sts chester aw-4
12 Sep 2014

SCRATCH THE SURFACE

Chester Blacksmith designs his dream trip

wePeople

Words and photos by Andrew White

Forgive me, but the launching point of BMX is a transition. Usually consisting of a curb-cut, dirt lip, plank and brink, whatever it may be, the origin of our collective addiction traces here. From there the paths diverge, even more so today with the extreme fragmentation of the sport. The focus of our attention today is on entirely angular setups. No need for an imaginary compass to trace arcs while evaluating a new spot. 90 degree stair sets and flat ledges with 45 degree rails are plentiful and seem to compromise the consideration of most.

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing

This is not to say it’s to the demise of the well rounded rider. On the last couple trips with Chester Blacksmith, he repeatedly daydreamed out loud for a trip with a shifted focus from driving a van in LA from deadman setup to bust spot to flat ledge, and instead riding spots of his choosing. It may come as a surprise to some, but pros don’t usually do roof to rails while at home, it’s normally a couple hours at the park after a warmup pedal to the coffee shop. Taking him up on this, I organized a trip to meet his wishes: a week in Southern California with the sole mission to ride all the incredible pools and ditches that Jason Enns continually wets us via instagram without any pressure to fire out ‘the banger.’

sts danfoley aw-3

Filmer/Lipslider

Andrew roasting the rock

doubles on the immaculate ditch

Chet’s motorcycle, outfitted with his bike attached to a welded Park Tools clamp, pulled in my East Hollywood apartment the day after Dan Foley’s plane. My friend and next door neighbor was in Canada for the week, and he offered Dan and Chet his place to crash. Chet famously hates LA, understandably, since his history in the area usually consisted of TM-ing a bus through congested traffic for WeThePeople or crushing bones for Jeff Z. Maybe the pace up in small-town Oregon he’s used to is a bit slower? I’m not certain. Regardless, with the organizing duties passed on to me, a free furnished apartment, and riding distance to Sunset Boulevard, I’d hoped to quell any anxiety Chet may have had. Dan had only been to California briefly, and only in the southern beach cities. This trip would be all new for him essentially.


The plan was to be out of the house before noon. We didn’t get wild at night, all had a bed to sleep in, and were close to coffee and food. If only LA were that easy. We met up with Andrew Jackson, who brought out his regular riding mates Brian Terada and AK. Being locals and active pool and ditch searchers, they helped us know where to go. The six of us would brainstorm for the following day, usually picking two or three spots to try to hit. Despite all this, we didn’t touch grips till at least five without fail. 

sts danfoley aw-2

Dan in Malibu

a week in Southern California with the sole mission to ride all the incredible pools and ditches that Jason Enns continually wets us via instagram without any pressure to fire out ‘the banger.’

sts chestertooth aw-1

Manson toothpick killed Chet's tire first go around. Borrowed wheel and good to go.

It was truly baffling witnessing the paradox of amount of planning and hour at which bikes were pulled. I can’t even really give a good explanation looking back, besides the combination of San Fernando valley sprawl and roundabout routes. Lots of the wasted driving time was accountable to human misjudgement, but the real culprit was the nature of Los Angeles. Yes, we constantly witness the riders living there ride incredible spots of all kinds. But it really is work finding and getting to them. We outsiders weren’t used to this. On one of the days, we met up with Fish in Long Beach. His housemate Juaquin Silva had told Chet that we should come down and that he has spots for us. Great! So we meet at the house, and all caravaned to the first pool- it was an hour and a half away. Then the next pool we went to was ‘down the road’ further away from town. Once done riding for the day, we had a two and a half hour drive back to our apartment in Hollywood. And that was with no traffic or stops. But the thing is, those two pools we spent all day driving to get to, and only rode for a short time, were incredible. Drained, cleaned, hassle-free, and scenic. They were awesome, and we all had a good session. It was well worth the effort.

It’s all smiles at a pool session and we were fortunate to hit four of them plus two ditches with a wide crew. They all had character no doubt, but the two that stand out were the underwater soundstage from old Hollywood which was situated by one of the Manson Family ranches, and the old dairy farm pool. The only time we got kicked out was bizarrely by someone sleeping in a shitty car. The pool we were trying to hit was a quarter mile off a small mountain-top road. He wasn’t guarding the place officially even, and never got a good answer as to what he was doing. Your guess is as good as ours why he belonged there.

It’s an effort to ride pools and standout ditches. There’s definitely a lot of work to be done finding them as opposed to spotting the next rail while driving by. Transition spots may not be for everyone, but for those interested it’s hard to beat the American Southwest. Whether or not this trip changed Chester’s view of LA is uncertain, but at least he got to enjoy a bangout week catering to his dream concrete.

sts danfoley aw-6

Making it look easy

sts chester aw-7

Chester in the old dairy farm pool

It was truly baffling witnessing the paradox of amount of planning and hour at which bikes were pulled.
  • sts lifestyle aw-2
  • sts lifestyle aw-10
  • sts lifestyle aw-12
  • sts lifestyle aw-1
  • sts lifestyle aw-11
  • sts lifestyle aw-13
  • sts lifestyle aw-15
  • sts lifestyle aw-3
  • sts lifestyle aw-5
  • sts lifestyle aw-7
  • sts lifestyle aw-8
  • sts lifestyle aw-9
  • sts chester aw-4
  • sts lifestyle aw-6

of 14

Related Video

DIG Presents... So Cal - Scratch The Surface Video

What lies beneath... - More Info

Previous

David Grant - All Who Wander Are Not Lost

How a few choice words from a High school teacher in Muncie, Indiana, lead to him picking up a bike and traveling the world

Next

What The Fuck Is A Chocolate Truck?

