Suggested by reddit user /u/mayday992, written by Gabriel Shin with help from Eric Hoang (/u/DBS_Eric).

You’ve heard of Maryhill in stories from pros, on facebook, and now you want to ride it. Well, it’s totally possible for the average downhill skateboarder and I’ll tell you how and what you’ll need to attend one comfortably.

First, a Maryhill Freeride is put on by the Maryhill Ratz, which is run by Dean Ozuna and Ali Johnson. Every freeride is a welcoming environment to anyone and everyone who can ride a skateboard (or any other gravity-powered vehicle; rollerblades, drift trikes, gravity bikes, etc) down a hill. Everyone is super friendly and if you want to skate with someone, just ask “want to take a run?” and they’re sure to respond with a smile and a “yes” at the top. If you want to skate alone, wait until everyone goes down first, and when you feel comfortable to go, strap in and enjoy the ride. It’s as simple as that.

You can find the latest information on the freerides at the Maryhill Ratz facebook page, and you can then register on their website when they open said registration.

With this all being said, these events are not free, and there are rules. Registration to ride for 2 days (duration of most freerides) typically costs around $130-$140, plus an additional $20 if you do not plan on riding in a leather suit. This is so that in case you have a gnarly fall, the emergency medical technicians on site can help bandage you up. Medical supplies aren’t cheap, but they’ll heal you right up.



To begin, let’s talk about getting there. If you’re not from Oregon/Washington, you’re going to be flying there. Your best bet for that is to fly into PDX airport, where you’re able to get a rental car for the weekend. Daddies Boardshop is also very close, I’d recommend stopping by to pick up some wheels for the weekend and saying “hi” to Eric or Marisa for me.

Lodging

Shilo Inn, while being roughly 30 minutes away from the hill, they provide a discount on staying if you mention that you’re attending a Maryhill Freeride, and a lot of people who don’t camp tend to stay here, so if you want to interact with the riders off the hill, this is the place to stay.



while being roughly 30 minutes away from the hill, they provide a discount on staying if you mention that you’re attending a Maryhill Freeride, and a lot of people who don’t camp tend to stay here, so if you want to interact with the riders off the hill, this is the place to stay. Quality Inn , 15 minutes away from the hill, there’s a mcdonalds, gas station, and mexican restaurant all within walking (or skating) distance. If you’re got a car at your disposal, there’s also a market down the street. It’s also close to the hill while staying a close to facilities.

, 15 minutes away from the hill, there’s a mcdonalds, gas station, and mexican restaurant all within walking (or skating) distance. If you’re got a car at your disposal, there’s also a market down the street. It’s also close to the hill while staying a close to facilities. Peach Beach, if you have a tent/hammock, camping is a viable (and cheap) option for those who don’t mind noise or partying. If you’re a grom crew, I wouldn’t advise it, the people who stay there tend to party late into the night and usually don’t get a full night of sleep. One side of the beach is the RV park which you have to pay to stay, (a VERY cheap (and quiet) option, like five dollars per car) but you get water/power and showers. The other side is free, but without said benefits.

There’s another place to stay called the Ponderosa motel in Goldendale, but it’s really not a nice place to stay at. Old rooms, not-so-good service.

What to bring

Now that you’re able to figure out if you want to camp or pay more, I can explain what you’ll need to bring for sure.

FULLFACE HELMET AND GLOVES, YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO RIDE WITHOUT THEM. Half-shell helmets are not a substitute.



YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO RIDE WITHOUT THEM. Half-shell helmets are not a substitute. Your skateboard (duh).

(duh). Your favorite grippy DH wheels. Depending on how much you weigh, bring enough (2-3 sets) so you won’t be washing out on the corners. Sliding isn’t really accepted.

Depending on how much you weigh, bring enough (2-3 sets) so you won’t be washing out on the corners. Sliding isn’t really accepted. Sunblock, there’s almost no shade on the hill.

there’s almost no shade on the hill. Gopro, if you have one, this is a great opportunity to get some footage.

if you have one, this is a great opportunity to get some footage. Backup bearings/bushings, especially if your downhill setup isn’t dialed.

If you’re camping, a tent/hammock, sleeping mat/sleeping bag, maybe a nice pillow.

A cheap foldable chair, or; “The real gangsters who are in the know, they bring hammocks” -Eric Hoang

Water, lots of water. There’s usually a cooler full of water at the hill just in case, but don’t depend on that and go to the market/gas station and pick up from hydration for the next day.

