1x10: Davie Lines

Davie Lines. Photo: The Press Room

1. Can you introduce yourself and let our readers know a little bit about you?

I’m Davie Lines aka (Wavy Davie). I cut my teeth in MTB and Cyclocross from the age of 16 before moving over to the road in 2008  where I rode for Endura for a few years then MG Maxifuel and most recently Starley Primal. I rode the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi on the Road and Track Endurance events and I’ve got almost every color of medal in every Scottish Championship that I’ve ridden. I’m now using all my experience to start up a coaching business with my good friend Gary Hand called Espresso Cycle Coaching.

2. How long have you been involved in cyclocross?

Since I was 16 I’ve always been a regular, although it’s changed days now! I remember there was 20 of us in a field on mountain bikes. I’ve been a lot more involved behind the scenes in the last 5 years since Franco and I decided to dabble into the organising scene. I think it’s amazing to see the change in the last couple of years. 

3. What got you into the sport in the first place?

Generally all the MTBers used to do it in the winter just to keep a bit racing going.  There wasn’t a lot of races in the XC scene in Scotland, maybe 1 a month so it was nice to have something else to look forward to at the end of the season.

4. Can you remember the first CX race you went to, and how did it go?

I’m sure it was Glenrothes and at the time we went through the river and then up a set of stairs that were too big and muddy for my wee legs. It was a shock to the system  but I think I managed top 10. I liked the fact that it was short laps and really close racing.

5. What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen at a cross race?

Gotta be the Sunday race in Mull!  A posse of hungover adults dressed in Xmas costumes smashing round a beautiful castle like a bunch of kids!  Or Franco trying to cook porridge!!!

6. What’s the most embarrassing thing you've done at a race or riding, on or off the bike?

When I was younger, Me and Brendan Milliken were up Falkirk Town Centre on the MTBs on a Saturday and we came down this hill at the church towards the bus stops at Asda and I wiped out into the bus stop and took everyone with me. My chainset dug into some old wifey’s leg and I tore the butt out my shorts!

7. Do you have a favourite course, either to ride, or to spectate?

I’m being biased but my favourite to ride is Callendar Park. We’ve built it to be as ‘cross specific’ as we can and were usually lucky enough to have good weather. Spectator wise I think that Dig in the Dock has a great atmosphere and also once Rouken Glen has a few races under its belt then it will be pretty cool too. It has  a nice Arena feel to it and is good for watching most of the race.

8. Are there any riders you particularly admire?

Professionally it’s gotta be Sven Nys. On the Scottish Scene then there’s not one specific rider that I’d single out but I do admire all the folks that travel long distances to the races. Not only do they travel but they hang about after their race to watch the other races. We need more people like that to make a day of it, stay and watch other races, learn things, chat to people. That’s what makes the whole cross scene the best racing events in Scotland!

9. Any particular highlights from this season?

Finally winning the SCX Series, I’ve never fully targeted the series but at the end of the road season I really focused on it and trained hard, made sure all my kit was perfect and it all fell into place. Also having a good ride in the Durham National Trophy finishing 11th.

10. Finally, what are you looking forward to in the last few races of the season?

I’ve got the British Champs at the weekend so was hoping for a top 10 in that but I’ve been ill since the race at Plean and missed a lot of training. I’ll start training for the road season after that so the other cross races will be good to give me a bit of a mix through that.

Special thanks to Primal Clothing, Salice Glasses, Zyro for the Giro kit, Pedal Power in West Calder for the bikes, Wheelsmith for the wheels and Starley Bikes for the Prototype.