Ride with Norman Reedus – Austin: Twisted Sisters

By starrymag | July 6, 2016

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

 

While last week had us deep in the heart of Georgia and North Carolina, this week’s episode featured a journey through the Lone Star State from Austin to San Antonio with one of Norman’s good friends, New York artist Jake Lamagno! As someone who has seen both Norman and Jake’s work first-hand, I highly recommend you check out both of their pages in the links listed below.

 

Day 1:

 

Riding on his own custom Triumph Tiger 800 XCx, Norman heads over to Pump Project, an East Austin studio and art gallery, to pick up his long-time friend Jake Lamagno. There, Norman walks in on Jake working on some homemade targets for their trip since more than likely there will be a shooting range to stop at along the ride.

 

But before leaving Austin, Norman and Jake decide to spend some time in the “live music capital of the world” and meet with Elijah from Union Chief of Limey Bikes. From there, with Jake riding his very own 1977 Harley Sportster, Elijah brings the guys to the shop where they meet the CEO, Chris “The Limey” Kelland. During a tour of the shop, Elijah and Chris explain to the guys that their shop specializes in working on vintage Japanese bikes, especially those from 1983 and earlier.

 

After Limey Bikes, Norman and Jake then head over to Troublemaker Studios where they meet up with director Robert Rodriguez. Norman and Rodriguez share a common bond, Greg Nicotero, who is known for his special effects work on “The Walking Dead.” Rodriguez, who is known for films such as Sin City, Dawn of the Dead and Machete, gives the guys a tour of his studio, pointing out a custom Jesse James bike and showing off some of the green screen props used to film Sin City. But the true gem of Troublemaker Studios? The recreation of the bar featured in the movie From Dusk Till Dawn. Before leaving, Rodriguez shares one last treat with the guys: a Danny Trejo baby.

 

To end the night, Norman and Jake take in the local music scene at Hotel Vegas to see one of Norman’s favorite bands, The Well. Before the show Norman even gets the chance to hang out with and meet the members of the band, Ian Graham (Guitar/Vocals), Lisa Alley (Bass) and Jason Sullivan (Drums).

 

Day 2:

 

With a whirlwind day in Austin to start their adventure, Norman and Jake head west into Hill Country on Ranch Road, one of the three roads that make up the famous “Twisted Sisters.” And the guys are not disappointed as they are treated to greenery and breathtaking hills and mountains during their ride.

 

For lunch, the guys decide to stop in Leakey, TX at The Hog Pen for some brisket, picture-taking and browsing in the gift shop where Norman tries on various shirts and hats on display. At The Hog Pen, Norman also takes time to harness his photography skills as he snaps shots of the restaurant and a local named Forest. After lunch, Norman and Jake head back out onto the road as they still have a lot of road to cover before making it to San Antonio.

 

Day 3:

 

With San Antonio finally in their sights, the guys finally locate a shooting range in the city where they can put those homemade targets to use at a range called A Place To Shoot. Once there, the guys break out the gold-flecked spray paint to put the finishing touches on their targets before finding their way to the South Texas Pistolados (STP), the Old West division of the shooting range.

 

There they are greeted by President of the STP, Bexan Bill Brocius, as well as his constituents. Norman and Jake get a crash course in how to handle the weaponry before they finally get to hang up their homemade targets and shoot for the sake of art.

 

As their time at the shooting range ends, Norman and Jake cruise through historic San Antonio, passing the Alamo and the Riverwalk on the way to their final destination at Colt Wrangler Motor Co., an amalgamation of bikes, booze and peculiar activities involving poultry and bingo. Colt, the owner, gives Norman and Jake a tour of his shop, lamenting on his diet of tuna and crackers while he gets his shop up and running.

 

Inside the shop, Colt proudly displays pictures of his mother, who was well-known in the rodeo circuit for her bull-riding skills. From these experiences, Colt was inspired to get into bikes and due to lack of funds decided to create custom bikes with a stripped down look to them. He features the metal itself, including showing off his own Sportster that he fixed up.

 

While he is still working hard to get his name out there, Colt embodies that Texas spirit, following the adage “if you really want something, your actions will follow.” As Norman winds down on his Texas adventure, he understands that Texans are in a class all their own. After all, according to him, Texas is a “breeding ground of rebels and artists.”

 

Join me next week as Norman ventures through the bayou in Louisiana with Mastodon guitarist and singer, Brent Hinds! And this upcoming weekend, join me as I will be live tweeting from Walker Stalker New Jersey July 9th and 10th!

 

For additional info on the people and places featured in this week’s show, check out these links:

 

Jake Lamagno: www.jakelamagno.com

Norman Reedus: www.bigbaldhead.com

Pump Project: www.pumpproject.org

Limey Bikes: www.limeybikes.com

Troublemaker Studios: www.troublemakerstudios.com

Hotel Vegas: www.texashotelvegas.com

The Well: www.thewellband.com

The Hog Pen: www.thehogpenstore.com

A Place To Shoot: www.aplacetoshoot.com

South Texas Pistolaros: www.stxpistolaros.com

Instagram for Colt Wrangler Motor Co.: www.instagram.com/coltwranglerco