Joel Spackman at Rock Monster in Bellingham, Washington, United States - photo by bradwalton

+ 42

talhaslam (Aug 31, 2009 at 17:25)

WOAH

+ 33

steezemaster (Aug 31, 2009 at 20:09)

Now thats steep. POD.

+ 14

scotch (Aug 31, 2009 at 21:03)

i think you have another amazing POD on your hands...

+ 6

CanadaDiscGolf (Aug 31, 2009 at 22:14)

Dude...insane! Is the landing on the rock or what? Once again....Insane!

+ 11

bradwalton Plus (Aug 31, 2009 at 22:43)

thanks! yeah, landing is on the rock, it's pretty narrow as well. we made the line in about 5 minutes, even though I've been wanting to build it, ride it, & shoot it for a year

+ 141

ride-your-bike (Sep 2, 2009 at 0:00)

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+ 8

ryo-ip (Sep 2, 2009 at 0:25)

GNAR!

+ 55

soosh-mcgoosh (Sep 2, 2009 at 0:54)

I LIKE GEORGE FOREMAN GRILLS.

+ 7

cyrix (Sep 2, 2009 at 0:56)

Nice use of ASCII art ride-your-bike.

+ 1

idr999 (Sep 2, 2009 at 1:21)

sick shot and nice looking drop

+ 1

gabbarida (Sep 2, 2009 at 6:08)

cool.

+ 1

shreder-911 Plus (Sep 2, 2009 at 8:18)

such a sick pod

+ 1

Supallac (Sep 2, 2009 at 13:03)

Nice Rock Face. Pretty Brutal! hope u can slow down in time!!

+ 2

Freerider444 (Sep 2, 2009 at 13:04)

great shot

+ 1

oneednewbike123 (Sep 3, 2009 at 6:31)

GREAT POD!!!

+ 1

gtsuzuki (Sep 10, 2009 at 19:41)

check ot my site http://ottis.yolasite.com/

+ 1

morewood540 (Sep 11, 2009 at 12:33)

noice shot thats crazy steap props

- 5

gtsuzuki (Sep 11, 2009 at 16:49) (Below Threshold) show comment

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+ 1

kit1 (Sep 20, 2009 at 13:19)

WOW!!!

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+ 22

sittingduck (Sep 2, 2009 at 0:57)

A lot of people wont fully appreciate pics like this.... the camera makes things like this look a lot smaller and less steep than they look in reality!
I guarantee there's a lot of people looking at that thinking they might hit it.... put them on that rock in real life, and they will crap themselves!

+ 2

bikingbain (Sep 2, 2009 at 1:09)

^^^props +1^^^

- 3

freeriderchase (Sep 2, 2009 at 9:45)

I don't know about that sir, if fellow riders are looking at this picture, they're definitely wondering where the hell the landing is. Since its not in frame, the size of the drop is definitely increased.

+ 2

bradwalton Plus (Sep 2, 2009 at 9:54)

the landing is the rock right under his front tire, it is a bit sketchy since it's narrow and steep

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+ 3

AMBikerJJ8 (Sep 2, 2009 at 17:05)

Idk, good pic but the rider looks kinda blurry only at the edges while the rest of the pic is sharp O.o Seems like if you have the time and equipment to set up flashes, build the whole line, etc., you'd have time to set your camera to a good shutter speed. (How could it not be anyway? most of the pic is bright, and the guy claims it was at noon...) No hard feelings, just think that it should be sharper...which works on 2 levels there.

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+ 2

nastynick42 (Sep 2, 2009 at 11:35)

Who the f*ck is this FreerideChase douche bag; I mean seriously!!!!! do you have to F-ING critique everything to the nineth degree???? How about instead of "CRITIQUING" other persons photos, You go out and RIDE!!!!! your bike or take some pics. From the comments and impressions you made here, I would surely kick you square in the tool bag if I had the chance. You come off as being an "egotesticle" know it all!!!! Thats my 2 cents

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+ 2

jeastman (Sep 2, 2009 at 10:18)

Holy fock. That pic is everything that it should be. Makes me want to ride, build, and rip. Huge props, Brad. I think one of the reasons you are getting so many props and not just in this pic is that you represent what it all means. Riding, building, finding that line. You are searching for this shit anyways, and luckily for all of us you now take your camera along. Great, great stuff. I would just assume look at your pics than read half the crap in the mags these days. You and your crew represent what it's all about for me. Great stuff. Keep it coming. please. You make me want to keep getting after it. THANKS!

