Mike Burton here again LIVE from Community Bikes and Boards here at 712 South 4th street. Today I’m here to talk to you all about a new addition to the long board family here at the shop. The Green Banana Spearhead Cruiser is a small 9 ply cruising deck made by Green Banana Skateboard Company. The Spearhead cruiser is the perfect gift for a kid first starting out on aboard. Also, it is a convenient campus board for the college student who needs to get in between classes quickly, efficiently and in style. Measuring a little over a foot long the Green Banana Spearhead deck is the perfect board for the beginner looking for a small, convenient and greatly priced cruising deck.

Yo Bloggers Its Buck

First off don’t expect this post to have perfect grammar and spelling, I know I am in college but nobody ever said I was good at it

So for any of you skaters looking to check out some new spots in the city, be sure to check out University City Drexel’s campus. Its kind of like the college level in tony hawk pro skater 4…except not quite as rad and there is a decent amount of traffic around.
I am in my 3rd year as a Drexel student and I use my board to commute to and from classes ERRRRR day. I must say that skating on campus is actually pretty bodacious, there are some decent hills in the area that allow you to get up to speed to do some decent slides on to show off to all the hot chicks walking around. Let me rephrase that Hot “college” chicks. Plus all the other kids riding their boards to and from class don’t know anything about slides except what they have seen from the “Loaded” you tube videos. So when you lay one out they are all over your dong trying to learn how to slide.

I know the hills are not like high speed or anything but the best part about university skating is you usually have a decent ammount of people watching you. I mean you all know nothing is more chill than when some random stranger gives your props for hitting a sexy slide and then yells at you saying “Damn dude that was pretty Gnarly!”.

In my opinion the best hills are 34th st, and 33rd. For 34th you start pushing from race street and you pretty much are up to speed by the time you go flying by 711, but be careful that is an intersection altho it is not that busy. As you get closer to market street intersection is Prime time slide zone! But beware of traffic behind you!
For 33rd street you pretty much have the hill starting at 33rd and Arch st. For this hill you will be going into traffic on a one lane road, but the nice part is there is a more than generous bike lane to your left side. This hill is pretty nice for maybe one to two slides and trust me there are plently of pedestrians to watch and gawk at you.

That is about all I can really remember for now, plus im getting kind of bored of writing this

Buck out

Hey everyone this is Michael Burton coming to you LIVE from Community Bikes and Boards Located at 712 south 4th St. in Philadelphia. Today I’d like to take time out to give recognition to a new addition to the Transition Bicycle CO. family here at the shop, the Transition Clunker. Now, when I first pulled up in front of the shop today for work I noticed an oddly shaped mountain bike sitting in front of the shop locked up with the rest of the display bikes. Upon a bit of inspection I noticed that this new bike was none other than the Transition Clunker. Now at first I thought the bike looked a bit weird, with its odd shape, coaster brake and wide cruiser-ish/mountain bike handle bars. Upon entering the shop I was thinking about what to write the daily blog on, Rob offered me a chance to take his Transition Clunker out for a spin. Upon sitting on the bike I noticed how the straitline mountain bike pedals rested wide and comfortably against my feet while providing good grip for strong pedal strokes. As I started cruising down Bainbridge my appreciation for the Transition Clunker grew with each cog rotation and I also liked how I could easily jump from curb to street with little effort. While riding the Clunker I felt like an urban Sam Hill starring in the Philadelphia version of Follow Me. All in all the Transition Clunker is an excellent substitute for a beach cruiser in the city because with its comfortable handlebars, great shape and wide mountain bike tires it can more than handle all the city has to offer.

