Originally printed in the DIG BMX 'A LOVE LETTER TO GLAGOW' newspaper zine, August 2023
Every scene needs a focal point and for Glasgow (DIG's adopted hometown) that spot has always been Kelvingrove park. BMX hit Scotland just as the original 1970’s concrete park was entering its final days, and not long thereafter the area which had once solely been the domain of skaters, became the meeting point for the growing BMX scene. The flat area (seen here below) was perfect for flatland riding and then dirt jumps were built by the locals around the mid to late nineties. The new skatepark (above) followed on the same spot shorty thereafter. Like many local spots it’s long since outgrown the progression of BMX, but ‘KG’ is often still the place to meet to start or finish a day of riding.
Scene stalwart and Glasgow BMX flatland legend, Gary Forsyth jumping out of the ruins of the original Kelvingrove Skatepark, circa 1990.
1997. Photo by Tom Nunn
Creativity runs deep with the Glasgow locals. Loading Bay skatepark mastermind John Bailey with BSD's video and design overlord Dave Sowerby in tow. Circa 2008. Photo By Vince Perraud
Photo by Tom Nunn
Team Sano OG Gordon ‘GoGo’ Reilly has been shredding at Kelvingrove for longer than most of today’s riders have even been alive. With his BMX racing roots going even further back into the eighties, GoGo is one of the Glasgow scenes’ BMX lifers.
Throughout the years the Kelvingrove BMX scene has been well served by two local bike shops on opposite sides of the park. From 1994 to 2006 West End Cycles served the community from their Chancellor Street location just off Byres road. And then, from 2014 until 2021, Substance BMX helped hold things together from their nearby location on Old Dumbarton Road. - Photo by Fred Murray
