After waking up, doing updates and answering the mail, we headed back to Woodward West. It had rained a lot at night so our plan worked out. Glad to have ridden everything outdoors the day before. Now indoor was on the program. When Andy and I rolled up we were the only ones there. We got lost before we even put our pads on. I decided to take some overview pics and at the same time check the new additions to the indoor area. Not long after that we were cruising around. We didn’t hit the foam pit once, but we got a visitor from Seattle who didn’t
The weather was sketchy but we didn’t want to just wait and see if it would rain or not. Off to Woodward West we went. It’s a bit of a drive, but well worth it as you probably know. The TomTom kept us informed on the hours and miles we still had to go. We didn’t eat any breakfast but around noon we were getting hungry. We had Taco Bell a few times already earlier in the week so this time it was 'In ‘n Out Burgers' for brunch. Damn. Not the most healthy food to kick off the day but while in Cali it’s a must to stop there every now and then.
Day 4 USA. Temecula, California. It’s not that McGoo is chilling these days. He started Biltwell with the help of some other people a few years ago and it’s kicking off. Biltwell makes chopper parts, helmets, and whatever they feel like. With the ChopCult blog they’ve created a strong following in only a few years time. Seeing the warehouse showed that they’re serious. Orders were constantly going out the door and several projects were being worked on the day we were there.
The Shorebreak hotel was a good move. Friendly people, killer location and stylish place. We didn’t manage to get out of there early but it didn’t matter, it was a holiday and stressing out wasn’t on the program. We drove over to Vans without grabbing a bite to eat. It was 11:45hr when we go there and someone must be getting ready for some lunch. Meeting up with Mike de Wit is always good. He was busy so he skipped lunch but showed us the new bowl that they had been working on at the Vans HQ’s. We had a chat with Sean Methven who took us out for lunch at Togo’s. We talked business, so it counted.
It was chill not to have to get out of bed at a certain hour. For Sunday not too much was on the schedule. I was missing my bag so I traveled light from that point on. Internet at the hotel was something like 15 dollars for the day so I skipped that. Finding free Wifi is still a mission as a lot of communication happens via the internet. Twitter, Facebook, E-mail, Skype, Instagram, iMessage all need that wifi connection and if you don't want your bill to skyrocket, you'll have to search for a wifi signal that you can use to go online. Southcoast plaza was around the corner from the WestInn hotel so we checked for some food there. Instead we started shopping and used Macy's wifi to check the messages. Catfish had provided the address for the FOX demo but it was too early to go there. I had received a call from Virgin Atlantic that my bag was on its way but wouldn't arrive before 5pm. Since I didn't have an address to have it delivered to, I said I would pick it up.
To get you at least some updates during the USA trip, I’ll try to get you some diary updates from the road. Traveling is a big part of BMX so maybe you can relate and pick up some tips along the way. Mike van de Kerkhof picked me up in the am and drove me over to Düsseldorf airport. That might be tip number one for you. Don’t just check on pricing of the flights in your home country only. Düsseldorf is usually cheaper and for me it’s even closer than Amsterdam.
A few weeks ago we got some new dirt and a digger for half a day at the Helm Trails in Helmond. Time to fix things up and build some new stuff. Dirt is always welcome and a digger makes it lots easier to get the dirt in the right place. Riding trails means working on them as well but the satisfaction in the end is worth it. Trails builders worldwide can relate. It's the same everywhere. You've got those lazy asses who wait until everything is done and then show up. They should be ashamed of themselves. Credits go to those who dig and put their time in.
Camp Ramps are currently under construction for a new skate park in Ratingen (Germany). Camp Ramps has realized a Design which will attract, because of the open style and the versatility, all people who ride Skateboard as well as BMX. The Setup includes a Bowl landscape with various transitions, curbs and a street course with a small rail, a pyramid and diverse gimmicks. Best you check out for yourself grab your skateboard or bike and rock the spot.
Riding trails comes with jump maintenance. It sucks having to repair damage that others caused just by yourself. This upcoming Saturday you can help out at the Helm Trails in Helmond as the place needs some fixing after a rough winter. March 17th is also the "official day of the volunteers" in The Netherlands so if you are still searching for something to do, pick the Helm Trails spot. Bring a shovel and join the fun. It just feels good creating a place that can be ridden instantly.
Scene reports: Grand Opening for "The Ricardo Laguan Dirt park" in La Paz Mexico. By Ricardo Laguna. 4 video clips inside!
When I got the invitation to go back to my hometown of La Paz, Mexico to receive a key to the city, and better yet, build a dirt park named after me, it felt like an April Fool’s phone call. Little did I know, it was the real deal and a once in a lifetime opportunity! After more than 13 years since my last visit, I was honored to be asked to bring 2 friends – Dalton Campbell and Jake Kinney – to help me design and help build a dirt park plus get a chance to meet and ride with the local kids in the skate parks of La Paz.
