VELOCITY KINGS RIDE OR DIE
ARTICLE BY RICK DANFORD
Velocity Kings Ride or Die: A Thrilling Tribute to the Sport Bike lifestyle
In the exhilarating world of independent film-making, where passion meets creativity, collaborations often spark magic. Such was the case when Antonio Hernandez, the driving force behind Florida Ride or Die magazine, teamed up with local filmmaker Rick Danford to bring a cinematic tribute to the sport bike community to life. Their brainchild?
Velocity Kings Ride or Die, a film that promises to revitalize the screen with adrenaline-pumping action and heartfelt storytelling.
I first met Antonio a few years back, drawn together by our shared
love for capturing compelling narratives on camera. When the opportunity arose to reciprocate the support he had shown me during the making of The Clock, I eagerly joined forces with him. The challenge was daunting-a motorcycle film on a modest budget-but armed with a talented crew and the unwavering support of the sport bike community, we embarked on a journey to create something truly remarkable.
Central to our endeavor was finding a Director of Photography who could not only elevate the film
visually but also resonate with the spirit of Florida Ride or Die. Saulo Zayas, whose talent had shone brightly in The Clock, was the perfect fit. Together, we delved deep into the magazine’s pages and on-line presence, immersing ourselves in the vibrant culture of
sport biking. What we discovered was a tightknit community driven by a passion for family, freedom, and the thrill of the ride, a narrative backbone that would anchor our screenplay.
Velocity Kings Ride or Die boasts an ensemble cast of local talents including D’Andre Noire, Diana Durango, Blake Drivas, Chenara Imirth, Corey Weber, Catalina Ariel, and Zach Vasquez. To enrich the film’s narrative tapestry, we welcomed guest stars Wes Gillum, Bruce Busta Soscia, JT Campos as well as professional stunt rider Robert ‘Rocky’ Ramos, each adding depth and excitement to our storytelling canvas.
tracks like Vince Serrano’s electrifying “I’m Ready,” taken straight from his latest EP, Velocity Kings Ride or Die promises not only to entertain but also to immerse audiences in the pulsating beats of the sport bike world.
Filming across iconic locations in and around Tampa Bay, such as the K75 Stunt Academy and the
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Antonio’s role as Executive Producer ensured that the project stayed true to its roots, infusing it with authenticity and passion. With resources pooled and a soundtrack featuring
legendary OCC Roadhouse in Clearwater, allowed us to capture the essence of this vibrant subculture. Our call for local bike riders drew an overwhelming response, showcasing some of the most skilled stunt riders and awe-inspiring motorcycles ever seen on screen.
As we near completion of the editing process and prepare to unveil our teaser trailer, anticipation mounts for the film’s premiere on September 19th. Set against the backdrop of the OCC Roadhouse, where pivotal scenes were shot, the premiere promises to be an event that celebrates not just our film but also the community that inspired it.
Beyond the premiere, our sights are set on global distribution, ensuring that Velocity Kings Ride or Die reaches audiences far and wide. We aim to make Antonio, Florida Ride or Die magazine, and the local sport bike community proud with a film that resonates with authenticity and passion. And who knows? With the success of our first collaboration, perhaps Velocity Kings 2 might soon become a reality.
Stay tuned as Velocity Kings Ride or Die gears up to ignite screens and hearts alike, celebrating the spirit of camaraderie, adrenaline, and freedom that defines the sport bike lifestyle. This is one ride you won’t want to miss.
Follow us at: www.velocitykingsrideordie.com
(Left to Right) on set with Antonio, Fran Haasch, JT Campos & Jim
Hello ! My name is James Szkola, better known as JrszyJames. I’m 34 years.old, was born and raised in New Jersey but I’m currently living in Tennessee.
I have a Grom, Harley Roadster, 03/04 Kawasaki 636, and just finished a fresh build for this season, the 2020 Kawasaki ZX6R.The 03/04 is beef & broccoli, aka Big Bertha, and the New Gen Kawi, her name is Silvia. My bikes are fully built for stunt riding, all armored by Cock’s Stunt Parts tank custom-made by wonk333.
I liked motorcycles since I was young. I watched my Uncle Jesse roll stoppies and wheelies down the block as a kid. When I was 16 my dad taught me how to ride, and then I got my first motorcycle, a Hyosung GT250. It was a huge moment for me.
I started stunt riding end of 2020. Once I got out of the military, stunt riding helped me cope with losing the identity I had built as a Special Reaction Team Sniper. I missed the adrenaline and camaraderie, and stunt riding helped fix that void.