+ 1

bradwalton Plus (Sep 2, 2009 at 11:07)

word, thanks!

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+ 2

bissellracing11 (Sep 2, 2009 at 15:54)

ya freerider chase is a douche. your coments arent neccesary at all idk how else to put it. all your comments are negative shit and you have nothin to back it up. mo props mo bitches foo get it straight.

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+ 1

ds68698 (Sep 2, 2009 at 21:38)

Nice shot Brad! makes me miss that area a lot! For the couple of whiners...I've been up there and can say that Brad, Joel, and several others have built some of the craziest and most flowy trails I've ever seen/ridden and put more trail work in on one weekend than most of you have probably thought about doing in your life. These guys are the ones who are pushing the sport in ways you can't even start to know about...I'm sure if you think you're up for it Brad and Joel could arrange for a demo on how to ride a bike or operate a camera, just be ready to do some work to get up to the trails, walk down a lot of stuff you won't be able to ride, and apologize when you realize that you aren't riding anything worth taking a photo of and that you aren't the best and have a lot to learn. There's more to riding than Whistler and shuttling. Thanks for keeping it real w.w.

+ 1

bradwalton Plus (Sep 3, 2009 at 9:15)

thanks d-sapp!

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+ 4

chazdog (Sep 2, 2009 at 0:43)

no helmet peak, bullet look is cool!

+ 3

bikingbain (Sep 2, 2009 at 1:10)

he has got a peak if look carfully its white

+ 4

chazdog (Sep 2, 2009 at 3:02)

damn, your right! i made a fool of myself in front of all pinkbike! woe is me

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+ 3

je-sus (Sep 2, 2009 at 0:01)

yes 21st comment, pictures this great make me wanna ride!

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+ 0

freeriderchase (Sep 2, 2009 at 3:55)

Sick pod, but it looks like its been Photoshopped in. There are a few things that argue that, but everything can be modified. The light coming off the rocks is not the same kind of light being reflected off the rider.

+ 1

dirty-fecker (Sep 2, 2009 at 7:20)

I made a comment like that a few days ago about the POD with Mike Metzger and got mega abuse !

+ 2

bradwalton Plus (Sep 2, 2009 at 8:02)

it's called the use of external flash, there are two on the ground in this shot. they are used to make the rider 'pop'. DH race photos in the woods are the best example.

+ 1

bradwalton Plus (Sep 2, 2009 at 8:08)

Eric summed it up last week so have a look: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/eric-palmer-interview-part-2-2009.html

+ 0

dirty-fecker (Sep 2, 2009 at 9:06)

Looks really cool. I guess I'll have to start using my Flashguns and not be so lazy ! The results are really mad !

- 9

freeriderchase (Sep 2, 2009 at 9:37) (Below Threshold) show comment

I am familiar with the use of Wireless Flash devices, but if u look hard at the picture, his left leg is very very dark over say like his helmet. true the flash could be in the tree's but I doubt that. What comes across fake, is the light balance from the external flash light exposure on the front of the bike, but that light exposure is not reaching to his leg even for how bright the day is. You can see the reflection of the external flash being reflected off the oils on his left leg, but see how little light is physically changing how dark his leg is. With Photoshop I could replicate such reflections. Shadows do come into play, but not that dark. Especially if the shot was AS200, if it was 400, only because its early evening/late afternoon.

- 6

freeriderchase (Sep 2, 2009 at 9:43) (Below Threshold) show comment

hell, I already acknowleged that the pic is awesome, i just have to critique the shot as a fellow sports photographer.

