In my last blog I updated that I had broken my wrist. In my follow up appointment I was told I hadn't broken my wrist and my cast was taken off. I was probably as confused as you guys are reading this. Anyway, I don't have a broken wrist...
I had my cast removed about a week before the Red Bull Minidrome event was due to take place. I'd entered a while back and was keen to get on it like a car bonnet: I'd been excited about this event coming to Glasgow for a while. There were a few false starts as the event was due to take place in the summer due to licensing with other venues. In the end the date of 2nd October was set and the venue of the Old Fruitmarket in the Merchant City area of Glasgow is where the racing would take place. Red Bull went about doing what they do best and started organising a sweet night on tiny track racing.
I gave Kinesis a call to see if I could get a bike for the Minidrome. Luckily the track season was wrapping up for Oli P and his bike was posted up with some rather special Reynolds carbon track wheels which are the only set in the British Isles. I stickered up a set of riser bars with Morvelo logo's and fitted some lock on grips and flat pedals. The bike was ready to rock.
When I arrived to sign on on Sunday I wasn't expected by the organisers. I saw the sign on sheet with the letter 'INJURED' next to my name. I don't remember informing anyone I was injured but they knew. I managed to get signed on and my bike passed with flying colours through the bike checks and it also received some admiring looks.
I was due to qualify in group 2 from 2:30. Most of the riders where regular fixie guys, bike messengers and some hardcore street/bmx/park riders. I think I was the only guy there who normally lines up in lycra and has shaved legs... I was latter joined by another of the lycra brigade: Ross Crook of the Edinburgh Road Club. I gathered with everyone else as the first qualifier rolled out. I was stunned as were the rest of the guys and girls as Tom Asbergs flew round 10 laps of the world’s smallest velodrome in a little over 33 seconds. I had heard that 40 seconds would be fast round here and to be honest I was a little unnerved by this performance!
By the time it was my turn it was clear that 40 seconds was in fact a good time: no one had come close to Tom. I tentatively rolled my 6 practice laps before being held for my 10 lap qualifier. I decided to take it pretty conservatively and cruised round to the 3rd fastest time at that point with a little over 42 seconds. I was please. As qualifying went on I slipped to 10th and made the final 32 for the finals at 7pm.
When I returned that evening the event had jumped up a notch. There was a huge crowd gathering on the floor and the balcony, the Red Bull DJ had the beats turned to 11 and the atmosphere was growing. The remaining 32 riders would progress through knock out heats over the evening to eventually be whittled down to just 2 remaining finalists. It was also becoming clear that this was not some of the riders’ first bash on the Minidrome and we had some previous podium finishers in the building - Tom Asbergs and Kris Volmer. Slopestyle rider Ricky Crompton was also impressive in qualifying, seeding in 2nd place despite apparently arriving that morning drunk and in the back of a van... Sounds like me at a road race.
As the heats got underway the racing was tight. All riders upped their game with another rider on the track with them to chase or be chased by! There were also a number of pretty amazing bails! I managed to get through round 1 ok by catching my opponent. I was pretty scared going into round 2 as I faced second seed Ricky Crompton. I'd never met Ricky before but he's pretty burly, covered in tats and has a pretty snappy gate. When I told 4real Friel who I was up against he just shook his head and said 'Aw he's my second favourite for the night! Good luck...' In short, compared to Ricky I looked like a member of the S Club Juniors. In fact one of the girls from S Club Juniors...
I knew I had to get a decent gate and build speed so that’s what I went for. By the end of lap 1 I couldn't see Ricky in my straight and I could sense him in mine! As the race went on I could feel myself edging ahead and I was 'pumping the backside of the sweet trannies' to use an Andy Barlow trademarked innuendo... (ooooo-errrrr) I was getting a decent line, entering the turns high, exiting low getting a good boost out and I was growing in confidence. Going into the last lap it was close. Ricky made a mistake and bailed out the track in his straight. I made it through to the quarters...
In the last 8 I met Ross Crook. Ross is a good bike handler, quick sprinter on the road and track and is a former Scottish Track Scratch Race Champion. I spoke to my gang of hardy supporters and it was clear I had a decent chance of beating him! Again in this heat I trailed from the start; some people blaming my flats without clips. I pegged Ross back and with over 30 laps under my belt I was beginning to push the limits of my bike and the track. It was super tight and I edged back in front with 3 laps to go. At this point as I switched right to cut into the turn I felt my front wheel slide and head out of the top of the track. I bailed and hit the track like a sack of shit. I slid round to the ground and sat on my ass a bit pissed off with myself.
I retreated upstairs, defeated but smiling and I met with my rabble. A couple of pints were downed and I went to watch the final rounds. Ross went on to clinch 3rd with Tom Asbergs taking the win from Kris Volmer. The final race was so fast and the guys put on an awesome show.
Before the finals though the latest Danny MacAskill film Industrial Revolutions from the Concrete Circus show and filmed by MTBcut was shown on the big screen. Danny was at the event himself and as the whole room watched I noticed he stood trying to ignore what was going on and looked a little shy. It was amazing to see a guy who is a real world leader and mountain biking figure almost embarrassed by the fame he has accrued through his skills. I guess it shows what a down to earth guy he is and as the film finished and the crowd applause a smile and a raised hand was enough basking for him. An amazing rider who rides for one reason only - not fame or fortune but because it's what he loves to do. Awesome!
I just want to finish by saying what a great event to have in Glasgow and congrats to everyone who competed! I’d like to say fantastic work from Red Bull and their partners as well as Glasgow Life for the venue. Let it be the start of 3 years or more of amazing cycling events in the City. Come back soon!
Keep it rubber side down (not like me)
Rabulous
Posted from
St Andrews, United Kingdom
Glasgow, United Kingdom
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