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• Tyler Higgins write-up – fiftytwoeighty.com

  

  Before anything is said, you should know that by reading this and looking at the pictures you will not be able to fully grasp how good this competition was. With 3 Battles behind us, everyone is pretty much aware of how these things work. Street competitions themselves are becoming the status quo. This battle will stand out in Colorado rolling history for three reasons: Top-notch skating, Bomb-ass skating and Super- . . . good skating.

  As always, everyone got together for a chill session the night before at EXPN. There was a lot of good skating and goofing around; just the way most of us like it. There were not any huge stunts pulled because no one wanted to risk getting critically injured the night before the comp.

  

  

  

  The first spot was West High School. For some reason this spot has been ignored by the rolling community. This is probably why we were able to skate the unchunked ledges for 45 minutes without anyone even coming out of the building. Oh yeah, they were also taking SATs at the time. People were getting about as ill as you can on the ledges. Everyone knows that this was really just a warm up for the real first spot . . .the drop rail one block away. This was not any rail to play around with but that didn't stop anyone. This was the first time this rail had been skated, and it is doubtful it will ever be skated like that again. Ok so enough of the setup right? Johnny Young pulled an alley oop top acid on it. That probably gets everyone's vote for the best trick on that rail, and possibly of the day. We also saw Colin Carr pull a 360 topsoul on it? What? Yeah. Really? Uh-huh. So many tricks to list . . .lets just do everyone justice. Take one of these names (Johnny Young, Colin Carr, Jeremy Spira, Jeremy Gallegos, Kenny Ruoff, Courtney Cain, Dustin Deiter, Eli Davis) and say <Insert rollerblader's name> killed that rail. So we had to wrap it up eventually and head on to the next spot.

  

  The second spot was the abandoned warehouse from the Mile High Battle III. We setup an old launch ramp from Vans skatepark that was 'found' the night before. The ramp to rail setup proved to be very challenging and getting to the end of it was an accomplishment in itself. The people who were killing this spot were Billy Wike from New Mexico, Courtney Cain, Jeremy Spira, Luke Bender and Dustin Deiter. As luck would have it, the world's first 24-hour Internet TV site, ManiaTV! is headquartered at the same warehouse. When they spied our rowdy crowd getting loose they had to send out a camera crew and sexy reporter. Adam Bender gave TV land the low down on what we were up to. He's so good at those kinds of things. Jeremy Gallegos attempted to flirt with the reporter during the interview, while Colin Carr tried to use his boyish cuteness. When the ramp to rail setup was exhausted, the kids with energy remaining gapped from the bank ramp over two rails. But more importantly, this year the Battle for the Streets hosted an impromptu, aggressive land-race. For whatever reason, Adam Bender decided that he wanted to see a race and he offered a T-shirt and wheels to the winner. With 50 or so kids lined up against a wall, it was a hillarious train-wreck. This spot wrapped up about 2:00 in the afternoon. Luckily we had 5 hours until the next spot.

  

  Transferring the rail at Standley Lake High School is for experts only. But doing it at night is another story. It should be pointed out that Adam Bender and Nick White saved the night by getting a generator and flood lights at the last minute. Make sure you thank them.

  So anyway this was the best rollerblading that has ever happened in Colorado. Colin Carr started it out with a Soul to Soul transfer. Whatever order it went in, it was something like this: Eli Davis from New Mexico did every trick he knows transfer to every trick he knows. Courtney Cain did top acid to true alley oop mizou. Colin Carr hit topsoul to farside soyale. Tyler Esau of Wyoming did a negative acid transfer to negative acid (with a broken ankle mind you). Jeremy Gallegos did mistrial to true spin mistrial. The pandemonium was prolonged (nice) and at the end Jeremy got best trick. Telling you what happened here does not do these guys justice. There are a lot of people who deserve credit. You need to see this competition on video.

  

  When it was all over it was clear that Eli Davis from New Mexico took first place. He skated among the best in the first two spots, and was far and away the best skater at the third spot. The 'Colorado Contender' Colin Carr took second for his amazing skating all day. Jeremy Spira found his way into the winners' circle for his consistent demolition of all three spots. Judging this competition was not easy, because everyone contended for 1st place. Did we mention that there were no cops all day? There were no cops all day. You can't ask for anything more.

