Bike Check and Bio: James Casio Velez

  Casio is a legend.  I had the honor of meeting him, Rob Ramos and Lou Perez (UND) about 13 years ago while riding Mullaly Skate Park in the Bronx.  I was young, riding my lil Mongoose, watching these cats do their thing on the ramps, blasting past the copping with tricked out airs.  One of the first words between us when I was a kid would probably have been " Get the fuck out the way" hahaha...memories.  Casio has stories for days.  Stories you want to sit around and listen to about old spots, riders, events, the streets, etc...he's lived it.

  Casio is one of the first pioneers of BMX street in the south Bronx and the greater part of NYC.  If you didn't know, now you know.  He is also an original UND member (Underground Never Dies) which began in the 80's when BMX was a thing you will hardly see anyone doing, mostly on TV or shows.  You will just see little kids poppin wheels here and there but nothing major.  They took it to the next level.  You figure it's a bunch of kids out there riding around when they breeze by, but when you start looking closer, you start noticing grown as men with beards out there riding, eatin, living that BMX lifestyle.  New York City in the 70's -80's was one of the most drug and crime infested areas at the time, so Casio and crew decided to do something better with themselves than just standing in the corners flippin, MULLALY PARK was born.  

  

Casio has also hosted numerous bmx event in the east coast including King of New York and Dah Shop Jam.  One of the most nicest, down to earth human beings you will ever meet, but not at first glance.  His riding style can't be duplicated weather riding street or park, Cas still goes in hard dropping a wave of unique combos and tricks.   As the years roll by you start to wonder who you will know til the days you close your eyes...Casio is one of those people who will never leave your side, through thick and thick he will ride out no matter what the situation holds.  I am glad I have the opportunity to show the world who the real Casio is.  Here is a bike Check and Bio on Casio Velez, know your history, enjoy.

Name: James Casio Velez
Age: 38
Location: The Bronx
Years riding BMX? 27
Employer(s)? N/A
Sponsors: Base Brooklyn, Cult, Minority


Frame: Cult OS 20.5 black
Fork: Misc Haro
Bars: Fit Salt Lake
Stem: GT Piston Stem Chrome USA
Grips: Revenge Dakane grips
Barends Revenge Dakane
Pegs: Gsport Plegs
Detangler N/A
Headset: Eastern HS
Clamp: N/A
Seatpost: The extra long Mcneal
Seat: Mcneal Fat Capital
Cranks: Primo Powerbites 165mm black
Sprocket: Animal V2 25t w/ guard
Chain: KMC 410
Brakes: N/A
Cable: N/A
Brake Lever: N/A
Front Tire: Fit FAF 20.25
Front Wheel: Odyssey 7KA 48h rim chrome w/ Primopro hub black spokes
Rear Tire: Animal GLH 20x1.95
Rear Wheel: Odyssey 7KA 48h rim black w/ KHE Reverse hub white chrome spokes
Pedals: KHE Graphite pedals
Any Modifications/Extras/Others?  My mods are two tires one cut folded inside of the other tire stronger then mister tuffy to prevent snake bites and duct tape rapped around the rim like a rim band about four or five times around the whole rim to prevent spokes from poking the tube when landing big gap, jumps like steps and rails....cool set up...works for me... I put my seat at handlebar height too...No ice pick ;-)

How did you become interested in BMX?  I guess when my big brother Louis Perez gave me his bike, I was 12 yrs old and started riding. Some of the kids in my neighborhood were jumping ramps.


Which parts do you replace most often from wear and tear and/or because you want too?  Tires, grips, seats


What's your bike setup like? And describe how you like it to feel?  Chill mode. Comfortable. To my liking...


What was your first "real deal" BMX bike? GJS, ACS/plastic Z rims 36h w/ Bullseye hubs, CW cranks and bars, SR stem, Leechi brakes, official.


Are you a weight weenie? How much does your bike weigh?  No. My bike is about 21lbs


Do you work on your own bike?  Yes or No? Why?   Yes, I work on my own bike.


