After 20 plus years in seclusion. My HUTCH CRANKS came up to see me. They were a good friend even though they visited me for a couple month. I remember ordering them from Summit City Bikes in Ft. Wayne and waiting well over a year for them. They even came with a small dent in the right crank arm from the factory. Hell, I waited over a year to get them, there was no way I was sending them back. The task at hand now was to wipe the (who`s the man) NOW, attitude off my face and install these bad cranks on my Hutch Pro racer. Riding around (I) was the only person who had these bad babies. (EVER) in my city that I`m awhere of. I rode for about two months and went jumping out to Rockhill Park in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. First day out I cracked the spindle. I ordered another spindle and it never came. I was told the spindle was guaranteed from breaking. Ha... I waited AND waited AND waited. It never came. So pissed off I bought Redline cranks and installed them instead. That hutch bike along with 10 others came and went. However, I still have the Redline cranks I purchased to replace the Hutch cranks, AND still have the HUTCH CRANKS. What I do not have is: A good spindle (YET). And the lower bottom bracket sealed bearings. I am currently looking for those items for purchase. Finding the HUTCH CRANKS has renewed my interest in building another Bike. What you haven`t heard yet is that I had a bike shop years later that I still have BRAND NEW: A HUTCH chrome stem with potts mod. Black HUTCH grips. (Still in the box) Crit plate still in the package, Tuff neck chainrings never installed, Grips still new, never installed. Kashimax seat never installed which is on e-bay right now for sale. Laidback seat posts new never installed in chrome, white and blue. I only discovered these things after my parents asked me to get my things out of their rental apartment basement since they were in the process of throwing things away and didn`t want to throw away things of mine that could be sentimental to me. Holy Crap!!!!!is what I said when I uncovered several boxes of New BMX parts. I thought about getting greedy and selling everything. I thought about (Who`s the man now). After finding these things. However, I have most of the expensive stuff to build a bike, and I`m going to BUILD ONE. It`s not about the money. It`s about who you are as a person. It`s about what you believe in, where you`ve been, what you chearish, AND what your going to leave behind. THE PERSONAL FOOTPRINT of YOUR LIFE. I`m going to leave a nice BMX BIKE.....for my child (to look at) Ha Ha!!!!!!!! Of Course.................

longest single paragraph ever!

Cool. I still go to Summit City in Fort Wayne now. I just had them build up some Z-Rims for me earlier this year. I lived in and around Chicago my whole life until I moved out here about 9 years ago, so I never rode the Rockhill track. I do ride at the Franke Park one though. I think I'll see if they're still waiting on any Aerospeeds to show up at the shop, lol.

You should get ahold of John De Bruin and see if he'll honor the warranty on that spindle...

I have not a clue who that person is. It has been a long wait though.................Roger....

That was 20 years ago when ( )owned the shop. I cannot even remember who the person was. I do remember his face. For the life of me i cannot remember his name. This was when Summit City bikes was on Clinton Street where the SPY shop is currently.

It took me all afternoon to think of the guy`s name.... Keith... His mom owned Summit City bikes, He ran the store then his mother gave the store to him or he purchased it. After several years Keith sold the store to the current owner who moved it to a new store building and location off Nortrop which is Lima .RD south.

Yeah, I have only known it at it's current site, on Lima Rd. A few of the guys in there are into the old school stuff too.





He's a member here recently acquired the rights to Hutch BMX and a couple others. So the company that was non-existent for a while is alive again and he owns it. Got new shirts and sticker sets I think out at the moment and some other stuff soon.

I would have love to been part of the purchase of HUTCH. I had everything HUTCH. I had (THE) HUTCH bike. Almost everything was a hutch part. I really wish I had my z-rims laced to hutch sealed hubs, and my candy apple trickstar I waited 8 months for. It got stolen 2 months after I got it. I found it several months after it was stolen and painted green. With spraypaint from a can. I did get it back. However it was trashed in a short amount of time.

