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.
The Shop
Related Posts
-
PREMIERE: MARSE FARMER IN “SINGER TOWER”
Plus a Q&A with Marse about his decade working in skateshops while pursuing a skate career.
-
MEET THE NEXT GENERATION OF NEW YORK CITY SKATEBOARDING
Spend a day with best friends Ari Misurelli and Luca Mayer, two of NYC's most promising young skaters.
-
HOW STONE SCULPTING TOOK OVER THIS SKATEBOARDER’S LIFE
Meet Lou Sarowsky, a skateboarder and artist who's obsessed with sculpting hyper-realistic objects out of stone.
-
RESURRECTING BROOKLYN’S FORGOTTEN DIY SKATEPARK
A new generation of skaters are breathing life back into the spot, taking a risk and building something they’re tired of waiting for.
-
JENKEM SUMMER BLOCK PARTY RECAP
Whether you skated, loitered, or just had a typical day at Tompkins sitting on a bench and drinking, we're happy to have had you there!
-
RECONTEXTUALIZING ZAK ANDERS, ONE OF TODAY’S MOST MYSTIFYING SKATERS
"I don’t want to be this brutal punk that hates everything that people like, and I’m trying really hard to undo that."
-
CELEBRATING THE FUTURE OF TOMPKINS SQUARE PARK
"I hope this experience can leave us all with a longstanding sense of gratitude for Tompkins"
-
HOW FRIENDSHIP BUILT MILAN’S PANORAMA CREW
Luka, aka Spezzatura, and some members of the Panorama crew visited New York City and we filmed a couple days of their trip.
Comments
Popular
-
KEITH HUFNAGEL ON THE FUTURE OF HUF
We heard a rumor that HUF was going out of business, so we talked with boss man himself to find out.
-
AFTER MANY YEARS IN SKATE SHOE PURGATORY, DVS IS BACK. SHOULD YOU CARE?
A conversation with Lee Berman, a skater who spent over a decade building Converse CONS, about reinventing DVS Shoes.
-
PARADE WORLD IS RETHINKING THE WAY YOU BUY SKATE GOODS ONLINE
Now you can buy skate goods online and support a local shop at the same time.
-
GETTING KINKY WITH DANIEL VARGAS
Daniel Vargas' philosophy on whips, chains and getting choked out.
-
THE HISTORY OF SKATEBOARDING’S MOST TABOO TRICK: THE BENIHANA
If you’ve ever wondered how far back the anti-benihana sentiment stems, you’re not alone.
August 17, 2026 8:33 pm
low IQ comments incoming
August 18, 2026 11:34 am
I’m so proud of everyone here. This is the community spirit NY needs
August 18, 2026 1:14 pm
come to tompkins and fight me then kzone bitch fuck you
August 19, 2026 2:48 pm
i think kyoto and kzone are secret gay lovers. so much sexual aggression.
August 21, 2026 11:20 am
I’ll fight you you fucking faggot! just wait until I get to Tompkins and whip out my dick ! Might take a while since I’m in Laredo … I will fucking rape you to death, your lineage ends here ! I’m a 36 year old man with nothing to loose !
August 18, 2026 1:39 pm
sick. and fuck all the bitches leaving lame comments.