From Dirt Issue 137 – July 2013
Words by Mike Rose. Photo by Ison.
Who is Matt Andrews?I am a forty something bike addict. I have been on two wheels all my life and I am lucky enough to work in the bike industry.
Where do you live?Colchester, Essex.
What’s your job title?Marketing Manager.
What do you do?I look after the day to day marketing for Ison as a whole and actively brand manage TSG, Renthal, ODI, Halo and Gusset. I also look after athlete sponsorship, which means I get to work with some great riders such as Sam Pilgrim, Blake Samson and Matt Priest.
How long have you worked for Ison?9 years.
How did you get the job?I used to work in Sales for Faze 7 and had good contact with Lloyd Townsend (MD of Ison). I bumped into Lloyd at a bike show and we got chatting…the rest is history.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?Supermarket shelf–stacker whilst I was a student.
Where’s your favourite place?Lake Louise, Canada or Venice, Italy.
Where’s your favourite place to ride?Anywhere with good friends. It’s as much about the company as the location.
When are you happiest?On my bike, snowboard, with my family or when Spurs win.
What makes you angry?Irresponsible people who fail to take responsibility for their actions, especially if they have a detrimental effect on others.
What makes you happy?Riding bikes of course! But also my family: when my boys tell me they love me it’s the best feeling.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?Think before pressing the ‘send’ button. This avoids apologising afterwards for an emotional rather than a rational response.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever given?Buy a bike, it’s fun.
What are your extravagances?Trainers and backpacks as well as anything Star Wars related.
Who do you admire?My wife as she is the best mother to our sons as well as holding down a high flying career in higher education. She keeps me on the straight and narrow.
What’s the most important thing in your life?Family.
What would you never throw away?My Star Wars collection.
What’s your greatest fear?Not being able to ride.
What was your luckiest escape?Not being shot by the army whilst riding motocross bikes (illegally) into Burma with four friends in the 90’s.
What’s the first thing you do in the morning?Make breakfast for the family and check emails.
What’s the last thing you do at night?Make sure my two sons are sleeping soundly.
What would be your dream meal?Curry.
What things do you always carry with you?Wallet, phone and memories.
Do you have any regrets?Nope.
What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learnt?Don’t regret anything but make sure that you learn from an experience and don’t make the same mistake again.
If you could have dinner with three famous people (dead or alive) who would they be?Dave Grohl, George Lucas and Adam Yauch.
Who is your favourite rider?Taj Mihelich.
What’s your favourite bike product of all time?Lock–On grips…but they have to be ODI’s of course! The originals and still unrivalled.
What’s your least favourite bike product of all time?One piece BMX cranks.
What’s your favourite motto or saying?May the Force be with you.
What saying do you use too much?I’m too busy!
What bike are you riding at the moment?Banshee Spitfire with 650b wheels – it is so much fun. Lively, light and very quick.
What was the last magazine you read?Decline (on the iPad).
What are you listening to at the moment?Foo Fighters, Stone Roses and Dropkick Murphys.
What one thing would you change about yourself?I would like to be less impatient.
What are your weaknesses?A little bit of OCD and lack of patience. I also spend far too much time on my iPad.
What does the future hold for you?The continuation of this wonderful life within the bike industry and watching my sons grow up into world class riders #pushybikedad.
What does the future hold for mountain biking?More emphasis on ‘real’ riding. Up, along and down.
How would you like to be remembered?A nice dependable bloke who was fun to be around.
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