Alb the invincible!

6 September 2010 / Posted by Brett Phillips

Images: Courtesy of Rocío Manceras, Malaga Spain. Circa 2010.

When it comes to our Gravity Bike friends in Spain, there's no shortage of passion or energy that's for sure! They have equal measures of both. Combine this with some of the craziest hills in the world and you have a recipe for the growth and development of a healthy gravity bike culture. We recently spoke to Alb-PACMAN, a gravity bike rider from Malaga, Spain about his experiences riding, how things started and what it may take to get Gravity Biking back on the map in his country. This is what he had to say...

GBHQ: Where do you live?
AP: I live in Malaga, is it ceartinly one of the most mountainous of the Spain.

GBHQ: How did you first get into riding gravity bikes?
AP: In the 80s Malaga discovered in a mountain pass, this is fifteen miles of dowhill and I often went to lover adapting my Bmx.

GBHQ: What kind of bikes were you riding back then?
AP: Basically BMX with motorcycle tires.

GBHQ: Tell us a little about the bike you are riding now?
AP: Mi bike is a job that did not stop evolving since 2004. Is very quick and stable. The classics is a BMX-BH California-and rear swingarm is -Torrox Mx-, classic bike!

GBHQ: Tell us a little about now the gravity bike scene evolved in your part of the world?
AP: I think in Spain is one places where the sport is practiced more, in five years there have been events and championships. In the north is something with tradition in the south we are working for are known. Not forgetting the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands. In Colombia also practices the gravity bike. United States and Australia with their machines so amazing...and Europe...I think it's something that over time be extended.

GBHQ: When was the first time you saw a gravity bike?
AP: In 2004. I was reading an article about Gravity Bike. Calixto Garcia (Capi) pioneer and promotor of this sports in our country. He created www.zonagravedad.com and also competed in world championship with Cedric Burel and Dave Kesler.

GBHQ: How many guys and girls are riding gravity bikes over there?
AP: There five in Malaga. In Spain twenty more or less. 

GBHQ: If you could choose to ride anywhere, were would you ride?
AP: je,je...Newton Playground!

GBHQ: What is your fastest recorded speed?
AP: 103Km-h in Vallada 2006 (Valencia) 

GBHQ: Do you prefer freeride or competition?
AP: Depends...on competitions gets to the heart 1000. Freeride is more calm.
Competition yeahhhhhh!!!!!

GBHQ: What do you think it will take to get gravity bikes popular?
AP: I think that is needed for these sports.....economic support by the municipalities and good marketing. Good safety!

GBHQ: What advise would you give to young up and coming riders?
AP: Enyoying but with caution...and see the world practicing gravity bike.

GBHQ: What do you think is next for the sport?
AP: It is a spectacular sport but for the minorities. The problem is to find places to practice! Rubio RoLLEr in Malaga this implies a lot of of struggling. The return results are good.

GBHQ: Thanks for your time Alb-PACMAN
AP: cheers! 

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