Rider Profile: Congo

What can be said about this dude? He shreds thats it. On a Bmx, tarck or track bike, he simply shreds. Enjoy his answers as much as I did.

Congo

What do you ride?
A fixie duuuu! My trick bike is a LDG hammer frame with all resist/demo components and for a fast bike its the LDG aero. It's really good for leg over skids and bar humping skeeeez!

How long have you been riding/ what started you?
I started riding fixies about 3 years ago. Its just a lot easier to get around. I started riding bikes at the wee age of 7.

Do you wear a helmet and why or why not?
I dont really wear a helmet. It just feels better and it kinda gets in the way. I would wear a helmet if I was racing or if I was going to a skate park that required it

Favorite Shop? Why?
Long beach City Grounds. The crew of workers is really good and great prices #youknowwhatsgood

Clip or clipless?
I ride clipless on my track bike. Just feels better and I ride CONGOLIOD Hold Fast strap on my trick bike. Get them!

Ride with headphones/ music?
I do listen to music when Im riding place to place but when I get to a spot I'll take them out

Sponsors or teams/ gangs/ clubs you are a part of?
LDG, Resist Parts, Hold Fast straps, VAGX, Hurley, Mountain Dew, City Grounds (no its not a coffee shop). As far as a group, THE FIXIE FACTORY

Fav. Race?
My first race I did. It was bunny on a stick a few years ago.

Fav. place to ride or route(s) in LBC?
I just love riding all over LB. The skateparks are really good

Fav. person(s) to ride with?
Everyone at the FIXIE FACTORY. Out of town people, Tom L, Steven Jensen and Tyler Johnson

Dope Chill spot?
Dis dik

Why LBC?
Cuzz bitch, we busten atem

What do you do for work?
Lol. Right now riding sweet fixies and stupid lil jobs

What else do you do/ projects/ hobbies?
Riding bmx, working out and disc golf,


Dream Bike?
One that fits me just right. Right now I really want a LOW, or all carbon teschner.

Best/ worst about riding in LBC?
Worst, nigga be mad froggy. Best part, Im froggier

Any LBC secrets/ tips you want to give out?
Depends on what your trying to find.

Shout outs?
TTv, FIXIE FACTORY #youknowhatsgood #HUYAMOUF, FIXIE FREESTYLE

Last word?
SUCKS TO SUCK

*Middle photo by Jason Rosete

-Sean Martin

Rider Profile: Tim Mcgee

Intro By Beaver Beavs

When I met this kid years ago on the polo courts, he was a young little smiley grom. Tim killed it at polo and now he's grown up a little to step up to the velodrome. He was already pretty quick but riding with the Predator Cycling team as well as the is making him faster and faster. Within a year of racing on the velodrome, Tim has already upgraded to CAT2 on track and CAT3 on the road and now he's training with the fastest dudes in the country on Team USA. But as he moves up in the racing world, Tim's still just as down-to-earth as ever. He's still shootin' around on the polo courts and If you ever meet him, you'd feel like you've known this kid for years. One of the best dudes around and he's always down for a big smile and a good laugh.

Tim Mcgee

What do you ride?
Bike Polo: Black on black Surly 1x1 with a gold chain.
Track: Look 464
Road: Predator Cycling Carbon Road Bike
Mtn: Foes Pro Lite XC and Transition Bottlerocket

How long have you been riding/ what started you?
Since a child but 4 years ago 818 Bike Polo started it all for me.

Do you wear a helmet and why or why not?
Yes I do! My mom wouldn't let me out of the house without it and I've had 3 concussions in 10 days.

Favorite Shop? Why?
H&S Bicycles because it's family and I work there.
Predator Cycling because they're my team and I can check on my peanut looking power test.

Clip or clipless?
Clipped for racing but when it comes down to putting people in the boards in Bike Polo I'm clip-less and strapped.


Ride with headphones/ music?
Sometimes I do and currently Jay-Z and Kanye are playing all day.

Sponsors or teams/ gangs/ clubs you are a part of?
818 Bike Polo, Predator Cycling, H&S Bicycles, and Chain Gang T.O.

Fav. Race?
The Keirin at Elite Track Nationals and the Predator Keirin Classic.

Fav. place to ride or route(s) in LA?
HDC Velodrome, Encino Velodrome, and the Valley with Bicykillers.

Fav. person(s) to ride with?
My little big brother.

Dope Chill spot?
Wednesday Nights 7pm-10pm Encino Velodrome.

