Andrew Guerrero's FLY TierraFor your bike viewing pleasure I present Andrew Guerrero's FLY Tierra. Andrew set this bike up to do it all: Street, park and flat. Looks real nice! Check out a full parts rundown and a bigger pic below...

Want your bike featured? Send pics and a parts list to me at chris@plussizebmx.com 

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James Victor Cielencki – 38 y/o – Austin, TX

I have always had a lot of respect for Jim and his company Sunday Bikes. From his skill and creativity as a rider, the image of his company, the quality of his products and the guys that ride for him. I caught up with Jim to find out a little more about his background as a rider and how things are going with Sunday Bikes.

OGWR: How many years have you been riding?

Jim C: It's been so long that I can't remember.  Haha!  Not really, but there isn't really a starting point because riding was in its infancy.  I did race in 1983 and I think I rode a quarterpipe around that time.  Tricks didn't really exist at the point either at least anything like they are today. So, that would make it 28 years on a BMX bike.  I think I took part of the summer off in 1992, but other than that I’ve been constantly riding.

OGWR: Tell us a bit of your history in the sport of BMX?

Jim C: Well, my brother got me into riding around 1983.  I didn't really get fully into it until I got to 6th grade when I met a whole bunch of kids from a different neighborhood that rode.  It was crazy because there was this whole other world that rode around me, but I didn't really know it.  We built tons of ramps and rode flatland.  Once we got to the end of the 80's, riding was dead and I rode mostly by myself unless I traveled.  Had some good riding friends about an hour and a half from me.  These guys basically kept me into riding.  Then during the mid-90's, BMX started to make a resurgence.  There was skateparks coming back and I ended up meeting a bunch of guys who raced and had some trails.  This was the first time I rode legit trails and it was so much fun.  Then by the end of the 90's I actually had gotten sponsored.  Ended up going on Roadfools, went to tons of contests like the Metro Jam and the Backyard Jam, I got to travel all over the place. This was such an amazing time! Then cut to May of 2011 and I'm sitting here doing this interview.  It's been good!

OGWR: What do you ride? – Give us a basic bike check?

Jim C: Well, I ride a 20" and a 24" bike, but both set ups are basically the same.  For the 20", it's nothing too crazy, I like longer back ends, taller bars, medium tire pressure, metal pedals, rear brakes, hard gearing, two pegs, small to medium seat height and somewhat narrow tires.  The same thing applies to the 24" bike I ride as well except I want the back end as short as I can get it.  All my parts are Sunday, Odyssey or GSport.  

OGWR: What type of riding do you enjoy most?  

Jim C: Street riding is the most enjoyable for me.  Not so much the types of tricks to do, but more for the unendless possibilities that it offers.  There's a finite number of trails, skateparks, ditches, pools and vert ramps, but street riding can be done anywhere.  Spots will all be different and each place offers it's own uniqueness.  There is a thrill in the search for spots.  You never know what you'll find, but you will no doubt see some amazing things while exploring your city or whatever city you are in.  You get kicked out of spots, but that's not a bad thing because now you have to go look for new a new place. Ditches have a soft spot in my heart because I never had them growing up and it still seems ridiculous that they can exist.

OGWR: What are your favorite places to ride?

Jim C: The streets!!!  Haha!  I like riding places with the most random spots.  A typical rail spots is cool, but if there's a weird set up around it then it makes it even better.  Plus I really like riding backyard wooden ramp set ups, mostly because that is what I grew up riding and I feel comfortable on them.  As for cities, Barcelona, London, Atlanta, Buffalo, Boston, Austin, Albuquerque, Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.

OGWR: Who’s riding inspires you?

Jim C: I've always had inspiration to ride and do new stuff.  As for other riders, I'm definitely happy to say that I sponsor or have sponsored the guys that inspire me.  There are definitely some others out there that I would love to sponsor that inspire me also.  I really enjoy talking ideas and tricks.  Anyone who's into coming up with their own take on tricks and spots are the people that inspire me.

OGWR: How do you stay motivated and keep riding at your age?

