General Cycling Discussion - Tattoo ideas & art

Anyone have some ideas for a tattoo. Or maybe some sources with some detailed sketches/drawings/flash.

Or maybe even post what you've got. Prefereably those related to biking (why else would I be here at this site? :D )

I have been considering something for a while. I have a small tattoo on my right shoulder (where my bicep meets the shoulder). I am considering something like a chainring around this tattoo with a chain to rap the arm. In the chainring I would probably write something like 'ride hard or go home' or some other saying that relates to the way I ride.

I have a facination with calf tattoos (anything to accentuate my calves more). I just can't think of anything that might work. Chainring possibly hmm that would take a bit more though because the only calf tattoos I have ever liked were the spider web or a calf wrap.

One I have seen is a flaming cyclist in the centre of a sun with the saying 'freeride forever'. It looked great but the artist was primo, otherwise it would seriously look cheesy.

http://www.campyonly.com/tattooed.html

Thats funny. The one of the chainring looks like a perm scar on my right shin where a chainring got burried to the bone. I have to say that looks pretty cool wrapped around the bottom of the calf like that. Thanx.

Not a bike one but amusing all the same...

http://www.ilovebacon.com/103002/bart.jpg

As for flash, good luck. MOst flash advertisments are set to make it hard to copy the stuff. They want to make their money. As for designs, it depends on what your are looking for. One of my best friends is a tattoo artist and has his own shop. If you have the image, it could be done. Now sometimes the image needs to be modified to work as a tattoo, but it really depends on how good the guy doing the slinging is.

For instance we are working on a design for my arm right now that will be Mtn Bike tire tread running over a black cat. Right now we are stuck in the color of the tread, I want brown, he thinks black. there is only one peice that is flash, the rest was custom drawings based on pictures.
Just be careful on who you choose to do the tat, the cheapest is not always going to be the best. That is the best advice I would give.

Don't know about the Tats, but I sure like what there on...

This guy has a cool idea. Though a bit ambitious for me, maybe an individual ring or two.

http://www.blackbirdsf.org/magpie/chainwheels/

Right now, I have a rather simple tattoo on my right upper arm. I am soon to add an American flag with the silhouette of a road cyclist in the foreground. And, I am also toying with the idea of a chain around my right thigh, with a Paramount logo "P" to cover up a juvenile needle/india ink attempt at do-it-yourself tattooing!

I said something to my wife about a tat a few years ago and she said "you have lived this long with out one. Why would you want one now?".
I couldn't come up with a good answer! So I don't have a tat.

ps I got a bike instead of a Harley and lost 50 lbs.

Interesting replies. I like the gear rings collection. Thanks, Rottifer.

at the end of a recent bike tour, some of us topped the ride off with a brew or two.. Even with a couple beers- I would have chosen a modest tattoo. About the campfire, some mentioned going into town and getting a tattoo..
I would have to have the whole bike... Accentuating the calves would be my only thought... Just above the sock line, I was thinking about a small bike tattoo.. Would have to be a road bike of course..

it's an on going thing that I will eventually have a Tat and it's going to be like my Avatar,but when is still in the balance.

Where is another thing , it was going to be on my arm but after reading Maelstrom's post I think the calf would be an excellent place, that way I can show off my Tat as I cycle.

Thanks for the idea Maelstrom.

Instead of a bike chain, how about a sugar chain?

HAHAHAHA....well, I think I will just stick to the chain! Altho, a Paramount chainring might be kinda cool.......:D

Hey, you're welcome. Damn, I like the sugar tat.

I'm starting to make my own decals.

Someday I will get a tattoo- a 12 tooth cog with a yin/yang in the middle.

I just got a tat... was thinking about it for a while... and for some reason finally just pulled the trigger... on my upper forearm right -- a bicycle morphing into a fist. Someday I'd like to get an intricate celtic weave with maybe some chains weaved in, to throw off the casual observer, all over my left calf... but that will cost big money and design work... maybe I will as a celebratory note when I hit SoCal in a few months. :beer:

The other interesting idea was the tat the "chain bite" on the left calf.. you know when you hit the chainwheel against your left calf... yeah

Not sure I would do it. Some of the last night of my Nevada tour have maybe one beer too many and go out and get a tattoo.. Doubt I would, since I usaully fall asleep on a physically straining day after two beers...
However, some did.. If so, I hope it would only be a small bicycle on the left calf..Would not a tat hurt if not have one done until the end of the tour... Particularily on the calf..

Here's my bicycle tattoo. While I will probably never own a penny farthing, I liked the idea of having the image of one on my calf...

This is our old family crest , I was thinking of having it tatooed on the outside of my r/calf minus the sheild , but then the cost would be better spent on a pair of SPD pedals, so I don't think it will happen :rolleyes:

Scars are the only tatoos worth having. They have better stories.

I've been considering one for a few years but haven't found something that's "right" for me.

I've been considering one for a few years but haven't found something that's "right" for me.


Get one of those Playboy silhouettes tattoo'd on each Calf Ron. You'd be the talk of the town.

I have found the start to most of my tattoos on the internet. Google image search is a good place. I have a little island thing going on my right arm, a tiki god in the middle, two "hula girls" based off the LOST surfboard girl, and then a little flash tribal peice with a hibicus in the middle. The left arm now has a huge spider silohette with flames in the middle. I have found some nice beach scenes on the net for use as the ending peices of my right arm. Going to have a spider web to finish off the left, of course I am going to have a bike stuck in the web.

I got a pretty evil looking tattoo in a semi-private place. Actually, I wanted a girl bunny face with long lashes, and the tattoo artist talked me into the one I have now. I vote for just going to the tattoo artist and telling him what you'd be interested in having and letting him sketch out what he thinks you are looking for, then you can make some choices from there.

Koffee