+ 5

bradwalton Plus (Sep 2, 2009 at 10:34)

seriously, do I really have to do this? It's an incredibly simple set up. Mid-day 12:00pm, sun is at about the 11:00 position relative to the photo, and backlit a bit, hence the lighting on the rocks and the shadow of the rear tire on the rock. It was a very contrasty scene with lots of bright highlight and deep shadow, and my main concern was being able to expose for the islands in the background since that is the brightest part of the landscape. Normally I would just use a 2-stop ND Grad filter for this but with the rider on the horizon line that was out of the question (would have divided the rider into two exposures). With the ambient light exposed at -2/3 stop, the exposure was pretty good overall, but I wanted to fill the dark shadows on the rider as well as on the rock since the scene is backlit. I put two flashes on the ground pointing up, and they are just out of the frame on top of some logs. One flash is slightly left and feathered up to bring some light on his face inside the helmet, the other is slightly right to add fill to the shadow side of the rock and his bike.

+ 3

bradwalton Plus (Sep 2, 2009 at 10:34)

My camera only sync's at 1/250, so even at full power two speedlite flashes cannot overcome the ambient lighting at ISO 200 and f/8 unless they were about 3 feet away from the subject. I could have shot at ISO 100 and f/5.6, or ISO 400 and f/11, and gotten the exact same exposure, no change to ambient or flash light, only a change to the depth of field. Thus, the flash only acts as fill since it cannot overcome the ambient. The fact that there is alot of light on his helmet and not his leg has nothing to do with the flach, it's about the position of the main light- the sun. Myself and the rider in the photo spent 2 years building the trail and every single time we had to climb our bikes for two hours to get to the top, and every time we passed this rock and I saw this image in my mind. I hauled up 30 lbs of gear on my back, spent an hour sculpting the line, setup the shot, Joel & I each hit it one time, then we rode down one of the gnarliest & most amazing trails in the state. There was another guy there riding with us who helped with the shoot and watched the whole thing. I am not cutting and pasting anything together, this is a RAW file converted to JPG with very minimal adjustment, originally created with alot of sweat, knowledge, and perseverence, so if you can't just appreciate it for what it is, this is a waste of time for all of us.

+ 2

j-brantley Plus (Sep 2, 2009 at 11:09)

Bam, that is a pro photog! Nice work Brad, your amazing!

+ 2

nickf (Sep 2, 2009 at 12:49)

you're trying too hard to create an argument, chase. it's not even worth it

+ 1

SODAK (Sep 2, 2009 at 12:51)

Dude you got some balls to be talking smack to Mr. Walton. This man is a brilliant behind the camera. He is single handedly responsible for some of the best photographs of the sport this year....PERIOD.

You mentioned that you are just giving criticism because you are a "fellow sports photographer". Well my man, before you go around criticizing ohters work, you need to provide an example of your amazing photograph skills. You profile has absolutely NO pictures loaded, especially ones that you shot. And secondly,... you need to get off this mans d*ck. The only comments you have made on this site are regarding his photos.

Just my .2 cents Mr. photo-guy...

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+ 2

JoeMustang (Sep 2, 2009 at 6:52)

everything is perfect, the lighting, the rider, the backhround and the line very nicely done

- 8

freeriderchase (Sep 2, 2009 at 9:58) (Below Threshold) show comment

Sorry holmes, not all perfect. The rider in the photo is out of focus. He was stopped well, but givin that it isn't a clear picture means the difference between a magazine worthy photo and a gallery photo.

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+ 3

feardabeast (Sep 2, 2009 at 17:13)

Nice pic like the scenery!

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+ 3

Cactus262 (Aug 31, 2009 at 20:01)

Brad, whatever you do, keep taking photos! You capture amazing work.

+ 2

bradwalton Plus (Aug 31, 2009 at 22:46)

thanks!

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- 1

downhillryder (Nov 17, 2009 at 16:41)

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+ 1

Freelancer (Sep 2, 2009 at 4:54)

Thats realy impressiv, I mean look at the top of the rock...and the bushlanding...lol.
Very nice pic, thx!!!

Ruben

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+ 2

Reggaes (Sep 2, 2009 at 4:05)

like says in brazil : no pelo !!! hahahah

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+ 2

deeds144 (Sep 2, 2009 at 13:31)

Dude that is amazing the drop and the view i've been there and its amazing

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+ 1

Mazekwon (Sep 2, 2009 at 7:33)

Nice Shot Brad! Makes me just want to go RIDE. your Taking the Podium for POD's.