Until next time; Live, achieve, own your greatness and repeat

Hey this is Mike Burton from Community Bikes and Boards coming at you LIVE from the shop here on 712 South 4th street. Today I’m here to talk to you about local and colloquial State Avenger. About a month ago I was browsing around on the web in search a few basic parts to increase the aesthetic appeal of my State Bicycle CO. Phantom. While watching their commercial advertising there line of Fixed Gear Freestyle Bikes I took a liking to the handle bars and stem used on their FGFS. So, about a week later I came into Community Bikes and Boards and placed an order for the FGFS stem and handlebars from State Bicycle CO. A few days later I came into the shop, gave a fist pound to Rob and a relaxed Jake Kenny posted up on the shop futon handed me my package. On the bus ride home I was almost salivating at the thought of this handle bar and stem combo on my bike. Once I arrived home, dropped my bag and gave a hug to momma Burton I began installing the parts on my bike. Low and behold 30 minutes and one Budos Band album later the parts were installed. As I mounted the bike I almost immediately noticed that with the 50mm FGFS I was afforded greater room to sit up straight on my bike instead of leaning forward slightly while using the stock 90mm State Bicycle CO. stem which allowed me to have a more relaxed ride. Also the black FGFS handle bars looked absolutely stunning in comparison to the flint gray gloss frame and royal purple gloss rims of the State Bicycle CO. Phantom. Finally to ad a little icing on the Fixed Gear cake I cut the “SK” off of a “SKAVENGER” sticker which left me with “AVENGER”. By placing the sticker on the front of the handle bars and using a little creativity I was able to coin the term “State Avenger”. Well hoped this was a good read on this cool and quiet evening, until next time Live, achieve, own your greatness and repeat

Hey Ya’ll Earl the Pearl coming to you from Ventura, California chilln not even a block away from the Beach……jus Straight iLLiN….

So we have had a lot of great events for this year. The scene/sport is growing !  I view it as the Culture of our Passions Expanding into one another and growing outward from ourselves…!

I will start off with the Broad Street Bomb 2012 that was on May 5th.

Matt M and I started skating together 3 years ago. We skated pretty regularly every week. From that we began to meet an skate with more longboarders. Matt heads the Philadelphia Longboarding page on facebook, he would post session on the regular! Matt talked about doing a push race called the “Broad Street Bomb” for Philly, i said to him….. Hellzzzzz yeaa man lets do this ! So Last year was the first Broad street bomb and it was a good turn out. Matt and I had talked about doing it again this past year and so it happened….. Matt was busy with School and work! I had some free time on my hands to help him a lot more this year and with Training for Chief Ladgia Silver Comet SK8 188 mile challenge, which was the weekend after the Broad Street Bomb. We had discussed making it longer than last years push race. I set off in search of a Suitable meeting/starting point and So i came across Hunting Park. This would make the route for the race at 8.5 miles or soo…. This year was Awesome! Thanks to all who came out and supported as well as the people who helped out at the finish line.  Then some people made there way to the Shop….. Gald most people that were from out of town to be able to check out Community. Then we had a Slide Jam at Lemon Hill later on that day, that was a really good turn out!  ……..Until next year…….

Stay Gnarly YA”LLLLLLLLL

Chief Ladiga Silver Comet SK8 challenge may 11th 12th & 13th in Georgia and Alabama (yyyyeeeeeee hhaawwwwwww) HAHAHAHA

Well all i say here is that check out my other Blog entries about this event

June 2nd was Major Stokem 4 in north nj

I was unable to attend this event but big upss to Adam Dabonka, Tom Barnhart, SHRALPERS UNION and Push Culture for helping out with this Event !

June 3rd Push Culture News/Apparel  Hosted NYC 1st annual GreenSkate

The was also in Celebration of Brian & Travis Davenports Birthday. This event I did attended an had a Stellar day with some good Homieezzz !  We Started off with Meeting at Columbus Circle and Skated to Times Square for some Photos. We would be skating to three Skate shops for raffle tickets and meet at Tompkins Square Park. Me and my group of Shralpers then skated to Uncle Funkys in the West village, chilled there for a few mins. Then we Skated to the Longboard Loft NYC on the lower east side. The last stop would Reciprocal Skate Shop, this shop has a pinball arcade…..SSSSIIICCKKK!  We then all eneded up at Tompkins Square Park for the Raffling of SWAG ! As I started to Drink a Kombucha Brooklyn beverage In the rain the SWAG was raffled off and laughs were shared. After the Raffle Myself and JP, Noel of Shralpers Union and Tim MacKenzie of Loaded/Oranatang skated back to the West side to Chill at Uncle Funkys. I ended up buying a rare reissue Powell Peralta Steve Cabalero deck, The shape of the deck is shape I started skating on at the age of 12.! So i was really Stoked to Snag up the Board and will Be setting it up and Shralping the GNAR GNAR with this sick shape !

