If you keep up with skateboarding in New York City, chances are you’ve seen something about the Tompkins Square Park Hell Ride over the past month. Built by John Francomacaro and friends, it began as a humble quarterpipe with a janky extension built from scraps.
But quickly, it ballooned into something more: an icon that stood at the top of Tompkins, complete with dual quarterpipes, a wallride, and keyhole gap, all embellished with gothic script and an Antihero eagle.
For a brief moment, this ramp took on a persona of its own. Skaters far and wide wanted to get a clip on the thing. As locals, it felt special, that is until a complaint to the city resulted in the whole thing being demolished.
We’re not sure what the city thought would happen next, but what we were sure of was this: the Hell Ride would return.
And return it did. Just days after its demolition crowdfunding commenced, and when funds were secured Franco and friends began building the ultimate “fuck you” to the city.
Rebranded and somehow even bigger, the Holy Ride was born.
