Out with a bang
Now Playing: Joy Division: Interzone
Happy New Year amigos. 2007 was crazy and I'm looking forward to starting a fresh new year. We ended 07 with a bang by taking a little trip to Ohio. My wife is understanding of my BMX obsession and I thank her for that. A lot of other wives are too, apparently, because a whole crew of us descended upon Ray's in Cleveland on Thursday afternoon. Kelly Baker and his son Benny came in from Newark Valley, NY, Solan, Chris Yankee, Phil Race and their buddy Deano came in from Detroit. Big James and Getting big Tyler Brichard came in from the Eastside of MI as well. Afro Pat rode his bike there. Jim Hill and Tommy Riggle are locals but definitely bros. Rays is so fun and it was great to get out and get some riding done with some of my real deal friends. I made the trek by myself but the drive was nothing. I look forward to driving sometimes. Here's the story in photographs...
A solid crew, (L-R) Yankee Peddler, Benny Baker, S. Foster, captain bumble bee.
I remember when Tyler Brichard was real small and all over the place. One time I ran into him really hard and I felt so bad. He remembers it too, apparently, because he brought it up at Rays. He's big now and going big as well.
Tyler's Dad James blew out his knee two weeks ago playing dodgeball (not making that up) and wasn't going to ride. Tobaggan with a three-way knee against doctor's orders.
Benny and Kelly Baker lead a hot lap through the most popular section (at least for us this day) at Rays.
Chris Yankee with the patented Shrimp Cocktail air. Chris is one of the most unique individuals I've ever known and he is awesome. I can't get enough of riding with him.
Solan took time out from passing dudes in the turns to vibe the camera. Photos were taken by whomever was not riding at the moment so I have no idea who took any of these.
Although I think Phil took this one of me.
And I'm pretty sure James took this one of Friendly Phil, front-flippin' into the foam. Not bad for a 39.9 year old father of two.
Pat's helmet is older than Solan but his style is timeless. Pat is good at flatland. At least he was in the 90s.
One of the best things about trips like this is seeing old friends and making new ones. Here's my new buddy, Benny Baker. As cool as they get. Akron outdoor in low-temps.
And here's Benny's pops, Kelly, lip-sliding the bowl at Derby Downs in Akron. It was cold as crap, but totally worth the price of admission.
Jason Burton made the drive down on day two to ride Chenga Brook Park. Unfortunately for him, he got there after all the kids, but he got right to work getting radical. His wife is due with a new baby any minute now. She wins "most understanding of her husband's obsession" award for sure.
Benny, Kelly and I got to Chenga right when it opened and there were only a few people there. Here's Benny, charging one of the many hips. 
The first time I hit this hip I did a table that felt so awesome. I saw the flash go off right when I left the ground, so I'll just have to remember how cool that first one felt and might have looked. I cracked under pressure every time afterward. Oh yeah, Kelly took this shot.
Here's Jason with a styley 180 up the box. One second later a kid on a Next with four pegs slid out in front of him and asked Jason what kind of bike he was riding. The End.
Also, please check out the link in the "comments" in the post below. It is amazing.
