DUDE WHERE’S MY CAR!

SAAVEDRA NEWS

DeGroot started riding bikes in high school as a form of transportation until he learned he could do cool tricks on his bike. When he moved to Florida thirteen years ago he helped open local skate parks as well as help open the new Candyland skate park in Longwood. Along with his store he is also the owner and rider of a BMX company called Deco. While being a busy man DeGroot tries to attend various city meetings to petition to let bikes in. Recently he had a father go on behalf of him to petition the city of Oviedo to let BMX riders into their skate park. With DeGroots thoughts going to the council he finally got through to them.

He believes that BMX and skateboarding helps with learning about life and blowing off steam and it is a great thing for teens. He also thinks that skate parks are the new playgrounds of parks. In BMX Union DeGroots quotes “We’re here for the long haul” about the future of BMX.

– Chad DeGroot

Once that was all out of the way, it was time for a bike rack. My good friend Heath Pinter is amazing when is comes to ideas and fabricating things from scratch. I had ideas, but he just came off with one right away that blew all of mine away. A simple seat post sticking out of the back end of the scooter, meaning all you have to do is remove your bike seat and place it onto the seat post mount and tighten, and your off. The bike was able to sit parallel with me, allowing me to still go in between cars.

It was great, but I put a little too much money into the scooter making it perform better. Had the scooter for almost a year then went on the freeway to test it out. I’m not really suppose to do that, but I would top out at 63 MPH so I figured I could hang. I was proven wrong very quickly, but I did it again and started looking for something else.

I wanted to upgrade to a motorcycle, didn’t know what style or size, nothing. Just knew that I wanted to be able to go on the freeway. After looking around and talking with friends, I was looking into a cruiser type. Then I stumbbled upon Harley-Davidson’s Sportster and that was it, I was hooked again. Just like before, started the hunt non-stop, then finally found a deal.

I was able to sell the scooter which paid for more then half of the Sportster. That definitely made me feel a little better about getting it. Once I got it, I already knew the were a few changes I’d like to do to it, because I wouldn’t be able to get exactly what I wanted for the deal that I got. Just a little bit of cosmetic work, then it’ll turn out great.

After having it for about a month, finally got plans lined up for me to get stuff painted. The things I had done, was getting the rims, pulley, air filter cover, forks, and mirrors painted gloss black. Also put lowering shocks on in the rear too. Made a big difference.

Now, possibly a few other changes down the road but nothing big. Next thing on the agenda is to see my friend and figure out a bike rack design

Jared

-Dillon Leeper

“After I landed, I grabbed my bags, went outside and started to build my bike. Matt had a plan to ride right after he picked me up. We arrived at this awesome backyard ramp, small, tight, and technical. Once you figure it out, then it becomes awesome.

“The next day was a visit to Profile, which was my first. We picked Ricky up in the morning then headed to Profile. It was awesome getting to see everything that Profile does, where and how also. I’m pretty involved with a lot that goes on at Profile, only because Matt always keeps me in the loop of things and teaches me a thing or two. Plus I really enjoy helping out and being involved with as much as I can. It definitely wasn’t what I expected though, I imagined a few office cubicles for the area where everyone takes calls. I learned very quickly almost everything is kind of done all in one area. Makes for a good environment, good vibes, and great times.

“We rode SPOT after we left Profile, it was a great scene there with all the locals. Glad to say that I’ve been to SPOT.

“The next day, Matt goes to work early and gets off early. Mulville arrived at Matt’s place, then we stopped at taco bus one last time then hit the rode to Athens. Long drive, but finally made it with a plan to wake up early and ride this awesome park, SPOA.

“We rode there with a good group of guys, which always makes riding that much more enjoyable. Before we knew it, almost five hours had past. Next on the agenda was a local trail jam, nice hidden trails in the forest. The locals we’re real positive and pumped to have people visit the trails and have all the locals come together for a good time. Had a great time there, thanks to all the locals for letting have fun with them on that day. One thing I still think from that day, I don’t know how Mulville did what he did on those jumps, so good!

“Ended the day after the park and trails with the university, which had way too much to offer and not enough time to enjoy.

“Trans Jam was the next day, awesome event for the whole town to come together and enjoy. Never been to Athens, GA and I’m glad to say that I have now. Really liked that city a lot.

“Our weekend was over now, heading back to Tampa. Of course we made pit stops to ride, Macon was our target to meet up with some locals and ride some street. I’m always blown away on towns that all you have to do is pedal around and just find spot after spot. Macon was an awesome place with endless spots, and we only got to scratch the surface before we got rained out. Definitely need to pay a visit back to that town.

“Next day, woke up early to ride this skatepark in Brunswick, GA. Haven’t been that excited and ready to ride that early in the morning in a while. Pulled up and immediately started riding, feeling good, park was awesome. Then got kicked out, huge upset.

“Stop at this little park in Jacksonville I think, covered in graffiti and creative setups. Had fun there for couple hours.

“Last stop of the trip, none other then the legendary KONA park. The place was huge and amazing, there was SO MUCH. We were there for about three hours, and I think we only rode the snake run section. You can ride that place all week and still not ride everything. Glad to say I got to ride KONA.

“Highlights of my trip: Meeting Master Marmalade, Taco Bus, Profile Warehouse, Meeting Scooter, Matt’s Desk, Sunshine Burger, Athens, The Grit, Learning how to use my iPhone camera, Meeting/Riding with Dillon and Shane Leeper, Brunswick, Macon, and KONA.”

-Jared Eberwein

Bangers & Mash Jam

Ant Bolash. Thawing out in southern Jersey at the Ed’s compound and some local parks. Smooth as glass.

Mike Meister and crew cruise the dessert. From Denver to SLC to Moab to Canyonlands.

CO-UT from The Hateful Dead on Vimeo.

TBR: Bane Ramp Compound with Mark Mulville, Chad Degroot, and Matt Coplon. Enjoy some Tampa.

This is my set up! Every part I ride is made by companies that support BMX 100% and I am very proud of that fact. Not only that but if you roll around on a set like this you will generally look like a bad motherfucker!

Thanks to Matt Coplon at Profile, Torsten at Country bikes, John and Kev at Volt BMX ,Chaos Crew, Louis Smith for snapping the pics and every one that I Hang with!

Keep BMX in the hands of BMXers!

–Craig

Frame- United Dinero 20.8 TT

Fork- United Dinero cast

Bars- Bicycle Union

Stem- Profile Acoustic

Grips- Bicycle Union Finger print

Brakes- Bicycle Union Claw Break

Lever- Primo

Front wheel- Profile mini In chrome on a sun big baller

Rear- Profile mini in chrome 9 tooth on a sun rhino lite

Cranks- Profile 175 race crank

Pedals- Odyssey

Sprocket- Profile 28 tooth spline drive

Seat- Bicycle Union map pivotal with Yeti approved padding

Seatpost- 4 fingers worth Bicycle union

Pegs – Shadow Conspiracy

-Mike