ReportingOften stigmatized for their “wild rodeos”, these young bikers claim to be part of “bike life”, a discipline born in the black districts of Baltimore and which is developing across France, from Nièvre to Aulnay-sous-Bois. Reporting.
Hidden behind a renowned halal grill and an F1 motel converted into social accommodation for migrants, the Garonor Est track, in Aulnay-sous-Bois (Seine-Saint-Denis), is a long strip of asphalt on the edge of a forest of logistics platforms. A discreet corner, separated from the A1 motorway by a row of lime trees. A few night owls come to breathe laughing gas, judging by the Cream Deluxe candies abandoned here and there. During the day, it is the haunt of followers of “bike life” or “cross bitumen”, a discipline better known in France under the name of “wild rodeo” and severely repressed.
“The right foot is used to brake, the left foot keeps the gear selector up to keep the balance… Then you let go of the hands”, explains Calvin, 20 years old.
Bike life consists of driving a motocross machine with the front wheel up, preferably in a straight line, for as long as possible. And if the pilot can let go of both hands, that’s even better. “The longer it lasts, the better. A friend of mine can hold like that for eighteen seconds, I get to nine, ten seconds. But I am heavier than him ”, explains Calvin, 20 years old, flat hair, neat beard, slim jeans with holes to match the fake Dior satchel. It details the operating mode: “The right foot is used to brake, the left foot keeps the gear selector up to keep the balance… Then you let go of your hands. “ Some even manage to brush the ground with their gloved fingers: it is the “Two hands raking”.
Calvin is a playground repairer, after several interim assignments in delivery and construction. This son of a mechanic and a secretary, based in Neuilly-Plaisance, comes here to lift the wheel of his Yamaha two-stroke ” for [se] empty your head ” : “When I have a quarrel with someone, it relaxes me instantly. “ This Saturday, his motorcycle goes from hand to hand without worrying about it. And it’s So (first name changed), 17, who benefits the most. Admits he feels more chills when he drives around town, “ to slalom between cars while the girls watch us ”, but goes for the Garonor land, a piece of landlocked asphalt managed by the Interdepartmental Direction of the roads of Ile-de-France (DIRIF) and which the police superbly ignore. This inhabitant of Clichy-sous-Bois begins an accounting training, while supporting his cousin, manager of a sports car rental agency. “ He has Lambos [Lamborghini] and [Audi] RS3 which he rents for weddings and rap music videos. It pays, but, excuse me for the term, you have to be a motherfucker. A guy crosses your car, you make him jump his deposit, that’s how it is. In bike life, it’s less harsh: we borrow and if we break, we repair. That’s all. “
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