My dream bike would be a 2024 Ducati Panigale.
I have fallen a lot stunt riding; my worst injury would be my current injury. I tore my ACL off the bone and ripped my meniscus in 2 spots. I’ve broken my collarbone, hand, wrist, tailbone, and ankles, all from different crashes.
My goals would be to keep riding for as long as I can and help give back to this sport somehow. Both my kids ride as well, and I would love for them to have a safe place to ride and not get kicked out. I would love to see the competitions come back and people take us seriously like they do overseas.
Why I ride: I love the challenge, love how the tricks can be limitless; you can never really be done. “Like yeah, I learned everything.” There is always a different way to do a trick or add your style to it!
My advice would be to make sure you are riding for the right reasons, not for social media, not for the clout or money. Keep it 100% and have fun. All that will fall into place if you’re a real one.
My IG is @Jrszyjames. My wife and I have a small business called @theszkoolhouse. We focus on custom graphic designs, graffiti murals, and decals.
PHOTO CREDITS:
Melissa Szkola @meli.shares from @theszkoolhouse
My name is Kikeo, I am 23 years old and I’m from San Sebastian Puerto Rico. I currently live in San Juan, Puerto Rico and I ride a Yamaha 250F
My bike is customized thanks to my sponsors like MKU brand and MR32. It has a custom graphic kit, kickstand, chain guard, and single bar headlight.
I’ve been riding for 3 years now, you see People doing wheelies and it motivated me to start practicing wheelies until I learned how to do it. My first bike was a Chinese bike an Apollo 125 later I changed it to a Honda CR85,
My dream bike is a push-start Yamaha 450
I’ve learned a lot by falling. Lucky for me I haven’t had any serious injuries.
Being able to ride in different parts of the world besides Puerto Rico like Costa Rica, Medellin Colombia, Orlando Florida, And let my name be known in those places besides my island Puerto Rico.
Riding eases my mind, brings me joy and happiness. I love it!
Take advice so you can get to where you want to be , don’t stress yourself about anything in life be loyal to people who support you and don’t be a hypocrite be humble , this sport is very dangerous because you can lose your life in seconds , so always use your helmet when you ride.
Known in bike life as Instagram: el_kikeopr21 (kikeo)
Photos by: Instagram: @skateromerophoto
I’m 34 years old, and I represent the Islands… the island of JAMAICA, to be exact.
I was born and raised in Jamaica, graduated high school in 2004, and moved to Miami, FL with my family. I started college and took Graphic Design courses at the Art Institute. After graduating with a major in Graphic Arts, I began working in graphics. “I later launched a clothing line called EMPIRE CLOTHING and traveled the world dedicating my time to music and playing lead guitar like my late great grandfather, the Hon. Robert Nesta Marley, did.” There have been many different
avenues and stages of life, but my first love was always “The Motorcycle” and “Stunting.” Life always brought me right back to it.
I grew up watching some original greats in the motorcycle stunt world, including Angyal Zolton, Ac Farias, and Wink 1100. I also observed the black squadron urban street bike warriors, like Kyle Woods, Chris TEACH Mcneil, G Nice Ruthless Tactics, and Ronnie Reality. My uncle Robbie Marley, known as NINJA, rode with a well-known crew from Florida called “THE MIAMI WARRIORS.” They were the first group of stunters I was exposed to in person. My uncle gave
me DVDs to watch, and I learned a lot from them.
During my younger years in Jamaica, I found an old YAMAHA YSR 50cc twostroke at my family’s old house and started messing around with it. The house was on a hill, and the driveway was long and steep. I couldn’t get the bike started (No KEY), so I would push it up the driveway and coast it down, pushing it back up again. I would lift the front wheel, bring it to the edge of the driveway, roll down, coasting a wheelie with 1 foot, or drag it on my homemade 12 bar and try a few stoppies. That’s how it started—learning how the bike functioned before even riding it.
I’ve been through a few bikes since then 1st street bike was a carburetor 99 r6, then a fuel-injected 02 Honda 929, my 1st “stunt bike”… eventually I moved to GSXR, and that became my favorite stunt bike… I rode GSXR 600/750 for years & loved everything about it; I made my name on GSXRs in Miami riding with some of the most real hittaz on the local scene like ( JERZEY 609, MARLYWIZZ, GARDNER, 954 MITCH, ROBYN stunts, SLOPPY & SAL stunts & Jamaica I had the 1st 66 tooth sprocket on the island, 3 brakes, oversized rotors, homemade race rail, inverted clip-ons with a corrugated steel round bar lol real built not bought the machine, it was too many teeth at the time & overkill on the brakes, but I loved it & learned a lot from it.
