Vanad Kondid’s Cosmic Adventure at Laagri Bowl.

July 23, 2024

Jaagup Mägi, bs grind.

At first glance, the Laagri Bowl is a deceptive mistress—smooth and inviting, like a siren calling you to the deep end. The bowl appears mellow, the kind that lulls you into a false sense of security before the madness begins. You drop in, riding the hip, reveling in the glorious sensation of two pump track bumps. It’s pure ecstasy, until you realize this ride demands more than just enthusiasm. Why not? While at it... You probably won’t pick up extra speed, though. Loose trucks are not just preferable—they're crucial.

Henri Berendsen, smith grind.

After a lap or two, the urge strikes—a wild backside grind, perhaps a frontside one if you’re feeling particularly unhinged. But brace yourself for the coping. Oh, the coping. It's not just out there; it's on another planet. A cosmic challenge that mocks your feeble attempts to conquer it. You’ll need reflexes like a cat on a hot tin roof and a heaping dose of luck. Another masterpiece, courtesy of our visionary builders, local geniuses, their craftsmanship a silent testament to their cunning. We won’t drop names—you know they know we all know.

Kristjan Eier, fs grind.

Yet, despite the cosmic coping, this little kidney-shaped bowl remains a proper challenge, luring us back every dry Monday. So far, the weather gods have favored us. Each week, the crowd grows—what began as a 40+ old fart session morphs into a beautiful 30+ freak show. And sometimes, adventurers from Finland appear, eager to test their mettle on Estonia’s smooth concrete waves, and inevitably, to facepalm alongside us.

words and photos, Nicolas Bouvy.