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What an incredible 3.5 days I had back in the UK. I arrived Tues. June 27th and was a little anxious to see some of my old friends. I wasn't sure if I would recognize some of them, a lot of things change in 20 years, but some things don't. Mon Barbour picked me up from the airport and off we went to Heath farms for lunch. After lunch at the farm we went to Mon's house for a little get together and a BBQ. Ian Osborn and Alex Leech were there along with Senile, Tim Hughes, Doug, Jeff and a few others. We ate and drank and then off to the pub to drink more. On Wednesday after a few ibupropfen Tim and I walked around Oxford and had a few beers and lunch, then we went to SS20 to check out the skate shop. On Thursday Mon and his family took me punting in the morning, then off to Coombe for a good old fashioned skate session. After Coombe we went to the Oxford ramp park where I met RADHAB, Fuzzynod and Quadrophenia. Alex(sambmx) and Jeff showed up later. I watched everyone else ride and skate because to be honest I was a little nervous about riding a ramp again, it's been over thirteen years since I rode a ramp. As the sun set and it started to get dark I heard talk of leaving soon to get some food and beer, at that point I decided I had to try at least one run on the ramps. I was really sketchy at first but I started to get into it after a couple of runs. I tried a few airs on the mini ramp but it felt like I was going to hang up everytime so then I went to the vert ramp. The vert ramp is a monster. I managed to do one pop out and drop in, my airs were at coping or just under. I wanted to go for more but without pads and a lid I knew not to push it, I was only on a bike for about 10-15 minutes at that point, besides I was going to Carlos house in the morning and wanted to give it a go on his ramps. On Friday I made my way to Carlos house and almost immediately Carlo took me out to his ramp and handed me his bike. Carlos ramp is huge, one big ramp park. I didn't bother too much with the half-pipe, that thing scares the crap out me. I mostly rode the 8ft quarter-pipe and his 8ft high jump box. I was much more comfortable on the 8ft quarter. Steve 1275 was in the process of building his own back yard ramp and was kind enough to let me ride his bike for the rest of the day, thanks steve. I was getting about three feet of air going my regular direction and about two feet in the opposite direction. I still didn't have a helmet or pads so I didn't really push to get higher, baby steps. I learned a few tricks, tail taps, 360's on the jump box and was trying 540 tail taps when we decided to call it a day. While the airs and tricks I did were nothing special, it was a huge milestone for me. I've sctached the itch to ride again and now it seems that the itch has turned into a full blown rash. I'll be riding a Proper bike soon and riding with my son, ahhh life is good.It was awesome seeing my old friends and meeting new ones last week. Thanks again fuzzy for the stickers and calendar. Thanks Alex for shirt. RADHAB it was nice to see you again. Pete, you have wayyyyy too many bikes LOL, the GT was absolutely beautiful. Mon and Tim-thanks for having me over, great seeing you guys again. Zoid-thanks for making time to come down to Carlos. Carlo-thanks to you and your family for having me over and helping me inch toward riding again.I will post a few pictures later when I receive them.
