Video: K!LL H!LL

Various buildings made of concrete were on the increase in the Czech Republic during the era of communism. That’s why a skeleton track (think Bobsleds) was built near the little town Klasterec nad Ohri in the Ore mountains. The track is 1007m long, has 8 curves, 2 long straights, and was built in 1975. After the Velvet revolution in 1989 the track has become overgrown with a forest cover. The color of concrete has turned moss green. Some bumps and damaged parts haven't withstood the ravages of time. Nowadays the track is being preserved for a Czech Olympian and his summer luge training. However, it is also a drug addicts’ meeting spot and local weirdos like rambling around neighbouring forests, which is the place where no one wants to stay overnight. When we saw this spot for the first time it seemed crazy, just…K!LL H!LL. The track was discovered by photographer, Mila S. while doing a nude photoshoot and he made us think about breathing life into this place, at least for a while…

Test rides put a strain on my head. It was important to keep riding at a stable speed when entering banked corners so that I was able to return to the track smoothly (the track itself is only 1m wide and had 0,5m high and made of concrete barriers). The first bend was overgrown with moss. It was impossible to ride it in a relaxed manner because of its sharp radius.

Every now and then it’s necessary to check the shots out and if you have a feeling that you’re too slow then there’s the only option – to speed up (no matter how many leaves are on the track).

GoPro's Epic Mount was able to twist my neck very easily, especially on banked curves. It was attached to my dad’s (Big Gaspi) helmet from the 70’s. He used it when he was a rally racer at that time.

A face can be contorted like this when riding out of the curve and swallowing a bitter fly.

The new Fox 40 Fork (left), View of the track from 6meters up a tree (right).

Petr (USGarage.cz) took the Ford Ranger out of his garage and he was shuttling us up the hill.

One problem and only one second to make a decision. If your bike has a coaster brake and a chain falls off at the very beginning of the track, then there’s only one possible solution – throw the bike into the forest. I needed the chain to slow down and avoid serious injuries.

A closed road. We had a great chance to goof around with the car and Marty could put his camera wherever he wanted without worrying about other cars.

The last curve resembled some sort of "wall of death". It was crucial to gain enough speed and ride it smoothly.

Concentration on the next rides.

“You bull! (What the hell!)” the Zam team screamed. There were some metal props in the upper part of the curve and I could almost whack at them with my handlebars.

When filming the individual sections of the track the cameraman Marty required me to stop like a million times. I used a coaster brake and a concrete surface was rather old. That’s why my rear tire was pretty chewed up.

Light and shadow, shadow and light. I tried to distinguish the banked turns and their beginnings in these conditions. Someone who suffers epileptic fits could have one here.


The Zam I Leg All K!LL H!LL gang
Milos Stafek – Photographer
Big Gaspi – Technical support
Gaspi – Clown
Marty Smolik Muffin movie – Cameraman

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MENTIONS: @gaspi

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