Posted: Saturday, 11th June, 2005 : 7:48 PM - - 12,997 Reads

Share|

	The stars of the show. Photo: Greame McKinnon

However, when the Crusty Tour hit Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena on Saturday June 4 they delivered a different edge to the scene which left you not only enjoying the show, but more importantly, they brought back to the near sell-out crowd, that feeling you experience the very first time you see freestyle live.

The introduction of riders individually gave the show a unique twist to what is normally provided and allowed the crowd to check out the style of individual riders without trying to watch everyone on the course at once. The addition of the 'in house' big screens for replaying segments of the show and providing footage from other events added to the atmosphere and the visibility of all spectators. The choreographing was impeccable, taking on an original format with limited repetition and no downtime, which counter-acted all criticisms of such performances that have taken place in the past. Throw in some good old school punk rock tunes and all were ready to celebrate over 10 years of freestyle tricks and riders.

	Getting upsidedown is big on the Crusty tour. Photo: Greame McKinnon

The Show
Lurch and Gary Reid took on the role of MC and captured the crowd's attention from the outset, whilst the former Miss Nude World (Morgan Summers) caught any of the wandering eyes as she looked after the XXXX Bar. Brownie from Browns Grafix had his custom designs decking out the ramps and arena where, the infamous Bubba joined the party in his trademark overalls. Of course you couldn't go past the Crusty Babes dancing in their provocative attire, especially with Lurch getting in on the action, by taking up a bit of crusty babe dancing of his own. Crowd participation was also incorporated with "Bubba Free S**t", but your just going to have to make a Sydney show to find out what goes down on the red 'Crusty Couch'.

Although a few of the original riders were out (Nate Adams having a rod inserted in his femur, Metzger at home resting after loosing one of his 'boys' when he landed on the ground before his bike did and Billy Walls getting his knuckles fixed up after an incident the prior evening), the line up was more than impressive. Crusty's Rookie of the Year, Adam 'Angry' Jones opened the show, followed by the Charlie Angels 2 star 'Mad' Mike Jones, who most would know, has been around since the original crusty video, making it his 10th anniversary of riding with the 'Crusty Demons.' The mini bike crew were also taken on board, with the likes of Kain Saul, Blake 'Bilko' Williams, Cam 'Sinc' Sinclair, Joel Balchin and Ryan Lemke to name a few. Who would have thought the chance of taking home $250 for the best trick would instigate so much mayhem. All riders were involved in some kind of carnage as they bailed off their bikes after tricks went bad whilst trying to unleash whatever they could, including 180s, to secure the win. However, even Kain's No Footed Flip on the little beast couldn't respond to Bilko's Whipped Out Nac Flip.

	It aint all about the bikes. Photo: Greame McKinnon

Next up was a young gun from NZ by the name of Levi Sherwood, who at the mere age of 13 was the youngest Freerider on the tour. After Levi followed the Aussie assault of Bilko, Balchin, Sinc and Mini. Bilko and Sinc turned things upside down in front of their hometown crowd with the first flips of the evening. Flipping in right behind them were two latecomers to the tour, Jimmy McNeill and the man known as 'Ox'. Jimmy has over 15 IFMA wins on his side whereas Ox took home Silver at this years Winter X Games.

The next segment of the show, introduced three of the riders who were responsible for contributing to the Six World Records that were broken on May 14 2005. For the majority of punters who didn't have the opportunity to witness the history making effort live, video footage was shown of the world record attempts. Although out of action with a broken arm, California's Trigger Gumm, who rode his way into the Guinness World Book of Records at Ipswich Raceway, was on hand to talk through the experience. Originally, Trigger had decided against going ahead with the jump, however a wise man told him (namely Seth Enslow) 'you will never get a chance like this again so you've got to go for it.' Trigger therefore once again attempted the distance, jumping a massive 277.5 ft to set a new world record. Gumm was not the only world record breaker in the arena on June 4. Accompanying him was Aussie's own Robbie Maddison (for the longest trick and longest distance on a 125cc bike). Maddo conveyed to the Aussie crowd that he 'was stoked to have such an opportunity and use the ramps for the jump after all the prep the boys had done to pull this off.' Lastly was the legend himself, a Crusty original Larry 'Link' Linkogle, who can now claim the 250cc distance world record. Although Link was riding in the show, a trip to the ER was required at the shows conclusion, as in true crusty style he was riding against doctor's advice whilst suffering from a bruised liver.

	Mad Mike Jones still going strong. Photo: Greame McKinnon.

The show was then broken up into a further three segments before the flip festival was set to begin. Namely, Sync riding - where the riders hit the ramps in pairs, pulling off the same tricks which were perfectly timed, including Maddo and Schuie's flip variations, the Xpression session - where all the riders let loose to a bitchin soundtrack taking it back to what we all love about Crusty, and then just for good measure the Crusty Trains, where all riders performed the same trick in a train, such as Turndowns, Harts, No Footed Nacs, Cliff Hangers, Rocksolids and Rulers.

Flips
As most know, Schuie (Matt Schubring) has to be one of the cleanest and most consistent riders in the industry. Well, his latest claim to fame was becoming the first person in Oz, just three weeks ago, to flip over 75 feet. Schuie therefore joined the Yanks in a 75ft Backflip variation set. 'Angry' Adam Jones kicked off with his One-handed Flip and Clicker Flip, followed by Jimmy McNeill with his Nac Flip, No Hander Flip and Turndown Flip, Schuie ripped out his Can Flip and lastly Ox performed the most technical of them all, the 'Seat Grab Flip'. It is not often you get to see flips in Oz with M.A. banning them at most of their events, so if you wanted to indulge in seeing riders upside down, the crusty tour was the place to make an appearance.

To take it that one step further, was a Mountain-Board Champ by the name of Tony, who was towed in by Mad Mike, flipping his mountain-board off the ramp. But it didn't stop there. Next in line were the two Guetter brothers, Jon and Derek who have opted to Freestyle on quads. Jon added an ATV flip to the list. Last out was Snow-mobile jumper 'Jumping Jimmy Blaze' from Alaska, who like Link, had turned up against doctor's advice, after unsuccessfully pulling off a flip at the previous two shows. Footage of the bails were shown to the crowd on the big screen. Blaze was stoked to be back and pleased the crowd by pulling off the flip without a hitch, ensuring that there was no third instalment to the video footage. While the crowd left knowing the show was definitely worth the money forked out for the tickets, the boys went and did what Mike Jones said the Aussie's do best - 'Drink and Party.'

For further information visit www.crusty.com

Main Photo: Local Cameron Sinclair struts his stuff
Photo: Greame McKinnon

Share|