The "unsafe" vs. the "safe" brakeless fixie riders so remind me of the explosion of skating in the early 90's. We'd goto to competitions and while warming up on the kick ramps and sliders, there would always be a crowd of kids/teens out there trying these giant airs off ramps with one clue is to how to approach a ramp, ride a transition, kick a ramp, grab a board, level off in the air, or land for that matter. Some didn;t even have the sense to clear the landing area immediately and got crushed by ppl landing on them. Usually two or three minimum would go to the emerg. with busted elbows, wrists, ankles, and even skulls before the comp even began. I was doing judo airs over Toyotas, when a friend of mine said I wanna give 'er or that kick ramp. Don't do it I said you've been skating all of two weeks and you'll kill yourself, I had been skating about 14years at this point. Of course he doesn't listen, goes up off the top is instantly in big trouble and lands right on his ass trying to stop himself with both hands and CRACK, both elbows broken, casts for the summer.

Remember kids, when you are trying to emulate your local messenger types, they are experienced and generally you are not. Be aware that you NEED to learn the basics before you go ripping it up in traffic at breakneck speeds. Practice practice practice, closed malls create giant empty parking lots specifically for this purpose. I know we all want to be so rad but them's that are didn't get there overnight. Only the most naturally talented can get away with that , and they are few and far between. That said I've watched Tony Hawk mash his face on the street too.

Slept through The Tour this morning yay 8:30pm recoverage!


EDIT... part of experience is knowing how to minimize the damage when something goes horribly awry.