Cheers, Scotland
Monday
6.7
Yesterday I was torn. The downhill was going off at the event site and I wanted to do the seal tour. I had it in my head that I could get a sweet shot off the front of the boat like that old POLICE video, Synchronicity. But the downhill looked rad and to miss it would be a waste. Then again, it was starting to rain. Hmmm. Well, I guess the seals took a back seat and before I knew it I was headed up the gondola to the top of the mountain with 10,000 other screaming spectators.
Now I know, everyone who rides a mountain bike to any serious degree gets to a point when they have learned some skills, done some races and think they can handle just about anything. Well, maybe that’s just me. But seeing how fast the racers were bombing down that course gave me a new level of respect for them. It’s one thing for me to sit here and type it - it’s another to see for yourself. It’s no wonder the crowds will stand in ankle-deep mud on the side of a ski-slope to watch it. The course wasn’t so much gnarly or overly technical (a couple of sections looked burly but most racers would air over it) but it was how fast they went through it. The footy should be sick. Not quite sure how to work it into the movie but we’ll have to find a way.
I walked the entire course, shooting the whole way. Most of the paths the spectators were taking were more technical and muddy than the race course and I even got some funny spills on tape. Alcohol, mud and a steep grade are a recipe for disaster. God bless the Scots. Or the King. Whatever. Once I got to the bottom the crowd was unreal. The energy was through the roof and I was capturing as much as I could - but I had to leave before the best riders came down.
I took off from the event and made my train JUST in time. I left my rental car at my B&B since no one was at their office (is all of Europe like this with rentals?). Kenny showed up to see me off and filmed me heading out on the train that went up through some of the Highlands and circled around back to Glasgow. Very epic ride.
Now I’m about to board my plane.
The Eupoean leg of the journey is over for me. And I can go home and refuel. I need to organize what I’ve seen and what I’ve filmed into a story. I hope that will help Ken and I realize what we have missed, so we can be sure to get it in Canada. One thing I do know, I started this film with a slight awareness of what these athletes go through to compete on the World Cup and now have a much clearer understanding. It defines intense.
