Reilley1
Apr 23 2007, 03:13 PM
I recently got a hold of another BMX pioneer and former Racer Mel Stoutsenberger. He is most famous for the picture taken of him at Western Sports A Rama and is quite the photographer with some incredible BMX and non-BMX pictures
(This is the same picture taken from a different angle by the Red Baron)
and one taken by Rick Twomey at "the wash" in Simi
(pic property Rick Twomey)
This cat has a whole lot of history behind him as well as a lot of pictures.
Here's a sampling of what he had to say:
quote:
I remember meeting Johnny and Doug (on their hack no less) at the Friday night races at Corral Beach. This family of BMX enthusiasts put together at fun little track under the oak trees for summertime racing. Mostly beach locals from the area came to the races so I don’t know who the others are in this shot although the guy with glasses looks like Bob Endy - not sure. They had an announcer that had a great sense of humor and cracked jokes all night long – It was a blast! Then they moved the whole operation to a Encinal Canyon hilltop and had some serious racing events including a high speed, downhill, all-classes opener and an annual Bicycle and motorcycle two day grand prix. More and more teams started showing up from the bay area and the valley. They gave away prizes for the top racers and even had purse awards for best overall. I found out later that that same family had put together a rock band called the “Surf Punksâ€â€¦I know you’ve heard of those guys…Same dudes!
He also sent a great picture. I'm sure Red or Ramo will recognize him and maybe where the picture was taken.
(Pic property of Mel Stoutsenberger, please do not distribute without his consent)
Thanks Mel
More later
[ April 23, 2007, 05:17 PM: Message edited by: Reilley1 ]
spike
Apr 23 2007, 07:22 PM
Ahhhh, Mel, he truly had his own style plus was an insane jumper, I saw that jump pictured above, he came down like a ton of bricks but got up and did it again.
Moosegoose Nick
Apr 23 2007, 08:35 PM
Cool pics....That pic of "THE WASH" Looks a lot like a place we used to ride at near Kennedy High School in Granada Hills...I remember the apartments.
Moosegoose Nick
Apr 23 2007, 08:37 PM
Just noticed the girl in pink in the first pic...Too Funny..
meddling kid
Apr 23 2007, 08:38 PM
dang - talk about stylin' - dig those bars!
spike
Apr 23 2007, 10:13 PM
I'll bet that pic is of Lund at WSA......????
Reilley1
Apr 24 2007, 09:05 AM
Close. It's Lund at the velodrome.
More Mel history.
quote:
One of the first races I ever competed in was at the Indian Dunes with the CCC (Canoga Cycle Center) team. But there was another single event that year that we all raced at Palms Park. It was promoted by Cycle Products West motorcycle shop, owner Al Wertzle. Another early one if you didn’t have that data already. I’m just throwing it out there.
I promoted three races of my own very early on that had many of the locals all racing together. The third race had over 75 entries including (you’ll love this) John George, Butch Baum, Kenny Zhart, Ronnie Haase, Earle Essen, Wayne Cataldi, Bill Ford, Paul Garcia, just to name a few.
and two killer pics. Again, guess the rider and tracks
(All pics property of Mel)
spike
Apr 24 2007, 11:13 AM
I know but I'll let someone else try...
JohnnyJohnson OMAS DirtSlinger
Apr 24 2007, 11:19 AM
Very cool history and photos.
Both Spike and I have an issue of Motocross Magazine that did a BMX issue.
There are two pics of Mel getting crazy air on a girls bike!
WILD ZEBRA
Apr 24 2007, 12:01 PM
Sweet pics! Looks like the girl in pink took a couple pebbles to the face.
Moosegoose Nick
Apr 24 2007, 12:07 PM
Bottom pic, Yarnell ???
Little dude trying to sell a tire ?
[ April 24, 2007, 02:08 PM: Message edited by: Moosegoose Nick ]
Monrezee
Apr 24 2007, 12:13 PM
Awesome.
spike
Apr 24 2007, 05:50 PM
I thought someone would know this stuff...Lund at Saddleback and Encinas and Marvin Church at Yarnell.
RandyS
Apr 24 2007, 06:37 PM
Look at the forks on Churchs' bike. Larger tubing Redlines?
RandyS
Apr 24 2007, 06:41 PM
This one is relatively easy but look at the frame
[img]http://farm1.static.flickr.com/28/41760002_606448d140.jpg?v=0[/img]
The Red Baron
Apr 24 2007, 06:57 PM
It looks like John Georges' style but it also looks like a bike Mel would be riding. Is it a modified Schwinn?
My guess is it is at the Velodrome.
Bryan_Esser
Apr 24 2007, 07:16 PM
I think that pic was in BMX News before and it is John George.
RandyS
Apr 24 2007, 07:54 PM
at the Velodrome
The Red Baron
Apr 24 2007, 08:36 PM
...like I said.
RandyS
Apr 24 2007, 11:11 PM
quote:
...like I said.
I was just acknowledging your correctness.
The Red Baron
Apr 24 2007, 11:34 PM
Sorry RandyS, that was supposed to be funny. I gotta start useing those graemlins.
Thank you for keeping me straight.
Hey RandyS, I just finished making all the reservations for my wife and I to go to the Roseville National next month. Are you gonna be there? If so, make sure you come by and introduce yourself.
RandyS
Apr 25 2007, 11:03 AM
I'm even going to show up before 5:00 Saturday afternoon like I did last year
Reilley1
Apr 25 2007, 01:29 PM
Check this one out!
That one puts a tear in my eye.
(All pics property of Mel Stoutsenberger, including the ones from Flicker so please do not distribute or link them without his permission. He's sharing some history with us, please respect his wishes)
[ April 25, 2007, 03:33 PM: Message edited by: Reilley1 ]
RandyS
Apr 25 2007, 02:08 PM
I've had those ones on flicker on my bookmarks forever. I didn't realize it was the same person. He should have them protected if he doesn't want them linked, you put it on the internet it's fair game. As far as I know linking a photo on the internet is not a copywrite infringement, only selling or profiting somehow as in using it on your own website, this is a public forum. If it is we're all guilty. The only thing I could find in Flickr or Yahoos terms of use was this:
It doesn't state who these apply to:
The Flickr service makes it possible to post images hosted on Flickr to outside websites. This use is accepted (and even encouraged!). However, pages on other websites which display images hosted on flickr.com must provide a link back to Flickr from each photo to its photo page on Flickr.I thank him for posting them but you can't put them on public display and then control them. It's too late to delete it so in accordance with Flickr and Yahoos rules. This is for the photo I linked on the previous page.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rappensuncle/.../in/set-998646/ This is also linked under all photos, in accordance with his wishes I won't link to anymore of them. But it clearly says it is allowed.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/I apologize for not linking directly to the page in addition to the image in my previous post.
Randy
[ April 25, 2007, 04:18 PM: Message edited by: RandyS ]
Reilley1
Apr 25 2007, 02:27 PM
Ah dude, no drama intended. Just sharing some pics for all and maybe I worded it wrong but as long as they are linked back to their source as stipulated then it should be no problem.
I know it's the net, Mel hasn't said anything yet but I do know some people hold their pictures in dear regard and I just want to avoid any problems and continue receiving and posting what I believe are great and historical pictures.
I think you'll agree they are some amazing pictures.
More later
[ April 25, 2007, 04:28 PM: Message edited by: Reilley1 ]
RandyS
Apr 25 2007, 02:38 PM
Gimmie a hug, I'm sorry.
The Snaggletoof/Lund motorcycle one is sick. It doesn't look like too much on a modern single bike, I'm not sure I would ever want to on a 1981 bike. On a sidehack with "motormags" it's crazy.
rappensuncle
Apr 25 2007, 05:37 PM
No worries RandyS. I want these photos of mine seen. Reilley1 has my permission to post these here on this site just like I have given the same availability to those who want to use my shots from Flickr.com through a creative commons license. All I ask is that you give me the respect I deserve for preserving, digitizing and now sharing this historic period in time. I'm giving these to you as a gift and there is a lot more to come - most of which have never been published. It's working fine so far.
G-Flash
Apr 25 2007, 05:51 PM
Reilley1, Was that the stolen or misplaced redline in the Lund Saddleback pic? I also noticed that the frame has a single gusset and I believe Tim's frame does not... I think... I thought that these frames share the same born on date? What gives GODFATHER?
rappensuncle
Apr 25 2007, 05:53 PM
The Red Baron - John George is riding a cutom hand made "Franko-Frame" made for all team members by Mike Frankovich. One of the best frames I ever rode on. Perfect geometry!
RandyS
Apr 25 2007, 06:59 PM
Mel,
Hope Reilley forwarded our PMs to you. I had a rough morning. Great photos, I've had it bookmarked for quite a while.
Reilley1
Apr 25 2007, 07:35 PM
Mel Stoutsenberger is in the house!
I know you been here before but still Welcome to the site my friend and thanks for sharing those pictures with the community.
pquinnbmx
Apr 25 2007, 07:41 PM
great thread
Bryan_Esser
Apr 25 2007, 07:50 PM
Take a good look at the pedals on the pic of John George...Rubber Pedals!!!!!!!!!!!
"Rubber to rubber is a natural bond"....
John George
spike
Apr 25 2007, 08:39 PM
Mel was also know for using ribber pedals and if ya look close on some pics of Mel he is using stock Schwinn grips. So is this the same Uncle Rappens Thorch(or how ever it was written) who's cool pics were in the MX Action BMX special?. Good to see ya on here Mel, looking forward to seeing more killer pics.
spike
Apr 25 2007, 08:50 PM
G-flash, that is the long lost looptail. Tim's has the same single gusset and I believe they are consecutive serial #'s.
rappensuncle
Apr 26 2007, 07:57 AM
Ah shucks, you guys...I feel so warm and fuzzy inside...Thanks for the great reception and helping me to feel at home here.
Rubber pedals never shredded my shins when I slipped off of them. I learned that the hard way.
rappensuncle
Apr 26 2007, 08:22 AM
RandyS - PM received and response sent. Thank you.
JohnnyJohnson OMAS DirtSlinger
Apr 26 2007, 06:33 PM
I saw a photo of Mel and the photo was credited
"Photo by Rappens Uncle Thorch"
Explain............
Reilley1
Apr 27 2007, 01:40 AM
Here's two more great pics
Butch Baum on an XR-75. I think all of those wanted one of those
and the OM. Check out the BMXers in the background
Camera: Minolta X-570
Film: Tri-x @ 400
Nikon Coolscan V
Photoshop CS2
[ April 27, 2007, 03:42 AM: Message edited by: Reilley1 ]
Reilley1
Apr 27 2007, 08:49 AM
Too funny. I was pretty beat after wotking a 16 hour shift but I woke up early nevertheless thinking about what sort of picture Mel would send.
quote:
I remember running over to see if they were okay but the second I got to them they were back on their rig and shoving off to finish the race as if they were in first place.
Amazing...
spike
Apr 27 2007, 12:37 PM
The hack with Jofa on it looks like it might have been JP's at one time. Cool pics......Reilley, I just got home from Australia about 30 mins ago.
spike
Apr 28 2007, 02:36 PM
Can't let this topic die......BUMP.
rappensuncle
Apr 28 2007, 04:16 PM
JohnnyJohnson OMAS - Not sure. Do you still have the photo or know where to find it? Maybe it was a typo. I didn't contribute or publish many photos under that Pseudonym and I use my name when entering contests. There are some images of me on my Flickr stream but I usually credit the person who shot it. When I would ride my friends would shoot with my camera.
spike
Apr 28 2007, 11:20 PM
In the pic of the OM it looks like some Webco guys are in the backround and I'll bet that is Lund on the far left. Mel, the photos Johnny is talking about are in the Motocross Action BMX special May 1977, page 56, JP jumping a gate, and page 72/73, John George standing on a tall stack of tires with Butch Baum and some other guys holding it up. Alot of Mark Kiel's photos are in there too, couple pics of you in there. And I was at WSA with the Silver Shield team in May 75 when you did that insane footplant tabletop, if I remember it right, you tried that jump at least twice and you came down like a ton of bricks both times, after 30+ yrs that still is etched in my mind.
[ April 29, 2007, 01:22 AM: Message edited by: spike ]
rappensuncle
Apr 29 2007, 10:43 AM
Welcome home spike!
Ah, Mark Kiel, I have trying to get in touch with my old friend Mark - I know he's in Oxnard but we have not connected yet. I think you're right about Thom in the back of the shot - it sure looks like him but I don't recognize any of the other guys, there were so many riders racing that day.
I do remember the photos you are referring too, those are my shots, but the one Johnny is talking about eludes me. My sister collected a lot of the old papers and magazines when she was going to the races; I’ll ask her if she remembers that issue up. I do recall a single photo taken of me at the Velodrome during the tracks creation, I was getting air off the final jump / finish line and I wasn’t wearing a helmet. Is it that photo?
You were at WSA too? I just don’t know what got into me that day - please forgive me.
So, would I remember you also if I knew your real name?
[ April 29, 2007, 12:51 PM: Message edited by: rappensuncle ]
Reilley1
Apr 29 2007, 11:39 AM
Here's a few more
Name the track and riders:
A true classic
quote:
Rob Fair's CCC (Canoga Cycle Center) ride (the standard issue). Red Line forks, Motomags and custom hand made Franko Frame.
spike
Apr 29 2007, 12:36 PM
Truly amazing photos, being a Rick's fan it's way cool to see photo's that I've never seen of those guys.
JohnnyJohnson OMAS DirtSlinger
Apr 29 2007, 03:10 PM
I'll try to dig the photos and post them. But it wont be till next week.
One is a full page one of you and says "BMXers are crazy"
An other says "Because little space is indoors, one can easily be set up" meaning a track.
Cash Matthews
Apr 29 2007, 07:03 PM
Every time I see an old pair of Moto Mags and the old Redline forks, I am taken back to a time when the lure of BMX was so strong. Even now, when I look back I can remember the raw excitement of a new bmx product.
Palfreyman and Taco...what a combo!!!
G-Flash
Apr 29 2007, 07:16 PM
Great pics!
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