British BMX Hall of Fame Podcast: Recent Episodes
britishbmxhalloffame.com
It’s been a long time coming, this podcast featuring my good friend Martin Murray, who had spent a few weeks in the US for DIRTYFEST and the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey. We recorded this episode at Robbie Miranda’s house in Huntington Beach while Robbie was hosting a BBQ, so expect a few guests chiming in with questions for Martin during the podcast. We delved into Martin’s early days in the UK, including his 4th place finish at the Brighton World Championships in 1996 in the Junior category, which kickstarted his pro career alongside his brother Stephen. Martin shared insights from his time in the US, including his battle with Dylan Clayton for the UK Pro/Elite title, winning the 4x National Series, and landing a Dirt Magazine cover with Steve Peat, who he now works with at Peaty’s. We also discussed some of the UK teams Martin and Stephen’s family managed over the years, his time at 6th form college with Scott Beaumont, Martin’s win at King of Dirt at the age of 13, trail riding, participation in Red Bull’s Empire of Dirt, retirement from racing, and more about his current role at Peaty’s. And, of course, we touched on how Martin’s brother Stephen is doing these days since moving back to the UK after his injury almost 20 years ago, and more.
It was great to catch up with Matt Barnard while he was visiting Huntington Beach for a family holiday. We met at his beachside hotel along with Paul Roberts to record a podcast. Matt has been deeply involved in BMX in the UK for 40 years, starting his racing journey back in 1984. Matt shares his insights into the various teams he has ridden for over the years, right up to his current involvement with Stay Strong. He also discuss some of the riders on the UK team alongside helping with team manager duties at the Nationals. We talk about the UK Nationals scene over the years, talk about the older amateur classes, and discuss some of the riders Matt has raced with, and his dedication to racing on flats for most of his 40-year career. We delve into Matt’s numerous trips to the US over the years, riding Sheep Hills and trails and his passion for competing in his 40s and more. PC: Kenny Hunter
Good to sit down with Clive Gosling over the weekend while he is in California for the week and catch up on everything GT since he took the new role 6 months ago as the global head of marketing for the brand. Clive talks about his history with GT that goes back to 1984 through the 90s and onto today and plans moving forward. We talk about GT’s Kye Whyte after his World Cup win going into this summer’s Paris Olympics, GT’s presence in the UK and France, some of the riders, programs and teams GT supports in racing. Clive also gives us his thoughts on marketing, branding, sponsorship, social media, MTB, Wyn Masters, Tyler McCaul and more. PC: BMX.Photos
This week, we hit the back of the Pod Van and recorded a podcast with the King of British BMX Trivia, Paul Roberts, and talked about the British National rankings in the early days of UKBMX and NBMXA. We go back to 1981, the first year of National rankings in the UK, and discuss some of the riders who got the Number 1 plates in both UKBMX and later NBMXA when they kicked off their National Series and the first-ever NBMXA British Championships at Derby Greyhound in 1983. We delve deeper into the mid and late 80s and touch on some of the riders – Pros, Superclass, Girls and Cruiser, and some of the names, Mark Watkins, Neal Wood, Lee Pickstone, Joey Gough, Pete Dymott, Jeff Dovey and so on, including some of the names winning those early NBMXA titles and featuring in the top 10 and more. Check it out on the British BMX Hall of Fame website or Spotify.
After 16 years with Chain Reaction Cycles and Nukeproof Team Manager on the UK and World Cup Mountain Bike scene, Nigel Page’s job has come to an end unfortunately while he was out here in California on holiday with his family. Nigel gives us the rundown on what happened with Chain Reaction and his program, some of the riders and amazing results they’ve gotten over the years and thoughts on moving forward. Nigel gives us his thoughts on the mountain bike industry as it sits today and, like BMX, in a tough place right now with brands, jobs and racing and the state of the bicycle industry. We also talk about the ESO, mountain bike DH World Cup, Enduro, Redbull Media, Rob Warner, Discovery Channel, e-bikes, bike technology, the cost of running mountain bike teams, rider salaries, DH MTB GOAT talk, racing mountain bikes in the snow, 4 Cross, mountain bike and BMX media. Nigel shares his love for all wheels including BMX, riding today and still being a huge fan and so much more.
I first met Steve Rooke at Redditch Trails back in 1997 when a bunch of us would go over to ride on the unused Redditch track, which was the home of the Anglo American Cup. Steve still rides today and was out in Newport Beach for the One Love Jam a few weeks ago, so he drove down to San Diego and we caught up and recorded a podcast for British BMX Hall of Fame. We talk about everything from Steve being a Redditch track local in the early 80s, going to Steve Wilson’s to get his frame welded, riding freestyle and flatland and UKBFA Comps. Steve talks about doing demos, the resurgence of the Redditch scene in the 90s, the Redditch Wheels Project, reforming the Redditch Premiers Club with Benn Thombs, Tim Print, Gary O’Connor, Scott Beaumont, Si Paton and Chris Taylor. Then there was the new Redditch track opening and David Duffield giving a speech in 2010, the long term goal for Redditch, Steve’s daughter racing and so much more. Shout-out to Steve not just for this podcast but also for writing a Redditch history timeline for the British BMX Hall of Fame program last year and helping us with the event. Check it out.
