Dozer
12-06-2007, 08:52 AM
I've always wondered what the initials RCOH stood for. I thought it may have been the name of a band or something similar........I was way off!
Ladies and Gentlemen, meet one of Farkin's regulars.........RCOH! A very interesting character indeed!
Who are you? (Name, age, job etc)
My name is Rod O’Hara. I am 29 years young & I am a researcher for ABC TV News & Current Affairs
Why did you become a member of Farkin?
I needed to meet people who rode as the people who I started riding with all seemed to quit & take up bow hunting or VN Commodores. Also I needed to learn things about putting bikes back together after they broke
What made you choose that username?
Rodney Colin O’Hara. Farkin was the first time I had ever been involved with a forum on the internet. I didn’t realize you could choose a cool online pseudonym composed of a pun or involving the type of bike you were riding at time of register. I also have my username tattooed on my back in case I ever forget it.
You have been involved with a lot of the Farkin city rides and met plenty of people from Farkin. What is the Farkin city ride all about?
There is no regular Farkin Sydney city ride at the moment and for this I blame the rise in appeal of BMX!!! Only kidding, although by the time the ride died 99% of riders were on beamers. The heyday of the city rides was from mid 2003-mid 2006, so about 3 years of Wednesday night rides. They were started by Rik, Naz, Techno Destructo & others & my 1st one was about 2 months after. We went from Downhill bikes doing stair gaps, burly free ride hard tails, to SS street bikes to BMX. I think the record was about 50-odd riders on a balmy summers evening & we pretty much had our own Critical Mass thing going on, but with more manualing & less helmets.
Some memorable moments include: Wookie snapping his RM7 on the Cook Phillip stair gap, Naz putting Sweeneys bike up a tree & all of us bolting, Sweeney snapping his Wheeler frame at Martin Place, Dicky on his Lowrider, Drop in drew doing the USYD stairgap, Terry doing the convention centre stair gap, The trickery of Naz, Alex & the Benny Bros, Technoboy & Wookie, Rik’s wacky retro creations, Strials, drinking at the strawberry, me being arrested at USYD, Johnny pulling the groms in line, Carpark races, Techno hitting a drainpipe, Mrs Macs Chair fly out, Carlin bring the fixie bug, Bowen airing the wire fence at Redfern skatepark, Inverted spitting on a crack head…. The list goes on. I really miss those rides. I met, & am still good friends with, a whole bunch of great people.
Wallride! (http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t317/dhdozer/wallriderod.jpg)
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t317/dhdozer/wallriderod.jpg
You have spent a bit of time in New Zealand……..
I have only spent a few weeks in the South Island, but let me tell you in terms of MTB it is God’s country. I spent the majority of my time at the Signal Hill trails in Dunedin. The trails are greaded (colour coded) & are maintained by the work release program of the local prison. The DH track has 4 road gaps, a 10-12 drop, the gnarliest rock garden ever & some super steep & tight switchbacks. It is so much fun. I am intending to move there one day.
We’ve seen your posts in off topic about your tattoo’s. What is the story behind your tat’s and what are people’s reactions?
The first band I really loved was Motley Crue. Since then I think every band I have gotten into have been tattooed. Tattoos & music go hand in hand in my eyes & it seemed only natural that after playing in bands & being into the punk/metal/hardcore “scene” for so long that I get inked as well.
My first tattoo was a tribal snake on my ankle that I drew myself. It looks pretty bad now, especially since I cut my leg & put a thick scar through it, but I still like it. Then I got my initials on my back, then I got the Biohazard symbol on my inner arm after seeing Biohazard & Slayer in concert & having the good fortune to hang out with Evan Seinfeld for a while. My Bad Religion ‘Crossbuster’ Symbol I toyed with for almost 2 years because of the negative connotations that go with symbol, but I ended up getting done & am really happy with it. I have a few snide comments but I choose to ignore them or tell people about the joy of Bad Religion! I have 3 stars on my right forearm symbolizing my girlfriend & 2 kids, I got these while I was in Brighton, England, meeting my paternal grandparents for the first time & exploring the areas where my Dad spent his formative youth.
My most recent tattoo is the pirate/nautical themed ½ sleeve. There is no real meaning to this tattoo, I just like the imagery & it suits my personality & the music I most enjoy.
