https://www.sourcebmx.com/?currency=gbp

The Full Story - 30 Years Of DIG X the BSD JAM at the Loading Bay

This is Ours

24 Aug 2023

Dig 30 exhibition 5 D 3541

Photos by David Leep and Sandy Carson | THE DIG 30 YEAR BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW

Way back in summer of 2021 we connected with the powers that be in Glasgow City (DIG’s adopted hometown since 2005) to see if they wanted to get on board with our planned 2023 ’30 years of DIG’ project. By chance it coincided with Glasgow’s support of the 2023 World Cycling Championships, so they were instantly down and keen to get involved.

Obviously DIG isn’t a comfortable fit with an event of that nature, but rather than sit back and complain about it, we figured that if lots of people are going to be looking at BMX, then we better take this opportunity to show them what BMX really is… as far as we’re concerned at least.

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing
Dig 30 exhibition IMG 1490

As a lot of eyes would be on the UCI version of the ‘BMX World Championships’ in the city, our goal was to share, with the general public, what we considered to be a more engaging/realistic version of BMX - the version that has kept some of us hooked for over four decades and the version that has been at the heart of DIG for the past 30 years. We weren’t interested in what was going on with the mainstream version of the Worlds (the UCI aren’t our thing and broadly speaking we’re not fans of their approach - aside of course from the new opportunities afforded to female riders worldwide) but we did want to show people how much better BMX can be, and how it’s much more accessible (and fun - to us at least) than a regimented ‘sport’ held behind a fence. Now if that’s your thing then fill your boots, but we’ll continue to be motivated by the side of BMX that’s led by riders, and not the side that’s driven solely by committees and corporate sponsors.

Glasgow City were right behind our approach too, even though they knew it wouldn’t be promoting the main BMX events that the city was hosting. It was all about getting people on bikes as far as they were concerned and their understanding that BMX isn’t just a sport, and their appreciation of DIG’s approach didn’t go unnoticed. In our view they had a better understanding of BMX than the UCI itself.

So our original anniversary event plans grew from being a DIG 30 year photo show / book launch to something that would reach way more people. The city was keen to get BSD involved too, along with the local Loading Bay skatepark (run by BMXers), so that we could create a wider celebration of Glasgow and its rich BMX culture.

Firstly we produced a 32 page newspaper that was given out free on our opening night, and to thousands of people around the city over the course of the ten day event. DIG BMX ’A Love Letter to Glasgow’ featured the ‘real’ riders who have pushed BMX in the city and beyond for over four decades.

Alongside this we produced a video short (directed by Peter Adam) called ‘SHOTS FIRED’ featuring DIG’s own Fred Murray. The video, which focused on a week in the life of a modern day BMX photographer, was shown on big screens thought the city during the championships. Containing a little bit of DIG history along with some epic Reed Stark action shot in Glasgow by Fred, the aim of the video was again to show the general public that there was a hell of lot more to BMX than what was being fed to them via the championships.

Gallery 1 by David Leep

1 of 26


So our 30 year event was reborn as a night called WELCOME TO GLASGOW at The Loading Bay which featured…

• The DIG 30 year photo gallery called THIS BIKE COULD BE YOUR LIFE and the launch of our DIG 30 Year Book of the same name.

• A DIG X BMX In Glasgow photo gallery.

• A photo gallery of 300+ DIG tattoos.

• The launch of the DIG BMX ’A love letter to Glasgow’ newspaper.

• A BSD photo gallery / brand display.

• A real BMX jam from BSD featuring a gnarly ledge/rail comp and wild long-jump comp

• A video screening of a 24 minute directors cut of our DIG ‘SHOTS FIRED’ video (we’ll be sharing with with you all soon)

• Plus screenings of BSD’s new Reed Stark video, a (surprise) Grant Smith 50th birthday edit, and the locals came though with the latest Winter Procedure 2 video to round off the night (as it should be), before people headed to the infamous NiceNSleazys for the official afterparty.

For those that came, the night went down a treat. Although it was bizarre to think the there were hundreds of UCI riders/Officials in Glasgow and only very small handful of them made to the Loading Bay that night. Maybe they weren’t allowed to come, or maybe they weren’t interested, but either way it shows a sad divide in what BMX culture, local crew videos, and art and photography, means to people who share our love of bike riding. Even taking DIG out of the equation it shows zero respect for the local BMX scene.

A huge thanks to the everyone that did come including various DIG family members (new and old) from around the world. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Hold tight to this thing we love and let’s continue to keep BMX in the hands of the people who care.

Gallery 2 by Sandy Carson

1 of 19

Related Video

IN THE CUT - DIG 30 YEAR BOOK LAUNCH AND BSD JAM

The best of times at the Loading Bay in Glasgow, Scotland. - More Info

The DIG 30 Year Exhibition is still running at THE LOADING BAY Skatepark in Glasgow.

The DIG 30 YEAR BOOK 'THIS BIKE COULD BE YOUR LIFE' is available for pre-order now.

Related Content

050 059 Dig Bmx 2020 Photo Comp Copy

THE DIG PHOTO CONTEST 2020 - Winners & Runners Up

And the winners are...

