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My Bomb 09
By Matt | October 12, 2009
Throwing out 288 shirts and watching that blue and yellow fill the streets of NYC was amazing. I didnt get to see the start of the race bc Nick and I were on 110th trying to get some photos of Broadway filling up with 300 skaters. Wave after wave of you passed by and finally we could take off.
I had told myself, no hard pushing, this isnt my race I thought. Bum knee and too little cardio over the last couple months, didnt seem to slow me down too much…until the hill at Canal that is. Keeping a steady medium pace, ducking through traffic, talking to riders rocking boards I had painted, all made the day just swell. Dipping through congested rows of yellow cabs and tourist buses all while smiling for the 1000 cameras that were on Broadway that day. Skitch a cab, skitch a bus, flirt with a pretty lady taking our picture and laugh as we blow the intersections never missing a beat. Green light, yellow light, piiiinnnnkkkk light… solid red; didnt matter gotta push.
I hadnt had this much fun in a long time. I hadnt been this sore since kickball season. Sirens chirping all around and Nick keeping his head on a swivel. Calling out and working as a team to avoid bacon all while weaving this intricate pattern through the hustle midday traffic. I remember laughing while the burn really set in. Nick making his textbook sigh and still we pushed still harder than anticipated. Cops pulling people over randomly, not me, not us…we had escape routes all thought out. Smell that? Yup Bacon on the left, we dip right. Bacon right, we duck left.
Times square’s a breeze, nothing like what I thought it would be. Pavement felt good, pedestrians parted like the Red Sea. Flash a smile while you pass and they flash one back. ”Bustin”, “What’s Bustin”, “BUSTIN!” Everywhere you look, people are staring at those shirts and mouthing that word, BUSTIN. Made me feel good.
Up Canal, Hell on wheels. Catch a bus, YUP! Im not in contention, I gotta just make it up the hill. Workers cutting up pavement proved to be a huge obstacle and a ton of people got sucked into that trap including myself. Almost ate it bc jello had taken over where my legs once were. Plop, plop, plop, SAVED it. Three steps and regained my stride, back on the board. Micku asking how many more blocks and the finish is within reach. Push for the cameras aaannnnnndddddd smile, cheese! Finish line.
Great day filled with great people. Thanks to everyone. Jax for catering our Bustin BK Shop party. Fabrika for coming out to show off their CPR film and for capturing the Bomb. The cats from Original for coming through. S9 for throwing down for the bar tab. Ian for organizing. All our roommates from the WonderBread Factory that got to participate this year (feels like you accomplished something doesnt it?). And for the weary travelers, the road warriors, the ones that got nabbed and the ones that got away. All 300 of you, THANKS.
Congrats to Mark Shaperow (where did this guy come from??) Goes to show you what heart can accomplish. Thes and Jim, Sol and Mike and all the other Bustin faithful. Another safe year down.
Let the countdown begin. T minus 363 and counting…
Topics: Broadway Bomb |
October 13th, 2009 at 10:10 am
I think I was behind you guys for a portion, because I remember relaying messages about how much further it was. I followed you guys around times square. It was my first bomb and I had a blast. Can’t wait for my strike!
October 13th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
well said, and go MARK! I am proud of my fellow GETDIE. Bustin will own this race like from now on.