Tuesday, November 04, 2008
My Grade 10 Gym Class Never Understood Why My Legs Were Always Cut & Bruised
I grew up on GlenGowan road, i always knew that i had a big forest near me, but until i was about thirteen i thought it was just for people to walk their dogs in. Living in Lawrence Park, i never knew that i had some of the best jumps in the city a :40 second coast from my house. It was from there that I realized that i wanted to spend my life in the air.
Mike Pope
I paid $900 for my first bike, because a friend told me if i didn't buy it he'd beat me. Since i've sunk in close to a grand, and became who i am. I owe most of it to my friend Gianrico, I can't thank you enough.
Gianrico
Pat & Avi
Patty
Me
The thing that parents and most friends cannot and never will understand is that it became more than kids on bikes, but a family. We depended on each other, for everything and anything. Biking became a way to chill out and forget everything else thats going on in life.School, Family occasions, Girlfriends, these were all things that stood in the way of more biking. Biking every day wasn't an option, it was a requirement and to think that you would be doing something else was almost stupid. Biking was first priority.
Clown V
Me
It all seems like a dream now, watching the guys become who they are and progress. Watching
dudes that started off barely being able to ride, and watching them become national ranked athletes, and seeing them at the races. Watching dudes that couldn't turn, to dudes than can d0 720s in the air. Even stranger, seeing dudes that i'd chill with every day on national tv and competing with some of the greats. I owe everything i can do on a bike to four guys.
Gianrico taught me to turn, and generally not to be an idiot when i ride. He taught me to bunnyhop, and was there to take my first bike for a ride. He's tuned my bike countless times and kept her in good condition.
and Pat Mohan taught me everything else i've ever needed to know. The kid is significantly younger than me, and one of the gnarliest dudes anyone will ever meet. Pat doesn't give a fuck about anything really, except biking. He's one of the most driven and devoted kids ive ever met.
god, your a weird fuckin kid.
Simply put, biking has taken me places that I never thought i'd go and heights that normal people wouldn't be comfortable with. You'll notice I havent gotten into many stories, because theres so many its impossible to pick and choose. The countless injuries, accidents, big tricks, arguments, mid-morning rips down Yonge street, night rides, rain rides, snow rides, cummer rides, and everything in between. I still have a tan from where my glove goes.
dudes that started off barely being able to ride, and watching them become national ranked athletes, and seeing them at the races. Watching dudes that couldn't turn, to dudes than can d0 720s in the air. Even stranger, seeing dudes that i'd chill with every day on national tv and competing with some of the greats. I owe everything i can do on a bike to four guys.
Gianrico taught me to turn, and generally not to be an idiot when i ride. He taught me to bunnyhop, and was there to take my first bike for a ride. He's tuned my bike countless times and kept her in good condition.
The dudes
Mike Pope taught me every trick I know to date, the kid has been stepping himself up since he's been 13. He is an inspiration to everyone he rides with, and will always be the guy that will try the thing that nobody says can be done. When Pope shows up, everyone stops and lets the kid doing his own thing.Tom Kakamousais is one of the most original and strange kids you'll ever meet. When he speaks, most people dont understand it, but everyone listens anyways. Dude has done some of the strangest things ever done on a bike, so much infact that the terms "tom line,""tom move," and "tom quality" are understood by everyone. Tom is chill, relaxed, funny, and faster than you will ever be. He's faster, smoother and more presice than anyone we've ever met and is one of the guys. Tom taught me that anything can be biked on, everything from garbage cans to large piles of mulch.
and Pat Mohan taught me everything else i've ever needed to know. The kid is significantly younger than me, and one of the gnarliest dudes anyone will ever meet. Pat doesn't give a fuck about anything really, except biking. He's one of the most driven and devoted kids ive ever met.
Simply put, biking has taken me places that I never thought i'd go and heights that normal people wouldn't be comfortable with. You'll notice I havent gotten into many stories, because theres so many its impossible to pick and choose. The countless injuries, accidents, big tricks, arguments, mid-morning rips down Yonge street, night rides, rain rides, snow rides, cummer rides, and everything in between. I still have a tan from where my glove goes.
