Life of Bikes

Pioneers - Dennis McCoy - "The Real McCoy"

If you have ever been involved in Freestyle at all, you know Dennis McCoy.  With about 30 years of Freestyle experience, Dennis is a pioneer and legend.  The list of tricks invented, wild stories and  incredible perseverance are only outmatched by his absolute love of the sport.

His nickname is fitting, "The Real McCoy".  He lived his sport and has never stopped.  I admire that and always enjoy a chance to see Dennis jump on a bike.  The BMX Hall of Fame will be calling.

Take a look at this competition run from 1985, just as Dennis was about to move up to the Pro class.  This was in an era of balance tricks and few combos.  Dennis blew everyone in the building away with this run.

 

Competition Run-offs - The Highlight of any Event

In any sport, a tie-breaker can be one of the most dramatic and exciting parts of the competition.  The competitors have to raise up their skill levels incredibly higher, the pressure of being perfect skyrockets and, most of all, the spotlight is on.  The video below is from the 1987 AFA Masters event in Columbus, Ohio between Mark Eaton and Gary Pollack.  Both riders were from Pennsylvania and some of the most innovative at the time.  The styles were vastly different, but equally fun to watch.  I was there to see in person and recently received a VHS tape of it from Kurt Schmidt.  The atmosphere was one of the most intense of the day.  The format is a winner-take-all 1 minute run off.  This was for third place in a division with some of the top riders globally, including Karl Rothe and Joe Grutolla.  Total entry count was 100 riders in this division alone (including yours-truly...I finished somewhere in the middle if memory serves correctly).  Take a look.

Results 16-18 Expert Flatland:

1. Karl Rothe
2. Joe Grutolla
3. Mark Eaton
4. Gary Pollack

Can I convince you to Ride a BMX track in seven seconds?

I hadn't been to a BMX track in over 25 years when I heard of one near my office.  My daughter ended up riding a fundraising ride there and it was a blast to cruise around the track and see her learn. 

If you rode a BMX bike as a kid, you will have a blast doing it now.  Your not too old.  Save that excuse.

Loving The Direction BMX is Headed...UP!

To watch what you love go up and down over the course of several decades is tough.  Over the course of almost 30 years of being involved in BMX, I have either been involved first hand or cheered and growned from the somewhat sidelines of the sport.  Thanks to some pioneers like Mat Hoffman, Dennis McCoy, Steve Swoope, Jay Miron, Dave Mirra, Tim Hall, Chris Moehler, Brian Foster, TJ Lavin back in the 90's; we have a sport that is not only thriving, its growing as it takes on a more global community.  This video from Austrailia takes BMX one step upwards in the same way the last major leep took place, the Mega Ramp with Mat Hoffman.  Take a look.  Simpley AMAZING!!!!!

 

2011 Tour de South Shore - Rain or Shine

Rain or shine, the cause was great.  The McCourt Foundation put on a fundraising bicycle ride along the south shore of Massachusetts in September 2011.  The ride consisted of either 25 or 50 miles and raised several hundred thousand dollars for MS and Alzheimer's research.

It did rain for the first 25 mile loop, but the sun prevailed and it turned out to be a fun ride with some good friends in support of a research for these miserable afflictions.  I appreciate Rob Horne inviting me to join and the McCourt Foundation for hosting the event.

 

For more information, please visit the event home page. 

Pan Mass Challenge - Thank you!!!!!

    192 miles is a long way to ride, but pales in comparison to the fight that families dealing with cancer face.  I rode the PMC this year with 5226 other bike riders with the help of 3000 + volunteers, the PMC staff and some great supporters.  I want to thank each and every one of you.  This was a great experience and we collectively raised $34 million dollars for cancer treatment, care and research.  100% of the donations we each collected will be presented to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute by the Jimmy Fund.

I hope to ride again next year and hope you will consider supporting me again in fighting this awful disease.  Through the PMC and everyone involved (including you!) we can make a difference in the lives of people fighting and towards finding a cure.  We are making incredible progress every year.  Thank you!!!!!!!

 

There are so many stories to share, but one stands out for me.  On day one at about the 80 mile mark (37 miles to go) many of the riders were feeling what I felt, quads that were starting to tire a bit.  As I was thinking that I may need to dig a little deeper, I rode by a house with an 8' wide x 6' tall poster.  It had a photo of their 11 month old daughter with the statement, "thank you for rider for her".  It absolutely took my breathe away and solidified for me why we were riding.  My brain changed gears immediately and the burning in my legs was gone.  I rode the rest of the ride faster than any other point.  After the ride this mile marker was the talk of many riders.  Along the route we were reminded how many people are in fact fighting. 

The video is a quick look insider the PMC. Enjoy!

 

The Science of Lance Armstrong - Discovery Channel Video

Regardless of the type of bike you love, you know who Lance Armstrong is and what an amazing athlete he has been for a few decades.  Personally, I don't believe the doping garbage.  This video does a great job to explain the science behind how he has performed so well.  

 

In a nutshell, his heart has a 1/3 more capacity than the average person.  More capacity equals more power and longer endurance.

Why I am Riding the PMC in 2011 - We Can't Turn Back Time

I recall a few words my cousin said to me at the wake of her brother after passing from a second bout with Leukemia.  She said, "don't you wish it was like it was when we were kids".  She was referring to how simple life was when we were all younger.  What she really meant was, don't you wish Joey was here.  We were looking at him, but he lost the fight despite the incredible fight he put up, the tremendous support and the wonderful medical care. 

 

I signed up for the PMC this year feeling like it was my chance to do something about how devastating cancer is in our lives.  It takes people away and it puts people through a journey that is beyond the comprehension of folks that haven't experienced it.  As every mile rolls by on my ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown I will be thinking of my cousin, my family that lost him and the many friends and colleagues of mine that have experienced the worrisome nights during the journey to fight it and the unimaginable loss when fighting just isn't enough. 

 

192 miles is a long way to go and a huge commitment, both physically and financially.  I didn't have any doubts because either way the result is the same, money and hope will be headed to Dana-Farber for the fighters. 

 

I hope you will join me this year to raise money for these fighters and to learn more about preventing it.  Livestrong! 

 

http://www.pmc.org/profile/SM0384

Training for the 2011 Pan-Mass Challenge

To get ready to ride 192 miles in two days to raise money for cancer research takes some planning, some fitness, but most of all it takes some perspective.  I am riding this year because it is my chance to make a contribution (in my sweat and work) to ride our world of this miserable disease.  With a lifetime of competitive and wild bike riding, this is one part of my puzzle that was incomplete.  I don't know if I ever made this kind of difference in someone's life by riding a bike. 

If you would like to join me in any way (encouragement, make a donation, or just some advise), please contact me at my PMC page.  http://www.pmc.org/profile/SM0384

I love this app on my IPHONE to track my rides.  Click around and add it.  I think it was free possibly.  http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/30815608

 

Always wondered how a bike frame is built?

The gang at Standard Byke Co. have a great video walking through the process of building a bike frame.  These guys are an American company still building bikes/bykes here in the States. 

 

I think I need to go Standard after seeing this.  Thanks Rick!

 

Check these guys out at www.standardbyke.com

 

Custom Trail Machine from Ben Polaschek on Vimeo.