Urban Cycling Hall Of Fame Inaugural Class

The nine inaugural inductees to the Urban Cycling Hall of Fame include some names notorious and others that should be: Longtime New York messenger and originator of Cranksgiving, Antonio “Tone” Rodrigues; the godfather of global messenger culture James Moore, who was riding brakeless track bikes on the street before most of today’s fixie youth were even born; Roland Burns, maker of RELoad Bags; artist and messenger Greg Ugalde; Felipe “The King of New York” Robayo; Tokyo messenger Hiroyuki “Sino” Shinozuka, a two-time CMWC champion; San Francisco messenger, owner of Pushbike SF, and multi-time NACCC champion Sarah Murder; Critical Mass (an award recognizing not just the organizers but every participant in the movement); and bike repair guru Sheldon Brown. The People’s Choice award went to Los Angeles fixed gear racer and organizer Sean Martin.

“He’s a fucking legend,” said selection committee member Andy White, expressing a commonly felt sentiment about the legacy Sheldon Brown has left behind.

Kevin “Squid” Bolger made sure Moore was honored in his absence, inquiring of the crowd in attendance, “Who was riding bikes in the ‘80s?” With scarce if any hands raising up, it became apparent that Moore paved the way for much of what we know about urban cycling today, carrying out his runs on a bike equipped with no brakes and drop bars long before it was considered the norm.

Of the nine inductees, Ugalde was honored as the Chrome Ace of the class. His artwork has become an integral part of urban cycling and alleycat culture, most notably his artwork for Monster Track.

“For anyone who loves my artwork I really appreciate it and if inspired anybody or influenced anybody to become a messenger, I’m sorry,” Ugalde said upon accepting his award, adding, “I’m not gonna be a messenger forever, only until I die.”

The UCHOF inaugural collection was also premiered at Interbike on the show floor, and includes several of Ugalde’s illustrations, photos from Andy White, John Watson, Peter DiAntoni and other photographers who have documented urban cycling over the years (including Urban Velo’s own Brad Quartuccio), more than 200 spoke cards from Lucas Brunelle’s collection, and a score of other urban cycling artifacts. – Krista Carlson

Check out www.uchof.com

Abus