26 Mar 2021
DIG photo gallery

21 Years Of DIG Photo Gallery At House of Vans

This is BMX portrayed in the way we like to see it portrayed...

14 Nov 2014
9um Xq T8uwy4hqdefault
Play Button

BSD JAM x 30 YEARS OF DIG

WELCOME TO GLASGOW

11 Aug 2023
Dig Jam 3

DIG Jam 2016 - The Full Story

You Couldn't Organise A DIG Jam In A Brewery!

14 Oct 2016
Dig book cover mock better CROP

DIG - THIS BIKE COULD BE YOUR LIFE - "THE RISE OF THE MID-SCHOOL" PRE-ORDER NOW OPEN

An all new photo book from DIG focusing on our magazine history and over 30 years of D.I.Y. BMX culture

4 Aug 2023
20230804 DIG GLASGOW 0028

30 YEARS OF DIG EXHIBITION & BSD Jam - In Photos

Jammin' and premierin'

11 Aug 2023
ES Kcme XM Mvghqdefault
Play Button

IN THE CUT - DIG 30 YEAR BOOK LAUNCH AND BSD JAM

The best of times at the Loading Bay in Glasgow, Scotland.

24 Aug 2023
Go Fast Premiere Insta Uk Screen

GO FAST PULL UP - UK PREMIERE SET FOR HOUSE OF VANS - LONDON

Come kick it on Thursday April 4th

3 Apr 2019
https://www.danscomp.com/

Latest Content

Renato relapse thumb
Play Button

RENATO RANCSO - 'RELAPSED' | LUXBMX

Welcome To LUX!

5 May 2025
7 JQEG Vlz Iq Ahqdefault
Play Button

TOM MARSH - INTERVIEWS EP3 - BMX Direct Thailand

Scotland in Thailand

5 May 2025
It Hsd B Fav Qkhqdefault
Play Button

Dennis Enarson Game of Bike: Jason Watts Vs. Kevin Peraza

High level heaters at Clairemont

2 May 2025
Michael dickson x dig thumb
Play Button

MICHAEL DICKSON X DIG

Whip it real good

1 May 2025
HR55 De6 DEQ4hqdefault
Play Button

Sietse van Berkel - Thread - 2025

Signature style from one of the best.

1 May 2025
Zqqpc P1 Xpu Ehqdefault
Play Button

KINK - Best Of THIRTY Compilation

Choice cuts

1 May 2025
Lqi T5 W Wue Gkhqdefault
Play Button

Launch Box - Spring 2025 - A Profile Mixer

Spring season randomness

1 May 2025
Upa XUT1r Ctkhqdefault
Play Button

CONCRETE PARADISE

ft. Jack Hennicke, Willem Jorgensen & Kevin Bass

30 Apr 2025
Kx6 Pew BD2 V Ahqdefault
Play Button
Mt1 Zn6 N Go Uhqdefault
Play Button

Radical Sabbatical - NorCal Mix

Off the job training

28 Apr 2025
Wa Qn E Ef QJ2 Uhqdefault
Play Button

Source BMX - Cody Nemeth Bike Check - 2025

High Desert's steed

25 Apr 2025
Lpc8 V Fo8reohqdefault
Play Button

RED BULL 'FEATURED' | WOMEN'S HIGHLIGHTS

Progress Progress Progress

25 Apr 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Vans 11 27 21 014 Bruno Gap wall

BRUNO HOFFMANN INTERVIEW - 'FOREIGN'

"I think the scene is doing good..."

21 Apr 2025
RIXIN BIG APPLE ANGLE RAW ON WHITE 2500

PRODUCTIVITY - RIXIN Big Apple Frame

Billy Perry's signature frame - Built around what he needed.

8 Apr 2025
Rad teaser

Rad Day 2025

Anniversary movie screenings and RAD documentary release.

18 Mar 2025
Expert Top 3 Roll On crop

REPO: Keeping it local at the UK 'ROLL ON' Flatland Jam

"My desire was to give something back" – Mike O'Connell

5 Mar 2025
Snow Fight – Naoki Gaman2

20 Tips For Surviving Simple Session 2025

Check yourself before you wreck yourself!

20 Feb 2025
SS finals samples 4

SIMPLE SESSION 25 WRAP UP

Highlight videos, results and more

19 Feb 2025
Street station graphic

STREET STATION RETURNS for 2025

"Not your average BMX jam"

18 Feb 2025
Stack

DIG BOOK #2024

AVAILABLE VIA THESE BIKE SHOPS AND DISTROS

30 Dec 2024
New dig apparel main image

NEW DIG BMX APPAREL

Available now

27 Dec 2024
30 YRS POSH BOOK MNTN V V 004

(Almost) 30 YEARS OF POSH WOODS

Now available

24 Dec 2024
BSD Grime Safari Reed Stark Austin 6

Reed Stark - A Photo Safari

Safari Forever...

6 Dec 2024
Et FW24 Dig Magazine Collab Shoot 031

Introducing the DIG X ETNIES Collection

Celebrating a 25 year partnership

7 Nov 2024