Look Out Below!

You haven’t really experienced skateboarding until you’ve seen downhill skateboarding, a breakneck extreme sport requiring special longboards that are built more for speed than fancy skateboard tricks. And it takes a special kind of athlete to pilot one – in particular, one who’s addicted to adrenaline and probably has some right gnarly tattoos. But, since more than fifty of these hard-headed nut-cases will be flocking to Colorado from across the U.S. and Canada, you’re welcome to a front-row seat for the action during this weekend’s Buffalo Bill Downhill on Lookout Mountain in Golden.

Beginning Saturday, May 9, at 10 a.m., boarders will test the tilted twists and turns on the paved Lookout Mountain Road track during freeriding and practice runs until 4 p.m.; promoters suggest that it will be the best opportunity to chat up the pros for tips and autographs. The real racing then begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, until around 2 p.m., when the prize-passing commences. Parking will be available along South Lookout Mountain Road, via the Western Lariat Loop road and spectating is free; go to www.bbdownhill.com for detailed directions and information.

Sat., May 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun., May 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 2009