What to expect

What can you expect the environment to be like? At every freeride, whether it be the Spring Free-4-all, RVOD Memorial G-Ride, She-ride, or Fall Freeride, it will always be a welcoming, safe, empowering environment where anyone can skate down one of the world’s best hills. Are you someone looking to step up their downhill game? Maryhill. Everyone is always welcoming and ready to help you get down the hill safely.

Lunch is usually provided around 11am-12pm and is included with your registration, hamburgers and chili dogs are the norm, along with a vegetarian option. If you’re vegan, I recommend bringing something from the market in Goldendale

Water is provided from a cooler and a custom Maryhill Ratz water bottle is included with your registration fee. If you don’t bring your own water at all, don’t panic.

One of the best parts of skating at a freeride is the “safety net” of haybales on every turn, the EMTs on standby all day, and the UHaul rides to the top after each run. This provides a safe environment for anyone to progress and become a better skater. If don’t want to skate the whole hill, just speak up to the driver, or ask the people you’d be sitting next to in the UHaul to drop you off at Cowzers, which is a big right-turn hairpin which leads into a nice easy lefty, and then the end of the road into the shutdown zone. I started there when I was new, and I still go there at the beginning of each freeride to make sure my setup can handle the whole road.

Which leads me to the next point;

The Road

The average speed can vary depending on rider weight, wind conditions, board setups, etc but usually averages around the high-30s/low 40s mph. From start to finish, it’s about 2.2 miles long taking the average skater around 3 ½ minutes depending on winds which could make you faster or slower. Here is a video of the whole thing.

For those wondering about the corner names:

Backbreaker is named after Danny Connor’s crash in 2001 on that turn.

Spaghetti is curvy “straight”, it’s pretty unique. Above is a picture of it.

Never-ending Left is just a really long left turn, it does end. Another similar turn is the second left turn from the start.

1st and 2nd repeaters are left and rights, the 1st repeater has a weird rough line that’s unavoidable, but if you have your hand down or weigh enough, it’s nothing. The 2nd repeater is also known as “Cattle Gate” because there’s a big gate that goes across the road there (obviously open for the freerides).

Cowzers is the last fast 180-hairpin that can be a little difficult to take without a good line. I personally find it a little hard to go into if I’m too inside early on. Right before the turn, there’s a couple rough patches on the sides of the road.

The End, I recommend footbraking the straight and cruising down to the end instead of shutdown sliding, people to hang around the bottom when the run is over and you don’t want to hit anyone. If you’re worried about burning your shoes out in that weekend, pick up a footbrake sole and you should be fine for a couple events. DO NOT ride past the shutdown zone.

In the event of a crash:

If you crashed: If you can get up, dust yourself off, and are able to ride to the bottom, try and get a thumbs up to the nearest corner to indicate you’re alright. If you don’t feel like skating, but you’re alright, you can wait for the truck to come back down after the run is over. It’s important that you move off the road and away from the hay bales so you’re not in the way of traffic.

If you can get up, dust yourself off, and are able to ride to the bottom, try and get a thumbs up to the nearest corner to indicate you’re alright. If you don’t feel like skating, but you’re alright, you can wait for the truck to come back down after the run is over. It’s important that you move off the road and away from the hay bales so you’re not in the way of traffic. If you’re too injured to move: Always try your best to move out of the road, but if you cannot, try and wave down a corner marshall as quickly as possible. They will look out for you, but it’s important to get their attention for the quickest medical assistance. The corner marshall will shut down the road and come to you. They will then bring you to the EMT tent at the bottom of the hill.

Always try your best to move out of the road, but if you cannot, try and wave down a corner marshall as quickly as possible. They will look out for you, but it’s important to get their attention for the quickest medical assistance. The corner marshall will shut down the road and come to you. They will then bring you to the EMT tent at the bottom of the hill. If someone else badly crashes: if you’re still skating, you’ll see red flags go up at the corners, that’s your indication to stop your run and pull over. You DO NOT finish the run. This is so that if an ambulance needs to drive up the hill, they can do it safely. You stop immediately. Footbrake to a stop in a safe manner. Don’t abruptly slide, especially if you don’t know who’s behind you. This could cause a second accident. If you haven’t started your run, stay at the top. There will be course officials at the top who will stop you from taking a run in the case that an ambulance is needed.

So what’s the most important thing about going to any skate event? HAVE FUN! Maryhill is one of the best hills in the world and definitely a great place to step up your DH game from the street in front of your house. Be sure to thank Deano and Ali for their time and energy that goes into organizing these freerides!





And because Eric loves cats and helped me with this guide:



See you there!