Buffalo Rider Spotlight: Roy Draves

What part of the city are you from and how old are you?

Roy: From Love Joy and 17.

Favorite part of the city to ride in?
Roy: I like the Eastside, High St. There's a lot of really fun hills. I like to pretend I am in Mash all day everyday.

How is your bike set up?
Roy: It's so shitty. 54cm Windsor Clockwork decked out with reflective tape over the logos with Soma dropbars. Drops all the way. Oury grips on top. Some Alex wheels. Stem is a nub thing. Half the stuff on my bike doesn't have a name on it. My ratio is 48:17

What's the best moment you had while riding?
Roy: Riding to Niagara Falls with Billy. It was a really pleasant day. There was a great energy to it. I woke up with a smile on my face and went to sleep with a smile on my face. It is 56 miles round trip from my house. The feeling the next day was great. It gave me the confidence to realize 20 miles isn't so bad.

Did you ride before riding fixed?
Roy: Yeah, I started riding on a blue road bike when I was 14. I have been riding fixed for 2 and a half years now. I used to hate fixed gears. I hated the way it felt, but then Landon and Billy got them. I gave it more of a shot and I like how much more control I have. I think more with my feet than my hands now.

How do you feel about riding through Buffalo winters?
Roy: Everyone should try it once. If you have somewhere to be don't let it stop you from getting there. Just dress right . I ride my bike how it is set up during the summer same as winter. 700cx23 with crappy Gatorskins.

Who or what inspired you to ride?
Roy: Originally it was drive to get out and see things. Its the best way to clear your head and think. Then it snowballed from there.

What do you listen to while you ride?
Roy: Pop punk or Paramore. A lot of Paramore or when I am tired more ambient music. Usually I ride to the music.

Do you feel safe riding fixed brakeless?
Roy: I feel like I have complete control. I can stop as quick as anyone with a brake. I love the focus it brings. It also comes with the control factor, but it's control you have to gain.

How do you rate Buffalo for riding?
Roy: Considering I have never ridden anywhere else I give it an 8/10. I like the community.

What are you looking forward to most?
Roy: Fall. Wearing a hoodie. Oh and a new bike. A Norco track frame.

What is your favorite part about the Buffalo bike scene?
Roy: Everyone knows everyone.

Tuesday Ride!

Dudes Enjoying Colorado

Had to share this video with everyone. Looks like it was a lot of fun and has me really motivated to get out and spend sometime in the woods. Haven't had enjoy time outside the city this summer.

First Tuesday Ride A Success!

Write up by Eric Pitman

Tuesday night, a group nearing 30 participants collected on the tennis courts of North Buffalo's Shoshone Park.
As the sun sank deeper into the skyline, stragglers and late-comers joined the pack amassed at the park's interior. Just after 7 o'clock post meridian, the cyclists took to the streets, destined for a secluded, lackluster "skate"park in North Tonawanda. As the first stop of the ride was haphazardly chosen by Mr. Sperrazza, not many knew of location's existence, and even fewer knew riding directions. After an initial few awkward seconds, Steve ascended to the rank of leader, directing the bunch for a few miles of easy riding.
Riding there, the gang developed a good flow: Steve imparted directions, friends chatted, Bennett turned the mounded earth around trees into ramps, and newcomers discovered the attractive grace of mass rides. A quick twenty minutes was all it took to arrive at the ramp-infested estate. Once there, a few pictures were taken, the ramps were tested by the burly 40c tires of Bennett and Charles, and miniature discussions of bikes were had. As quickly as everyone had arrived, a new destination was chosen, and they were off once again.
This time headed for the cooling breeze of the water, the bunch made their way to Tonawanda's Mississippi Mudds, a restaurant facing Lake Erie, located on Niagara Street.
From there, the riders continued along the water, this time via the smooth blacktop of the Niagara bike path. A few short miles south, the thirty-pack stopped to admire the placid water and pose for a group picture. As the gang recollected, spirits were still high. It was at this point that the organizers of the first ever Tuesday night ride knew their plan had yielded success. From there, the group, along with yet another few add-ons, travelled farther down Niagara, turning left on Hertel.
It was around this point that the "group" nature became slightly disbanded, and people separated. Thanks in part to a couple flats, inpatient SUV-mongerers, and annoyingly-slim shoulders, many of the original riders had either lost the group or had called it a night and retired to their homes.
With still ten or twelve cyclists left, the group stopped for fuel at Mighty Taco, situated near the intersection of Delaware and Hertel. As Tex-Mex was inhaled, everyone was still in good shape and enjoying the cool summer evening.
From there, the majority of riders had said their goodbyes and ridden home. A small group opted for ice cream at Fowler's on Elmwood and set their proverbial sails towards the village.
So although the plans were shaky at best, it was pulled off with zero resistance or incident. Everyone was in the best of moods and no one got emotional about minor trivialities. This past Tuesday has proven, if nothing else, that riding your bike with some friends can be one of the best, easiest ways to have a good time.
For Tuesdays to come, expect more organization, more people, and more awesomeness. We meet at Shoshone Park, a stone's throw from Main and Hertel. All who possess two-wheeled transportation and a good attitude are welcome.



