Originally published on MBAction.com 5/21/10
Matt and the Grassroots Cycles crew have been building trails and jumps on a piece of property they own for about 7 years. They’ve done what many riders only dream up, and created their own private riding spot. These days the private bike park is known as the Ranch, and for the last three years, they’ve open their free riding playground to the public for an event they call the Ranchstyle. The highlight of the Ranchstyle weekend is the Slopestyle event.
The crew spent the days previous to the comp, building the landings bigger, and replacing many of the dirt jumps with wood ramps. With bigger and better features, the course was a hit with the riders. The comp itself was held in more of a jam format, with amateur riders running the course first, then the pros.
Check out the video:
Ranchstyle Slopestyle edit filmed & edited by Jason Van Horn
Eric Lawrenuk and Graham Agassiz, tail whip and back flip sequence. Photo: Jason Van Horn
The jam format was a hit with the riders, and Eric Lawrenuk and Graham Agassiz took advantage of it, as they had been training their runs down the course all weekend, and showing the amateur riders how things are done flipping and tailwhipping the crap out of everything.
Ben Glassen, 360 on the MRP booter. Photo: J. Van Horn
Earlier in the weekend, riders took advantage of a super fun step up jump to hone and dial in their tricks, only to unleash them during the comp.
Casey Groves, mid tail whip. Photo: J. Van Horn
Joe Perrizzo gets inverted like Superman while Eric L. Looks on. Photo: J. Van Horn
Eric Lawrenuk walks on air. Photo: J. Van Horn
Tammy Donahugh on the wall ride. Photo: J. Van Horn
Tammy Donahugh was on the scene, representing the fairer sex, riding and tricking jumps most male riders wouldn’t even consider twice.
Joe Perizzo, Casey Groves, and Graham Agassiz are pretty stoked on their big checks. Photo: J. Van Horn
In the end, the Canadian contingent dominated the final rankings with Casey Groves and Graham Agassiz taking 1st and 2nd, while Joe Perizzo took third.
Results:
Pro Slopestyle
1st Casey Groves
2nd Graham Agassiz
3rd Joe Perizzo
Best Trick:
720 Graham Agassiz
Am Slopestyle
1st Dominic Megalli
2nd Erik Obermeyer
3rd Dj Brandt
For the record, the Ranch and Grassroots Cycles rules. Ever since I’ve gotten back from Colorado, there have been two words rolling through my head non-stop. Slopestyle bike and health insurance. Ok, four words. Bottom line, I gots to get me some!