Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth played host to it’s very own free Extreme Festival this weekend and alongside some madly busy bike shows was a mix of street dancing and graffiti from hot local artists. It has always been a super popular stop for the Animal Relentless Bike Tour and this year was no exception. A new position for the show in the central square meant spectators could also watch from an elevated balcony as well as around the barriers that reached 10 deep at times; more spectators = more support = bigger gnarly shows.
Photography: Robin Kitchin
Martyn Ashton has been coming here with the show for 6 years now and it never fails. “It was an epic weekend in Portsmouth. The weather could have been a real spoiler for us as the forecast was promising heavy showers. Amazingly we didn’t have one wet show! The new location right in the centre of the square was a perfect way to improve what has already become a very popular stop on our tour.”
Photography: Robin Kitchin
Both Martyn and Blake like to turn the show in to a battle between trials and jumps using the crowds reaction as a measure of success, “Blake rode really well! The competition between us is just fun but it really adds to the show and gets us both going. James our MC worked his socks off too. At one point we had an issue with the music and James filled in with some jokes and entertainment whilst Robin furiously tangled with the generator to get things running back on track. They are both legends and got it sorted. Problems do spring up now and again – however when you have team members like James and Robin you don’t have to worry too much.” Martyn Ashton
Alongside all the Animal, Relentless, Mercedes, MBUK and Muc Off goodies given out during the shows, Michael Arthur bagged himself a Diamondback Peak HD in the new Text to Win comp that will now be running for the rest of the Tour. In the Twitter photo comp @danielpapa202 captured himself a new Animal watch with his One-Hand-Superman shot of Blake. Rad move and great timing with the photo Daniel!
The show now moves on to Bournemouth beach for the Air Show which runs from Thursday 19th August to Sunday 22nd August. This event had 1.3million visitors in 2009 so should be an epic new location for the show – the rig is to be positioned 300m east of Bournemouth Pier. See you there!!
