In the later half of yesterday i was lucky enough to do an interview with BBC tv and Scuz magazine, with various questions ranging from Home and Away Vs Neighbours to what made me come out to the UK.
Today the comp was completely called off due to wet weather + poor track conditions. I packed up my stuff and jumped in the car with Alex aka boz, to travel to his family home in the south west near devon.
Alex's family own a series of cottages onn the propperty and rent them out B+B style. One was unioccupied so i can stay here for the next few days which is sweet.
Monday, July 7, 2008
5th July
Well its 2:30 and its been raining on and off all day. I am currently at "The Edge", where it is round 3 of the UK mountainboard series. I am yet to do my time trial and there is more rain to come.
On the bright side i am lucky to have scored a place in the "out to grass" team tent. Its like a 16 man tent with a huge living area and stuff.
Yesterday was a good days riding in the sun at the edge. The jumps are huge and the boarder X is my favorite i have ridden so far in the UK. Me and Nicky Forecast(the best female rider in teh world hands down) were trying frontflips. I tried 3 and on the 3rd attempt i manueled otu and got worked over, so i decided to call ti quits. BBC Were filming, so maybe it might get on tv or somthing. After a few more runs on the boarder X we headed to the local quarrey for a swim
In the night we all had a few too many ciders and beers.
On the bright side i am lucky to have scored a place in the "out to grass" team tent. Its like a 16 man tent with a huge living area and stuff.
Yesterday was a good days riding in the sun at the edge. The jumps are huge and the boarder X is my favorite i have ridden so far in the UK. Me and Nicky Forecast(the best female rider in teh world hands down) were trying frontflips. I tried 3 and on the 3rd attempt i manueled otu and got worked over, so i decided to call ti quits. BBC Were filming, so maybe it might get on tv or somthing. After a few more runs on the boarder X we headed to the local quarrey for a swim
In the night we all had a few too many ciders and beers.
Wed 2nd + Thursday 3rd July - The slayboy mansion
Yesterday i left London and caught the train to hereford, to attend a session going down at "Out to Grass" mountainboard center. I was met at the station by James Slay and Jack Johnston, and we went straight to the center from there.
Unfortunately the weather was wet and there was a strong head wind, so the track was not running as well as normal. Myself, Wiggy, Slayer, Nicky Forecast and Jed Hornyold were sessioning the jumps, railsand boarder x track before the rain drove us into grabbing some old school boards out of the shed for a powerslide comp on the wet grass.
I Chose an MBS cricket which was my first board, while others were riding frame boards and various other contraptions i had never even seen before.
After this we headed for James Slays house aka "The Slayboy Mansion". This was a huge 3 story mansion with an east and west wing, a massive garden and about 25 bedrooms. We were all staying here the night, so after a few beeers and pizza we went down to the local pub.
After many pints, shots, games of pool and Jenga we arrived back at the slayboy mansion at around 4am.
We awoke about lunch time and made our way to out top grass for a session and then proceeded to travel 1hr by car to "the Edge" Mountainboard center, where my next comp is, this weekend.
Unfortunately the weather was wet and there was a strong head wind, so the track was not running as well as normal. Myself, Wiggy, Slayer, Nicky Forecast and Jed Hornyold were sessioning the jumps, railsand boarder x track before the rain drove us into grabbing some old school boards out of the shed for a powerslide comp on the wet grass.
I Chose an MBS cricket which was my first board, while others were riding frame boards and various other contraptions i had never even seen before.
After this we headed for James Slays house aka "The Slayboy Mansion". This was a huge 3 story mansion with an east and west wing, a massive garden and about 25 bedrooms. We were all staying here the night, so after a few beeers and pizza we went down to the local pub.
After many pints, shots, games of pool and Jenga we arrived back at the slayboy mansion at around 4am.
We awoke about lunch time and made our way to out top grass for a session and then proceeded to travel 1hr by car to "the Edge" Mountainboard center, where my next comp is, this weekend.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
30th of June
The day started off by travelling to the airport with andre and silvia on their way to work. I arrived there at 10:00, a little early for my 2:45 flight, but it was no drama.
For some reason my flight was delayed by 1 hr, so i did not get to heathrow airport until around 6:00. I jumped on the underground and headed for kennington station and arrived at about 7. I was very rushed for time as i had booked a ticket to see Erykah Badu at Brixton Academy, which started at 8. To walk from the station to the hotel ended up taking around an hour, carrying my pack and board bag, but i eventually made it. I quickly checked in, had a shower and jumped in a cab to the Venue.
I Arrived there at around 9, so as i walked in (expecting to have missed have of the show) i was glad to see Erykah just comming out onto stage. Her and her bands perfromance was incredible, however the set list was slightly dissapointing with most songs off the new cd, and only 1 or 2 classics. The show finished around 11:30, i bought a t-shirt and finally ate some dinner.
I made the decision to walk back to the hotel to save some money, and it was only a 2km walk and i thought i knew the way. I walked for about 30 mins along main roads until i realised i had lost my bearing and i had no idea where i was. Luckily there was a policeman on the side of the road so i asked if he knew where the hotel was. He said "its about 1km over there, just walk through the parek and turn right and then left".
