Linq BMX - A company that gives back to the sport of BMX!
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Interview: I had met fellow OGWR, Josh Richling at a contest I was promoting back when he was just getting back into riding. I really appreciated his enthusiasm for the sport and even more so when his EMT experience helped us with a downed rider. Now a year later, Josh has started Linq BMX and is using that company to help start a BMX Park for the kids in Apple Valley, CA.
"Us old guys may never be as good as some of these young phenoms, but we can shred like no other when it comes to giving back to the sport we love!" - OGWR
OGWR: Tell me about LINQ and why you started the company?
Josh: LINQ BMX is an American Made Bicycle Company created to better BMX by creating places for riders to ride, protect those existing ride spots and encourage others to build more. In order to make these changes and to fight those who ban bicycles from existing skateparks, we must first create revenue. Our ultimate goal would be to change the laws to make all skateparks legal for bicycles and to provide the necessary insurance to protect trails, dirt jumps and ramps on private properties as well. To do this it takes money. I’m not the type to ask for donations or handouts, so that is how LINQ Bicycles was born. We will create our own money, build our own parks and teach others to do the same. We will stand for something, and in doing so we will create a movement of riders who believe in the future of BMX. We are not here to make money; we are here to make change!
OGWR: What makes your product unique?
Josh: Everything! Our frames are unique because we can build a custom frame from scratch. I'm not talking about using a head tube from one of our models and the dropouts from another, I mean we have the ability to custom machine everything and custom shape dropouts as well. Geometry can be whatever you want, double butted tubing, straight gauge, machined etc. But what really makes our frames stand out to riders who know nothing about the technical aspects is the finish. We can custom etch each frame with the rider’s logos, name etc. to truly make that frame one of a kind. Then we coat it in stupidly expensive transparent candy powder coating to finish off the look. We also have a production version being made now to make them affordable for everyone.;)
Decadon Sprockets
Our sprockets are also extremely unique. The "Decadon" sprocket (meaning 10 sided) is perhaps the lightest sprocket made. The design is so radical that 50% of riders (the older riders) cannot even comprehend the possibility that the Decadon actually works and are scared of it and the other 50% say it's the sickest sprocket they've ever owned. To satisfy those older riders who are scared without reason, we have created a "bridged" version that will be out next month.
OGWR: How has the response been so far from the BMX community?
Josh: Unbelievable! Many riders on the West Coast have embraced us. We even get love from other BMX companies!!! The local shops Support us as well! The industry seems to understand that this is a "help us help you" kind of operation.
Check out the amazing look of these frames!
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Thanks Josh for your time. I wish there were more like you that dedicated the time and energy to instigate positive change in this sport we love.
So, all you old guys who ride - check out his website Linq BMX and also his Facebook Page. Support this guy! Share this article with your friends! Let's help Josh help the local kids in his area. Plus, get a bitchen product while your at it! - Jon Faure
February 26, 2011
Reader Comments (4)
no mention of price but thats not really important when youre putting money back into the sport and your local scene, amazin products, amazing concept, if you ever feel like posting my direction then feel free..im thinking about a new bike at the moment so you may hear from me again in the near future,im 40 in june and have been riding for almost 30 yrs,best looking frames and sprocket ive seen for years,
Nice one..!
Glad to get those updates, I suggest you can check here I hope it will help out more here.
Free Sport Updates
http://www.vvdailypress.com/sections/article/gallery/?pic=5&id=27280
William, Crazy Lacy, Furmage drops into the half pipe at the new Skate and BMX park at James A Woody Park in Apple Valley. The park was built after Furmage's five year advocating for allowing BMX riders to ride at the previously skate only park.
http://www.vvdailypress.com/articles/apple-27280-valley-park.html
Daily Press Story for Jan 14, 2011
A.V. skatepark closed for BMX upgrades
January 14, 2011 3:04 PM
APPLE VALLEY • After five years and more than 100 Town Council meetings, William “Captain Crazy Lacy” Furmage is declaring victory.
The 3-Diamond Skatepark at James Woody Community Center closed down this week to undergo renovations. When it reopens the first week of April, the park will be able to accommodate both skateboarders and freestyle BMX riders.
In December the Town Council awarded $226,902 in contracts to redesign the current park to accommodate both skaters and BMXers. The fees will be paid using the bulk of the $305,000 Apple Valley received for selling a cell phone tower site it had been leasing at Corwin Park.
After phase one is complete, it’ll be up to the council to decide whether to let both users ride the park at the same time or to stagger hours and hire staff to enforce the schedule. Staffing the park — which is recommended but not required by the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority — would cost the town an estimated $30,000 annually, a staff report states.
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I'm NOW in charge of the High Desert Community Foundation Non -profit to build Bike Parks. I'm Also the founder of RAD = Riders Against Discrimination
Getting BMX Freestyle bikes allowed in the Apple Valley Skatepark:
How it all came about,
On July 2005 my sons and 12 other BMX Freestyle riders were in the skateboard only park at James A.Woody park in Apple Valley. Undercover police and Code Enforcement show up and impound their bikes
for 30 days and write them all fines. Being an original BMX Freestyle Vans member from the early 80s and riding BMX bikes in all the So-Cal parks in California in the late 70s and through out the 80s, I seen these fines as an injustice to ALL BMX freestylers who want to do their tricks in the skateparks.
So I started attending A.V. Council meetings, over 125 in a 5 and 1/2 year period, I would not stop until they made a change for our youth and others who do this sport of BMX Freestyle. I also attended the Adelanto meeting when I heard of the skatepark for that city to tell them how the bikes need to be allowed. So bikes are cool in Adelanto from the start. I also attended many meetings in Hesperia and Victorville to ask those leaders for some bike/skateboard parks for our youth in the high desert. They just started calling them skateparks at the start of them being built in the 70s, but BMX Freestylers ride them too. When Government started building them for the community, I’ve been told that skateboard industry had a hand in it, and don’t want bikes allowed. So when a kid shows up for the first time and reads the sign ” NO BIKES ALLOWED”, he will go out and buy Skateboard gear. For the first couple of years, the council would just give excuse after excuse for not letting the bikes ride. I wouldn’t go away and stand for their excuses because of my history with the sport and knowing what I know about skateparks and BMX Freestyle history in skateparks. Our BMX Freestyle riders can now ride the skatpark in Apple Valley for : A BETTER WAY OF LIFE. I also started a movement called RAD = Riders Against Discrimination on Face Book and My Space to fight for our Rights.
I'd like to thank Josh Of Linq BMX for attending a couple of meetings over the past year with me.