Bombing Tabor to close the summer

A day or two ago, Jamison asked me if I could longboard Mt. Tabor with him on Wednesday. As Jamison is getting ready to head off to college, that was a definite yes.

The last time I’d downhilled was in April, so I was a little nervous.¹Okay, I was terrified, but that’s okay. :-) The first couple of runs helped both of us get back in the groove. By our last run, we were again feeling comfortable and relaxed.²I don’t understand it, but faking being relaxed helps the board run smoothly underneath me. Tense up and it wants to jitter around. It’s a lot more fun actually being relaxed, though.

We met some other skaters and bombed the hill a couple of times with them. They are definitely faster than we are, but it was still great.³I bombed the hill doing the “Ethan”: wear an untucked, unbuttoned shirt — its flapping in the breeze gives the illusion of speed and looks cool. :-D

Although I took both boards, I used the drop mount because that’s the one I’m more comfortable with. It’s the one I ride during lunch, pushing through Hillsboro.⁴I think it’s time to make the transition, though, and keep one more focused on push and the other on downhill. Or not. ;-)

I skated from the top for the first time. Other than a wet, chundery patch in the middle parking lot, the top portion is easier than the bottom.

I feel like I’m a few more skate sessions and a full-face helmet from next year’s Mt. Tabor Classic. :-)

o/-<|:

• 1
  Okay, I was terrified, but that’s okay. :-)
• 2
  I don’t understand it, but faking being relaxed helps the board run smoothly underneath me. Tense up and it wants to jitter around. It’s a lot more fun actually being relaxed, though.
• 3
  I bombed the hill doing the “Ethan”: wear an untucked, unbuttoned shirt — its flapping in the breeze gives the illusion of speed and looks cool. :-D
• 4
  I think it’s time to make the transition, though, and keep one more focused on push and the other on downhill. Or not. ;-)