Skatefurther Ben

We’d all been watching the weather out of the corner of out eyes for the last couple of weeks, but i reckon in the end, we’d resigned to the rain. It was going to come and it was going to come hard……

The whole point of BriBaBri was to say goodbye to one of the guys who started Skatefurther, and who has become its driving force over the last couple of years, Nat Halliday. He is emigrating to New Zealand at the end of the year. Nat will be sorely missed, but i think we gave a damn good send off!

(For anyone interested, Nat’s blog is here, give it a read. http://wafflesole.skatefurther.net/)

Typically, the day started outside a pub. The weather actually looked ok, so Keith, Vic and I waited for people to arrive, chatting about the Kbike and things. After a while, numbers increased and we hit the (very familiar http://www.bristolbathrailwaypath.org.uk/home.shtml) trail. The first part of the way to Bath, the weather stayed on our side, the pace was good and we spent the catching up and meeting new folks. After the first pub stop the rain really came down, and lets just say i was happy i had the kickbike, it had the luxury of mudguards.

(Photo Stolen from Tom)

Skateboarding aside, i feel it is important to mention a good beer when you have one, if you havnt tried this stuff, DO SO!!!! http://www.otterbrewery.com/otter_ale.php

Just after the pubstop, Further team member Tom Lewis had a bail which messed up his bad knee, so i gallantly (Code for reluctantly) gave up my dry kickbike, for his 06 model demonseed, which despite the fact that it soaked me to the bones, was a damn good ride. It was set up with the new truck of choice, Sabres.

I wasnt to sure about them at first..but once i got rolling and started cross stepping (badly) and playing around i began to see attraction. If they are as stable on the hills as they are consistently turny, then that is a very good truck!

Everyone got to Bath safely and split up to find food. Keith and I joined Stewart, Alex and the guys from down by the seaside for lunch in the Slug and Lettuce. Alex, it was good to see you again dude, and it was good to meet the rest ofyou guys!

Well fed, we all met up at Bath Station and said our goodbyes to Nat and the other folks who (quite sensibly) didnt fance the return leg in the pouring rain. About 8 of us were left to push back to Bristol in the grey fading light. The ride back was epic! Very Very fast and Very Very wet!!

A few pints and a plate of Nacho’s afterwards and i was totally exhasuted!! Train back Bath…SLLEEEEEP

It was great to see everyone and i’m so so stoked for next summer, 20100 (Deliberate extra 0, you’l soon see) is going to be mental!!

(Photo stolen from Tom P’s Facebook)