What is your favorite color(s) Turquoise.


Brakes?  No brakes?  Why?  No brakes, I used to rock brakes but I took them off a while back seeing how its the new thing, I'm staying current.


Is your bike 100% dialed all the time?  Yes


Any Likes or dislikes In general? In BMX?  The word “Can't”.  I like the way it is and I don't like the way it is.


What is your favorite part of your Bike(s)? and of BMX period?   My freecoaster.   The progression, it never ends...


What is your favorite BMX video or rider section?  My favorite video of all time was the UGP video with Chad Degroot.


What talents, interests or hobbies do you have besides bmx (if any)?  I am an artist. I like music, commuting, hitting the clubs and hanging with the friends.


Are you as talented in your other hobbies and interests as you are riding BMX?  Yes I am...


What music genre do you listen to on a daily basis?  All types, I mostly like classical and merengue, old school.


What do you listen to while riding?  Nothing, too many cars in the streets (hahaha)


If you could change anything on your bike, what would it be?  I would say my rims.


If you could change anything in your life (if any), what would it be?  My anger, I don't have anger issues but I get angry very quick...I don't have patience.


What is your favorite trick to see or do?  Rollbacks, 180 rollbacks...anything with a roll backin it, lol.


What is your favorite "dialed" trick to bust out on call?  Footjam whiplash.


Favorite BMX rider(s) of all time? Chad Degroot, Dennis McCoy, Eddie Fiola, Dave Freimuth and list goes on.


Are there any public figures, (past or Present) that you admire?  Nolita Lebron, she was an activist that fought for the rights of Puerto Ricans...she went into the United Nations and shot 4 congressmen.  Fighting for commonwealth.


Any favorite foods? Drinks?  Cheese fries, hamburgers, dumples, I'm simple about it. I like my milkshakes, they do it up for me.


What are your favorite quote(s)? Ima stunt man but not a stupid stunt man...safety first.


Any favorite books/mags/movies/TV shows?  Books - Kamasutra, Mags - Bmx Plus, Motocycle Tech.


Any favorite places to ride?  The Bronx, Brooklyn Queens, all boroughs.  I like to ride in shady places.


Any advice for the younger generation of riders?  Bmx can save your life.  From wen I was growing up til now, people have no stuff to live for...


Do you have any plans for the future?  Continue riding for another 5 yrs and try to help out the industry the best way I could.


Have you dealt with any serious injuries due to riding?  I've broke my ankle in Mullalys. Compound fracture on my ankle. Besides that bumps bruises etc...

Cas, you been a figure in BMX here in NYC for years now, how was it like back in the day riding at Mullalys and in the city compared to now?  The new generation of kids pick up were the old generation left off...we only had one skate park back then,. Now theres skateparks everywhere . And it was grimey back in the days, now everyone gets along. Technologies took over, exposes everyone.


Oba - Your a lot older than alot of us and you been around in the bmx seene here in NY, how you feel about the younger generation?  I like it.  I'm all for it.  I'm glad that the younger generation has caught on to the sport due to people educating them about it. Through magazines, videos, pics.  Back in the days, we didn't have any computers so we made our own magazines. There was an era in bmx were magazine such as Bmx Plus, American Freesyle, etc were going on a low budget. so us here in NY didn't receive these magazines so we had to produce our own magazines with pictures and stories to educate each other on what's going on in the BMX industry . We caled them “LOT zines” because we used to sell them in the lots in the streets. We made sure that our people were always informed on what's new, what was in style, the latest parts and how to do tricks like a step by step manual.

