It all started at Ocean City nearly a month ago, the pressure to make it through open qualifier for 2011 was playing on my mind, to then come out and win the first stop of Ocean City, I was speechless as you all would know haha. After the cameras where off & I had a spare minute to let it sink that I just achieved a life time goal I honestly wouldn't have gotten this far without my girlfriend, friends and family but of course to all my sponsors and my fans.
After Ocean City I was back in North Carolina for one day. I then flew to LA for my first ever X-games. My girlfriend and I were bummed that we didn't have enough time to sight see, but from what I saw LA is an amazing place to be. The course at X-games wasn't a course I would normally ride, but you learn to adapt to what you're given to ride and to make the most of this. I ended up missing out on finals but I was so stoked that I made it to semis after my first invite.
After X-games we then flew to Orange County, where Guettler, my girlfriend and I stayed with Pat Casey and his family. We played in the pool, shot some hoops and of course couldn't leave without riding his backyard ramp. They are such an awesome family, we had so much fun.
The ASA contest was held at the Orange County Fair. ASA is a fun contest to just chill and have fun, by this time I was so tired after all these contests. When we were in LA we were luckily enough to go behind the scenes and have a day each at the Monster warehouse, Vans Warehouse and also Unit's warehouse. It was great to see how everything works behind doors, they have a great team of people, it was so much fun!
The Nike 6.0 contest was also on at Huntington Beach. We were able to head down and check it out.
We then were yet again at another airport where we were heading to the next stop of Dew Tour in Portland. Portland stop for me was a big one, had Both Park and dirt to compete in even though I don't normally ride dirt. I thought it would be a great stress reliever to take the pressure off park. I ended up taking 2nd place in dirt which was more than I expected & also 2nd in Park. The park course was awesome. Dennis Enarson did a great job of designing the course.
I'm really happy of how I've been riding, this year has become a really big year for me. I had a few days rest back in NC then I was off the weekend to the King of the Mountain Dirt comp in UTAH. This was a chilled weekend, hanging out with some of my boys and riding. There was some big tricks and Bigger Crashes had by all. I ended up pulling my first ever Frontie tuck to bar which crowned me King of the Mountain haha.
Thanks to Monster Engergy for the great weekend. I honestly couldn't be where I am now without my sponsors so I want to give a shout out to Unit, Vans, Monster and Mirraco for letting me live the dream. Now it's time to get practicing for Salt Lake City. Till next time. Peace out!
-Kyle Baldock
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