Rollin' deep in Philly with the CT crew

Related Content

Nearly-bts
Play Button

In The Cut: Nearly Behind-The-Scenes

Kriss Kyle, Alex Donnachie, David Grant and more in Majorca...

28 Jan 2015
Dan-Foley-Wethepeople-4-Clip-Friday
Play Button

Wethepeople - Dan Foley 4 Clip Friday

Dan Foley ushers in the weekend...

30 Jan 2015
sts chester-blurry aw
Play Button

DIG Presents... So Cal - Scratch The Surface Video

What lies beneath...

12 Sep 2014
dan foley wtp cadence grab 2
Play Button

Dan Foley - WTP #Cadence Promo

​Holy Moly Dan Foley

19 Jan 2015
https://uk.khebikes.com/

Latest Content

Bg YIE Jy Pc3whqdefault
Play Button

Source BMX: Grant Smith Bike Check 2025

The BSD bossman (aka Specky Mcgackey) gives you the lowdown on his BSD Freedom ride

4 Jul 2025
Greek thumb
Play Button

ADIEXODUS - Full Video - GREECE BMX

Athens scene

3 Jul 2025
Qqs Vv8dj5v0hqdefault
Play Button

BMX Direct Thailand Interviews- BRUNO HOFFMAN - (EP5)

"We checked out a couple of spots around the city, ate spicy food and got some massages"

2 Jul 2025
5 U Bkt Mr AI Pwhqdefault
Play Button

Still Tickin': A BMX Trip to Ray's MTB

15 year BMX reunion

2 Jul 2025
Zt4 Q s Bf I Eohqdefault
Play Button

‘SEATED’ - A BMX ART SHOW

Felix Prangenberg, Linda Grabner, Albert Mercardo and more

1 Jul 2025
1s5 Tr T Lrf M Yhqdefault
Play Button
V7 H Uhgbo85 Qhqdefault
Play Button

BMX Dirt Best Trick: FULL COMPETITION | X Games Salt Lake City 2025

Wild moves over a 34' long jump

30 Jun 2025
Fk L8 V K Ip B Ehqdefault
Play Button
Xs ZB4 MT3 N Hchqdefault
Play Button

Men’s BMX Park: FULL COMPETITION | X Games Salt Lake City 2025

Watch the full BMX Park competition from X Games Salt Lake City 2025

30 Jun 2025
X4 Cm3v Sm6iwhqdefault
Play Button

BMX Dirt: FULL COMPETITION | X Games Salt Lake City 2025

Watch the full BMX Dirt competition from X Games Salt Lake City 2025

30 Jun 2025
Nb H Mq B Wo Z4hqdefault
Play Button

ROBIN SLOOTMAKER - Dusted N Crusted

Doing it for Stash Taiwan and Merritt

29 Jun 2025
Z Gyf LRV82ychqdefault
Play Button

BMX Street: Top 3 Runs | X Games Salt Lake City 2025

Watch the top 3 podium runs of BMX Street from X Games Salt Lake City 2025

28 Jun 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Features

Street Station Lyon 25 mcgrath 70

BMX Street Station 2025 x 'CASH UP' PHOTO JOURNAL

The Bros Bike Store is back to take over Lyon yet again!

16 Jun 2025
Swampfest 2025 mcgrath 9

Photo Journal: Swampfest 2025

Mud, sweat and beers.

26 Mar 2025
Manny Kilpack Elf Handoff Ektar100 35

SHAWN 'ELF' WALTERS & THE MAKING OF 'DOUBLE OR NOTHING'

"As long as I’m healthy and into it, I see no reason to slow down."

17 Mar 2025
SS 2025 digbmx mcgrath 37

Simple Session 2025 – In Photos

Celebrating 25 years strong!

14 Mar 2025
Francina 03 RGB Raisa Abal

HIGH FLYERS - AN INTERVIEW WITH FRANCINA FERNANDEZ

"Little Francina would not believe everything that is happening now in my life."

13 Mar 2025
Jack Miller vans intrv leader

HIGH FLYERS - AN INTERVIEW WITH JACK MILLER

"One time I took the day off school and went to the skatepark and snapped my knee..."

24 Feb 2025
Yanosharches 1 sur 1

HIGH FLYERS - AN INTERVIEW WITH JANOSCH KLAUS

"My close friends inspired me the most."

21 Jan 2025
Will and NJ

BMX AFTER 30 - The Hard Dad Jam

"Watching old friends step into the unknown..."

8 Jan 2025
Mankind Catalog Cover jpg
2024 E FISE WOLVERHAMPTON 0009

E-FISE Wolverhampton - In Photos

6 teams and one untapped UK city

3 Oct 2024
KG drone shot

KEEPING IT LOCAL - 20 YEARS OF KELVINGROVE SKATEPARK

Happy Birthday to our local Glasgow park.

18 Sep 2024
Jamie Pipe Tribe

A Brave New World - The history of KHE Bikes, Part 2

Taiwan, a pornstar, and innovation in a can

18 Apr 2024