Definitely one of the most exciting X-Games I have ever scene. Aside from Gaymane and the normal played out antics of the L.A. circus, it was cool. Liked the courses. Real street was street as hell. Have to give Wessel props on that. But the Super Park course was insane! Apparently it was really tight. Looked tight on T.V. Everyone who road ripped that place. But instead of marking out to everyone, I'll keep focused on the only competitors I ever care about, those from Nor Cal.

Big air was nuts. I do not now what to think about it as a whole. From the ESPN side they probly will not be happy until the gap is 100ft and there is a loop after the quarter pipe. Stoked to see Dave on the ramp. Judging is still political. Like when Dave pulled ahead after a sketchy approach to the quarter and then almost crashing, but they still gave him the lead. Thought Chad might throw the doublewhip-backy his last run but I am glad he played it safe and stuck with the same run. That flipwhip over the 70footer was perfect right into a fucking huge flatwhip-5 straight up and down landing just below coping. CLEAN as HELL!!! He deserves it, hes been under pressure and this is a good release for him. And Allan is part of that group of guys who can session that ramp. He was one of the first to start dipping into the mega craze. That superman-seat-backflip was nuts, I think the "Soldier boy"is a gay name for that trick. No-hander to barspin was sick to. Different shit stands out. I am waiting for one of my boys to fire out a huge Cherokee-Air at height.

Was stoked to be pulling for Nyquist, Chad, Darden, and Cooke. All from Nor Cal, all used to ride at the Ramp Club together. I was hoping Ryan would have medal taken a top3 spot, but that was before I saw that course. Think it really came down to who could figure out a line instantly and then to start dialing it in. Didn't even get to see Ryan ride, but he texted me Saturday morning and said he wasn't "in". Pretty much told me how hard the course really was especially when I heard who else did not make the cut. Rob was able to put lines together in that place. Double-whips dialed in the right spots, super high speed carves,big flairs,barspin-to turndown transfer, tire grab-to-table,nice truck over the spine. Guy was dialed and am really stoked for him to have that medal, made us proud up here.

Vert, what can I say, ramp was nice and basic this year and got back to roots vert riding. Finally I get to see Jamie and Chad ride and they are both feeling about the same. Jamie slammed the week before the comp and once in finals. Chad dislocated his knee a little before that. And for the first time it seemed obvious to me and the other people in the room that Chad clearly rode better than Jamie that day. Jamie did more of his standard stuff but seemed to be lacking that fire. Chad on the other hand was pulling everything out of the trick bag. That superman-seatgrab-barspin was my favorite and his opposite shit looked dialed. Chad was ROBBED of GOLD. Not Jamie's fault, Chad just rode better that day(in a lot of people's opinions) and Jamie even was going to congratulate Chad on the win before he knew that it was he that actually got Gold. But what are you going to do, there is always next year. Mad Props to all you guys.

Squirrel

WTF, WTF, WTF! What is the deal with this Darkmane shit. I do not know where to begin. How about reaming the stupid fuck who came up with this 'character'. Since when does the X-games develop characters? It is bad enough that the very sport which started X-games is slowly being phased out of it. I can remember when they had lame as X-games had wake boarding(I wake board), surfing, and rock climbing? Corporate media just trying to cash in off the next wave of things. Now whey you turn on the T.V. I have seen bmx on kids commericials to N.I.K.E. being involved now. Shit I remember when K2 and Trek jumped into BMX and we all shit! Like the "Tony Hawk" bikes, again I shit. Darkmane, how much more stupid and lame could you make one of the greatest things in the world look. I want to put my foot through my 50" Sharp Aquos(that was vein) every time I see the promos. And that fucking voice, ugghhh. So stupid, why not have Fagmane speak, slowly, calm, and with a British accent? That would at least make it interesting. And that fucking costume, what the hell is that shit. What powers does he have. Bout the only thing I can see is that he is capable of sucking the shiny steel balls of corporate America. If we are talking the current state of X-games which is so sad at the moment, why not change his costume to the standard played out image of emo BMX. Put him in tight pants, bad tats, studded belt, and a fucking headband. Keep it original, or at least to todays standards. Shit I remember when X-games started, do you? Do you know how it came about? Do you know that it was really one specific rider that sold our sport to ESPN, and then let them take it to new levels. Most of the "kids" who come on this site do not know shit about the real X-games of the past, they were called the "Bicycle Stunts" series which usually composed of a few stops before having a final at some sick place, old Moreno Valley with the 7ft. spine before they cut the vert ramp down, Jeff Phillips skate park, or Thrasher Land in AZ, or Bob Kohl or Jeff Crawn killing the SCRAP park. X-games was best when you could bring your bike and a cooler into the stands. Actually the last time I did that I was in So Cal sitty in the bleachers at a Seal beach contest with the "Lumberblack", "Stryper" and some other S&M guys. Good times, hardly any security, cool vibe, and you could move freely. When Joey Garcia won GOLD in dirt in Rhode Island I watched it live underneath the Vert Ramp at San Jose Ramp Club live on Telemundo. Joey beat a very talented and respected field of riders(Jay Miron, TAJ) with no flips or whips. He won on originality alone. There is no originality today. Same shit every fucking run, except Ryan's no-foot-seatgrab-double-bar spin which seemed to grab more than a few people's attention. FUCK I HATE DARKMANE, how are kids supposed to look up to some fake hair, spandex wearing, stupid character. How about highlighting mortals instead. How about Dave Vanderspec(Nor Cal), Vic Murphy, Ron Wilkerson(Nor Cal, and we road vert together last night at Lake Cunningham Regional Skatepark in San Jose), or Bob Haro. But no, we have fucking Darkmane. And what is up with that spelling, "mane"? Is that Ebonics, are they trying to 'black' it up a little, besides the black costume? X-games has become a circus show now like the Interbike shows. But Mat did the best thing for our sport because he helped put it on a world stage for all to see. Shit BMX in the Olympics should tell you enough. But fuck it, I got my health, a wife, family, job, friends, my bike, and Lake Cunningham Regional Park securing San Jose's place on the map permanently. Find some personality for yourselves. Do not sell out to corporate media because they are painting some fucking picture that you feel left out of. Fuck that. Ride your bike, do your homework, love your brother, get to work on time, tell your friends and family how much you love them. People come and go. Example:
July 6, 2008 was the 4th anniversary of Cecil Johns(ABA Hall of Fame) passing on to the next life. My mentor, friend, inspiration. R.I.P. Cecil, BMX has never been the same since you left. Don't sell out to the fake shit. Don't be fooled when people tell you, "the grass is greener on the other side of the fence." BULLSHIT, guess what, its still just grass folks. Oh Cam Birdwell had knee surgery on Wednesday and will be out for a few months and yes, he is better than you and just as good as he ever was.