Now, in reality, MY ULTIMATE BIKE, the MOST FAMOUS & Respected
Is My “03/04 YAMAHA R6s “Dubbed “THE WAR 6”.
And with every intention of the name, that bike was built for war, lol, and to be honest, it’s a real old-school stunt bike.
Motorcycle model: STREETFIGHTER 03/04 R6s (war6)
I’ve been riding for over 20 years. Like most stunt riders, I started on the streets and was always genuinely interested in bikes. What I grew to love most is the freedom that riding brings and the focus it requires to be technical. Going fast is always a stage, but doing tricks and stunting
becomes second nature when learning to control these machines. It’s a beautiful feeling you can’t explain.
The more I grew in the stunt game and got exposed to its true potential, the more I invested myself wholeheartedly in its preservation as a sport and an art form. I use the bike as a tool to get my people constructive and use stunting as a route to a progressive life.
For my generation, as someone who traveled, I brought stunting home and introduced it as a way of life to my peers. I collected and bought stunt parts, clutches, bars, risers, brackets, rotors, master lines, and anything we
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needed, and gave them all away for years to build the community and make stunt life/bike life a part of our culture.
Mentoring the youth, Putting on international events, bringing overseas riders to the island, traveling the World, and putting in real work on street rides with Jamaica on my back in different states; in 2018 I became a team member of the most extensive stunt team in the States TEAM WESTCOAST CONNECTION, bringing that back to Jamaica & starting the WCC JAMAICA USA connection,
Started with just my sole interest to be a part of the Worldwide bikelife community to making moves to ensure that the whole Jamaican motorcycle community was a part of it… that became my mission.
My organization “Jamaica Bikelife” was started as a small crew of riders & grew into a Nationwide movement. It put Jamaica back on the map with bikes; now Jamaica is known for developing some of the sickest riders in the Caribbean & bringing them to the world
stage. Jamaica is now fully recognized globally for skillful crazy stunters who do more than just streets by doing stunts & performing in professional spaces OF FILM, PHOTO & FASHION.
I’ve recently worked on some major music video projects such as VICTORIA MONET’s “Party Girls,” SKIP MARLEY’s “Vibe,” Lil Wayne ft BUJU BANTON’s
“Hallelujah,” and SHAYIZI’s “Jolie Go.” I’ve also been involved in exclusive photoshoots for high-end clothing lines like LEVIS JEANS and Arte Antwerp and magazines like HighSnobiety.
One of my most significant achievements was being part of “Bob Marley’s One Love biopic,” in which I escorted my grandfather through Jamaica on 1960s/70s-era bikes, showcasing Jamaica’s BikELIFE. It was a surreal and blessed experience.
Initially, I introduced a new sport that grew into a lifestyle. Now, I am proof that there is life here, professionally and just as people love to do. Stunting has grown so much over the years, and the possibilities are endless if you apply yourself and remember to have fun. BIKES ARE MY LIFE, AND NOW I LIVE BY THAT. Bikes For Life. BANGIN!!!
Bikes brought me family outside my own; they gave me a home in every state and built bridges and bonds I never thought possible. Bikelife gave me something to be a part of; it gave me purpose, taking something, I genuinely enjoy & sharing with the World on different levels, from the streets to the big screen. BIKES DID THAT FOR ME & it can do it for whoever is next as long as we keep building student teachers who ensure this culture & lifestyle see the longevity it deserves.
INSTA - @BiggzGeneral_WCC @jamaicabikelifepage_ photo credit: Birhan Tonge
Jovany Rivera Robles, 30 years old, was born and currently resides in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. He proudly rides a Yamaha yz450F, which the popular energy drink brand, Ciclon Energy Drink, sponsors. With 18 years of riding experience, Jovany was introduced to the bike life by a friend of his dad. His journey began with a Pw50 Yamaha mix, but now he owns his dream bike, a 2024 yz450F anniversary model. Following two operations,
one on his right hand and one on his right foot, Jovany proudly sports 19 screws and a plate in his foot. He has secured contracts with three prominent brands: Santa Juanita Diamonds, Ciclon Energy Drink, and the esteemed motorbike store, Generators and More. Riding has been Jovany’s lifelong passion and he views it as a sport that not only allows him to achieve his goals but also serves as a source of motivation and inspiration for others who prioritize safety by using protective equipment such as helmets and gloves.
