The goal was to build a new street section which was fully modular and movable, and then to invite four pairs of riders to interpret the potential of the space. With some support from Red Bull UK, some swift design and construction by Vision Ramps, and a team of volunteers, they were able to make this happen within three short weeks.

Aesthetic considerations comprised a large part of the project. The space has been given character through the shapes and colours used in the park design, but also by making space for artwork. Two linear installations of mono-screen-prints hang in the skatepark, one on the brick walled entrance, another suspended above the riders and ramps. Lines embedded in the scribble drawings echo the marks on the floors, walls and obstacles made by wheels, pegs and trucks. The artwork “Two-Step” is a collaborative body of work by Beth Shapeero and Fraser Taylor and is the first (though not the last) exhibition to be held in the skatepark.

As ledges and wall rides started to get a lick of paint the park began to take shape. Here you can see the scaffolding going up to setup what will be the art installation which will hang in the middle of the park.

After a week the build was done. In a massive effort through help from the Loading Bay locals the new main room was brought to life. The colours chosen reflect those used in The Loading Bay's cafe and reception space. Not colours you would usually find in a skatepark but the idea was to hopefully step away from the staples of a normal skatepark interior.

Scotland is a hotbed of BMX talent so finding riders who could make it to The Loading Bay during lockdown was the easiest part of the project. We invited four pairs of riders and gave them each a full afternoon or evening to film. Sean McGilly and Jensen Murray joined us from the east coast of Scotland, Alex Donnachie and Joe Foley of BSD brought some top-shelf heat, Hector Spencer-Wood and Rory McLean showed us why pegs are not necessary, and Guy Scroggie and Dan Banks were on hand to demonstrate some technical street prowess and peg chinkery. It's also worth noting that Thomas Roulston was due to film with us as well, but due to breaking his back big Tam couldn't ride with us. Although he did show up - much to our delight - as you'll see in the credits.

If you check your social media, you'll no doubt be faced with a rider from Scotland these days. In some weird way the place seems to bring out exceptional riders left, right and centre. That's in no doubt thanks to BSD and the brilliant job they do in supporting Scotland's fringe riders. Joe Foley is the latest remarkable person to show up on the Glasgow scene. I've personally never seen someone with more of a hunger to ride than Joe, he simply attacks any obstacle put in his way.

After filming was wrapped up on the last evening, Joe had "One more idea". The idea was to screw a Subrosa rail to the top of the five set and pegs bar it. Sadly it just all went very wrong. Joe already had a rolled ankle and his leg went straight into the ground snapping it fully in half. Due to covid, the ambulance services were particularly busy that evening and upon phoning, we were told it'd be a 4 and a half hour wait for Joe to get there. Luckily we were in the forntunate position of having spare sheets of plywood, drills and screws. John and James fabricated a makeshift stretcher with a splint to hold his foot upright n'everything. I actually temporally lost grip of Joe's foot while we were about to move him onto the strecher and watched his foot do a full 180 while hanging by the skin. The man still stunts even when he's broken! Thankfully Joe got surgery and after a big steel rod was implemented into his leg is up walking around, keep your eyes peeled for the comeback!

After an emergency ETA of 4 hours, a makeshift ambulance was created for Joe Foley with the help of the Loading Bay van.

Rory Mclean has been making waves on social media lately, his brand of pegless riding has us all re-considering how we view pegless riding. Hector Spencer-Wood is someone I've always wanted to film with and the two of them couldn't have paired up better for the closing section. Even though their riding is different in style it's massively enjoyable to watch combined together.

It's been a dark year, but somewhere in the new, brightly-painted main room at the Loading Bay we've been able to find a joy that wasn't there for some time. It's an amazing feat being able to build, film and produce a whole video with friends you've known for so long. Entirely unintended as well, and simply at a point in each others lives where we've picked up the skills to work together on a project such as this. Have we reached our peak? Not a chance. We’re just getting started...