PEACE,

Squirrel

WTF, WTF, WTF! What is the deal with this Darkmane shit. I do not know where to begin. How about reaming the stupid fuck who came up with this 'character'. Since when does the X-games develop characters? It is bad enough that the very sport which started X-games is slowly been phased out of it. I can remember when they had lame as X-games had wake boarding(I wake board), surfing, and rock climbing? Corporate media just trying to cash in off the next wave of things. Now whey you turn on the T.V. I have seen bmx on kids commericials to N.I.K.E. being involved now. Shit I remember when K2 and Trek jumped into BMX and we all fucking shit! Like the "Tony Hawk" bikes, again I shit. Darkmane, how much more stupid and lame could you make one of the greatest things in the world look. I want to put my foot through my 50" Sharp Aquos(that was vein) every time I see the promos. And that fucking voice, ugghhh. So stupid, why not have Fagmane speak, slowly, calm, and with a British accent? That would at least make it interesting. And that fucking costume, what the hell is that shit. What powers does he have. Bout the only thing I can see is that he is capable of sucking the shiny steel balls of corporate America. If we are talking the current state of X-games which is so sad at the moment, why not change his costume to the standard played out image of emo BMX. Put him in tight pants, bad tats, studded belt, and a fucking headband. Keep it original, or at least to todays standards. Shit I remember when X-games started, do you? Do you know how it came about? Do you know that it was really one specific rider that sold our sport to ESPN, and then let them take it to new levels. Most of the "kids" who come on this site do not know shit about the real X-games of the past, they were called the "Bicycle Stunts" series which usually composed of a few stops before having a final at some sick place, old Moreno Valley with the 7ft. spine before they cut the vert ramp down, Jeff Phillips skate park, or Thrasher Land in AZ, or Bob Kohl or Jeff Crawn killing the SCRAP park. X-games was best when you could bring your bike and a cooler into the stands. Actually the last time I did that I was in So Cal sitty in the bleachers at a Seal beach contest with the "Lumberblack", "Stryper" and some other S&M guys. Good times, hardly any security, cool vibe, and you could move freely. When Joey Garcia won GOLD in dirt in Rhode Island I watched it live underneath the Vert Ramp at San Jose Ramp Club live on Telemundo. Joey beat a very talented and respected field of riders(Jay Miron, TAJ) with no flips or whips. He won on originality alone. There is no originality today. Same shit every fucking run, except Ryan's no-foot-seatgrab-double-bar spin which seemed to grab more than a few people's attention. FUCK I HATE DARKMANE, how are kids supposed to look up to some fake hair, spandex wearing, stupid character. How about highlighting mortals instead. How about Dave Vanderspec(Nor Cal), Vic Murphy, Ron Wilkerson(Nor Cal, and we road vert together last night at Lake Cunningham Regional Skatepark in San Jose), or Bob Haro. But no, we have fucking Darkmane. And what is up with that spelling, "mane"? Is that Ebonics, are they trying to 'black' it up a little, besides the black costume. X-games has become a circus show now like the Interbike shows. But Mat did the best thing for our sport because he helped put it on a world stage for all to see. Shit BMX in the Olympics should tell you enough. But fuck it, I got my health, a wife, family, job, friends, my bike, and Lake Cunningham Regional Park securing San Jose's place on the map permanently. GOD damn find some personality for yourselves. Do not sell out to corporate media because they are painting some fucking picture that you feel left out of. Fuck that. Ride your bike, do your homework, love your brother, get to work on time, tell your friends and family how much you love them. People come and go. Example:
July 6, 2008 was the 4th anniversary of Cecil Johns(ABA Hall of Fame) passing on to the next life. My mentor, friend, inspiration. R.I.P. Cecil, BMX has never been the same since you left. Don't sell out to the fake shit. Don't be fooled when people tell you, "the grass is greener on the other side of the fence." BULLSHIT, guess what, its still just grass folks. Oh Cam Birdwell had knee surgery on Wednesday and will be out for a few months and yes, he is better than you and just as good as he ever was.

PEACE,

Squirrel

Holy shit if I read one more of these lame ass blogs I am going to puke all over myself and then I will eat it because I am soooooo disgusted reading the blogs everytime I come on here.

TIP #1
No one gives a shit about how old you are or how long you have been riding.
TIP #2
Saying you have been riding for this long or that long does not been shit since if you ridden twice in 2 years, it still comes across that you have been riding for 2 years. Garret Reynolds is an excellent example of someone that is blasting all the big shit in your face, but hes young.
TIP #3
If you are going to blog about something, heres a thought, how about having a point. Or even more, how about something that is interesting. I cannot imagine out of all the lame as comments I see on here primarily from kids who cannot even be out past curfew, that you getting sponsored or getting someone's autograph is the highlight of your life so far. Maybe it is, but keep in mind whether you talking about Scotty, Mirra, no mention of Mat Hoffman or Jay "the Canadian Beast" Miron, that as rad as they are, they are just mortals like the rest of us. There comes a day where you cannot be the rockstar on the bike and suddenly you will be judged not on your run, but rather who you are off the bike.
TIP #4
Maybe talk about something relevant like uhhhhhhh, the Dew Tour. Shit when I was 10, I had a lot of deep shit to say instead of "I got sponsored, or I can't ride." Try being bold and forming a paragraph so that people may actually connect with you.
TIP #5
Say what the fuck is on your mind. If your 15years old and you just became a freshman at your new high school, talk about the pressures of the first day and what goes on in the mind of a 15 year old in middle America.
TIP #6
Take a stance on something and stick to it, challenge people to think on their own. If you tell me that you are thinking about putting glow sticks on your bike (previous post today by someone), I would say why don't you shove them up your ass, turn off the lights, and take a picture in front of the mirror, and upload that picture into your profile. You see how that actually has some weight. If you meet Scotty for the first time, instead of marking out to him, why not grab his ass or cause some shit so someone would actually give a shit.

You probly have siblings that if given the chance and if they knew how to type, would have more interesting things to say. Whats the point of blogging on this forum if you are just going to write lame shit?

Annoyed deeply, because I thought by now with the state of the country, a recession in progress, and a changing of the guard coming soon;
I thought America's youth would actually have some real shit to say no matter what age you are. No one cares what color your bike is, and no one cares how long you have been riding unless you measure your riding career by decades, no not the trick.

Disgusted and I don't give a shit what you think, you see that was an example of taking a stand and trying to rattle one's thinking in hopes that they may spit something out that was actually interesting.

Props to Ryan Nyquist, one of my dearest friends, glad you were able to put that run together thus securing another spot for NOR CAL on the podium. As for the rest of the Nor Cal contingent that may be in the spot light now, Rob Darden, Cooke, Chad Kagy, and Kevin K.good luck boys as always. Nor Cal is always pulling for all of you here at home.

Peace,

Squirrel

Holy shit if I read one more of these lame ass blogs I am going to puke all over myself and then I will eat it because I am soooooo disgusted reading the blogs everytime I come on here.

TIP #1
No one gives a shit about how old you are or how long you have been riding.
TIP #2
Saying you have been riding for this long or that long does not been shit since if you ridden twice in 2 years, it still comes across that you have been riding for 2 years. Garret Reynolds is an excellent example of someone that is blasting all the big shit in your face, but hes young.
TIP #3
If you are going to blog about something, heres a thought, how about having a point. Or even more, how about something that is interesting. I cannot imagine out of all the lame as comments I see on here primarily from kids who cannot even be out past curfew, that you getting sponsored or getting someone's autograph is the highlight of your life so far. Maybe it is, but keep in mind whether you talking about Scotty, Mirra, no mention of Mat Hoffman or Jay "the Canadian Beast" Miron, that as rad as they are, they are just mortals like the rest of us. There comes a day where you cannot be the rockstar on the bike and suddenly you will be judged not on your run, but rather who you are off the bike.
TIP #4
Maybe talk about something relevant like uhhhhhhh, the Dew Tour. Shit when I was 10, I had a lot of deep shit to say instead of "I got sponsored, or I can't ride." Try being bold and forming a paragraph so that people may actually connect with you.
TIP #5
Say what the fuck is on your mind. If your 15years old and you just became a freshman at your new high school, talk about the pressures of the first day and what goes on in the mind of a 15 year old in middle America.
TIP #6
Take a stance on something and stick to it, challenge people to think on their own. If you tell me that you are thinking about putting glow sticks on your bike (previous post today by someone), I would say why don't you shove them up your ass, turn off the lights, and take a picture in front of the mirror, and upload that picture into your profile. You see how that actually has some weight. If you meet Scotty for the first time, instead of marking out to him, why not grab his ass or cause some shit so someone would actually give a shit.

You probly have siblings that if given the chance and if they knew how to type, would have more interesting things to say. Whats the point of blogging on this forum if you are just going to write lame shit?

Annoyed deeply, because I thought by now with the state of the country, a recession in progress, and a changing of the guard coming soon;
I thought America's youth would actually have some real shit to say no matter what age you are. No one cares what color your bike is, and no one cares how long you have been riding unless you measure your riding career by decades, no not the trick.

Disgusted and I don't give a shit what you think, you see that was an example of taking a stand and trying to rattle one's thinking in hopes that they may spit something out that was actually interesting.

Props to Ryan Nyquist, one of my dearest friends, glad you were able to put that run together thus securing another spot for NOR CAL on the podium. As for the rest of the Nor Cal contingent that may be in the spot light now, Rob Darden, Cooke, Chad Kagy, and Kevin K.good luck boys as always. Nor Cal is always pulling for all of you here at home.