Jim C: You know, I'm not too sure about this one.  My ankles are a mess, my wrists are a mess and I seem very fragile these days, but I still go out and ride.  I can't learn by failing anymore, so I have to make up for it with my experience and old age wisdom.  If I have any of course.  Haha!  My motivation is that there is freedom in the speed and that exploring the world on a bicycle is one of the best things.  Moving to Austin has been great because there's so many types of spots that I've never really had to ride before I moved here.  That's really been motivating.

OGWR: How do you deal with the fear of getting hurt?

Jim C: It's not so much the fear of getting hurt, it's just dealing with how long will it take to recover and if it's permanent.  I'm not made of rubber any more. Usually I take baby steps towards something.  I'll work on an idea in a safer environment usually at a skatepark or something like that.  I make it so I understand the trick and the only issue is that I am just doing it at a different spot.  So in reality there's just this little unknown part. I won't really just go out and wing it because I want to continue riding.

OGWR: What do you do to keep yourself progressing in your bike skills?

Jim C: My progress has definitely slowed lately.  It's more geared towards relearning tricks I've lost or narrowly focused on certain ideas.  Guys are just progressing so fast and working so much has really dampened my progress.  The ideas are still there though, so I just pass them off on the Sunday team.  haha!

OGWR: As the owner of Sunday Bikes, what are you currently working on that your excited about?

Jim C: I really enjoy working on the complete bikes.  You reach a whole other market and it gives you more opportunities to do something creative.  

OGWR: What is the best part about owning a bike company?

Jim C: There are too many things that are good about running Sunday.  From getting to see new ideas come to life and hanging out with the team to traveling all over the place and meeting new people, there's isn't much better than that.

OGWR: What is the worst part about owning a bike company?

Jim C: There isn't really a worst part except maybe not being able to ride enough.  It's good otherwise.  

OGWR: Anything else you would like to tell us?

Jim C: First off thanks for the interview.  I remember a funny point in my life when I was 16.  I was out skating with my friends and we were talking about the future.  I remember saying that my skating and riding days were numbered because I was starting college the next year.  There was a lot of pressure from my parents about giving up skating and riding.  College was going to be taking up all the time.  Wow, were they wrong on that one.  Here I'm still riding 22 years later.  Couldn't imagine a life without it!

For more on Jim's riding these days, check out his part in Up, Up & Away Love this guys style and creativity!

Thanks Jim for your time! 

- Jon Faure / jon@oldguyswhoride.com

Our own Jon Faure (46) and his son Austin (18) do matching wallrides in the Enterprise park at Woodward West. Nice work guys... 

SE Racing Oakley Factory pilot glovesAs part of an on going collaboration between SE Racing and Oakley the all new Factory Pilot Gloves are now available. These bad boy hand protectors are shipping to your neighborhood SE dealer this week. Check below for the official press release and some bigger pics...

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27' Quarter on Woodward West's Mega Ramp - Photo: Steve BlackeySometimes I feel like I’m cheating when it comes to riding Sunday’s New Wave C. The geometry makes this bike ride like a 20 but has so much more stability and forgiveness. It's so easy to ride! I really can’t understand why more people don’t make the switch to riding a 24.

I’ve have been wanting to write up a review on this bike for some time now and I’m finally getting around to it. I loved this bike since the first session I rode it and believe the seemingly small changes made by Jim Cielencki on this frame made huge improvements over the Model C.

Wallride at The Compound - Photo: Kalin LawBefore I get into the details of my review, I first want to give you a little perspective about where this opinion is coming from. I’m old! In the world of BMX, I am part of a small world of riders my age that still play on a kid’s bike. I’m now a couple months away from my 47^th birthday. I haven’t been riding that long because I started riding BMX at age 38 when my son Austin became interested in the sport. It had been 27 years since I even owned a bicycle. Freestyle BMX wasn’t even around when I was a kid.

