The prospect of precipitation was virtually as excessive because the stoke on Saturday on the Standing Sideways Plattekill Takeover. For the fifth yr in a row riders all throughout the North East got here collectively to share their ardour for snowboarding and help an superior trigger within the Dwell Like Brent Basis (LLBF). LLBF was began by Brent Evans throughout his struggle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
Most cancers is among the main causes of chapter. LLBF works to lift consciousness and funds for these going by way of blood most cancers remedy. Brent was an avid rider and what began as Carve4Cancer has blossomed into a bigger group.
LLBF hosts a wide range of occasions together with golf tournaments, marathons and naturally snowboarding. Standing Sideways — hosted at Plattekill Mountain — is exclusive in that it’s a snowboarder solely occasion. My buddy Cam had gone the final 2 years and had a blast. The promote was simple; non-public mountain, a great deal of tools demos and help an excellent trigger. Signal me up.
Cam deliberate to select me up at 6:30am Wednesday morning en path to Roxbury. The night time earlier than I discovered myself in a giant field retailer purchasing for a rain poncho. The climate is what it’s, and I used to be decided to be ready. We pulled into the lot a bit of earlier than 9 and donned our rain gear. The By no means Summer time and Snowvibes of us had already set their tents up with swag and board demos.
Contained in the lodge we discovered Nicole Posey the occasion’s coordinator, getting folks signed in and promoting raffle tickets. They’d numerous candy gear on raffle together with Libtech and By no means Summer time snowboards. On the far wall Donek and Libtech had laid out a plethora of boards for demo. First come, first serve, simply throw your bindings on and go for a rip.
Cam and I headed up the triple for a number of heat up runs. My board is a directional cruiser that’s tremendous playful in slush circumstances, it’s like browsing a giant wave. Cam’s board desires to get on edge and keep there, and because of this doesn’t play good within the rain. After the primary runs I used to be decided to get him on one thing a bit of extra playful understanding he would get pleasure from it extra. The By no means Summer time guys put him on a Proto Synthesis, nonetheless a large board however considerably much less stiff and with out the total camber. It was evident from the primary flip that Cam was already having fun with it. We took some laps off the double having fun with the spring circumstances earlier than it was time for lunch.
At 1pm everybody assembled in entrance of the triple for the group image and a fast announcement. The 101 riders packed it in for the shot and gave their applause to Nicole as she thanked everybody for braving the weather. After that everybody made their approach to the highest for a Mob Run down the face. It was a factor of magnificence because the “Mob” waded by way of the fog and slush, carving, slashing and leaping the entire means down. On the backside excessive fives and fist bumps have been on faucet because the hype reached an all time excessive.
Subsequent on the itinerary everybody was invited to seize a snowskate and be part of the group lesson at bunny hill earlier than a bunch journey down Powder Puff. The skates have been supplied by different riders on the occasion, fairly superior folks needed to share their tools simply to gas the fervour. Cam and I instantly hopped on some skates and after a number of runs down the magic carpet, we felt we have been able to take it to the massive hill. The primary problem was getting off the raise however we each caught the touchdown to a spherical of cheers from the group forming on the high.
The following factor you recognize 25 or so riders have been bombing the inexperienced, dodging ice patches and dust in addition to one another. For the primary portion of the run Cam and I have been main the pack however by the primary switchback I used to be gassed. With out bindings it’s far more troublesome. Cam and nearly all of the pack continued on.
I adopted however caught a number of edges and took some exhausting slams. I used to be decided to journey it out and finally met Cam on the backside. He was prepared for extra runs and I used to be beat up, prepared for a beer. We made a plan to fulfill within the lodge. Regardless of getting my ass kicked, the snow skate was my favourite a part of the day.
To complete off the day, Nicole started raffling off the superior prizes and thanking everybody once more. Standing Sideways was a powerful success and proof that East Coast riders are constructed in another way. Come rain or shine they present up, journey and help the causes they imagine in. I had a blast and I’m already Snow Skates to purchase. Tickets are already on sale for subsequent yr. Hope to see you there!