Peace,

Squirrel

Turned on the Late Show Monday night after the news ended and was watching the beginning of the show. Too my surprise appearing along with Mike Meyers was none other than Kevin Robinson. Actually my fiancee yelled it from the other room. We had a chance to join a table with Kevin for breakfast the last Dew Tour in San Jose. Have to thank Kagy for making that happen, thanks Chad. So Liz was excited as well. Watching the live web cast I noticed Dave Letterman in the audience in Central Park. You know your big time when Letterman cruises out. So I would hope that Dave would have Kevin on the show. Think of how many people are fans of the Late Show that no nothing about BMX except that maybe one of their kids has one or they see other kids riding them. Kevin came off without a hitch smoothly. Really represented our sport to the public eye. Audience was way into the footage. They showed the last jump he stuck, then a view from the helmet cam when he blew up on landing and shot the bike forward. Then they showed a clip of the pulled double-back-flair he nailed in San Jose. Audience went nuts again and just awesome to see how into the whole stunt Dave was. Even when Mike Meyers came on before he lost Dave on both of his stories because clearly, that guy has a lot to say. Some story about hotel workers accusing him about not having a room key that went on too long. And then another story about someone elses Oscar, but still fascinating to hear him talk about working with Dana Carvey and how those two dudes will always jive well regardless of how long it has been since they worked together. So mad props to Kevin Robinson from Nor Cal. Keep doing what you have been doing because you inspire a lot of people and are just a positive person. BMX and the Late Show, HUGE. Our sport has so arrived to the masses. And I am more and more thankful everyday that I never quit riding my little brother's bike even 'when BMX was dead' when the 80's ended. Hit me up if you are ever in San Jose for a Lake Cunningham session. Place is out of control and so you visit Nor Cal and do not stop there, your out of control.


Peace,

Squirrel

P.S. Shout out to the Nyquist brothers, and Aaron Norell. "Bubba" at Ramp Rats in Petaluma, CA. Chris "Butthead" Bryant is 30 now and played "ONE" on accoustic for me on Sunday at Bev's. Cam Birdwell's ACL is done, and SLAYER is still on injured reserve in Vegas.

Turned on the Late Show Monday night after the news ended and was watching the beginning of the show. Too my surprise appearing along with Mike Meyers was none other than Kevin Robinson. Actually my fiancee yelled it from the other room. We had a chance to join a table with Kevin for breakfast the last Dew Tour in San Jose. Have to thank Kagy for making that happen, thanks Chad. So Liz was excited as well. Watching the live web cast I noticed Dave Letterman in the audience in Central Park. You know your big time when Letterman cruises out. So I would hope that Dave would have Kevin on the show. Think of how many people are fans of the Late Show that no nothing about BMX except that maybe one of their kids has one or they see other kids riding them. Kevin came off without a hitch smoothly. Really represented our sport to the public eye. Audience was way into the footage. They showed the last jump he stuck, then a view from the helmet cam when he blew up on landing and shot the bike forward. Then they showed a clip of the pulled double-back-flair he nailed in San Jose. Audience went nuts again and just awesome to see how into the whole stunt Dave was. Even when Mike Meyers came on before he lost Dave on both of his stories because clearly, that guy has a lot to say. Some story about hotel workers accusing him about not having a room key that went on too long. And then another story about someone elses Oscar, but still fascinating to hear him talk about working with Dana Carvey and how those two dudes will always jive well regardless of how long it has been since they worked together. So mad props to Kevin Robinson from Nor Cal. Keep doing what you have been doing because you inspire a lot of people and are just a positive person. BMX and the Late Show, HUGE. Our sport has so arrived to the masses. And I am more and more thankful everyday that I never quit riding my little brother's bike even 'when BMX was dead' when the 80's ended. Hit me up if you are ever in San Jose for a Lake Cunningham session. Place is out of control and so you visit Nor Cal and do not stop there, your out of control.


Peace,

Squirrel

P.S. Shout out to the Nyquist brothers, and Aaron Norell. "Bubba" at Ramp Rats in Petaluma, CA. Chris "Butthead" Bryant is 30 now and played "ONE" on accoustic for me on Sunday at Bev's. Cam Birdwell's ACL is done, and SLAYER is still on injured reserve in Vegas.

Turned on the Late Show Monday night after the news ended and was watching the beginning of the show. Too my surprise appearing along with Mike Meyers was none other than Kevin Robinson. Actually my fiancee yelled it from the other room. We had a chance to join a table with Kevin for breakfast the last Dew Tour in San Jose. Have to thank Kagy for making that happen, thanks Chad. So Liz was excited as well. Watching the live web cast I noticed Dave Letterman in the audience in Central Park. You know your big time when Letterman cruises out. So I would hope that Dave would have Kevin on the show. Think of how many people are fans of the Late Show that no nothing about BMX except that maybe one of their kids has one or they see other kids riding them. Kevin came off without a hitch smoothly. Really represented our sport to the public eye. Audience was way into the footage. They showed the last jump he stuck, then a view from the helmet cam when he blew up on landing and shot the bike forward. Then they showed a clip of the pulled double-back-flair he nailed in San Jose. Audience went nuts again and just awesome to see how into the whole stunt Dave was. Even when Mike Meyers came on before he lost Dave on both of his stories because clearly, that guy has a lot to say. Some story about hotel workers accusing him about not having a room key that went on too long. And then another story about someone elses Oscar, but still fascinating to hear him talk about working with Dana Carvey and how those two dudes will always jive well regardless of how long it has been since they worked together. So mad props to Kevin Robinson from Nor Cal. Keep doing what you have been doing because you inspire a lot of people and are just a positive person. BMX and the Late Show, HUGE. Our sport has so arrived to the masses. And I am more and more thankful everyday that I never quit riding my little brother's bike even 'when BMX was dead' when the 80's ended. Hit me up if you are ever in San Jose for a Lake Cunningham session. Place is out of control and so you visit Nor Cal and do not stop there, your out of control.


Peace,

Squirrel

P.S. Shout out to the Nyquist brothers, and Aaron Norell. "Bubba" at Ramp Rats in Petaluma, CA. Chris "Butthead" Bryant is 30 now and played "ONE" on accoustic for me on Sunday at Bev's. Cam Birdwell's ACL is done, and SLAYER is still on injured reserve in Vegas.

Chasing History: A grown man riding “his little brothers bike”
rewriting what most of us can only dream of.


Its official, Kevin Robinson rides for team High-air. You know I usually take a shit on corporate America working with BMX. Because at the end of the day some guys get paid, maybe some athletes too. But do they care about the sport, or is it truly just about money. Who gives a shit, Kevin was on some other shit last night. The last time I saw him was also the first time I met him, well sober at least (I can go into details later about the fist time I met him). Mat has held onto the highest air record for soooo long. No one had done anything like that or let alone really thought it out. All being towed behind a 125 down a sketchy plywood runway on a hot day in Oklahoma. Look back at the pics and footage, look where the Condor's bars were at.

Anyone who knows Kevin knows that he lives and breathes Hoffman Bikes. I have marked out to Hoffman Bikes since the day I ever saw Mat Hoffman. Kevin represents all that is Hoffman bikes. Guy is tough as nails and at the same time a sweetheart (if Kevin reads this, that was a compliment). Had the privilege of meeting him because he was sharing a room with Chad at the last Dew Tour stop in San Jose. Just a mortal like the rest of us. I remember asking him about the double-back-flair and he told me had never ridden out of one clean. Said you have to spin super fast and right when you take off. Well the very next night, right in our buzzed faces after vert was over, he stomped one, was at a loss for words. Got to give the man respect, he’s been throwing down for so long and did not always have the build he has now. The Red Bull set up was nuts. Seriously have you ever done over 40mph on your 20? Let alone 55mph headed up a tranny is fucking ridiculous. The mega ramp is the new thing if you do not have a motor between your legs. It will continue to be pushed until someone gets killed. Jake Brown almost found that out the hard way. Can't believe he got up and walked away. Or Mat at the last X-games during practice on the Mega Ramp. He got so high and deep into the quarter pipe that he physically pushed off a light fixture at the peak of his air just so he wouldn't clear the whole quarter pipe! Now picture that scene if you will and bow down to the Condor. And when he landed on the deck, only his head and his back landed on the thick pad they had up there. The previous runs he had to crash on different parts of his body because between his shoulder, knee, and elbow, he was broke the fuck off. So he could have gotten really messed up, lets see if there is a safety net behind the deck of the quarter this year. OR, if they just put bigger X-logos on the ramps. Friggin Letterman was on hand, surprised more people did not come out to see such an event. Dennis McCoy said even he was grabbing both breaks going down the small roll in. Going down the 60footer with grabbing no breaks is another thing, a beast many will never know.

