View Full Version : Update on the 2 Guys Skating From Chicago To New York


Pathtek4
06-19-2008, 06:40 AM
http://i.dailyherald.com/stories/58/normal/58891.jpg
Michael Kosciesza (left), Arthur Swidzinski

An update from this thread here: 2 Guys Plan To Skateboard from Chicago to New York City -- 850 miles (http://www.skaterscafe.com/showthread.php?t=66580)

Here is a recent update on the 2 guys I brought Skaterscafe attention to taking on the task of skateboarding 850 miles from Chicago to NYC! Apparently they are in Ohio, and 400 miles into the trip

They also have a blog Shredamericafilm.com

From the Chicago Sun-Times:
Two 20-year-old film students from Niles have hit the road to see America, traveling 850 miles to New York City -- by skateboard.

Michael Kosciesza and Arthur Swidzinski left June 2 from Millennium Park and have been rolling along for 400 miles, spending nights at motels, campsites and the occasional couch.

They're now in Ohio, with a goal of reaching Times Square by the end of the month.

"There's not a day you don't feel sore," Swidzinski said. "The bottom of your feet just kill you."

The Columbia College students are accompanied by two friends on bicycles, James Lagen, 20, and Tony Michal, 21, who are filming the journey for a documentary to be called "Shred America." The word "shred" is slang for superior ability on a skateboard.

"We're just hoping to show people what America is really all about," Swidzinski said.

The travelers have been occasionally updating their blog at Shredamericafilm.com. Last Friday's entry included a bit on the perils of the road. "Mike ate pavement and was then promptly run over by James on his bike. James was then immediately ejected from his mountain cruiser and trapped beneath the rubble of his wrecked bicycle."

Kosciesza said he and Swidzinski began training for the trip a year ago.

"We started just running and skateboarding everywhere," he said. "It's really a once-in-a-lifetime adventure."

The two Maine East High School graduates said their team has had to battle the elements as well as fatigue.

"We got hammered by rain," Kosciesza said. "The first week was just nonstop."

Swidzinski said their journey has been a lot like America itself.

"We've met a few nice people, we've met a few mean people," he said. "Sometimes, you get the finger."

Sun-Times News Group

zerohalo21
06-19-2008, 06:54 AM
I can't wait to see the film it should make for some good watching

swordman540
06-19-2008, 06:56 AM
Whoa, 400 miles already. That's some commitment. I thought they would give up halfway (like all good ideas)

2h2skater
06-19-2008, 03:11 PM
i wanna see the film now. its crazy how their still going at it

Naive
06-19-2008, 04:18 PM
It must be so hot at this time of year, that makes it even more tiring

But man the documentary they get has got to be awesome cant wait till its out

SOADsk8er
06-19-2008, 04:53 PM
it would be sick if they made this into an actual movie.

KrispyKicks
06-19-2008, 04:55 PM
The word "shred" is slang for superior ability on a skateboard.

Lol.

GNAR
06-19-2008, 04:58 PM
This is going to be so sick to watch.

Geissler
06-19-2008, 05:20 PM
Is the movie really going to be that great? I mean, props to them and everything but 800 miles by skateboard sounds a bit boring to me. And by the looks of it they're not gonna have much time or energy to stop by the local spots and actually "shred" anything...

Highawk
06-19-2008, 08:33 PM
Is the movie really going to be that great? I mean, props to them and everything but 800 miles by skateboard sounds a bit boring to me. And by the looks of it they're not gonna have much time or energy to stop by the local spots and actually "shred" anything...

Yes it shall be great.
Think about it following two guys across america skateboarding. Think about how intresting documentaries are, Have you ever been walking through your house and someone is watching one. Then you just stop to see what there watching, then end up sitting down and watching the whole thing.
Now add skateboards and you've got pure gold.

johnny16tx
06-19-2008, 08:42 PM
Whoa, 400 miles already. That's some commitment. I thought they would give up halfway (like all good ideas)

...lol
if they were suppost to quit halfway and theyve only traveled 400miles
then they havent made it halfway yet

Rpl
06-19-2008, 08:52 PM
wohhh thats crazy 400 milez err rydyyyy wizzzzer fo shirzlererererererer

heartagram695
06-19-2008, 10:22 PM
yea i am so gonna see this movie when it comes out.
thanks for the update!

Pathtek4
06-20-2008, 10:47 AM
You welcome! I'm looking forward to when they update their blog next myself!

twitchy_foot082
06-20-2008, 12:28 PM
thats amazing my feet kill me when i skate to my friends house and hes only a cauple miles away.

Andrew Jay
06-20-2008, 12:34 PM
Can't wait to watch.

RIP_BOB_GNARLY
06-20-2008, 10:12 PM
They got some damn big wheels.

Pathtek4
06-20-2008, 10:26 PM
^Thats how you do it though, you try to go 800+ miles on 39mm and its going to really put stress on your legs :p

Vrait
06-22-2008, 10:59 AM
They got some damn big wheels.

Wheels will wear down like crazy on the trip. And bigger wheels = smoother ride, and less of a chance of death by a pebble.

guitarkid7
06-22-2008, 11:08 AM
Sounds awesome.


The guy on the right, his trucks are on backwards?

street skater
06-22-2008, 11:15 AM
They are to. But wow that's crazy what they're doing.

Fracture-Deck
06-22-2008, 12:07 PM
Maybe there trucks that a supposed to be like that.

Trebor
06-22-2008, 01:32 PM
this reminds me of that 10mph documetary where a guy drove a segway across america

this will be cool when it comes out

MichSkater
06-27-2008, 09:17 PM
man this is gonna be one sick documentary!

ZephyrGod
06-29-2008, 03:53 PM
Anyone know why there doing it?

Charity or just a challenge?

Its sick anyway, i can't imagine skating 10 miles.

MysterySk8er3
06-29-2008, 05:57 PM
This is awesome. Sounds like it would be an awesome/tiresome trip.