Spook
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Brief History
In high school, Spook discovered freestyle BMX and attended his local YMCA skatepark regularly. He also became a frequent rider at a large series of dirt jumps known locally to Santa Maria as Torker. In his senior year, Spook solely organized three separate BMX-only competitions for the YMCA (the first, and subsequently only, events of that nature). He continued to ride BMX often up until he left for the Army. During his enlistment in Washington, D.C., he was able to ride BMX in the city and a local Van's skatepark. However, this proved to be difficult because of the constant presence of D.C. Federal police and Military Police. It wasn't until the spring of 2007 that Spook bought his first "regular" bike, a fixed-gear Specialized 2007 Langster. He rode the Westside alone for close to six months before learning about the Midnight Ridazz or any other social bicycle scene. His first Midnight Ridazz ride was the Wes Anderson ride on July 27, 2007. He has been hooked ever since.
Bikes
 2007 Specialized Langster. |
 2001 Standard Byke Company STA-500R |
 Shane |
|
 Gladys |
Social Rides
Spook attends many rides:
Midnight Ridazz Trips
Trips Attended
- San Diego (March 2008)
- Portland (August 2007)
Spook's Run-in with the law
On the afternoon of May 16, 2008, Spook was pulled over while riding Duchess on Santa Monica Blvd. in West LA. The two officers, citing CVC 21201 (c), issued a "fix it" ticket. The resolution of this "fix it" type ticket is being discussed in the Midnight Ridazz forum here. The ticket was eventually rectified by bringing another bike frame to the Sheriff's office to be cleared as "fixed".
Participation with Bikerowave
After being recalled back into service, Spook took a leave-of-absence from BRW active participation. Up until his departure, he was a regularly scheduled volunteer mechanic, aided in the organization and operation of bike build days, volunteered in any available free time, attended meetings and was a member of the F.U.N. Committee.
Non Bike Life
Spook is California native, being born and raised in Santa Maria. He has lived in Southern California his entire life except for a four-year enlistment in the Army. Now, he is a student of The Art Institute of California - Los Angeles, in Santa Monica. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design. He has a girlfriend and two dachshunds whom he loves very much.
Family
On August 10, 2008, Spook proposed to his girlfriend, Jannatha. Their marriage plans have yet to be determined, but will likely take place subsequent to his release from the military. Spook and Jannatha met on the Midnight Ridazz Clown Ride (#72). They live in Studio City with their two miniature wire-haired dachshunds, Westin and Grizzley.
Writing
Spook doesn't write often, and when he does, it is purely accidental.
iBikeu Wiki
Spook became an iBikeu Wiki editor on April 14th, 2008. You can see a list of his contributions here.
Time In Service
Initial Enlistment
Spook enlisted into the United States Army in February of 2002 and served a enlistment term of four years. As an infantrymen, he spent his Basic Training in Fort Benning, Georgia before being stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia in Charlie Company, 3rd Infantry Regiment. There, he performed many tasks, mainly that of a casket team leader in Arlington National Cemetery. His additional roles included: fire team leader, machine gunner, grenadier, barber, and subject-matter-expert for Army uniform wear and appearance and multiple weapon systems.
It is a little-known fact that Spook was a presidential casket bearer during the State Funeral of the President Ronald Reagan.
Spook left the Washington D.C. Metro Area in January on 2006 and spent a month on the road driving before returning to California.
Recalled
In July of 2008, Spook received notice from the Army recalling him back into Active Duty. He reported to Fort Benning, Georgia on the 31st of August, where he was in-processed (paperwork, physical, issue of uniforms) before being sent to Camp Shelby, Mississippi to meet his unit (the 56th Brigade, 28th Infantry, Pennsylvania National Guard) for deployment training in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After two months away, the Army determined that Spook was "unfit for deployment" due to a prior service related back injury and sent him home, to await a medical evaluation board.
Reserves
In November, Spook joined the Reserves. By voluntarily joining the Reserves, he would be able to stay in Los Angeles to fulfill his military obligation and not be subject to the "needs of the Army" policy. Also, his job in the Army Reserves will be changed from 11B (infantry) to 21L (lithographer) to further his education in the design field.
Contacting Spook
- spook@losangelopes.com | User talk page
- AIM: khertler16
- Google Talk: kylehertler
