Two of the world’s top stunt bike riders thrilled shoppers in Wrexham.<\/p>\n
They put on a spectacular show at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre where, for once, riding in a pedestrian area was greeted with cheers of delight and applause.<\/p>\n
The Animal Bike Tour 2012 included a heady mix of incredible skill, control, balance and the sheer daring of two of the world\u2019s top stunt riders.<\/p>\n
The show was put on to celebrate the opening of the lifestyle fashion shop, Animal, at Eagles Meadow.<\/p>\n
The stunts were performed within a cordoned-off arena crammed full of impossibly high ramps and obstacles specially erected outside the Animal store.<\/p>\n
According to Robin Kitchin, Animal Bike Tour 2012 manager, the show was something Wrexham had\u00a0never seen before.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWe were delighted to get the call to come to Eagles Meadow and the guys, world champion trials rider Martyn Ashton and top dirt jumper Blake Samson, wanted to put on a real show.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur last job before coming here was performing at the British Formula 1 Grand Prix\u00a0 and we spent all week getting the rig and bikes cleaned and checked due to all the mud.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, Eagles Meadow is a fantastic venue and the crowds of people packing around the arena to watch the guys go through their paces and routines has been phenomenal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tour is now in it\u2019s 10th year and as well as showing off the incredible skill of riders such as\u00a0 Martyn and Blake, it\u2019s also about promoting BMX riding and being fit and active.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Mayor and Mayoress of Wrexham, Cllr Ian Roberts, and his wife, Hilary, were in the crowd to watch the first of four performances by the Animal riders throughout the day.<\/p>\n
Cllr Ian Roberts was amazed by the skill and sheer daring of the riders.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cAbsolutely spectacular, there\u2019s nothing else you can say. Yet again Eagles Meadow has brought us something different.<\/p>\n
“It was fantastic to see so many youngsters enthralled and inspired by what they were witnessing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is absolutely brilliant to see events like the Animal Bike Tour 2012 come to Wrexham and it\u2019s fantastic to see so many people obviously enjoying something different right here in the heart of the town.\u201d<\/p>\n
The show certainly got the thumbs up from Ysgol Clywedog pupils Charlie and Lewis Jones, Taps Kamutasa and Taylor Dodd-Jones, all 12.<\/p>\n
Charlie said: \u201cIt was awesome, amazing. I\u2019d love to be able to do stunts like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taps agreed, and said: \u201cI never thought you could get that high on a BMX. It was the best thing I\u2019ve seen!\u201d<\/p>\n
World champion trials rider Martyn Ashton, who hails from Berkshire but now lives in Margram, South Wales, said the Eagles Meadow crowd had been brilliant.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIt always helps if you get a good enthusiastic crowd cheering and clapping you on and we certainly had that here in Wrexham. It was awesome and I hope we have put on a show that everyone enjoyed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fellow stunt rider, Zimbabwean-born Blake Samson, who now lives on the Isle of Wight, added: \u201cI really got a good feel about the show. It\u2019s great when you get a good crowd who clearly enjoy what we are doing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have really enjoyed the day at Eagles Meadow the atmosphere has been absolutely brilliant and I hope everyone has had a good time and enjoyed what we do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eagles Meadow\u2019s Animal store manager, Jenna Ihle, says the event proved to be a huge success.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cIt\u2019s been a fantastic day and proved a real boost to trade. Everyone has been buzzing about the stunts and talking about the amazing riding skills of the two guys.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a store we are relatively new to Wrexham and it\u2019s about getting our name and our brand known. Since we opened a few months ago we have been doing well and more and more people are coming back as repeat customers.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday has helped us improve our customer base and let people know what fantastic sports-inspired clothing, watches, wetsuits, technical outwear, eyewear, footwear, luggage and accessories we have for sale.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eagles Meadow Manager Kevin Critchley saluted the skill and sheer courage of the stunt riders.<\/p>\n
He said: “This was an exhilarating show of fantastic stunts which left the crowd spellbound and amazed. It was utterly brilliant.”<\/p>\n