august 2006

Days at the Parks-August 31st, 2006

Since starting this site, I've been overloaded with photos. We have more than I know what to do with. Alot of them were taken just joking around, but still worth a look. Here are a few from the last couple weeks.

It's My Party-August 28th, 2006

One of our first posts on this site was about a little surprise barbeque that I put together for buc's birthday in July. My birthday is this week and buc decided that he was gonna return the favor. I thought surprise parties only happened on tv, but I have to give him credit, he made it happed and I had no idea. I had to work during the day and he kept calling to ask me what I wanted to do later. This was all part of his plan apparently, he wanted to aggravate the hell out of me so that when I got to the park I would be mad and then see all the people then feel like an ass. It really did work like it does on tv. So many people were there including my mom and my sister. Buc planned the whole thing and it even included an inaugural veteran jam complete with prizes and carnage.

Eveybody's got bikers figureed out all wrong. Most people probably see a big group of rowdy trouble-making kids, but really this is some of the nicest stuff anyone has ever done for me. Big thanks to Don and Melanie for letting us take over their park and the decorations, Timmy and Terry for handling some of the invites and everyone who came out. Just wait till it's Buc's birthday, I'll get him back.

The greatest cake ever. Buc stored it at my Grandma's until I got out of work. He thought of everything.

Buc putting some last minute touches on the place. We've got a lot of candles on the cake so we keep the decorations just like when we were eight so we feel younger.

It's kind of funny when everyone in a room yells surprise at you and you know that every person is looking right at you. I was a little embarrased but it was all good.

Me trying to blow out the candles and not wind up in the burn ward.

Cake is the universal language, it speaks to all.

Mmmmmmmm...cake.

So we all ate and laughed and then the serious stuff started, well not really. We decided that the theme for the jam would be to have kids ride where they normally don't. Bayliss and Steve Blake set up this little contraption outside. It was actually a lot of fun and we rode it for much longer than anticipated. At first, we were only gonna have the outdoor ghetto ramp jam, but it started to rain a little and we decided that we would have a little jam in the bowl and then the finale on the quater to wedge in the box jump room.

Mix and match ramps are fun.

Brian came out all the way from Lansing and will be very pleased with this photo. We are likely taking a little trip out there this Friday or Saturday to ride Charlotte and barbque yet again. If you'd like to come along drop by the contact section and send us an e-mail.

Steve Blake went out to woodward a little white back and broke his ankle the first day. He's got the cast off and is on his way to a speedy recovery.

Not that speedy.

Timmy gettin his barspin on.

The best father son duo anywhere.

Govan pulled this trick that lasted for like two minutes and included a lot of tech trickery.

Carmichael pulled the hang five twice, once in either direction.

Bayliss pulled straight barspins, 270 barspins...any barspin that could be done was done by bayliss.

Oh yeah, he tailwhipped it too. Enough for the win in the outdoor phase of the contest.

We moved things inside and continued the jam in the bowl.

Eventually, Steve Blake got back on his feet at pulled this ice pick.

Bayliss with a wall slap barspiniac.

Kris K with a big abubaca back into the bowl.

Carmichael with a ridiculous tooth pick and the win.

Even Joe Gall thought it was intense, so you know it had to be.

Last we went over to the box jump room where we tried to contain everybody to just between the two wedges. But those damn bikers were everywhere, you can't control them.

Kris K with a large wall slap over our boy Terry.

We postponed the start of this part a little to give Rhesse time to make it out to the park. Once you tell Rhese to ride the quater to wedge you know what's coming. Huge flares. He took it bad a few times. I was worried, I didn't want any one to wind up in the hospital due to my birthday festivites. It all ended well and he was ok.

Timmy with a fufanu on one of the permitted obstacles.

We gave Jeff Tabb the prize not because of his scooter stuntery, although he is the only pro scooterer I know, but because everything out of his mouth is so so funny. If you can make us laugh we thing you deserve a prize. He had been riding all day and got 2nd at the contest at modern, two prizes in one day-not bad.

This scared the shit out of me when I first saw it, but then I laughed.

By the end of the night, everone rode too much, ate too much, and had too much fun.

Thanks again to everyone who helped out, came out, or wished me a happy birthday.

Kalamazoo Contest-August 21st, 2006

Whatever we didn't do over the week, we made up for on Sunday. A bunch of us decided to meet at buc's house at 9:30. Suchan, being the punctual delivery man that he is, arrived at 9:29 and found buc still asleep. They got him up and over to transitions where they were supposed to meet me, but they had to wait because I had overslept a little myself. We've never really been early risers, not even for bmx. But, we finally got everything together and got on the road around 10:30. There was a nice turn out at the contest and it was real laid back. For the most part, the participants were teaking it easy, lots of flow, lots of air. In my opinion, more fun to watch than kids killing thmselves, although that is fun too.