I had a storage find but a family member beat me to it and now cant seem to find it . I had a set of Reedy Demco futura titanium pedals that I never used just put away to save them . A set of Italian rollers . A pair of 1st gen profile cranks and some various seat post clamps xcalibur,suntour,dia-comp. Also there was a proto-type bullseye pedal which bullseye sent me to replace a broken one . My state series jackets and old jerseys old plates . Plus all my trophys that meant something to me were there too . Im sure there other things I can remember too .Its very sad

SORRY<<<Call an old ex-wife, she may have your things, in which case they are sold. I was lucky enough to have my parents not throw away those things without calling. It`s like christmas at my house right now. I have so much money in parts....Brand New in packages. Like right now I have a Kashimax Seat on E-bay. Never installed on anything. Sitting in a box for 20 plus years. Bidding right now is $66.00 and it should break well over $150.00 when finished bidding. Hope you find your items...............

Why is this in this section?

damn I was just at summit city bikes today. and they don't have much for bmx stuff anymore

Bmx has deteriorated in Ft. Wayne since the Rockhill Days. When the BMX track moved to Franke Park and then was enclosed by a fence so that you could no longer ride at your leisure to practice. Ft. Wayne hadsome of the top riders BECAUSE you could practice anytime. I saw it coming as soon as the fence went up. I used to practice almost everyday at Rockhill... I miss that old track. However I still remember some NASTY falls I took. Ouch... Summit City bikes is and has been directing theirmargins of profit towards the high end bikes. Bmx margins are low. Check out Bikes and Boards out North for more BMX stuff.

10 Bucks says the Aerospeeds will end up on the Bay and we will never see this guy again. Or he will try to sell us houses. Bet on it.

Areospeed cranks will not end up on ebay. However I will take the bet on the home selling.........You`ll win either way...

i've been to bikes and boards that's where i bought my dk cruiser but the kids there are never good on getting parts and talking bikes. I've had a few people go in there looking for stuff and the kids are lost.

That goes hand in hand with an active BMX program, Active shop with racer sellers and parents who support their kids. The BMX track here in Ft. Wayne is really a good track. The damn fence prohibits kids from practicing at their pace. I used to spend ALL DAY at the track. Kept me out of trouble, kept me in shape, kept me poor. I miss those days. I miss the old track........................I still have the memories. Forever.....

well the new track has a big hole in the fence and everyone goes in there. the guy running the track told us about it and it was cool to ride there just wear a helmet. it's now AMA track and alot of rollers.

The fence was manditory for the city giving use to the land to the BMX track. I`m glad there is a hole in the fence. However, it would be nice to have a private track to go on without fence. I was not aware that the track was AMA.

i ment aba sorry my bad. im working on a little pump track in my back yard soon. oh yeah my buddy just rented the old farm house and found a mint late 80's haro freestyle bike I havn't seen it yet but he said the tires still have the nipples on them. the farmer siad he can have it if he wanted that's bull he always finds stuff like that.

Good for him. Have him post pictures of this find.

Hey Dudes,

Who are you guys? Did you guys race at Rockhill back in the day? I know Donvader from seeing him at Franke.

Anyone remember a bike shop called Bikes Unlimited that used to set up at the track during Rockhill races? Just curious. If you guys want some help at Summit, ask for Don Krieg. He is the old school- new school BMX guru at Summit. Pretty fast too. Summit is owned by a gentleman named Bob Mann. I believe it was his mom that had the shop before.

Franke Park had a great following up until about 3-4 years ago. Mike Beer and Lew Tutton put their heart and soul into that place and it showed. The track was always great fun and in great shape. Then a new TO came in and pretty much drove everyone away with a bad attitude and a general negative vibe. Then due to some spite issues, switched to ABA, which further killed the ridership due to it being right in the heart of NBL land.

Jeremy Thompson is at the helm now making a go of it, but is definetly fighting an uphill battle. He needs some volunteer help. The new layout looks cool, it just needs worked in.

Remeber, Warsaw has a great NBL track if anyone is interested in trying something different some weekend. Well worth the trip to Warsaw.

But dont neglect Franke Park. I have a feeleing it might be teetering on the brink of extinction.


