Skate Spots on the LOPE Radar 2 - Ice Cream Edition

Here's the new spot in Bristol. It's "skateable architecture" according to Wes's conversation with the architect - I like that kind of right-on attitude! It does actually feel like a street spot rather than a skatepark.

As usual, awful photo as I took it on my phone and didn't think to get a pic until dusk was turning to night.

The "ice cream scoop" bowl is a bit mad. Expect people will be ollieing over it soon. Ollie over to disaster or grind would be nice. Tim set his Salman Agah approved block at the top of the bank and the Warden and the Wezzer were whizzing wonderous whooshers down into the bank.

Horfield Skatepark Construction

Just checked the progress on Horfield's new Bendcrete skatepark.

Looks like a fair bit of work still to be done and is shaping up a bit meh to be honest. Although not as meh as it looked on the plans. Floodlit too. Fingers crossed 11pm. 10pm? Please?

Looks like half of it is a BMX volcano version of a spine ramp and the other half is a downhill round-the-corner skateboard ledge extravaganza.

More discussions on the Sidewalk forum.

Helvetica

Finally got round to watching Gary Hustwit's amazing Helvetica documentary last night. It was great!

Any film featuring Wim Crouwel, Herman Zapf, Neville Brody and David Carson is OK with me! Did I mention I met David Carson and chatted about the amusing font Hobo? No?

The documentary reminded me a bit of a typographical version of Dogtown & Z-Boys.

Oh - Die Neue Haas Grotesk was the original name for Helvetica. The original was based on Akzidenz Grotesk, and was designed by Max Miedinger for the Haas Type Foundry in the 50s. Even those who are peeved by the overabundance of Helv these days can't deny it's a classic!