro. Which is, to make it short, passion, a mix of curiosity and chance. I had heard
a tournament, where the winning team, has to organize about it before, but I saw it for the first time, during the
the following event in its own city, placing the trophy up ECMC (European Cycle Messenger Championship)
for challenge. in 2009. Bike Polo was still a branch of the fixed
gear – messengers world, and, as a matter of fact, the
This event was a milestone for the movement, and important tournaments, were played at every ECMC
set the date for the official birth of Bike Polo in Italy. event.
Tournaments are being held here and there around the
30 boot, discipline evolves as it goes by, gettin to the euro- I watched few games, but to tell you the truth, I wasn’t
that interested on it. Once I got back though, something What has changed, since your very first
started to ring in my hears… game?
Corra: I heard about, I saw it, I liked it, I play it Robben: Well, since the very first time, the whole thing
changed completely. First of all, the spots changed. From
Cello: The desire to play a team sport (I am a runner and roughly paved parking lots to smooth skating rinks with
a skier). raised curbs around it. The surface changed, the game
became faster, and also havin a correctly sized court,
Robben: My passion for bike polo started in the summer helped a lot, because we would always end up on places
of 2009, when I met Alessio aka Ketam,a guy from that were way to big, making the game, hard to handle.
Mantova super hyped on it. Me and the Modena guys The mallets changed too, we went from 50 to 63 mm
went to Mantova one night, you know, just to riding pipes, makin the head, bigger and easier to work on.
around with new people, and by the end of the night, Bikes changed, and the approach too. We used to ride
were laying polo, with rudimental mallets made outta ski brakeless fixed gear bikes, like the one you had for the
sticks. Since then, i was hooked. city, was used in the court at night. Now, every player
has his own polo bike,fixed cog replaced by a freewheel,
Ale: My interest for bike polo, come directly from my brakes of all kinds were installed. Bmx pedals are being
passion bikes. Bike as a mean of transportation and replaced by MTB spd pedals, oh, and protections came
leisure, using a cheap and eco-friendly means, to play a too. Early days were punky, no helmets, no protections
sport that resembles the other sports that involves a team, like elbow and knee pads. Meanwhile, the helmet is now
a ball and a direct contact with the opponent. mandatory. Lots of players uses hockey gear, due to the
fact that the sport, grew so much, and with it, the risk of
Python: It was was by chance. Ketam saw some guys serious injuries, because rough contacts and speed of
playing in Milano, and he then decided to bring that play,had grew greatly. I could spend few hours, tellin you
to Mantova. I was one of the first to play, and i have all that changed, but I’m sure I gave you the main points, How do you see the scene right now? are no longer a powerful swing of the arm, but a more
stopped since… over the past few years Can you compare it with other scene refined hit, thank also to the new and improved mallets.
32 33
more, especially my mtb bike. IF YOU have FouND INTEREST IN
Mantova BIKE POLO
Cello: I aint got time now…I have three meeting to
www.mntvfxd.wordpress.com
attend, by!
INTERVIEW BY: ROBBEN
Ketam: I currently own four and a half bikes. I like bikes PICS: MANTOVA BIKE POLO ARCHIVE
a lot,especially as a form of transportation. I’m no
spandex-wearin, two hundred miles a day ridin type of
rider. I have a more, let’s say, meditative approach to it.
34
LOR-
EN-
ZO
36 37
Hi Lorenzo,let’s start saying who you car. Now,seemingly, the car-user seems to be the one
are and what you do. forced inside a metal cage on wheels, stuck in traffic,
Before I start, I just wanna thank the guys at Cykeln burning money and wasting precious time,that could
mag for givin me the chance of being among the be used differently. The “renaissance” of fixed gear
pages of this fantastic project. I’m 24 years old, I am a bikes, brought new people into the game,conquering
student and I live in Florence. I’m attending a two years new markets and spaces,thanks to the background that
class for Communication Design, at at ISIA university. comes with the new wave of fixed gear users.
