"Vegas sucks.  Move Interbike to Colorado".  This is a sticker a friend found somewhere in the labrynth of booths that is Vegas Interbike.  After my epic 4 days and 4 nights in Sin City, I disagree with that sticker.  Las Vegas is awesome!  Unless you lose all your money but luckily I didn't go broke until my last night.

   I got off the plane in the same shape as the last event; with one change of clothes and a blankey.  I was ready to campout wherever but someone's hotel room would be real nice.  I was scratching my head at baggage claim(not that I had anything but a backpack) when up stumbles Darren Berrecloth.  He started preparing for Vegas on the plane, first class with gin.  He said, "Hey Ross, whats up, thanks for coming to my contest, Hi 5!".  I slapped him a sloppy hi 5 and told him I needed a place to stay.  He thought it was funny that I just showed up again and said I could stay at his place.  Sweet, no worries now, let's party!  So we did and it was fun, I could tell you more but what happens in Vegas stays there.  All week, the hotel room was always empty until at least 5a.m. or later.

   Tuesday morning we went to the dirt demo out at Bootleg Canyon.  Good thing I showed up to ride in the dessert dressed in all black and predehydrated from the night before.  I did get in some runs on a plush and nimble Norco Shore for my first time mountain biking in the dessert.  My buddies at the Mavic tent gave out 4 free kegs all day so I was hanging out a lot.  We packed up the tent and stuff and they gave me a ride back to town.  When the big yellow van pulled into the parking I immediately jumped out to relieve myself.  I put the snake back in its cage just in time for a security guy on a bike rolled up and pedaled right through my puddle.  He he he.  That night I went to the Kranked 6 premiere and was stoked on Boyko's, Voreis', and Goldman's parts as well as Trent's 360 wallride.

   The next morning was my first time ever at the trade show.  I was in hustle mode and hiked around handing out my resume and pics all day.  As much positive feedback as I received, it looks like next year is going to be super duper.

   I had the pleasure of an "animal style"  In and Out Burger before the New World Disorder 7: Flying High Again world premiere pool party at the Palms.  Sweatshop Union had a good show before the show.  But drinks were pricey as hell so I bought all my drinks in the casino and went back out poolside for the film.  It was by far the best NWD ever.  The new schoolers threw down huge tricks and the forefathers, Wade and Richie, showed us how to straight flow them damn trails.  It was very inspiring to go film as much as possible back home for the artbarnfilm(.com).

   Then I jumped in a stretch limo with a bunch of pros and the Collective crew on to the Hard Rock.  Man, it was rocking hard; glass constantly breaking, quick brawls breaking out all around, "working girls" on the hunt, and of course that guy on the bar stool puking right down onto the floor and demanding another drink.  Oh yes, good times had by all!  Except for those who were badly losing at the hundreds of blackjack tables, but hey, that's what the bar's there for right. 

   The next day I was still quite disoriented from the night before so I was glad that I got so much business done the day before.  Las Vegas isn't quite a health conscience town but I do think it's healthy for anyone to go there for a few nights a year.  Even though, my feet were tired and I had one more night to go.

   Me, Darren, and the King of Dirt himself, JImmy, all joined the Mt. Washington Resort crew for dinner at a ridiculous buffet where I ate 4 plates of food, then I loosened my belt and we headed over to the Kona Bowling Party.  Damn, I couldn't stop laughing all night between Sombrio Smiley's size 17 bowling/clown shoes and Gully and Goldman's multiple balls per lane shinanigans.  It was like playing giant marbles.  Nice party Kona!

   Everyone went back to the Hard Rock to drink and gamble(you know, the finer things in life!) and then we got into another limo to get over to the Rhino.  I left everyone there at 7 a.m. to barely make my plane back to Vancouver and the hitchhike again back to Whistler.  It was a long 4 days and I was glad to get home.  Thanks a lot to Darren for the floor spot, food, and everything!