BIG Thanks to everyone that helped organize NYC 1st greenskate.  I will be hosting Philadelphias 1st annual Greenskate august 26th 2012. I am doing this because skaters/longboarders are not recognized Equally as cyclists are in NYC and other Cities in the USA as well as other Countries around the World ! It is ILLEGAL for a skateboarder/Longboarder to be in the bike lane in the city pf Philadelphia…! WTF………F THAT.. Fight for your Rights…! here is the link to the event for Phillys Greenskate      http://www.facebook.com/events/253353278113187/

http://www.greenskate.org/index.html

http://thisispushculture.com/

http://www.unclefunkysboards.com/

http://longboardloftnyc.com/

http://www.facebook.com/reciprocalskateboards

June 9th was the 1st ever Skateboard race on a Nascar track at POCONO Raceway in The POCONO mountains of Pennsylvania

The Crew from Sector 9 skateboards but on this Amazing one of a kind event. I don’t really know the whole story behind how the event came about but it was a Stellar time ! There was about 60 racers at the event, I was able to get 6th place that day. We raised about $3,000 for Kyle Pettys charity that day ! All I know is that next year this event will be bigger and way better! I will be camping out the event for the weekend. There are some good hiking in some near by state parks nan maybe go bomb some hills……. Who is  down…?!?!?!?!  hit me up nan we can plan this out for next year !

June 16th 2012 was the Central park race in NYC

This was to be the 13th annual Central Park Push Race…….It was an absolute beautiful day in NYC….. I placed 27th out of like 300 skaters or sooo….. The day was Jam packed with fun, Adam Crigler hosted a slide jam at a spot in central park on the upper east side of the park after the Race.  Ian Nichols Received a ticket that day for all the skaters at Columbus Circle, we all pitched in to help him pay for the ticket ! I put in the 1st $5   ……Holllaaaaaa i gotttt 5 on it……

Always Stoked to go Skate this event   ….until next year….

June 23rd & 24th 2012  would be the 1st annual  I LOVE DH (IGSA)  at Windham Mtn in the Catskill Mtns of New York

This event was hosted by Marc Dean and Push Culture.

We had two of our Community/Organic Hogwash Team Riders, Garrett Creamer and Lucas Giannetti Race in the Event. Proud of t=you guys as well As Dylan Baist-Bliss (Switch Skateshop/Organic Hogwash team rider) for Shredding Hard doing work ! I really have not all that much to say other then ,I am looking forward to next year already !

July 7th 2012 NJ slide Jam 8 in north NJ

Tyler Hill is the Chief and Commander of this event. It was really HOTTTTT that day in Philly but up in north nj it was not all that bad.  This would be my birthday celebration weekend ! Kevin Bond,Kyle Mac, Jess (kyles sweetheart) and I went up to the slide jam that day. I Skated hard and did some things i have not done in awhile.  I left the slide jam that day feeling very accomplished for myself and with my skating !Then Kyle Mac and his gf Jess went to see the Dirty Headz play a free show in Philly, we got back to the city just in time to see there set, Good times !  Thanks Again for a Good day All of you !

July 14th was the 1st annual Newark Bomb  in Newark NJ

There was about 70 skaters for this Push race. I placed 7th and Kevin Bond placed 4th. There was a hippie jump afterwards. I went with Dre outlaw and JP to skate a parking Garage, I ended up Rolling my ankle pretty good but pushed threw it !

Thanks for putting on the event Boarder X, it was well much enjoyed !

