september 2007

Oh No Su-Shi Didn't-Spetember 3rd, 2007

So this past week was my birthday and I turned the big 2-5. No big deal though, I still feel like I'm 10 and sometimes I really act like it. Buc was kind enough to put together a jam in my honor, but we'll get to that in a minute. Another part of the celebration involved something I've always wanted to do. I always hear people talk about sushi and how good it is and it always looks so good. So in honor of me being more of an adult than I was last year we went out to try sushi at supposedly one of the best places to do so. Everything was going good. Appetizer fine. Then came the neatly rolled wads of raw fish and I was stoked. Ok, I know I'm overboard and too easily amused, but I love to do this kind of shit. I should have been tipped off when we went in the restaurant and there were no forks, only chopsticks, which buc or I had no idea how to use. We practiced on the appetizer and we had gotten good so I was ready. I'm pretty sure most of the true sushi lovers were pointing and laughing. Anyway, we figured go right in, raw tuna, little soy, no problem. Buc ate it first and didn't run screaming so I figure I'm good. I stabbed it with the chop stick and ate it hoping for all the wonder and glory of sushi. I quickly realized that I don't think I like sushi. Sushi tastes like ocean floor. No matter how much I chewed the tuna it seemed to stay in the same form it was on the plate. I had to chew it for like 10 minutes, the whole time wondering how bad would it be if I spit up a heaping pile of semi-chewed up raw fish back onto my plate. I also fought the urge to puke. No no, I was there to eat sushi and that's what I was gonna do. I made it through the first bite and moved onto the veggie roll which was tolerable. However everything I ate for the following two days tasted like seaweed. I was bummed, I really wanted to like it and get why so many people like it. No one else in the restaurant had that look of disgust. Maybe I did it wrong? If you've got any tips for the next time I eat sushi (if ever) tell me. I really want to get it. I thought you all might like that story.

Pardon my rant, it was a big moment for me. Back to the b-day jam. Here are the pics.

Carmickle brought out a sturdy little kicker ramp for a long jump contest and you know how the rest goes.

Jeff Tabb was a contender but the winner was a kid with dread who I didn't recognize and don't know his name. I feel like an ass because we didn't get a photo either. Elusive long jump champ, make yourself known!

D-Dub with his o-g frame. This is how it all started.

We did a little street riding after a mission to Albe's for some supplies.

This is our secret curved wall.

Suchan was psyched to do this wall ride with a ups hub in the background.

My brother has inspired to go after true wedge to wall, after pulling it his third try. I've been trying for a year. Not fair.

Later we met up with Chris John at the Troy park. He was kind enough to have us over to his and Bobby's apartment to make some adjustments. Little did we know that there is a skate park out his door. Chris also passed along a couple mint ramps for buc's garage. Where would we be without him?

Govan with the 360 over the curb into the bank.

Buc went a little overboard.

Later we met up with Flipper to ride OU, and this contraption was created.

Flipper testing things out.

Chris John owned it.

I think that blur is Flipper, or maybe Chris, I'm not sure.

As summer winds down, updates will be smaller but more frequent. Stay Tuned.

Old Stuff & New Stuff-September 18th, 2007

Once again, an update involving things I had forgot we did, because they happened so long ago. I swear I'm gonna get better. First things first. This Saturday...

We're bringing you yet another opportunity to ride TRP with only your fellow bikers at a discounted rate. I know we do this all the time, but we love the park and the company. It's always a good time and I'm sure we'll come up with some way to get Dane on the mic. It's good for us and it's good for the park. A nice way to kick of the cooler weather.

Now for the weeks that were.

Ann Arbor...

Suchan wanted the kids to see this one.

This is the longest gap buc has done in an even longer time.

We moved around a bench to make this thing happen...

And this too.

After a mission to move some ramps from Chris John's house to buc's we went on a mission of another kind. (We'll put pics of buc's garage set up next time. Much thanks to Chris for the ramps, it's not home till there are ramps)

Chris John built this little contraption, and then owned it.

Buc taking tips from his shadow to get it right.

After years of calling wedge to wedge nonsense a wall ride, I have done the real thing. Well I've done a wedge to real wall. I still have to conquer the true 90 degree wallride. One new trick a year is good enough for me.

On to TRP...

Kevin has come in from the outdoors and has the second box wall ride more dialed than ever.

We made the trip out to Suchan's stomping ground.

Glenwood has seen better days, it's sandy and shifts every time you dig a tire in. But there's a table there and it was worth about 20 minutes.

Dane impressed the local kids with his proness.

Then onto Westland park, where it was good to see familiar faces.

Darryl back in action.

Pedro back from serving the country and doing much more important things with front brakes.

Kevin Jarvis sent us some pics of his riding some fine parks out if Chicago. Congrats are in order as Kev will be tying the knot real soon.

\

We need to schedule a trip to Chicago before it is hideously cold.

See you all at the Saturday late session at trp!

Smelling Rain-September 26th, 2007

Look at us, we're updating in a reasonable amount of time. The past week involved a late session at TRP and a bunch of random street ridings. Here it is in pictures.

First of all some bad news. Misky is in the hospital apparently from a ramp related injury with a collapsed lung. Everything should be ok and he's making the nurses laugh of course. Hopefully it'll be a speedy recovery.

My most recent goal in life is to see how many people we can comfortably seat in buc's living room to watch prehistoric bike videos.

Buc and some pals went on a street mission where this happened.

I can't explain it, I was not involved.

They went back out to buc's hometown, livonia, and found a little section of wolverine perfectly quikcreated. Someone had fulfilled buc's dream after he moved away.

Then back to Dearborn to get this curved wall that's been eyed up since it was still under construction.

The night was finished off by Redford Steve getting aquatinted with buc's ramp set up and the rafters.

The next day, buc, me, my bro, sooch, koots and govan made our weekly trip to Ann Arbor.

Buc tempted fate and scared the shit out of me while I tried to catch the flip side. He pulled it though.

My biggest stair gap ever!!!! Long way to go still.

I'm always worried when we have a late session that it'll be dead. But I'm always surprised at the turn out and glad to see that so many people like a laid back all bike session.

Today I saw Dane Wild with a Taco Bell bag so I though I caught him eating something other than pizza, I was stoked. There was Pizza Hut in the bag. Sneaky.

Chris John has a beard and a camera.

Chris's roommate Bobby Hoey confirms that Chris's beard is real.

Kyle Froglegs.

Balsas not doing a barspin or tailwhip.

Look at Steve's face...it's hard to spin so fast.

Danger Dave showing off that brand new frame, a present from the lady. Lucky.

Ricky is one of the nicest guys and always has the most innovative and crafty frame finishes.

I think this is one of the best pics buc has ever taken.

Bones starting like 12 new trends in bmx.

Here is an event being put together by Scott Towne out on the west side of the state. I love the idea of a flyout challenge, there is always some kind of contest that provides for fun than anything else. Even though it will require me to wake up early on a Sunday and start saving gas money now, we will mostly likely gather the crew and head out there. No doubt it will be well worth it.

-Hanan-