We didn't make it out on time for beginner so I have no idea what happened there. We were there for part of intermediate, but I was riding inside so all I know is that Dillon Bell got third and he was showing off some mighty fine prizes.

We did watch most of pro. Much credit to Scott Towne for running such an organized contest. Usually kids are every where and nobody knows how anything is working. Scott had it all figured out though-3 groups of 4 riders with 8 minutes for each group. He even had an order for the riders to ensure everyone got they're time in the sun, literally. He said he just goes with it and lets things happen on they're own, but I'm sure that he did a lot of work to make sure things went well, and he deserves a big pat on the back.

Matt Morren came out from Austin. He's half owner of v-club, one of the sponsors for the event. Huge barspin over the pizza hut, it took me way too long to figure out why they were calling it that.

Jeremy Ball does look backs both ways.

There was a fellow there called Jim on a bike. He's rode in every K-Zoo contest they've ever had. He took it hard a few times on a nosepic barspin.

Hatfield with an invert.

Luke, or as he is better known, the white lotus, standing straight up for a turndown. Apparently he just got a job driving an ambulance. So everyone rode feeling a little safer because medical help was on hand. He should paint white lotus on the side of the ambulance, that would get people out of the way. He placed 4th.

Jeremy Ball's got style on and off the bike. He came in third.

Dane Wild drove in from Binghamton just for the contest. He lost a little something during one of his runs but just kept it going sans shoes. Shoes are overrated. Dane came in second.

The winner is...

Dave Moon of course.

Fufanuing out of the brush while the paparazzo worship the skills.

After the pro class there was best trick. Suchan found out that the prize was a $200 gift card at Division Tattoo. He's wanted a tattoo forever so he decided that he would go out and win it. 360 whip over the hut did the trick and soon the ink will flow.

The K-Zoo contest was fun to watch, but the park was even more fun to ride once everyone cleared out. I love the pizza hut.

After the contest we stopped by Fazoli's and ate more breadsticks than we should have, then it was onto Battle Creek. I've been there once before. It's an asphalt park under a bridge with a huge mellow vert wall at one end. Buc found out about it some years back from the Ball brothers. If you're ever in the area, don't miss it, it's too much fun.

I think its actual name is Kellog Park. Kellog's is headquatered in Battle Creek. Sometimes you can ride and smell fresh frosted flakes at the same time.

Sooch with an x-up over a little make shift hip.

My little brother, Ali, likes to ride anything but wooden ramps. He was in his glory here. He learned smiths and feebles on a rail, he's psyched.

Buc with a pedal stall in the sunset.

This is Sooch doing a tabletop air and getting his brake lever caught in his knee pad.

This is Sooch after. I was on the other side of the park and I could only see a little section of the very wall. I seen him shoot up and then shoot straight back to the ground. It was bizarre. Later on we stopped by a rest area and he was hobbling around with no shoes on. He hit his head pretty hard. Wear your helmets kids.

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The group at Battle Creek.

This is just before we left and headed home. It was Suchan's idea. It's his trademark or something.

That concludes our weekend. Good times were had by all. Check deliverance for more on the contest!

More of August went into the Archives.

****When this update was first posted we got some of the results mixed around. I guess it's a bad idea to do an update at 4 in the morning with a headache. All is well now, sorry****

Nothing Unusual-August 19th, 2006

It was a pretty uneventful week with nothing too out of the ordinary. Working, riding, eating sleeping. Much of the riding took place at TRP.

How many bikers does it take to work a digital camera?

Kris K has better hair than you!

Bayliss concentrates like non other, and he's always consistent. We took a few pictures of him 360ing the street spine. Each time he was in exactly the same spot, it looked like the same picture over and over again. That's dialed.

Speaking of dialed. Sparks showed up and worked a little on some type of backflip variation. I don't know how he comes up with it.

The last few photos were from Wednesday I think. The next few are from yesterday. Most of the famed a-team came out, and a few others.

Terry was able to tear himself away from his fans long enough to do this toe jam and table. Say that three times fast.

Mark went back to work oh his 540 transfer.

Dillon has gotten real good in a real hurry. Here, he impresses the onlookers with an x-up from the roller to the wedge. Behold the future of TRP bmx.

It's a bird, no it's a plane, no it's Jason P. Suchan.

First there were tailwhips, then 360 whips and all kinds of other stunt trickery.

That pretty much sums op the week. Hopefully, next week is sunnier. Some of Augest has moved into the archives becuase scrolling makes me tires.

