Hey everyone! Since winters here and shredding is being put on hiatus, i thought it'd be cool to share all our favorite spots to skate. I live in hudsonville which doesn't have very many runs so its nice to know where other area boards cruise. So post up your favorite spots anywhere from grand rapids to the lake!
Seems ike some of the better DH runs are in grand haven... I thought i heard something about an outlaw there a while back. If it ever does happen I and im sure several others would be willing to make the comute for some fun hills!
Couple years ago. It's a pretty cool run, although once you go you're pretty well committed. Nice thing is it's a one-way downhill and cars won't catch you.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SanchoPancho
I get dibs on making the Sector 9 debate thread next week.
That looks like fun.. Ever considerd holding an outlaw there?
it would have to be timed solo runs; it's only one lane, and doesn't even feel like you've got room to slide (you do, but it doesn't feel like it). passing is out of the question. for the record i took that run on very modest (read: slow) wheels. it would be really dangerous to "race" as there is a cliff off of the first turn, but worse there are giant rocks lining the bottom turn. I counted my lucky stars that I got away with skating it for a day, and try to go back once or twice a year.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by SanchoPancho
I get dibs on making the Sector 9 debate thread next week.
Kalamazoo valley has some of the best spots I have ever seen. These are my top 5:
Bronson Boulevard between Cork and Westnedge- 1 1/2 mile stretch winding asphalt through the woods. There is a slight grade the entire way, so by the time you get to the bottom, you are cooking. For people who know the area, the vertical drop is the same as Wesnedge hill, just spaced out over 6 times the distance. The road is generally free of cars, and takes you past some very expensive houses, and under a beautiful bridge. What makes the hill better is you can pick up the Westnedge bus at the bottom, and it takes you right back up to the top!
Ring Road down to Pioneer - This is probably my favorite spot in the area, just because it is so hidden, and takes you past some of the nicest houses in Kalamazoo. The hill starts out at the top of Ring Road, and like it sounds, goes around in a circle. When you get to the bottom of this road, it dumps you out onto the top of Pioneer, a ball-dropping steep hill, at about 20 mph. I wouldn't recommend starting from the top the first time, just to get a feel for the bumps in the road.
DIRECTIONS-Take Oakland road out of downtown Kzoo up to Wheaton. Turn left, and then take a quick right onto long st. This will take you all the way back to Ring Road. turn right and just hike to the top of that hill. Keep going straight, and you will run right into this hill.
Neighborhood behind K-College - This is a giant neighborhood built right on West. Main Hill. All the roads in the the neighborhood are freshly paved, so they are very quick. The streets also weave in and out of eachother, and have a very illogical shape to them. This gives the neighborhood a bunch of short little fast hills. With a little practice, a rider can loop these together into one long, awesome session!
DIRECTIONS - Take W. Main out of downtown Kalamazoo. When going up the hill, you will see "The Castle" on the right, on the corner of Monroe and W. Main. Turn left, and your in. Start hiking, because your in for a ride!
Neighborhood on other side of W. Main- This location is on the same hill as the previous one, but is a whole different feel. The roads are much straighter and steeper. Very hairy in places, lots of blind corners, and some pretty crappy road conditions. All of these features make this my favorite for an afternoon of hiking.
DIRECTIONS - Drive up W. Main out of downtown Kzoo, and turn right on Hilbert. This is at the very top of W. Main hill. Look down hilbert, easily a 60 degree drop, and this will give you a tast of the entire neighborhood.
Skatepark in downtown KZoo - One last place is the public Skatepark they built in downtown. All concrete, and they even have most of a bowl built. You can easily kill a day skating here and the surrounding areas of downtown. One giant plus, there is a parking structure kitty-corner from it, so you can mix it up.
DIRECTIONS - If you are on W. Michigan, heading E into downtown, turn right onto Westnedge. Take westnedge a few blocks to Vine and turn left. Stay on Vine for a few blocks and look for the park on the right hand side. It is the only thing in a giant flat park, so it stands out.
These are just my favorites, and most of what I know. If you have any other favorites in KZoo, please post or hit me up. I'm always looking to bomb some hills!
