Thrasher Magazine

These days, it's seems like if dudes aren't in the streets getting it, they're at the bowling alley knocking back pins (and brews) and kicking it with the homies. With that vibe in mind, OJ took some of the crew out to the Midwest to hit KC, St. Louis, Nashville and Memphis to throw some rocks with the locals. Major shoutout to everyone at Escapist, Infinity and Hunt Supply Co. for helping make this happen. —Eric Palozzolo

It all begins here, the OJ Wheels “Fuck It, Dude, Let’s Go Bowling” tour. First stop: Kansas City

When you’re  in KC you gotta check out the Harrison St. DIY. It’s so much fun. Willis Kimbel picks up a first-try andrecht. That counts as a strike, right?

Showed up a day after the rain came. Time to bucket out the watermelon bowl

John Gardner on bucket patrol. He prefers a dry melon

With hard work comes the glory—JG, frontside invert

Winkowski cuts some aerial grass in KC before heading into the streets

But first, lunchtime. Kevin Braun orders up a 14-stair Smith grind before we get our sandos

Next up, one kid’s cement slide is another man’s skate spot

Ryan Townley does the unthinkable—way over waist-high hippie jump 

A narrow approach is what Gardner likes best

Riding, grinding, bonelessing—John Gardner is an original

Govs, switch wallie 180, sliding into the spot like a GDL

Mandatory stop, Gates of Hell. Winkowski knew of this graveyard that’s supposedly super haunted. They hung witches here back in the day. Rumor has it that the graveyard bursts into flames every year and that it once burnt down a church. After hearing all of this it was clear what we had to do.…

…hop the fence and take some photos, of course

It’s hard to describe this place. Take all of your good ideas, mix in some fantasies and sprinkle some early’ 90s vibes on top—that’s Barnside! See that? That’s the face you make when you hit Barnside

Willis boosts a frontside air on the steep transition 

This place has everything! Ryan Townley, rope-swing nosegrind tail grab

Rainbow rail extension added—check! Erick Winkowski lays way back over the rainbow

Barn after barn of things to skate. Henry Gartland, pickup-truck kicklfip

Bowl meets Hot Wheels racetrack. Erick Winkowski airs into unknown territory

Thats a wrap. Time to go chop into the demo

Kansas City comes correct. Thanks for the support. Shoutout to Dan and Nick at Escapist, Keelan, Hunter and the crew.

Time to rack ‘em up and knock ‘em down. Kimbel stretches out a FSA and knocks a few down in the 7th frame

Teamwork makes the dream work—Winkowski with the assisted spare 

Time to hit the lanes for real

Willy got himself a truck-stop special—the ol’ red, white and blue guitar. Next stop: St. Louis

Thought we’d found a dream spot but looks can be deceiving. This one turned out to be fool’s gold. Winkowski 50-50d it for the neighbors anyway

Ryan Townley found the route and pulled through with a tailslide

On the grind at every spot, Kevin Braun can’t be stopped—18-stair feeble

The peoples champ, Ryan Townley, pulled off this lipslide with magic feet. Peep the edit for clarity

Willis dabbling in Hall of Meat territory…

…before finding a new exit strategy out of the park

Back in the streets and onto a fatbar-esque handrail, Winkowski starts the session off with a back Smith

Wallie? Pole Jam? Ryan Townley combines the two and adds a boardslide

A construction vest means you’re putting in work. Kevin Braun, nollie flip back lip

With daylight fading, there was time for one last spot. Kevin Braun, slappy crooks past the DIY tranny

The battle in the streets is real when you’re filming five clips a day. Ryan Townley ends the day with a nosegrind. To the victor…  

Gardner is no stranger to danger—Matt Rodriguez-inspired trash grind

St Louis, y’all know how to do a demo! This was one for the books. Now let’s hit the lanes. Thank you to Jason at Infinity, Gabe Kehoe and the crew!

Fuck it, dude, let’s go bowling

Kimbel with the ol’ overhand technique 

Gartland’s an alley cat 

Nashville pitstop at Hunt Supply Co. Jason and the crew are the shit

The streets are calling! Erick balances a backside 5-0 on a dream ledge

Braun, back lip pop out

Downtown Nashville is loaded with spots. Erick, over the rail into the bank

Govs back in the alley for one last night

And that’s gonna be time. Thanks to everyone who came out and showed us around. It was next-level hospitality all over the Midwest. We'll be bowling through again, for sure. See you in the lanes, the parks and the street