BIKING IS THE CULTURE
For years it seemed as if Milwaukee was the Midwest’s budding hidden gem of creativeness; a sought after live music scene, an evolving and self sustaining rise in its hip-hop scene, a slew of super producers, a fashion narrative we can call our own; dope art & gallery spaces are a thing, kickbacks are just as sought after as nightclubs, non traditional all ages venues, unique media outlets all play a part in centering locally crafted talent and uplifting the culture and art that gives us this unique identity. The renaissance is here and happening.
While creative circles are used to cycling through traditional connectors; a performance venue, an open mic or performance series, a record label, studio, radio personality; somebody or something usually holds the power of intersectionality among creatives. It’s ‘the juice’ and through the pandemic, social justice, 60+ consecutive days of peaceful demonstrations, de-funding shit; there is a refreshing mindset of radicalized thinking that has paved the way for a new unifying entity to blend Milwaukee’s territorial landscape like no other: BIKING.
When the Stay-at-Home order hit (Friday March 13th); my boredom reached new heights and my creativity staggered. Before April 1st, I had a new KENT ROAD Bike in my possession and for my own sanity, I started to hit the pavement. I was a big biker as a kid but as soon as I got my first car I was done with bikes; so naturally, it was a grind to build gradually my stamina, distance, speed, etc. My lil crew (Nicks + Krack + Bridge) setting challenges for one another. Therapeutic.
Through and while cycling; you cross paths with people of all different walks of life, I’ve engaged in fruitful and fulfilling conversation with complete strangers that made me feel warm. You look out for one another, you learn to communicate through hand signals and simple eye contact. You show off and admire your bike, and flaunt accessories, and help a comrade when they fall behind or if they’re chain slips. Its a sense of community that has presented itself to me to be grounded in health and healing. Just the change in pace we all needed.
JUNE 19th - THE FREEDOM RIDE | Milwaukee, WI
On JUNE 19th - The Historic JUNETEENTH celebration indicating the true Independence Day for Black folk in this country, we (Krack, Bridge, Coda) joined RED BIKE GREEN Milwaukee for their ‘Juneteenth Freedom Ride’. Intimate group, 30 - 40 bikers, shorter ride 7-8 miles, rode THROUGH THE HOOD straight down to MLK Dr. to join the Juneteenth Celebration. 5 Mics.
Presented by RED BIKE GREEN Milwaukee
JUNE 21st - BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL RIDE | Milwaukee, WI
Honestly. I have no words. The most beautiful thing of 2020 without a doubt. The origin story is out there, I won’t regurgitate it here but such an organic built and execution done with precision. Kudos to all parties involved; it truly was a movie. 18 miles. 2,000+ people on wheels. Meant to be the ‘mental health’ day for all the protests & demonstrations. I’m hearing volume 2 is coming soon maybe?? I can’t wait.
JULY 4th - NO BRAKES - FROSKATE
Quick backstory; and this is the beauty of the social circles that biking created. On the tail end of the BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL ride, theres a car full of young ladies and one is flashing this t-shirt out the window. I circle back, stop em in traffic to buy a shirt. We exchange socials and I find out they are this bad ass skate crew out of Chicago: FroSkate. They organized this ride on 7/4; replacing the former holiday with a day of protest for Black Power, the defense of black lives and black trans lives. Advocating for the defunding of the Chicago Police department and the investment in community and human resources.
Rolling for progress, equality, peace and the revolution.
Every stop some of the most dope, high energy folks I’ve met. So if you riding. we pulling up.
Hustle Responsibly.