The Wall of Death Is Still Alive, Thanks to These Devoted Riders
A handful of daredevil motorcyclists are keeping an old-school carnival attraction going
The Wall of Death, a cylindrical wooden stage where talented riders pull off all sorts of stunts on motorcycles, was once a mainstay of American carnivals. Only a handful are in use today, passion projects for a few dedicated fanatics. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e not going to make too much money doing this,鈥 says New York City photographer Jay Kolsch. 鈥淵ou have to maintain it while you鈥檙e on the road, and build it up and take it down everywhere you go. It has to be something you care deeply about.鈥
Kolsch went to a carnival in upstate New York to document Danny Weil鈥檚 Wall of Death over several days in the summer of 2022. At the time, a back injury prevented Weil from riding the Wall he鈥檇 built in his Florida backyard, but he continues to feature it in carnivals up and down the East Coast. Initially, Kolsch was drawn to the discipline and athleticism involved in riding the Wall. But ultimately, he decided on a different approach. Instead of focusing exclusively on the flashy motorcycles and death-defying riding, 鈥淚 also wanted to give space to the Wall itself,鈥 Kolsch says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 beautiful to see this imperfect thing someone built with their own two hands give joy to a bunch of children and thrill all these people.鈥
A rider known simply as Johnny Dare (left) and Robert 鈥淩ookie Bobby鈥 Leverentz warm up the crowd at the beginning of the show.
Danny Weil erects the last curved panel.
Leverentz rides with no hands.
Johnny Dare watches as the Wall鈥檚 top is hoisted into place.
Weil supervises assembly.
Bikes and brews stashed outside the team鈥檚 RV
Leverentz ascends the Wall鈥檚 upper reaches.
Speeding sideways around the track, Leverentz appears to defy gravity.
After laying out the Wall鈥檚 pieces, Johnny Dare prepares to assemble it.
Building spectator stands
Leverentz鈥檚 bike, with tips from appreciative fans