In September 2007, I had the pleasure of spending four very warm days trudging up and down the thorny desert hillside of the MaryHill Loops Road near Goldendale, Washington.

Sharing the views with me are approximately 150 of the top speed junkies on the planet. They’re here for the Maryhill Festival of Speed, an annual spectacle that celebrates everything 4 wheeled, self-powered and slightly off the edge of sanity. Day and night the riders kept the faith, from tunes to rides to things that go bump the night... a serious crowd of thrill seekers.

These speed junkies as  a genome come in a variety of species. Traditional stand-up skateboarders,, lugers , in-line skaters and gravity bikers. They’re all here for the very same thing,they’re looking for the thrill of the hill. Gravity rules.

By day, the thrill of hurtling oneself down snakelike asphalt at 40+ miles per hour without becoming scraped up road-kill to be poured into the ever-present med-assist vehicle is the adrenaline rush is they’re looking for. Only your chosen deck, your skill and how far your addiction to speed will take you is what stands in front of you and the top tier of the winners podium.

By night, the thrill of the ride is translated by cover of night to a party. Everywhere. The days videos (crashes bring the biggest roars, jeers and jests) are watched by crowds. Everyone roams everywhere. Does everything. The Dude would fit in well here. For some, ‘til the pancake breakfast. Be careful where you sleep, you may not. Choose well.

The man and/or woman who knows the limits of neither days or nights events will be the one who stands victorious at the end of the day. Both in bragging rights and hangovers.