My favorite dirt jumps - Photo: Austin FaureSo - I’m old, but not really “old school”. I’m basically a really old guy that doesn’t know any old school stuff.  My style of riding? - I love to ride fast and feel most comfortable when I leave the ground. I spend most of my time riding dirt jumps but also enjoy riding park where I can find some good transfer lines and wall rides. Any type of riding that is slow and technical, I’m horrible! I’m also really bad at crashing so I do everything I can to rarely hit the ground. Since I started, I never spent much time on a 20” because I always felt so unsafe on one. The stability I got from the 24” always gave me so much more confidence to push myself to progress. This is one of the main reasons I’ve always stayed focused on the 24. If I make a mistake, there is so much more forgiveness with the bigger wheels.

Mega Ramp at Woodward West - Photo: Austin FaureI started riding the Sunday Model C back in 2009 when I first read about what Jim C was trying to accomplish in the 24” world. I bought one before I had ever ridden or tested one. I was just excited to hear someone was putting a little more thought into a more freestyle 24-inch geometry. After riding the Model C for a little over a year, I was really excited to hear that Sunday was working on a few changes and would be releasing the “Wave C”. Not that I wasn’t enjoying my Vert Wall at Clairemont Skatepark - Photo: Kalin LawModel C, I just like change. It’s always fun to have something new to play on. The day the frames arrived at the Odyssey factory, I made the drive up to pick one up. While I was at it, I loaded the bike up with Odyssey Parts. Man, I was like a kid at Christmas time and couldn’t wait to get this bike built up and start riding it! Here’s my Bike Check if you would like all the details on what I’m running and how my bike’s set up.

The main difference between the Wave C and the Model C is it now comes with the option of getting a 22” top tube. It also has shorter chain stays. Using the Odyssey Bluebird chain that comes with a half link, I was able to run my back end a half link (roughly ¼” shorter) than I was able to run on my Model C. Even though I’m only 5’ 8”, I really like the feel of the longer top tube. For me, the combination of the longer top tube and the shorter rear end made such a difference in the way the bike handled. It gave me even more stability when leaving the ground and it kept that responsiveness that the Model C was so famous for. Along with that, you got the wave tubing, hollow drop outs and built in chain adjusters. All really cool additions! Click here for the complete specs and details: Sunday Wave C.

Wallride transfer at Woodward West - Photo: Austin FaureLastly, I would like to go into a little more detail as to why the 24” is so much easier to ride. The 24” wheel basically has more gyroscopic force than the 20”. Meaning, there is more force keeping it upright and stable. Especially when you’re leaving the ground. Nothing worse than that “dead sailor” feeling when your up in the air! If you make a mistake, the gyroscopic force makes it easier to recover. I hate crashing and want to do everything I can to stay off the ground. Problem is, I’m not having any fun unless I’m progressing and pushing my limits. This bike has given me the ability to keep having fun on a BMX bike. I’m anxious to see what my future holds and see how much longer this old man will be able to keep up with the kid in me.

- Jon Faure / jon@oldguyswhoride.com

Certified Old Guy who Rides Joel Alamo (39) threw this killer bar hump during his run today at the Ranchstyle Slopestyle in Grand Junction, Colorado. We will have more from Joel shortly...so stay tuned.

Chris Moeller – 40 y/o – San Clemente, CA – Owner of S&M Bikes and Fit Bike Co.

The 40 plus crowd that still hits big trails is a pretty small group of guys. Chris is pretty humble about his bike skills these days but I must say, he’s still charging at the trails and is someone I really enjoy riding with when I get the chance. I caught up with Chris for a quick interview to learn a little more about his history in the sport, his companies and his riding these days. Chris - grey hair and all still shreds on a kids bike!

OGWR: How many years have you been riding and give us a little of your history in the sport of BMX?

Cruisin’ from point A to point B, Salt Lake UT 2010Chris: I’ve been riding for 33 years. I started racing at Orange Y at 12, hung around GT/Robinson working for parts for a few years,  joined Pedal Power Bike Shop team at 14, BMX Action Test Team at 16, turned Pro and started S&M at 17, and have been riding it on Sunday and selling it on Monday ever since!