I started to walk towards the park and find myself walking alone through some London ghetto at 12:30 at night. The streets were really dark and the people were even darker, out on the street playing ball, drinkin 40oz etc. I put my head down and walked a little faster, it was pretty obvious that a white guy from Ballarat didn't belong here. As i reached a more lit area I realise that a few of the men were following me. i turn the next corner and luckily the glowing lights of the hotel appeared.
So now i have just made a coffee and am washing my clothes in the bath. All is well with my wallet in my pocket and no knife wounds.
HERE IS A VIDEO FROM THE BADU CONCERT.
For some reason my flight was delayed by 1 hr, so i did not get to heathrow airport until around 6:00. I jumped on the underground and headed for kennington station and arrived at about 7. I was very rushed for time as i had booked a ticket to see Erykah Badu at Brixton Academy, which started at 8. To walk from the station to the hotel ended up taking around an hour, carrying my pack and board bag, but i eventually made it. I quickly checked in, had a shower and jumped in a cab to the Venue.
I Arrived there at around 9, so as i walked in (expecting to have missed have of the show) i was glad to see Erykah just comming out onto stage. Her and her bands perfromance was incredible, however the set list was slightly dissapointing with most songs off the new cd, and only 1 or 2 classics. The show finished around 11:30, i bought a t-shirt and finally ate some dinner.
I made the decision to walk back to the hotel to save some money, and it was only a 2km walk and i thought i knew the way. I walked for about 30 mins along main roads until i realised i had lost my bearing and i had no idea where i was. Luckily there was a policeman on the side of the road so i asked if he knew where the hotel was. He said "its about 1km over there, just walk through the parek and turn right and then left".
I started to walk towards the park and find myself walking alone through some London ghetto at 12:30 at night. The streets were really dark and the people were even darker, out on the street playing ball, drinkin 40oz etc. I put my head down and walked a little faster, it was pretty obvious that a white guy from Ballarat didn't belong here. As i reached a more lit area I realise that a few of the men were following me. i turn the next corner and luckily the glowing lights of the hotel appeared.
So now i have just made a coffee and am washing my clothes in the bath. All is well with my wallet in my pocket and no knife wounds.
HERE IS A VIDEO FROM THE BADU CONCERT.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday 28th june
Last night i joined the crew to road trip up the coast to the beach town of Peniche. In the convoy are 2 Wagons, 2 HUGE Vans with beds fridges etc, and a motorhome. We set up camp in the beach car parkwhich is also conveniently close to a bar.
Today was so hot, i´d guess high 30´s. So we chilled out at the beach for the day and rode from about 5:30 to 9. The place we rode was amazing, sandy dirt jumps and natural features on top of a cliff over looking the ocean. As the sun was setting the atmosphere was incredible, To be riding in such a beautiful area. We have just cooked up some beef on the grill and will be hitting up some of the bars on the beach shortly. I´m definately going to miss portugal when i leave for london on monday.
Today was so hot, i´d guess high 30´s. So we chilled out at the beach for the day and rode from about 5:30 to 9. The place we rode was amazing, sandy dirt jumps and natural features on top of a cliff over looking the ocean. As the sun was setting the atmosphere was incredible, To be riding in such a beautiful area. We have just cooked up some beef on the grill and will be hitting up some of the bars on the beach shortly. I´m definately going to miss portugal when i leave for london on monday.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Monday 23rd of june - Castles, Evil spirits and DIRT
As the crew headed off to work as gardeners or in building preservation, i decided to catch the train from Sintra to Lisbon. I walked around for most of the day axploring alleys full of cafe's, statues, designer clothing stores and local hangouts, aswell as doing the 'touristy' things.
At 5:00 i met up with the crew and we travelled to the mysterious Sintra Mountain. Amongst the Fog, Castles and an old palace were also tales of evil spirits and ghosts. The buildings and gardens were very beautiful, but too touristy to see what they would have been like back in the day. We continued to travel a mile or so where we would ride a place called blue Lagoon. When we arrived at blue lagoon there were people performing rituals, and on the track was a basket with 8 champagne bottles and fruit, apparently these were sacrifices to the evil spirits.
The main feature of riding was at the end of the track. a tree on a 60 degree angle you could ride up. We were getting about 8-9 ftt up the tree by the end of the day and got a cool picture of it.
At 5:00 i met up with the crew and we travelled to the mysterious Sintra Mountain. Amongst the Fog, Castles and an old palace were also tales of evil spirits and ghosts. The buildings and gardens were very beautiful, but too touristy to see what they would have been like back in the day. We continued to travel a mile or so where we would ride a place called blue Lagoon. When we arrived at blue lagoon there were people performing rituals, and on the track was a basket with 8 champagne bottles and fruit, apparently these were sacrifices to the evil spirits.
The main feature of riding was at the end of the track. a tree on a 60 degree angle you could ride up. We were getting about 8-9 ftt up the tree by the end of the day and got a cool picture of it.