When not busy with school, i’m doing different (and
mandatory) stages in different studios. I’m now busy What kind of rider would you be, if
with a Visual Communication studio, called Neolab. At you would step into this world?
night and on weekends, I work on an array of projects At the moment, i’m rolling around Florence on a carbon
for different clients that i have, taking care of all 2008 Wilier Triestina Lavaredo assembled with an
aspects, from the idea to the final touch. Right now, im Shimano Ultegra gruppo and two Krypto locks. I have
taking care of all aspects of a communication project, an average of 30 to 40 km a day, with uphill roads,
from web to graphic, from branding to illustration and having the chance to roll on such bike, allows me
to get the school or work, without looking like i just got
How did you get involved with out the shower. I haven’t tried a fixed gear bike yet, but
branding and typography design? im definitely working on it, stay tuned!
I believe that these two aspects, are like the faces
of the same medal. Choosing the right font,i s key, Have you ever worked with fixed
no matter what you are working on, web, print etc. gear bikes related brands?
The designer, picks the font, and that’s what set the Nope, but i would definitely love it!
voice, or better saying, the tone of the communication.
Talkin of branding, for the ones not familiar with it, I follow your blog and i keep myself
its the strategic assembly of real and virtual aspects, updated with your works. What’s
associated with a specific brand, and again, choosin your approach to a project, once you
the right font, can determine the success or the failure
have laid-out the main concept with
of a project. Think of the Nazi regime, and how strong,
your client?
and well thought of their propaganda was, using strong
I think that a good project should speak for itself. The
imagery and fonts, that were simply perfect for the idea
Visual aspect is an essential part in communication.
of world they were working on...got that? Now, think of
Of course, the whole thing must be well planned-out.
using a font like Comic Sans, I am pretty sure, the whole
Once i know what the necessities are, I analize the
thing would look way different,and would be perceived
“competition” (if there is any) and I then define the
in a totally different way. Think of a Darth Vader with a
pecularities of my own client. Once i know that,I study
Mickey Mouse voice, and im sure you get the idea!
what the visual languages and approaches that better
suit the previously defined projectual strategy. Once I
How influential is Minimal Design in
get this set, the creative part starts, where every single
the world of fixed gear bikes? detail gets analyzed obsessively, before gettin’ to the
Finally, we talk about bikes! The fact that, bicycles,
final form. I’m obsessed with details, and that makes
are becoming more and more “fashionable and
the job even more tiresome.
cool”, is a benefiting factor for the society as a
whole. Things, now, are goin the other way around.
Do you see the bicycle as a future
The average Bicycle user was once considered some
substitute for the car?
sort of moneyless dropout, that didn’t have any
Let face it, cars are the proof of a wrong economic
money to be dropped inside the tank of a german
development, not to mention the crisis we are goin
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through now. We gotta re-think the whole mobility
system,to make it sustainable, both economically and
envinromentally. Our cars are unused 80% of the time.
We pay for insurance, tires, gas, bills, check-ups and all
that,for something we barely use. Am i wrong, or that is
a nonsense? The other problem is that you are “almost”
forced to buy one, because you have few alternatives,
and the ones available, are kinda dubious...
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THE MAN B EHIND P EDAL C ONSUM P TION
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Who is Patrick Thames?
This has to be one of the toughest questions I get asked
all the time. I suppose if there was a Wikipedia on myself
this question would be much easier to answer. Basically,
I’m the author of PEDAL Consumption and designer of
the Kagero. I’m also team manager and consultant for
Leader. I ride Fixed Gear bikes and wouldn‘t have it any
other way. I live a vegan lifestyle and I love Chihuahuas!
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I’ve seen that you are also a
photographer; do you recognize
yourself as a fixed gear blogger or a
fixed gear photographer?
Well, I’m definitely not a photographer by any means. I
do often dabble in photography, but since my closest
friends (Brenton Salo and Jason Finn) are photographers,
I let them do their thing to help contribute material for
PEDAL Consumption. I’m currently learning photography
in a more professional manner as we speak, so I see it
being something I will dedicate more time to in the near
future. Personally, photos have a big impact on the way
I layout my entries on PEDAL Consumption. I don’t see
any reason why someone would need to write a huge
summary on what the photo is depicting. As they say... a
picture is worth a thousand words.
