Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery has recently added another restaurant in South Boulder. Under the Sun, located under the ever popular Southern Sun, has been quite an undertaking for the entire “Sun” collective. The endeavor was epic, the schedule tight and the outcome is proving to be a delight. It has been quite an adventure documenting the entire process.
The Yellow Designs Stunt Team has created a MONSTER. Housed in the back of Big Time Trampoline Fun Center in Arvada, Colorado, YellowZone is bound to become a bike training hotspot for up and coming locals.
What makes this training center unique? Well for starters it’s indoors. Our fall here in Colorado has been mild so far but winter will, no doubt, rear its ugly head and shut down all but the most dedicated outdoor jumpers. Secondly, YellowZone is staffed by members of the Yellow Designs Stunt team. These amazing riders are on hand to ensure safety, provide inspiration and give a tip or two to riders pushing their limits. Finally is the foam pit. This one item may be the key to creating riders that will turn heads wherever they decide to show up.
A foam pit is a safe way to learn challenging new moves while removing the risks of pounding misses into unforgiving dirt. Tricks mastered in “the pit” can more easily be transferred to parks and dirt much more quickly and comfortably. A foam pit is not commonly available for athletes and to have one locally is a gift. The locals who were training last night were definitely taking advantage of it.
Yesterday I stopped by Barnum North Bike Park in Denver and hooked up with my friend Clayton Shank for some an awesome dirt jump session. Clayton is a fantastic up and coming rider with big plans for the future.
Clayton is fortunate to be supported in his love of riding from some great companies. Black Market Bikes, Plus Size BMX, the Fix Bike Shop, IXS Sports Division, VP Pedals, Novik Gloves and Evo Hemp all see something special in Clayton. Once you see this kid do his thing you will know why.
Clayton’s goals for next season reach almost as high as his signature “whips”. Road trips to compete across the county and a coveted top 10 in the inaugural season of Colorado’s own Outlaws of Dirt series are just the beginning of what Mr. Clayton has set his sights on.
Good Luck Clayton.
I had to post an update on the progress of one of the front range’s newest bike parks. Saturday was the first day that Brighton Jumpsot was sort of open. RIders got to test all of the features and burn in jump lines on what will soon be one of the hottest places for riders of all abilities to work their skills.
Logan Holland, the guys from Plus Size BMX, Gromspot and all of the local volunteers have done a fantastic job creating a jumping masterpiece.
Just before Halloween at Longmont’s Sandstone Bike Park, a group of riders came together for an extraordinary event that featured tricks, treats, costumes and crashes. The riders showed their skills and pushed their limits. The “call-out” format, which was MC’d by Longmont’s own Mike Murfitt Jr. had contestants on their toes and digging deep into their individuals bags of tricks. For those that are not familiar, a “call-out” involves a specific trick to be done on a specific feature of Sandstone’s incredibly varied terrain. The contest finale was a treacherous event in one of the larger bowls where all of the riders entered at once, attempted to avoid collisions and crowned the winner as the last to put a foot down.
Sponsors included Plus Size BMX, Joe’s Bike Shop, Outlaws of Dirt and Kink & Sunday Bikes. Needless to say the day was a spectacle and spooktacular good time.
The Friends of Barnum North Bike Park, Plus Size BMX, Gromspot, the City of Denver, BikeDenver.org and Winter Park Resorts held an fantastic event on a cloudy and then rainy Saturday this October. The event featured great riding, free hotdogs and a wonderful raffle where Denver’s own Mayor Michael Hancock presented a lucky winner with a new bike. The “friends” maintain the park as volunteers headed up by Nick Solonincka, of Salvagetti’s Bike Shop and park designer Phil Rowe. Thanks to all that showed up and too bad it rained so hard.
To establish a relationship with your subject, as a photographer, is always the goal. When this relationship with a subject becomes a relationship with a family it is a gift. I had the opportunity to shoot Kimberly and Bryan on their wedding day and it was fantastic but to have the chance to shoot them as a family was even better. Way to go guys. Thanks.
I recently had the opportunity to again shoot with my friend Frances. This time it was at The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Beaver Creek to shoot Molly & Marc’s gorgeous wedding celebration. I couldn’t have asked for a better group on a better day. Thanks Frances.
On a wonderful summer evening in the Betty Ford Gardens of Vail, I had the opportunity to capture some great moments of some very dear friends. This has a tradition that I am honored to be part of.
Not much to say at this point other than post some great images. Mini road-trip with the Plus Size BMX team to some hot sites in Fort Collins. Wind can’t stop these guys.