Connect
Facebook - jova El wiliador
Photo Credits: @sig
My name is Darvin Natal Almodóvar. I am 24 years old and I’m from Manatí, Puerto Rico, where I still live. I ride a 2024 Yamaha YZ450F 50thanniversary bike named Zaza. I have personalized rims, graphics, and handlebars.
I’ve been involved in bike life since 2019, but my passion for motorcycles has been with me my whole life and defines who I am. Although I’ve had a couple of falls, I haven’t sustained any major injuries like broken bones or fractures, and for that, I am grateful.
My goal is to spread the message of God throughout the world by incorporating the number 777 into my bike life activities as a positive indirect message of riding with the blessing of God. One of my dreams is to meet the CEO/ owner of Yamaha and also the CEO/owner of Honda to collaborate on customizing a CRF150R, which is my dream motorcycle, by combining Yamaha’s aesthetics with Honda’s mechanics.
I ride because my passion for motorcycles is unique, something not everyone will understand. I also envision a union for everyone who shares my enthusiasm for bike life, where it’s not about competition or egos. Together, we can all shine and win, so we can enjoy it day by day. Always remember, wearing a helmet is very important!
Instagram: Darvin.la_presion
Facebook: Darvin Natal Almodóvar
PHOTO CREDITS: @SIG
Photo credit
Instagram: @skateromerophoto
Hi, I’m Jose Velez “Indio” and I’m 50 years old. I come from Carolina, Puerto Rico, and now live in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. I love riding motorcycles
and have been doing it for 35 years. It all started when I was 14 years old and got my first motorcycle, a 1984 Honda Spree. Since then, I’ve been passionate about motorcycles. In 2014, I had a bad experience and took a break from riding, but in 2021, my wife Moraima and I decided to get back into it. We bought two bikes and started riding everywhere. We didn’t know anyone to ride with, so whenever we saw a group of motorcycles, we would join them. We ended up becoming good friends and started calling ourselves “Los Forasteros Bikers P.R.”
Our group grew from just the two of us to 35 people in less than 9
months! We decided to set some rules and guidelines, appointed ride captains and opened our group to the public on social media. We aim to ride safely, spread awareness about bike life, and advise and educate new riders. We want to show others how to ride motorcycles safely and responsibly. We strive to set a good example on the road and represent our group professionally.
The bike life in Puerto Rico has its challenges – there’s a lot of division among different groups. But we believe that one day everyone will come together. This isn’t just a hobby; it’s a way of life, and we’re all about quality rather than quantity when it comes to riding.
You can find us on social media Facebook Instagram and tik-tok: los forasteros bikers pr
photo credit: Aimee M. Garcia who is the co-leader and founder of the group
Hello! I’m Noway Noah, I’m 26 years old and I’m from Indiana. I spent some time traveling and have lived in Houston TX and Bristol TN but found myself back in Indianapolis about 4 yrs ago
I Just traded my Z07 for a 13+ 636 and I love the history on my 636, Kyle Floyd built it from the ground up as a brand-new bike in 2016. It still has those original parts on it, stunterex steel frame, cocks cages and triple, ssmoto subframe + handbrake bracket, monoblock calipers all around, britton flash, dick’s customs built tank, and JB seats.
My dad got me into riding at 6 yrs.’ old on a Honda 50. Rode and raced dirt for about 12 years. I took a break for a few years in college but got the itch again and got my first street bike (an fzQ7) in2019. It’s hard for me to pick a dream bike, I just love all aspects of riding and I want a bike for every occasion.
And Yes, I have fallen way more times than I can count!
My goal is to be a well-rounded rider, I’m focusing on more technical tricks. I have a lot of fun doing stunt shows with my friends and we’re looking to book more of those. I’d love to try out some competitions soon.
Achievements I’m most proud of is having a hand in helping my local scene grow. Indy’s riding culture is one of the best. We have such a tight group that loves to ride and travel and we’re super supportive of each other’s progress it really keeps the riding fun.
Street riding started as an escape, l was really just enjoying the freedom.
Once I focused more on stunt riding it was the adrenaline and sense of achievement
Now I think I’m just fully addicted. What I really love about riding is I think it’s really about the people and the experiences. Keep an open mind and be ready to travel, there’s so many incredible people to meet in the sport just get out there and get involved.
Instagram @Noway_Noah
Photo credits: @drewsfotos
