People love a good origin story, don’t they? Working in an environment that’s built around relationships, shared histories, and shared appreciation for historically recognized aesthetics and built objects reinforces a condition where the world at large gets to feel a little smaller, more intimate, and lot more personal. SimWorks relationship with Mick Weldon of 100 Tacos stretches back to our early days of operating SimWorks in the US, and our first pop-up sale at Golden Saddle Cyclery in Los Angeles. (Here is the article)

Golden Saddle Cyclery had been instrumental in helping to spread the word of SimWorks in the US, a cultural epicenter that mirrored much of the same vibes we were hoping to channel with this little brand that was hoping to grow. (Here is the article about GSC) Rie in here had known of Mick and his bicycle catering operation ‘100 Tacos’ through her relationship with GSC, and through her time spent in SoCal. Upon further vetting of Mick to come and cater the GSC Pop-Up, it was discovered that Mick had commisioned a friend of his to print the now infamous ‘Tacos’ tribute decal that was a direct nod to early Salsa CrMo stems. SimWorks it just so happened, had been born originally by Tanaka-san out of a desire to produce handsome CrMo stems, after Salsa was forced to cease production of their models.

A shared affinity for a cultural touch point blossomed in to a proposal to develop a collaboratively produced offering- thus gave rise to the original SimWorks x 100 Tacos stem that was released 6 years. That stem was built around our Gettin’ Hungry stem – a dead ringer for some of those beloved Salsa stems from yesterday.

SimWorks looks back on those early days fondly, and we’re pleased to be able to resurrect some of that inspiration that prompted the original 100 Tacos collaborative efforts and offer it again- in a somewhat updated version- with that stem centerpiece now being built around our own beloved Rhonda stem.

Fast forward 6 years and SimWorks and 100 Tacos have evolved; but the shared appreciation that was at the root of our foundations that were there from the beginning still inform the collaborative offering as it’s presented today.

The following is a recent conversation with Mick Weldon of 100 Tacos as we recently caught up with him:

Where are you originally from, and where are you currently based?
I spent my first 20+ years in hot, humid Dallas, Texas; then bought a one-way ticket to California as soon as I could, and have lived in Los Angeles ever since.

What was your first real connection to bikes? Do you remember your first meaningful bicycle—or a moment that made you fall in love with riding?

When I was about 10, I found dirt jumps in the woods that some older kids had built, and that was just their secret lair…I think they were smoking cigarettes. They were jerks, but I was like, whoa, bikes are cool. Fast forward about 15 years and I was riding down the west coast from Canada to Mexico on a bike I got off of Craigslist with tires I fished out of the dumpster from my local bike shop. I’d stop in a library to send an email every few days. Too much fun!

What inspired you to start 100 Tacos? Was there a particular moment or story behind its beginning?
All I ever wanted to do was cook for my friends. And share a little something of my own with the world. It’s funny how one thing you do can kinda dictate the trajectory of your life for several years. 100 Tacos is a Simpsons moment. I went to a few bike races with about 100 tacos I had made and put them in a milk crate on the back of my bike. People thought it was nice I guess, and were just like “you should really do this.” Way back in Texas I worked at a place called Spiral Diner with my friends Mario & Omar. We would just hang out and draw at our house after work making silly doodles- one was definitely some amalgamation of a taco and a bicycle. 

How did you learn the skills that go into 100 Tacos—cooking, printing, design, and creative storytelling? Were there any people who really influenced you, whether from the cycling world, the art world, or beyond?
Isn’t it interesting how everything we do is just the sum of our unique experiences and skills we’ve picked up along the way?  I’ve worked in kitchens, helped friends screen print shirts for their bands, curiously observed design and graphics as I walk through a city. It’s everywhere, you know? The writing on the wall, names in cement on the sidewalk, the graphics on an old bike locked up to a streetlight, people that you meet and the glimpses you get into their lives. Everything we come in contact with that sparks our interest just kind of filters through our brain and is released in our own personal form of expression. 100 Tacos has been that outlet for me for 13 years now. Yes it’s food sometimes, but the visual language and the methods of communicating with people and bringing us together are of equal importance to me. My friends are always my biggest inspiration- the people I share meals and travel with. Because they share so much inspiration with me- music, books, art, or whatever and I want them to be motivated by the work that I create. It’s all a very reciprocating process.

