Red Bull Hardline was back for its 10th anniversary last weekend. Last year’s cancelled event upped the stoke for this year’s iteration, and I was extremely excited to make the trip to finally witness it with my own eyes.
This was my first year visiting Red Bull Hardline, nestled in the Welsh valleys just around the corner from Dyfi bike park. We have all seen the photos and videos of the gnarly features at Hardline, so I thought I would try to give you the experience of a spectator at the event.
Heading out of the carpark you scan your ticket and enter the Hardline finish field. This is where all the riders have their own pit, here you can watch all the team mechanics working away setting up the bikes, and if you hang around then you will see the riders coming through as they finish their runs.
Walking up the hill you are greeted with the boner log into the final two jumps before the Hardline finish. You can then cross the track into the trees, up a steep slippy incline that leads to the famous road gap. I have seen hundreds of clips and shots of that road gap, but nothing prepares you for what it looks like standing there. The wind noises the riders make midair is nothing like I have ever heard before. Massive props to the female riders this year as well for ticking off that feature for the first time – it is no joke.
A further slog up the hill leads you to the biggest jumps on the Hardline course, and undoubtedly the biggest in the whole of the UK – the 90 footers. Any jump with a windsock next to it speaks for itself! After a 2-hour delay to the event due to wind, being up close and personal with these jumps you can see why.
The whole top section above these was out of bounds for spectators. However, there are still loads of features accessible to the public, often right next to the track.
We started off watching the Hardline race here for the first handful of riders, then speedily worked our way back to the finish field for the last riders. In the rare roasting Welsh sunshine, the atmosphere at the finish line was electric. Watching the race unfold from the big screen and then seeing them finish in front of you is a terrific way to experience the tense racing. With the fans concentrated towards the lower section of the hill, the atmosphere was great!
The racing was super close, with favorite and newly crowned Red Bull team rider Ronan Dunne taking the 2024 Hardline Wales win. With the last few riders taking time off from the previous and constant rotation of the Hot Seat, it made for some incredibly exciting racing. I think it’s safe to say that everyone was stoked to see Ronan take the win – that guy is seemingly unstoppable at the moment but is still super nice and humble with it.
I would strongly recommend that anybody who is thinking of going to watch Red Bull Hardline does so. Seeing how far those riders are pushing the sport in person puts it into perspective, and the atmosphere was incredible. While the online live stream and replay is great to watch, nothing compares to being up close.
I cannot wait to get home and ride my own bike. Although, I will likely stay away from any 90-footers for now.
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