It was nearing the end of the first day at Barret Junction and everyone was at the top of the hill ready to take another run. The road was clear and the street lugers took off first as usual. Everyone was coming down the hill and it wasn’t until Doc’s corner that things went wrong.

Doc’s turn has the name for a reason. It is the fastest part of the road and it also the part where most of the gnarly crashes happen.

“The bike was coming up the hill towards the middle of the road and as soon as he saw me he veered to his right and I veered to my left” said Ryan Farmer.

They basically both tried to avoid the other person but swerved into each other. Ryan was probably going close to 50 mph down the hill while the bike was coming at about 25-30 mph up the hill when they collided. Ryan actually hit the bike so hard the forks on the bike bent.

“So when he came up the side of me he hit my hip, just a little bit lower then my ass, like just the top of my thigh, and then rolled up towards my shoulder. When he hit me the way that my tuck was on the luge, the tire hit my forearm and it pushed it into the side of the luge which then pushed into my side like rib area. What that did is pushed those two bones, the ulna and I forgot the other one. When it pushed it up it broke the ulna cleanly by the elbow and then dislocated everything right there and pushed the two arm bones up like an inch, so it made it look like my elbow was swollen, but it really was just where it was at and like the forearm was at the wrong angle. It was weird. It dislocated everything inside and I had another fracture going up the bone. When I went into the dr. they had to push it back into place the first night, and then the next morning they could do surgery.”

The road was supposed to be closed off and people were supposed to be stopping others from coming up. The guy on the dirt bike was a skater as well and he should not have been coming up the road at the time he was. Ryan is still alive and in good spirits but also in a lot of pain. This is a crash that never had to happen and is a good reminder to everyone to know what is happening on the road and that street luging or downhill skating are not a joke. People get hurt and usually it is unpredicted elements that come into play that cause the most damage.

The crash is one that didn’t have to happen but Ryan remains in good spirits about it and can’t wait to get back on his luge again soon.

Waldo Autry 1957-2013. On January 23, 2013 Waldo Autry, a skateboard legend, street luger and the definition of an adrenaline junky passed away. Waldo was a friend to everyone that knew him. He touched the lives of many and his passing away was a shock to everyone who knew him.

Waldo was best known for inventing the kickturn on an invert in the Baldy pipes. He raced in the Signal Hill speed runs and made the cover of many skateboarding magazines. He was always pushing the limits with everything he did. “If they were going to jump over a car, I was going to jump over a garage” Waldo said in an interview with Juice Magazine.

Not only is Waldo well known for skateboarding but he was also a well known street luger. Most people who don’t know much about street luging know him for his participation in the Red Bull luge launch in San Francisco.

The skateboarding he did in bowls far exceeded others of his time. Anybody who skateboarded in the 70′s would know who Waldo Autry was and anyone who has ever had the chance to meet or ride with the man has a story to tell.

My first time meeting him was at Barrett Junction and it was obvious that he was willing to push the envelope. Waldo only knew how to charge into things hard.

At Barrett Junction I saw him crash twice and both times were crazy. I know he liked the way I told the story of his crash. I was street luging right behind him and almost got tangled up in his wreck with Niko Kroha. “It was probably better to crash there then to make it,” Waldo said after I told him my recollections about watching his crash and how crazy it was. I pretty much had first row seats to the crash following right behind him down the hill.

Waldo Autry’s crash with Niko Kroha was one of the gnarliest street luge crashes that I have witnessed in person.

Niko was out in front of Waldo, I was right behind them and Tabitha Mitchell was right behind me.

Waldo went for the pass on Niko on the inside. Niko was pretty far inside though and there wasn’t much room for him to pass.

Instead of throwing his feet down and braking Waldo was trying so hard to pass Niko two of his wheels left the road for a second. As soon as this happened he got the speed wobbles and wobbled straight through the right hand turn before Docs corner.

As he wobbled through the turn he clipped wheels with Niko causing him to lose his line.

Waldo hit the rock and dirt covered wall at around 45 mph and the wall exploded around him.

After his wheel was clipped Niko was also headed to the dirt and rock wall. As soon as his luge left the road the front dug into the dirt and catapulted him into the wall.

Me and Tabitha Mitchell threw our brakes down because we were right behind them when all this went down and the crash looked pretty intense.

I looked up to the crash scene and waldo was laying on the side of the road not moving. His street luge was flipped upside down on top of him.

Niko was also walking towards Waldo. “Waldo? (no response)…….Waldo are you there?” said Niko.

All of a sudden Waldo started shaking around and shoving the street luge off of himself. “I was just checking everything out, making sure I was alright” said Waldo.