Tell us what disciplines of MTB you’ve tried over the years……….
I have raced BMX, 4X, DS, DH, XC & enduro. I want to try track next.
We’ve read about alley cat races. What is the story behind those?
Alleycats are races held by Bike Messengers/couriers where they replicate their work in a race format. Up until about 3 months ago I had never heard of them, but a friend lent me a DVD called ‘Red Light, Go!’ which details the Halloween Alleycat held in NYC a couple of years ago. You must try & watch this movie, it is nuts! I thought it would be fun to try & do one & after talking with Carlin & Jetbike we decided to hold The Pumpkin Run, which was an Alleycat style race from Manly to Sydney CBD. Disappointingly, only 4 people turned up (including myself). Bike couriers have a reputation of being quite cliquey so I thought our race may have been shunned because it was being held by a ‘Fakenger’ who admittedly had no real idea what he was doing. Having talked to a couple people who are involved in the messenger side of life I have found out that the main reason no one came was because it was held at Midnight on a weeknight & they didn’t want to do a 20km sprint & turn up to ride a another 100km the next day.
So another alleycat style race is tentatively in the works
In action (http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t317/dhdozer/missmax.jpg)
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t317/dhdozer/missmax.jpg
Best and worst MTB moments?
Best: Beating Dylan & Lucas Prohm down Dargle A track back in the day; argle a track in general was fun, scary but fun. They both now kick my arse so badly it isn’t even funny. Road tripping to the Mud fest that was 2003 Mt Beauty nats, the Sydney City Rides, DH runs on Grizzlys at Red Hill. Meeting everyone I now know.
Worst: Getting bikes stolen especially my 98 Big Hit. Having no time (or bike) to ride DH anymore, Technoboy building the Red Hill Jumps bigger than my ability allows me to ride. Having a mechanical & realizing you have no spares or the wrong tools, then having to walk back to the car or home.
A bit muddy...... (http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t317/dhdozer/rodnats.jpg)
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t317/dhdozer/rodnats.jpg
Who would you love to see become a member of Farkin?
The art director of Dirt magazine. No other MTB mag comes close to Dirt & the photos & layout is what make it so great. Brett Gurewitz & Greg Graffin.
I think whoever joins has the potential to be a worthy member. I am proud to be a part of the Farkin community & think we have some very talented members who contribute greatly. People like Johnny, Dumbellina, SCBlack, Ryan, Carlin & Arete (and others) challenge they way I think & look at current affairs & help me form opinions in topics I know little about. I think Olly1006 is going to be the next Alex Rankin. People like S. (where is he lately?), TuPlang, Grip, Bodin, BigHitter are a wealth of bicycle related knowledge. We have the photography skills of Spoolin, Damien Breach & others and the entrepreneurs such as Dim, NSM & Nicho. POSM (who I did have the pleasure of having a beer with) is a funny bastard yet sharp as a tack & his lifestyle makes me jealous. Rik is the Professor Frink of Farkin!
So I really want anyone to join, I may learn something or have a laugh or make a friend, if not we can flame them & they get banned. It is win-win really.
What is the dumbest thing you’ve ever done?
Where do I start…(deep breath) intravenousdrugsdrinkdrivingfightingpolicequitting myapprenticeship justbeforemytimewasupkickinginshopwindowsnotfinish inguniversitysayingiwastootiredtoseerancidatselina snotgoingstraighttohospitalwhenibrokemyanklecheati ngonmygirlfrienddrinkingtripleoprumsalnightsleepin gwithastreetwalkerinakingcrosslanenotpullinginandm issingoutonapossibleriptidecovershotgoingtoseeblur dancingwithmyshirtoffinaclubbettingredleavingmyfis hwithmyflatmateswhileiwasawaybrewersdroop…to name but a few
But I don’t regret a thing!
If you were a politician, what is the first thing you would change in Australia?
I would increase the cycling budget & ban non commercial vehicles from the CBD.
You have a big interest in music. What are your favorite bands?
Bad Religion is my all time favorite band. I still listen to at least one of their albums every day. My main listening diet is punk rock & hardcore from the 80s & 90s, from Agnostic Front to Weezer, from All to Voodoo Glow Skulls. Lately I have been listening to a lot of Dub & Reggae (Dub Conspiracy, Peter Tosh. Mad Professor), a bit of Electronica (B(if)tek, Aphex Twin, Kraftwerk) & metal (all genres) from the late 80s & early 90s.
