Alonso Tal || Optimus International

Alonso Tal, new member of the LEADER BIKES team describes himself as an idealist and chaot, cyclist and commuter, racer and courier and photo- and art artist. He is riding bikes for 10 years, 6 of them brakeless fixed. I read some lines about Alonso and the main thing i would like to know is: hell man…how did you become a rider of the Leader-team and how is it?

He got his eyes on LEADER through his friend Michael Chacon, who was in their trick team for several years.  Alonso mentioned that he was about getting sponsored by a bike company and asked about the treatments.What Micheal told him about LEADER was responsible for the decission Alonso made one year later. He met Leader in San Francisco at the RED BULL RIDE & STYLE event and spoke some words with them. After getting home to LA he was told by email that they want him in the Team and he accepted. In his words: “It’s been awesome in every way riding for Leader Bikes, they really care about their brand & their riders, I couldn’t be any happier with Leader.”

He is born in LA 24 year ago and still lives there. He told me that Los Angeles is perfect for cycling. I would say the same about Berlin…flatland, broad lanes, many green areas, a lot of bikeshops  and to be honest- the same crimerate. Downtown LA isnt that safe. His bike got stolen-but with fortuna on his side- he got it back. But i am little bit jalous on the Angel´s city weather!!!  He said that they only get a month and a half worth of through out the year. Back to riding fixed in LA.

‘Living the Dream’ with Alonso Tal for CBNC from The Sleepers on Vimeo.

OF: Do you wear a helmet and why?
“I where a helmet now a days, I used to not even own one. Glad I do now. Im wearing the Catlike helmet… every now & then i forget it.”

OF: Brakeless-yes or no and why?
“I’ve been riding brakeless for the last 6 years, Why?, Because It’s the way I found it, it’s Track Bike. I’m just one of the many rebels who took it off the track and who I’m I to change it it.
Brakes on a track bike, ahah. You’ll never learn how to skid to save you life ”

OF: Do you listen to music while riding…and what bands/kind of music ?
“It’s funny you asked tho, because I just got a Leader Mark 1 carbon road bike and I can’t listen to music with Lyrics or words while I’m on it.. Now on my damn Track Bike I’m listening to:

 Jimi Hendrix
ASAP MOB
Juicy J
Kendrick Lamar
School Boy Q
Kanye
Nipsey Hussle
Big K.R.I.T
Dom Kenndey
Mos Def
Gucci Mane
Master P / No limit
Crime Kills
The Beatles
Odd Future kids
The Rolling Stones
Michael Jackson “He made THRILLER!”
Led Zeppelin
Pink Floyd
Prince
James Brown
Nat King Cole
The Doors
Curtis Mayfield
Ray Charles
Muddy Waters
Slayer- Shit I make up.”

Thank you very much Alonso Tal. We wish you great success and fun with this nice company and team.