I’ve been making half hearted attempts to put together a Cannonball Run of Oregon skateparks for several years. The Cannonball Run is one of those ideas that sounds fun but is actually quite a chore if you decide to undertake it. Every time I would suggest it I would get a few non committal grunts or “that sounds annoying.” It turns out most people would rather spend their time actually skating instead of driving from spot to spot and having to leave just as you get warmed up. Leave it to MC to actually put the plan into motion. He tried one earlier this winter but kind of gave up half way through due to weather and lack of sunlight. In Washington a crew had a similar experience. When Old Man Army decided to give it a go in Arizona, MC picked up the torch and ran with it. It wasn’t publicized as an event on Skate and Annoy because Mark had planned to hit some private bowls on the way and didn’t want to bring the troops along. At the last minute (literally) I talked him into just hitting public parks for the sake of continuity. In the car…

Sure, we may have actually skated more parks on the NW Cannonball Run, but the crew from Old Man Army one-upped us by barging a bike-only park in Chandler Arizona, known as the, uh, Chandler Bike Park. According to the city’s web site, it’s the first bike-only public skatepark uh, bike park. Who knew they even existed? It’s not a dirt track next to a skatepark, like so many facilities are, but a full blown cement skatepark, (Sorry, hard habit to break) bike park. Chandler must have a lot of money burn if they can afford separate facilities on such a grand scale. How does it work for the respective communities? Is everybody happy? The OMA crew got the boot from an officer of the law, whom we are told was less offensive to look at and listen to than you know who. I wonder if the bikers are afforded the same courtesies when getting the boot. Maybe not, since skateboarders barging a BMX park is such a novelty. All of this has nothing to do with the photo above, which is a gal named Jean (See, I told you they wouldn’t discriminate) in the deep end (13ft?) of the…

Sixteen skateparks in one day. This shot above is Gabe from Salem at the Aumsville park which was our last stop. I wonder how the guys in Arizona did on theirs? More pics and details to follow. In the meantime, Conahan put up a park shot from each spot via cell phone on Antigrav Remote.

Late night downhill racing in the dark anyone? Portland is probably nearly as famous in the bike community as it is in the skateboard community. I’m not talking strict BMX, I’m talking anything with a crank and pedals. There is a large core of people out there that consider it a lifestyle in much the same way that many skateboarders do. In my neighborhood there is a weekly bike polo (hockey?) game held in a disused tennis court that is pretty aggro and can often be heard from several blocks away. The Zoo Bomb phenom is usually a bunch of crazy bikers that meet to bomb down a hill near Portland’s zoo, hence the name. They get into trouble sometimes, but the City of Portland has been relatively hands off, all things considered. I’ve heard all manners of motorless transport are welcome. As part of Minibike Winter and one of many events on the same night, the official unofficial entity of Zoo Bomb is holding a skate race on February 15th. They’ve got different classes for wheel size, gravity powered only, and now skateboarding as one of them. In their own words: Skate the zoobomb hill. Prizes, trophies, glory.

Add another one to the list. Old Man Army is gearing up for the Cannonball Run on February 16th. They are starting bright and early at 6am with plans to hit 16 parks in one day. It’s a lot easier if it’s not freezing or raining, or both. If you are in the AZ area check it out. I’m pretty sure these guys wouldn’t discriminate against you if you aren’t old or a man for that matter. You can see the flyer enlarged after the jump, although I suppose it would make more sense to go directly to the source.

Marek Litinski sent in some pics from his recent trip to his homeland, Czechoslovakia. This spot is located in Hrušovany nad Jevišovkou. They’ve got a web link for the skatepark complete with a history and construction photos. Of course I can’t read it, but it looks like it was built out in the middle of nowhere in an old government building, as evidenced by the official portraits various nefarious Russians above. Here’s what Marek had to say: About that wooden bowl… Scene sucked, to the extend of non-existence. Placed in very small village in an obscure Czech country side. Posiblly a Czech type Donald situation. So I wouldn’t be surprised if one day somebody ripped it a new one, which isn’t gonna be spectacular in any way because those trannys are like six feet tall. That bank wallride is around twelve, which makes it not so easy to skate so thats where you get your stoke on. What’s the meaning of the Donald reference? Donald Oregon and Putting hte cart before the horse. The city must have gotten a grant from somewhere and decided to build a park “for the kids” before there was any skateboarding to speak of. Now…

Friday, February 8th – The Tube – 18 NW 3rd Portland. A skateboarding-related drinking event in support of the Rip City project.

Seriously, these things come over the wire abbreviated and all I saw were the phrases “Skateboard Demo”, Bacon, and “sponsored by Nash.” It’s not the crap skateboard manufacturer Nash, but the Nash Motorcycle Company out of Vancouver Washington. They are sponsoring some sort of motorcycle-centric event at Stone Edge Skatepark in Florida as part of Daytona Bike Week 2008. Looks like Stone Edge has a lot more wood than concrete. Yes. This is motorcycle/skateboard crossover day. I looked all over the Nash Motorcycle site and I couldn’t find an Executioner model, but I did find something that looks like a Nash skateboard part! Benji probably isn’t getting any free motorcycles out of this seeing as how he got screwed out of the TV.

Your invited to partake in an evening of skate art by the one and only Russ Pope. His quirky renderings of unique characters will instantly become a part of your family. He uses several mediums of canvas, wood, metal and fabric. His pallet of colors come from Lowes or Home Depot. He loves the “Sharpie” marker a little more than your average struggling artist. Russ Pope- Father of Scarecrow and Creature brands, gave CCS a customer service gameplan, worked on the Savier Footwear Marketing Team, as well as the struggling DuFFS program, he’s the guy who did wonders for Black Label by creating ad campaigns, softgoods & finding team riders. His most recent venture is Beloe Footwear and Myrtle. The show is located at Evo on 122 NW 36th St in Seattle WA- its a great excuse to go skate about 13 skateparks in the area. Indoor or Outdoor- rain or shine. Go! Its really close to the Ballard Bowl for a reference.

If you are in Portland, the show is on a Thursday night. You’ll be able to contribute to Howard’s campaign for city council. Howard will be speaking and collecting qualifying contributions. Click here to see the flyer larger, or here to see why you should care.