Words by Jo Coles, photos by Steve Coles
What an amazing day. I think maybe we had 150 skaters, boarders and bladers on the trail. The passers-by in Bath were all grinning at us as we gathered at the station, some tourists even took photographs! The guy selling The Big Issue wished us all well, even the taxi drivers were quite cool about the log jam of weirdos in the car park. In the past they've looked a bit fed up at the skateboarders, but this day was different. A lady with three little kids stopped to chat about what we were doing and then gave them money to buy a raffle ticket each. She gave them each a pound. “Can I keep this as my pocket money?” “No it's to give to the lady for raffle tickets to help the charity.” “Oh, ok... can I have 21 tickets please?” :-)
The regular press photographer stopped by and grabbed a quick shot and then we got a great send-off from Rich before heading out... for the first time with a hill to aim for! Maybe it was the goal of Shiner Hill but the pace seemed pretty fast, it was good hard pushing! and pumping! and skating! It was great to see Dan and the gang from Camberley Skaters out on the trail with us on their blades.
The fancy dress costumes were amazing! Men in suits, men in frocks, Men in Black, balloon costumes, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, spacemen, cowboys, pirates (props to the winningest pirate on the day who skated in a coat weighing about 50lbs), zombies, Bruno, Che Guevara, Knuckles from Sonic the Hedgehog, Mexicans, 70s disco dancers, 80s aerobics instructors, bananas and chillies, a bumble bee, a white faced mime artist, fat Sumos, burlesque girls, and men in drag everywhere. So many great costumes, I can't remember them all. Some skaters had come as 'themselves' of course and that was fine. Everyone looked weird anyway. ;-)
Catch the Rabbit!
Any contest for the title of most inappropriate skateboard was given up immediately Rob B and the team (the three amigos) started bolting together their 132” monster. Three guys on one skateboard and they made it like a rowing team calling 'stroke stroke!' to keep it together. Props also to Vic who pushed his ski-skate sound-mobile the whole way in a bright red body suit and wig, pumping out the tunes all the way from the sound system on the back. We had skaters of all genders (some a bit indeterminate!), from ages 9 to 50 and everyone went the distance. Some say it's 13 miles, some say 15. I think it varies from year to year!
The trail seems to get a little gnarlier each year (like some of the skaters!) and it was fun to say hi to the various groups stopped by the wayside for a breather. The first pub got some early custom, and they have a good looking car park there, all slopey and smooth. The Railway Cafe was busy with skaters involuntarily throwing tea and chips about and it was there that a little old lady came over to me with 50p for the Macmillan nurses. She'd obviously asked someone what on earth was going on, and had reached into her purse and come out to find 'Hong Kong Phooey' to donate. ;-))
On the way the little Hole-in-the-Wall cafe was even busier with loads of skate weirdos chilling and refuelling there. More chips were spilled and there was music in the air. The folks who run the cafe did a good and cheerful job for us, especially since they had no warning we were coming. I think we ate all the chips they had! Speaking of cheerful, it was fun to say hello to all the walkers and cyclists coming the other way. Most were really amused and smiling, and although there were a few who only looked confused you know that they would all remember being passed by squads of grinning superheroes on skateboards. Cheer up you guys!!! Haha. I was stopped by a postie who wanted to know what it all meant. ‘£3 grand’ I told him.
Pumping was tough on the long long stretches of gnarly surface but the smooth bits were lovely and the final miles are great with the really slight descent which means no feet down with a nice wiggle on. Finding the turn-off for Shiner was a bit of a challenge for those 'in the zone' but everyone eventually found their way to the party on the hill and the crazy sideways skateboarders.
The hill is already superfast enough but the lovely Jules and the guys had only gone and built a humongous roll-in off the top of the Lush Hippy Commune Accommodation. Skaters flung themselves down the ramp and down the hill all afternoon. It was great to see a glamorous blonde in a corset and a man in suit and gas mask shredding the hill. Props to Joe who slid one handed, having the other arm in a sling! Will rode the 132” board down the whole thing, luge-style, as only he would! The deck make an ominous sound as it bottomed-out on the transition but he made it. Rich even managed to slide the monster on the hill, solo, without any blood spilled.
Much gnarlier than it looks.
Prizes on the raffle table kept piling up – donations from all over the place! Thank you so much to everyone. Raffle tickets sold all afternoon and Rich pulled the winners out of the Macmillan bucket. Congratulations to all the prize winners and thanks to everyone for their support. The raffle raised over £500, which is BRILLIANT. One youngster was absolutely 'made up' with his new Airflow deck...
Jesse Tighe tearing it up
Huge thanks to all the donors of the raffle prizes: especially for the goodies donated by Octane Sport, Turn360, Longboard Lounge, Lush and Dazza! Massive thanks are due to the very cool guys at Shiner who let us party on the hill all afternoon. You are all diamond geezers innit.
Bristol Locals Train - get on!
As it got late there was a little cider in evidence. What is it with skateboarding and cider? It’s just got to be done. Mmmm... but it's not everyday we get treated to homebrew. WOW... and AJ and Andy showed up! AJ went faster and looser on his very first run than anyone I'd seen all day... on a borrowed deck!!
Our friend Longy was in our thoughts all day and we all wished he could have been with us, but he's busy kicking ass and busting chops and giving it what for, and I know everyone there was somehow sending him good vibes, karma, love and a big pinch on the bottom. Even skaters who haven't met him were having a great time on a special day inspired by him - so we were all there for him doing the miles and enjoying the chance to pull together to support his chosen charity.
When he's out and about again I think we'll have to have another special session...
A huge thanks to everyone who was there for your support!
Please Keep Giving, we have raised over £3,000 so far with more to come in. See you next year!
