It’s not every day that one finds an excuse to make a trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Well, friends, we’ve found that excuse! We are fully stoked to be making said trip for the purposes of documenting the radness at the first-ever State Games of Michigan Urban Downhill Skateboarding Race! On June 21st, 2014 from 4-8pm, riders on a variety of skateboards will roll through downtown Grand Rapids across three city blocks and around some off-cambered turns! (This means bails. We dig it!) There’s even going to be a Shortcut of Death at the last corner, allowing riders with the ability to ollie the curb to have an “express lane” through the last corner! (This means even more bails! We’re hyped!)
Alright, so, the event itself sounds rad. But what’s the deal with Wheelbase Magazine traveling 2,188.7 miles across the continental U.S. to attend a downhill event that you’ve probably never even heard of until this moment? This community-centric event has come to life thanks to the perseverance and hard work of race organizer, Bustin Boards dude, and #WheelbaseFam brobro Mike Dallas and is focused on gathering and supporting the thriving local Michigan area scene. It’s not about points, trophies, or big-wig sponsorship deals. This event is about fostering the local downhill skateboarding community by getting-rad-with-what-you-have and we think that’s—well—rad! The #GRDH Race shows potential and we want to do our part in building its presence within the community. On a slightly more selfish note, we also want to see what Grand Rapids has to offer. We’ve been informed that there’ll be camping and tomfoolery all weekend long, and even a canoe trip on Sunday! We are down with all those things!
Here are some words from the event organizer himself, Mike D.:
Grand Rapids Urban Downhill invites skateboarders to participate in a fully sanctioned/insured downhill skateboard competition on June 21, 2014. The City of Grand Rapids, Michigan approved a 4-hour city permit for event organizers to close three of the best hillside roads in downtown Grand Rapids, within a no-skateboarding zone. GRDH is the 2nd Downhill skateboard event to be hosted in Michigan, among 4 known in the Midwest. The 6% grade course drops 3 city blocks boasting off-camber left & right corners to negotiate – 40mph intermediate level course. GRDH provides fun, safe riding conditions for beginner to advanced riders & serves as a Trojan Horse for skateboard legalization downtown Grand Rapids. – Organizer Mike D.
Facebook Event Page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/612178548817408/
Registration Page:
http://stategamesofmichigan.com/grdh
Michigan is a gem, stoked to share America’s High Five with the epicenter of the skate industry on the solstice. I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to get a later sunrise than on the west side of Michigan, and when you combine it with the solstice it’s going to be a beautiful night. Be sure to stop into Detroit while you’re here too and hit me up!
Will do homie. Not sure we got the digits. Holla at [email protected] Also, we wanna get some mags in ABS.