ROTW: Mr. Rollers
Thread started by
Roadblock at 02.25.08 - 7:29 pm
Now this guy is like the MR silent partner of goodness. Dude has hosted 95% of the spoke card parties for the last 2 years and lives an amazing life with his cutee Alice in Echo Park. I know dude has a lot of history in Los Angeles not that he looks it but Mr. Rollers is 50+ and maintains a youthful open mind. His photography skills are epic, having provided some of the most quintessential Ridazz images....
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i love this guy and i love that picture of him even more.
ruinedbyidiots02.25.08 - 7:31 pm
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Yay Mr. Rollers! Well deserved!
stevo402.25.08 - 7:57 pm
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Go Rollers go Rollers, it's yer week yeah!!
Drew02.25.08 - 8:14 pm
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1st Question
Mr. R, is there anything you haven't been able to fix?
sexy02.25.08 - 8:30 pm
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I hate Mr Rollers. He's always nice, I've never heard him say a bad thing about anybody and he always sees the bright side of things. Fuck that. And he is way too tall...
marino02.25.08 - 8:32 pm
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Thanks . . . I'm truly honored & flattered!
"1st Question
Mr. R, is there anything you haven't been able to fix?"
1st Answer: Hell yeah, all the time! You've gotta have the sense to see when the cause is lost or you're in over your head, as well as knowing how to hide your mistakes.
On the other hand, I can be very patient and I don't give up easily.
mr rollers02.25.08 - 8:57 pm
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2nd Question
Late 70s, early 80s tell us about it. Where were you? What happened?
marino02.25.08 - 10:13 pm
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While keeping in mind that I’m not really ROTW (at least this week), or co-rider, or whatever, I’ll still try to answer the questions as they come in.
“2nd Question
Late 70s, early 80s tell us about it. Where were you? What happened?”
Well, this one could be a book, or at least a magazine article - if I was a better writer, or at least a faster typist.
So, in short: After seven (mostly part-time) years, I got a B.A. in Art from Immaculate Heart College, toyed with the idea of going to grad school, but then pretty much decided that I didn’t want to be broke and in debt for the rest of the foreseeable future, so I decided to be a working stiff and do art as the spirit moved me.
I discovered that the best way to experience music was in small clubs and bars, not stadiums and arenas. Right around that time, a bunch of music loosely termed “punk” or “new wave” was making a splash; Los Angeles had a bunch of great bands playing everywhere all the time. I had a few friends in bands and was sometimes on the guest list and got in free; otherwise, admission was usually $5; beer was $1. Bands like The Clash, The Ramones, and Blondie came and played at medium sized venues.
Rents were cheap, some people I knew rented large lofts downtown, did art and had parties. I fooled around with painting, film and video and drove an odd little British car.
Immaculate Heart College finally and sadly closed and the property was sold to the American Film Institute. I started working for them (more money, more hours, more stress). I bought a ’63 Ranchero and started wrenching on it.
Alice and I got married, lived in a one bedroom apartment in Silver Lake for $150 a month, where in between the good times we endured numerous burglaries, car thefts and break-ins and a myriad of colorful neighborhood drama. Forgot to have children or grow up.
Travelled some (mostly around California and the West), had a few art shows, made some friends, ate well, occasionally drank too much, worked too hard, blah, blah, blah . . .
mr rollers02.26.08 - 8:54 am
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Rollers, congrats!
How did you get into bicycling? What was your first MR ride? How did you find out about the MRs?
Wow, you seen the ramones! I grew up listening to their music! How were they in concert?
Who is taller, you or Roadblock?
speedybrian200002.26.08 - 9:36 am
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gabba gabba hey! everyone listens to the ramones while growing up, whether they want to or not.
ruinedbyidiots02.26.08 - 9:39 am
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And how do you really feel about 'keeping the rides together?' HAHAHA.
stevo402.26.08 - 10:30 am
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do you think the empire is in decline? is this a good or bad thing?
Roadblock02.26.08 - 10:31 am
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Mr. Rollers was at there to welcome back the ALC ride last year along with Ingrid, he has also been kind enough to invite us to his home and help with our projects from spoke cards to food and stuff, Yay Mr Rollers!
dannyzuko02.26.08 - 10:48 am
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My hat off to you sir..Rollers..Well deserved..I was driving on Saturday down Sunset and saw this guy on the corner pointing a camera up the hills..There you were , taking pictures of the riders coming downhill..My daughter "You know him?", me "Yes,really cool guy".
deesimple02.26.08 - 11:15 am
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Mr. Rollers! You have been so friendly and welcoming to this newbie, and I have really appreciated it. I'm glad that you were one of the first Ridazz that I met.
Ms. Stephanie02.26.08 - 1:05 pm
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Wow, being ROTW is not easy, you have to answer all these questions, remember stuff that happened long ago, think about things, and try to write coherent sentences – almost like being in High School but without the raging hormones. On we go then:
“How did you get into bicycling? What was your first MR ride? How did you find out about the MRs?”