You have started a band yourself…….
Jetbike & I, with guest vox by Jetbike’s wife, are trying to start a punk band, but at the moments we only have 3 songs, none of which I know how to play. We both do shift work & have young children & like bike riding so finding time to rehearse is hard. It is a long term goal. We are to be called ‘Mario C’
Do you do anything in your part of the world to help prevent global warming?
I ride bikes & shower at the beach.
There is a crappy TV show about the lifeguards at Bondi. Have you ever been on the show doing your Baywatch impersonation?
My beer gut would make all the money spent on bringing tourists to Bondi redundant, so for the love of my home town I stay off the TV. I did however either go to school with or grew up surfing with about 75% of the guys on the show & they are all very nice people & fit as fuck! They love a beer as well.
What else do you do with your spare time?
I spend time with my girlfriend, Nell, & my twin sons Bill & Jem who recently turned 2. We go cycling! I also don’t mind a beer or 20 & try & see bands when I have the money. I have also become obsessed with fixed gear bikes & am restoring/converting a 70s road bike to a street fixer.
The proud Dad (http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t317/dhdozer/ChrisTwins015.jpg)
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t317/dhdozer/ChrisTwins015.jpg
Do you consider the internet a necessary and serious part of life or is it just for fun?
I use the internet constantly at work so in that respect it is serious, Farkin is my ‘time out’ area on the net, you can tell by my posts whether I am having a good or bad day & I don’t have a computer at home which is a nice break. I think it becoming more & more a necessary part of life & I find it weird that there will be kids born soon who will only know music as downloadable files & not a tangible product!
What are the best and worst TV shows?
Best: Sopranos, Simpsons, Six Feet Under, Seinfeld, Foyles War (Mmmm, Honeysuckle Weeks), Spicks & Specks, Rage.
Worst: Everybody Loves Raymond
Tell us a joke……
Two peanuts were walking through a park, one was assaulted
Boom-Tish! (It works when you say it)
RCOH's input on farkin is very valuable. Like he said, some days are good....some are bad. We all know now that he speaks from his heart! If you ever get the chance to hang out with RCOH....do it!
Ladies and Gentlemen, meet one of Farkin's regulars.........RCOH! A very interesting character indeed!
Who are you? (Name, age, job etc)
My name is Rod O’Hara. I am 29 years young & I am a researcher for ABC TV News & Current Affairs
Why did you become a member of Farkin?
I needed to meet people who rode as the people who I started riding with all seemed to quit & take up bow hunting or VN Commodores. Also I needed to learn things about putting bikes back together after they broke
What made you choose that username?
Rodney Colin O’Hara. Farkin was the first time I had ever been involved with a forum on the internet. I didn’t realize you could choose a cool online pseudonym composed of a pun or involving the type of bike you were riding at time of register. I also have my username tattooed on my back in case I ever forget it.
You have been involved with a lot of the Farkin city rides and met plenty of people from Farkin. What is the Farkin city ride all about?
There is no regular Farkin Sydney city ride at the moment and for this I blame the rise in appeal of BMX!!! Only kidding, although by the time the ride died 99% of riders were on beamers. The heyday of the city rides was from mid 2003-mid 2006, so about 3 years of Wednesday night rides. They were started by Rik, Naz, Techno Destructo & others & my 1st one was about 2 months after. We went from Downhill bikes doing stair gaps, burly free ride hard tails, to SS street bikes to BMX. I think the record was about 50-odd riders on a balmy summers evening & we pretty much had our own Critical Mass thing going on, but with more manualing & less helmets.
Some memorable moments include: Wookie snapping his RM7 on the Cook Phillip stair gap, Naz putting Sweeneys bike up a tree & all of us bolting, Sweeney snapping his Wheeler frame at Martin Place, Dicky on his Lowrider, Drop in drew doing the USYD stairgap, Terry doing the convention centre stair gap, The trickery of Naz, Alex & the Benny Bros, Technoboy & Wookie, Rik’s wacky retro creations, Strials, drinking at the strawberry, me being arrested at USYD, Johnny pulling the groms in line, Carpark races, Techno hitting a drainpipe, Mrs Macs Chair fly out, Carlin bring the fixie bug, Bowen airing the wire fence at Redfern skatepark, Inverted spitting on a crack head…. The list goes on. I really miss those rides. I met, & am still good friends with, a whole bunch of great people.
