Puerto Rico local, Chan, leading the pack. Photo: Khaleeq Alfred.
Puerto Rico is always a good way to start off the race season—a place with beautiful landscapes, amazing hills (EVERYWHERE!), epic parties, and lots of ladies. After embracing the East Coast cold for a while, this Puerto Rico trip presented itself with perfect timing—a nice getaway to embrace some warmth and sunshine!
IDF dude, Lee Cation, chatting with the riders. Photo: Khaleeq Alfred.
Mack Wacey, feelin’ dem curves. Photo: Khaleeq Alfred.
Yardwaste working his way into a draft. Photo: Khaleeq Alfred.
The Puerto Rico races started off with the infamous Guajataca, followed by Lago Cerrillo DH (Ponce), El Guama Downhill, and ending with Culebra Downhill. The accompanying images are reflections of my time spent at Lago Cerrillo Downhill in Ponce with the Bustin Boards homies.
Bustin rider’s Nayhomi & Valeria mobbin’, with Keyla and homegirl in tow. Photo: Khaleeq Alfred.
“Do you even thane, bro!?” Cami Best. Photo: Khaleeq Alfred.
Chan mobbin’ fast all-day-e’reyday! Photo: Khaleeq Alfred.
Byron Essert dippin’, leanin’, and rail grabbin’. Photo: Khaleeq Alfred.
Riders ready! . . . almost. . . Photo: Khaleeq Alfred.
This year marks Puerto Rico’s first IDF race, “Lago Cerrillo Downhill” (known to many simply as “Ponce”) and held by Locales Entertainment in Ponce, PR. Last year people thought the course was gnarly, getting up to 50-55mph, and I assure you it is!! Tight racing, lots of curves, stacked competition, and good vibes make this event a banger!
Hugo, having fun per usual! Photo: Khaleeq Alfred.
Dat view doe! Photo: Khaleeq Alfred.
Billy Bones by himself, but not a “selfie”. Photo: Khaleeq Alfred.
Will Royce, wheel replacement. Photo: Khaleeq Alfred.
A negotiating and cornering pack hittin’ the hill hard! Photo: Khaleeq Alfred.
And the winner is. . . Kevin Reimer! StokeSub! Bloop-bloop! Photo: Khaleeq Alfred.
Ultimately, Puerto Rico is the perfect place for chillin’ with the homies, kickin’ it on beaches, and mobbin’ them gorgeous hills. Puerto Rico has the super-chill and relaxed atmosphere to it—that go with the flow type vibe—it moves at it’s own pace and beats to it’s own PR drum. Can’t go wrong with heading to PR from Jan-Feb; four races and a ton of partying!
-Khaleeq Alfred
Race Results:
Open
1st. Kevin Reimer
2nd. Thiago Gomes Lessa
3rd. Jose Guzman
4th. Pedro Frangulis
Junior’s
1st. Dejaune Jones-Norman
2nd. Kai Monroe
3rd. Alexander Rivera
4th. David Ramirez
Women’s
1st. Katie Neilson
2nd. Emily Pross
3rd. Keyla Padin
4th. Mariela Santiago
All words and images by homie: www.khaleeqphotography.com
Wow Khaleeq Alfred! You are an amazing photographer. The pictures look awesome!