Generally speaking, when I venture off on trips like this one I know what to expect.
Little did I know, however, that this most recent adventure would be unlike any
other that Corey or I had ever previously experienced. Once we got there we immediately
realized that the “accepted” lifestyle in Ecuador varies greatly from
that of the U.S. as things that generally would not be allowed here at home were
considered the “norm” there. (Like what??? If you’re going to
say we did things that made us think, did we really just legally do that u need
to give examples. Otherwise, don’t say it!) To start, the two of us did
a little PR at the government office. It was an interesting time for us to be
there as the country was having their political elections.
We
didn’t know it until there, but at the time, Corey and I were the first
American BMX riders to ever actually visit and ride in Ecuador as we got told.
Corey and I were treated to a stay at an amazing beach house with full, around
the clock, maid service.
The
food was a little different in Ecuador. I don’t think I’ll ever
get quite used to having chicken soup where when eating it, I discover not chicken
meat that maybe has a small bone or two but rather the meat is attached the
actual chicken leg with toes and EVERYTHING!! To add to the beach house guest
list, the roster also featured pro-appearances by various dogs, geicos, and
believe it or not…SCORPIONS!! Can you believe my Mom actually got stung
by one of those?!? As if that wasn’t bad enough she’s actually really
allergic to this insect which meant a rushed trip to the local hospital.
The
actual event was so laid back that they had Corey, myself plus the locals out
there building the dirt jumps on the same day we were supposed to be doing the
demo! In order to have everything finished we had to compromise and ended up
using a truck for the rolling and a pieces of wood to cover up all of the sand.
After we were done with the demo, we had a little party to help me bring in
the big 2-7 (as if 25 and 26 were big enough…lol).
I
want to make sure to send out a B-I-G thanks to everyone in the city of La Playas,
I want to thank Jofre & Marcos for getting everything organized, all of
the sponsors that made this event a reality, as well as everyone who came out
to ride and/or watch all the shenanigans go down! Here are some pics to help
document this adventure; only I really don’t think they fully cover or
justify all the fun we had! Thanks again everyone, hope you enjoy!
Pic's By Corey Martinez & Ricardo Laguna
P.S. Thanks Corey for making me wanna pick up another hobby PHOTOGRAPHY!!! click
here to see video
04/24/09
There is no better way to start the weekend then going
to the mail box to find the new issue of Session BMX were there is last years
Extremething and a day in with Hollywood?!?!? LOVE IT LOL!
04/21/09
Today was Ben & Jerry’s 31st Annual “Free Cone Day.” As
part of the day’s celebration the Vegas branch of the Ben & Jerry’s
franchise donates a portion of the day’s proceeds to Nevada Community
Learning Centers (formerly known as Classroom on Wheels) and Lied Discovery
Children’s Museum. In an effort to make this day successful and promise
a good turnout, local celebrities such as Amy “Bla Bla” Carabba,
Rachel Smith, cast members of “Fantasy,” members of “Thunder
from Down Under,” “X Burlesque,” “Louie Anderson”
and myself enlisted as honorary B&J scoopers. We all had a great time and
were happy to be able to help such amazing causes!!
04/20/09
Finally I got a chance to be in front of the computer
to finish up editing the Extremething video. Thanks to being in the air plane
for countless hours...Click on the link below to check out the interviews and
see how the contest turned out.
If you are looking for something to do this Sat April
18 in Las Vegas come out to X-Hour at Desert Breeze rec-center. You can have
the chance to watch videos and hang out with riders to bring the extreme sport
community together. The flicks are home made videos of local participant's riding
session. Everything kicks off at 2pm.
04/01/09
Happy April Fools! Today I got a chance to pull a prank
to all of the viewers at FOX 5 with a little help with one of the coolest news
girls Amy Carabba. Here are couple pics and the stunt double for Amy... Nate
Miller...for her back flip mission.
03/30/09
“This was
the first year that Mother Nature gave us perfect weather for this event, and
jumps were super fun with two different lines and a 20ft spine. Steven Murray
made it out too! Hucker was one of the top picks to take the win, but a real
bad crash took him out (splitting his eye open and couple fractures in his face).
Ryan Nyquist jumped in the crowd toward the end for a little crowd surfing.
Silverstine, Vandals, and Bad Religion were awesome. The roller derby girls
were crazy…
I
really want to give a big thanks to everyone at Clark County Parks and Rec.
for making this event a reality, West and his whole staff at Desert Breeze Park,
BIG, big thanks to Larry and his crew for getting the dirt in place, JoshMetz.com
for the pic!, all of the riders that came out, plus the crowd that was going
wild! Hope to see you next year!”
Final Results:
1. Rob Dardon 90.83
2. Ryan Nyquist 90.66
3. Antony Napolitan 90.16
4. Pat Laughlin 90.16
5. Ricardo Laguna 89.83
6. Luke Parslow 89.33
7. Ricky Mosley 89.16
8. Mike Payne 84.66
9. Greg Watts 81.05
10. Josh Hult 75.6
11. Mark Rubio 66.05
12. Michael “Hucker” Clark 63.05
Qualifying
Results:
1. Ryan Nyquist 90.66
2. Anthony Napolitan 90.5
3. Pat Laughlin 89.83
4. Michael Clark 89.5
5. Josh Hult 89
6. Ricky Moseley 88.66
7. Luke Parslow 88.5
8. Mark Rubio 87.83
9. Ricardo Laguna 87.66
10. Rob Darden 86.33
11. Greg Watts 86.16
12. Mike Payne 85.83
13. Ben Voyles 85.33
14. Colton Satterfield 85
15. Joey Cordova 84.66
16. Matt Closson 84.33
17. Thomas Hancock 84.16
18. Caleb Norman 83.5
19. Lance Moseley 83.33
20. Dustin (Radio) Nile 83.33
21. Ben Snowden 82
22. Demetrius Andrezjewski 81.83
23. Larry Edgar 81.66
24. TJ Ellis 81.33
25. Sean Logan 81
26. Casey Joyce 81
27. Dustin McCarty 80.5
28. Nathan Miller 80.33
29. Ryan Howard 80.33
30. Dan Norvell 80.33
31. Jordan Blazvick 80
32. Jack Fogulquist 79.83
33. Patrick Casey 78
34. Jesse Turner 77.5
35. Victor Salazar 76.83
36. Kevin Peranza 76.66
37. Sam Stebila 76.16
38. Cory Nastazio 76.5
39. AJ Anaya 76.5
40. Jesse Nickell 74.16
41. Austin Coleman 74.16
42. Cameron McCaul 73.5
43. Mike Lakin 71.83
44. Tyler McCaul 70.66
45. Dennis Dessaintis 69.66
46. Ty Callias 68.66
47. Matt Cordova 67.16
48. Philip Toliver 66.66
49. Loren Laverine 64.16
50. Sean McAlpine 62.33
51. Isaac McNeal 58.66
03/21/09
A bout a month ago I was contacted by LVM, "Las Vegas Magazine," to
do "10 Things Celebrities Like To Do In Las Vegas," for this months
issue. I can't believe I can be labeled a celebrity from riding a little kids
bike.
