As Lowrider Magazine's 25th Anniversary Tour built up to an exciting conclusion, the race for Bike (and Trike) of the Year honors continued. All year long, we saw bike builders from across the nation trying to qualify for Super Show status in Las Vegas, Nevada, and there were more unbelievable two- and three-wheelers at late Tour stops in Houston, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Kansas City, Missouri; San Francisco, California; and San Antonio, Texas.
At the Houston show, for instance, there were more than 50 top bikes competing. After the dust settled in the Reliant Arena, Chris Moreno's "Wolverine" slashed its way past the competition to take First Place. In Second was Roland Longoria's "Hellraiser 2001" followed by James Torres' "Aztec 2000" in Third. In the Trike category, Jason Benavides' "The Crow II" was in a class by itself.
The Bike of the Year sweepstakes continued in Denver, where the Denver Coliseum held more than 40 of the Rocky Mountain region's most radical rides. Joseph Mestas' radical 20-inch '78 Schwinn, "Total Knockout" lived up to its name by finishing in First Place. It was a close call, however, as Derek Archuleta's "No Respect" gave him a run for the money. Derek had to settle for Second on this day. Coming in Third was Jesse Mortensen. In the winner-take-all Trike class, Alyssa Lucero ended up wearing the crown.
Kansas City received its first Lowrider Tour stop in a few years and that brought out a few new competitors to the American Royal Arena. First Place in KC was won by James Torres of Latin Image B.C. with Ray Jiminez coming in Second and Brandon Brosemer taking home the Third Place trophy. The three-wheeler competition saw another girl contestant spank the competition as local resident Mayra Pena qualified for Trike of the Year honors.
The Tour next headed to San Francisco where Northern California bike builders busted out hard. In fact, there were more than 50 of the finest bikes on the floor of the Cow Palace that day. Angus West came out on top with his new version of "Spawn." Angus' efforts landed a 5-foot-tall First Place trophy and an invitation to Vegas. Gabe Gallego of Elite C.C. was judged to have the second best bike in the house, and Dominic Stewart finished Third. Dominating the Trike class was Freddy Madrigal of Legions B.C.
The final stop of the Tour before the Vegas Super Show was back in Texas, specifically in San Antonio's Alamo Dome. This all-indoor event witnessed 50 of the best bikes in Texas, all trying to qualify for Super Show glory. Isidro Juarez' "The Prophecy" had a clear vision of First Place and just edged Emanuel Diaz' two-wheeler, which finished in Second. Working as a family proved successful for the Laja family, whose bike rounded out the top three finishers. Jesse Prado of Dallas, Texas, busted out big in the Trike class with his Rollerz Only C.C. three-wheeler.
With a few of the past winners retired in 2001, several new champs from around the country were ready to step up and lay their claim to Bike and Trike of the Year honors. It was interesting to see the outcome at the Las Vegas Super showdown where the best bike and trike builders rolled the dice and tried their luck in the biggest competition of its kind in the country. Look for complete coverage of this modern-day spectacle on the following pages of Lowrider Bicycle Magazine. Where else?