Andy's Loop etc.

Since my "little" cardiac event and subsequent surgery last month, I haven't been getting out with my normal photo geeking ride buddies for any action.  It is a result of a couple of factors I believe.  First, my rehab kept me to slow and short rides that don't coincide with their dynamic. And second, I believe I am now "tainted" in some of their eyes.  Which on some level is understandable, I mean nothing ruins a ride faster than one of your group dying on the trail.  Ask my wife.
So I finally decided to risk the extra pack weight and load up the big camera yesterday, for a geeking ride, to see how it would go.  I ended up on Andy's Loop and Katie and Brian from Steamboat CO.  happened by.  They had just come down the Ribbon and since I needed some subjects I just started shadowing them, geeking away as they rode.  I promised to make them famous by posting some photos on the blog, so here they are.  For me it just felt good to get back to something that seemed normal.
The desert flowers are really blooming after all the moisture we've been getting.

Brian loving the long hike!

Katie

Katie trying an up move she didn't think she would make, but did!

Later in the day I slipped over to one of my nieghbors yards for some more geeking.  So many flowers, so little time.

Until next time.  It's good to be back.  In fact, it's good to be anywhere!

When The Wheels Fall Off The Bus.

Some photos of things going wrong at the Ranch Style competition.  It is amazing how these guys can bail out and survive to try again.

From the Best Trick Comp

Eric Lawrenuk

Doesn't look too bad here.

Didn't end so well.

Nick Simcik

Jack Ludlam tried the front flip twice.  He was already sporting a brace on his right wrist at the start of the competition.  On his first attempt he crashed and thought he had re-fractured his right wrist.  But went back up for another attempt anyway.  On his second attempt here you see he is under rotated.

This is about a micro second before he fractures his "left arm".  I was close enough to here it snape.  He didn't win the $1000.00 prize but probably got a hefty bill from the hospital.

Joe Perrizo had never tried a double back flip into a foam pit or water, but that didn't stop him from trying to throw it down at this competition.  He tried three times.

This was his 2nd attempt and he took it hard to the jeweled area.

Joe's third attempt ended a bit under rotated.

This head slap knocked him silly.

His limp "body grinder" was impressive.

This ended the competition for the night.  He was up and back competing the next day.

Slope Style day.

One of my favorite photos of the weekend.

Until next time.

Slope Style

Best Trick was incredible, but to watch these professionals cut loose on a whole Slope Style course of big step-ups, drops and jumps, was just unbelievable.  You can watch it on videos and or TV, and kind of think you know what it is all about, but to be right there is a whole other level.
My wife normally thinks this kind of thing is "stupid", but even she was just blown away by these athletes and their daring and skill.  Once again the crashes were off-the-hook as these guys pushed each other.
By late afternoon Bender was on a bender and provided some extra entertainment.  They had to eventually take the microphone away and keep hauling him off the course as he staggered around.

I like the cloud of dust from his feet as he spins the bike around in a tail-whip 360.

I believe this was the only back flip no-hander over the 30 foot gap of the day.

I will definitely make this an annual must see event.

Until next time.