Akraix
& iShock crew tear up Mike Metzger's "Paradise
Ranch"
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The
iShock rig at Mike Metzger's "Paradise Ranch" |
Menifee, CA (5/18/2006) -
He calls it “Paradise Ranch” for a reason
which became obvious as 3 co-workers and I parked
our iShock rig and looked down onto 5 acres of freestyle
compound perfection. More than a yard filled with
randomly placed ramps and landings, this space was
the result of a carefully thought out, engineered
plan created by the “Godfather” himself,
Mike Metzger. It’s easy to see why Mike has
achieved the status as one of the most accomplished
and innovative freestyle riders in the world.
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Mike
Metzger with akraix team riders Derek Guetter,
Steve Weissinger, and Garret Engelstad |
The event today was two-fold, a photo shoot of iShock’s
newest freestyle riders from team Akraix, Derek Guetter,
Steve Weissinger, and Garret Engelstad, as well as a bit
of additional testing on the iShock i5500 complete suspension
system for the specific realm of freestyle riding. We
all met up fairly early in the morning where Mike greeted
us and then immediately got to work as later that day
Mike had some folks from the Discovery Channel coming
to do a piece on him as well. Mike and the riders took
a quick walk around the compound and with Mike’s
expert advice came up with what would end up being around
a 70ft+. gap for the Akraix / iShock Freestyle Team members
to hit.
Derek was the first one ready to hit the ramp and
appeared to get real comfortable quickly as you can
see by some of the photos. Steve joined in shortly after
with similar success. Garret, nursing some significant
injuries, wisely chose to sit this one out.
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Derek
Guetter |
Billy
Laninovich |
Steve
Weissinger |
As our day came to an end our goals had been exceeded
with some great shots of Derek and Steve, as well as
the iShock i5500 complete suspension system performing
to perfection and getting some high marks from some
of today’s most demanding ATV freestyle riders.
“Mike Metzger had to be one of the most generous
hosts I have ever met. Aside from him just letting us
use this freestyle “Mecca,” he was the first
one to jump in the tractor and move a bunch of dirt to
suit the needs of his rider guests. He is truly one of
the “Great One’s.”
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