  Fiftytwoeighty would like to thank everyone who helped us out making the competition happen. That includes those who skated and those who watched. Adam Bender deserves the biggest thanks because this comp would not have happened without him. He respectfully organizes and leads the competition but also locks down the sponsors and out of town visitors. We would also like to thank Nick White who drove the ramps and generators around the city all day. He scratched his truck bed for Colorado Rolling and we appreciate it. Jon P from New Mexico helped tremendously with his leadership and unbiased opinions. Thanks to Billy Kostka and Matt Gwar Jastrzemski for their help in general areas such as judging and opinions. Also a huge thanks to everyone who came from out of town: New Mexico, Wyoming, Arizona, Kansas & Illinois.

  See you next year . . . TH

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• Tyler Higgins write-up – fiftytwoeighty.com

  • EXPN_Event
    • Details
      • When
        • Took place the night before the competition
      • Crowd
        • A strong turn out of 150+ rollerbladers
    • What_Happened
      • Skate_Session
        • A positive vibe with 4 hours of skating
      • Video_Premier
        • Adam Johnson premiers his news KFC/Midwest video, "Straight Jacket"
      • Freestyle_MC_Battle
        • MC_Fwhatnot
          • Luke Bender has mad Skillz
        • Thuggish_Ruggish
          • Competition says that MC Fwhatnot has scripted his freestyles about them
        • Thuggish_Ruggish
          • Competition freestyles about small genitalia and killing each other
      • Hiphop_Concert
        • Makeshift_Gods
          • Great live music plays while skate session takes place
        • Feeling_The_Vibe
          • Charlie Sanders shows ass and starts a one man mosh pit
      • Master_Of_Ceremony
        • Dr._Mind_Bender
          • Everyone is appreciative of Adam Bender's Exhaustive efforts
        • Dr._Mind_Bender
          • Adam's crowd control is unmatched
            
  • Competition
    • Meet_And_Greet
      • Lots_of_Cars
        • The parking lot at the school where everyone met was packed with cars of rollerbladers. When this group of cars pulled into the first spot the line had to have reached 3/4 a mile long.
      • Cold_Chillin
        • Everyone was able to hang out and get to know the out of towners before it all went off. This was great for the fact that it improved the strong positive vibe. This meeting spot also insured that that comp started right when we got to the first spot, without trouble.
    • Spot_1
      • Ants_Marching
        • As everyone arrived at the industrial complex the skaters spread all over the place sessioning different apparatus.
      • First_Rail
        • The first rail that everyone sessioned was about 20 feet long and had a poor approach. Although there was some sick stuff pulled on it, the need for something better existed
      • Oops
        • Myself and Luke Bender accidently fell on the sign at the end of the rail and broke it off
      • Second_Rail
        • Competition says that MC Fwhatnot has scripted his freestyles about them
      • Who_Ripped
        • People who stuck out at this spot were Jeremy Gallegos and Eli from New Mexico, Brian Aragon, Colin Carr, Luke Bende
      • Big_Tricks
        • Jeremy Gallegos frontsided the whole flat and down, as well as some incredible true spins. Carr and Aragon had some nice switchups, and Bender was doing rough grinds.
      • Win_It_Now
        • Judge Gwar declares himself the winner on the basis of that if anyone knew the stuff he was thinking about doing, they would give it to him
      • I_Guess_We_Can_Go
        • No cops arrived at all. So after about an hour or more, the decision was made to go to spot two.
    • Spot_2
      • Relax_Go_To_It
        • Spectators pull out lawn chairs, coolers and cold ones on the grass by the rails
      • Bust_Out
        • As soon as everyone arrived the session started. This spot had three mellow rails about 30 feet long.
      • Colorado_Rips
        • A lot of Colorado's unknown talent got loose at this spot, forcing the out of towners to step it up a notch.
      • High_Rollers
        • Big names from this spot were Jeremy Spira, Colin Carr, Brian Aragon, Jeremy Gallegos, Courtney Cain and a lot of other peoples whos names escape me. You know who you are.
      • Talking_Like_What_Copper
        • The cops arrive, and so to not cause trouble, everyone leaves for the third spot. The cops never got out of their cars
    • Spot_3
      • The_Challenge
        • This final spot, Tribal, is not an easy place to skate. The rails are square with poor approaches, the gaps are large, and the bust factor is high
      • Like_What
        • Hello, my name is Jeremy Spira. I'm going to bust out tricks on these square rails that you wouldnt do on your garage rail
      • Alright_Spread_Em
        • Everyone spread through the area skating differnt rails, curbs and gaps. Alot of attention was paid to the group of skaters busting on the kink-to-drop rail.
      • The_Lull
        • Although there was some sick stuff going on, there was not the climax of tricks happening. And so we had a problem. . .until
      • COCA_Cola
        • COlin CArr ups the skating when he attempts to 180 the monster gap. This brought all the attention to one focal point. . .His Nuts
      • The_Gap
        • Colin has a few attempts at the 180 and has to call it quits when he hurts himself. Alex Broskow threw the skates on at this final spot and was able to land the 180.
      • The_Hammer
        • Brian Aragon gives it all hes got and lands a 540. The first of many to come 5280 Hammer is Awarded no questions asked.
      • Good_Karma
        • No cops or security showed up at this spot. That is amazing.
    • The_Weiners
      • First_Place
        • There is no question that Brian Aragon proved to be the champ on this day. He takes the hammer and the gold plate
      • Second_Place
        • Jeremy Gallegos was awarded second for his incredible skating on the rails for the day.
      • Third_Place
        • Colin Carr takes third and is the only person to place in all three of the Mile High Battles
          
