Busy Week

This past week has been great in terms of riding. Thursday at the indoor Skatepark, we arrived for the usual 8 to 12 session time. That's PM, kids. Unfortunately due to a change in management, the hours changed to 5-9pm, not so great when you show up at 8.

In what could be interpreted as either a very kind gesture, or serious lapse of judgment, Track proprietor, Roger Linder allowed me to lock the place up, while he went home.
We made the best of the evening, and sessioned the place for all it was worth. Basically riding untill we simply could not continue. Adding to the energy of the evening was a guest appearence from the one and only Jay Hoots, as well as current world cup DH racer, Fione Griffiths.

I want to wish Rocker Dave a get well soon. He took it pretty hard 3-ing out of the back bowl. Tony, Rob, and Ross Mccmaster all rode the park non-stop and made some significant progress.

Other news is all about Dirt. This is a salute to Portland area diggers who are busy establishing the ground work both physically, and legally for what is shaping up to be a fantastic collection of trials to ride this summer. This is reminder that:

It's not what the dirt can do for you, but rather what you can do for the dirt.

Saturday turned into a remarkable afternoon at Meldrums. I had been helping The Kids earlier that day with some secret trails that are going to be bannanas this summer. They are like ants, and have done the seemingly impossible. When looking at these picks, keep in mind there was NOTHING out here before they began. After a few hours of digging, we got lunch and swung over to Meldrums and met up with pretty large group. No R/C cars, and the dirt was sticky, so perfect conditions. The combination of great conditions and vibes resulted in some significant progression that day.

Here's the summary:

Recent Candian transplant, Stephanie Nytchka, who ran the entire big line! She organized the Slope Sistairs event, and is attending Chiropratic College in Portland.

Rob Lindburg, besides being the hands down best looking rider of the afternoon, also stepped up and hit the first jump on the Big Line.

Tony B.: Very nice riding on the upper section and trying the above mentioned first jump without the suffering immediate death.

Lilius: Congrats on doing so well in the upper section. You'll be running the entire thing before you know it.

Damian: Regular Digger and landed some 3's consistantly. Good job riding, and all your work at the jumps.

Charlie: You survived a Steven Seagal Energy Drink. I think.

Images from Top to Bottom:

Charlie: Tells his teachers he's injured and needs to use his Orange Fall Guy as "walker." An excuse to bring his bike to class, or a sad comment on the American Health Care System?

Lillius: (Probably not spelled right) First time to Meldrums, and made a lot of progress on Saturday.

Good group of people. Just don't leave any valuables around them unattended.

Arron N. : (Photo by Drew Mitchel) Drew's camera probably made more sound than Aaron did landing this X-up. The kid is smooth. Informed me that REI provides health insurance to part-timers like himself. Graduates this spring and will be riding a ton this summer.

Me: (Photo by Drew) Not sure what this is, but I think Drew took a great photo.

Rob, Seth, Tony and Raya.

"The Kids" working in a secret location.

Evidence of their work. This place is going to be fun.

Rob, sending it over the first jump on the Big Line. His first time.

Stephanine, doing the same.





-L