Author: Aaron Gates

02 May

Posted at 20:02h in archive by

This is a different story about Canadians traveling, riding bikes, and hitting up awesome skateparks. Riding the Long White Cloud was a documentary about a bunch of pro skaters (including Chris Haslam, Keegan Sauder, and Rick McCrank) riding road bikes around New Zealand and skating along the way. It’s a nice reminder that Fuel TV occasionally does something great, and it looks like an amzing adventure.

Having done a similar trip years ago, this is no walk in the park. They covered a lot of ground in 12 days, and the weather is not always cooperative over there. The parks in New Zealand are unique, and really fit well with the spirit of the trip.

Even with the pretentious narrative, this video manages to create a cohesive theme and go beyond the traditional road trip/road trip video (which is typically just kind of random). It reminds me of videos like Take it or Leave it and the T1 web videos in that it has something holding it together.

Summer is almost here. I’m planning a road trip. Are you?

31 Mar

Posted at 01:31h in archive by

Carts of Darkness by Murray Siple, National Film Board of Canada

For those who haven’t seen it, Carts of Darkness is a documentary about a group of homeless guys in North Van who bomb hills on shopping carts. It’s a great combination of entertaining gnarly stuff and serious subject matter. And it has a badass soundtrack. I was thinking about this film today for some reason, and though it was worth a post.

Carts of Darkness also has a loose BMX connection through one of the guys behind the lens. Mike McKinlay worked as a videographer on the film – If that name sounds familiar, he produced a series of short pieces with Travis Collier that were pretty memorable. Mike’s brother Sam also had a rad photo in Chase from the old Winfield park, which (legend has it) the two designed to look like a something that would either shock or amuse incoming air traffic. Check some of Mike’s work out here.

15 Mar

Posted at 19:03h in archive by

This section is made up of a bunch of footage that Travis Burroughs shot in 2006. I think we were trying to film sections for Lazer, Sexsmith and Hango but they never came together. Regardless, there’s some great stuff in here and an ender that’s truly ridiculous. Sexsmith has been pretty quiet on the footage front for a while due to injury, but word is that he and JT are working on something right now – that’s a very good thing.

15 Feb

Posted at 20:02h in archive by

Zane Hudson of Connected Brand fame contributed this section to our Kelowna scene video way back in 2005. It features some cool old footage of Taylor Elvy and Isaac Barnes, along with the sketchiest rail I’ve ever seen attempted. How sick is that bank to wall spot?

24 Jan

Posted at 20:19h in archive by

Rob-Parsons-barricade

Rob Parsons

Intro: Aaron Gates, Interview: Mat Ridgeway, Photos: Ken Paul

Hevil has had many associations over the years – Chris Smith’s artwork, wild party stories, “that guy who KO’d Alex Chalmers”. It’s a name that defines a generation of Vancouver badasses, and their video is one of the most anticipated things we thought we’d never see. The Hevil video that will premiere tomorrow night at the Astoria is a collection of footage from 2004-2008. It includes the guys who most would associate with the original crew, along with some of the predominant Canadian riders of that time. If you’re reading this from Vancouver, you’re probably already going.
(more…)

17 Jan

Posted at 21:05h in archive by

david-barspin

In 2009, I took a long road trip with honourary Canadian David Clay. We shot this photo on the Stewart-Cassiar Highway, which is the alternate route between Whitehorse and Prince George. It’s one of those roads where you fill up at every gas station because nobody knows where the next one is, or if it’s still in business. This photo reminds me of how awesome that drive was.