Mechanical Bull Riding ~ Grabbing a business idea by the horns
At a Saturday night house party in Otay Ranch, hay is scattered all over the cement floor. Not one guest is within immediate sight.
They’re around the corner, watching everyone take turns enjoying the mechanical bull. Guests are dressed in plaid tops and tight-fitted jeans. Almost everyone is wearing a stylish cowboy hat to finish off the look for the themed-party.
A conspicuous gentleman is sitting in a chair, watching riders. Alex Olmos is the controller. He is a one-man band for his business, Mad Bull. His services include rental of the mechanical bull. Full set-up and take-down. He also watches guests to ensure his own liability plus that of the host.
“It seems easier than it is,” Monica Valenzuela said. “I tried to keep my back straight, but still . . . You’re just holding onto one strap.”
She said it was fun and would do it again.
Alex said the only thing that makes it slipper is the leather, which is made of real bull leather. I’ve had real bull riders ride. Sometimes we go down to the [Lakeside] rodeo,” he said.
His goal is not to throw people off, but to make the experience challenging. He wants them to stay on as long as possible without being bored.
One person at a time
Requests haven’t gotten too strange. He’s had bull riders ride with chaps and they had no problem with it. Those cowboys know the rules, but when it comes to mechanical bull riding, Alex only asks that bull riding riders must come comply with a few simple instructions. Only one person at a time can ride. If one person falls, “I have to stop it. Otherwise, it’ll hit you like a real bull.”
He said. That means he as the controller must keep his eyes on the machine at all times.
Only hold onto the designated strap
Also, the only way he can control the 100-pound machine is via a remote box with two red buttons and one separate lever. Some are inclined to grab onto the back of the mock bull, but he quickly ceases this natural inclination. After having the bull for five years, he’s grown to know how a rider moves based on the movement of the bull. However, if someone holds onto the back, physics of a rider’s movement will change.
When riders do fall off, they land on a reddish-orange 17’x17’
gigantic air bed. Despite its bubbly effect (similar to that of a bean bag slide at a town fair), there is a four horse power mechanism underneath the cushion.
Due to the size and risks associated with mechanical bull riding, he knows he has to meet the prospective renters at the designated area they plan to place the ride. This is usually done two to three weeks in advance. It is also when liability papers are signed.
He stays the whole time. It takes him about 25 minutes to set up. He rents for a few hours at a time. Mad Bull tailors to all audiences, but his most popular audience is the younger crowd. As a former restaurateur, who once owned La Gacha del Mundo on the east coast, he wanted to continue his path with restaurants. I wanted to open a restaurant, but it didn’t give; so, I bought the bull.”
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