Back when I was younger (this was a long time ago) Independant trucks had an ad campaign where they posted the address of a top pro rider. They did that for Lance Mountain. At that time Lance had a big vert ramp in his backyard. If you watched any of the Powell movies of that era you may have seen it. It also was in the mags a lot at the time. Vert was king back then, street was just getting started. Being a resourceful young man I looked up his address in the Thomas guide and proceeded to skateboard the 5 miles or so from Pasadena to Alhambra, where Lance lived. I was like 13 or 14, I think and had not skated a lot of vert. I was nervous but knocked on the door anyway. Lance answered the door. I asked him if I could skate his ramp. He said he was returning from Sweden and said no one was skating.
He did not leave me hanging though. He showed me video of him learning the 540. I think Lance learned them second, right after McGill. Mcgill learned them in Sweden befor he released on the world at Del Mar. Anyway Lance also told me how to get to two ramps. Eagle Rock and Phil’s ramp. I looked for Eagle Rock the next day and never found it. By the way, the owner of the Eagle Rock ramp, Jay Moore, went on to start a succesful shop in Bozeman, Mt, World Boards. I did find Phills ramp though. As I walked up the were just finishing the beauty. The last nail was pounded and they let me skate. It was 20 foot wide, 9′ tranny’s and a foot of vert. It tokk up the whole damn yard. It was also located in Alhambra on the outskirts of Los Anges. It was a big deal at the time for sure. I skated that thing all summer. There was a heavy crew of locals. Phil, Ray, Eric Castro, Steve Keenan and more. All the pros came through, Blender, Mountain, Jeff Kendall, Allan Midgett are few that I remember. It was a bitchin summer to say the least. I went back to Pennsylvania and built my own vert ramp although not as big. So, thanks Lance!
Here is Lance at the Vans Park in Orange in the gnarly combi pool. I remember him telling me (way back when) that he was not a fan of the Upland Combi bowl
Invert in Orange, CA. I think Lance still lives in the same house I went to over 20 years ago in Alhambra, CA
Frontside through the corner
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