Posted on 09/12/2013 7:27:31 PM PDT by BillyBonebrake
If you haven’t had a good look at this terrifying sport, it’s time for you to check out this video from the Pike’s Peak Downhill. On Sept. 8, over 50 of the world’s fastest skateboarders met up to compete on a breathtaking course set in Colorado’s most visited mountain summit.
(Excerpt) Read more at bleacherreport.com ...
That is just insane!
It was tougher sledding back in the day.
the speeds they were reaching.....seemed a bit Over The Edge for a skateboard..yes!
Cool! Love those GoPro cameras and all the hi-tech gear... I try to keep up... But when did they pave that road? Last time I was on it, it was gravel and overheated Fords and Chevys littered the shoulder. Am I old or what?
Yes, paved to the top now. Makes the drive a lot nicer.
If there are trees they are NOT at the top.
Darwin.
Apparently.
Before high pressure fuel injection, we used to test at Pike Peaks annually. The road was only paved to "the Cove" (Glen Cove). Dirt above.
The video started below the tree line.
Pike’s Peak.
In my younger days I loved downhill skateboarding.
I would find the most extreme residential roads and from the top pump for all it was worth.
I gave very little consideration to the challenges at the bottom of the hill.
Wobbles, raspberries and road rash where to be expected.
Dealing with it was the fun part.
I didn’t have a long board but that didn’t stop me.
So, at the top of this ridiculous hill I had my buddy pace me in his car. The road wasn’t as smooth as I would have liked but, what the hell. I had about 50 yards or less to a “T” intersection that dumped into the woods.
At the top I pumped my board as hard as I could and proceeded downhill. He clocked me at just over 40 mph as I encountered the wobbles. I stood up and took one foot off the board to use it as a brake and the board shot out from under me. For some completely retarded reason I decided that I would not hit the ground.
He told me later that I looked like some cartoon character running as my feet, legs and arms were moving to keep on my feet.
My right toe was cut up from the pavement ( my right shoe was wore out, as usual from skating), as my foot was thrust past what my shoe could hold.
My left foot didn’t have the benefit of an escape, all my toes got jammed and later swelled in pain.
I never hit the ground.
I pulled muscles in my arms, legs and stomach to stay on my feet. I wish I had just rolled out instead.
This race doesn't start at the top of the mountain. You can tell by the mountains and trees in the background. It starts about 10K up or so.
That’s what I was wondering, used to be a dirt road.
Higher speeds are available at higher altitudes.
Takes all of the fun out of driving the outboard lane in two way traffic. Wimps.
Good point... but the road was paved to the top when I drove up last summer.
I was up on Pikes this past weekend when the race was on. We made all kinds of funny jokes like the hay bails being only two high...just high enough to toss the poor kids into the woods way down below. It was more hype up there than sport. the usual rock station, glitzy babes, high stressed announcers, etc. They only had two miles of the road closed for this event and not the entire road.
They were at mile markers 11 to 13, well below treeline.
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