K-ZOO on Sunday. Peep deliverance for more info yo.

Winter Sky-August 14, 2006

It was a little overcast today and it just seemed kind of odd outside. To me, it felt like winter. I love summer, can't stand winter. Today reminded me that naked trees and grey skies are fast approaching. July was a little shitty because it was so hot. Hopefully August and September will stay nice and being outside will be tolerable. It's only a matter of time until snow is on the ground and riding outside only happens in the imagination. For now, we're making the most of what's left of summer and riding outside as much as possible. We've been trying to get out to River Bends all summer. We thought we could only ride it on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Ever time we planned to go out there something ruined it. Yesterday we made it happen and when we got there we found out that we can ride the park any time now. Lots of people showed up, even a few that we haven't seen for a while. We for sure have to get out there more.

Squirrel stole the show with all kinds of stuff over every hip. For some reason, I always thought he was a real quiet kid. On Sunday I found out this was not true. He's actually very easy to talk to and really funny. Most of the stuff he says makes you laugh.

Rusty Keys never dissappoints. He is definately giving me my next haircut. He and Squirrel rushed out of the park so as not to miss a moment of intervention. I'm sure that show has a whole new bmx following after listening to them talk about it.

Our second new camera came in today and I can honestly say that I have no hope for it. I learned from the last one that my excitement will be shot down by some malfunction. I have kept my expectations very low.

Welcome to the Jungle ?-August 12, 2006

There are alot of places where we don't have our bmx civil liberties, but we may be able to take one park off that list. The "Concrete Jungle" allowed bikes in it's gates yesterday. I think they were expecting around 35 people and wound up with about 60. The turn out might mean that we get some sessions out there. Buc carried out a secret misssion while it was still under construction and it was always a bummer that there was an outdoor concrete park so close that we couldn't ride. Actually getting to ride it in the daylight proved to be a pretty good time. I'm all about any concrete parks within a half hour from my house.

No pegs allowed which makes no sense. But riding with no pegs is better than no riding at all.

The best part of the park are these bowls. If this was the only thing there it would still be a blast.

Jeff Tabb was there and he didn't throw his bike, not once.

Rich and Chuck were there. Chuck warped around the bowl and Rich was being a bad ass dad. It has to be fun to go out riding with your dad.

Sean Misky was there and seems to get better every time we see him. He gets funnier every time too.

We rode out at Wolverine tonight, because it was just too nice to be inside. If you've never heard of wolverine, it's a little spot out by buc's house in Livonia. Real nice wedged hip and banks galore.Timmy showed up and rode with us before we headed out to Dee's.

Dee had a little get together at her house tonight. We had to take off early so the fun is probably continues as I type this. Do not look directly into Govan's eyes.

TRP Contest-August 6, 2006

Kids came from miles around yesterday to enter the TRP contest and of course carnage ensued, but thankfully nothing too bad. Overall, it was a pretty fun day that most people would probably walk away shaking their heads at. Good thing we're not most people. As some of you might already know our brand new digital camera ate shit right before this contest so it's back to film. I'll apologize for the quality now.

The day started out of course with the beginner class.

Chris Bayliss took the victory in this class partly because of this nosejam on the street spine. I don't think he's ever even tried it before. That's why it's time to retire those skates. Everyone in beginner class was super good. Double pegs on rails, one handers... so you knew that it was only gonna get better.

The winner in intermediate was Danger Dave, who is hard to get good photos of because he does so many tricks in one. Mark Zimmerman also went big and took it hard. He pulled a couple 540's to accidental tail taps in the mini that were crazy. Then he moved it over to a transfer from the quarter to wedge and came so close.

Here's a picture of the winner taken by Kris K a while back.

The pro class was intense as i think most of the competitors spent more time up side down than right side up.

Consistent as always, Allen Schmalz was the winner. Smooth backflip, lots of speed, and making hard stuff look way too easy.

Matt Carmichael with a front flip over the tiny mellow spine in the street room. He almost pulled it too, but he gets much credit just for trying it.

I don't think I've ever seen anybody backflip the first box before Rhese did it.

Sam Schlappi came out from Wisconsin and pulled this wall ride from a little quarter by the wall after a couple tries. At some point he took a chunk out of his thumb and was bleeding pretty serious. No big deal. He just smeared it on his face and pulled this wall ride looking like a savage. Quite entertaining and enough for 2nd place.

Greg Disckson came out with Sclappi and is quite a character.

I think it was Brandon Dosch in 3rd and I also think that he wasn't even done tweaking this alleyoop lookback when buc took the picture.

Steve Byrnes was tailwhipping everything.

