Dawid Godziek Conquers the Rails: The First Bicycle Ride on a Moving Train
In a remarkable feat of skill and daring, Dawid Godziek, the 2024 Slopestyle World Champion, has achieved a historic milestone in the world of mountain biking. In a pioneering collaboration with Prada, Godziek has accomplished the unthinkable: riding a bicycle on a moving train, executing some of the most impressive tricks in the sport.
The vision was clear: to build the world’s first mountain bike track on a moving train. Godziek, with his unparalleled abilities as a champion, made the seemingly impossible a reality. With a track width of 2.7 meters, potential gusts of wind, and limited reference points, the technical demands were immense, but Godziek’s skills were more than up to the challenge.
As Godziek explains, At first, I practiced on the track while the train was parked. When I felt confident, we put the train in motion and gradually increased the speed. 23 kilometers per hour was the right speed to match my riding speed and create the ‘freeze frame’ effect. That impression of a frozen background is very strange. Completing this course without any issues was much more difficult than it appears.
To perfect this historic achievement, the pilot made 15 attempts, finally capturing the desired ‘freeze frame’ effect that leaves spectators in awe. Dawid Myśliwiec, a creator of educational science videos, explains the science behind this phenomenon: It’s the principle of Galilean relativity. When a train moves at a constant speed in one direction and Dawid, who is moving in the opposite direction, maintains a similar speed, a camera positioned on the side keeps the cyclist in a static frame the entire time. It’s a bit like in the old-school computer games, where the background moves and the player always remains in the center of the screen.
Pushing the Boundaries of Cycling
Godziek not only rode the train, but he mastered it. His run included spectacular tricks, such as a double tailwhip, a frontflip, and the world’s first backflip on a flat landing from the stairs of the last wagon. Accompanying him in the filming was his older brother, Szymon, a seasoned freestyle mountain biker and a podium finalist at the Red Bull Rampage.
Szymon shares his thoughts on Godziek’s achievement: Dawid is now at the peak of his performance. In 2024, he stood atop the podium at the FMB World Tour events in Cairns, Innsbruck, and Whistler. I’m glad he continues to have a passion for doing unconventional things and pushing the limits, not just in official competitions. The Red Bull Bike Express project is a crazy and technically challenging one. I hope the video can inspire people to get into mountain biking.
A Feat of Engineering and Collaboration
The Red Bull Bike Express course was an engineering marvel, built on 10 train wagons provided by Grupa Azoty Koltar. It included 8 jumps, a roller, and a stair descent, all navigated by Godziek’s custom Specialized bicycle equipped with Continental tires. The filming took place in Upper Silesia with the support of PKP Polish State Railways S.A., and it was the first Polish sports project produced in collaboration with Prada Linea Rossa, providing Godziek with performance-enhancing apparel that combined comfort and functionality.
Conclusion
Dawid Godziek’s achievement on the Red Bull Bike Express is a testament to his exceptional skills, daring spirit, and the power of collaboration. By pushing the boundaries of what is possible in mountain biking, he has not only made history but has also inspired others to explore the limitless potential of their sport. This groundbreaking feat is a true celebration of the human spirit and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