Later,

RC

Rich, The previous owner Was Keith who sold to Bob Mann. Keiths mom started Summit City bikes. Yes, I remember Bikes unlimited. What about Biffs Bikes& Boards in Ft. Wayne. Rich Of course I remember you. Tall and cocky with the skills to back it up. You went into motocross, after harescrambles. Is that correct? My initals are also RC do you know who I am. I raced at FosterPark then when the track moved to Rockhill I rode everyday there. I remember every rock on the track. So does my body. Who am I? It`s good to hear your still alive. You still In Huntington, In.?

I still have my FreeAgent cruiser.. from 1989. I go to the local track once a year to see if I know anyone anymore. I have people flock to my bike the buy it. It will never be ForSale. EVER.........I still ride it about 50 miles a year. No longer on the track. Being self employed and single I pay my own bills and could not afford to take off work for 3 months if needed for an injury to heal. My body is getting to old but my mind could still swing it. However that same brain says think smart. Don`t get hurt. Stay off the track you 42 year old man....So I ride the River greenway and downtown allover. I park my car and street ride. I try to get Jody Donnelly to go however he is always riding the ravine when in town and doesn`t street ride in this town. Just saw John Neukam at Pieres Wing fest last weekend. He`s an old Huntington resident. I`ll chat later Rich, I`m going out on the town as soon as I turn off my laptop. Night. RC............

I knew the Summit Bikes thing was a mom and son deal, I always thought that Bob was the son. I do remember Biff's too.

Man, you are an old schooler if you raced at Foster. I have a pic of me, Steve Dager, and Brian Fox coming thru the first turn at Foster and the track is mostly grass.

I did race moto after BMX. I broke my leg in 86 on a motocross bike, came back mid summer of 87 and raced the BMX state series but was pretty much wanting to race mx at that point. I quit BMX and jumped headfirst into hare scrambles, then MX. I worked at the Honda dealer here in Huntington also at that time. Raced MX until around 01-02. Quit for a few years, got lazy, and decided I better get off my butt and started riding my BMX bike again.

Now I am racing nationals again, was elected the Indiana BMX State Commissionner 2 years ago and having a pretty good time with BMX racing again. I am way less cocky now...........LOL.........only have about a 1/3 of the skills I used to have, but can still hold my own. I also am not quite a skinny as I used to be, got the belly thing going on. Don Krieg and I still ride around Huntington quite a bit, and I have a 300 foot pump track at my house that will flat out kill your lungs, and legs.

I am sure if you are still riding street, the track isnt going to be any worse than falling on the asphalt. I just came back into it really slow and havent had much in the way of crashes. I did bust my azz at Evansville state race a few weeks back and felt it for a few days, but nothing too bad. John Sabatini came back a few years ago and is hauling butt again. He is my sponsor. Check out www.sabdesignsbmx.com. He is in the same boat you are. Owns his own company, no decent insurance until lately. He crashed at Evansville national right after coming back and broke his wrist pretty good. But he was so hooked on racing again, he couldnt wait to get healed up and race some more. His wife, Wendy, is my State clerk on the Indiana BMX Board.

Neukam?..........sheesh, is there anyone that dude does not know? I havent seen John for around 3 years. Last time I did I was getting a tattoo at Studio 13 and he comes wondering in. Seems he is buddies with Donny Manco. Johns a good dude.


I am still trying to figure out who you are. There was so many of us back then I am drawing a blank on the initials.

Gonna go do some pump track riding today with a few people.

Cya later,

RC

How about some pics of your old friends that came up to see you.

Well Im really getting into this old school remembering. do you guys remember Dan Mcluge (he was track director and commishior) and his son Matt along with Matt's buddy's Tim Shaab and myself John Entley. We used to ride rockhill and the revine about everyday. And Im working on a pump track too just not that long you should post some pic.

John

What years did you race John? I was from 78 thru 87.


RC

I Must of just missed you I raced from 88 to 93.

