Route 66 Burque Battle showcases lowrider culture at convention center

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Route 66 Burque Battle put lowrider culture on display with custom cars, classic bikes and family traditions passed down to younger generations.

The event took place Sunday and featured custom cars, classic bikes and activities for families. Organizers also offered free resources, career opportunities and kids activities at no cost.

For 18-year-old Nehemiah Anaya, the show connects directly to his family history. He said his grandfather built the bike he shows with his family.

“My grandpa completely built this bike for us when we were little boys and we’ve been showing,” Anaya said. “We love the history of low riders.”

Anaya said he wants to help keep that legacy alive by caring for the bikes his grandfather built.

“He put his blood, sweat and tears into these bikes and I mean we love taking care of them, waxing them, keeping them clean and,” Anaya said.

Jaden Velasquez said his connection to the show also started with his grandfather, who built a bike for his mother when she was young.

“Yeah, so my grandfather built it for my mom back when she was a little kid. So her and my grandfather could show together,” Velasquez said.

Victoria Saldana said her grandfather inspired her love for cars. Saldana, a diesel mechanic, built her own lowrider.

“So my grandpa was a mechanic. He raised me to be a mechanic. And so I started building my car. But he loved low riders,” Saldana said.

Filimon Pino said the community keeps people coming back. He has been part of lowrider culture for nearly 30 years.

“It’s just one, our motto for us that we have here in Albuquerque is one team, one dream,” Pino said. “And that’s where we have, we all come together as a unity just to show off what we do, our cars, our bikes, there’s Harleys out here and venues, people come out here”

Organizers said they want that unity to reach the next generation and help preserve Albuquerque’s culture.

“So it’s important that our kids, you know, continue these traditions and our heritage of building and working with their hands and learning the trade to eventually build a car one day,” Julia Pluemer said.

Organizers said they hope events like this keep building positive connections and give younger generations a chance to carry on Albuquerque’s lowrider culture.

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