Well, I started riding a bike when I was like six years old, the first time I balanced I rode straight into a chain link fence because I couldn’t figure out how to stop or turn. But then we moved to the suburbs, lots of quiet streets to ride on. I learned basic bike control skills and we just rode everywhere, went on little trips, had races, all the normal kid stuff. When I moved to Los Angeles in 1973 I got around for a year or so mostly by walking and occasionally taking a bus. Then I bought a bike, in fact the only brand new bike I’ve ever had, a 1974 Raleigh Record. I got around on that for a couple of years, would sometimes ride from East Hollywood to the beach on weekends just for fun. I don’t think there was anything resembling a “Cycling Community” in those days and riding at night was pretty much unheard of. Time went by; I bought a car and didn’t ride as much, but went on the occasional recreational or urban exploration ride. Downtown L.A. was a ghost town on weekends and fun to ride around. There was no L.A. River bike path, but you could ride there anyway.
My first MR ride was the “Heavy Metal Ride” (September ’05). A month earlier, we had returned from dinner out on a Friday night. I looked out the window and saw several hundred people on bicycles and said, “I’ve got to find out what that is and do it!” A Google search led me to the Bicycle Kitchen site and the rest is history.
“Wow, you seen the ramones! I grew up listening to their music! How were they in concert?”
They were, of course, awesome. I saw them twice; the first (& best) time was at The Whisky, Xmas eve 1979. Small place, great sound, wild crowd, they never missed a beat. The image that endures in my mind (for whatever reason) is watching some young woman pressed up against the stage stroking Johnny Ramone’s sneakered foot while he played.
“Who is taller, you or Roadblock?”
RB by a couple of inches. When you’ve been tall most of your life (as I have) it’s an odd sensation to be around someone taller. I hit 6 feet when I was in Jr. High and was SO much taller than everyone else that it almost became the defining issue in my life. Now I don’t think about it so much.
“Mr. Rollerzz how do you stay so cool?”
I’ve come to the conclusion that as a species we’re only comfortable in a relatively small range of temperatures and I think it may get worse as one gets older. I hate being cold on rides so I’d rather have too many clothes than not enough. Of course, I perspire profusely when it’s hot. Hydration is important; I usually fill my water bottle with a mix of L.A. tap and a dash of Trader Joe’s cranberry juice.
“And how do you really feel about 'keeping the rides together?' HAHAHA.”
Wait, didn’t I answer this one already?
“do you think the empire is in decline? is this a good or bad thing?”
Yes, I think it is, and yes, I think it’s ultimately a good thing. I was born in a declining British Empire, so maybe I use that as the model for what lies ahead for us. Not an easy adjustment, perhaps, but a necessary one. It’s time that we all gained an understanding of how the rest of the world lives.
mr rollers02.26.08 - 1:14 pm
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Mr. Rollers is tops!! Like Marino said, he doesn't have an evil bone in his body! Mr. Rollers, you got to hang out with Marino and I a little more. We'll show ya how it's done!
My question to you is, how in the f**k do stay so slim???? Any tips?
User102.26.08 - 1:16 pm
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"My question to you is, how in the f**k do stay so slim???? Any tips?"
I think it's partly genetic, but I'm pretty active (I don't have a desk job), I try to lay off the desserts, and of course, I ride a bike!
mr rollers02.26.08 - 1:22 pm
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Mr Rollers you should be the Rida of the Year in my opinion. You've provided the balance the movement needs. While you are not as flamboyant as other nominees, you contributions far exceeds most.
sc_nomad02.26.08 - 6:27 pm
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I may or may not have seen you at the Haunted Ride.
Were you not the one who was giving me some, mediocre, future advice on how to stay awake on the bigrig?
I'm definitely taking it under advisement for when I go out on the road again.
Anywho, ROTW should be looked at as a sort of spotlight.
A spotlight in the sense that those of us that are chosen must've engaged in something spectacular to have earned the title.
You're reasons for earning it are probably way different than mine, but unlike the other thread, this isn't something that should be fought over.
Other than that keep up the good work, and like you, I too am probably going to get a B/S in something within a 6-10 year timeframe.
bentstrider02.26.08 - 7:06 pm
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"I may or may not have seen you at the Haunted Ride.
Were you not the one who was giving me some, mediocre, future advice on how to stay awake on the big rig?"
No, that wouldn't have been me, in fact I don't think I was on that ride. In general, I try not to offer unsolicited advice (especially of the mediocre variety), but I'll offer an opinion for what it's worth if I'm asked. Staying awake while driving a big rig is not something I'd pretend to have any knowledge about.