Waldo Autry was a man, a legend and a friend to everyone who knew him. His passing is definitely a big blow to the community but he is a man who will never be forgotten.
The stories about him will live on forever. – Lee

Bonelli is always a fun time but as far as all the racers are concerned it’s a super lame race…..yet they still come.
The course used to be a straight line until quite a few years back now they added the right hand turn into it.
The turn is kind of technical though. It is pretty flat after the turn so riders must hold their speed as much as possible through the turn to win it.

This causes many crashes since everyone is trying to take the line as fast as they can but not so fast that they slide or crash into the hay bails.
The hay bails lining the turn are the best 3rd basemen in skateboarding. I call it crash corner due to the large amount of crashes.

This actually makes for a very entertaining event for the spectators also.
There seemed to be a lot less crashes this year compared to the 2010 or 2011 races we attended. That’s not to say there weren’t a lot of crashes, but there weren’t as many.

For those who don’t already know Bonelli is a sanctioned IGSA race. It is actually the U.S. Nationals. The race is not just downhill skateboarding but also includes street luge, classic street luge and inline rollerblading.
The big story of the day is 18 year old Daniel Luna taking 1st place in the open division. Great job Daniel!

The final heat coming around the first right hairpin. Photo By: Leecifer

Barrett Junction is known for its rough janky pavement full of potholes and cracks. Although the road is super unforgiving, it is also really fun to skate. It’s kinda hard to explain.

I have heard stories from when the road was first discovered many years ago. People did not think it was skateable. These are good skaters we’re talking about too.

Each Barrett junction is different and holds its own story. Memories are made which we will never forget, stories to be told.

Here are our top 5 memories from this Barrett Junction, October 2012.

1. Waldo Autry’s crash with Niko Kroha

Waldo Autry’s crash with Niko Kroha was one of the gnarliest street luge crashes that I have witnessed in person.

Niko was out in front of Waldo, I was right behind them and Tabitha Mitchell was right behind me.

Waldo went for the pass on Niko on the inside. Niko was pretty far inside though and there wasn’t much room for him to pass.

Instead of throwing his feet down and braking Waldo was trying so hard to pass Niko two of his wheels left the road for a second. As soon as this happened he got the speed wobbles and wobbled straight through the right hand turn before Docs corner.

As he wobbled through the turn he clipped wheels with Niko causing him to lose his line.

Waldo hit the rock and dirt covered wall at around 45 mph and the wall exploded around him.

After his wheel was clipped Niko was also headed to the dirt and rock wall. As soon as his luge left the road the front dug into the dirt and catapulted him into the wall.

Me and Tabitha Mitchell threw our brakes down because we were right behind them when all this went down and the crash looked pretty intense.

I looked up to the crash scene and waldo was laying on the side of the road not moving. His street luge was flipped upside down on top of him.

Niko was also walking towards Waldo. “Waldo? (no response)…….Waldo are you there?” said Niko.

All of a sudden Waldo started shaking around and shoving the street luge off of himself. “I was just checking everything out, making sure I was alright” said Waldo.

“I just want to see them coming in” he said. he watched everyone come in then turned around and left. Photo By: Leecifer

2. Having the border patrol stoked on us being there and coming to watch

It’s pretty cool to be 5 miles from the border of Mexico and have the authorities let us mind our own business.

Not only do they let us mind our own business but they come and watch sometimes.

We’re all sitting and chilling in the shade under a tree at the bottom of the hill. The van took a load of riders to the top not long before.

A border patrol agent drives up on his atv and just parks facing up the hill without saying a word.

“How’s it going?” we ask him.

“Good,” he replies. “I just want to see these guys coming in fast.”

We had border patrol officers coming by throughout the day to check it out. Even guys on the night patrol would come to ask if there were any cool crashes or anything.

“A few years ago this girl dressed like freaking (lets use cat women for the sakes of the story and the fact that I can’t remember exaclty which superheroine he compared her too) catwomen crashed into the wall. It was some crazy stuff. How’d it go today?”

“It went well,” we replied. “You should come by tomorrow and check out the race.”

“Negative,” he replied.

“Why not?” we asked.

“Because you all are crazy,” he replied.

With that we all laughed and he told us good luck and to have fun.

The fires department was so stoked after they got to watch us bomb the hill. Photo By: Leecifer

3. Having the fire department post 2 trucks full of firefighters on some turns so they could watch.

It was the middle of the day and we were taking a break. Everyone was kinda relaxing and eating when a big fire engine pulls up.

The firefighters got out and came over to talk to us.

“We’re just here out of curiousity,” said on firefighter.

“Where can we go to see these guys hauling ass down the hill?” chimed in another.

