SCUL (formerly an acronym for Subversive Choppers Urban Legion) is a Boston-area

bicycle A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike or cycle, is a human-powered or motor-powered assisted, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A is called a cyclist, or bicyclist. Bic ...

chopper gang that builds and rides mutant bicycles,

chopper bicycle A chopper bicycle is a highly customized bicycle whose design, construction and style is similar to that of a chopper-style motorcycle. About While the term "chopper" is generally used to describe a motorcycle or bicycle that has had some of i ...

s, and tall bikes. SCUL's HQ

Spun off of a group called the Flying Donuts, SCUL was founded in Boston in 1995. It is organized in a paramilitary fashion with a hierarchical ranking structure, distinct naval/space terminology and a sci-fi atmosphere. Members adopt nicknames and ranks are reset each year. Advancement criteria include receiving a high five from a bystander and crushing cups. SCUL conducts "missions" every Saturday night starting at 10:30 PM from April Fool's until Halloween. A typical mission involves routine patrolling of the local "star-systems" (cities), getting

high five High five is a friendly gesture in which one individual slaps another's hand. High five (and variants such as Hi5, Hi-5, and Hi-Five) may also refer to: Music * Hi-5 (Australian group), an Australian children's musical group * Hi-5 (Greek band), ...

s from civilians they pass and crushing discarded soda cups on the street. Occasionally, they will stop to hone their "flight skills" with some friendly bicycle derby. Centuries (100-mile rides), Intergalactic and Interuniversal Missions (across state or country borders) have also been completed. On August 25, 2005, the Coolidge Corner Theatre premiered the film ''SCUL: Operation SuperPosi''. SCUL was featured on the PBS television show '' Design Squad'' in an episode called "Skunk'd" (named after Skunk, the founder and fleet admiral of SCUL). SCUL is composed of four divisions, Metro Alpha Division (MAD) of Somerville, Massachusetts, the Star Chaser Division (SCD) of

New Bedford, Massachusetts New Bedford (Massachusett language, Massachusett: ) is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, Bristol County, Massachusetts. It is located on the Acushnet River in what is known as the South Coast (Massachusetts), South Coast region. Up throug ...

, the Rural Combat Division (RCD) which is based in Maine, and the Southern Beta Division (SBD) of Providence, Rhode Island. Currently the Metro Alpha Division and the Star Chaser Division are the only active divisions. SCUL is housed by Somerville hackerspace Artisan's Asylum where it maintains a bicycle repair and modification facility, and members offer classes in welding and bicycle maintenance. SCUL is loosely allied with the Rat Patrol and is similar in some ways to other bike gangs such as

C.h.u.n.k. 666 C.H.U.N.K. 666 (or CHUNK 666, C.H.V.N.K. DCLXVI) is a tall bike and chopper bicycle club based in Portland, Oregon and Brooklyn, New York. They formed in the early 1990s and were active into the 2000s. The activities of C.H.U.N.K. 666 include bui ...

and the Black Label Bike Club.

References

{{Reflist, 33em

External links

SCUL website

"Skunk'd"
on ''Design Squad'' Clubs and societies in Boston Cycling clubs Organizations established in 1995 1995 establishments in Massachusetts