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GP Episode 2

"It's not the equipment; it's the rider! Though in many cases, the choice of equipment can depict the style of the rider."

In the second episode we learn about the best longboarding gear there is. Airflow is proud to be amid the big guys – leading innovation and technology.

Team rider Ramón Königshausen was part of Greener Pastures during two weeks of epic freeriding, traveling and racing. Here's an interview with a few of his impressions, comments and thoughts from his journal along with the official relase photos for EP 2.

 

What happened at the end of Episode I?

R: Like we can see at the beginning of EP 2 Patrick took a fall on a narrow bridge on day one of our travels. There wasn't much room as he highsided and slammed against a rock wall head first. His helmet was cracked, his elbow cut open so he had to go to the hospital and get stitches.

 

Patrick Switzer's tortured elbow – Getting a piercing?

 

Why is John Barnet's voice so messed up?

R: John's interview was taken at Kozakov where it is the usual manner to party hard. The plum vodka stole his voice that weekend…

This hairpin features a 25m drop over the edge – Better stick your line!

Just before sunset there's hardly any traffic on this mountain pass: The little dots are downhill skateboarders

 

Where is the epic mountain pass that features a 100km/h tunnel?

R: The pass is in the center of Switzerland where a lot of electricty is produced by hydropower using artificial dams to create lakes. The shots in EP 2 were actually taken on two passes. One of them wasn't on the original schedule but alongside the route so we decided to spontaneously skate and film.

Kyle Martin shooting out of the tunnel at 100km/h

James Kelly taking a moment to grasp the beatiful scenery of the Swiss Alps

 

The full crew taking off –  28km of gnarly mountain pass ahead of them

 

How epic are those mountain passes?

R: Plain facts are:

length: 28km / 26km

altitude: 2224m / 2165m

ø incline: 5.7% / 5.9%

# hairpins: 12 / 9

max. speed: 90km/h / 100km/h

smooth pavement, stunning scenery

 

 Epic view across the valley – The riders hit up to 90km/h in this top section

The technical sweeping bottom section features super smooth asphalt – Ramón and Patrick flying behind the moovie car

 

How did the wrist watch affect Patrick's life?

R: I just skyped with Patrick today and found out he's full on becoming a Swiss being on time and all.

Patrick Switzer leading Ramón and the rest of the group

Ramón entering a tunnel in full tuck behind the moovie car.

 

What happened with James Kelly in EP 2?

R: We were shooting on the 28km long mountain pass just before sunset and got a late call on the radios (that were built in our helmets) of an upcoming car. Patrick, James and I were running tight toghether but James was closer to the middle of the road and had to do an emergency move into a gravel driveway on the lefthand side of the road. James acted very professionally and it was the only right thing to do, yet we were all upset this could even have happened so we all got a little emotional there.

 

This guy seems like he wanted to take advantage of the presence of the moovie car – George Mackenzie seems not so stoked about him…

Many of the shots we had to get right after the sunrise or just before sunset.

 

Did you break any camera equipment?

R: Apart from the octocopter that crash landed (you can see some of it in the trailer), Patrick dropped a 550D (at the end of EP 2) that was instantly declared "dedicated crash cam"

Handheld shot of George Mackenzie flying down the fastest part of the mountain pass at 90km/h – Patrick later on drops the camera

 

Since this episode is about equipment, what do you ride?

R: I'm riding an Airflow Bracket, the new topmount that will come out in 2012, 160mm GOG Trucks, ABEC 11 ZigZags 78A and FAT ANT Bushings. I use Moon Pucks to make my standups longer and Risch Aerohelmets to protect my head.

 

If there's not enough room to built a full hairpin the Swiss just add a bridge

 

What's gonna happen in the next episode?

R: Well obviously something with the police involved…and freeriding of course!

      
EP3 Freeride coming on November 29th.

Producer: Patrick Switzer
Director: Vit Hasek, 3Heads Production

http://www.skategreenerpastures.com
http://www.facebook.com/skategreenerpastures

 

Follow Ramón on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ramón-Königshausen/

PS: no that's not a hickie on my Ramón's neck!