Once he said that it was on. Art started rounding everyone up for a run and everyone started grabbing their gear.

While everyone was grabbing their gear a second fire engine full of firefighters rolled up.

We all packed into the Muir van and Art told the firefighters to follow him.

Our first stop was at docs corner. Art directed the first fire engine to park off the side of the road on the left of the corner.

The next stop was the first right hairpin turn. Art directed the other fire engine to pull off the side there.

We proceeded up to the top of the hill and geared up. Going down the hill is always fun but coming up to the first corner you could see all the firefighters standing on top of their fire engine and on the hill recording the action on their phones.

Coming up to the second fire engine in docs corner was a similar story. They were all on top of the fire engine stoked as hell.

We got to the bottom and they came down giving the sirens little blares.

“That was awesome! Who was the guy on the bike?” someone from the first engine said.

“That was me!” replied Andrew Schumaker.

“That skid into the turn was awesome!” said the firefighter.

“Thanks!” replied Andrew.

“Who was the guy in white out in front?” asked some one from the second fire engine.

“That was Mike McIntyre,” we replied and pointed him out.

We talked to them a bit longer, then they left to go take care of their business and we continued taking runs down the hill.

4. The crazy lady who lives in the house at the bottom

Every time I go to Barrett Junction now I will remember this. I can not tell you the whole entire story because I don’t know it, but for the last few years at least we have always camped out at the bottom of the road right next to it. We take moonlight runs and wake up ready to ride.

For some reason this time she was really worried about us starting a fire. So worried that she told us we couldn’t camp there.

The land doesn’t belong to anyone so we didn’t oblige.

She called the cops on us and when he came he was totally on our side.

He pretty much told us that dealing with her wasn’t worth it and so we starting breaking down the tents in the dark and getting ready to move them to the cafe down the road. It sucked but what can you do?

Standup Podium. 1st place- max Capps (white Ronin shirt in middle). 2nd place- Levy Green (right). 3rd Place- Scott Lembach (black muirskate shirt, left center) 4th Place- Mark Barfield (left)

5. Max Capps winning the race.

Ok, so even though there wern’t necessarily a lot of the faster riders there it was still rad. Especially watching the footage from the helmet of Mark Barfield who took 4th.

That was a race heat!!!! So exciting!

The final heat was close and super intense.

I know how much Max hates that road. Racing it sucks and unexpected things WILL happen there. Even though he hates it he still troops it out and gives it all.

In this case it was all worth it. Congrats to Max Capps on taking 1st place!

Here’s video footage of the final heat from the helmet of Mark Barfield.

Find us on facebook for all the pics!

Related Posts

 Barrett Junction October 2011- Cali Outlaw Series

Smooth Rolling

A while back we met this guy named Frank Maney. He thought we were some of those street luge guys but we were doing some stand up skateboarding. We told him to follow us as we bombed a hill.

He followed us and it stoked him out a lot and he told us of a dream he has had for the last 30 years to go street luging. Anyways I was able to help him out and make that dream a reality for him at our last race. This is one of the runs we took with him. Enjoy. – Leecifer

Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself. Graphic by Stephen Johnson

Cracked skulls, brain damage, and death are some of the things that can happen from not wearing a helmet, and many new or inexperienced riders still choose ride without one. Most do so following the example of several professional riders.

Professionals have an uncanny way of balancing. They know where they are in the air and it seems as if they can easily catch their falls with their hands and feet.

A large majority of those professionals have also taken major crashes resulting in various types injuries, even they aren’t invincible.

Within the past five years, we have had many of our fellow riders killed or permanently injured due to accidents involving riders not wearing helmets. Just go talk to an emergency room trauma nurse about the severity and number of injuries that could have been prevented if the victim had been wearing a helmet, it is appalling.

Watch some videos on the Internet of kids hitting their heads and you will see some pretty graphic images, you might just get scared into wearing one.

Wearing a helmet shows a sign of intelligence. It shows that you are smart enough to want to protect your brain. If younger kids see you wearing a helmet they will be more likely to wear theirs, especially if they look up to you. This means you could potentially be helping protect the lives of young riders.

I went to the skate park recently and there were a total of three of us wearing helmets, and about 15 kids not wearing helmets. About six of those kids had brought helmets, but left them on the side with their stuff while they skated. Some of them were doing some pretty fast, big tricks. It was unclear to me whether they would decide to actually put it on.

If you have ever attempted to ride a skateboard down ramps, or even your driveway for the first time, then you will know that if your balance is a little of you are in danger of flying back and hitting your head. Keeping your balance is not as easy as it looks unless you have many hours logged on board.

