DIRT ISSUE 132 – FEBRUARY 2013
Words by Mike Rose. Photo by Ed H
Who is Martin AstleyHe’s a regular guy with an obsession for anything with two wheels.
Where do you live?Bristol, UK.
What’s your job title?Hotlines Marketing Manager.
What do you do?I look after all aspects of marketing for all of the brands in the Hotlines portfolio. It’s a pretty big task as we have a lot of brands and some really big brands too – Lapierre, Nukeproof, GHOST, NS bikes to name just a few. I basically oversee everything from sponsorship to advertising, events, product placement and much, much more!
How long have you been working for Hotlines?Two and a bit years.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?That’s a tough one, I’ve had some pretty crappy jobs. Probably picking dried poppies for 50p an hour.
Where’s your favourite place?Anywhere with great trails, all my friends and good weather.
Where’s your favourite place to ride?Really hard to pick just one. British Columbia is pretty unreal, but this year I finally got to ride in Liguria in Italy which has incredible trails bike trails.
When are you happiest?I always like to have a plan and a goal. I’d say I’m happiest when I’m succeeding in achieving my goals.
What makes you angry?Pretty much everything these days.
What makes you happy?Sunshine, riding bikes, friends and family.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?I tend to get quite stressed and my dad once told me to put all my worries in a box and lock them up at night. It’s good advice but I haven’t perfected it yet.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever given?Go and spend a summer in Whistler.
What are your extravagances?I’m not a particularly extravagant person. I guess bikes and trips away to ride them.
Who do you admire?Anyone that has the determination to set a goal and achieve it no matter how hard it might be.
What’s the most important thing in your life?My girlfriend, friends and family.
What would you never throw away?My girlfriend, friends and family!
What’s your greatest fear?I’m not really scared of dying, more of not being able to live anymore. Does that make sense?
What’s the first thing you do in the morning?Check my emails.
What’s the last thing you do at night?Unfortunately….check my emails.
What would be your dream meal?Sat at the bottom of an epic loamy trail somewhere by the sea. It would be a giant buffet of barbeque, pasta and pizza with loads of gelato to finish off.
What things do you always carry with you?I’d like to say wallet, phone and keys, but I forget at least one of them more often than not!
Do you have any regrets?Yes.
What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learnt?Most of the time in life you should do what your instinct tells you is the right thing to do.
If you could have dinner with three famous people (dead or alive) who would they be?David Attenborough, Nelson Mandela and Johnny Cash.
Who is your favourite rider?Duncan Ferris, the most naturally talented rider ever.
What’s your favourite bike product of all time?Disc brakes made a pretty huge difference when I got my first set.
What’s your least favourite bike product of all time?I had some crappy Avid V-brakes as a kid that cost a fortune and didn’t really work
What’s your favourite motto or saying?Smash it.
What saying do you use too much?“Nae Bother”, I work with a bunch of Scots.
What bike are you riding at the moment?Lapierre DH Team, Lapierre Spicy 916, Lapierre X–Flow 712, Lapierre Xelius 400 FDJ, Deity Cryptkeeper and I have just borrowed a Lapierre XR 529 my first proper go on a 29er and I have to say I’m pretty amazed.
What was the last magazine you read?DirtRag.
What are you listening to at the moment?At this very minute, Flogging Molly.
What one thing would you change about yourself?I’d be taller.
What are your weaknesses?I’m pretty intolerant.
What does the future hold for you?Hopefully a bit more bike riding than I’m managing at the moment, and a little surprise I’m working on.
What does the future hold for mountain biking?Hopefully better access to more great trails.
How would you like to be remembered?As one of the good guys.
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