C.h.u.n.k. 666
Encyclopedia
Tall bike
A tall bike is an unusually tall bicycle often constructed by hobbyists from spare parts. Typically, two conventional bicycle frames are connected, by welding, brazing, or other means, one atop the other...
and chopper bicycle
Chopper bicycle
A chopper bicycle is a bicycle that is designed to get attention and provide a smooth comfortable ride.- About :While the term "chopper" is generally used to describe a motorcycle or bicycle that has had some of its original parts replaced with custom parts, today's definition has grown to include...
club based in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
and Brooklyn, New York. They are well known and popular in the underground bike culture.
The activities of CHUNK 666 include building tall bikes, riding said bikes at events like Critical Mass
Critical Mass
Critical Mass is a cycling event typically held on the last Friday of every month in over 300 cities around the world. The ride was originally founded in 1992 in San Francisco. The purpose of Critical Mass is not usually formalized beyond the direct action of meeting at a set location and time and...
, making zine
Zine
A zine is most commonly a small circulation publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest usually reproduced via photocopier....
s and organizing the Chunkathalon, which is an annual festival. The bicycles are home-made using salvaged bicycle parts and a variety of methods, including welding; they are described as "bikes that have 9 feet (2.7 m)-long forks and are built to come apart after 3½ miles, or are 9 feet (2.7 m) tall, or lean back so far that it doesn't look sane - let alone safe - to ride".
CHUNK members hold workshops on how to make tall bikes, such as at Bike Summer 2001 .
At the Chunkathalon, bikers meet up and take part in competitions such as tall bike jousting
Jousting
Jousting is a martial game or hastilude between two knights mounted on horses and using lances, often as part of a tournament.Jousting emerged in the High Middle Ages based on the military use of the lance by heavy cavalry. The first camels tournament was staged in 1066, but jousting itself did not...
, and downhill racing. In 2003 it took place in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.