Rich, I retired in 1990. Closed up my shop and got a URG............regular job. Didn`t last long. I hate being told what to do. My name is Roger Carroll.... I raced all over the state but stayed with Nationals. Raced all over for 6 yrs. while I worked for RJ Renyolds tobacco co. I had a blast racing and would not trade those memories for anything. Kept me broke and out of trouble.

I have been selling reposessed homes for 7 yrs. now. I love my job and love my clients. I also love stealing a home. Getting it and buying it way under value. I just flipped one at the end of June. It was a beautiful day to go ride today and looks to be even better next week.

Hey John, Welcome. Did you race at Rockhill? Whats your age? What class did you race if at Rockhill? I`m trying to recall who you were or if I even know you. Roger.....

John do you remember the FAT HOUSE in FT. WAYNE.. Most of the guys that lived there also lived at the ravine.

Hey Roger, How ya been dude? Havent we seen each other since we quit racing? For some reason I think I ran into you somewhere, although that was many years ago. I definetly remember you.

Cool to see you are still riding. Want to try some pump track action, let me know. Still in Huntington right off 24.

Cya...

RC

Jenny Dager

"Jenny Dager "


on Vintage...........as Miss Piggy

I started as at 12 to 16 just raced mostly local but hit up some nationals. I remeber the Fat house, I didn't hangout there but they where just coming into the revine when we where getting out of it. Hell we rode there way before the rivergreen way was ever there you used to have to ride across a 36" drain tube to get back there. I also hungout with Scotty Yaocalet(i think that's how you spell it) before he moved out to Cali.

Hey just another thing I was out to the track on sunday and we really need more older guys and cruisers out there. i had to race with 14 and 13 year olds. so come on out and ride!

awkward

yeah it was, I told them i didn't count so who ever was behind me was first.LOL So i just pumped the track. but it was fun.

You will never see me on another track. BUT you may see me at THE TRACK... Roger C. When is the next race at Franke Park?

Hi Rich, I`m out north past Piere`s about 2 miles. Lets street ride downtown sometime. Don`t get southwest to often. Most my home sales are north. When is the next race at Franke Park? I`ll make a point to show up. With my OLS school FreeAgent Cruiser. No I`m not racing. I`m Retired for good..........Just a plain old street rider now. However at 42 yrs old I CAN still pull off a 360 on my cruiser. Some things you just don`t lose. Some things you just don`t have a choice.

the next race is sunday but it free ride friday night.

I`ll make it out to the Sunday race........Promise. Roger... Look for me on my light blue FreeAgent Cruiser.... Do you know what time the race is?.........

Went to the track at Franke Park last weekend. The turnout was terrible. I could not believe there were so few riders racing. It made me think, Whats the point of even having the track. It looked terrible since I last saw it. Grass was overgrown around the track. The whole race lasted 1.5 hours total. What the hell happened there. Is this happening all over to bmx tracks. Is ridership that low elsewhere around the state or country? Rich, the last question is for you to answer.

In a nutshell, what happened was that the good track operators and volunteers left, and the people that came after had terrible attitudes that ran everyone off. Then they switched to ABA which didnt exactly help the cause any.

Jason who is there now is a great dude, but is fighting the whole negative vibe issues that the past people left behind. Plus he really has no help......and its ABA in the heart of NBL land.

But, yes, low attendance is hurting everyone everywhere. I went to Warsaw yesterday for the year end extravaganza he has every year, and it was down too. And he has the best ran NBL program in northern Indiana. The Indiana State series was actually up this year and we had 150 racers at our final. I remember Ft Wayne's Rock Hill having almost 150 riders in one class!!!

Most of the problem with Indiana is that everyone has been fighting with each other on here the past 4 or 5 years and it has really soured a bunch of people. Now there is a bunch of splitting of the troops so to speak, and some wont go to other peoples tracks because they have an issue with someone there, or worse they just quit all together. Its all pretty stupid if ya ask me, but that is the way it is. You really missed all the good Indiana drama if you just recently logged into Vintage BMX.

Do a search of Indiana threads and I am sure you can find some remnants of a good Indiana pissing match somewhere. There was a pretty good one this summer if you count the people getting their panties in a bunch because I cancelled a couple state races due to rain.

RC