The 2-HIP Dope Show in San Francisco - This Ain't No X-Games

On Saturday October 7th, 2000 I headed up to San Francisco for the latest installment of the traveling circus known as Ron Wilkerson's 2-HIP Meet The Street. The qualification round was already in full effect when I arrived, camera in hand, to capture all the action. The course was set up on a stretch of paved ground in the panhandle of Golden Gate Park. There were assorted launch ramps, two quarter pipes side by side with a grind pipe connecting them, and a few special street-riding props; a picnic table setup with small launch ramps facing it at both ends, a large dumpster, with one end open and a ramp inside, a shopping cart, a launch ramp setup in front of a giant eucalyptus tree, and the crowd favorite, an old Pontiac Firebird that was already looking like Charles Jefferson’s car after Jeff Spicoli got through with it in Fast Times At Ridgemont High. Jeff would have been hard pressed to say, “don’t worry, I can fix it,” no matter how righteous the tool set.

The prelims saw most riders lofting big air off the main launch ramp, and the occasional rider heading for the tree. In between runs riders would jump on the course for a few minutes, resulting in a great chaotic feel. It was more entertaining standing by the car, watching young angst filled grommets attempting sprocket grinds, and pre teens using their scooters as weapons of destructions. When the grinds wouldn’t work people simply threw their bikes at the car, hoping to break something. All of this brought back fond memories of the night my fellow Rad Boyz and I found an old abandon car in the warehouse district of New Hyde Park, and proceeded to ride all over it until the cops chased us away. Sadly, we were not able to do as much damage. Part of me wished I had my old HARO Master so I could show these kids a thing or two.

A signature of any Wilkerson event is the music. Two turntables were setup and a fierce set of old school classics were mixed by the wax masters. How I have lived without regular doses of Quiet Riot’s “Where Not Gonna Take It” (my favorite song in grade school), or NWA’s “Straight Outta Compton” is a mystery. Thrown in for fun was James Brown’s “Sex Machine,” assorted “AC/DC” classics, and some speed metal (though sadly no Minor Threat). I realize now that all good music ceased in the 90s, and my 1000+ CD collection is pathetic.

The pros hit everything on the course with reckless abandon. Huge airs on the launch ramp (360 tailwhips, decade airs, and I caught one backflip). The quarter pipe saw a couple 540s, and plenty of street grinding action. Again most of the action was at the car, as a group of us conspired to turn it over so the kids could go to work on the underside. Mr. 2-HIP himself stopped us, claiming the car needed to be returned to its rightful owner after the contest. Fight da’ man!