They said the ramp looked like it was a little steeper than usual. Looked like Kevin kept getting pushed out. Wind was not going side to side but back and forth which also plays a hand in launching the perfect air. Landing low looked like it hurt but not even Kevin could hang on to those. But that last air he stuck was huge. So many different ways to look at the whole thing. What about if Kevin chased the air the same way Mat did. Down a plywood runway with one hand on a tow rope. Thought it was cool that he dedicated the night to his old man who apparently is also tough as nails.

Thing that pissed me off about the whole thing is that they had no accurate way to measure the airs. We have the technology where we can measure things from space with an accuracy with in an inch. With all the money Red Bull has, they cannot come up with a decent system to measure the airs? Bull shit is what that is, and yes at the same time thanks Red Bull for all you are doing with showing our sport to the masses and maybe being one of the bigger sponsors that gives a shit about it's athletes. I was talking to Scar Gonzales about the Red Bull down hill half pipe. Maybe this is just what would be strong enough to bring dirt back to the X-games? But that is Red Bull's baby but anyone can cut a half pipe with the right equipment just like at the ski resorts if the money is there. I do not think X-games deserves anymore than it has already gotten from BMX. Fucking making guys wait 15minutes in between runs which practically brings their pulse back down to a resting rate. But BIG UPS to Kevin Robinson for making it happen. I was on pins and needles watching him roll in just knowing how crazy the whole thing was. Killer to see Mat and Swope right there with Kevin's doctor Lee is also seems cool as hell.
As for the fist time I met Kevin, I basically made an ass out of myself and I am lucky he did not stuff me in a trash can or something like that many years ago when the Boom Boom Huck Jam visited San Jose. Someone part of the San Jose Ramp Club alumni (who shall remain nameless because he is going to get pissed when he reads this, but has bigger problems to worry about than us washups in Nor Cal still throwing it down hard) pulled some strings and got me, Joey Garcia, and Mat Mardesich to name a few backstage for a meet and greet after the show. We were talking shit to Billy from Green Day and I got a picture with the Condor which hangs in my office as I type this. I went straight to Lake Cunningham park in San Jose after I watched Kevin wreck shop in Central Park and rode with a new inspiration last night. When you watch someone ride something that big, stuff that’s 13feet tall begins to feel quite possible....

Increase the peace,

Squirrel

P.S. Think it would hurt me to smile once in a while? Shout out to Slayer, Ryquist, and Lavs.

Chasing History: A grown man riding “his little brothers bike”
rewriting what most of us can only dream of.


Its official, Kevin Robinson rides for team High-air. You know I usually take a shit on corporate America working with BMX. Because at the end of the day some guys get paid, maybe some athletes too. But do they care about the sport, or is it truly just about money. Who gives a shit, Kevin was on some other shit last night. The last time I saw him was also the first time I met him, well sober at least (I can go into details later about the fist time I met him). Mat has held onto the highest air record for soooo long. No one had done anything like that or let alone really thought it out. All being towed behind a 125 down a sketchy plywood runway on a hot day in Oklahoma. Look back at the pics and footage, look where the Condor's bars were at.

Anyone who knows Kevin knows that he lives and breathes Hoffman Bikes. I have marked out to Hoffman Bikes since the day I ever saw Mat Hoffman. Kevin represents all that is Hoffman bikes. Guy is tough as nails and at the same time a sweetheart (if Kevin reads this, that was a compliment). Had the privilege of meeting him because he was sharing a room with Chad at the last Dew Tour stop in San Jose. Just a mortal like the rest of us. I remember asking him about the double-back-flair and he told me had never ridden out of one clean. Said you have to spin super fast and right when you take off. Well the very next night, right in our buzzed faces after vert was over, he stomped one, was at a loss for words. Got to give the man respect, he’s been throwing down for so long and did not always have the build he has now. The Red Bull set up was nuts. Seriously have you ever done over 40mph on your 20? Let alone 55mph headed up a tranny is fucking ridiculous. The mega ramp is the new thing if you do not have a motor between your legs. It will continue to be pushed until someone gets killed. Jake Brown almost found that out the hard way. Can't believe he got up and walked away. Or Mat at the last X-games during practice on the Mega Ramp. He got so high and deep into the quarter pipe that he physically pushed off a light fixture at the peak of his air just so he wouldn't clear the whole quarter pipe! Now picture that scene if you will and bow down to the Condor. And when he landed on the deck, only his head and his back landed on the thick pad they had up there. The previous runs he had to crash on different parts of his body because between his shoulder, knee, and elbow, he was broke the fuck off. So he could have gotten really messed up, lets see if there is a safety net behind the deck of the quarter this year. OR, if they just put bigger X-logos on the ramps. Friggin Letterman was on hand, surprised more people did not come out to see such an event. Dennis McCoy said even he was grabbing both breaks going down the small roll in. Going down the 60footer with grabbing no breaks is another thing, a beast many will never know.

They said the ramp looked like it was a little steeper than usual. Looked like Kevin kept getting pushed out. Wind was not going side to side but back and forth which also plays a hand in launching the perfect air. Landing low looked like it hurt but not even Kevin could hang on to those. But that last air he stuck was huge. So many different ways to look at the whole thing. What about if Kevin chased the air the same way Mat did. Down a plywood runway with one hand on a tow rope. Thought it was cool that he dedicated the night to his old man who apparently is also tough as nails.

Thing that pissed me off about the whole thing is that they had no accurate way to measure the airs. We have the technology where we can measure things from space with an accuracy with in an inch. With all the money Red Bull has, they cannot come up with a decent system to measure the airs? Bull shit is what that is, and yes at the same time thanks Red Bull for all you are doing with showing our sport to the masses and maybe being one of the bigger sponsors that gives a shit about it's athletes. I was talking to Scar Gonzales about the Red Bull down hill half pipe. Maybe this is just what would be strong enough to bring dirt back to the X-games? But that is Red Bull's baby but anyone can cut a half pipe with the right equipment just like at the ski resorts if the money is there. I do not think X-games deserves anymore than it has already gotten from BMX. Fucking making guys wait 15minutes in between runs which practically brings their pulse back down to a resting rate. But BIG UPS to Kevin Robinson for making it happen. I was on pins and needles watching him roll in just knowing how crazy the whole thing was. Killer to see Mat and Swope right there with Kevin's doctor Lee is also seems cool as hell.
As for the fist time I met Kevin, I basically made an ass out of myself and I am lucky he did not stuff me in a trash can or something like that many years ago when the Boom Boom Huck Jam visited San Jose. Someone part of the San Jose Ramp Club alumni (who shall remain nameless because he is going to get pissed when he reads this, but has bigger problems to worry about than us washups in Nor Cal still throwing it down hard) pulled some strings and got me, Joey Garcia, and Mat Mardesich to name a few backstage for a meet and greet after the show. We were talking shit to Billy from Green Day and I got a picture with the Condor which hangs in my office as I type this. I went straight to Lake Cunningham park in San Jose after I watched Kevin wreck shop in Central Park and rode with a new inspiration last night. When you watch someone ride something that big, stuff that’s 13feet tall begins to feel quite possible....

Increase the peace,

Squirrel

There is one thing that annoys the shit out of me to no fucking end about this site and I figured it out. It’s the blogs. Someone could actually write a good blog with depth and soul in it for many people to read and hopefully comment on, but what always happens is some fucking kid usually under 18 and just started riding posts some bullshit. Let me give you an example;
post will read.
"My name is "Jack-off" and I live close to no where. Cannot ride, I hate snow."

There that’s it, who the hell cares. Kills the rest of us who actually know how to write, and furthermore actually have a point of view. So you put all your effort into a nice little piece of writing only to have it bumped off in the next hour for all the little kids who have never had a computer. Tell you what, why don't you kids join "Fag-space" and you can blog all you want about how you live in a small town with nothing to ride, and how the weather sucks. NO SHIT, tell us something we do not know. You have a national forum here, yet you choose to talk about nothing. This is a BMX site I realize but half of the shit I read has nothing to do with BMX. Do you little cum-shots even know who BRAD MCDONALD is? If your answer is no, then you have another reason to join Myspace so you can network with all the other barnies. Just once I would like to log on here and read some real low down dirty shit about a 16yr.old getting his first piece of 'love', or hell anything with depth to it. Little tip, post something that people will actually want to read. Talk about politics, or the fucker who is making your bills high. Something, such a waste to talk about nothing. If you do not have shit to say, then do not post it, fucking kills the rest of us who actually do have something to say.

