The Illegal, Pie-Eating BMX Riders of Wigan

Evading the police in favour of a Galloways pie is actually something I expect of a slightly hypnagogic dream after a particularly stimulating day, but recently I got to experience the thrill of it for real. Joining WN Bikes, a not-for-profit BMX group based in Wigan, I got to experience my first ever street jam. For those unfamiliar with two-wheeled jargon, a street jam is a gathering of BMX enthusiasts, usually to scale staircases, socialise, and explore various locations that make for all manner of tricks and stunts.

Up until now, I thought my introverted tendencies had rendered me well-versed in the fear of missing out. Turns out, following a swarm of BMX riders whilst on foot redefines that a bit. Armed with a couple of cameras, a camcorder, and a distinctive lack of wheels, I made it my mission to immerse myself in the culture.

Beginning the day at Alexandra Skate Park, I was greeted by a growing group of enthusiastic attendees flying up vert ramps, half pipes, and even over the small picket fence that ran along the perimeter of the tarmac and concrete space. Set against the backdrop of a railway line, the clicking of spokes and distant conversation matted into a hum so nostalgic of summer days it almost brought back the sickly taste of whatever treats were in a 10p mix. With the unexpectedly glorious weather, it wasn’t long before t-shirts were pulled off and strewn on the floor, making the graffiti-covered, testosterone-filled park feel like one of my brother’s hangouts with his friends – one I was somewhat gatecrashing. I persevered regardless, amused by how many of the riders had their attention redirected by an old dog that teetered by.

It was refreshing to see such a diversity in the age range of attendees, and quite surprising to see how far people had travelled to be a part of this jam. Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Chester, and North Wales were some of the points of origin that morning. Despite being a tight-knit community, the geographical spread of BMX riders comes as a testament to the dedication they have towards the sport. For many, this was their first time in Wigan, providing the perfect opportunity to interact with the local culture – including the locally (in)famous Scholes Flats.

A stone’s throw away from Alexandra Park, the group headed up a small staircase on a rather unassuming housing estate. With a cheeky smile, one of the attendees reminisced of a time they loosened the railing at street level to allow for easier stunt access. Unbeknownst to me at the time, this staircase was en route to the equally illegal, yet much more daring location: the flat roof of REDACTED building. For onlookers, it’s hard to ignore a group of about 50 people staring towards the sky shouting words of encouragement, so it’s no surprise that these stunts garnered a bit of attention. It took a while for the brave volunteers to work up the courage to take the leap, and in that time it became increasingly clear that the police were on their way. It certainly sped up the process, which thankfully resulted in no injury more severe than a grazed knee, and once the rozzers made an appearance, I thought this (paired with the increasing communications from my stomach) was the perfect time to scarper. Slinging my many cameras over my outnumbered shoulders, I made an exit in the opposite direction, and set out on my butter-and-onion-flavoured side quest.

For me to take a neutral stance on the repeated police presence throughout the day would be a rather impossible task. I can acknowledge the risks being taken with such large-scale stunts like jumping from a rooftop, but in reality, the issue runs much deeper than the guise of keeping people safe. It seems BMX groups across the country are at war with all sorts of local authorities over otherwise “dead space.” No sooner are councils burning down DIY wooden ramps than riders are showing up with brick and mortar, often funded by independently made merchandise. The sense of community I witnessed from spending a few hours in this environment is the exact kind of community that can steer younger generations away from the kind of lifestyle that the police are employed to deal with. More experienced riders were offering advice to help younger riders improve their technique and help them to perform stunts safely, and the communication between the entire group made it clear that safety was the ultimate priority. The consistent intervention from police came with multiple accusations – trespassing and antisocial behaviour being the main two – but there are many other barriers BMX riders face in the eyes of the law. Many BMX bikes don’t meet the legal criteria of road safety, in some cases leading to confiscation even when they aren’t being used on the roads.

If disused land plots were welcoming of skateparks and ramps, like the one maintained at Alexandra Park, the BMX community would thrive. Having a safe space to practise, socialise and learn without the risk of being flushed out, fined, or in extreme cases, arrested, would allow young people to foster a healthy hobby risk free. Many riders were even practising adjacent skills, such as photography, videography, and apparel design – which are pretty valuable skills these days, especially in the eyes of potential employers. Investing in these safer spaces is surely in the best interest of everyone involved, including the authorities that would otherwise be dealing with these cases. Wigan Youth Zone is a primary example of how these spaces can change lives, and the rapport between the riders and the Youth Zone became clear when they exchanged bottled water over the fence as a means of beating the heat and keeping each other safe.

This exchange took place a mere minutes after the lads* had been competing to see who could scale the rail outside of Mesnes House Job Centre for the longest and farthest. Prizes were at stake, with each accomplishment being met with the offer of a more lucrative award for whoever could beat it. Amongst these prizes were hats, t-shirts, and even personal offers of cold, hard cash from competitive friends. The sense of encouragement and support was almost overwhelming, with passers-by and public transport onlookers bemused by the spectacle as we lined the pavements. Already on location number six, those previously unfamiliar with Wigan had probably seen more of the town in one day than some locals have in years.

Moving on to the final location of the day, a DIY park built by the BMX community, the true cultural experience awaited – a Wigan kebab eating competition, with pies provided by the best bakery in town. This thrilled me, as it presented the perfect opportunity for me to talk about my love of Galloways, even if I couldn’t participate as a vegetarian (and notoriously slow eater). Earlier in the day, a megaphone was produced, and from it rang the most glorious sentence a northerner could dream of: “We’ve just got word that the pies have been secured.” Surprised that the fastest time clocked in at just over two minutes, but relieved that the carbohydrates were being savoured more than they were choked back, I watched in amazement, experiencing record levels of local pride. It was like being possessed by the spectre of some regional mill worker; my generic northern accent dissolved away leaving behind a world beyond the confines of Ts and Hs.

As my camera battery dwindled, my social battery followed. After a few hours in the blazing sun, learning lots of new names, faces, and BMX lingo, I gave my thanks to those in charge of organising the event. In a post-pie comedown, I reflected on the day’s events, and decided that Wigan in’t ‘alf bad, sometimes. A bit of sun, socialising, and a Galloways pie might actually be the closest thing I’ll get to discovering the meaning of life. And you know what? I’ll take that.

*I say lads, because one thought that persisted throughout the day was how nice it would have been to see more women on the scene. It can be almost equally empowering and intimidating to be the only woman in a crowd of about 50 men – where are all the women on wheels?!