The Boston Scrambler and
Kick-Ass Track Bike Show
The Boston Scrambler (www.bostonscrambler.com) was a set of messenger race events hosted by Craig Roth and his Boston Strangers crew, held Saturday, May 24th, 2003. After the races, they hosted a great party and the Kick-Ass Track Bike Show, which they hope to become an annual event. They've got a new website on track bikes under development, (www.kickasstrackbikes.com).
Craig's motto for the show and probably the new site
is:
"Track bikes only. No Brakes."
Needless to say, we here at Old Skool Track are 100% in support!
I didn't get to Boston in time for the races, but I took my Serotta for the show. The warehouse-venue, filled with messengers, bike fans and fixed-freaks, seemed like it had over 100 bikes, of all sizes, ages and designs. Working, daily-bread bikes. Of these, I'd say about 85% were fixes. Of these, about 16 were on display in the show.
The show had a Yamaguchi, a few gorgeous Eddie Merckx's, some great funny bikes, and the unique NYC Taxi bike. It was a competition actually, and was based on voting. The winner was decided by ballot cards and a vote. Which bike was it? We'll make you read to the bottom of the article!
The lighting was low-tech warehouse-style, and I apologize for my photos, which I had to tweak in Photoshop to compensate for my no-flash digicam. Craig and his crew had some very competent photographers there, and I'm hoping we'll see some great pix on www.kickasstrackbikes.com when it's ready.
Guerreros sin frenos - "Warriors without Brakes," NYC
team that won the Alleycat race.
Craig Roth's Paletti funny bike in the competition.
Kara's signed Eddie Merckx in the competition.
Eddie's signature on Kara's bike.
One of Craig Roth's crews' Strangers tracks.
The Strangers Logo, courtesy of Craig Roth et al.
Detail of Squid's bike in the competition. Earlier in the race,
another rider ran into him. It was raining and darkish - eyeglasses were fogged and smeared.
He said this Brooks saddle is the most comfortable saddle he's ever ridden.
It made me think about getting one!
Carter track in the competition - I'd never heard of this maker before.
My Serotta - in the competition.
Yamaguchi in the competition tricked out for time-trial, but I think the owner rides it on the street. I like that straight fork, w/ no brake hole.
KHS funny bike in the competition. Looking at the difference in the saddle height-to handlebar-height, you'd think it requires a tall rider. But look at the top-tube/down-tube juncture. The owner is about 5ft, 8in.
Old-skool-style Eddie Merckx in the competition. One of the most meticulously-detailed tracks I've ever seen. But it didn't win!
My wife May stealing a pose with the beautiful old-skool Eddie.
Ashira and her Daccordi.
Sean's NYC Taxi bike - winner of the competition by vote!!!