What values or ideas are most important to you when it comes to your creative work—whether it’s tacos, bikes, or something else?
Every single thing we do has an effect on our mother earth, whether it’s positive, negative, or neutral. All the food that I cook and serve is vegan, with great consideration and respect to our planet and the animals we share it with. That was a choice I made many years ago and it’s the easiest way for us to leave a softer impact in every way. Bikes make a lot of sense for the health of the planet and our bodies too, and while I try not to be preachy about my ideals, I do believe the greatest teachers lead by example. When people yell “you should do this!” I usually just wanna do the opposite. 🙂
Making stuff to sell can be an ecological paradox, but I do it all with the planet in mind. Rule #1 for me is longevity. I try to only make things that people will use and love for many years; things that wear in, instead of wear out. And that means using the best materials and techniques for production, even if it costs a little bit more. I’m super thankful that most people understand my motives and support my choices. I screen print all of my shirts in my little garage with no power. It’s difficult sometimes, but it works. Water based inks only. I actively choose to generally not make much stuff. There’s already enough stuff in the world. Small runs only…and just once in a while.

Outside of cycling and tacos, are there any other things you’re really into right now?
I thoroughly enjoy the “figuring it out” stage of activities & interests and I feel like I’m always chasing that feeling with learning how something works. My life kind of revolves around my work, directly or indirectly. I enjoy being hands-on with the things I make so even if I’m building a shelf or baking a loaf of bread or digging through a box of old magazines for reference at a swap meet, it’s all related. Sleeping outside once in a while is really good for the soul, and I just so happen to enjoy getting to where we’re going by bike. 

What kind of music do you love—or what do you usually listen to when you’re printing shirts, cooking, or riding?
Oh music is always on in the kitchen or the garage, constantly rotating. I’ll just pick 3 albums: 
Harry Case – In A Mood
Video 2000 – Midnight Ride
Dizzy K Falola – Sweet Music Volume 1

You mentioned you’ve spent time in Japan and traveling across by your bicycle—do you have any favorite memories or things you always look forward to when visiting Japan again?
Japan, take me back!! In 2009 I rode from Tokyo to Osaka with some friends and strangers, on track bikes! I didn’t even have a cell phone. It was monsoon season and we were really just winging it to the best of our abilities, but it was absolutely beautiful & that’s the beauty of actively “figuring it out” as you go. We met a man named Wada San in Tokyo who made it his mission to make sure we made it out of his city and on our journey safely. He rode along and guided us for two full days and spent the night with us on the beach under a bridge. The track bike he was riding belonged to his father, who was a Keirin racer before his death. Wada San was truly our sensei on that voyage; he was the reason I fell in love with Japan, and I think of him often. 

What is your relationship with SimWorks? How did it start?
SimWorks became my friends almost 10 years ago now, and it was love from day 1! I was regularly at Golden Saddle, serving food sometimes, before I even worked at the shop. The plans for SimWorks’ first ever popup in the USA were coming together- this small company from Japan who designed fun and thoughtful bike parts produced by Nitto, MKS, and Panaracer. Rie and Shinya got to LA and Kyle said “You should hire Mick to cater the party!” They took a chance on me and we had the best weekend. A couple years later we did it again, and we released a 100 Tacos version of the Gettin’ Hungry stem, because most of my bikes are 1″ quill stems. SimWorks / Circles has always supported me and as our relationship has grown over the years, I’m grateful for all the good times we’ve had so far. So many fond, funny memories. I remember one night we all wanted to sleep outside but didn’t have time to go far so when one of our friends said “I know a spot..” we spent the night on a concrete slab next to a river running through the center of big, beautiful Los Angeles: a true juxtaposition of nature and metropolis. Shige asked me at some point as we were looking up at the stars, laughing through the night, “Is this regular? Or is this special?” It was absolutely both. We work hard together to make things happen, but when it blends into everyday life and your co-workers are so easygoing, it just feels harmonious. 

Photos: Shige and Rie experienced an ‘Urban Camp‘ by LA River with Mick and GSC crew in 2019

About your LA bike community.
Over the years I’ve ridden my bike in a lot of cities, and I moved to Los Angeles 15 years ago with no intentions other than to ride in a new environment. To this day I am constantly surprised by something unfamiliar. You could spend your whole life riding here and never see it all, which is why I try to slow down and take more of it in. The unique blend of people, cultures, and topography make this city endlessly fascinating, and it’s truly best experienced on two wheels.