 |
The 13th annual John
Henry Days and the |
I was lucky enough to have both David Ferguson and Greg Descantes shooting photos for us at this year's JH Days - er the Shimano Front Yard Fury. As I result I'm going to let the photos do most of the talking. Hoots Jay and Darren Butler did an amazing job putting everything together as well as an impeccable job on the mics. They are about the only announcers I know who can go all day without saying one annoything thing. I rarely make it through a sentence. Anyway, street riding continues to evolve and it seems the gap between what mtbers and 20 inchers are doing is beginning to narrow.
Congrats to everyone who put this year's comp together. It was a big success, riders and spectators were suitably stimulated and the course allowed for a lot of two-wheeled expression.
Roll on down and check out these stills - and thanks again to Greg and David for the shots.
For event results click here.
Now that the world Cup doesn't come here anymore (way to go Grouse) JH Days is about the only chance to see some of the top riders in the North Van. Kurt Sorge (on the right in red) made his first riding appearance as UFC champ on Saturday. He got his bike on the same day as the comp but still managed a solid performance. Photo ~ Cam McRae
Evan Holmgren has been riding really solidly lately. Here he is attempting a 3 whip. Or he's just bailing out of a 360 attempt. Hard to say which really. Photo ~ Greg Descantes.
Front Yard Fury was a coming out party of sorts for Ryan Hayes as well. Ryan is the newest member of the nsmb Freeride Team We really felt we needed another Ryan to complete the set. We now have Ryan Hayes, Ryan Schnepf and Ryan Newman. Team Ryan Air. Photo ~ Greg Descantes
Ian Moult hasn't been seen much in the last few years. It was great to see him back boosting. Nobody got anywhere near as high on this wall. Photo ~ Greg Descantes
Phil Sundbaum dominated all day. It was pretty clear he was going to win it all if nothing got in his way. His stretched out backflips were so smooth his chain didn't even slap on landing. Photo ~ Greg Descantes
Ryder Kasprick appears to be going after a one-foot x-up backflip - but at the last minute he launched into an impromtu scene from Swan Lake. Photos ~ David Ferguson.
Judged comps always piss people off and I was one of the pissed. I know I'm biased but even taking that account it was pretty clear that Ryan Newman was robbed. His first run was one of the smoothest and most well-executed of the day but he failed to make the finals. Photo ~ Greg Descantes
How about a one-handed no-foot Can Can? Phil Sundbaum killed it all day long Photo ~ David Ferguson.
Last year's champion, Dylan Tremblay, was down....
and then out. He was still smiling for most of the afternoon though. He was attempting a 360 over the box and he clipped his wheel on the wall. Good enough for best crash. Photos ~ Greg Descantes
Another familiar but seldom seen mug showed up this year. Jesse Roberts has been hatching cunning plots since he appeared in Ride To The Hills and it seems that one finally caught hold. His Bicycle Rockers Team - which includes Ryder Kasprick and Ross Measures - has made a big splash this year. Photo ~ David Ferguson.
Ryan Hayes does things nobody else does. An example is this Saran Wrap. He'll also pull a nothing off a 20 foot drop or land a jump in Sterilizer position (with both his legs on the handlebars) Photo ~ David Ferguson.
Jim Delavalle. The man from Pennsylvania was always composed. Here he is midway through a one-handed 360. His performance was solid all the way through the comp. Photo ~ Greg Descantes.
Wayne Goss (foreground) and Jim Delavalle frozen in flight. Wayne Goss has gained a lot of confidence in the last year and it showed in his riding. Photo ~ Greg Descantes.
Gullie Old School. Geoff Gulevich's nac nac was flawless. Photo ~ David Ferguson
This is not Joe Perrizo. It's actually Travis "Crappis" Erickson from Burien Washington. This transfer flip was sichter. Photo ~ David Ferguson.
For event results click here.
