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Racing, Rainstorms, and Burritos: SMCO’s Return to Punk's Peak

Postcards From Biarritz
By Aaron Guardado, SMCO

Wheels & Waves is a wild, crazy mash-up of custom bikes, surf/skateboarding culture, art, and speed, all set against the dope backdrop of the Basque coast. Part beach town hang, part hilltop race, part art gallery, part wine-fueled dinner party. It’s one of those rare gatherings that doesn’t just celebrate motorcycling, it elevates it. And this year, it somehow felt even bigger than before. 

For our second time showing up with LiveWire, we came in with a bit more confidence. We knew what to expect: possibly sketchy weather, epic food, late nights, and early mornings. But nothing could’ve prepared us for how this year unfolded from rain-soaked burritos to dominating race heats and late-night swims in full denim.

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Day One: Familiar Faces,
Charged Atmosphere

Rolling into town felt like a reunion. The energy was already dialed, and everyone was there to make up for lost time from last year’s more muted vibes. This time, Wheels & Waves came alive early, and we were stoked to be part of it again. From race paddocks to pits, you could feel just that buzz. The air was charged with an energy that you couldn’t describe. You just knew this year was going to be one for the books.

What stood out this time was how well the LiveWires were received. We weren’t sure what kind of reactions we’d get rolling through Europe on EVs, but man, people there just get it. No weird looks, no dismissive shrugs, just legit curiosity and respect. Riders and locals alike were stoked to see something new, and it was clear: Europe embraces moto culture in all its forms.

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The Builds: Show & Go

We brought two LiveWire S2 Alpinistas, and they couldn’t have complemented each other better. 

SMCO 66 (Shaun’s Ride): Polished aluminum 3D-printed bodywork with flames, custom Saddlemen seat, carbon wheels, prototype aero parts—it looked like a bullet and rode like one too.
SMCO 46 (My Ride): Same DNA, but completely different look. Translucent resin panels revealed the internals, and the embroidery on the Saddlemen seat mimicked electric circuitry. Carbon wheels. Dunlops. It has the kind of details people kept coming back to ask about.

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Punks Peak: Vaporized Rubber

The Punk’s Peak race is a short, uphill sprint on a twisty closed road high above the coast. It’s raw, rowdy, and unpredictable. Street racing with a view. Seeing both bikes lined up at the event, heads turning, cameras snapping—it was everything we’d hoped for. They weren’t just eye candy. They performed. And that’s what matters.

The Alpinista builds were especially dialed this year. They were the perfect race setup for Punks Peak: planted, fast, and light. Exactly what you want on a road like that. This year, I lined up on the SMCO 46 build. The thing looked like it was carved out of a sci-fi dream and rode like it was wired straight to my brain. Tight torque, no delay, pure acceleration. You twist the throttle, and it's gone.

We quickly noticed something funny happening during the heats: other bikes wouldn’t line up next to us. Like, straight up, other racers were hesitating, shaking their heads, even backing off. The LiveWires were performing that well. Eventually, staff had to start pointing at people to get them on the line. It was flattering, but also hilarious. I mean, there were a few machines I didn’t exactly want to face either.

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One of the wildest moments came when Shaun lined up against our friend Dimitri Coste, who was also racing with a LiveWire S2 Alpinista. DC lost traction right out of the gate; rear tire kicked out, riding the edge of the course at full lock like he was about to high-side into the ocean. I watched it unfold from behind, heart in my throat. But he held it. Full throttle. Recovered. Finished the heat. Crowd went absolutely nuts!

Eventually, I went up against Dimitri too…and yeah… he got me. Took me out in a tight heat. I think that landed me in fourth overall, but honestly? No complaints. Dimnitri won the event and we all proved what the bikes could do. LiveWires are anything but slow. These machines are serious. It wasn’t just that we looked different, it’s that we moved different. People felt that and we definitely changed some minds about electric performance.

"Crowd went
absolutely nuts!"

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Between the Races: Rain, T-Shirts as Currency, & Late Night Laughs

Off the mountain, the rest of the event delivered in classic W+W fashion. We explored the village, shared meals with the LiveWire crew from the U.S. and Europe, traded our exclusive event tees with photographers who captured some killer moments, and made new friends around every corner. 

Like most years, the weather did its thing. Classic coastal Europe sunny days with a side of surprise downpours. One moment I was holding a burrito, dry as can be, and the next, I’m sprinting through sheets of rain with a soggy tortilla in hand. It didn’t matter. Nobody flinched. The community was too good, the vibes too high for rain to dampen anything. Speaking of being damp… 

I also may have thrown my girlfriend into a pool. Fully clothed. In her dinner outfit. To be fair, I was standing in the pool already, wearing socks and all. It was one of those slow-motion “don’t do it… okay I’m doing it” moments. She was not thrilled, but a real memory was made. Her clothes went in the dryer. Mine stayed wet. I flew home with them in a Ziploc bag. Totally worth it. 

Our last group dinner was a classic. Long table, wine flowing, laughter echoing through the restaurant. Shoutout to Niels from LiveWire for somehow asking our French server for “flat chests” instead of flat plates. Lost in translation, but unforgettable. 

Grateful & Inspired 

Wheels & Waves isn’t just about motorcycles, it’s about the people, the culture, and the moments in between. It’s burritos in the rain. Races on cliffs. Poolside chaos. Quiet nights that turn loud. It’s living the lifestyle we all love and doing it surrounded by folks who feel the same. 

Huge thanks to LiveWire, Saddlemen, BST Blackstone Tek, Bell, and of course, the Wheels & Waves team for creating something that’s way more than just an event. This was a memory factory, and we left with full hearts, sore muscles, and a few too many wet clothes. 

Catch us next year. We’ll be back.  

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Recap: Wheels & Waves 2025

On the rugged edge of southwestern France, where the Pyrenees slip into the Atlantic, sits Biarritz, a coastal city known for its surf breaks, café culture, and natural cool. Once a royal retreat, now a haven for artists, skaters, surfers, and riders, it’s also home to Wheels & Waves, one of the most eclectic motorcycle events on the planet.