Location: buying used stuff off of SF, so i can look "gnar" with my pre-thrashed gear
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Re: Best West Michigan Skating Spots!
there's a subdivision in jenison/hudsonville i know of that's pretty good...i think i've hit 40 there once
other than that, i can name a small handful of decent DH spots in/near grandville and a few slide spots, and some nice DH and slide in holland. otherwise, i like to do LDP
what subdivision is that? me and my buds will hit one off of rosewood that ends up dumping you out onto rosewood but thats about the only decent one we've been able to find
Quote:
Originally Posted by bucksaw87
there's a subdivision in jenison/hudsonville i know of that's pretty good...i think i've hit 40 there once
other than that, i can name a small handful of decent DH spots in/near grandville and a few slide spots, and some nice DH and slide in holland. otherwise, i like to do LDP
Location: buying used stuff off of SF, so i can look "gnar" with my pre-thrashed gear
Age: 22
Posts: 4,661
Rep Power: 0
Re: Best West Michigan Skating Spots!
Quote:
Originally Posted by kyle_vk
what subdivision is that? me and my buds will hit one off of rosewood that ends up dumping you out onto rosewood but thats about the only decent one we've been able to find
it's near hager park, north of the ball fields...but it's really built up since i've been skating there, so keep an eye out if you go there
Kalamazoo valley has some of the best spots I have ever seen. These are my top 5:
Bronson Boulevard between Cork and Westnedge- 1 1/2 mile stretch winding asphalt through the woods. There is a slight grade the entire way, so by the time you get to the bottom, you are cooking. For people who know the area, the vertical drop is the same as Wesnedge hill, just spaced out over 6 times the distance. The road is generally free of cars, and takes you past some very expensive houses, and under a beautiful bridge. What makes the hill better is you can pick up the Westnedge bus at the bottom, and it takes you right back up to the top!
Ring Road down to Pioneer - This is probably my favorite spot in the area, just because it is so hidden, and takes you past some of the nicest houses in Kalamazoo. The hill starts out at the top of Ring Road, and like it sounds, goes around in a circle. When you get to the bottom of this road, it dumps you out onto the top of Pioneer, a ball-dropping steep hill, at about 20 mph. I wouldn't recommend starting from the top the first time, just to get a feel for the bumps in the road.
DIRECTIONS-Take Oakland road out of downtown Kzoo up to Wheaton. Turn left, and then take a quick right onto long st. This will take you all the way back to Ring Road. turn right and just hike to the top of that hill. Keep going straight, and you will run right into this hill.
Neighborhood behind K-College - This is a giant neighborhood built right on West. Main Hill. All the roads in the the neighborhood are freshly paved, so they are very quick. The streets also weave in and out of eachother, and have a very illogical shape to them. This gives the neighborhood a bunch of short little fast hills. With a little practice, a rider can loop these together into one long, awesome session!
DIRECTIONS - Take W. Main out of downtown Kalamazoo. When going up the hill, you will see "The Castle" on the right, on the corner of Monroe and W. Main. Turn left, and your in. Start hiking, because your in for a ride!
Neighborhood on other side of W. Main- This location is on the same hill as the previous one, but is a whole different feel. The roads are much straighter and steeper. Very hairy in places, lots of blind corners, and some pretty crappy road conditions. All of these features make this my favorite for an afternoon of hiking.
DIRECTIONS - Drive up W. Main out of downtown Kzoo, and turn right on Hilbert. This is at the very top of W. Main hill. Look down hilbert, easily a 60 degree drop, and this will give you a tast of the entire neighborhood.
Skatepark in downtown KZoo - One last place is the public Skatepark they built in downtown. All concrete, and they even have most of a bowl built. You can easily kill a day skating here and the surrounding areas of downtown. One giant plus, there is a parking structure kitty-corner from it, so you can mix it up.
DIRECTIONS - If you are on W. Michigan, heading E into downtown, turn right onto Westnedge. Take westnedge a few blocks to Vine and turn left. Stay on Vine for a few blocks and look for the park on the right hand side. It is the only thing in a giant flat park, so it stands out.
These are just my favorites, and most of what I know. If you have any other favorites in KZoo, please post or hit me up. I'm always looking to bomb some hills!
Hey, Thanks for all the great spots. I'm looking to get into longboarding and live in Kzoo. I've seen people skating around and really want to start hitting up the streets. Any advice on good boards and places to get some good practice.
Thanks again, maybe we can skate some of your spots once I get a board and some practice.
Best West Michigan Skating Spots!
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