Nico
I only knew Allen from late ’95 to early ’97 when he was in Los Angeles living in different discipleship homes in Santa Monica and Eco Parc. He lived with former Gang Members in Set Free Ministries and learned breakdancing with the legendary Airforce Crew.
Allen was one of the few people who I met in my life who possessed that certain life force. Not just because he was a BMX rider and that comes with a strong character, but because life had made it extra hard for him and he had to fight for it. He was a true Soul rider, few of which I have ever met. In one of the toughest sports in human history he was one of the last Soul riders.
I met him when he was 25 and just washed up without a bike. One time we bought a trash bike from a homeless man for $5. Allen called it the blue Chiquita because it was blue with black dots. He got so much fun out of it. I never forget him catch lots of air doing smooth bunny hops off a sidewalk transition and right afterwards no-footers – after having no bike for months. I still see him do long bar-rides down Arizona Avenue in Santa Monica. I did not even dare to do those.
Allen was never deterred by all the Church programs and activities. He just wanted to ride BMX. I wished, I really wished I had been more like him and taken some of the same choices. Allen followed his dream and was not part of the nonsensical parts of society, religion and careers. He didn`t care for growing up and was not under the pressure to get anywhere.
I hope there are more people like him out there, living intense.
When he was working at Jamba Juice in Santa Monica, he took me with him twice and I was allowed to go behind the counter. He showed me how to do a Peanut Butter Paradise Smoothie, which has always remained my favorite summer food. He was my best friend at that time and I am devastated to finally find him on the internet, this way.
Allen was alive and a real human being. He will never be forgotten.
Nico