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The aptly named Blue Rails have suffered a serious beating in the past few years. Jamie Thomas, Alex Gall, Ed Selego, Jeff Lenoce and Andrew Reynolds all flew down, over and next to these babies. Nobody saw it coming when Jim Greco threw down a backside Smith grind that must have made piss drunks around the world proud. An unbelievable feat, because these rails are steep and tall. In all of Tampa, these are probably the best and most reasonable rails for doing serious moves down. The two rails are accompanied by three benches and three tall ledges, all located on the top level before the handrails. They would be pretty cool, but, in true Tampa style, the ledges don't go all the way to the ground, and on the other side of them is about a 30-foot drop into the river. So, in other words, if you bail your switch heel to crooks, your board is quite likely going to be manatee bait. Another hazard we should mention is that after you land your rail trick, you have about six feet before you roll right into rush-hour traffic. One of our Monsterskate staffers once saw Jim Greco come "this close" to getting peaced out when he bailed into the street, forcing a car to skid about 20 feet right toward him. Even the great one, Jamie Thomas, almost met his maker at this very spot. So, to avoid meeting a similar situation, you definitely want to have a friend watching for cars from the upper level to avoid playing your own personal game of "Frogger."This spot is at a busy banking building and is impossible to skate during a normal business day. It is possible to hit on a weekday, but you mustn't come here any time before 7 p.m. Weekends are obviously better, but make sure that you come at low-flow traffic times.If you get bored with the rails, skate around to the front of the building, along Ashley Street. Take a gander at the Kanten Russell Double Set. Sweet Moses, this thing is big. Russell is the only one to successfully crack an ollie down it -- he went over the rail and onto the sidewalk. Mike Maldonado gets the pioneer points, however; he was the first to try it, but took a slam he'd probably rather forget. Mike went straight down the stairs, not over the rail, before they put in a giant skate stopper that we like to call a utility box.You should also be aware that you are in prime downtown territory, meaning possible police interference. For some reason, you rarely get busted by cops here, probably because you can see them from far away and can pretend that you're just a bunch of dumb tourists as they pass by, while your boards are cleverly hidden in the flower planters. Although skateboarding isn't legal here, safety is just a block away. Blue Rail is right at the start of a bridge that leads across the Hillsborough river. Once you have crossed this bridge, you are no longer in the downtown district. Since skateboarding is only illegal while you are downtown, a quick skate across the bridge will get you to the skaters equivalent of Switzerland, a neutral territory where you'll be free from prosecution. So, if you do get harassed by the po-po, just cross the river and go on a spot hunt in the demilitarized zone. | |
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Location: | |
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100 Kennedy Blvd. W.
Tampa, Florida
|  Okay, traveling south along Kennedy Boulevard Blue Rail
should be on the Right side side of the street
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And the best time to go is : anytime | |
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Terrain: |
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| Additional Directions: |
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From I-275 south, exit Ashley Street. Stay to the right when the exit splits. Follow Ashley through seven lights. When you approach the eighth light, get into the right lane. Turn right at this light, onto Kennedy Boulevard. The Blue Rails will be to your left immediately after turning. There is no parking right there, so you will want to take your next left onto Parker Street. Park at the meters and walk back over the bridge to the rails.From I-275 north Exit Ashley Street. At the split, stay to the right, toward Ashley Street. Follow Ashley through seven lights. When you approach the eighth light, get into the right lane. Turn right at this light, onto Kennedy Boulevard. The Blue Rails will be to your left, immediately after turning. There is no parking right there, so you will want to take your next left onto Parker Street. Park at the meters and walk back over the bridge to the rails |
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