46 47
on the Kagero is one of my favorite features. The current
market is heavily saturated with Aero style tubing, so we
wanted to do something slightly different, yet classic.
Another outstanding feature about the Kagero is the rear
dropouts. They’re seamless and a bit more oversized
than most of the average dropouts you will find on
aluminum track bikes. All in all, I truly believe we created
a stiff, responsive, and streamlined frameset.
48 49
From Salonicco to Istanbul with only two wheels
I have a place in mind, a place that is echoing outta my Marcel Proust,used to say:
soul…Istanbul!And Im in a crazy need to stay by myself. ” A true discovery-travel, it’s not about finding new lands,
I buy a ticket to Salonicco, I wrap up the bicycle with but on having new eyes”.
four meters of bubble plastic,and off I am. I decided not
to plan anyting,beside the minimum mileage. Two t-shirts, And its with new eyes, that you come back from such trip.
a toothbrush, passport, atm card and a cell phone, all You start to appreciate new things and your perspecive on
thrown inside the bag. I land in Greece after a two hours life, suddenly, changes.
long flight, and the smell of tradition and history goes up Every day is different, with few basic points, like gettin up,
my nostrils instantly. breakfast, pedallin’, lunch, swimmin in the sea, pedallin’
again, gettin’ to the new spot, looking for a room, dinner,
I put my bike back together and within forty minutes,I am bed. But, between wakin up and gettin to bed, there is an
on the road. After a ninety miles ride, the first day brings endless array of different emotions, sensations, experience,
me to Stavros, where the sea is calling me! I rent a room, curiosities, moments that fill your soul to the marrow, and
from a couple of greek-only speaking elders, but let them each of those, is not even remotely similar to the previous
understand my needs is not hard. They ask me if I know one.
mandolin, Totti, pizza, Berlusconi, and of course, Bung-
Bunga…there is always a reason to be proud of being A trip like this,makes you appreciate the little things in life
Italian! that the world we live in, keeps hidden somewhere in all
My first dinner is fish based, just like many others during of us. Things like kindness in people, always ready to help
the trip, because for the same cost of a Big Mac, I can get whenever I needed them, older people cheering at you on
olives, zazichi sauce, grilled fish and Greek salad with the side of the road,the smile of kids, the hot sun that burns
good pint of Mythos beer! Tourist Season its not on yet, so your skin and the chilly wind during the days of May.
all the beaches, restaurants an hotels, are still empty.
All the efforts, the pedalling, the sweat, makes you feel
Its a nature dominated place,where the colors are super alive and give you a sense, a reason, to get to the end,
bright and vivid, the fast-paced clouds change shapes of the choice you have made. Many, told me that i have
quickly, in the superblue sky, without leaving me, wet, been brave,once i returned home. But I believe that its not
with the ocasional drop of rain. Travellin’ on your own, a matter of being brave, but a matter of determination and
is one of the best experiences you can have, because you desire to prove yourself, what my mon, used to tell me
are actually never alone, but your inner self and good volere potere. And this is the reason, that Ill never forget, a
memories, keeps you company. nd this trip is dedicated to her only.
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Pedalando si producono endorfine che
hanno un effetto positivo sull’ umore.
La bici permette di
migliorare notevolmente
la capacità respiratoria.
La pedalata produce
effetti benefici sul sistema
cardio-circolatorio.
56 57
I love to ride my I bicycle, I try to do it every day. And I love to travel, I like many people wish I could do it more. So
it was natural to try to combine the two into a vacation. Last year, I boxed up my fixed gear and took it with me from
Los Angeles to Puerto Rico. I had a an amazing time riding with the some very cool people from PR Fixed.
So for 2012, how about Italy and some of Europe? This would be a monumental experience. It would take a lot of
preparation. The more I thought about having my very own bicycle with me as I toured various cities I became in love
with the idea. So I began the planning process.
1. MONEY
Traveling is not cheap, and the biggest hindrance for
me. So I decided to not pay rent on my apartment for
2 months. I moved into storage the day before my trip.
Fortunately, I was able to sleep at my work.
2. ITINERARY
I wanted to go for 1 month originally, but I found this is
not enough time. I wanted to visit friends in Spain and
that would take more time. So 6 weeks became the plan.
