San Francisco, CA (April 30, 2011) —On a picture perfect Saturday afternoon, more than 5,000 people headed to San Francisco’s Justin Herman Plaza to watch Red Bull Ride + Style. The event was a collision of fixed gear biking and urban contemporary art, with the competition held on a course featuring artwork created by California artists. Red Bull Ride + Style brought together 60 riders from all over, including riders from the Bay Area, Seattle, Portland, New York and even Japan.
Participating riders competed in one of two categories: track or freestyle. The track competition was along the lines of a traditional race, with two riders going head-to-head and the one with the best time advancing to the next round. The track included a custom art installation by Los Angeles-based artists Mark Grieve and Ilana Spector that served as the starting arch. The competition was fierce on the narrow track, with riders elbowing each other for position, and multiple riders crashing into the guard rails. In the end, there was a final showdown between two Bay Area riders that weren’t even supposed to compete. Jason Clary and Kell McKenzie were both alternates, who were only asked to fill in for dropouts the day before the event. The two friends, who ride together often, put friendship aside for the final race, and Clary was able to edge out McKenzie for the win.
Read the rest of this entry »
