 | Click here to see all 9 photos from this story. |
Photos/text: Alex Auerbach
I first met Alfredo about a year ago at the last Biketoberfest in San Diego, where he was going all-out doing circus stuff on the box jump. Since then I’ve ridden with him a lot more and seen that he is a pretty versatile rider that just does whatever looks fun to him at the moment. Throughout that time he’s become a good friend and it’s always a good time whenever we go ride. Even if we hardly get to ride, we never leave without a good time or a story to tell.
Name: Alfredo Mancuso Junior II
Age: Roughly 246 moons (20 years of age)
Hometown: Los Scandales, CA
Sponsors: KHE Bikes, Give D-Clothing, and Epic Rideshop
Bike: Currently the KHE Phil Aller signature frame/complete bike, "The Barbados," which is awesome! Incredibly light and strong. Hopefully I'll have some input in the next frame and you can expect some rad new ideas and cup holders [laughs].
Sponsors: KHE Bikes, Give D-Clothing, and Epic Rideshop
What’s up with Give D Clothing? They seem like one of the more elusive sponsors; how did you get on the team?
What's not up with Give D? It's infamous! (laughs). Give D is just a tightly knit group of 69 friends or more that are down to rot, joke around, and occasionally ride bikes. We're really just about good times, staying posi, and shredding!
How does it feel to be apart of Give D and its illustrious crew of San Diegans, being that you’re the only OC person on the crew?
Although I'm not a San Diegan like the rest of D-set, they have taken me in to their warm embrace and its been the best! Being the only OC-ian (actually I’m from LA, county. Give D just deemed me the OC member), and the only rider with on-and-off brakes sets me apart in a positive and elusive way at times. I guess due to contemporary fashion brakes are out, but I get to fufanu, and do, as Alex and Hoang (Tran) say, "the X-Gayme" tricks. Regardless, I'm in it for good times!
You’re one of the few bike riders who still goes to school full time, why did you decide to do this?
Ah! Yes my edumacation...I guess I'm of a dying breed haha. I view school as an investment, not only in the sense that I get something to do in the morning, but I get a challenge while learning all sorts of goodies to impress the ladies with!
Where do you want to be after school?
After school I usually want to be sipping on some cold pops at home. All jokes aside I look forward to a resilient career as a dentist, and being all up in people's oral orifice. N/H.
What is your favorite type of riding and why?
My favorite type of riding comes and goes with the wind. Currently I'm into brakeless street riding, but last month I was into riding trails and not doing a single trick. Overall I'll ride anything that's in front of me, be it a vert ramp, a set of stairs, or testing my endurance in some high-speed manualling.
What’s it like having a brother that also rides?
It's rad! I have an awesome brother, Johnny who has is own completely different style from me (huge bars, no brakes, no pegs, and a freecoaster), but he gets stoked on what I do and vice-versa. Also, we push each other to try new things and I am fortunate enough to be able to hook him up with bikes in exchange for his mechanical expertise, or a ride in his car deemed "the dub," which can take on anyone else's whip.
Who are your favorite people to ride with?
J-scene, Give D, Hucker, the Brain Phuckler, You [Alex Auerbach], and a bunch of other house-cats.
What are your thoughts on running brakes/being brakeless?
Brakeless riding is always fun! I feel as if it’s a bit if a trend for up and coming kids who should learn how to control their bike before following all the hottest fads. I also think that riding brakeless and street are synonymous with each other, but brakeless park or trails is a little less fun because you hold out on certain things.
How did you start riding little kids’ bikes?
I first got into BMX after watching E.T..., not really. I actually got into bikes after watching the X-games, and I'm not ashamed to say that Mirra was my hero. My favorite past time originated at the ripe ol' age of 14 when my friends and I pretended that we'd use our skill for real life super hero scenarios I.e., hoping over chasms, and dead bodies, doing 180 roll backs to see our antagonists, and wheeling at the sign of a success. Needless to say we were odd kids.
What do you like to do when you’re not riding?
When not riding I legitimately enjoy school and reading. I also like playing sports, off-road kamikaze missions, going to new places with my girlfriend Emily, and lurking on the Internet via the iPhone. Parties, movies, and the professor brothers are always sweet!
How did you become trilingual?
Como? Che? What? Well my dad was Italian, and my mom is Argentine and Italian. And I was born in the States so I learned English and Castille (a form of Italian and Spanish) simultaneously, and along the way I've expanded my Italian vernacular.
Any thanks?
First and foremost my mom, even if she still doesn't like what I do because I put my limbs on the line, my dad, my brother, and all of my friends. Thomas at KHE, everyone at Epic, and all my D brethren, mainly Alex Bermudez, everyone at Vital, Mark Losey, Glen, Kyle Carlson, Alex Auerbach for his patience with me, anyone who took the time out of their busy day's to read this. And the Lord for making this and every day possible. Thanks =]
