It's safe to say that the Flame Trails in Helmond, NL received more love during this pandemic than they received the past 9 months. The fact that kids were home from school and parents worked from home resulted in lots of visits from local riders. Team Afhaak started fixing up the trails 3 months ago and as everyone knows, once the trails run well, people will come over to ride them. And they did.
Afternoon sessions as well as evening sessions became bigger than allowed. Keep in mind, during the corona crisis, 1,5 meter distance needed to be kept at all times. It was even forbidden to be at one
Name of Park: Graceland Bmx
Operator: Marcus Christopher
Location: Canton, Ohio
It seems like things are slowly opening up again. What's the Covid-19 situation like where you live?
Marcus Christopher: Retail businesses and restaurants are slowing starting to open back up although, there still are quite a few regulations. As of now until July 1st, social distancing gathering restrictions and the use of masks are being suggested. Local skateparks are starting to open back up as well.
How did it feel when you were asked to stay home and you could go to the yard to do some riding still?
Marcus Christopher: I felt fortunate to have my backyard setup but the weather here in Ohio didn’t permit me to ride as much as I’d like.
Name Park: Doesn’t really have a name, we just call them the ramps haha
Location: San Diego, CA
What are the Covid-19 restrictions where you live at the moment?
Dennis Enarson: They are pretty loose at the moment. Seems like everything is normal except you see the masks every where and a lot of businesses are still closed. Looks like everything is loosening up daily.
How does it feel having a ramp available whenever you feel like riding?
Dennis Enarson: It is seriously amazing. It’s my favorite park in the world and its open to ride whenever the sun is shining. Couldn't be any more grateful.
Have the sessions been small in size because of the pandemic?
Dennis Enarson: Ya I chilled them out for sure. Just a few people at a time for now. Trying to stay safe and stay apart from each other too. I would like to think the people that have been coming over are super healthy but you never know. So we try and not breath on each other. Which isn’t too hard with a few people and a massive setup.
What kind of wood did you use for the ramp?
Dennis Enarson: Skatelite hooked it up and it is amazing!
Name Park: Soprano spot
Operator: Myself Andy Buckworth
Location: California, USA
What are the Covid-19 restrictions where you live at the moment?
Andy Buckworth: Right now we are allowed to leave the house to exercise, visit the dr, or visit the grocery store. Restaurants are open, for take away only.
How does it feel having a ramp available whenever you feel like riding?
Andy Buckworth: Honestly it’s a blessing. I hate being off my bike and even though there aren’t any events coming up, I still ride my bike every day.
Has the yard seen much change since you bought the house?
Andy Buckworth: Not yet. However I plan to make some pretty substantial changes. Hopefully in the near future.
What kind of wood did you use for the ramp?
Name of Park: EllieLand
Location: Mum and Dads Tennis Court haha.
Crazy time we live in, but it could be worse having no ramps to ride. What kind of set-up do you have at home?
Ellie Chew: Yeah Crazy times for sure, I feel so lucky to have my ramps at home more than ever during this time! I have a fun little set up, it includes a 6ft quarter with a bowl hip extension, then a 4ft resi box jump and a 3ft spine/spox
For how long have you had the ramps?
Ellie Chew: I’ve had the ramps for about 3 years now
Who built them?
Name: Pat Casey
Park: Pat's backyard
Location: Riverside, California, USA.
What made you decide to build your own park in the backyard?
Pat Casey: When I turned 18, I decided I wanted to move out. I looked for a place with land, knowing one day I would want a park or jumps in my yard. Growing up, my dad built me a backyard ramp and I knew I couldn't live without one,
In these days of home quarantine, how does it feel to have a place to ride right out of the door?
Operator-Park: Drew Bezanson
Location: Ontario, Canada
What made you decide to build your own ramp?
Drew Bezanson: I always love having my own ramps to ride. As a kid I had a mini ramp in the attic of my parents garage, its still there till this day. In 2017 I moved into a place that had the space for a backyard ramp and I jumped on the opportunity. I was a little burnt out on riding public parks at the time, having to worry about where people were at when trying to do lines, film, shoot photos, etc. I needed a spot where I could fill my craving for BMX. That is why you haven't really seen any footage come out from the yard. I love when the sessions get wild and everyone is in on it, not asking someone to stop and film something, just enjoy the session.
Name of park: The Colony Resort
Operator(s): Colony BMX
Location: Brisbane, Australia
When did you start planning the miniramp build?
Clint Millar: I’ve first had a backyard ramp back in 1998 and then in late 2012 I decided I needed to have one again. I had the spine mini ramp in my old house from then up to early 2018. That’s when we moved it to my new and current house in April 2018. It’s a work in progress and will continue to be for a while yet. Plenty in the works.
Park name: Wolfmac
Operator: Kyle Wachter.
Location: In Kyle's back yard outside of Sylvan Lake, Alberta. Canada.
From the looks of it being stuck at home could be worse for you. What ramps do you have available for a safe session during Covid-19?
Mark Stanway: Right now we are dealing with all our outdoor and indoor skate parks shut down Nation wide. There's a couple people with features in their yards and one guy with a half pipe but most of us have taken to the streets during this pandemic.
What other parks are near you that are closed-off for the moment during the pandemic?
Mark Stanway: We have our local indoor park House of wheels in Edmonton that has been shut down and Bline in Calgary that is closed as well.
What's the current situation where you live. Do people need to stay at home?
Mark Stanway: We are in a lock down but not full. Yet we have been encouraged to stay indoors and practice safe distancing. We are encouraged to exercise every day and stay active. We are opening in the next couple weeks here and slowly hoping to come out of this pandemic.
Name Park: The backyard ramp
Operator: Mike Varga
Location: Ontario, Canada
What are the Covid-19 restrictions where you live at the moment?
Mike Varga: The Covid-19 has definitely got crazy with restrictions. Haven’t tried going to any parks but I know a few buddy's who got tickets for being at outdoor parks. Basically I can only travel around Ontario and even with that they have checkpoints to make sure your travel is necessary. All indoor and outdoor parks are closed. Basically just at home.
How does it feel having a ramp available whenever you feel like riding?
Mike Varga: Man it's absolutely amazing to have my own ramp! Keeping riding is key for keeping me in