bamabikeguy
Active Member
Todays Arizona Star: With Photos
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/289634
Not quite a (bicycle) race to the death
motorized 'death race' goes legit at east side track
By Dean Knuth
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 04.23.2009
Riders on motorized bikes apexed around corners, drafted on the straights and simply put, screamed around the track during Saturday's Death Race 2009.
This was the fifth annual Death Race where an estimated 30 members of the motorized bicycle culture meet in Tucson from all over the Southwest.
But this was the first year the "Outlaw Desert Event" has been held at the P1 Kart Circuit, 11800 S. Harrison Road. Previously it was less regulated with rides through Saguaro National Park West and other open roads.
"People love this type of transportation," said bike builder Roland Bosma, who owns Spooky Tooth Cycles in Tucson.
The purpose of the event is to get people who love motorized bicycles together and share ideas.
"Tucson is the only place where you can really come together and meet in person," Bosma said.
He looked down and pointed to an orange mountain bike with an engine mounted to the frame.
"New carburetor, after-market expansion chamber, all of that comes from the sharing of ideas. We all support each other," he said.
"Alternative transportation is in the hands of the backyard mechanics."
Lenny Anderson agrees.
"Everybody likes to work together and get together," Anderson said. After years of regular cycling, Anderson found the motorized bicycle works better for him.
"It's kind of neat to put a motor on there. I get a lot of the same fun I got from riding a bike," he said.
But for Bosma, the Death Race comes back to the community.
"This event is to share ideas as a true community and foster an open-mindedness for alternative transportation," he said.
● Contact photographer Dean Knuth at 573-4155 or dknuth@azstarnet.com.
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/289634
Not quite a (bicycle) race to the death
motorized 'death race' goes legit at east side track
By Dean Knuth
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 04.23.2009
Riders on motorized bikes apexed around corners, drafted on the straights and simply put, screamed around the track during Saturday's Death Race 2009.
This was the fifth annual Death Race where an estimated 30 members of the motorized bicycle culture meet in Tucson from all over the Southwest.
But this was the first year the "Outlaw Desert Event" has been held at the P1 Kart Circuit, 11800 S. Harrison Road. Previously it was less regulated with rides through Saguaro National Park West and other open roads.
"People love this type of transportation," said bike builder Roland Bosma, who owns Spooky Tooth Cycles in Tucson.
The purpose of the event is to get people who love motorized bicycles together and share ideas.
"Tucson is the only place where you can really come together and meet in person," Bosma said.
He looked down and pointed to an orange mountain bike with an engine mounted to the frame.
"New carburetor, after-market expansion chamber, all of that comes from the sharing of ideas. We all support each other," he said.
"Alternative transportation is in the hands of the backyard mechanics."
Lenny Anderson agrees.
"Everybody likes to work together and get together," Anderson said. After years of regular cycling, Anderson found the motorized bicycle works better for him.
"It's kind of neat to put a motor on there. I get a lot of the same fun I got from riding a bike," he said.
But for Bosma, the Death Race comes back to the community.
"This event is to share ideas as a true community and foster an open-mindedness for alternative transportation," he said.
● Contact photographer Dean Knuth at 573-4155 or dknuth@azstarnet.com.