Wallride! (http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t317/dhdozer/wallriderod.jpg)
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t317/dhdozer/wallriderod.jpg
You have spent a bit of time in New Zealand……..
I have only spent a few weeks in the South Island, but let me tell you in terms of MTB it is God’s country. I spent the majority of my time at the Signal Hill trails in Dunedin. The trails are greaded (colour coded) & are maintained by the work release program of the local prison. The DH track has 4 road gaps, a 10-12 drop, the gnarliest rock garden ever & some super steep & tight switchbacks. It is so much fun. I am intending to move there one day.
We’ve seen your posts in off topic about your tattoo’s. What is the story behind your tat’s and what are people’s reactions?
The first band I really loved was Motley Crue. Since then I think every band I have gotten into have been tattooed. Tattoos & music go hand in hand in my eyes & it seemed only natural that after playing in bands & being into the punk/metal/hardcore “scene” for so long that I get inked as well.
My first tattoo was a tribal snake on my ankle that I drew myself. It looks pretty bad now, especially since I cut my leg & put a thick scar through it, but I still like it. Then I got my initials on my back, then I got the Biohazard symbol on my inner arm after seeing Biohazard & Slayer in concert & having the good fortune to hang out with Evan Seinfeld for a while. My Bad Religion ‘Crossbuster’ Symbol I toyed with for almost 2 years because of the negative connotations that go with symbol, but I ended up getting done & am really happy with it. I have a few snide comments but I choose to ignore them or tell people about the joy of Bad Religion! I have 3 stars on my right forearm symbolizing my girlfriend & 2 kids, I got these while I was in Brighton, England, meeting my paternal grandparents for the first time & exploring the areas where my Dad spent his formative youth.
My most recent tattoo is the pirate/nautical themed ½ sleeve. There is no real meaning to this tattoo, I just like the imagery & it suits my personality & the music I most enjoy.
Tell us what disciplines of MTB you’ve tried over the years……….
I have raced BMX, 4X, DS, DH, XC & enduro. I want to try track next.
We’ve read about alley cat races. What is the story behind those?
Alleycats are races held by Bike Messengers/couriers where they replicate their work in a race format. Up until about 3 months ago I had never heard of them, but a friend lent me a DVD called ‘Red Light, Go!’ which details the Halloween Alleycat held in NYC a couple of years ago. You must try & watch this movie, it is nuts! I thought it would be fun to try & do one & after talking with Carlin & Jetbike we decided to hold The Pumpkin Run, which was an Alleycat style race from Manly to Sydney CBD. Disappointingly, only 4 people turned up (including myself). Bike couriers have a reputation of being quite cliquey so I thought our race may have been shunned because it was being held by a ‘Fakenger’ who admittedly had no real idea what he was doing. Having talked to a couple people who are involved in the messenger side of life I have found out that the main reason no one came was because it was held at Midnight on a weeknight & they didn’t want to do a 20km sprint & turn up to ride a another 100km the next day.
So another alleycat style race is tentatively in the works
In action (http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t317/dhdozer/missmax.jpg)
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t317/dhdozer/missmax.jpg
Best and worst MTB moments?
Best: Beating Dylan & Lucas Prohm down Dargle A track back in the day; argle a track in general was fun, scary but fun. They both now kick my arse so badly it isn’t even funny. Road tripping to the Mud fest that was 2003 Mt Beauty nats, the Sydney City Rides, DH runs on Grizzlys at Red Hill. Meeting everyone I now know.
Worst: Getting bikes stolen especially my 98 Big Hit. Having no time (or bike) to ride DH anymore, Technoboy building the Red Hill Jumps bigger than my ability allows me to ride. Having a mechanical & realizing you have no spares or the wrong tools, then having to walk back to the car or home.
A bit muddy...... (http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t317/dhdozer/rodnats.jpg)
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t317/dhdozer/rodnats.jpg
Who would you love to see become a member of Farkin?
The art director of Dirt magazine. No other MTB mag comes close to Dirt & the photos & layout is what make it so great. Brett Gurewitz & Greg Graffin.