  • FIFTYTWOEIGHTY_Thanks
    • People
      • Everyone who showed. Everyone who $howed their $upport to the cause. Brian Thomas, Billy Kostka, Voicebox Records, Charlie Sanders, C.O.r.e.,Titus at EXPN, everyone who made a long drive from out of state, everyone we forgot
    • Sponsors
      • Senate, Razors, Daily Bread, Intuition, Skatepile, BC Surf and Sport, 4 x 4, Big Dan Importing, Mindgame, Lake Owen Camp

  

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Articles

• Tyler Higgins write-up – fiftytwoeighty.com

  

  With the success of the first Mile High Battle For The Streets, there were a lot of expectations to match and exceed for 2002. The excitement for the competition began several weeks in advance when the list of visitors was growing by the day. It was the first glimpse of the Colorado scene for many of them. Overall the weekend was exciting and jam-packed with skating and celebration.

  Everything began on Friday night when everyone met at the Denver Park for a get-together session before the premier of Billy Kostka's latest video, Issue 2. It was probably the first time that Rollerblader controlled the Denver Park in its short history, surely not the last time. After the short session, everyone headed to the University of Colorado where the video premier was being held. The room was filled over its capacity with Rollerblader from Colorado and an even larger share of Rollerblader from across the country. Colorado's P.R. specialist Adam Bender gave a motivating speech about the progression and capability of skaters based on the turn out for the video premier. With 100+ people at the premier, the excitement about the competition doubled by the time it was over. Billy's video portrayed his best work yet, with some of the best Colorado skating caught on tape. We were all very happy to see support for his hard work after the video when many skaters bought their own copy (email Rollin303@aol.com for yours.) After the premier everyone went to his or her respective Friday night party local. The partying was surely toned down a few notches for those planning a big day at the comp, and for the same reasons a lot of skaters partied harder.

  

  Spot #1

  

  Spot #1 Brian A. Topsol

  The first spot for the comp was Northglenn High School. The word was that before we even arrived at the school that the kids there had already been skating and kicked out. A little frustrated, we told them to sit tight and wait for everyone to arrive. To everyone's surprise, it was double the size of last year's competition by the time everyone got there. When it was time to start, there was not anyone telling us to leave, so we got it started. Kids lined up on both sides of the ledges and began busting their best tricks right away. A panel of skaters with video cameras lined the middle of the skate spot, a setup that worked nicely. Northglenn is definitely a good spot to warm up on, but for how long at this capacity? The most notable tricks were Brian Aragon's top sols and full torques, Nathan Simpson's papshmir, and Dustin Halleran's fishbrain on the third level. We had about twenty or so minutes skating before the Cops pulled up. At Northglenn, when the Poe arrives, you just leave right away. About 150 teenagers scrambled for their cars and drove off in chaos as the Police announced: "Anyone who stays on Rollerblader will be arrested!" On the way to the second spot and we are faced with a new problem. A lot of kids need directions to the next spot. Although there were printed directions, they are technical and difficult to follow. The entire car ride is filled with cell phones ringing none stop. Luckily just about everyone made it to Webber Elementary, spot number 2.