July 21st would be the 3rd annual Mini BOMB in NYC

Three years ago this event was the day after my bday that year and must say that, This was the day I knew I would always skate for the rest of my life, No matter what !

This year Matt M and Kevin Bond and myself took the BoltBus up to NYC for the day. Matt M and I went out to the BLOCKERY the night before for a concert. Passafire played an awesome show ! I was not feeling 100% due to my head  ringing from the LOUD Music and BEERS the night before HAHAHA  for the day but skated hard !  There was a hippie jump and best trick/line after the race at a local skate spot. The day was enjoyed by many! I will always be Amped on this event !

Big Shout out to Solomon from Bustin Boards/ Longboard loft NYC for Hosting the Event, thanks bro for an Epic day !

I was Getting Pumped on leaving for California in a couple days….. I was thinking of being able to finally Experience Cali for the 1st time !

July 23rd 2102I got on a plane from Newark,NJ to LA

I arrived in LAX airport around 9pm on the 23rd. I would be staying at a good friends house that night that lives in Culver City,CA a suburb of LA. Micheal Poli picked me up from the airport shortly after my arrival in Cali. M.Poli works at Loaded?Oranatang HQ in Culver City,CA. Thanks again Bro for the hospitality !

My first Full day in Cali……..

I got out of bed around 8:45am or so…. Headed out the door around 9:30am…  I skated to downtown Culver City. I Skated past the Sony production Studios, that was really cool ! Then I started my Skate to Venice Beach…. Went out onto the pier and took some photos an relaxed for a bit. Then skated almost to Santa Monica pier. I casually Skated around Venice for a While… Checked out some Shops and grabbed a Smoothie.. I then Skated to Del Ray and then to El Segundo Beach… I chilled out for a hottt min before I skated back to Venice and back to Culver City. I skated back to Culver City to meet M.Poli, at Loaded/Oranatang HQ…… as he was about to get off work at 5pm. I got to meet Most of the People at Loaded/Orangatang HQ. Everyone was really cool and nice, they were Stoked that i was able to come check them out being that i am in from Philadelphia,PA.  M.Poli and I skated about 12 miles that evening, Which would be at about 30 miles or soo for the day for me ! I did get a lil sunburn my 1st day but i”m coming back to Philly with some Color…

So then since then I have been up in Ventura Beach Chillin/Skating… Soaking in the Pacific ! We had a bonfire on the beach Friday night, It was Legitttt !  but not until the coolest cop i have ever met said we had to put the fire out….It was an Awesome night ! Big Thanks to Kaitlyn Egan of K. EGAN Photography for the hospitality !  Check out her Website, she is an up and coming Action Sports Photographer & Videographer !   

http://www.keganphotography.com/video.html

I will be flying  into Philly august 4th early am….. The Philly Shoekill Push Race is Aug 5th 10am ! I’M Ready but not ready to leave Cali just yet….. So I am going to Finish off by saying…..   “California Dreams”  DITTO !

Peace YA’LLL    …..I am going to go lounge out on the Beach……

SEE YA”LLL soon     keep it REAL in PhiLLy

“iTY”

Yesterday was a very long day for all the skaters, organizers and
Volunteers involved with the race. I was really tired and in pain after the race yesterday. I apologize  for not updating but skating 94 miles in one day is physically and mentally exhausting. I skated the 94 miles in 9:52:56 and place 22nd. We had a late start in the morning.

As I type this I am driving back up to Philadelphia with the Shralpers union crew in one car and the Bustin NYC crew is in there new team van.
We all just stopped and ate some food and are on our way back.
It’s going to be a long drive up from Georgia.

So here’s a recap of yesterday… Only one person dropped out of the race yesterday due to strained groin and hamstrings. The last person to finish yesterday cane in at just under 15 hours last night. I was and still am in pain from the minor bursitis i have in my left knee which it doesn’t act up all the much and also my right shin cramped up with about 20 miles to go.