How did you and Rob (Rob Ramos) end up runniing Mullalys?  How did Mullalys come about period?  Well, there was a group in the Bronx called the “RAD DOGS” who would do shows in Central Park in the late 80's and as a little kid, I followed them like twitter hahaha.  One day, they just stopped doing shows in Central Park.  The leader of team Rad Dogs, who's name was Victor Ortiz, organized thes events.  From what I hear, they stopped doing shows in Central Park and went to the city in search of space to cater to these events.  So the city came up with the idea of making Mullaly Skate Park.  That area was abandoned back in the day. They asked the Rad Dogs to clean it up and if they did, then they could have the space to themselves.  So they put ramps up and made it what it was...the rest is history.   Throughout the years, they worked together helping the community in the awareness of bmx.  Eventually, they all grew up and they left Louis Perez and Danny Parks to run Mullalys.  After that they quit, Rob and I kept it going.  And thats how The King of New York was made.

Casio Velez and Rob Ramos

Describe the history of The King of New York?  4 riders got together with one idea.  We wanted to produce contests for the kids in the community so we can put the ideal of riding bikes and educate kids, making sure they have a place to be so there parents don't gotta worry about them besides falling on a ramp.  We wanted to promote a contest were everybody that wasn't sponsored could join in and feel good about themselves in exploiting there talents.  We asked sponsors to help us out and they did like Animal, No Joke, SHIT LUCK Redneck Clothing, Bushmen Products, Base Brooklyn, etc. They all kicked in alil something like tshirts stickers hats etc, we did it for the community.

Who were your favorite local riders?  Rob Ramos, Louis Perez , Doughboy, Tony Mega (we called him mega because he had the mega spins), KK, and OG Bronco from Walton st. and Tremont Ave (BX).  He should me how to ride ramps, how to drop in.  Joe Buff, Jamal Moses, Altar-boy, he was a alter boy at Featherbed Lane Church with father Fline, Chickenwing Derrek with the orange Skyway, old school Spanish Wilson, Miguel Velero, Greg Nice from the rap group NICE and SMOOTH, Officer Will, who used to ride flatland at Mohegan on Tremont ave, Dangerous Danny, and his bro Sergio,  Billy, etc...

Cas, one time Jerry (Launchpad) and I were walking through Crotona Park and we seen you in the shadows. We spoke for a few then we said our goodbys since we were on a hurry, we gave you a pound and turned,  then we looked back and you disappear into the wilderness.  We would stay jokin like Casio pulled a Batman, swinging on the trees with a steel cable and your bike between you legs...where did you go my G? Hahaha I went home.. I was looking for some spots hahahaha. Sometimes nobody wants to ride so I ride by myself.

Yo Bob, peep the bars ;-) 

Tell me about the UND frame?  I remember it when I was younger, always seeing it in the office, never built, what's the history behind that frame?  It was 3 of us that made that frame with the help of a 2 people from staten Island, there names were Gene and Ivan.  They only built three frames, one for me, one for Rob and one for Lou. The first frame was named the Underground never dies (UND) Robloucas. The second frame was the UND Lourobcas, and then the third frame was named the Casroblou. There was and era in BMX were people were jumping big gaps and were complaining about frames being too weak for that type of riding.  We wanted to show in the industry that it can be better.  Made here in the USA and not in Taiwan. You would have to contact Lou Perez for the rest of that info.  I just funded it with Gene and Ivan. The frames were made as prototypes to present to Peregrine who was helping us make it happen. But due to funding we couldn't do it.

Casio fakie on the UND prototype

Casio who thought of or invented the “threadless peg”?  Tru story, from what my knowledge is the really real, Brad Blantcher, Pete Agustine, and Vic Murphy were the first ppl to make, ride it and show people how to jump on a rail with pegs. The name of the pegs was called Crack pegs. Named after the 80's era in the height of the crack epidemic.  Tru story and if anybody wants to argue with me come see me.

Any shout outs or special thanks you want to send?  I'm proud of the team at mullalys bmx ramp park they ride hard together like bros that we are along with everyone in NYC and jersey thats maken stuff to improve our sport of brakeless freestyle street...to my friends old and new sponsers that help and family that love...the legend...

Casio Velez Bio Edit from Minority Bikes Co on Vimeo.