But yes I agree, there's no need to have any kind of conflict over this ROTW thing. When people were asking me last night how it felt to be ROT(next)W, there wasn't much I could think of to say. Of course, I'm honored, because I take this bike riding thing seriously (some might say too seriously, ha), but there are so many deserving stars in this bikey universe we inhabit. I've always been uncomfortable with having attention focused on me, but the upside is that it gives us all a chance to get to know each other a little better.
mr rollers02.27.08 - 10:02 am
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My appreciation of Mr. Rollers extends back to first meeting him when we rode in the Echo Park Christmas Parade in early December 2005 (pictured at right). For that event he was on this awesome frankenbike creation of his own making. If I remember correctly it was the front of one bike melded to the back of another, and I think he'd rigged it so the seattube swiveled (but I could be making that part up... or all of it). Whatever it was it showed me this guy was cool.
Here's a still of him from that historic day, captured from my fork mounted camera. Note the santa hat and the spankin' blue coveralls.
We bumped into each other again at my first MR (the Christmas in July in December ride) a week later and pretty much since he's been on every MR and Ride-Arc and other rides I've attended -- not to mention the varied and vaunted journeys of the notoriously undefinable IAAL•MAF, of which he's a defining and enthusiastic member.
He's a helluva lot more personable and laid back than I'll ever be. Plus his camera work is to be awed and his spokecard skills are Jedi in scope.
A true proponent of urban cycling, last year alone he cranked out something like 3,300 -3,500 miles riding around this cit, and I'll be he'll top that this year. So if there's anyone who's a true diplomat and ambassassador in this crazy world of the Los Angeles bike community it's our very own and my friend Mr. Rollers!
Agent Orange03.3.08 - 4:22 pm
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Mr. Rollers! I love the pics you posted from Tom's show! Also I love that you are ROTW! (last week) but I think I'm still allowed to ask questions.... i hope! What are your other hobbies? I know you like modle cars! how many have you made? Another thing... I noticed when we were making the DADA ride spoke cards that you have an awesome bamboo kitchen! Where did you get all that bamboo!?
mixtemotions03.3.08 - 5:41 pm
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Ha . . . building model cars, my secret nerdy shame! I've been doing it off & on since I was five years old. Put it down for a while in my late teens through mid-thirties, but then started up again. I'm sure I've built a few hundred over the years, although with all the bike riding these days, I can't seem to find a lot of time for it. So now you know.
Bamboo, most of it came from here: http://canebasket.com/
Cane & Basket Supply, 1283 South Cochran Ave. Near Olympic and La Brea
mr rollers03.3.08 - 7:00 pm
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Good Stuff, Rollers!
What a guy! He hosted a spoke card party and a burrito project, all in the same night! Sorry for all the smoke, Mr. Rollers. You rock!
R
NEWB31003.3.08 - 10:49 pm
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Yes, Yes, Yes Mr Rollers you are a true Rocker indeed.. Its a blessing to know you and have your phone number aswell. Your positive energy and great charisma is what this world needs more of. The list of your contributions to the bike culture movement are extraordinaire. Your Photography is simply fascinating. Mr Rollers you are a admirable Rida and friend. Thank you
-Mike
skano03.3.08 - 11:24 pm
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Mr Rollers, an all around nice guy and skilled repairman at a local university or a
fugitive of law for 36 years?
marino03.5.08 - 6:54 am
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I'd like to think the former. Besides, that guy was a registered Republican!
mr rollers03.5.08 - 8:45 am
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Besides, that guy was a registered Republican
Well... we don't know what he REALLY was...
Actually he sounds like a cool guy. Did you read about his motorhome/airplane hybrid?
As for the "crimes" it seems like the typical teen stuff. Nothing worse than what RB's "friends" did at Universal.
Anyway... We'll be keeping an eye on you Mr Rollers. Ha! "mr Rollers". I bet that's not even your real name. I've heard rumours that your real name is actually french !!!!!
marino03.5.08 - 9:08 am
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Thank you Mr. Rollers for the amazing picture cd!!! THE BEST!!!
IT REALLY MEAN IT, you have some really wonderful work!
SKIDMARCUS12.15.08 - 2:23 pm
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+1.
that photo of fuzz in the cardboard oversizehands costume at funderstorm, is so beautiful. i have a folder on my desktop called "stolen + saved", and it contains selected images i find on the web that serve to inspire me in dark times of creative stagnation. Needless to say, that one went in there yesterday. I went back and looked at that folder, and i counted 3 rollers photos in there.
In addition to being a source of aesthetic inspiration, mr rollers is also a source of inspirational conversation. Thank you a bajillion times over for everything you selflessly bring to the bike community.
rotw AGAIN!!!!!!
Candy Cane12.15.08 - 3:10 pm
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2 of his imigages are proudly on display @ BikeRoWave:
Jimmy C playing Bike Polo in front of the Kitchen, and Joe Borfo as Godzilla!
Gern12.15.08 - 3:43 pm
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MR. ROLLERS! Yeay. yes. we all love you. me included. and i also love alice.
gohomedorothy12.15.08 - 11:38 pm
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