March 17, 2002 - Maplewood, NJ

This was my second time going to this gym in Maplewood, New Jersey. The first time was for an IFL contest almost a year ago to the day; I remember the riding area being cramped with lots of riders vying to get a trick in edgewise. This time was not different in that aspect, but for some reason I was much more relaxed.

Collisions aside, it was a good day of riding. I was mainly happy to see that flatland is very much alive and well in the northern Jersey/New York City area. John Ortiz deserves so much thanks for organizing this event as well as the jams he holds there. He is probably one of the main reasons their scene is so strong.

I got to judge the beginner, intermediate, expert, and women's classes and was thoroughly impressed. It's always great to watch the amateurs to see who's going to be "most improved" in the next year — TJ Perry and James Kennedy were definitely at the top of that list. It apparently only takes one year to get incredibly good and consistent.

Karin Bleile came from Switzerland to enter the women's class and did some rad front wheel strings for second. Long time local rider Erin Donato won the women's class and placed 4th in expert by doing her 360 body varial to funky chicken as well as a crazy forward karl kruzer on the pedal (!).

The Old School class was a new addition and definitely a fun one. Eight riders busted out with all their old school moves (pre-1990) to show the new kids on how it used to be done. A good time was had by all who entered, especially Chris Poulos who got first and pulled a crazy grip ride jump to grab a couple chains hanging from the ceiling finale.

The Pro class consisted of only three riders — Jeff Desroche, James McGraw, and myself. It was pretty late in the evening when the class started and the crowd was thinning out. It almost felt like a jam and not a contest. Jeff ended up in first place with his big, brakeless, jump style and James placed second doing some quick spinning death trucks and spastic cyborgs to bar flip (yes, cyborgs).