It all began with a spark of an idea; I'd been skating alone so long it seemed I may have lost my grip a bit. Sure the wife’s been known to jump on a board here and there but to rip, to cruise with a group, that's what I'd been craving. Then it came to me, what place best represented sound mind and being at peace with onesself? New York City.  That was the answer. But, when?  I decided to get in touch with some of the "men on the ground," so to speak.  I reached out to the Earthwing Skateboards crew. I'd done an interview for the 'fish with Brian Petrie of EW and he'd mentioned I had to check out the Broadway Bomb and "while I was making the trip I might as well hit on the EW Friday night rips". So off I went plane ticket in hand, reservation at a 2 star hotel, board back packed, and I was off to the Big Apple.

      I managed to talk my way out of work early on the Thursday and caught a flight to NYC. I arrived at my hotel Thursday evening and unpacked my bags. I hit the sack and set the alarm. The next morning, I was awakened by a sound that had eluded my ears for some time: Traffic! Horns blaring, people yelling....I know these sounds...this is the city! Up and 'attem!  Before I knew it, I was prepped, grabbed a board and was on my way down the elevator. As I excited the building and rolled off the curb I was suddenly struck with a feeling I had not experienced in quite some time. I was freezing cold. It seems my extended stay in the Bahamas has made the red-blooded Canadian skater a wimp. Mind you, I was skating in shorts. Shortly later I was seen wearing those very same shorts with a lovely pair of long underwear recently purchased from North Face...

  I was on my way back to the Ritz when, as I rounded a corner, I came upon a fellow and his Subsonic skateboard. I knew right away it was Nervous “uphill" Ned from the Earthwing crew, ready to show me the city. We proceeded downtown to meet with Tobs and go for some food and a skate --in that order. After possibly the best sandwich I have ever had, it was time to hit the legendary Brooklyn Banks. Located under the Brooklyn Bridge, this is a legendary skate spot that cannot be missed if you ever get to NYC!  The banks alone made my day as I'd been dreaming about carving them for a very long time. As the day progressed it was decided that Ned had not yet finished with Tobs and I. He had yet another fun spot to skate lined up.

We jumped on the subway and headed towards Brooklyn!! We were serenaded by a man in the subway who had a great lyric in one of his songs: "they say the world is spinning, but I say it's upside down." It's strange that such wisdom can be bestowed upon 3 skaters waiting for a subway car. We arrived in Brooklyn to another of Ned's now famous "up hill" short cuts through the Park. We ended up at a great hill where, after some traffic dodging, we met up with Jam, Roast Beef and Rabidskunk. We would all travel together that night to a first annual Friday the 13th costume run through New York. After a fun session that involved rabbit drafting and penguin tucks, we headed back to the city to meet up with the EW crew and skate through town.

      We arrived at the circle to find a load of skaters, some dressed up some not. Big props go to Mika for helping us find food, as at that point the tank was running way low. After a quick bite and a photo op, we headed down Broadway. Now, skating down Broadway at 10pm on a Friday is one thing, skating down Broadway with a group is another, and skating down Broadway in a group that includes pirates, buckethead, jasons, a penguin and a rabbit is a complete trip! Like some bad hallucination, we rolled down Broadway skating in and out of traffic like a bunch of kids. The rabbit got run over by an octa-bike (a circular bike that has 8 riders) and we almost lost a few souls along the way. I was actually tackled by one of New York’s finest for dangerously brandishing a plastic pirate sword, "just to make sure it wasn't real". I was heard saying, "officer, do you get a lot of 6'2", 275lbs guys on skateboards with swords?" The officer replied, "you never know in the town!" I love New York!

After a skate through the Village, we ended our ride at a skater-owned bar for a few well deserved beverages. Ned and I figured we skated about 12 miles that day and it was good to have a seat. Hanging with the EW crew was a blast; MikeD, Jess and everyone know how to take care of a guy. After skating somewhere around 12 miles My old bones were done for the night. Tomorrow...the BOMB!

      I awoke the next morning to sun through my window and was pumped, as the forecast had been for rain. I proceeded out for breakfast and a stretch, since I was feeling the effects of the day before's skate. I ran into Ned and OldnStoked in front of the hotel and we were off to the bomb. As with most grass roots events, it all starts with a lot of hanging around, which was great and gave me a chance to meet some fine folks like Joe and Nick and Sensei Bob from the Fat Boy team among others. The Earthwing crew was in full effect predicting another win. Kasper of EW showed up sporting a prototype Earthwing drop through ride and a look of confidence that only comes from winning the race 3 years running. Adam Colton and crew were there and ready to race as well. After introductions and a group photo, a "60 seconds" call went up and everyone started slowly gathering at the street's edge. As "GO" was announced,around 80 skaters of all sizes and style headed up the side street hill towards Broadway, almost running over the Sector boys who showed up just as things got rolling. The pack thins out quite quick as a leaders group of about 10 skaters takes off. The lead guys all can push with both legs and that sets them apart from the rest. I had decided that morning I wasn't racing ,as my old bones were in no shape, so I jumped into OldnSkoked's pick up with Ned and threw the S9 boys and all their camera equipment in the back. To put this race in perspective, we raced up Broadway as best we could and still finished near the back of the pack. The race is in and out of some of the most dangerous skating you can do. My hats go off to everyone.

As word spreads about this race from sea to shining sea, it gets harder and harder for Kasper to win. He was heard saying that this was the closest year yet and there seem to be more and more people getting catching up to him every year. The post-race skate to the barbeque was a great ride through the business district and along the waterfront to under the Bridges. A great race was followed by a great party that included loads of prizes from Sector, Concrete Wave, Earthwing, Comet, Gravity and Shut. After all the top riders received their shwag, there was a free-for-all for the rest that ended in a pile-on of mammoth proportions!

At the Barbeque, all the skaters took turns riding each other's set up and sharing stories of the day’s race. Adam Colton was heard not only saying that he would be back next year, but predicting that he would unseat now 4 time champ Kasper from the number one spot. Kasper was heard telling tale of a board that Brian and he had dreamt up that involved inverted trucks and 200mm wheels. After some burgers and great company, Nervous Ned, Matthew and the Adams and I headed back to the Brooklyn banks for another session and a pizza meet up with the jersey boys who had missed their train. Big props to all for a great time! It was amazing to finally put faces to names of all my SF brethren. In closing, if you ever get the chance to skate NYC, make sure you look up the Earthwing crew.  I promise, you'll be well taken care of and if you're brave enough even check out the Broadway Bomb... But remember.........you could die.

Check out Mark's gallery of photos, HERE .