  

  Spot #2

  

  Spot #2 John M. BS Savanah

  Straight from the advice of Colorado locals, Webber Elementary was a great spot number 2. Once everyone arrived, the skating took a serious jump ahead with competitors pulling out their most difficult tricks. The regular handrails were the most popular with constant elevation in difficulty. While some skaters chose the longer rails to try switch ups and rail transfers. Attempts to get everyone to skate the same spot failed. Oh well, the energy and excitement was still pretty great. On the regular handrails John Mirakami from Minnesota hit all kinds of spin variations to savanahs and pornstars. Colin Carr and Brian Aragon battled with the truespins and fastslide. While a skater from New Mexico (didn't catch a name) attempted 360 farside mistrial. Then began the stair gap session. Skaters didn't waste time going straight for the crowd pleasers. Another unnamed out-of-towner was attempted misty flips (whaaat????) while Colin Carr landed a 540 on the bottom two stairs and rolled away. That was just crazy. He and Brian both laced 540's back to back. Another skater known as 'Minnesota Wild' tried a 540, caught his wheel and bumped his head. When he came to he let us know he'd be okay: "No its cool I just need a beer." At that point the cops pulled up and it was off to spot number 3: Red Rocks Community College.

  

  Misty Flip Attempt - Video Clip

  

  John Mirakami - 270 TS Porn Video

  

  Spot #3

  

  Spot #3 Excitment

  

  Dustin H - Trophy Hoist

  Adam Bender is a smooth talker with the cops. It took an extra 15 minutes, but everyone left spot number 2 without tickets. Once again, no one can find the spot, and some more chaos resulted. By the time everyone arrived at Red Rocks, the security had already laid the smack down. For some odd reason, Adam was able to stall security by chit chatting in the office while skaters sessioned the long rails out back. Still, we had to find a new spot, unannounced. Our second choice for spot number 3 was only a mile away. Organizing 100+ kids to a spot without directions was difficult, and Adam once again handled the situation with grace. He has a job as camp director for good reason. Once at the 31 stair in Lakewood we wasted no time in 'moving' the sign at the bottom to a safer location. This rail is extremely difficult but everyone attacked the rail with confidence. After a half an hour of session or so, the decision was made to cut down the field to four or five skaters. The final cut was Ben Weiss, Brian Aragon, Dustin Halleran, Colin Carr and Sayer Danforth. We were proud to see the Colorado boys representing. Sayer entertained everyone with his 360 lightpost twirls to royal down the rail. Brian Aragon was ripping but injured himself at the bottom of a sol to ts soyale. Colin Carr was hitting tricks but chilled after a minute because he was so exhausted from hard skating. Ben Weis, Sayer and Dustin Halleran all battled for another half an hour attempting tricks. A picnic bench was pulled up next to the rail so they did cess slides to grinds and grinds to grinds. Randy Spizer also excited the crowd with a huge disaster sol from the bench. During this time the security guard of the building joined in the spectators, which was pretty cool. Colin Carr was not finished yet though. He climbed back to the top of the rail and landed another 5 tricks, all with switch ups in the last fifteen minutes. The rail is so difficult, and everyone skated so hard. Unfortunately the competition had to end at some point. After about four attempts, Adam wrapped up the comp with a product throw (Courtesy of Second Regime and Skatepile) and awarded the winners prize. Dustin Halleran walked away with $130 and the trophy with a king on top. Colin Carr stole second away from Ben Weis, and little Zach got the up and comer prize for his skating at Webber.

  Most everyone was excited as hell about the competition. Nathan Simpson stated that he had been to a lot of IMYTA's and none of them were as exciting as our Mile High Battle. We would have liked to see a Colorado boy roll away with the crown, but it wasn't so bad watching some of the world's greatest just barely beat local rippers. FIFTYTWOEIGHTY would like to thank every skater who showed up and gave their mad props to the efforts of everyone. A very important thanks to those kids who donated their money for the prize. Seriously, it was a beautiful thing to see everyone so proud and passionate about rollerblading in Colorado. The people who truly made this competition possible are the kids who skate here and support Colorado everyday. We should thank everyone from out of town including Kansas, New Mexico, Wyoming, California and Minnesota who drove to spend the weekend with us. You can look for footage of the competition on the Skatepile website, in Adam Johnson of Kansas' next video, and also Billy Kostka's footage in Life+. A lot of things are going to happen between now and next years comp . . . just get ready.