OGWR: What do you ride?

360 at Nasty’s VH1 house Temecula, CA 2011Chris: Four year old S&M LTF, but I’m about to build a new WTF with some new 170mm Profile mount-less cranks (thanks Matt) and a new 48-spline S&M L7 sprocket. Going new school!

OGWR: Give us a basic bike check:

Chris: LTF frame, Pitchfork XLT, Redneck XLT, Slam XLT, Odyssey rims and hubs front and rear (thanks Jim and Nuno), FIT tires, FIT cranks, S&M Tuff Man sprocket, KMC 710 SL chain, S&M 101 pedals, FIT seat/seat post, S&M seat clamp, Tech 77 lever, FIT Tech grips, Odyssey cable, 990 brakes.

Riding the wild thunder at home in San Clemente CA 2011OGWR: What type of riding do you enjoy most?

Chris: Trails!

Tuttle ranch 360, Perris CA 2011OGWR: Where are your favorite places to ride?

Chris: For the last few months my favorite sessions have been at the Tuttle Ranch in Perris with all the boys. Thanks Nick!

OGWR: Whose riding inspires you?

Chris: Lately it’s really been Sean Tarrant, Thomas Hancock and Heath Pinter, but it’s always been BF and the rest of the S&M and FIT team riders!

OGWR: How do you stay motivated and keep riding at your age?

Chris: I don’t really try that hard, if my body is feeling ok and I have time, I always want to ride.

OGWR: How do you deal with the fear of getting hurt?

Too-Hip Meet the Street contest Santee CA 1987Chris: I’ve never really thought about it. If I’m not 100% committed to doing something I don’t bother, and I never do “one last run”.

OGWR: What do you do to keep yourself progressing in your bike skills?

Chris: My bike skills aren’t progressing. I’ve forgotten most of the stuff I used to do. These days I just like cruising and getting from point A to point B in one piece. Tricks are for kids.

OGWR: As the owner of Fit Bike Co and S&M, what are you currently working on that you’re excited about?

Chris: For FIT it’s a new American Made BF signature frame, American Made BF signature top-load stem and some Shawn Mcintosh “Brake-less” bars. And for S&M it’s the WTF frame/fork combo and new L7 48-spline sprocket. But there are some slightly “bigger” S&M things happening that I can let you in on real soon.

Fakie light pole, Huntington Beach CA 1991OGWR: What is the best part about owning a bike company?

Chris: Things come naturally for me, it’s fun and it rarely seems like hard work.

OGWR: What is the worst part about owning a bike company?

Chris: Can’t think of one.

OGWR: Anything else you would like to tell us?

Chris: Keep the rubber side down and injuries to a minimum boys, you gotta work on Monday!

Thanks Chris for your time! - - Jon Faure / jon@oldguyswhoride.com

I thought I might post something a little different from the norm. I am a few months away from my 47^th birthday and I still have a long list of things I want to do on a BMX bike. Problem is, I struggle with the fact that my body isn’t keeping up with the kid in me. A buddy of mine, Lee Ramage turned me on to a product a lot of top professional athletes are using and suggested I try it out. His timing was perfect. I had pulled a muscle in my calf that I just couldn’t get to heal. I had been off my bike for a whole month and was just a few days away from going to the 2011 Old School Reunion. I was totally out of shape and wondering how the heck I was going to be able to ride for 3 days straight at Woodward West. Day 1 - calf hurt a little but still managed to ride all day. Day 2 – calf stopped hurting and rode all day long. Day 3 – My son and I rode till we got kicked out. On the way home I was really feeling the effects of the abuse I put my body through. When Monday came around, I couldn’t believe how good I felt considering my weekend. This product increases aerobic power, repairs connective tissue and relieves joint stiffness. I would say the stuff does exactly what it says it does. I couldn't believe how much fun I was able to have that whole weekend considering the condition I was in just a few days before the event. 

If you interested in ordering the product, here's their website: BIONX PRO

A few shots of the non-stop fun I had at Woodward West: