I think that the martino's deserve a little more respect, maybe not icon status, but how bout
oh i can't think of a title!!!!!!!!!! someone help me out.

I raced for CycleCraft in the late 80's and know the Martino's well. I worked for them and even lived with them for a period of time. People don't come any better than the Martino's. They have reached out to alot of people on and off the track as well as in their personal life. Personaly I think they are icons to their era of BMX and if you were to ask anyone who raced for them they would have to agree. Let's hear from all you former Vector & CycleCraft racers. What title would you give them?

WOW, Mike Lynch. I couldnt have said it better. As a former team member myself, I would have to agree with Mike. The best word to describe the CYcle Craft team is "family", and Joe and Betty were definately like parents. The summers spent in Kingsport, and on the road with them, were some of the best years of my life. I was fortunate enough to ride for JMC prior to Cycle Craft, and for any of you who know Jim Melton know what a great ambassador he was for the sport. I would classify the Martinos in the same category. After leaving Cycle- Craft, I went on to ride for Mongoose and Schwinn. I can tell you that being a part of these "Firms" was not near as rewarding as being a part of The Martino Family. There are only a few manufactures who actually care about more than making money in this industry. Joe and Betty were definately that. They were more concerned about the enjoyment of the sport, a family atmosphere, and having a positive effect on a childs future, than they were about the almighty dollar. I will conclude by saying that these two people deserve a spot in the BMX Hall of Fame.

For fun, I challenge people to cretae a list of all those who were once part of the Martino "Family".

Matt McCullough
Brad Commet
Jessica Towles
Kirk Towles
Mark Sterious
Gary DeBacker
Chris Meaker
Mike Lynch
Josh Martino
Mitch Martino
Tony Ashley
Tammy Spaven
Joe Spurrier
Jason Theodore
Todd Corbitt
Eric Bartoldus
Brian Foster
Brian Colgrove
Craig Reynolds
Dean LeBerge

I am drawing a blank...Help me out.

Wacky DeBacky

Charles Townsend

DANG. Forgot one of my faves was on that team. Betty and Joe although i never raced for you guys or had a c.c. i would relish at the chance to have one now.

Now I want one... just because of the good people behind the product... I always liked Cyclecraft and Ruest but never owned one...

Gary Gines.

b.

As a member of the Cyclecraft family, I don't think Gary could have summed it up better. When I think back to my years of riding for Cyclecraft, the bikes, the uniforms, the parts....none of that compared to the love Joe & Betty offered us & the welcome we had at all times in their home (& motorhome for summer tour!). Riding the dip, countless miles of riding all over Kingsport (especially to the bike shop & to Burger King!), having their parrot Vector try to nest in my hair, practicing on the track in the back, shooting pool with the guys, watching video of ourselves at the latest national, hanging out late at night watching TV, eating big spaghetti dinners at that huge dinner table...it was all wonderful!!!! Thank you to the Martino's for such an awesome experience!!!!

Jess

Jimmy Puglin

Melanie Cline

Aaron Hinsen

Dave "Spanky" Campbell

BJ Gant
Eric Abbadessa
Todd Mitchell
David Hardin
Dustin Gordon
Andrew Soule
Daniel Sprague-Australia
Dale Holmes-England Co-Factory

Barry McManus
timmy streckly
pete delewski

The first time I had ever heard of Cycle Craft was in about July 86. We were at my grandfathers funeral in Ohio and went to visit my mothers cousin. Her son raced and was pretty good as I remember. He has a purple Cycle Craft. He was cool and let me ride that bike the whole time we were there. He and his brother had built a track in the back yard and he gave me a ton of pointers. I love that bike and I loved those days. It was that trip that got me in to BMX. I wanted to buy a Cycle Craft badly, but I could not find one in Arizona, and I could not afford one. I still love Cycle Craft's, maybe one day I can still get one.

Yes Joe and Betty are super nice folks! I bought stuff and rode for them when they owned Backyard BMX. I bet I bought 7 or 8 Kuwarharas off them. I also bought a bunch of Hutch Pro Racers that broke and always traded for Kuwa's because they didn't break. Any hoo thanks Joe and Betty for being great people! You'll know they had a big bus kinda like the SE bus at one time. Chris Haslam

Okay, that is one stout list (and I'm not saying that because I'm on it, you all know me better than that). Best of all time? Can anyone name another program that had so many quality riders? The Martinos were great to me, and it was a joy to have ridden for them. Besides that, my RR bikes were built by CycleCraft, only Shag owned it then, but they were still built in TN.

Craig, Nice to hear from you. We have been watching you on your "Speed" show. Mitch called one night and told me to turn on to your show and I immediately saw that little "Burr" head and knew it was you, ole mr. Smooth. Glad you have been able to develop your career in such a way. You always were a good conversationalist. Chris Haslan mentioned that bus. That was a long while. We took that bus to Florida once loaded with Tennessee racers and toured the Three race Easter Weekend Nationals. We stopped in Orlando one time, at a bus stop, opened the door and a little lady got on=looked at the crew on the bus, and politely backed her way off the bus. Boy, was she startled. Tell your Dad Hello for me Craig. We spent a lot of time of the moto boards over the years. Betty and Joe

Craig, Nice to hear from you. We have been watching you on your "Speed" show. Mitch called one night and told me to turn on to your show and I immediately saw that little "Burr" head and knew it was you, ole mr. Smooth. Glad you have been able to develop your career in such a way. You always were a good conversationalist. Chris Haslan mentioned that bus. That was a long while. We took that bus to Florida once loaded with Tennessee racers and toured the Three race Easter Weekend Nationals. We stopped in Orlando one time, at a bus stop, opened the door and a little lady got on=looked at the crew on the bus, and politely backed her way off the bus. Boy, was she startled. Tell your Dad Hello for me Craig. We spent a lot of time of the moto boards over the years. Betty and Joe

Joe & Betty,
Great to see you guys discovered Vintage B.M.X. I had the pleasure of riding for Cyclecraft during the first year of their excistance in 1985. The Martino's were some of the most well liked people in the sport. Riding for them was always like being with your extended family. Hope all is well with you guys, tell Mitch I said hello. I live in West Palm Beach FL. Have been here for about 17 years now. Make my living as a real estate investor. My parents live right around the corner from me. My dad was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and is going through chemo and radiation over the last 2 months. When I mentioned that I saw you guys posting over her he just smiled and said "GREAT PEOPLE THE MARTINO's.......GREAT PEOPLE".

Mark Lopez (Factory Cyclecraft 1985)

Does Shag still own it??

BTW, I have a chrome CC F&F for sale or trade

Don't forget Meaker....

don't forget alan hale

Being from Memphis, I can say that Cyclecraft were the stuff back in the late 80's - early 90's. I remember the first one I saw with a custom purple/pink paint job, man that thing was Baaaad!

I was never on the "Factory Team", but Betty was nice enough to let me work in the vending trailer and rider for one of the largest co-sponsor programs out there, for those who didn't know, Cycle Craft use to be one of the vendors on the NBL War of Stars tour. Oh, before I forget, Wes Sear was another great team rider and Rich Bartlett, whom I got to help do clinics with, then there was Dylan Pentacost, who I think went on to play college football. I have to agree with Craig, there is not another team out there with the talent to pass through their doors, in fact just look at the list and see how many are still active in BMX in some form. "Family" is what made this team so strong and special, so much so, that when I took over Clayborn, I tried hard (still trying) to make the Clayborn BMX team like that of the ole' Cycle Craft teams. I want to say "Thank you" to Betty for such a great team to base my team on today.

Peace,
Richard Bunt
Clayborn BMX
Ragland, AL


PS. Gary DeBacker, are you still in Atlanta? John Kovachi had mentioned you might make a return to Vet Pro, any truth? You need to think about it....

Betty! How are you? It's so nice to hear from you! Of all the programs I rode for, Cycle Craft was one of the best! I have such good memories of the program, and of my team mates. I feel lucky to have ridden for you. This is how it all happened. I doubled in Sarasota while riding for MCS and on Sunday as we were leaving, Joe came over, introduced himself to me and said "If you ever need a ride, give me a call." I was floored. Well MCS had been sold and the new owners were very insistent that I go to the Winter Nationals, and I told them that I had missed a lot of school before the Florida tour and that I couldn't go. Well they became pretty upset and said some wild stuff, so I quit, right then on the phone. I immediately called Joe and the rest was history. It was so cool to watch so many of my team mates win lap after lap during the day. Those were the days. Tell Joe I said hello Betty! And thanks for watching the show!

You know, what is so much fun with this thread, I am hearing from people I haven't seen in almost 20 years. That's is long time. Richard Bunt, I remember you and you were a great help to us at the races while you were in the program. Thanks for adding to the thread. I am glad you continue in the sport. Craig, Joe is sitting here with one eye on the T.V. watching a western and one eye on the computer screen reading the notes. He told me to tell you one reason he spoke with you that day in Fla. was the way you looked on the track and also, the way you related to the other racers. We always looked for riders who would be good representatives of our product. We are not that far from Charlotte, ya know. Joe and Betty

To Mark Lopez: Hello to you too, Mark. I sure miss all you guys and gals and your parents. When we started "The Cyclecraft Team", from the beginning, it was our intention to make it a family atmosphere with good kids who just happen to be good riders, also. I will have to say that we were proud to have you as a team member. It was families like yours that made Cyclecraft such a sucess. I wish your Dad all the best with his treatments. Tell him to never give up hope. My oldest sister, who lives on Merritt Island, has been fighting cancer for over ten years. Kindest personal regards to you and your parents. I think you are good people, too. Joe

Well being a rider in the southeast over the span of the cyclecraft days, definitely aspired to be one of those riders. I was never fortunate enough to be on the team or Meet the Martino's, but that team was legendary. My best freind, KC Squires, and Joe Spurrier used to go head to head all the time at nationals and we knew if we beat a Cyclecraft Rider we had definitely accomplished something. So many extremely fast riders and not to mention from the one I met, very nice riders.

Joe and Betty you guys did more for the BMX scene back then than you probably know, and I just want to say thanks, for making such a good product and having ability to help all of those riders get to races and have fun at them. It set an example for those of us who did not have "a ride" and gave us something to shoot for.

Who was the cyclecraft rider (do not know if he was factory, and i think his name was George) that broke his jaw on the last straight at the grands, mid 80's?

Here is Corbit in the CC colors with a King on each side:

Betty,
It was an honor to be allowed to hang out with you all, in fact I still have my co-sponsor uniform, when I move into my new office, I am going to display all my Clayborn jerseys, from years pass and my CycleCraft uniform, as I want to make my team feel as important as you did for your team. It is great to see you on here and hope to chat with you on here again.

Stu, as for CycleCraft having an effect on BMX in the past, I still feel they have an influance today. I would like to see a list of past riders of CycleCraft still associated with the sport in any fashion.

Peace,
Richard "Buntster" Bunt

Oh yeah, I still have my Kessler Design "Fred'z" Platz, man, the memories..... :-)

Hey Betty, glad to see you have found vintage. I road for CC in 86 to 88 and had a blast. Those were some fun times when everybody camp out at y'all house. Don't forget Dwight Dodge

[ September 13, 2005, 10:57 PM: Message edited by: meaker ]

Meaker, every time I see you, I still picture you in the baby blue! I can't help it. (and I'm not talking about the Laguna Seca blue M3)

Betty, where are you guys living? And tell Joe thanks for the compliment. I always felt that my actions off the track were just as important, if not more, than my actions on the track. I'm glad he noticed.

Meaker - I'm glad you mentioned Dwight, I couldn't remember his last name!!!!

How are you doing?

Wow, you guys keep remembering great people. DD or Dwight Dodge has been in the big-time army for quite awhile. The black beret bunch, covert and all that. I assume he has made a career of it since his Dad was a career man. Meaker, Nice to hear from you also. Ms. Donna keeps me informed ever so often about you N.C. Boys. Craig, we are in the same place we have always been. You know, with the track in the back yard and not too far from McDonalds. The track is now grazing land for the three horses, but the berm is still visible. Jessica, Do you remember those round abouts in Austrailia? Our city council is putting some in downtown. At least we will go in the right direction. What a trip ,fifteen people in a van pulling a 20 foot trailer, driving in the left-hand lane with a wild Italian driver. We did good.

Criag, Meaker, and Richard,

Craig, Meaker, and Richard,

nice to hear from all of you. Craig, I received a phone call from my father last night, telling me that I have to turn on the speed channel. IT was great to see you on the show. I also heard that you were working for, or had started some type pf marketing firm. Is that related to landing a spot on this show, and how is the business doing?

Richard,

I dont know about any return to vet pro. I have my moments when my mind wonders off to place my body was 15 years ago, and I think about wanting to race again. However, I then take a look into the mirror and laugh at the thought. I did mention to John that I would like to start racing again, but mostly for fun once my two year old boy is old enough to start.

Gary DeBacker

Here is a quick Dwight Dodge story. I dont recall who was in the vehicle, but some of you may remember this. It was at the NBL Grands in Louisville, and the team was going to dinner after the race. Dwight was in someone's van, and I was in the car behind them. As we pulled along side of them at a traffic light, DD decided to show us a full moon. However, it was quite apparent that DD had did his business earlier that day, and left some tissue there by mistake. Either that or he was trying to help cushion the seat. Either way, it was one one funniest things I remember about DD.

Jessica, For some reason I think you were around for this one.

Gary DeBacker

Gary, Don't make too much fun of DD. I found a picture of Jessica's Dad and you at a rest stop doing the "moonie" thang for the camera. You had on tiddy whities and Cyclecraft blue shorts. The only good thing, you had no extra tissue decoration. I will send you the pic. Betty

Gary, that is the great thing about BMX it seems to have an open door policy, you can come back anytime you want.

Betty,

Just a fun story. I am sure that there are alot that could be told about all of us. That is the beauty of this website. In fact, I think it would great to hear more stories form some of the others. I am sure that Mitch and Joe have a few.
In fact, ask Joe if he recalls the time when we were travleing in the motorhome, following a semi, and a goose was caught in the jetstream between the two vehicles. I think that bird was doing about 85 MPH, and couldnt get out from between the two vehicles. One of the funniest things I have seen.

Wacky

OMG, do I ever remember that Dwight story!!!! He was so much fun - what a great personality. He used to crack me up so much!!!

Gary, I have photos from the year we went trick-or-treating at my house. You were dressed up as a brown M&M, I think....I'll definitely have to scan that photo & email it to you (I promise not to post it here!).

Jess

I have those too, Jess. We had a great trip that time, and trick or treated in your niehgborhood . I think you guys were eleven or twelve years old. Matt McCullough's Mom made those costumes, I think. We also have team picture we took that weekend in our new uniforms at the track. Aaron was six. I bet he is huge now, would have to be about 25 years old or so. One of the funniest videos we have is Tricker Joe jumping that last jump along the creek and doing the endo-double loop whammy thing and standing up for a bow. He was Lenny Biticki's friend. So funny! Betty

Tricker Joe - I remember we watched that video of him over & over, & I think we laughed just as hard every time.

Betty - Lenny posted on this site a few times, & it was great hearing from him. He is doing well!

Jess

Cycle Craft---ppffffttt!!! Free Agent all the way!!!
All joking aside-Cycle Craft was like the Free Agent of the east coast. Very popular. I was at the '86 NBL World Cup and saw them everywhere. This was before I got my sponsorship with Free Agent. My Dad ordered me a 20' and a Cruiser. My first nat'l with those bikes was at the ABA Great N.W. Nat'l. in Washington State later that Summer. I think I won 3 out of 4 mains that weekend. Free Agent sponsored me right after that. I guess I can say those bikes capped off my career up to that point and then my Free Agent days started.

Ah... memories. Cyclecraft was hot as hell in southeastern PA thanks to the Bike Line chain selling quite a few of them.

Lets see - I had a blue cruiser with black polkadots that I bought from a vendor at a national at egg harbor. A good friend of mine got a f/f set and bars all custom painted - that was pretty exciting to us when that box arrived. Another friend - real tall guy by the name of Darcy Peterka - he had an xxl that was longer than a free agent limo and had double thick dropouts. Not sure if it was a custom order or a production run, but it was burly. And this was probably a year or 2 before s+m came along and started doing the 'heavy duty' thing. And we all had Fredz. I still have a set of cruiser fredz at my mom's. Good stuff.

This is to HRP Designs Guy. Your question concerning the rider who broke his jaw has been haunting me so I have been going through old boxes of papers. Man, was it interesting. I found many Cyclecraft newsletters from the eighties as well as letters from riders. The boy was George Frazier from Louisville. The NBL Grands track was his home track. He had a brother named Michael and they were co-sponsered riders. He must have recovered quite well, because I have reports from he and his brother dated later. It was the 86 Grands the accident happened. I found a letter from Todd Corbit telling me he was going to California to test a Murray for BMXA and was going to stay with Gork. He told me he was going to take a pair of Fredz Bars and show them around and he would see us at the Nationals in Jacksonville later in the fall so the letter was written in the early fall of 86. Also found letters from Jessica Towles and many of the riders at that time since I put out a newsletter every month and they wrote in news to put into the letter. Also Jessica, I heard from Tricker Joe last night by E-Mail. I love to hear from people who are reading the web site. Cudos to the old guys who had the time and interest to put this site together for all of us to enjoy. Also found a test done in Super BMX by Craig Kundig and John Tomac. Mike Collins and Russ Okawa did the photos. It was also printed in 86. Nice write-up. I remember how excited we were when it came out. I'm sitting in the floor surrounded by old pictures, newsletter, pages of bubble iron-ons. and letters. Good, good memories.

Betty thanks for digging that name up. i knew he was ok as I have a picture of the two of us racing at the Nashville Track in 1988 or so. I just reember the big spot of Blood on the ground where he fell. It was a little gruesome. I raced him several time over the years at different nationals and just could not remember his last name. Now that you posted it though, that sounds right, so yeah it was that guy.

Thanks Betty, by the way I still have a set of Fredz bars on my 1987 Phase II cruiser. I love um, still.

i still have a nice cc 20inch--- i race it once or twice a year just for fun-- love the geometry of the bike--