Why LA?
I moved here from Hawaii in middle school for a better education.

What do you do for work?
I work at a Bookstore and H&S Bicycles in Burbank, CA.

What else do you do/ projects/ hobbies?
Illustration/Graphic Design, film photography, silk screen printing.

Dream Bike?
The bike that I'll ride to a World cup.

Best/ worst about riding in LA?
The best is riding anywhere with friends and the worst is the air in LA.

Any LA secrets/ tips you want to give out?
Don't sleep on rollers. Literally.


Shout outs?
Class 69 of Encino Velodrome Wednesday night.

Last word?
Check out my website www.everythingeaten.com


-Tim McGee

Rider Profile: Robert Pacheco

The Lil' homie. The dude that kicks my ass on our track bike ride every Saturday morning. I watched this young man grow into a cyclist over the last two years and he has impressed the shit out of me. He's getting ready to throw his first race next Sunday, (1st LA halloween alleycat in quite some time), and he hosts his own ride - Tuesday night hustle ride. Robert is holding it down on the LA streets and you all should keep an eye on him. This kid is a pleasure to ride with and it's going to be real exciting to see over the next few years what this young man has hidden up his sleeve.


Robert Pacheco

What do you ride?
48cm Continuum/ Chris King Headset/ Wound Up Fork
Thomson stem/ Nitto b125 Drop Bar
Thomson seatpost/ Specialized Toupe Expert
Mavic Open Pro laced to Low Flange Phil Wood hubs. 17t EAI Goldmedal Cog
Campagnolo Record Cranks/ 47t Sugino Zen Chainring/ Campagnolo Veloce Btm Brckt


How long have you been riding/ what started you?
Started February 2009, my car was stolen right after I bought my first conversion. The car was later found stripped and burned. My conversion became my everyday ride. Havent looked back since.


Do you wear a helmet y or y not?
HELL YEAH. Was hit by a car in September NOT wearing one, all bad. Our drivers are too stupid for cyclists not to wear one.



Favorite shop?
Echo Park Cycles. even though its not around anymore when it was here it was the shit. First bike shop I ever went to, Ozzie, Doug, Melissa (Rest in Paradise Mouse), the first DTLA messengers who taught me how to ride these streets.


clips or clipless?
Both, but since I've discovered clipless, I prefer it. Time Atac pedals, inverse cleats (no float). Specialized Mtn Sport Shoes


Ride with headphones/ music?
Only 1, the right/ outside one. I like my tunes, but love to hear the traffic and insanity around me as I ride.


Sponsors or teams or clubs you are a part of?
The Juice. Nothing official yet, but im trying to get the Juice on its feet again.
Chicken Hawk Racing. My club. Still unofficial but you'll begin to see it more and more.


Favorite race/s?
Lord of Griffith 3. Griffith park, greatest place for a race. 15th out of about 70?
The Takeover 2. Part 1. 5th.
What can I say I like climbing, descending and sprinting.


Favorite place to ride or route in la?
Sunset blvd. at 6pm. Griffith at any time. The rest of the city and everywhere in between. Theres nothing better than just riding the city streets, explore and you will find anything you can ask for.


Fav. person(s) to ride with?
Jose “HuevsMartin” Henriquez, my lil nephew thats more like my lil bro. i bring out the best in him and he does the same for me.
Ace “Boogie” Carretero
Sean “TOLA” Martin
Sean and Ace, both have taught me so fucken much, street knowledge, race knowledge, everything you would need to know to survive on a brakeless track bike in LA. Ace taught me the streets after graduating from the University of Tracko, and Sean taught me a lot about rides, and races.




Dope chill spot?
Don’t really chill to often. As long as im with friends doesnt really matter really.


Why la?
Cuz I was born here! Ha! No better place to be, its big, but compact. You can go a mile in any direction you want and you will run into something completely different. There are no limits to this city.


What do you do for work?
Orange 20 Bikes. Cyclist at a bike shop, cant complain, love the look of new faces on new bikes.


What other hobbies/ projects do you do?
Just got into Mountain Biking.
Trying to do more but don't know where to start, any suggestion?

Dream bike?
Not too sure actually. Dont really have a “Dream” bike, like too many to just pick one. BUT the road bike I want and will be saving up to buy within the next few months is, Jamis Xenith Pro w/ Ultegra Di2


Best/worst thing about riding in LA
Best thing. Traffic, hills, and the fact that you can ride in any direction and run into crazy shit.
Worst. LA Drivers. Drivers dont care about the cyclist here, they dont know how to drive with cyclists near.