Most professional extreme sports athletes do not don helmets, and set extremely terrible examples for riders of all abilities, mainly young newcomers. After all, you don’t want to stand out as the new kid when you’re young. You want to be like your favorite skater and be exactly like them.

There are multitudes of skate, snowboard, BMX, and rollerblade videos with sponsored professionals not wearing helmets. In the videos they pull off tricks that are extremely difficult, making them look easy. So easy, that after watching it, an attempt might be made, leaving you to find out how difficult it actually is.

Protective gear is especially important for inexperienced riders, or people who are pushing their limits; trying something they haven’t done before.

Frankie doing the right thing

Losing your balance can easily happen with any extreme sport, and unexpected elements can come into play at any time.

It is always good to be prepared for the worst, and wearing a helmet while participating in these activities is a great way to accomplish this. After all a crash isn’t usually something you’d expect or want to happen… it just does. – Leecifer

As extreme sports addicts we also become adventurers, explorers and outdoors enthusiasts. We are always looking for a new place to shred through exploring maps, or driving aimlessly towards a shreddable looking location.

The breathtaking places our sports take us, the adventure’s we have. Told to those who were not there through pictures and video’s but epic memories which will not be forgotten are engraved into our brains. It’s engraved in that special spot reserved for the best times of our life.These memories are not forgotten and they become stories to share with your grandchildren. Yea, Grandpa used to be cool.

The search for the next biggest, most fun road is always on. We challenge you to go out and explore your town. Search through Google Earth for a road that could potentially be fun, then go shred it. The most important thing about skateboarding or whatever adrenaline fueled activity you partake in is the fact that it’s fun.

We do this because it is an escape from reality. It is our real life video games. The things we do where we don’t have to think about what we left behind in our lives, we don’t have to think about work. The peace, the serenity. We aren’t crazy like most people think. We are adventurers who take calculated risks. Life is dangerous. Go out and live life to it’s fullest.

We took the Gopro for many runs when we were down at Barrett Junction and got so many good clips we had to compile them into a cool little edit. This footage is from a few months ago but it is still worth a watch. Don’t be fooled by the name. Barrett is nothing close to being smooth. It is known for it’s rough and unforgiving pavement which continually worsens. -Leecifer

Smooth Rolling from Adrenaline Fueled on Vimeo.

Gopro footage from the helmets of: Lee Eisler, Ronnie Iverson, Niko Kroha and Aj Haiby
Edit by: Lee Eisler
Music By: Alaclair Ensemble

Check out some of our other Barrett Junction Posts by clicking below.

Raw Luge Race Heat

Barret Junction Race Coverage

***Find all the pictures on our facebook page or find us on flickr.

Austin Nicassio leads the pack into the second part of the race course.

July 10, 2011 The crew was again gathered in Temecula, Ca for SDDRL #31 “Mob Rules.” It was a nice, sunny and warm day for everyone meeting on a secluded street that ended in a dead end.

Max Capps a blur crossing the finish line first

There was a Mens class and a Juniors class for the racing. Juniors being under 18. There was also a special luge race held in the midst of it all.

That rubber you smell isn’t from any car tires. It’s just our shoes.

Left to right: Joe Marshall leading Justin Tolman, Ronnie Iverson and Kody Young in the final luge heat.

The hill was fast and there was lots of very exciting racing. Lots of tight packs and neck to neck finishes.

Jimmy Riha (left) and Ben Hryn (right) in a close finish.

Ben Hryn (tye dye) Tim Del Rosario (green) and Key Dougherty (leathers) zoom past the camera at high speeds

The cops did show up to make us leave, however we still managed to run the final heat.

Hello officer

 RESULTS

Mens Division

1st- Max Capps

2nd- Taylor Riley

3rd- Ben Hryn

Winning comes with a bucket of water dumped on you

 Junior Division

1st- Daniel Luna

2nd- Austin Nicassio

3rd- Brett Ciabattini

Stoked

Luge

1st- Joe Marshall

2nd- Ronnie Iverson

3rd- Justin Tolman

Congrats to the winners. Rad new trophy Ronnie!

Special thanks to the Pulverizer joining us all the way from Canada.

Riding gravity is fun, especially when you are hauling a** on a brand new street luge. I watched Max Capps pull moves of a madman as he passed cars in the left hand gutter of the street giving drivers a show. “Ever ride waterslides? It’s like the same thing just railing it. Actually its like riding a missile, a big missile” said Max Capps. This was awesome to watch the video doesn’t do it justice but check it out. Look for the gnarly car pass near the end.

Rider: Max Capps

Video: Lee Eisler/Chris Culliney