Sunday 22nd of June
After a hard days riding yesterday and a late night, today was about relaxation. So at around 12:00 myself, andre, sylvia, toga and his grilfriend went to the sintra beach. The sun was strong, but the water was extra cold to compensate. after spending most of the day here, we wandered back to STP's house for roast chicken and portuguese style salad for dinner... and then it was time for our daily fix of adrenalin, riding through the ancient village of Sintra.
Riding in the streets was somthing new to the portugese riders, and they thought of some great places to ride once I introduced the idea. So we padded up, Grabbed the camera and rode along side some 600 year old architacture and on the stone paths.
We came across some ledges to grind, a sweet wallride and many drops. My camera battery is flat, but i think with the scenery and unique riding style, it is possibly the best footage i have ever shot.
Riding in the streets was somthing new to the portugese riders, and they thought of some great places to ride once I introduced the idea. So we padded up, Grabbed the camera and rode along side some 600 year old architacture and on the stone paths.
We came across some ledges to grind, a sweet wallride and many drops. My camera battery is flat, but i think with the scenery and unique riding style, it is possibly the best footage i have ever shot.
Thursday 19th of June - The 22 hr day
This morning at 4am I jumped in a taxi and headed for Heathrow airport to fly to Portugal. On the plane close to the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, the weather was clear and the views incredible. Teracotta roofs, bright green grass hills, wind power generaters and sparkling deep blue ocean.
I was met at the airport by Juan, a local mountainboarder. He took me to the place where i am staying in Sintra, a small town based around a mountain, and beach around 30 minutes drive out of Lisbon. I am lucky enough to be staying with a mountainboarder named Andre' and his girlfriend sylvia. I settled into my room, and then we cooked up some beef on the portuguese style grill.
When the rest of the sintra dirt crew had knocked off work we headed to one of the local tracks to do some riding. The track was a rocky dirt surface, with hand built berms, rollers, rails, jumps and a sweet 1\4 pipe with PVC coping. The only bad thing about the track is that there are ticks and other harmful insects around so you have to be careful.
After riding until 8 it was time to watch portugal play in the 1\4 final of the soccer. We all went down to a local hangout where a tv was set up in the street for people to watch. the atmosphere was amazing, and the sagres (local beer) was flowing. Unfortunately Portugal lost, and at 2:00am the party was finished. It was definately one of the highlights of the trip.
I was met at the airport by Juan, a local mountainboarder. He took me to the place where i am staying in Sintra, a small town based around a mountain, and beach around 30 minutes drive out of Lisbon. I am lucky enough to be staying with a mountainboarder named Andre' and his girlfriend sylvia. I settled into my room, and then we cooked up some beef on the portuguese style grill.
When the rest of the sintra dirt crew had knocked off work we headed to one of the local tracks to do some riding. The track was a rocky dirt surface, with hand built berms, rollers, rails, jumps and a sweet 1\4 pipe with PVC coping. The only bad thing about the track is that there are ticks and other harmful insects around so you have to be careful.
After riding until 8 it was time to watch portugal play in the 1\4 final of the soccer. We all went down to a local hangout where a tv was set up in the street for people to watch. the atmosphere was amazing, and the sagres (local beer) was flowing. Unfortunately Portugal lost, and at 2:00am the party was finished. It was definately one of the highlights of the trip.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Mad Times
Well its the end of my first competition here at haredown racetrack south UK. There were a couple of things that blew my mind about the comp:
- the amount of people at events (a paddock packed with campers both competitors and spectators)
- The standard of riding. (the under 14's winner threw down a backflip and a 360)
i managed to get 12th in the elite division big air, which was won by Joe Dickson with some huge 720's, 540's, flips and 720's in the 1/4 pipe. Ollie Morrison was also throwing down some corked 7's and BS rodeo flips to score 2nd. Incredible to watch, and the whole elite jam session was incredible to be apart of. The energy was incredible and all the riders were feeding off each other to go harder.
i managed to score a ride to bugs boarding with Joe Dickson, Tuai, and Rhys Crilley where i am staying in a acaravan beside the track.
- the amount of people at events (a paddock packed with campers both competitors and spectators)
- The standard of riding. (the under 14's winner threw down a backflip and a 360)
i managed to get 12th in the elite division big air, which was won by Joe Dickson with some huge 720's, 540's, flips and 720's in the 1/4 pipe. Ollie Morrison was also throwing down some corked 7's and BS rodeo flips to score 2nd. Incredible to watch, and the whole elite jam session was incredible to be apart of. The energy was incredible and all the riders were feeding off each other to go harder.
i managed to score a ride to bugs boarding with Joe Dickson, Tuai, and Rhys Crilley where i am staying in a acaravan beside the track.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Day Before i Leave
Well i'm on the plane to London tomorrow and heading straight to the UK-ATB Series comp at Haredown, West Sussex. I presume i'll have a bad dose of jetlag, but should be good going for a cruisey ride and catching up with all the crew.
The Ballarat Courier today published an article about my trip. Full color and all.
The Ballarat Courier today published an article about my trip. Full color and all.
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