Any secret tips/ secrets you wanna give?
Be Aggressive, there's no other way to ride in LA. You must be aggressive or you will not survive. People wont give you the lane, you must take it. DO NOT HESITATE!

Shout out?
Mom and pops! wouldnt be here or anywhere near this athletic if it wasnt for you 2.
Nena! Sister that doubles as a 2nd mom
PACHECO’S!
HuevsMartin
Ace Boogie
Sean Martin
ShaqAttack
J-Man
Tracko
GSC
Kike!
Orange20 Bikes!
Ozzie- Echo Park Cycles. Taught me the right way!
Melissa! Mouse! Rest in Paradise! one of the greatest people I ever had a chance to meet. First female messenger I met.
TOLA!


Last word?
A fixed gear is a bicycle at its purest form. no gears and no brakes. Considered the ultimate marriage between man and machine, a sub 20 pound piece of machinery is the only thing separating your body from the hard concrete.
Be aggressive, dont hesitate, dont be scared.
Search for the hills and you will find you dont need to go to San Francisco to bomb some hills!

Rider Profile: Iggy Cortes

One of my Favorites at O20 and from DTLA. Iggy used to come into the coffee shop, I worked at downtown to spit knowledge about LA to me while sippin on coffee in between tags. Now nither one of us works downtown, but he still kicks down LA knowledge to me, everytime I come in O20. Enjoy the return of the Monday profiles, I have missed doing these and Iggy was kind of enough to be the first set them off again.

Iggy Cortes

What do you ride?
Masi SpecialeSprint 2009

How long have you been riding/ what started you?
Since 1987. Lived in the counrty where there were many wooded trails.

Do you wear a helmet and why or why not?
Yep, I'm in like with my brain.

Favorite Shop? Why?
O20/cause I get to talk shit and kick people out.

Clip or clipless?
Clipless



Ride with headphones/ music?
Hell Na. I like to punch A-holes in the ovaries that turn into me or block my way cause they can't hear me call their six.

Sponsors or teams/ gangs/ clubs you are a part of?
1st Legal, Orange20, Burrito Project, Minimal Mass, DTLA, The Wall, Arco

Fav. Race?
Cranksgiving

Fav. place to ride or route(s) in LA.
Last minute CCW, Damn I miss those!!

Fav. person(s) to ride with?
The Minimal Mass

Dope Chill spot?
Reception Lobby of Standard Oil, Olympic Ave.

Why LA?
Cause it's my Plymouth Rock


What do you do for work?
Talk shit and put smiles on peoples faces

What else do you do/ projects/ hobbies?
Fly kites.

Dream Bike?
Lugged Moth Attack w/ S&S Couplers.

Best/ worst about riding in LA?
Best: Girls on bikes.
Worst: Weenies and Theives.

Any LA secrets/ tips you want to give out?
Ride Wilshire all the way.

Shout outs?
My Posse

Last word(s)?
Joder vos Bici!

--
Iggy Cortes

Rider Profile - Steven Tortorelli

Let me start this off by saying Steve is one of the more genuine people I have met in a long time, super positive guy. It might be just his youth, but I hope he stays optimistic and doesn't turn in to a Cynic like most of us.

I mean come on, the kid was on his way to visit his parents right after we shot the photos for this interview. Who wouldn't like the guy?

Peep that yung profile below and Happy 2 year anniversary TCB Courier!




what do you ride?
My whips include
Track- 2009 and 2011 Mash Cinelli Bolt, 90's Nagasawa, 2006 Surly Steamroller
Road- 2007 Specialized s-works tarmac(for competitive racing), 2000 something Waterford
Cross- 2008 Specialized Tri-Cross

How long have you been riding/ what started you?
Ive been riding since 2005. I started working at REI in SF and a co-worker had told me after i bought the Steamroller that i was going to be like all the other hipsters and buy a fixed gear then give it up..Five years later im still going strong! No longer working at REI though..

Do you wear a helmet and why or why not?
I always wear a helmet! Its stupid to not wear one! One car can change the whole game of riding and life. Ive knows too many people that have gotten in accidents for doing stupid ish in traffic or just not having enough riding experience. I guess its the uncool thing to do because wearing a fitted cap is 100 times better looking that something that will protect your brain?


