Ed "Wonka" LaForte
New York City, d.26.September.2024
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There weren't that many messengers that could hold work while doing
a wheelie! My mans Edwonka! - Tone
R.I.P Edward Wonka LaForte 1989-2024
Ed Wonka, a legend and icon of the Fixed Gear Cycling industry, has
passed away with a chronic illness and went out of hospital at the
age of 35, Ed was a key factor in the Figure Cycle industry.
6 months ago, Tom Mosher, owner of Trick Track Radio uploaded a
video interview of Ed filmed in 2016. It actually was friends with
friends who we hadn't seen in a long time talking rather than being
a serious video interview, allowing us to get to know Ed in so many
different angles. Ed says that he grew up with an adrenaline rush
addiction, it kept Ed obsessed with all the time.
Ed started tagging at the age of 9 until he was 14 out of school
because he knew what he liked and wanted to do it right away without
wasting time doing things he didn't like graffiti was something Ed
always did alongside other things. Ed started cycling by becoming
the Bike Messenger in New York. Truth is Ed is known for his
Fixedgear Style. But Ed's style wasn't off the park line. He used
the city as a training ground alongside riding a delivery bike. He
loved to jump. Jump over the sewer cap every time he can. Ed says it
gives him the most confidence in the jump.
In 2009 Daniel Leeb wanted to make a movie to be screened in the New
York bicycle film festival that would tell the story of the
legendary Italian frame maker Ciocc or Pelizzoli, combined with the
culture of Fixedgear Freestyle that was trending at that time, led
Ed Wonga to take on the role of a cyclist in the Soul of Steel
movie. In the video Ed rides Gorilla in the red Kilroy version. Are
you confused why Gorilla is related to Pelizzoli? Gorilla armor, the
only freestyle fixedgear frame made in Italy and using Columbus pipe
for Pelizzoli to produce the frame. Also, Ed Wonga contributed to
the development and design that Gorilla Kilroy is the world's first
700c wheel freestyle gear frame made for Fixedgear Freestyle.
Literally, not only a bike, but fashion brands like Chari & Co
were also developed by Ed.
Ed's been missing from the bike because of a wrist injury that he
couldn't ride a bike, which led Ed to focus fully on graffiti
making. Ed defines himself as a traveler, who likes to visit
different countries, as he's been in Thailand for a long break,
worked on a fishing boat in Japan and in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Ed's
illness has made him feel older. He quit drugs and focused fully on
art. Ed used to go back to San Francisco to take his bike. So lucky
that the bike was stolen.
On 26 September, Ed Wonka passed away permanently due to chronic
illness and was not admitted to treatment. #wonkaforever – Bicycle
Boys
I’m still at a loss for words and don’t even know where to begin.
The impact Ed has had on my life can’t be captured in a series of
photos, or in this single post. I’m happy to connect, share stories
and grief the tremendous loss of our good friend Ed “WONKA” Laforte.
Be good. 🌹 – Matt Reyes
Rest easy Ed “Wonka” Laforte. A Fixed Gear pioneer who pushed the
boundaries of what was possible on a bike. Iconic bar-spins and
ballsy rails were his bread and butter. His grit and unapologetic
New York attitude was something I admired. Glad I was able to call
you my friend. R.I.P. – Zlog (Zach)
It was hard to not be inspired by Wonka and his style, I remember
hanging when we went to NYCBFF together. Rest in Peace Wonka -
Taylor Sizemore
Hell of a guy, proud to call him a friend too💙 - Joe Mckeag
Yesterday was beautiful, the fixed gear free style community came
out and shut shit down for our fallen brother @edlaforte. The impact
he left on this sport and the people around him will forever live on
through all of us. This is a super niche sport with riders of all
backgrounds and that the real beauty of it and the reason it was so
tight nit. We were all at the same comps and same after party’s
hanging out riding from spot to spot cheering each other on. And it
all started with WONKA doing what no one had done before on a track
bike. Riding it like a bmx, thank you Ed! You sparked a revolution
and kicked off a new sport in cycling. I’ll never forget the days we
all would kick it when ya’ll moved here from ny and us locals would
show ya’ll all the spots around here smoke some chops and drink tall
cans. Your name will live on forever brotha 💔 #WONKALIVES A special
thank you goes out to @a_t_w for keeping the stoke alive and
organizing and getting everyone back out to pay tribute to our homie
WONKA - 35mmpelicula
Nobody contributed to the scene we love more than Ed. It's hard to
believe he's gone. Wonka was somebody I looked up to while I was
growing up and he inspired a whole generation of us to do tricks on
big bikes. There is a hole in our community that will never be full.
We love you legend. – SMC Fixed Gear
From IMINUSD IN 2012:
Now that Ed is an official member of the iMD family, it’s our duty
to properly introduce him. Get up close and personal after the jump.
Age 22
Birthday Septemper 5, 1989
Hometown Staten Island, New York
Favorite candy bar Lindt Milk Chocolate Truffles
How long have you been riding?
I started riding fixed when I was a bike messenger in early 2007. I
was delivering “pizza” in NYC for 3 years. I’ve been riding fixed
for 5 years.
What do you like most about riding?
I love lining up my tricks and figuring out the footing to land a
trick.
What places have you ridden?
I’ve rode all around the world. All over Europe like Italy,
Switzerland, Germany, and Portugal and in Asia, I’ve been to Japan
and Thailand. My favorite place out of all them would probably have
to be Portugal.
What’s your favorite trick?
I love giant, steep, do or die rails.
What are your favorite places to ride?
San Jose all day. I love the vibe that San Jose and all the kids
have. There’s a lot of motivation for me out here.
If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it
be?
Chinese food!
What are some of your other hobbies?
Art, skateboarding, hanging out with my lady and playing with my
puppy, Shades.
Is there one incident/event you had while riding that sticks out
from the rest?
In February of 2008 when I was a bike messenger in NYC, I got hit by
a van head on at 40 mph. I broke both sides of my jaw and cracked my
chin in half. It destroyed some of my mimetic muscles so I lost
feeling to the whole right side of my face. I broke my foot so I
couldn’t walk for a while. And I took all the metal out of my mouth
on my own which didn’t help out the situation. But that experience
changed my life. I don’t know how exactly, but it did.
What do you like most about riding for iMiNUSD?
The fact that we’re all a big, bad family.
Now say something nice about one of the other iMD riders.
Scott Horton doesn’t eat any vegetables. Period.
Edward A. LaForte Obituary
September 5, 1989 — September 26, 2024
Edward “Eddie” Anthony LaForte, age 35, died on September 26, 2024
surrounded by his family. Eddie was born and raised in New York
City, where he resided until his death.
Eddie was a pioneer in the fixed gear biker community, known
professionally as “Ed Wonka”; and traveled the world perfecting his
craft. He was a talented artist and excelled at everything he was
passionate about. His family will always remember his infectious
laugh and appetite for new experiences.
A celebration of his life will be held at Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home
on Sunday September 29, from 2-4PM and 6-9PM.
Funeral services will be on Monday, September 30 at Bedell-Pizzo at
10AM, followed by 11AM mass at Our Lady Star of the Sea.