I think whoever joins has the potential to be a worthy member. I am proud to be a part of the Farkin community & think we have some very talented members who contribute greatly. People like Johnny, Dumbellina, SCBlack, Ryan, Carlin & Arete (and others) challenge they way I think & look at current affairs & help me form opinions in topics I know little about. I think Olly1006 is going to be the next Alex Rankin. People like S. (where is he lately?), TuPlang, Grip, Bodin, BigHitter are a wealth of bicycle related knowledge. We have the photography skills of Spoolin, Damien Breach & others and the entrepreneurs such as Dim, NSM & Nicho. POSM (who I did have the pleasure of having a beer with) is a funny bastard yet sharp as a tack & his lifestyle makes me jealous. Rik is the Professor Frink of Farkin!
So I really want anyone to join, I may learn something or have a laugh or make a friend, if not we can flame them & they get banned. It is win-win really.
What is the dumbest thing you’ve ever done?
Where do I start…(deep breath) intravenousdrugsdrinkdrivingfightingpolicequitting myapprenticeship justbeforemytimewasupkickinginshopwindowsnotfinish inguniversitysayingiwastootiredtoseerancidatselina snotgoingstraighttohospitalwhenibrokemyanklecheati ngonmygirlfrienddrinkingtripleoprumsalnightsleepin gwithastreetwalkerinakingcrosslanenotpullinginandm issingoutonapossibleriptidecovershotgoingtoseeblur dancingwithmyshirtoffinaclubbettingredleavingmyfis hwithmyflatmateswhileiwasawaybrewersdroop…to name but a few
But I don’t regret a thing!
If you were a politician, what is the first thing you would change in Australia?
I would increase the cycling budget & ban non commercial vehicles from the CBD.
You have a big interest in music. What are your favorite bands?
Bad Religion is my all time favorite band. I still listen to at least one of their albums every day. My main listening diet is punk rock & hardcore from the 80s & 90s, from Agnostic Front to Weezer, from All to Voodoo Glow Skulls. Lately I have been listening to a lot of Dub & Reggae (Dub Conspiracy, Peter Tosh. Mad Professor), a bit of Electronica (B(if)tek, Aphex Twin, Kraftwerk) & metal (all genres) from the late 80s & early 90s.
You have started a band yourself…….
Jetbike & I, with guest vox by Jetbike’s wife, are trying to start a punk band, but at the moments we only have 3 songs, none of which I know how to play. We both do shift work & have young children & like bike riding so finding time to rehearse is hard. It is a long term goal. We are to be called ‘Mario C’
Do you do anything in your part of the world to help prevent global warming?
I ride bikes & shower at the beach.
There is a crappy TV show about the lifeguards at Bondi. Have you ever been on the show doing your Baywatch impersonation?
My beer gut would make all the money spent on bringing tourists to Bondi redundant, so for the love of my home town I stay off the TV. I did however either go to school with or grew up surfing with about 75% of the guys on the show & they are all very nice people & fit as fuck! They love a beer as well.
What else do you do with your spare time?
I spend time with my girlfriend, Nell, & my twin sons Bill & Jem who recently turned 2. We go cycling! I also don’t mind a beer or 20 & try & see bands when I have the money. I have also become obsessed with fixed gear bikes & am restoring/converting a 70s road bike to a street fixer.
The proud Dad (http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t317/dhdozer/ChrisTwins015.jpg)
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t317/dhdozer/ChrisTwins015.jpg
Do you consider the internet a necessary and serious part of life or is it just for fun?
I use the internet constantly at work so in that respect it is serious, Farkin is my ‘time out’ area on the net, you can tell by my posts whether I am having a good or bad day & I don’t have a computer at home which is a nice break. I think it becoming more & more a necessary part of life & I find it weird that there will be kids born soon who will only know music as downloadable files & not a tangible product!
What are the best and worst TV shows?
Best: Sopranos, Simpsons, Six Feet Under, Seinfeld, Foyles War (Mmmm, Honeysuckle Weeks), Spicks & Specks, Rage.
Worst: Everybody Loves Raymond
Tell us a joke……
Two peanuts were walking through a park, one was assaulted
Boom-Tish! (It works when you say it)
RCOH's input on farkin is very valuable. Like he said, some days are good....some are bad. We all know now that he speaks from his heart! If you ever get the chance to hang out with RCOH....do it!