Me for instance, Ryan Nyquist came down 2 weeks ago for the grand opening of Lake Cunningham Skate park, A.K.A. the biggest park in California. Makes all that So Cal shit look weak. Finally a piece of concrete that me and the boys do not have to drive to Southern Oregon for. It is here in San Jose, there are trannies that are 2feet tall, there are ones that top 12feet. Full pads, plastic pegs, must have brakes, done. Cannot tell you how many bitch as riders are apparently living in the San Jose area. These fucking kids would rather ride the same old bullshit, than a world class design. These fucks would rather leave their brakes off then grab a real piece of concrete. I do not have anything against brakeless riders, great you have no brakes, big fucking deal. I got a buddy that has not put grips on his bike for 9 years now simply so he could be different than everybody else. No brake riders fall into two categories;
1) They really do not want brakes,
2) Too fucking stupid to know how to set them up.

C'mon, their brakes, not a computer. How hard can it be, can you tie your shoes? That is almost like someone saying, "I am not going to wipe my ass anymore after I shit since I do not know how." See how absurd that sounds? Like I said, not trying to take away from the brakeless revolution. But I am hating on the local guys that live around the Bay Area who are too egotistical or stubborn to put brakes on to ride a park that holds 3 World Records. I have always ridden brakes not because I think I am too cool, or I need to be different, I just like to be able to STOP period. One of the houses I grew up in had about an 500foot vertical drop that only stretched about an 1/8 mile. It was 3 steep hills back to back and you could hit about 40mph if you took the corners right. I loved to do it without hitting the brakes at all and then I would coast about a mile on the valley floor because of the momentum you carried. Thing is once in a while traffic would not cooperate and you needed brakes. Fuck jamming your back foot into a tire spinning at 40, you need brakes chief. So if you come to San Jose to ride Cunningham, throw some brakes on, I hit them a lot in the bowls there because I didn't even think I would go that fast but you do.

Back to Nyquist real quick. I love Ryan and Shea. Two of the nicest guys I have ever come to know. And congrads to Ryan and Ali for expanding the Nyquist clan. It was good to see and ride with Ryan. He does not get a chance to come home to often, not to mention hanging out with the guys who grew up riding with him and first handedly watched the man come into his own. I remember Ryan had a lot of trouble learning 360's. Until one day Butthead told him to go the other way, or he did, cannot remember, but the rest is history especially since Ryan can go what ever way he wants. The best GOOFY rider in MY opinion in all the land. He’s gotten older but is still the same guy. Just as loving and as fun as he has always been. He has never let the fame go to his head, just the same guy which is why we love him in Nor Cal. And even more insane was to watch Ryan and our own Cameron Birdwell share the course and helpful tips which I will not divulge. Make NO mistake, Cam has never stopped riding, so if you are one of the penguins that think he is making a comeback, your wrong. Cam is still the burliest toughest fearless riders to have ever graced the planet. Ryan requested a 360-Rocket-Xup, and Cameron delivered immediately. Has been years since he has. What ever, do not underestimate Nor Cal, we take riding and life very serious up here. We are not obsessed with the lime light or any of that bullshit. “Just some pimps, no hos.” Plus most of us are married and work full time to support our families, how real is that? We have watched many come into the lime light, and without naming names, when guys come up, it goes to their head. You may be hot shit right now, but how hot will you be in 10, 15 years? Exactly, no one knows. We are not in control of time, it is out of our hands. Things happen well beyond our control like the passing of Cecil Johns, Dave Vanderspec or Colin McKay. Just 3 examples of lives that were cut WAY too short and some of us are still questioning WHY? So with that said, make your time here count. Believe once you little shits get out of high school things will change. Once you get to that point, every time you run into someone there are two things they will ask you;
1) Do you go to school?
2) Are you working?
If you cannot answer yes to at least one of those questions then most likely they would just appreciate if you get the hell out of their way. That’s life, people are shallow, and superficial and are very self-absorbent. What are you going to do? So do not start shitting on people now because you think you got it locked, life has a way of sobering you up real quick, shit happens….
Now don’t you think that this rant was better then some kid posting,

“Um its raining out, can’t ride.” How is that deep. I will keep reposting just to piss people off, or better yet, give them some food for thought so that they might feel motivated to get off their ass to make a better change instead of just bitching. I bitch, but there is a method to my madness, I always offer a solution. Anyone can point out a problem, but what are they going to do to fix it????

P.S. I did not even get to talk about Red Bull. Congratulations to Cam, he rode with a desire. And of course our own Nyquist. Second Place, and won best trick. You know judging today is almost like picking a Presidential candidate, you never know. Seen more riders get robbed, than rewarded. But no one can deny Ryan’s no-footed-seatgrab-double-barspin. You just do not see older tricks reworked that way. Super technical and not like all the flip, or whip type shit you see everyday. That trick was ORIGINAL and people should take notice of that. So props to whoever was judging that because clearly you did not have all your heads up your asses…..


Increase the peace,

Squirrel

There is one thing that annoys the shit out of me to no fucking end about this site and I figured it out. It’s the blogs. Someone could actually write a good blog with depth and soul in it for many people to read and hopefully comment on, but what always happens is some fucking kid usually under 18 and just started riding posts some bullshit. Let me give you an example;
post will read.
"My name is "Jack-off" and I live close to no where. Cannot ride, I hate snow."

There that’s it, who the hell cares. Kills the rest of us who actually know how to write, and furthermore actually have a point of view. So you put all your effort into a nice little piece of writing only to have it bumped off in the next hour for all the little kids who have never had a computer. Tell you what, why don't you kids join "Fag-space" and you can blog all you want about how you live in a small town with nothing to ride, and how the weather sucks. NO SHIT, tell us something we do not know. You have a national forum here, yet you choose to talk about nothing. This is a BMX site I realize but half of the shit I read has nothing to do with BMX. Do you little cum-shots even know who BRAD MCDONALD is? If your answer is no, then you have another reason to join Myspace so you can network with all the other barnies. Just once I would like to log on here and read some real low down dirty shit about a 16yr.old getting his first piece of 'love', or hell anything with depth to it. Little tip, post something that people will actually want to read. Talk about politics, or the fucker who is making your bills high. Something, such a waste to talk about nothing. If you do not have shit to say, then do not post it, fucking kills the rest of us who actually do have something to say.

Me for instance, Ryan Nyquist came down 2 weeks ago for the grand opening of Lake Cunningham Skate park, A.K.A. the biggest park in California. Makes all that So Cal shit look weak. Finally a piece of concrete that me and the boys do not have to drive to Southern Oregon for. It is here in San Jose, there are trannies that are 2feet tall, there are ones that top 12feet. Full pads, plastic pegs, must have brakes, done. Cannot tell you how many bitch as riders are apparently living in the San Jose area. These fucking kids would rather ride the same old bullshit, than a world class design. These fucks would rather leave their brakes off then grab a real piece of concrete. I do not have anything against brakeless riders, great you have no brakes, big fucking deal. I got a buddy that has not put grips on his bike for 9 years now simply so he could be different than everybody else. No brake riders fall into two categories;
1) They really do not want brakes,
2) Too fucking stupid to know how to set them up.

C'mon, their brakes, not a computer. How hard can it be, can you tie your shoes? That is almost like someone saying, "I am not going to wipe my ass anymore after I shit since I do not know how." See how absurd that sounds? Like I said, not trying to take away from the brakeless revolution. But I am hating on the local guys that live around the Bay Area who are too egotistical or stubborn to put brakes on to ride a park that holds 3 World Records. I have always ridden brakes not because I think I am too cool, or I need to be different, I just like to be able to STOP period. One of the houses I grew up in had about an 500foot vertical drop that only stretched about an 1/8 mile. It was 3 steep hills back to back and you could hit about 40mph if you took the corners right. I loved to do it without hitting the brakes at all and then I would coast about a mile on the valley floor because of the momentum you carried. Thing is once in a while traffic would not cooperate and you needed brakes. Fuck jamming your back foot into a tire spinning at 40, you need brakes chief. So if you come to San Jose to ride Cunningham, throw some brakes on, I hit them a lot in the bowls there because I didn't even think I would go that fast but you do.