I bought a one way ticket to Milan and decided that
would be a good jumping off point.
58 59
pillow and a jar of nuts that I forgot to eat on the plane. in the sun, I was back to Ravenna where I was invited
The idea of having a backback and riding the bike was to go for a ride with Ravenna Fixed.
a good idea in theory, but when the bag is probably 75
lbs, it’s downright dangerous. After seeing the crazy About 10 of us met at the Limboazul shop and I got
drivers, speeding into Milan from the airport, I changed lost on the way there of course: Note: the iPhone gps
gears and jumped on a bus. combined with Italian cellular doesn’t work for doo-doo.
We rode to an empty parking lot where these guys ride
After several blocks of WALKING my bicycle to the hostel, wayyyy too fast for my taste. After chasing them like
I was ready for some riding! Oh by the way, this was a younger brother trying to keep up, I decided to take
my first time in a hostel. That is a whole different story. pictures.
But the receptionist tells me of critical mass the following
evening. I’m excited! After that, we rode to old town Ravenna for some
I started adventuring around Milan for the next few hours, kebab and beer. I had a great night with Ravenna fixed
taking photos, smiling ear to ear. I’m sure people thought and met some cool people. Everyone seems to share the
I was crazy. I stand out in Italy for a few reasons: same amazement and appreciation of my whole bike
adventure. Bringing my bike so far to ride with so many
1. I dress funny (bright colors). different people is not only rare, but a lot of work and
bicycle riders are truly appreciative.
2. My bicycle is strange looking. My next stop was Firenze. A new friend I met in Milan
told me of a velodrome that was being re-opened in
3. I wear a helmet! Hardly anyone wears a Firenze. So naturally I had to put it on my agenda. He
helmet. and only fixed gear riders would bond so quickly. to the beach. We made plans for the next day. That night arranged for me to crash at someone’s house so I was
For the next few days they showed me around Milan, while cruising around the city, I spotted a gorgeous dodici even more excited to go.
I wouldn’t either but this trip should be ruined with one cooked for me, introduced me to their friends, and we special locked up outside a bar. I went inside and found
fall. So it’s on my adventures I come across a guy riding celebrated Ivan’s birthday. They are amazing people and the owner and he was A cool guy of course. After a drink I was met at the train station by Federico Franco, a
a fixed gear with no brakes, his name is Ivan. I follow I cannot thank them enough. When it came time to leave, they instructed me where the local bike shop is. mature kind-hearted 17 year-old young man. He
him and he tells me in broken English that he will be at they were going on another ride and I wanted to join took me to his family’s home and made me feel very
critical mass the next night. So I tell him I’ll see him then, them. But I have the whole country to cover and not much The next day I went by the local bike /surf shop named welcome, even bring me a kabab. Note: I have eaten a
we are already friends. Its funny how fixed gear cyclists time. Next stop Modena. In Modena, I found a great Limboazul. By coincidence, the owner Ale was getting lot of kebab in Italy.
are like a family. The next day I rode more around Milan shop called Iride Fixed Modena. Walter and Kappa, two ready to go for a ride. He invited me to follow him for a
and took more pictures. I saw the vigorelli and toured the of the owners, we’re friendly and helpful. They told me tour of Ravenna. He was fast! After chasing him for an I was on my own for a few hours so it was time for me
famous Masi’s workshop. I have to admit I didn’t know it of a ride in bologna and out me in contact with one of hour, I gracefully bowed out with some type of excuse. to adventure. I ram into a photographer on a bridge
was his at the time, but I was schooled by someone later. their messenger friends. After a ride and photos around The next ride with the slower girl was much easier to that had an fixed gear. We talked a little and he invited
That night I wan into another fixed gear enthusiast from Modena, I was off to bologna. follow on her old grandma bike as we rode the 10 km to me to his photo exhibit. So yet agin I was chasing
Firenze at my hostel and we became fast friends.We both Marinna Ravenna. It was my first time seeing the Adriatic someone through a city I was lost in. The photo exhibit
share the same passion for bicycles and he was enthused I met a rider on the train to bologna from Ravenna and he sea and I can imagine how much fun the beach is when was ool Andrea Colpatrio turned out to be a great
by this enormous trip I had planned. We made plans for told me where to meet the riders. They must have changed it’s crowded in the summer. Note: the mosquitoes in Italy friend and we made plans for later. He told me of a
later as I was off to critical mass in Milan. I met up with the plan because I only saw one fixed gear the whole are no joke! I’ve been bit at least 30 times. I took the train bike event tonight having to do with lights and bikes.
