On The Cover

Kinetic Rides Again

Photos by Mark McKenna

The rest of the world is trying to get back to “normal” but here in Humboldt, we’re just happy to go out in the fresh air and get weird again. After two years of paused and remote races, the human-powered Kinetic Grand Championship once again rolled around the Arcata Plaza, down the Manila Dunes, into Humboldt Bay, up and over the hills and across the finish line on Ferndale’s Main Street. A flying saucer, giant praying mantis and a sushi stand were among the fleet of fast and flaming, freak-flag-flying machines. There was no shortage of Glory or awards for it — the 26 categories cover everything from Engineering (congratulations, Cowbell Moosical Theater), Art (ham it up, KHAM), the Golden Dinosaur for the first post-plaza breakdown (tough break, Challah for the Glory) and the Golden Flipper awards for best capsizes on sand and sea (Lemonheads and Miss Guided’s Quantum Quest, respectively). In the end, Humpbacks of Notre Dame took the Grand Championship with a breakneck time of 11 hours and 27 minutes. Intrepid photographer Mark McKenna followed the racers on their wild journey, documenting the madness for posterity and, of course, Glory. Enjoy these highlights and see more at www.northcoastjournal.com.

— Jennifer Fumiko Cahill

Clockwise top to bottom: Miss Guided’s Quantum Quest interdimensionaly enters the Manila Community Center on Saturday as it heads for the dunes and the Glory; Plan BEE and Crane Crane prepare for judgement on the Arcat Plaza; Queen Jermajesty, left, wields a bullhorn with judge The Outlaw Jamie B.; 2022 Kinetic Grand Champions The Humpbacks of Notre Dame make thier way down Dead Man’s Drop on Saturday.

Clockwise top to bottom: Flame Mengo splashes down at the end of the ramp for the water crossing; The Humpbacks of Notre Dame prepare to cross Humboldt Bay after a smooth entry; Team 420 had the Miss Fortune of being among the last to line up for the race; a pilot from This Is How We Roll pumps their fist after a successful water entry on Sunday.