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'El Condor Pasa'....Gonz en el impossible-to-transfer / Livermore Skatepark
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Livermore for those new to the area, is more known for their high tech companies/labs (ie Jet propulsion lab) and as the home for the Atomic Bomb (back in the day), than for
their skateboarding scene. To get there follow the 580 until you hit the North Livermore exit following to the right. Go on North Livermore straight for a few kilometers, until you see the street name
changes to South Livermore. Make a left onto Pacific Avenue until the end of the road and you'll see the skatepark. The basic layout is like and elongated Mickey Mouse head, with 2 nice bowls on a side
and a collection of very smooth concrete hips & banks, that are worthwhile checking if you happen to be in the area.
The transitions are smooth, and the overall design let you flow effortless, with smooth copings and some street hardware on the sides (but mostly banks and bowls) where only
'THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS" survive…...
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As for basic equipment, pads are required and enforced, and there's no entry fee.
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10.30 am: Dublin Skatepark:
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'Rapido y Furioso': Gonz en el Ollie
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Our next stop was the Dublin Skatepark. Dublin in general has a whole different vibe/feeling that the Livermore Skatepark. As for a start: there's a lot of green around the
park, and the skatepark is huge for the area. Then you'll see a lot of kids in skooters, bmx's, and rollerblades all of them with spotless, brand new equipment. Getting there is a no-brainer: just take
highway 580 and then hit the Tassajara/Santa Rita Exit. Go then straight following the road to the jail (literally), and make a left in Gleason Dr. You'll see the skatepark to your left side.
The layout is a collection of bowls, hips, street hardware, handrails, stairs and pyramids. I'll have to say that the overall feeling of the park is a little steep, bumpy and
there's a lack of copings for all bowls. Also cross traffic is an issue here, as 5 year old 'pro' skooterers, bmx'ers and other 'skateboard fauna' will cut you off as you're attempting that nice
imposible-to-transfer between bowls.
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There's no entry fee for the park, and you'd probably wanna use pads, although it's not enforced.
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Well it's fucking hot!, and we need to grab some food/drinks before we hit our final destination. As we arrived @ a Mexican restaurant in Downtown Dublin,we kinda feel
'DESUBICADOS': Is that hot brunette flashing to us?.....damn!, 'TIO, UNO ES HOMBRE POR LO TANTO IGNORANTE…' yells Jeff!…..dehydration leds to allucination….we need that cold beer a.s.a.p!…After
getting our deserved unhealthy hi-fat meal, we continue our journey……
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Vista General Skatepark en San Ramon en el Valle del Silicon
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Well San Ramon is part of what is formally known as the Silicon Valley. Lot's of high-tech industries and 'techies' with 'baby techies', driving nice BMW, Mercedes, 'Green' SUV's, and
our final stop for this trip. To get there take highway 680 n, and drop off over the Bollinger Canyon Rd, head right on Bollinger, pass 3 stoplights and you'll see the skatepark on the left hand side just in the
corner of Bollinger and Market Streets.As for the skatepark layout there're lots of obstacles, some nice transition/bowls but little room for 'em. Probably the best: the bowl with a nice vert + transition. Wearing
pads over here is a must, as cross traffic is heavy, involving small brats and/or animals.The overall design feels 'crowded' that is: lot of obstacles, lots of kids, and not enough space for gaining speed. If you're
around this part of town, just bring some nice pads, and kill the bowl….any other effort is worthless…Entry is free.
Well it's 3.30 pm, and our journey and story is over. We went back to Livermore for a final 'Late session' . Thanks to our spiritual leader/guide for this trip Jeff 'Clinton'
Wilson….Norcal rulez !.....
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Guia Espiritual y Guru de Norcal 'Jeff Wilson' acompañando a Gonz.
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