Guest blogger time again, only this time it's a very nice lad from down under named Andrew Jansen. Andrew runs Uber Distribution and though we've never met, we're what you might call Net Buddies. Andrew also knows a thing or two about DIY BMX, and to that end, he's gone ahead and pitched in to help the third annual Filthy Drains Challenge, which goes down this Saturday, April 25 in Coopers Plains, um, for lack of a better location, Australia. Leading up to the event, a lot of work went down on the ditch, and in between stepping on nails and getting his hands dirty, Andrew documented the progress of the course. I'll let Andrew take it from here....
Dirty, neglected and to some a eyesore, the Drain is a creative BMXers' dream. Just lucky Mathew Lawnton from Tempered Bikes is that kinda man. Third year running, Mathew and his team have put together another jam for the people of Oz to travel to, misbehave at and talk about for a long time. So how does it happen? Well, here is a quick recount.
Planning ahead: To make a Drains jam, well, you gotta get dirty and a little bit adventurous. Anywhere scrap wood was that wasn't tied down, people got to it, and delivered it to Matty's house. Pile of wooden crates grew, and the planning for the ramps began. A date was set, then changed, then set again. Sponsors were called, proddy and cash sent in, and it was time to get building!
Just like a real builder, only dodgy: Nothing is measured, trannies are freehanded, everything looks cobbled. Perfect. Kicker was built first, as is customary for all jams. Then the creativity began. My fat butt broke a rail out of the ground on a recent icepick attempt. Bad for me, good for the jam! We picked that bad boy up in the middle of the city, and I ran with it above my head until Tom could pick me up. Cheers Tom!
You'll have to wait for the day, but here is a few teasers of stuff set up.
Worlds must kicky spine: Sends you straight up.
The WHALE wallride: Everything is more fun if it looks like a whale.
The MAS: Matty / Wazza invention. Looks like a torture contraption, hop in, boost out.
Vert wall of DOOM: Anyone that can boost to the ceiling wins a prize!
Rail of SWEET: Perfect rail, from pallet block.
There is no 'I' in team, but there are splinters: Building was done, and we needed to get everything to the drains. We got hooked up with a trailer, starting packing and got to it. Moving ramps and pallets is crap. Really. Splinters galore. I stepped on the world's biggest nail. Rick got heckled all day. Matty slipped and a pallet fell on him and Wazza had to get up before 2pm. Tom hooked us up through his work, who kindly donated a stack more pallets. For two days, that's all we did, move pallets and ramps.
Build it, and they will come: Crew came in and out of the drains, getting everything put together. Definitely the hardest part is getting cars in and out before it all looks too suspect. Small sessions would break out once something was built, but everyone tried not to ride to much, no-one really wants to spoil the big day.
The last part (and probably most annoying) will involve everyone sweeping the drains out, so they are super dry and all the glass/nails are gone. Pretty sure people are doing that as I write this. The location has been announced but please chill and do not come until the day. Fair play, a lot of time has been put into it.
On April 25th, fun will commence: There is no real plan. Kind sponsors have provided proddy to hand out. UberDistro has got cash for rad-ness (via Metal!), and beers for awesome-ness (via Attila). I'll be handing them both out on the day for whatever I see fit! Hope to see everyone there! Definitely throw Matty a high five for the hard work he's put in. The rest of us pitched in where we could, but he has definitely thrown down the most cash and time. Cheers man!
If you want to keep more up to date, check on Tempered, or follow me or Tempered on twitter! -Andrew Jansen