The second ride will go off at the same time as last week same meet up spot!

Facebook Event: Buffalo Ny: The 2nd Tuesday Ride

Buffalo, Ny: Tuesday Ride

This Tuesday August 10th at 6:30pm we will be kicking off the first ride of our weekly rides. The plan is to meet at Shoshone Park at the tennis courts. These used to be our old polo courts if any of you remember. We encourage anyone on any bike to come and enjoy the ride which will be led by someone chosen at random at meet up time. So its not a bad idea to have some ideas stored up just incase you are the one leading! These will hopefully continue every week and be a nice addition to the Sunday night rides that go on every weekend.

Here is a map to the meet up location:

View Larger Map


Link to Facebook Event: Buffalo, Ny: Tuesday Ride

Hey guys, I'll be making some posts on here now, whenever I think up some worthwhile shit to share with the world. My goals, as far as this blog, are simply to untie the local track bike scene and make it all that it can be.
Unlike my residentially-challenged co-poster Charlie, I'm rarely outside the Buffalo area, so I'm usually down to ride with anyone. Last night, Mr. Reinagel and I discussed possibly organizing a Wednesday night ride around the city, with the singular goal of having a good time.
We'll see what comes in the future, though. For now, I just wanted to introduce myself.
Expect to hear more in the near future!


-Eric

YNOTCYCLE

This is a great company from Toronto that everyone should be keeping an eye on. They are pushing toward innovative products and not just remakes of everything you have already seen. Tom Mosher has come up with a brilliant bag called the Cobra and I am sure there are many more amazing products in the works.


Photo:John Hargraft

Another hot seller are their Foot Retention Straps.


You can check out more photos and info on the company over at ynotcycle.blogspot.com

NAHBPC

Just returned to Buffalo from the North American Hardcourt Bike Polo Championship. We placed tied 13th of 66 teams. Most important thing to come from the weekend are these awesome new wheel covers by Burro!

Buffalo Hardcourt Bike Polo

Today Wednesday the 14th we will be playing polo at 6pm. Also going to be a bit of a trick session going on in the court beside the polo court. Come on out and have a good time. Here is the new location!


View Larger Map

Hoping to see some new faces!

Burro Bags!

Burro Bags is a bag company out of Jacksonville Florida that I am sure you have heard of lately. They have been blowing up with their awesome pedal straps and great custom bags.

The straps come in a few different styles:

BMX Platform Pedal Straps










Chronic Series Premium Pedal Straps











They also specialize in awesome custom bags which are definitely worth checking out.
If you live in the Buffalo area you can pick a pair up at Campus Wheelworks on Elmwood Ave.

Problem Child!

My buddy Joe over at Positive Approach has been working on a new line called Problem Child. The new summer line will be out soon so be on the look out for that!

Here are some previous prints:






















Photo Cred: Chris Lee























Big stuff in the works.

It's Ben a while.

Here are some photos that have been sitting around for a bit on my camera. Finally got around to editting them.

Saddle Up Buffalo!

Chris and I have been filming a bit lately for a new film he is putting together. From the looks of it so far things are going very well. We aren't even filming in HD yet and it looks amazing. Here is a small teaser:

Charlie- Saddle Up Buffalo! from Charles Reinagel on Vimeo.

If you want to get involved and have a part in the video and are really serious about getting out and filming get a hold of me.

Also starting next week Thursday we are going to be getting together on a weekly basis to do tricks, hangout, BBQ, listen to music, play bike games, ya know everything cool. As of right now the meeting spot is going to be the huge blue building on the corner of Hertal and Elmwood. Right next to Video Liquidators. I can't promise the BBQ part for next week. Someone make it happen! I will hopefully be there around 7pm. There are lights so we can stay late!

I hope to see everyone getting out and getting involved this week!

-Charlie

Petal Pedal Alleycat

Filming and Petal Pedal Alley Cat News

Finally going to start to upload and put up some clips from last year that Bill filmed. I can upload one a week so the fim updates will be a weekly thing.


Charlie & Bill Barspin from Charles Reinagel on Vimeo.


The Petal Pedal Alleycat will be taking place on May 1st at 730 pm. Meet down at city hall. This is going to be a really fun one so I suggest everyone that can make it come out and have a blast either riding your hardest or just cruising with friends. There will be prizes from Campus Wheelworks for 1st, 2nd, 1st girl and so on.

After the race there will be a showing of Mash Sf at Soundlab that starts at 9:45. There will be tables for a few shops such as Campus and Buffalo Blue Bikes. Also Val from Campus is going to have top tube pads and other things at the table for people to look at and hopefully buy.

BUT thats not all after the film there will be a dance party at Soundlab as well.

Cost $6 to race w/ free admission to Mash Sf and Spiral Pitch. $6 at door for everyone that didn't participate in the race. If you run a checkpoint you are covered and able to get in free.

Hope everyone comes out and has a great time!