Nathan Rule recently got back from a Hull locals group excursion to Barcelona. When he sent through some really cool photos from the trip, we decided to catch up with him and find out more about how it all went. Click through to see the photos and read what Safe Nath had to say.
So you recently escaped the British climate to visit Barcelona, how was the trip?
The trip was sick. I had a real good time…So many good spots to ride, and every type of set up you could imagine. It’s the best place I’ve been, especially for filming – if you want to go get a lot of footage in a short space of time, you never really have to look to far to find cool stuff to ride.
Who did you go away with?
We had a real big group with lots of crazy characters. Hull is good for that! We had a few people from out of town with us too. Benson and Coxie were with us for the first week. Loz Taylor was out there staying with his mate so he was riding with us most days too. For a big group like that it was sick and for the most part no arguments either, which is a rare thing for most of us in Hull, ha!
What’s your opinion on the statement that Barcelona has ‘been done’? Did you find it hard to find new spots that hadn’t already been ridden?
I can’t see Barca ever being ‘done’. Even the spots that have been ridden for years still have things you could do, you just have to think a bit harder. Anyway, they never stop building there so there is new stuff popping up all over.
High speed no-hander at one of the city’s better known spots. Dan Benson photo.
I remember there were also rumors that the police out there have started to clamp down on street riding and skateboarding, did you see any of that whilst you were out there?
I’ve been to Barca about ten times in the last three or four years and only been kicked off spots a few times. You do hear about bad stuff happening; people having their bikes taken by police or fines, but I’ve not really seen it first hand. There is a big scene in Barcelona now too, and the locals don’t seem to have any real problem riding.
Nathan’s choice not to drink alcohol means that he’s able to ride hangover-free on every day of a trip, although he still had to spend countless hours waiting for some of the more booze-soaked members of the crew to drag themselves out of the apartment, and from spot to spot. This may well be one of those moments. Adam Blyth photo.
Barcelona is known for having a strong party scene. Did you get involved in any of that?
I think we were out every night never got in before 5.00am. The party scene is amazing there- it seems to be a seven days a week thing. There are so many tourists there from all over that there is always good stuff going on. On top of that, the bars and clubs are way better than the ones in England.
So you were riding with a pretty big crew on the trip, which means plenty of stories. What was the best thing you saw during your time out there?
Sandy did a lot of good stuff that trip for a new United edit he’s working on. Cory Beal did that big in and out rollercoaster grind that’s in the new Albion which was pretty crazy. The Donn did his first rail in a long time, that was cool to see too. Basically lots of cool things went down!
There wasn’t much room for error with this tight wallride down a nine stair ledge. Dan Benson photo.
Do you have any other excursions in the pipeline?
I hope to get to Austin TX at some point this year but I’m going to travel as much as I can. I’m easy regarding where I go… If you’re with good people it’s going to be fun.
In the immediate future, how do you intend on occupying yourself until we get some more BMX friendly weather?
This weather drives me mad! I don’t mind the cold as long as it’s dry but its always wet in Hull. I don’t really ride indoor parks now either so I’m just going to just sit it out…It should start to look up soon I hope.
Check out Nathan Rule’s 4Down bio here
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