New Podcast with Paul Roberts talking about the 2nd Annual British BMX Hall of Fame that went down at The National Conference Centre and Motorcycle Museum, in Solihull on Saturday, Nov. 11th. Paul gives us his views on the event, the inductees for 2023 and overall thoughts on the 2nd annual event. Of course we touch on British trivia and history that Paul and I might not have been aware of. Don’t forget to check out our British BMX Hall of Fame Social Media and Youtube channel for more updates, stories, videos & interviews from the event. Check it out.
On this Podcast we catch up with Clive Gosling, who was out in California last week visiting from the UK. Clive has just taken on a full time position at GT working with the brand directly in California and gives us a little insight on the job and his own history with GT that goes back to the 80s and 90s, in BMX and MTB, right up to current times, working with the likes of GT’s Olympic Silver medalist Kye Whyte in the UK. Clive also joined photographer Kenny Hunter and I last weekend as we road tripped to Frogtown. We touched on the weekend and perhaps ideas for a Frogtown UK in the future. Paul Roberts joins us during the Podcast and talks about his own history with Clive that goes back to racing in London together in the 80s, the rivalry and both Paul and Clive being two of the guys that were part of the UK King of Dirt early days series during the Nationals, and some of the names that emerged from that series, including X-Games Gold Medalist Stephen Murray. It’s always comedy having Clive and Paul together. Check it out.
New Podcast posted and this time with a good friend of mine and lead singer of the Guana Batz, Pip Hancox. Pip talks about getting into BMX in the UK and racing at Eastway, Earls Court when the sport was in its infancy and riding with guys like Marcus Rich and Tim O’Shea. Pip tells us about leaving school in the early 80s, the start of the Guana Batz, touring, making records and traveling the World with the band. We talk about Pip meeting Guana Batz fan Neal Wood and his brother, moving to the US, his love for riding bikes alongside witnessing the Harry Leary and Chris Moeller fight in Reno. We touch on living in Temecula, training Motocross/SX riders, Coffee Club, touring Europe with the band this year, Van life and so much more.
While in England for the last few weeks I decided to switch things up on the Podcast front and record a quick Pod with both my mum and sister, Rachel, in the kitchen while mum was making Sunday dinner. My mum actually worked for Raleigh way back in 1960 and my mum gives us a ...
While in the UK over Christmas I headed over to Raleigh for a Tour of the Factory and recorded a Podcast with my friend Jason Boness, who I’ve known for a very long time. We talked about both Jason and his brother Jamie’s history in BMX who have been involved since the early 80s riding ...
After years of trying to get him to do one, Geth Shooter finally caved in and we just recorded a Podcast whilst I’m over in the UK. We cover a lot. Starting out riding for Two Wheel Service Bike Shop, Bunneys GT, Redline, GT, Titan and Free Agent (distributed by Raleigh) later on down the ...
The day after the Inaugural British BMX Hall of Fame event, I sat down with longtime friend Mr. Simon Dando and recorded a Podcast. We briefly talk about the Hall of Fame night, thoughts on how it went, and how cool it was seeing friends we’ve not seen in over 30 years and a few ...
We talk about Lee’s first race in 1981 at Southampton and showing up to the start gate without a helmet, we talk Westway, Hayes Track, getting on Kuwahara National, Ivor J Clark, Boogie Racing, Scorpion and later Hutch & Links. Lee chats about the guys he battled with, being the only British rider to win ...
Next up on the Podcast is one I recorded last month when I was over in the UK with Darren Reidy, together with Steve Keech and Mike Wong in the background with some insight. We talk about Reidy getting into racing in 1983 in the North West with his first race at the Chorley (John ...
I always love to do podcasts with friends who are not very revealing on social media about their BMX history/career, it’s kind of a mystery and in this case, it’s a total mystery as Mr. Andy Welsh is not on social media at all. I’ve known Andy since the mid 80s. He was in the age ...
This postcast has been long in the making with Clive Gosling as we wanted to do it in person, as we prefer with all podcasts. With Clive living in the UK and really wanting Paul Roberts (living in the US) involved – I still managed a solo hour conversation with Clive on this trip to ...
Quick Podcast with Mike Wong this past weekend at the South Champs and Tony Luckhurst Memorial race at Runnymede; a track and club itself which have deep history going back into the early 80s. We then catch up on The British BMX Hall of Fame, which is set to take place November 5th at the ...
Over in the UK at the moment and a great time to nail a few podcasts whilst here. Early this week I got to spend some time with Darren Wood and his family, hit some pump tracks and tracks around London and, of course, sit down and record a pod. When you think about the early UK Factory ...
Paul and I dig more into details of the nominees in the Pioneer Categories in Female Racer, Pioneer Influencer, Pioneer Male Racer and Pioneer Freestyler for the British BMX Hall of Fame with thoughts, background and info on all the 8 in each category. The Pod is now also on Spotify under British BMX Hall of Fame.
The British BMX Hall of Fame planning is currently underway and moving along nicely as we prepare for our first event set for Nov 5th this year. Andy Ruffell is in town so I thought it would be a good time to record a quick Podcast. It’s been a few years since we last did ...