the group near Il Duomo, and I found my new buddy Ivan night. Well, what can you do? I rode around on my own down to Rimini the next day and rode around there. It’s So I was off to that. It was some type of organized ride
and his beautiful girlfriend Chiara. We also became fast and made plans for my next stop in Ravenna. On the train the Adriatic’s version of Miami Beach with the high rise done in connection with holland trying to encourage
friends and she invited me to stay with them! Only in Italy, to Ravenna I met a nice girl who agreed to ride with me hotels and rows of beach clubs. After a day of lounging bicyclists to use lights on their bikes in Firenze.
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It was like all family rides, very slow. Like walk your bike
slow. But I met another fixed gear rider names Carlo.
Carlo is a young film-maker and general cool dude. We
grabbed a young kid doing tricks and rode with him.
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NAME - Alessandro
NAME - Roberto
LASTNAME - Bucceri
LASTNAME- Venice
WHAT YOU DO?: Graphic Designer
NICKNAME - Robben
WHAT YOU DO?: Thermotecnic Planner
Where you live and how it’s riding in
your city?
Where you live and how it’s riding in your Hi everybody! I live in Palermo
city?
I live in Solara, located in the Bomporto area, near Modena.
have you been in other cities with your
It’s cool to ride around my city, because is man-sized, and
also, because its cool to hook with friends and ride to places
bike? and how it’s was?
I’ve never been in other city than Palermo. The traffic in
that you woulndt visit otherwise. I prefer to ride around my
Palermo it’s insane, you have to take care of yourself when
area, so I can create some sort of mini-path that goes all
you ride in the traffic jam.
around my areas, like: Solara, Gorghetto, San Prospero,
Sorbara, Bastiglia Bomporto Ravarino, Crevalcore, Solara,
which is around forty km. I have another one,which is: what you love of city?
Solara, Staggia, Cavezzo, San Giacome Roncole, Medolla, I love riding my bike because for me it’s relaxing.
Staggia, this being five km shorter than the previous one. I
usually ride all by myself.
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Once again, the bmx event held in Siziano, near on top of the ramp, fallino on the side, and landing on the
Pavia.,is one of most waited and well attended contest head o fthe same nurse, that few moments earlier, helped
of the year.We went to check it out, and here,a brief Christian Andrei with an injury, that made him leave the
report. contest!!!!
The contest started in the early afternoon, with music As the day was gettin to the end, Super Oscar, grabs the
being pumped from the speakers,by dj’s and live mic and announces that Monster Drinks, is offering 200
bands,such as:Trenta Passi, Melodie Distorte, Oil You euros, for the best trick. Few second later, the pool was
and Eyes WIde Shut. full of riders, blasting tricks and having the crowd goin
crazy!!!!
Riders were warmin up, and the Monster drink guzzled
down previously, must have pumped them up, because Judges worked hard,to decide who won the jam and the
the level of skills and tricks, was incredibile. best trick contest, Here their names:
Itt was an head to head battle. Two riders at same 1° Emanuel Bettassa
moment, inside the pool,were entertaining the cheering
and screaming crowd, with seatgrabs, no foot can- 2° Vittorio Galli
cans, foot plants, x-up not to mention the harder tricks
like abubaca, tailwhip air, back and front flip and many 3° Mirco Andreani
more.
Best trick:
I gotta admit that these guys left nothing to be Luca Soldati
imagined,s they blasting tricks after trick, like the first
bck flip performed by Vittorio Galli, doubl epeg on the Of corse,to place the cherry on top of such nice day,a
rail by Mirco Andreani and the attempts of Alexander mega party was thrown afterds.
Chetverik, trying a double peg stall on the railed fence See you guy next year,in Siziano!!!!
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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER
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