As we approach October, I was reminded of a post locked away in our archives. Imagine that a haze of dust just settled over you as you read. I'm not sure if Bike Kill is still going on or not, it typically goes on around Halloween. Any NYC dwellers with knowledge please feel free to comment as I highly recommend making plans to attend if it is still going on. Begin . . .
There are those who dabble in bike hacking, then there are those who take to hacking with a blazing hot blow torch and a Mad Max mentality. The Black Label Bike Club takes hacking to a galaxy far, far away. I had the opportunity to attend the Black Label feature event, Bike Kill, in 2006.
What the heck is Bike Kill?
Well, think of everything normal and safe related to cycling, and then think of the exact opposite. All events are built around a bunch of bikes that have been hacked to the nth degree. It is basically Mad Max with bikes. Bikes with cages built around them meant for ramming other bikes, or people as the case may be. Frames welded one on top of the other. Steam roller bikes, choppers, bikes with off centered wheels, chariots, and bikes with frames that swivel.
People then ride these contraptions exactly the opposite as they should; intoxicated and with no helmets, and in a hostile environment no less. Most events include having random objects tossed at the contestants: namely beer cans, rotten food, and tires.
Events include: attempts to ride over large piles of debris including old mattresses that are from who knows where, chariot races, a contest to see who could drink a six-pack of beer the fastest, while riding of course, and there are also jousts that take place, but we rolled out before that competition took place.
Here are a few pictures of some modified rides.
There are a bunch of additional photos on this Flickr site and this photo site. For moving pictures of the mayhem you can enjoy this Youtube video.
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