Back to Nyquist real quick. I love Ryan and Shea. Two of the nicest guys I have ever come to know. And congrads to Ryan and Ali for expanding the Nyquist clan. It was good to see and ride with Ryan. He does not get a chance to come home to often, not to mention hanging out with the guys who grew up riding with him and first handedly watched the man come into his own. I remember Ryan had a lot of trouble learning 360's. Until one day Butthead told him to go the other way, or he did, cannot remember, but the rest is history especially since Ryan can go what ever way he wants. The best GOOFY rider in MY opinion in all the land. He’s gotten older but is still the same guy. Just as loving and as fun as he has always been. He has never let the fame go to his head, just the same guy which is why we love him in Nor Cal. And even more insane was to watch Ryan and our own Cameron Birdwell share the course and helpful tips which I will not divulge. Make NO mistake, Cam has never stopped riding, so if you are one of the penguins that think he is making a comeback, your wrong. Cam is still the burliest toughest fearless riders to have ever graced the planet. Ryan requested a 360-Rocket-Xup, and Cameron delivered immediately. Has been years since he has. What ever, do not underestimate Nor Cal, we take riding and life very serious up here. We are not obsessed with the lime light or any of that bullshit. “Just some pimps, no hos.” Plus most of us are married and work full time to support our families, how real is that? We have watched many come into the lime light, and without naming names, when guys come up, it goes to their head. You may be hot shit right now, but how hot will you be in 10, 15 years? Exactly, no one knows. We are not in control of time, it is out of our hands. Things happen well beyond our control like the passing of Cecil Johns, Dave Vanderspec or Colin McKay. Just 3 examples of lives that were cut WAY too short and some of us are still questioning WHY? So with that said, make your time here count. Believe once you little shits get out of high school things will change. Once you get to that point, every time you run into someone there are two things they will ask you;
1) Do you go to school?
2) Are you working?
If you cannot answer yes to at least one of those questions then most likely they would just appreciate if you get the hell out of their way. That’s life, people are shallow, and superficial and are very self-absorbent. What are you going to do? So do not start shitting on people now because you think you got it locked, life has a way of sobering you up real quick, shit happens….
Now don’t you think that this rant was better then some kid posting,

“Um its raining out, can’t ride.” How is that deep. I will keep reposting just to piss people off, or better yet, give them some food for thought so that they might feel motivated to get off their ass to make a better change instead of just bitching. I bitch, but there is a method to my madness, I always offer a solution. Anyone can point out a problem, but what are they going to do to fix it????

P.S. I did not even get to talk about Red Bull. Congratulations to Cam, he rode with a desire. And of course our own Nyquist. Second Place, and won best trick. You know judging today is almost like picking a Presidential candidate, you never know. Seen more riders get robbed, than rewarded. But no one can deny Ryan’s no-footed-seatgrab-double-barspin. You just do not see older tricks reworked that way. Super technical and not like all the flip, or whip type shit you see everyday. That trick was ORIGINAL and people should take notice of that. So props to whoever was judging that because clearly you did not have all your heads up your asses…..


Increase the peace,

Squirrel

There is one thing that annoys the shit out of me to no fucking end about this site and I figured it out. It’s the blogs. Someone could actually write a good blog with depth and soul in it for many people to read and hopefully comment on, but what always happens is some fucking kid usually under 18 and just started riding posts some bullshit. Let me give you an example;
post will read.
"My name is "Jack-off" and I live close to no where. Cannot ride, I hate snow."

There that’s it, who the fuck cares. Kills the rest of us who actually know how to write, and furthermore actually have a point of view. So you put all your effort into a nice little piece of writing only to have it bumped off in the next hour for all the little kids who have never had a computer. Tell you what, why don't you kids join "Fag-space" and you can blog all you want about how you live in a small town with nothing to ride, and how the weather sucks. NO SHIT, tell us something we do not know. You have a national forum here, yet you choose to talk about nothing. This is a BMX site I realize but half of the shit I read has nothing to do with BMX. Do you little cum-shots even know who BRAD MCDONALD is? If your answer is no, then you have another reason to join Myspace so you can network with all the other barnies. Just once I would like to log on here and read some real low down dirty shit about a 16yr.old getting his first piece of 'love', or hell anything with depth to it. Little tip, post something that people will actually want to read. Talk about politics, or the fucker who is making your bills high. Something, such a waste to talk about nothing. If you do not have shit to say, then do not post it, fucking kills the rest of us who actually do have something to say.

Me for instance, Ryan Nyquist came down 2 weeks ago for the grand opening of Lake Cunningham Skate park, A.K.A. the biggest park in California. Makes all that So Cal shit look weak. Finally a piece of concrete that me and the boys do not have to drive to Southern Oregon for. It is here in San Jose, there are trannies that are 2feet tall, there are ones that top 12feet. Full pads, plastic pegs, must have brakes, done. Cannot tell you how many bitch as riders are apparently living in the San Jose area. These fucking kids would rather ride the same old bullshit, than a world class design. These fucks would rather leave their brakes off then grab a real piece of concrete. I do not have anything against brakeless riders, great you have no brakes, big fucking deal. I got a buddy that has not put grips on his bike for 9 years now simply so he could be different than everybody else. No brake riders fall into two categories;
1) They really do not want brakes,
2) Too fucking stupid to know how to set them up.

C'mon, their brakes, not a computer. How hard can it be, can you tie your shoes? That is almost like someone saying, "I am not going to wipe my ass anymore after I shit since I do not know how." See how absurd that sounds? Like I said, not trying to take away from the brakeless revolution. But I am hating on the local guys that live around the Bay Area who are too egotistical or stubborn to put brakes on to ride a park that holds 3 World Records. I have always ridden brakes not because I think I am too cool, or I need to be different, I just like to be able to STOP period. One of the houses I grew up in had about an 500foot vertical drop that only stretched about an 1/8 mile. It was 3 steep hills back to back and you could hit about 40mph if you took the corners right. I loved to do it without hitting the brakes at all and then I would coast about a mile on the valley floor because of the momentum you carried. Thing is once in a while traffic would not cooperate and you needed brakes. Fuck jamming your back foot into a tire spinning at 40, you need brakes chief. So if you come to San Jose to ride Cunningham, throw some brakes on, I hit them a lot in the bowls there because I didn't even think I would go that fast but you do.

Back to Nyquist real quick. I love Ryan and Shea. Two of the nicest guys I have ever come to know. And congrads to Ryan and Ali for expanding the Nyquist clan. It was good to see and ride with Ryan. He does not get a chance to come home to often, not to mention hanging out with the guys who grew up riding with him and first handedly watched the man come into his own. I remember Ryan had a lot of trouble learning 360's. Until one day Butthead told him to go the other way, or he did, cannot remember, but the rest is history especially since Ryan can go what ever way he wants. The best GOOFY rider in MY opinion in all the land. He’s gotten older but is still the same guy. Just as loving and as fun as he has always been. He has never let the fame go to his head, just the same guy which is why we love him in Nor Cal. And even more insane was to watch Ryan and our own Cameron Birdwell share the course and helpful tips which I will not divulge. Make NO mistake, Cam has never stopped riding, so if you are one of the penguins that think he is making a comeback, your wrong. Cam is still the burliest toughest fearless riders to have ever graced the planet. Ryan requested a 360-Rocket-Xup, and Cameron delivered immediately. Has been years since he has. What ever, do not underestimate Nor Cal, we take riding and life very serious up here. We are not obsessed with the lime light or any of that bullshit. “Just some pimps, no hos.” Plus most of us are married and work full time to support our families, how real is that? We have watched many come into the lime light, and without naming names, when guys come up, it goes to their head. You may be hot shit right now, but how hot will you be in 10, 15 years? Exactly, no one knows. We are not in control of time, it is out of our hands. Things happen well beyond our control like the passing of Cecil Johns, Dave Vanderspec or Colin McKay. Just 3 examples of lives that were cut WAY too short and some of us are still questioning WHY? So with that said, make your time here count. Believe once you little shits get out of high school things will change. Once you get to that point, every time you run into someone there are two things they will ask you;
1) Do you go to school?
2) Are you working?
If you cannot answer yes to at least one of those questions then most likely they would just appreciate if you get the hell out of their way. That’s life, people are shallow, and superficial and are very self-absorbent. What are you going to do? So do not start shitting on people now because you think you got it locked, life has a way of sobering you up real quick, shit happens….
Now don’t you think that this rant was better then some kid posting,

“Um its raining out, can’t ride.” How is that deep. I will keep reposting just to piss people off, or better yet, give them some food for thought so that they might feel motivated to get off their ass to make a better change instead of just bitching. I bitch, but there is a method to my madness, I always offer a solution. Anyone can point out a problem, but what are they going to do to fix it????


