What to say about DC’s race? Hmm? We’ll, it is a hell of a fun event for sure. The race is held on a way-out-there, desert-suburb road, it is moderately inclined with a bunch of us skaters hangin-out at the bottom, surrounding a 90º neighborhood intersection; waiting for the carnage of dudes who’ll soon be crashing into rocks, sand, and tumbleweeds—not a road many rave about. As the T-shirt said: “Great Party, Lame Hill.” The Sector dudes are on to something with that one. Ha ha!
Sinjin out front. Photo: Bandy
Speedy hang-fiver, Niko Kroha. Photo: Bandy
Ball-bustin’ aside, the road is not that lame—it’s actually pretty rad. And speaking of rad, the actual race and the party that ensues afterward are the epitome of what we like to call the “Rad Zone”. Shit, most of us were in the “Rad Zone” as soon as we rolled up and were greeted by our shred familia already waiting for us with hand slaps and some new stories to tell.
There’s your sign. Photo: Bandy
Sector 9′s Jeff Budro, leading into the final corner. Photo: Bandy
I rode out to the race with Mercado as well as with some crazy kid from Canada with the wackiest set of homemade leathers I’ve ever seen. These badboys were made out of a denim jacket and pant combo with purple, pink, and baby-shit colored leather patches covering their entirety. Dude looked like he’d have been more at home singin’ YMCA with a yoked-out fireman rather than mobbin’ hills with us—even his gloves had matching leather strips woven into them. Homie was cool though for sure, and I have mad respect for anyone that can rep an outfit like that.
Brock Brittlebum, reverse-butt boarding, or a crash. Photo: Bandy
Kyle Martin, ripping as usual. Photo: Bandy
Ultimately, I don’t like to draw these event articles out for too long—I’d rather let you enjoy the pics, and in this case, the killer video Dustin Hampton put together for us. I’ll just wrap things up with a few of my personal highlights of this year’s DC race. The highlights are as follows, and in no particular order. Enjoy.
DC’s 2011 Race Highlights:
-Waking up in the middle of the night to the general mayhem of George Siddiqi getting duct-taped into his car for being too “disruptive”. Thanks James.
-Jammin’ with Matt K to my new favorite song: “They Don’t Ride Like I Ride”, which was performed live by some hip-hop group I can’t remember the name of.
- Max Capps’ belly-flop-slide into the 90º. And the crowd goes wild!
-James Kelly’s sneakin’ in the win after the riders in front of him crash into a ball of dust & dirt right before the finish line.
-The after-race dinner of subterranean-roasted pig, and a grip of other deliciousnesses prepared by the majorly awesome Ridgecrest locals.
-Seeing so many skaters together having fun, skating hard, and doing it for the Shredlove.
Stoked Ridgcrest local with a roof’s-eye-view of the race. Photo: Bandy
Kevin Reimer, haulin’. Photo: Mike Koochie
Danny Conner, Pickin ‘em up in the pick-em-up truck. Photo: Bandy
James Kelly, “winning”. Seriously, he actually did win. Photo: Dustin Hampton
Till next time . . .
Looks like a fun event. Congrats to all the riders.
Is James rocking a leash? radical
Yeah, looks like he’s ready to get Pitted! Ha ha!