skate journal: estes park with a fun crew (sept 15, 2018)
On another hot day Ed suggested heading into the hills and hit Estes Park. Seemed fun. A million texts later Kevin and I pulled into the park, Rob arrived shortly after us. Ed and Matt a bit later and then Dave eventually. Kevin and I chilled and looked around for a bit before skating. Kevin was doing all kinds of tricks on the ledge immediately. Back 5-0, front nosegrind, etc etc. I was feeling a bit awkward. Maybe it was the expected result from not wearing orthotic insoles or maybe even just being in the higher altitude. Rob, Kevin and I mostly hit the ledge. When Matt and Ed joined they did the same. I was struggling with front 50s, but landed all my crooks. Matt quickly did 50s, 5-0s, even a back nosegrind. Back tail takes him a bit now. Rob was shredding the qp. Front d and t. Boardslide, halfcab board and crooks the ledge. Ed had some smooth boardslides on the flatbar, ollied onto the ledge and front 50. I had a harsh slam trying to cali grind over the hump. Dave showed and didn’t seem to realize there was a ledge at the park. Ha ha, he hit the bank to curb and quarterpipes. The sketchy roll in was crazy. Other tricks on the ledge. Kevin nollie nosegrind, Matt front tail, me front 50 shove and 50 180.
Then we went to the pump track. There isn’t much to say about it other than it’s super fun and it burns the legs! Two laps really gets to you. Ed and Dave doing bonelesses was sick.
Lastly we played some flatground SKATE in a gazebo area with super smooth concrete. Dave, Kevin, Rob and I played a game of SKATE. Kevin went first and Rob was out not really trying the nollie flip/switch flip game. Dave had an epic switch flip where he rolled up slow to a picnic table and held on for a switch flip. Totally counted. I like trying the tricks I can’t do, the switch frontside flip felt doable. We played another game with no repeats. I at least got a few letters on Kevin this time. Even though he got 360 flip I was happy to get one and it felt so good. I got outed on nollie tre though which I just can’t seem to do anymore. Rob was working on frontside flips and getting so close. Then we bounced.
(setup 8.25 null perception deck, venture 5.25 awake lows, stock white bushings, 3 washers inside each axle, 51mm v1 bones stf wheels, new balance numeric 255 cream/gum size 12, footprint flat 5mm insoles)
(pain level 4/10 especially after the pump track)