Nor Cal is Always Watching,

Squirrel

Pull your heads out of your fucking asses. Cam has not gone anywhere. He just got to a point where instead of riding all day every day, he rode about once a month. But what a glory session that was. Guy has never lost a bit of his ability and its funny how one trick and suddenly spike your existence again. One-handed-x-up-double-peg-grind-to-barspin-out. Creativity in its purest form. So Cam is looking to wreck shop on what ever is in front of him. Anyone need a rider that will produce interest?

Peace,

Squirrel

I just can't hang like I used too. I took Monday off to go see the S.F. Giants play the San Diego Gaydres with my brother. Sun shining, if you have never been to Pac Bell park, go. There is not a bad seat in the house and it is always a great experience. My brothers buddy threw a beer at me, so I did what any man would have done. Took another sip of mine and then I dumped it on his crotch. Al has watched me grow up so we have known each other for a long time. He stormed out of the stadium and did not say bye to any of us. He was pissed beacause during the first inning some girl spilt a whole beer on him. I love the bars and restaurants in the city. Tuesday was hung over all day at work, I have my first 2 employees working for me(I know, I think it is crazy too), so naturally I am nervous about steering them in the right direction. They are both fathers and upstanding gentleman and just a year ago I was at my last company where I had fucking 8 bosses. Ever seen a movie called Office Space? That was me at my last job. I worked there for over 5 years and made the choice to resign, not fired or let go. Tell you what, typing a letter of resignation and handing it to your boss is quite a great feeling. If you are unhappy in your job, and think that you will be more appreciated somewhere else....leave. Statistics show that when you switch jobs your pay usually goes up 10%. Now I am so busy here that I do not even get a chance to log on here everyday. Bums me out that Beerman is moving to Hayward. I hate Hayward and it is mostly the people that live there just bring me down. Good place to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I did a field-service project there that lasted 4 months, so I would work a half day in Sunnyvale, and then commute to shitty Hayward.

How cool is it that Nor Cal's Ryan Nyquist is on the chat board? Nyquist is still Ryan, he has never sold out and gives back to where he came from. Now that everyone thinks Cam is back (he never left)many do not know the history of these 2 riders. Cam used to race and won GOLD CUP once or twice. His parents used to make him race when he was in trouble because his heart was yearning to freestyle. I remember watching him land his first truckdrivers on an all aluminum on frame and fork. Purple open-faced helmet, chain wallet, steel toes with red laces(yes I am gaying off to Cam right now, what can I say I love the kid like another brother). Now once Ramp Club opened Ryan and Cam already had mad skills. But now we had this park and watching those guys feed and build off each other was amazing, oh so was riding with both of them at the same time. I can close my eyes and think of any riding from either of these two and it was fucking amazing. Now for the record everyone who rode that park shredded and no disrespect to "our leader" aka Joey Garcia. Mardesich, Kagy, even Beej used to slap it down as any park owner should. Beej is a different man now, but he used to be really roots. I used to sell him weed that he would smoke out of his plumbers bong made from scrap parts. Lots of duct tape and the bowl was a socket(I do not recommend smoking weed) and he never changed the water in it. He used to heat water up in the microwave and then he would pour the water into a bag which he then poked holes in and hung on the wall to take showers every day. So when I would show up early I would have to mop up all the water which used to pool up at the base of the box jump landing. Back to Cam and Ryan. While all eyes slowly began to focus on Ryan mainly because he had solid sponsorship so he was able to get to all the contests. I think Ryan kind of set the bar for X-games type riding mainly because Ryan can throw and fire out all the tricks and the kid could ride for 90secs, hes a machine and still is. Cameron's trick bag was just as big as Ryan's but of a different flavor. Take superman-seat grabs, NO ONE before Cam that I can find did that trick the way he started doing them in the mid-90's. The most obvious thing Cam did to make that trick really sick was when he did them, the back tire was the first thing out front, way in front of the front tire. Then everyone else started biting of that trick, TJ quickly started doing those the same way. Then came the peg grab, or one-footed-rocket-seatgrab-nacnacs. The SJRC alumni used to just request a trick, for Cam and Nyquist and they would take turns duplicating the radness of whatever they were doing, usually best of three. I will still tell anyone this, more people know of Ryan's abilities, but keep in mind Cameron was the only rider who could match him and I think the both of them would agree. Cam is not a contest rider. You had to watch him in practice cause he would fire the big shit out immediately and usually kill himself or his bike. Mike Krnaich told me late one night riding at Ramp Rats with him that, "I never warm up, thats the handicap I place on myself." That is burley as hell, watch Bubba ride, he does not warm up, the minute he gets on his bike, its Show Time! There I expanded somewhat on the close knit riding relationship of Ryan and Cam, and the rest is history. We all are making history everyday in our own lives. Constantly changing life as we take each breath.

Tonight at the Arena Sharks play again, if you show up early you can catch Ben Snowden and some other riders doing shows. I went to last nights game and eventhough they lost, it was so much fun, and yes I have been hungover all day and I am leaving now to go home to curl up in a ball on the couch with my lady and enjoy some quality time and recovery. Cunningham approaches but I will not believe it until I am carving through that full pipe with a smile on my face.

Peace,

Squirrel

Anyone know any good 'black churches' are that I can join. I am for 'change' and also cannot wait for Lake Cunningham Skatepark to open. I saw the quote in Ride from Cam Birdwell's website. Get it right, hes not coming back. Guy has been there all along. 270-double-bars-to-xup-smith-stalls. Don't get me wrong, most tricks have all done. But you get really tired of seeing the same old shit. Style is like the U.S. dollar, its crashing. Old Jedi moves are like our economy, in a recession. There are new trails in Nor Cal that will put you to shame. The builders currently are getting broke off one by one. You have to grab brakes going into some of these turns. Super technical, down hill, up hill, deep cups, nothings straight, nice... How is the price of gas where you live? You can thank our government for that. Ryan Nyquist is a model man. If you do your "First Look", please be honest. Cannot wait for comps to commence for 2008, dudes are going off. VOTE bitches! It is your right and we need to take the power back. Kill your television. 9/11 was a lie. One-foot-topside-dogpiss-xups. Nor Cal is always watching.

Believe...

Anyone know any good 'black churches' are that I can join. I am for 'change' and also cannot wait for Lake Cunningham Skatepark to open. I saw the quote in Ride from Cam Birdwell's website. Get it right, hes not coming back. Guy has been there all along. 270-double-bars-to-xup-smith-stalls. Don't get me wrong, most tricks have all done. But you get really tired of seeing the same old shit. Style is like the U.S. dollar, its crashing. Old Jedi moves are like our economy, in a recession. There are new trails in Nor Cal that will put you to shame. The builders currently are getting broke off one by one. You have to grab brakes going into some of these turns. Super technical, down hill, up hill, deep cups, nothings straight, nice... How is the price of gas where you live? You can thank our government for that. Ryan Nyquist is a model man. If you do your "First Look", please be honest. Cannot wait for comps to commence for 2008, dudes are going off. VOTE bitches! It is your right and we need to take the power back. Kill your television. 9/11 was a lie. One-foot-topside-dogpiss-xups. Nor Cal is always watching.

Believe...