I skated most of the 94 miles on day 3 with Joao from NYC (kryptonics crew) and most of day 1 as well. We have the same conserving pace and pushing Rhythm. I skated most of day 2 with James peters of paved wave from Portland, Oregon. We had some really great conversation about life and skating. He is a awesome dude ! Joao had made up some really good time on day 2 and passed James and I after he had skated about 4/5miles with us. William Coale and James Peters helped me out when My knee was really breaking down and giving out on day two, thank you for your positive energy all of you !

I want to thank all of you for your support and time that we have shared while skating, I will always remember this experience!
I also wanna thank Georgia & Chadd Hall for all your love/support/time.
Ken from Skanunu and his family, they really put a lot of time and hard work with this event. As well as Marion Karr for hosting and organizing the event.

Also gotta say that Scott hurdelson did very well all three days. Glad you could make it down to the event Scott.

To all the skaters and everyone involved, it was an amazing humbling experience. We are all family now !

I must say that I have never felt as much solitude ever after skating.
I’m going to take a nap now. stay tuned in the next few days for a complete over veiw of this adventure.

Peace

So day 2 is in the books down here in weaver,Alabama. We started the day off in rockmart,Georgia where we finished yesterday. Everyone who started today finished today. I skated the 56 miles at a slower pace half way threw today and finished the day in 19th place at 4:33:59. I am stoked on that because my training is paying off ! Although my left knee Is in pain but I am still going to skate tomorrow. My total time between day 1 & day 2 is around 7.5 hrs. My goal for tomorrow is to do 94 miles in less then 10hrs. I have to take it easy on my knee in order to finish tomorrow.

The energy from all the racers,supporters and organizers of this event is by far one of the best events I have been able to compete in.
Tomorrow is 94 miles, start time is 8am at latest.
Gotta wake up at 5am so I am going to just keep it short.

Peace

Today was the start of the 188 miles.
We started at 10:20am or so.The weather was 80 and sunny.
I finished at 2:52:06 in 17th place out of 50 skaters.
A few racers got dehydrated and had to go to the hospital. They are all ok and out of the hospital.
Surprisingly I am not that sore and going to bed.

Peace

I’m in Georgia enjoying the beautiful weather and positive vibes.
My flight got delayed about an Hour yesterday due to rain storm in atlanta. I slept for a good portion of the flight. Then I took the Marta train to north springs. Chadd Hall and Alex Bangnoi (from France) picked me up from the train station. It was a very welcoming greeting from the both of them.
I’m staying at Chadd and Georgias house in sugar hill, Georgia. Moonshine country well back in the day haha. On our way back from the marta train station We were about 1/2 mile in the middle of the road. Traffic was stopped. Chadd,Alex and I along with 4 other guys moved the small tree out of the road. We arrived to the house around 9:15 or so… It was good to see Georgia Hall, True southern hospitality!
Laura Hatwell (from UK) was a sleep when we got back to the house, she had a 9th flight from across the pond. We got to meet in the morning. Chadd,Alex,Laura and I went to Dicks sporting goods and REI to get some last minute gear. Then stopped st Walmart for some more stuff.

When we returned to the Hall resident the crew from Bustin NYC had arrived. Jeff Vyain,Maribeth,Cami,Andre Hippix, along with the MAD Russian Sasha popper were chilln at the house. They drove straight threw the night down from NYC. We all went out for a skate in the neighborhood and a local park. Gotta say the weather is gorgeous..!

Gotta say with having 25 prompt in the house most is pretty awesome. The Halls really know how to host 22 racers in one house. They have helped organize sleeping arragments and transportation. They have also cooked a great meal for us this evening.
It’s great to see all my friends and seeing new faces. Really good vibes going on here !
I’m stoked to be sore for this 188 miles.
Tomorrow is the start of the 3 day race. I am skating the 1st day (40miles) in remembrance of Bob Marley, he passed on may 11th in 1981.
One Love.
Peace

Here are in depth explanation of how wheels, bearings, spacer etc works. Extremely useful. Anyone that skates should definitely check this out. -JKan
“Fastest Skateboard Wheels, Bearings and Bearing Spacers“