Mutant bikes, jousting and giddy mayhem: Scenes from Saturday's Bike Kill

The Black Label Bike Club's Halloween block party was held, deliriously, once again on the streets of Red Hook

It’s one of Brooklyn’s longest running and, in certain circles, most cherished Halloween traditions. The Black Label Bike Club‘s block party known as Bike Kill is reliably held on the last Saturday of October, going on 20 years now (they skipped 2020 due to Covid) at an undisclosed location that, these days, hundreds of people seem to know about ahead of time.

There is little surprise that Bike Kill has grown over the years: It’s an absolute blast. For several weeks leading up to the event Black Label’s master mechanics and welders build and repair dozens of mutant, or “freak,” bikes, which range from ridiculously tiny rides to frighteningly tall contraptions to Swiss Army bikes with all sorts of unexpected attachments and confusing centers of gravity.

Tall, tall bikes (Scott Lynch)

Several new creations this year included a stunning ride made entirely from chain links (the wheels, the frame, the handlebars, all of it) and a multiperson bike that somehow included a regulation-height basketball hoop and backboard.

Enthusiasts merely show up, hop on any mutant bike that strikes their fancy and do a few laps up and down the block. (If you elect to do this, note that other riders will definitely crash into you. Or revelers on the sidelines may or may not suddenly lurch into your path. Or someone may hurl a giant plastic barrel at you or at the person next to you, which means you’re going down too.) Many people are dressed in some sort of sloppy costume. The music thumps. Everyone has a huge grin on their face.

Beware of flying barrels (Scott Lynch)

Is it anarchy in the streets? Hell yeah, though there are fewer explosives and missiles getting tossed around now than in earlier years (rock hard stale dumpster-acquired pita “frisbees” were a big part of the fun in the 20-teens), especially since a lot of kids are out here now. Is it dangerous? Yes, it is. That’s why I personally don’t fuck around with those super tall bikes. And, of course, there is plenty of booze involved, if that’s your thing.

Full court press (Scott Lynch)

And when the sun goes down, it’s time for jousting, as pair after pair of tall-bike riders square off and try to unseat each other with their Hulk-hand lances. This goes on for about an hour, much to the roaring delight of the well-lubricated crowd.

Here are a few more scenes from the day, into the night.