Californication
The Lost Blog
Words by Curtis 'Cutties' Robinson.
Date: 2009-03-12
January 2nd. The first day we flap our wings and head south for what? Dirt, a tan, a dirt tan, and a whole heap of riding.
I am fortunate enough to have an awesome friend that lives in Davis just out side of Sacremento CA. As for his awesome family for putting up with us and invading their space for 2 weeks, you guys rock. I can't thank you enough!
What better way to start off the year than to ride for 2 weeks in a T-shirt! In January! I know, pretty awesome if you ask me. Kyle Jameson was our tour guide this whole trip, taking us to some amazing riding spots and introducing us to some even more amazing people. By saying "us" I am refering too my 2 good friends Brendan Howey, Dylan Dunkerton, and of course my self.
Left to right - Dylan, Kyle and Howey.
The 3 of us decided to fly down, where we would meet Kyle at the Sacremento Airport. Our Flight out of Vancouver was late, so we had 9 minutes to catch our connecting flight in Portland. We were running fast and throwing elbows; we made it with only a couple minutes to spare, fewwwphh! Little did we know when we landed we waited, and waited for our bags to show up..... it turns out because of our late flight our bags weren't transferred onto our connecting plane. OH SNAP! After some much needed assistance from an employee at the baggage pick up, we went to Kyle's and had to come back the next morning to retrieve all of our bags. Thanks Horizon!
We built up our bikes threw on some deodorant and were off to go eat lunch at the greatest place on earth! Dos Coyotes South West Mexican restaurant in Davis CA; where we were introduced to the greatest thing to ever land on your plate! The Border steak burrito, So tasty and oh so filling. After we were fueled we were ready to hit our first riding spot. 
The Border Steak Burrito! mmmmmm...
So we were now heading into Sacremento where we would meet up with Terry Cox and Randy "the one and only" Spangler. Terry is the owner of a local bike shop called College Cyclery. He and Randy are well on their way to building one of the coolest bike parks right in Terry's own back yard! We were blown away with how much land and toys Terry had to work with. I was in heaven. We started out watering the pump track and buffing it so it could handle our abuse.....oh ya, this thing is undercover WITH lights!!
Howey taking an alternate route out of a berm.
Coming from one of the snowiest winters, and shoveling way too much snow. It was refreshing to pick up some shovels and start building a sweet jump line with Randy. This is a man on a mission, he is one of the best skid steer operators Ive seen. So fast and so precise, and always smiling. Maybe not in this shot because this is where his precision comes into play!
Randy Spangler: machine operator
Beginning the build.
The first hip.
After the second straight jump: Cheese wheel. Brandon Semenuk planning something mind blowing I'm sure.
After hours of digging, Terry and His Wife Alison brought out 3 racks of ribs, Tri tip sandwiches, potatoes and salad for lunch! It doesn't get much better than that. Thanks Terry and Ali!
Randy Smiling while keeping an eye on the meat.
Time to play! When you're at Terry's you're always having fun. Brandon stopped in for a few days and joined in on the activities. His first time on "Terry's wild Ride", Brandon didn't go for a second ride.....Always wear a helmet kids. Haha
Okay getting back on track here.
Take a look at what we had to ride at Terry's compound.
Randy getting steeze
Howey dangling those limbs.
Kyle no can in the sunset.
We then started to ride in the new set of jumps we had been working on.
Randy lent us his shuttle machine...... Make sure you know how to drive before you operate....
Off to Aptos......
So off we went. Kyle, Brandon,Howey, Dylan, and myself cruised into Aptos for 4 days. Thanks to my aunt and uncle we had a place to stay. YEA I know, how awesome are they! Thanks Terry and Lorraine.
So our first destination was the infamous Post Office for our first sunset session.
Howey flowing like he does.
After our first P.O. session was over we packed the bikes up and went to bed. We woke up the next day to beautiful sunny day and headed to Cobs house. Jacob Hyde's the name, jump buildings his game. His jumps are unreal, the dirt is like butter and the jumps are as smooth as a babies bottom! Thanks again Cob, you rule!
These are the rules....
Kyle making it look easy, while Ryan takes a much needed swing break.
I had a go at the new hip we helped finish up.
Ryan Howard's got way too much style. He is one of those guys you can't help but stop and watch ride.
A crew of very skilled people!
...We managed to ride a few other spots with lots of crazy jumps and amazing dirt, I will leave those out though, since my camera died and I forgot my charger at home!!oops. Thanks to everyone we rode with in Aptos, and for having us at your spots. You guys are awesome and you really made our trip memorable.
We packed our things and headed out of Santa Cruz after a great last session at Cobs. Back to Davis we went for a couple more days of riding and an adventure.
With a bit more riding in Sacramento at Terry's Compound, we decided to do the tourist thing. Our plan was to go to Six Flags near San Fransisco. So we bought our tickets the night prior to our adventure, due to their websites lack of info. We arrived after an hour long drive to a massive empty amusement park that was closed for another month. Sweet, now what! Five minutes later we were on our way to Alcatraz. I've always been fascinated with Alcatraz since I was little, so I was really stoked to actually be able to go there and learn more about what went on there. Take a look.
A two acre court yard where the guards children played! I don't know about you but I sure would have a dificult time enjoying myself with the baddest of bad only a stones throw away.
Howey stepping outside the prison yard with the Golden Gate.
Somewhere we don't ever want to be. I couldn't imagine the door being locked! Howey on the other hand seems happy? haha.
On the edge of freedom. Nicole, Kyle, Howey, Curtis, and Dylan. Happy we survived Alkatraz!
Can't pass through San Fransisco without bombing down Lombard St.
On our way home for our last day In the sun, back into winter we went. Thanks again to everyone that helped us out on this trip, It means a lot and couldn't have had this much fun without you!
And no thanks to Horizon for giving us even more problems on our flights home. But we made it back in 1 piece.
Here are a couple videos from the trip that Dylan filmed and edited as well. Enjoy
part 1
part 2
part 3
Curtis
Life's rough for Curtis and Dylan and Howey. Not sure how they stand it. Next they'll be piling into the team truck with Mitch Chubey and Justin Wyper to head down to Sea Otter. If you've got anything to say we've got somewhere for you to say it...
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