i checked into it. looks like it might of been a lot of things not too sure
COLIN WINKELMANN 1976-2005
Earlier this week, Colin Winkelmann took his own life while at home in Greenville, NC. For anyone that's ridden a BMX bike within the past 10 years, I don't think Colin's name needs any introduction. On a bike, he was most well known for his all-out wildness, sometimes blurring the line between stuntman and BMXer (like setting the World Record for jumping his bike over cars), but he was also one for consistency, originality and persistence. Off the bike, Colin was a ball of wise-ass energy. He was never afraid of firing out bad jokes ("Did you guys hear about the fire at the Circus? It was intense."), he made light of his unfortunate injuries sustained while riding (calling himself a "Professional physical therapy patient" at one point) and he always seemed to be the source of some kind of hilarious spectacle whenever the camera was turned on him (it was a while ago, but Colin once shaved his head in the same way as Krusty the Klown from The Simpsons before an X Games run). Last summer, Colin sustained massive injuries to his ankles and feet after a mishap involving a van that Colin had tailored into a moving box jump. Colin had successfully completed the same stunt on a moving go-kart previous to the van attempt, but attributed his crash to not enough forward momentum, falling straight to his feet from almost 30 feet in the air. He was in a hospital shock trauma unit for over a week, but made steady progress and was walking without crutches only four months later (In Colin's words," I'm doin' good enough now to walk without people wondering...What's he got stuck up his ass? That is, just without limping. Hehe.") During the downtime spent while healing, Colin decided to use his design ideas and know-how to form Circus, a parts company based loosely around BMX. Jokingly, Colin also speculated on manufacturing "wheelchair hop-up kits and any general anarchist, sabotage related hardware and tools I can think of," but his beginning focus with Circus was BMX. Circus' first product (a sprocket) was recently released, and the team boasts such luminary riders as Ian Schwartz, Stephen Lilly, Will Love and Colin McKay. Earlier this year, more than likely against the doctor's orders, Colin began tinkering around on a bike again, and was ecstatic to even be able to pull a 10 foot long manual on flat ground. He had redesigned his frame with DK (now called the 'Weapon,') and was eager to get some Circus components onto
it. Colin's impact on BMX is huge, but his impact on the people he encountered in life is immeasureable.
Our deepest thoughts go out to Colin's friends and family, and also the many BMXers who were touched by his life.
Rest in peace Colin.
-Dig
Turtle: Look at you Mr. Beg for pussy on promnight.
Eric: Yea Turtle, I was begging my girlfriend, you were begging a 40 dollar hooker who declined your mother's credit card.-Entourage
