An electrician by winter, professional downhill racer in summer, and a bit of both in between, Adam Brayton is one of those riders that thinks and works outside the box, a grafter with an eye for invention and sometimes the unthinkable…
From Dirt Issue 120 – February 2012
Words by Steve Jones. Photos by Steve Jones.
We’d arranged to meet at Honister slate mine, but the call for an urban Americano pulled us in off the mountain and into Brayton’s hometown of Keswick. We’d already spent a few days prior scoping out some spots, the crane graveyard, rock fields…but the man of the Lakes gave us a prologue that had him touching down off a sixty to seventy foot booter just above the town centre. This, plus video memories of Brayton’s lurid slides, speed traps on the scree and gigantic airs in his backyard, meant I looked forward to the next few days of shooting with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
Having witnessed Brayton in action many times I knew to expect nothing but bravery, I was there when he launched into Champery World Cup in sixth place. And also down in San Remo 2008 where an assortment of pros had gathered for a pre–season training session. High overlooking the Mediterranean, and just before the track pulled from E–W to N–S, an outcrop slowed riders progress on all levels, many opting for the sheltered route to the side, others the safety of a halfway house type gap.
Not Brayton, thundering in at full tilt it was obvious the only way for this man was over the top. With an almighty clang and solid bit of Northern English excavation the outcrop was slayed and Brayton out of sight for the next horror show. It’s simply one example of this man’s steely conviction in attacking heavy rock traffic. Brayton…fearless.>>
