“Sweet Pete” Eubank trying to draw the dry-line. On this day, a difficult task indeed. Photo: Beer.
With Southern California and Los Angeles a thousand miles behind us somewhere, back there in the rearview mirror, we arrive in the dark and shimmering wetness of Portland, Oregon at 1:00 am. We’ve called ahead and are to conveniently arrive at JP’s (the founder of Rip City Skates) house at the same time as a packed PDX bus arrives back from the Whistler race, held a couple days earlier up in Canada. We pull up to the house almost exactly the same time as they do, both van and bus steadily drain their travel-worn contents, we proceed to fill every possible couch, bed, and floor-space in the house. A deep and general sleep soon covers all.
Hawaiian homie-dude, enjoying a lone run through the park. Photo: J.H.
JP, owner of the raddest shop in Portland: Rip City Skates. Photo: Huey Lewis.
Peter Grant Eubank and the homies lurkin’ hard at Rip City Skates. Photo: Huey Johnson.
The next morning we swap stories of our travels over some righteous waffle action at a local diner. After breakfast, we round up the crew and head over to Rip City Skates to get some gear, skate the Gnar Bowl for a bit, and meet up with whoever wants to shred the city with us. JP, Casey Morrow, Jon Huey, Bill “Bones” and many others are unable roll because they are just getting back from Canada and need to get shit sorted for Maryhill. We end up hooking up with the dirty Texan “Chubbs”, Max Myers, Jimmy Rhia, Duke Degan, a Hawaiian skater, Portland Ripper Chip Wood, and a few other homies. We pile in the “UP North, Down Hills” van and head out to get some lunch at the ever-so-epic Hot Lips pizza establishment. The grub is legit and Jon Huey definitely hooks it up fat. Thanks brotha Jon.
Chip Wood drives like crap—Luckily, his skateboarding is not crappy. Ha ha! Thanks for showing us around dude! Photo: Ron Chuy.
The Mayor of Social Media/Facebook Lurker, Jimmy Rhia, trying to grip it when wet. Photo: Johnny Hue.
With happy stomachs, we rally up to the legendary Switchbacks. It’s still pretty wet from the previous day’s rain, but the boys are so stoked to be there that they ride anyway. It’s a pretty fun session for sure; dudes come into a turn hot, try to turn, and then just slide right into the forest. After a while, it begins to dry up a bit and we have a pretty nice session. Later on, we roll up to the Zoo Bomb run and run that. I can’t make it ‘cause I hurt my thumb trying to jump an alley, but the best runs of the day are had doing these crazy, butt-boarding runs down Switchbacks. Pete is especially excited about that shnizt.
Pat Schep with a speedy rail dipper. Photo: Tom Cluee.
One of our favorite freeriders, Duke Degen, channeling his inner Rad. Photo: Don Newby.
Pat Schep leading Max Myers and the boys through the Zoo. Photo: Johnathan Huenestien.
By the end of the day, the fact that we’ve been on the road for a week now, we’ve all taken more than a few slippery slams today, and we are to leave for Maryhill the following morning, the decision is made to just kick it with the rest of the homies back at JP’s house. It’s a pretty epic night really. We all pile into the living room and watch the Epicly Later’d documentary of Legendary SF shredder John Cardiel. Many haven’t seen it before, but everybody’s stoked seeing it now.
Later that night, another hearty sleep ensues, until I wake everybody up with my even heartier snoring. Sorry guys.
All in all, Portland is awesome; we shredded some legendary spots and kicked it with some legendary homies.
The whole “Up North, Down Hills” crew would like send a huge thank you to JP, Casey Morrow, Chip Wood, John Huey, Hot Lips Pizza, The whole PDX crew, Rip City Skates, all the Portland homies, and especially the “Up North, Down Hills” sponsors: Paris Trucks, Divine Wheels, And S-One. Shredlove!
-Marcus