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Road Trip to Sydney, Cape Breton - Nov. 8th, 07

   Motivated by new skate parks and seemingly endless great weather this fall, we packed the car and hit the road Friday morning (October 5th) stoked for a fun packed weekend on Cape Breton Island. After many hours of gibber-jabber road banter we abruptly pull over to check out a rail in front of a church. Bruce & Mike are feelin' it and to the failing light a rail session goes down. A sweet end to a long day spent in the car. (Photos: After noon day prayer Mike Bernier Front Boards and Bruce Treby Back 50-50's, avoid the scourge of God, and leave one hard working' (old) rail something to be proud of.)

    Not too early, but earlier than I like there's rustling in the room, the boys are pumped to get going, ah, its so easy! We stayed at the Beacon motel which is right across the street from the new Coxheath Skatepark. A Spectrum Concrete creation, the park has lots to offer once last night’s milk shakes/vomit are sopped up, pre-breakfast roll around in the heat of the October sun. Props to Megan Detheridge, Jim Barnum and everyone else in the community that have made Coxheath a reality, a huge asset to Sydney and a real training ground for the local skaters.

After getting our fill and checking out of the Beacon, we headed out on a "shore tour" to make the most of the afternoon. Our first stop is Glace Bay to check out a new bowl, also the work of Spectrum Skateparks. This would be the first "above ground" concrete bowl I've ever skated. Above ground you say? Why's that? "Well son; ya see, this whole area is right contaminated" from all the industrial work that went down here. "O I see so now its recreational land for the kids, OK THEN!" (Sydney area has huge industrial history)

Anyhow really fun, high speed corners with extensions for the Gnarl and a spine into a mini bowl to get the young ones into it. Well built and no graffiti yet! Fresh & new, nice job people. While I enjoyed the trany and caught up with local Steve Waden, Bruce drew a flood of kids to a "dangerous in every way" rail across the lot. The situation became a heat score so we carried on down the shore... (Photos: Mike Bernier 50-50's large hubba @ Glace Bay; Chug chug, Mike and Bruce get safe in someones boat)

The scenic coastline led us back to the Sydney waterfront where we found a nice high stage/wheely setup. Good times till the sun dropped and the wind off the water chased us back to the warmth and safety of the Delta hotel. After setting in to a few cocktails the fitness room, pool & hot tub facilities entertain us for the evening. There were some tense moments in the pool when Bruce Ass charlied some kid in the back coming out of the waterslide real fast, the Dad was right there watching the whole thing and yelled at his kid and made him cry adding insult to injury, we sighed relief and took off to Megan's house for some late night BBQ action.

Sunday mornin' brings a quick dip for the boys while Watson sleeps... fancy breakfast @ the Delta with Bruce, naked in a complementary robe, Bernier, and infamous Mackel. The service and food were probably the worst we've ever ate, especially for the price. Stopped in the elevator after by an old couple enjoying the small amount of time they have left, got to experience; one more punch, and entered complaining. Mackel found hair in his eggs. Or egg in his hair...Back to the car bound for home. Sydney folk are super hospitable (surprise surprize) and we all agreed that returning to the island is a must. A good example that you don't have to go far to find new spots, good times and interesting culture.
(Photos: Hangin' with Charlie at the historic Vogue theater, down town Sydney)

Written/Photos by Jesse Watson, Mike Nauss

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