Thursday, September 5th, I took the road on my own with the Shape bicycles' van, go to Toulouse for the annual pilgrimage for all true trail riders, la Source jam. After 4 hours of driving from the arrow of Brittany, I parked on a motorway area to sleep. Unfortunately, I woke up at dawn due to the cold temperature…
I took the road back on Friday September 6th, weather was sunny, another 4 hours of driving and la Source trail will be in sight ! On site, I joined our Shape bicycles rider Bruno and our friend T, they left one week earlier for a 15 days trip. Several friends were already there, Pef, Flav, Pompier, the young JB, the Tranchée trail crew, English friends, Andoni and his dog Fox... First main change, the field next to the trail has been cleaned to make a parking/camping site, a good choice in order to get less people on the trail. Quick look at the trail, first change, the first berm of Lombric was totally new, also the whole line has been reviewed on its lower part after the Godasse's hip. In the middle afternoon, the first session started with a small crew, which was easier to take its marks. I had some difficulties to ride Lombric, getting used of the first berm, especially after a massive overshoot... Then, I had a good ride on Donut, along with famous local and Shape bicycles' rider Jems Muller himself. The end of this line has been also reviewed, it worked really well now. Several riders warmed up on Frelon and Tac, light went more and more limited, the end of the session was approaching. Fire was lighted up, the pub of la Source turned at full speed, the pre jam night fever was on !
Saturday, September 7th, official day of the jam. Before going to the trail, I went to a DIY skate spot, which enabled me to warm on 4 wheels (thanks a lot to the locals). Back to the trail at midday, everyone was chilling on the official parking, Bruno was cooking, on the other side the final touches were in progress at the trail. Session began slowly, more riders were on site, Tac and Frelon were the famous series of the day. On my side, I followed Flav and a friend from Swiss on Donut, before some rides with Pef on Lombric. Show was launched on the third jump of Frelon, behind the hunt of the trail, more and more riders were following each other. A Spanish rider threw some well done 3-6, a local from the UK Staff trail threw some spin too, much trail style oriented, the young JB was easy on every jump of every line, Titou threw a 3-6 nose dive - beautiful, Bruno rode all line and sent his famous turndown, Bentley was easy too, to make long story short, it was banger ! Session stretched until the night, people progressively stopped riding and started chill, getting ready for the evening concert, close to the BBQ and the pub (warning : this year, they offered soft drink for us and PJ - yes). We were victims of many provocations from the young JB, he made a stunt along with Bruno in a landing of Tac, big laughing ! The evening went on quietly, it was just fun, everyone told his summer trips, talking was about digging ... A real good jam evening !
Sunday, September 8th, early morning awakening and departure for Brittany at 8.30am, a bit difficult. On the road, I thought about this sunny weekend at Toulouse, with friends, a famous trail which keep on evolving, chilling moments while discussing with friends, at least a true BMX weekend : Thanks to the locals and especially to Jems Muller.
Thanks to PJ for the photos, if you want to see the whole gallery, go to Compression BMX