Finally had a good weekend by my standards which mean I rode two days in a row on the S.J.R.C. mini with Cam Birdwell. Cam is finally less than 200lbs! You should see the guy this kid has been carrying around. Oscar joined us for the session on Sat, but hurt himself throwing a couple 5's. Sunday was better, because the bike and the ramp were definitely jiving together. Tire-grabs, top-side-1-foot-dogg-piss-airs, Blyther-tweaks, half-barspins-to-fastplants, hannah's; 270-to-Smiths, 270-Xup-Smith stalls, 1st nosejam (footjam) I have ever scene him do (Cam only of course). If you’re ever in San Jose and want to come ride the most famous mini-in Nor Cal, get in touch with me. Oscar took some pics with an old school (35mm) camera, if any come out, I will put them up. Listen to Howard Stern, Pete Seeger is unreal, and know your rights. Stand up and question authority, don't sit idle and let someone else take our country from us. Study up and be ready, despite the election at hand, there is a much bigger picture taking place right now behind the public eye. They want to take our rights from us one day, to destroy the sovereignty of all nations ruling us with one fist. Shits deep I know, but mark my words when you read this, we have to deal with securing our freedom as citizens one day because every year they pass more and more laws that put people under a microscope. One day they will pass laws where they plant an RFID chip in every new newborn. If people sit back and only choose to watch what’s up with Britney Spears and what you see on the news, you are being misled. The men who created the Federal Reserve knew this then and if you do not believe me, just look at the national debt, and how much the U.S. dollar is loosing its value. Writings on the wall, I will not sit quiet nor will I remain idle. Trying to get people to open their minds and go and seek the 'truth' about the shit that our government and others have gotten away with for years. The biggest weapon against the assholes that generated LIES such as the "Gulf of Tonkin, Pearl Harbor, and of course 9-11." Knowledge is king, this is all public record, don't just dismiss me because you think I am nuts, use the net and see for yourself. The truth is out there. I am grateful for this life and for BMX because I do not have to deal with being shot at everyday in some foreign country. Love yourself, before you choose to love anyone else. Learn tire taps before you learn whips, "ride your bike and smile."

Squirrel

So I was wondering who had a chance to watch the Jackass 24hour takeover on MTV. Nutty is all I can say. Have you ever scene someone under the influence of a narcotic and you saw that show, then you can say YES to that question. Lots of dead air, and just a feeling of not knowing. Plus it was hillarious that all those guys were drinking water, and I didn't notice anyone yawning. So the very next morning Steve-O did the HOWARD STERN SHOW with Big Regg, who is Steveo's new rap partner. Yes thats right Steveo is releasing a Rap album and I have heard some of the tracks and they are hillarious. Should have heard him on the show talking mad shit about Eminem, who also runs channel 45 Shade Radio. At the Sirius radio HQ in New York, EVERY single station on the dial is under the same roof. So any of the brothers from Shade 45 could have come over, but thats why Big Regg is there. Steveo was clearly high on something and did not shut up the whole time. He straight up said that they were all on Coke and that Knoxville was on Amphetamines. He said why the hell else would we agree to do 24hours on MTV. Steveo did not even stay the whole show. Enough of him, how about Matt "The Condor" Hoffman keeping it real and just dropping the jaws of everyone in the room. Trigger, Travis P, PSYCHO, the whole tribute was crazy. Evil would have been proud. Matt Hoffman is on a level that no rider has ever reached, I am talking about the mental ability this man has and the faith he has in his body. Props to Allen Cooke! That flip was sick, and so was the whip. Good to see some NOR CAL! representation, yes kids Allen's from Northern California. Spike Jones even, trying flips into the foam, crazy. Knoxville almost lost 'his goods' for good. Sucked watching Dave England blow his knee out trying to jump trash cans on a wake skate at the ice skating rink. I laughed my ass off and enjoyed watching those guys come unglued through out the night.

Lavs called me last night and gave me an opportunity to lend a small hand on a project he was working on for a friend of ours. More of a present but I may have said too much. But when he is finished it should be dope. Besides Rob and Big, watch out for Steveo and Regg. TJ, I like the beats you make, even though there are penguins out there that still take a shit on the deal. But you got to keep cranking those beats out so Steveo's album sales don't pass yours. See you next month sometime. And bottom line, thanks for the opportunity and I appreciate that.

Two weeks ago I went to Wood West with Ron "2-Hip" Wilkerson and I have to say when he read the predictable bullshit review from Ryan Fudgepacker in the new Ride about the 2-hip how to video Ron was bummed. But you have to read the letter Ron sent to Fudge, you will never see it in the pages of ride because I do not think this kid has any ability to allow himself to be publicly humiliated as he does everyday when he rips on these kids that send letters into the magazine. Shit when I was dirtjumping at Calabasas he was playing handball in elementary. But I do not care, I just thought that he has the nerve to try and comment on anything about 2-hip. Rons been doing it longer than most companies, non-corporate and rider owned. There were some great lines Ron put in there, one was something about "I was riding my own half pipe before you were even sperm." Now who the fuck can argue with that. I miss the good old days of ride when Brad started it, the mag was just something different. And if anyone wants me to post that letter, just let me know, but I guess I will ask Ron first since thats the ethical thing to do. Later, headed to Oscar's to ride the Ramp Club mini.


Peace,

Squirrel

Happy Friday,

Not so happy here since I will be working tomorrow trying to come up on as many ends as possible. As in my comment to Glenn, I will take lots of shit for this, good, cry me a river so I can float the fuck out of here. For about a solid 15 years I have been watching videos. Let me say Agro-man is still one of my top favorites. But many and most of you young whippersnappers would not even understand this video due to your age and your lack of learning history. Can't tell you how many riders I have spoken with that can do all the new tricks and don't have a CLUE who HUGO GONZALES is, Maurice Meyer, Bob Haro, or Vander, Stu, GHP. Whatever, do your homework and learn the roots of our sport.

SKATE VIDEOS RULE! They have always seemed more funny to me and more creative. I do not think it is just about editing and the best quality filming. BULL SHIT (my opinion)! Watch '44 Somthing', 1201, or the 'GT Pro-demo video'. Shit is hillarious. Bad editing, horrible music, and riders acting like themselves not putting up some fake ass front. The best SKATE video ever is "PROPAGANDA" from George Powell and Stacy Peralta. A young Tony Hawk, CAB, Lance Mountain, Hossoi, Sergie Ventura, list goes on. Hillarious video filled with killer editing and just funny shit. This video is easily over two hours long!!!

Now when I started riding the San Jose Ramp Club, I PRIMARILY rode with skaters. Thats it, bikers were kind of weak when it came to riding in the late hours. Quite frankly I got along with the skaters way better because they knew how to roll and keep it loose. They would show up with beers, positive attitude, and sometimes a couple nugs of the 'kind Nor Cal' that this state is so famous for. Session would start after midnight and the rest was history. Watch PROPAGANDA if you can find it. I miss the old videos from back in the day. The shitty editing and the original outtakes were priceless. Most of you were not even in Junior High yet when the great BRAD McDONALD started RIDE Magazine. The magazine was the shit then, mainly for the articles and corny adds. Now RIDE is corporate like all the videos that come out now. They have this corporate style now like RIDE is today under the Transworld beast. I used to RIDE for BOSS Racing under the supervision of Cecil Johns. There are very few companies left like that, only one that comes to mind is S&M Bicyles. Do you know where Chris Moeller talked to when they were designing 'SLAM' bars? Cecil Johns at Boss, they were friends and Slam bars are actually boss bars without the center bar and they are made in SO CAL. HISTORY, learn it, know it, live it.

I can go for days because thats the way I roll. But Glenn, I side with Skate videos, call me what you want I don't give a shit. People are going to do what they are going to do anyways.

Much Love,
Squirrel

Whats up peeps. One of my own family members has fallen slave to Effexor, a drug used in anxiety problems. Add some alcohol to the mix and you have an individual who feels like sleeping one minute, and killing themselves the next. Trips me out how she could have let this happen. But as a brother I have to be there in support; however, I have had my own issues with addiction, and have watched many people near and far battle it. IT IS NOT WORTH IT!!! You can cram all the drugs you want down your throat and it will still only take you so far. So whats left after that? Life, thats what. You are all potential dads, moms, roll-models. So live up to that potential and be something more than you thought was capable. Better yet learn to live with what consequences life throws your way. They are merely a test to see how you will do. Live fast, die OLD. Not to mention trying to plan a wedding with very little money. More stress! Just got a ticket for 78 on the freeway yesterday, I have a very colorful driving record and have got more speeding tickets than anyone I know. Rode Sunnyvale skatepark Sat, and Sun which is unheard of? When you reach your 30's and you do not support yourself solely by bike riding, getting out once a week is amazing. Woodward West was good last week, was able to dust off some cobwebs and to open some cans of whoop-ass I did not know I still had. Go out and hug someone, then ride your bikes and smile. Much love, Squirrel