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+ 2

mabie-riders (Sep 2, 2009 at 6:38)

whats the runout like mate and sick pic, POD POD

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+ 2

boucher69 (Sep 2, 2009 at 14:08)

mein oflen oflen crackazen furfur duden spoda fur POD

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+ 2

mcscaby (Sep 2, 2009 at 15:02)

crazy ba****d!!!!!!!!!!!!

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+ 2

leo-hm (Sep 2, 2009 at 15:09)

thats sum crazy shit right there, props!!! (Y)

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+ 2

wookiss (Sep 2, 2009 at 3:15)

that's sick photo... POD !!!!!!

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+ 2

trialsriderdude (Sep 2, 2009 at 17:54)

wow! the only way id do that would be on my beta

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+ 2

cr250rgio (Sep 2, 2009 at 0:17)

wow just proves how steep people can go

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+ 3

Laurence-CE (Sep 1, 2009 at 1:10)

Great shot again dude

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+ 2

gasman (Aug 31, 2009 at 22:08)

sketch landing! sketch take off! nice scenery! POD worthy fooo shoo

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+ 2

peach (Aug 31, 2009 at 20:09)

Thats one sniper landing, great photo.

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+ 2

ralbisurez (Sep 2, 2009 at 0:35)

man, you take some amazing shots! props brad!

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+ 2

fattrick (Sep 2, 2009 at 17:06)

Have you seen the run in angle....... That is pretty risky. SWEET shot

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+ 1

masonloves4 (Sep 2, 2009 at 20:09)

photoshopped. his back tire doesnt even look like its touching hte rock. but still a great picture.

+ 1

DamienTD (Sep 2, 2009 at 21:51)

oh ya your a smart feller cus its not like anyone can catch air on a bike. nah im sayin

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+ 2

thom (Aug 31, 2009 at 19:46)

So sick brad!! Nice riding joel!

+ 2

bradwalton Plus (Aug 31, 2009 at 22:45)

thanks KT!

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+ 2

northwestdhdad Plus (Aug 31, 2009 at 19:23)

Walton, your the best photographer of the year!

+ 2

bradwalton Plus (Aug 31, 2009 at 22:45)

thanks so much!

+ 2

robholio Plus (Sep 2, 2009 at 14:51)

Like Mike said...

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+ 2

brandonc (Sep 2, 2009 at 13:24)

STEEP !

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+ 1

SamCam (Sep 2, 2009 at 10:49)

Kewl. Thats all i can say.

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+ 1

weejohn (Sep 2, 2009 at 13:23)

wow! thats pretty awesome

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+ 1

CuscoRiders (Sep 2, 2009 at 13:26)

awesome photo , nice step down

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+ 2

mtbblazer (Sep 2, 2009 at 11:46)

well deserved pod !

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+ 1

xjeffxkillx (Sep 2, 2009 at 13:30)

How many POD's do you have now, Brad? Nice work as usual.

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+ 2

nottobig202 (Sep 2, 2009 at 17:33)

that is scary cool

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+ 1

pokalface (Sep 2, 2009 at 20:24)

not photoshop,there is a shadow on it..
very steep!DANG!!POD!!

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+ 2

THECHADWICK (Sep 2, 2009 at 16:53)

transition!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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+ 2

Brett-Bikes-101 (Sep 2, 2009 at 16:12)

thats cool

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+ 2

dave42 (Sep 2, 2009 at 17:39)

kick ass!

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+ 1

Henribrown (Sep 2, 2009 at 8:39)

who took a pic of my gran

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+ 1

vnjunior (Sep 2, 2009 at 20:01)

damn dude.. that's insane.. the landing!!! :-o

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+ 1

cam1001 (Sep 2, 2009 at 19:21)

if u messed up if u fell lol

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+ 1

KyleG43 (Sep 2, 2009 at 13:30)

n hes landing...where??? lol

+ 0

DCMiracleManDC (Sep 2, 2009 at 13:32)

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+ 1

k2Ryder14 (Sep 2, 2009 at 7:19)

don't go over THE EDGE !!! hahah Razz

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+ 0

RossKnight (Sep 2, 2009 at 2:05)

May be a stupid question, but what rock face is he coming off? The left or right?

- 4

RossKnight (Sep 2, 2009 at 13:19) (Below Threshold) show comment

I LIKE THIS COMMENT

AND I LIKE POTATOES!!!!

