A few days back on one of my frequent Santa Barbara expeditions I had great sucess. An evening windswell session at Rincon with the boys and Rivermouth all to ourselves. Climbing with GFunk up on San Marcos road and even some skating at the ridiculously fun SB park. I thought I was done, that no more shredding was possible, but then I heard the call of Isla Vista.... Well actually it was just Mr. Cook calling me from IV with promises of a chili dinner with some of the PC Crew. Dinner was incredible, and as surprise guests three traveling French Canadians joined us via the IV connection. Turns out they were on an extended adventure themselves. Proprietors and craftsmen at Rotule Longboards John, Yan and PM had driven to San Francisco (from Quebec) in a 90's Corolla with about a dozen boards on the roof to use and abuse. They were (are at the time of writing this) touring the US and all it's glorious mountains for the best hills to bomb, drift and cruise. All the guys new we had to take them up to Vista Rd. It being general knowledge that it's one of the curviest and steepest Rd. in Santa Barbara. Photos are from the adventure that followed!

John drifting.

Yan flying Free.

PM lets his legs take a breather and scares the shit out of people coming home from work up the windy rd. Despite the lack of discretion I can fully support the necessity of a BB Gun on any road trip.

Yan powering back up the hill for one more run and the heavens open up in the sky.

PM and John

These guys were all smiles the whole day, it was obvious we choose the perfect place to take them, and SB was good to us with clear weather and cool breeze to make for optimum riding conditions.

If you look closely you can see John's gloves smoking as he tries to avoid flying off the edge of the switchback and getting a bush enema. Thank goodness for the grassy patch and his ninja skills. Ryan and Jason holding their breath.

John, looking happy to be alive.

I think this is so much better with Mr. Lovelace in it. As a fine craftsman of water going boards I think a certain kinship was felt with these surfers of pavement. Yan focused on the drift and we both got the shot.

We met some local downhill enthusiasts in our pursuit of "the most epic hill in Santa Barbara" and were greeted with enthusiasm. They were stoked on the the Canadian's finely crafted boards and shared some crucial knowledge about the hill's idiosyncrasies. Boards were swapped and they took the guys on their first run of the whole road, top to bottom.

Rendezvous mid-hill.

Later!