Favorite Shop? Why?
Favorite shop is a toss up between MASH and Pedal Revolution. The guys that work at Ped Rev are really down to earth and its a chill atmosphere. Also they're the main sponsor for Team Chica Sexy (The competitive race team for Road and Track). And the MASH store I always have a good laugh with Mike, Al and Dylan.


Clip or clipless?
Clipless and Cages for sure!! When I race alleycats I usually go Clipless just for that extra jump. But I do like the safety of cages for skidding when I really need to. And for a more comfortable ride also. On the Steamroller I have some re-load tarking straps which are a different feel but still help to get the job done.

Ride with headphones/ music?
When I work I keep one headphone in just to hear traffic. I think that's the law, right? I dunno, I think its stupid to see kids disconnected from the world when riding and not being able to listen to the things happening around them. That's just me though..Get some YDM if your sour aboot it. I like old school Hip-Hop and alot of new stuff too Lil Wayne and the new Jay-Z album have been keeping me going. I do visit Hype-Trak every morning. I also listen to a good amount of oldies too.




Sponsors or teams/ gangs/ clubs you are a part of?
MASH, Team Chica Sexy, Team Murder and POMB are the peeps that keep me going on the racing tip. And Thee Shredderz Krew.


Fav. Race?
Favorite race...hhmm It has to be QCR (Quake City Rumble). Its the biggest race that SF throws every year and it always has a really good turn out of messengers and non-messengers. Its just a great weekend because there are parties every night with alot of free PBR and friends to share in the scumbaggery and good times.


Fav. place to ride or route(s) in SF?
I love myself a good ol fashion city loop. The city is only 7x7 so usually a down and back loop is good enough. Plenty of hills and flats to go around. I grew up in the Sunset so riding through that part of town is always chill for me.



Fav. person(s) to ride with?
Peeps that make riding fun have to be the OG POMB crew. Non POMB affiliates though would be thee Ferg Dawg and the other Chica Sexy dudes, Hernan and the DTLA dudes, Trev Dawg, Chas, Walton, Kyle. Also anyone with TCB Courier except for Jeremy hes a ginger but Sean Martin is cool id ride with him any day. Oh and Beaver Beavs only because he knows bad ass strippers. And you too Joseph.


Dope Chill spot?
Chillest spot has to be my ladies crib. But MASH Transit would be the second place because they have a mini fridge stocked with mexican Coca-Cola and coconut waters. Oh and good people hang out there too!



Why SF?
Why not SF?! Ha! I grew up here its my jam and i dont really see myself leaving for anywhere else anytime soon. The riding is really chill but competitive when it needs to be and everyone has a good vibe. It isn't LA but I love the weather here. The hottest it gets is high 80s sometimes mid 90s and I'm cool with that.





What do you do for work?
I work Full time for TCB Courier (Taking Care of Business). I am the SoMA Manager these days and its been alot of work to get my side of the company to where its at meow. Its a really gravy job but watch out SF were spreading!



What else do you do/ projects/ hobbies?
I really enjoy watching spaghetti westerns and old school samurai movies. Graffiti is cool. Im a HUGE Samurai Champloo fan also Cow Boy Bee Bop. So i guess sitting on my butt watching movies/ cartoons would be my jam for this question.

Dream Bike?
My dream bike is any bike i cant and will never be able to own! ha Full carbon everything sram red from head to toe hella kitty deep dish rims on any 4000 $ whip sounds like a dream come true for track road or cross..aww man well now my keyboard is sticky thanks Joe.


Best/ worst about riding in SF?
Best part are the cutty lines you can find to get from one part of the city to the other real quick! Worst part of riding in the city are the commuters. A lot of them are afraid of their own shadows when they ride. I'm not really into the "Big boy gear" riding. If you ride a stupid big track gear in SF your asking to get hurt. Track gearing is meant for THE TRACK. And a lot of the peeps out there have never experienced what their bikes can really do unless they get out to the track and see what a 59x11 can do when you really try...Ha! I don't think anyone really rides a 59x11 but your picking up what I'm throwing down right?



Any SF secrets/ tips you want to give out?
Loose lips sink ships Saul. SF secrets are SF secrets. Tips are be aware of whats around you when riding in SF, or anywhere for that matter!


Shout outs?
Shout oots to Paul and Saul Upinya, erryone with MASH, all my peeps in Berlin, Basil, and Milan. My girlfriend that wont be reading this.. Ha! umm The Tortorelli family and your mother.


Last word
Be uncool wear a helmet and Rubber side down.... IM OOT!


- photos by : Joseph Lobato