+ 0

mblar (Sep 2, 2009 at 20:59)

HairClub4Magnus.com

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+ 1

DhhSimRiderr (Sep 2, 2009 at 5:29)

Wow dude, gratz on this! Nice picture and your riding look sick Smile

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+ 1

ridahz (Sep 2, 2009 at 6:46)

super steep ...awsome photo! POD

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+ 1

CHRISMANO (Sep 2, 2009 at 7:01)

out of order think just focus....... hyper....

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+ 1

Willbikes (Sep 2, 2009 at 1:46)

ide like to know wat was going through your head in the air

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+ 1

TheLongMan (Sep 2, 2009 at 1:21)

is it a Transition Blindside?

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+ 1

robo-cop (Aug 31, 2009 at 20:05)

insane! thats a pod for sure

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+ 2

sk8erstrt (Sep 2, 2009 at 0:26)

sick blindside

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+ 1

benjamim (Sep 2, 2009 at 0:28)

POD n on n on n on n on !

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+ 1

blahblahblahblah (Sep 2, 2009 at 0:56)

holy shit i wanna ride that shit!!!!!!! btw...were is th landing?

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+ 1

elbry (Sep 2, 2009 at 7:14)

great shot
what bike is it..

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+ 1

bikerider93 (Sep 2, 2009 at 6:28)

great shot, great location and beautiful scenery!

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+ 1

gnarbar (Sep 2, 2009 at 7:42)

That is just freakin' fou-fou !!!

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+ 1

tonka-bike Plus (Sep 2, 2009 at 8:13)

That's what I like an old fashioned huck, sans armour too.

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+ 1

Churchill19 (Sep 2, 2009 at 8:47)

AWESOME!POD!

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+ 1

sunki (Sep 2, 2009 at 9:09)

POD!

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+ 1

dudecctv (Sep 2, 2009 at 2:54)

so steep, cool photo

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+ 0

dualsuspensiondave (Sep 2, 2009 at 11:32)

Looks really fake to me, but sick nonetheless.

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+ 1

natewynanscreations (Sep 2, 2009 at 8:13)

crazy

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+ 1

euan01 (Sep 2, 2009 at 8:29)

crazzee

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+ 1

califreerida16 (Aug 31, 2009 at 18:18)

so sick!

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+ 1

SoniV7IH (Aug 31, 2009 at 19:03)

POD!!! sick

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+ 1

jesusrendon (Sep 2, 2009 at 8:25)

no kneepads, thats nuts

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+ 1

lipa93 (Sep 2, 2009 at 7:17)

amazing photo Smile

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+ 1

ryanhart1223 (Sep 2, 2009 at 4:31)

pod right there

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+ 1

reece1066 (Sep 2, 2009 at 8:16)

sick

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+ 1

DhRtrPoland (Sep 2, 2009 at 5:40)

So big! POD Smile

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+ 1

norcosavage (Sep 2, 2009 at 6:39)

wow so sexy

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+ 1

blaskettloz (Sep 2, 2009 at 10:59)

mint

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+ 1

Glaumorous (Sep 2, 2009 at 7:14)

good pod

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+ 0

cappsy (Sep 2, 2009 at 13:36)

sweet shot gatta have balls for that

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+ 1

big-willy-pro (Sep 2, 2009 at 6:22)

cool
nicee

+ 2

lukey-pukey (Sep 2, 2009 at 7:21)

mature name

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+ 1

gary63 (Sep 2, 2009 at 5:57)

COOL

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+ 1

karlc (Sep 2, 2009 at 6:10)

man you got cojones

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+ 0

reecewallace Plus (Sep 2, 2009 at 11:40)

Gnarly!

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+ 0

ryan864 (Sep 2, 2009 at 9:10)

SICK POD!!!

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+ 0

kenny-azzolino (Sep 2, 2009 at 0:33)

damm thats hella sikk

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+ 0

coilAirWill (Sep 2, 2009 at 1:36)

THAT IS ONE NICE ROCK!!!

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- 2

Quinntus67 (Sep 2, 2009 at 10:02)

That is Going to hert

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- 2

machaut (Aug 31, 2009 at 19:03)

FUK! rich pic

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+ 3

ShackMan (Sep 2, 2009 at 10:13)

are you actually mentally ill?

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136 Comments