There has to be something in the water at the Bayliss household. Justin won best trick on the subrail with barspin to icepic to hopover fakie, but i think the best trick was his unintentional barspin one hander lander. He even surprised himself with that one.

Despite the seriousness of the competition there was some fun to be had. Some Ohio kids got kicked out of the state of Michigan for running through the parking lot naked or something like that. That's pretty funny.

It's always fun to ride with Scott Towne. He rode in best trick and judged the contest, which was no easy feat considering how crazy it was.

It's not enough just to do a table anymore.

Pizzawacker.

A bunch of us went out to Such and Kristin's house to do a little test run on their newly arranged ramps.

John Adams is a ripper even when the take off is completely dark. I had never really heard him talk until he started impersonating a redneck. It was the best laugh of the night aside from the pizzawaker and Darryl hitting the pavement while trying to tackle his own car.

Anyway, a fun time was had by all and just wanted to say thanks to Kris K for letting us use a lens and a flash. It was quite brave of him since every piece of technology buc or I touch turns to shit. It's only a matter of time for this site. Read quickly.

It's actually been about a month for this site and we actually have something to put in the archive section. July updates are there. Thanks to everyone who has stopped by an taken a look or told us that you liked it. Shirts soon, stickers sooner.

Error 99-August 3, 2006

It was a pretty fun session tonight at modern, well for most of it. There were only a few of us there at the beginning, but by the end most everyone had a rockin good time, partly due to the interesting choice of music in the park. Anyway, our fun was cut a little short because of some camera difficulties. As you can see in the last post buc and I were quite excited to get our brand new digital camera. It worked fine for the first couple days, and even today for like 5 pictures. Then every time we snap a photo, it blinks error 99. Jeff Tabb tries to help out, no go. Buc is riding around steaming, but there is hope, Joe Gall offers his services and says that we may just need to reformat the flash card. Still blinks error 99. When i got home i looked it up to see if anyone else has had a problem and there are like 500 posts on this camera web site about people who have had the same thing. I try some of their suggestions; taking out the battery, taking out the card, cleading the contacts...error 99, error 99, error 99. I call the tech people who made the camera they tell me to do all the same stuff and guess what...error 99. They decide that the camera is defective and tell me we can send it in to them and they'll fix it. The problem is that we were hoping to have the camera for the TRP contest on saturday. Unless we can get it to new jersey and back by the day after tomorrow it looks like were back in line at target developing film. Major major bummer. And so is the soap opera of our camera. If anyone has any idea what can be done send us an e-mail.

In other news, modern local, John Reed will be heading back out to Colorado in the next couple weeks. So enjoy the sessions while you can. Thanks to Jeff Tabb for the pics.

Soon, John will be enjoying all of those concrete parks in the thin air with the rocky mountains in the background. Sounds good to me, and way better than dealing with moody cameras.

Sunsets and Barbed Wire-August 1, 2006

It's hard to believe that it's August already. It makes you think that we've got to take advantage of summer while it lasts. Before we know it, it'll be snowing again. The problem is that it might as well be snowing when it's 100 degrees outside. It makes the outdoor sessions a little difficult when your gasping for hot humid air. I'll take it though, in my book, sun is better than snow no matter what.

Buc spent the weekend up north with his family. He did manage to get a little riding in though at the gaylord skatepark.

It's actually a pretty fun little park. Some of the cities around here should take note that you can build a skatepark and let everyone ride it.

Ben Wagoner was one of the kids that buc met up there from flint. Apparently he and some friends were camping out near another park in Oseego.

Russ Bloss is one of the locals at the park. He works at the bike shop across the street called Latitude 45. He's super fun to ride with and if you're ever in the area you should stop by for sure.

High Voltage!

Buc worked on his photo taking skills a little while he was up there. After he retires from bmx, he's going to work for Better Homes and Gardens. Sadly these are some of the last photos taken with the good old 35 mm. While he was away our new camera came in, and I can happily say that we are now part of the digital revolution. Viva digital!

Last night we attempted to ride a little street by going out to the airport banks. It was right around 9:30 and it was 87 degrees. We only lasted like 45 minutes, but it was fun.

It's a little blurry, but it's th only decent one we have of this bank. It's one of my favorite things to ride and I was so worried about a truck being parked in front of it. From the road it looked like it was clear, but when we got out to it there was a little cavalier parked just right so you couldn't hit the tallerpart of it. I was bummed, but it was still a pretty good time.

Buc is obsessed with the camera now and has it with him all the time. He pulled over on the side of the road somewhere for this one and also inspired the title of this post.

Tonight we went out to modern, but just for the last hour. Pretty fun session with lots of people. When it's this hot out the air conditioned is where it's at.

TRP CONTEST THIS SATURDAY!!!!!!!