Beneath the slick surface of mainstream bike culture lies a gritty underbelly distinguished by the likes of Austin-bred swap meet Frankenbike, tricked-out lowrider bikes and parades of experimental “art bikes” (see Burning Man) that blur lines between kinetic sculpture and transportation. Founded in 2009 and
self-described as “a group of under-achievers who like to ride bicycles,” the decidedly unpretentious and admirably charitable Wild Dawgs bike club fits squarely into this equation with “slow roll/social/no drop” First Friday rides where the only real rule is: “Don’t be a butthole.” Curated by California transplant and Southtown fixture Robert Tatum, the group show “In Rust We Trust” sees Wild Dawgs members Richard Tamez (aka Dirty Dawg), Dante Jones (aka Orange Dawg) and David Brinkman (aka Under Dawg) teaming up with like-minded fabrication artists for a group exhibition showcasing the unsung artistry of handcrafted bikes. A portion of event proceeds benefits the
Cherry Street Bicycle Co-op, a recently established outfit that refurbishes, rents and sells budget bikes as part of an Eastside community-building endeavor.
