1x10 Interview - Jim Cameron
Can you introduce yourself and let our readers know a little bit about you?
Jim Cameron - A cyclocrossing, road riding, trail running, illustrating, home brewing, whisky drinking islander living in Glasgow. Founder of Albannach, a Scottish Cycling Design Thing, Sgiobair of SR Albannach and organiser of RGCX.
How long have you been involved in cyclocross?
7 years this season I believe.
What got you into the sport in the first place?
One of my best mates, a former junior Irish 'champion', invited me up to Glenmore (the VCM two day at Aviemore #scxrevival), I took my mountain bike and got completely pumped. I was hooked though and the following week I started scrapping around to Frankenstein a cyclocross bike together. At the end of each season I long for the next one. This year I'll be sporting my new Albannach d-CROIS, a SRAM Force 1 hydraulic disc brake machine tarted up in purple Hope parts. A bike ill befitting a man of my skill set.
Can you remember the first CX race you went to, and how did it go? Ah, see number 3. It was a really rude awakening. The first time I was confronted with barriers I'd no idea what was going on. Nowadays I like to think portage is the strongest part of my racing arsenal.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen at a cross race?
At the 2012 World Chamopinships in Koksijde, just before the Juniors race on the Saturday, I witnessed a Dutchman tactical boak into is orange morph suit, while wearing it. I say tactical because I assume he was ensuring that he did not dirty the hallowed sand pit. The Dutch CX fans are on another level crazy.
What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve done at a race, on or off the bike?
Ah that's easy, last year at Auchentoshan I had a proper sugar crash about 45mins in. Needless to say, Rab #tuneup Wardell was on course to lap me. I was in the arena area when it was announced that our race leader Rab was coming in for the win. I thought "sweet I can stop, he'll lap me and I'll quietly finish unnoticed". As I came down the finishing straight I was totally blinded by the low winter sun and lost where the line was. You know what happens next, I got in the way of Rab's victory shot and karma meant I'd be out for another lap, hence the very last person to finish.
Do you have a favourite course, either to ride, or to spectate?
There are so many great courses in Scotland, I love getting up north for Knockburn, getting back to Mull for my homegame; Cally Park and Dig In are a lot of fun too but my favourite course to ride is Irvine. That's a proper tough course. I'd like to say my race, RGCX but I've yet to have the pleasure of racing the beast I've cooked up. On the other hand I do think RGCX is the best to spectate at. A lot of the course development revolved around creating fun for riders and for spectators; the bowl in the middle of the park creates a natural amphitheatre for spectating and for checking progress of you competitors.
Are there any riders you particularly admire?
You have to admire MvdP, that guy is just shear class. That young and to come along to the Elites and just smash his extremely experienced counterparts was astounding. He's only going to get better. I also admire PFP greatly, she's in a class of her own and a total babe.
Any particular highlights from last season? I hosted two races last year. Initial plans to try and get a race back at Bellahouston had fallen through so I took over at Bute Cross last year in Stuart's absence. It was a very rough and ready race, no timing as such, and quite a stress to take on by myself (with the help of some pals and a troop of Walkers CC) though once the race kicked off and you could see how much people were enjoying it I knew I had to do it again. So once the opportunity came to host a race at Rouken Glen Park I embraced it. I was religiously up at RGP every weekend scouting out sections and linking them together to create a tough yet fun course. Hosting RGCX was absolutely my favourite part of last season.
Finally, what are you looking forward to most this season? SR Albannach has kicked off a bit this year, from last year it was really just a handful of us in the SRACX stagger hoops. This year it's an official club with a new spangly kit, distinguished from our road image with our cross spirit animal - Unicrois. I think we've around ten guys racing week in week out in our new kit so it's going to be exciting for all thing Albannach. I also always look forward to racing the new courses. we've quite a few new events this year which is great news for filling up our Scottish season from the start of September to the end of February.
