Following the success of a competition to win the the Animal Bike Tour in 2011 we knew we had to do it again in 2012. So flyers went in to Animal stores for the month of August and from this we received over 5,000 entries – riders Martyn Ashton and Blake Samson were blown away!!
A novelty size congratulations card was then sent to Gowerton Comprehensive School in Swansea to inform the winner Brandon Mullins that the Animal Bike Tour was coming to cause some disruption for him at the beginning of November.
The big day came and brought with it a hefty winter storm – but these are tough guy mountain bikers and these are pupils used to a bit of rain so a call was made to bust out a lunch time show whatever. So Animal technical jackets were adorned, ramps and trials equipment were constructed and much hot tea was drunk.
Five mins prior to the lunch time bell Brandon and all of year 8 were let out to secure the prime/dangerous spots at the barriers. They were then joined by the rest of the school and it’s teachers to provide Martyn Ashton and Blake Samson a crowd excited enough to finally scare off the rain!
A huge school cheer for Brandon then released Martyn and Blake in to their natural habitat of ramps and huge airtime and all was back in order. Fifteen minutes later, with the elements slayed, voices exhausted, and back flips dropped like bombs in the wet playground, Brandon entered the arena with a huge grin, a heap of new Animal goodies and street cred enough to woo any girl. It then started raining again.
Brandon and three of his buddies spent the rest of the afternoon with stand in teachers Mr Ashton and Mr Samson for a lesson in GCSE RADiculous – this involves dropping in to ramps, pulling sweet airtime and skids (which fortunately are for kids).
This day rounded up what has been an epic year for the Animal Bike Tour with some amazing shows at the Formula 1, MotoGP, Goodwood Festival of Speed and Thorpe Park to name but a few. We have some very exciting plans for 2013 so hopefully catch you then and keep your eyes peeled for the next ace competition.
