Multiple Dirt mag cover star, rad rider, livewire, fun lover, laugh a minute and…finally he’s got a proper job…kind of. Olly Wilkins now sits behind a desk between riding sessions instead of sipping lattes all afternoon with the likes of Sam Reynolds and Brendan Fairclough. From team rider to Brand Manager, Olly is DMR through and through.
DIRT ISSUE 129 – FEBRUARY 2012
Words by Mike Rose. Photo by Grant Robinson
Who is Olly Wilkins?I wanted to think of something cool to answer this question with, because I always come across as a goon.
Where do you live?Milford in Surrey.
What’s your job title and how did you land the job with Upgrade?‘Brand Manager’ for DMR Bikes, but I also ride for the team. I’m in the early transition phase between being ‘young and interesting’ to ‘old and boring’!
What do you do?I really do a bit of everything. I ride dirt all the time, so I know what I want as a rider. I work with the team to come up with ideas, work on designs, product development stuff, test products, do photoshoots and video shoots, etc.
Tell us a bit about your history in bikes?I started riding for DMR when I was 17, nine years ago. I used to race DH and 4X and as soon as I got hooked up by DMR I concentrated on dirt. There was a killer trail ‘scene’ back then so I just rode at jams and dug at Milford and rode with my friends. We were a horrible group. Always a bit Dogtown about our spot, didn’t wanna share. I started working with photographer friends which would eventually take me to different parts of the world. Since then I have been riding and partying with the S4P (Sorry For Partying), and making lifelong friends from all over the world
How do you balance being a top rider and your ‘day’ job?Well thankfully for me I’m still valued as a rider by the company I work for. It means that the balance couldn’t really be better.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?Car counting, that was real shite. I got caught asleep on the job.
Where’s your favourite place?Any woods with all my friends, some bikes and some sun.
Where’s your favourite place to ride?The Compound, The Johnpound, Milford, Surrey hills, Wisley, I loved Halfjell too.
When are you happiest?When I’ve had a really good day riding with my friends. One where I’ve scared myself and made myself tired and I’m finishing the day with a film with my girlfriend…and I have a trip coming up…and I have money in the bank…and all my motorcycles start.
What makes you angry?I get bad road rage. The UCI XCE races!
What makes you happy?Bikes, matte–blacking stuff.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?‘Olly you should get a motorbike’, Brendan Fairclough.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever given?‘Sam you should get a motorbike’.
What are your extravagances?My motorbike, my girlfriend.
Who do you admire?My mother.
What’s the most important thing in your life?Fun.
What would you never throw away?My Honda Z50.
What’s your greatest fear?Regretting stuff.
What was your luckiest escape?I was riding a motorcycle down a country road in the pitch black with no lights on and my friend was doing the same going in the opposite direction, both at about 40mph. We crossed over with about an inch between us, no helmets. I was born lucky.
What’s the first thing you do in the morning?Look after my puppy. Make sure she doesn’t self–destruct.
What’s the last thing you do at night?I instagram a picture of my dinner and put #nomnoms in the caption (follow me @odub_23)
What would be your dream meal?I like sushi at the moment.
What things do you always carry with you?Phone, wallet, keys and chewing gum. And yes, they all have to be in the correct pockets.
Do you have any regrets?None.
What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learnt?If you are scared of doing something then pretend it’s a cartoon in your head and the outcome will always be OK. Even injuries are funny in cartoons.
If you could have dinner with three famous people (dead or alive) who would they be?I’m busy that night.
Who is your favourite rider?James Stewart.
What’s your favourite bike product of all time?The Brendog Vault pedal by…DMR.
What’s your least favourite bike product of all time?The 29er. More specifically, the smugness that comes with it. No one cares how fast your dad’s bike is. Nerd.
What’s your favourite motto or saying?S4P.
What saying do you use too much?S4P.
What bike are you riding at the moment?DMR Sect, DMR Bolt, Honda Z50, Kawasaki Z650 (it WILL start).
What was the last magazine you read?Dirt magazine son!
What are you listening to at the moment?My keyboard noise as I try to think of something witty to write in response to this question.
What one thing would you change about yourself?I wish I would shut the f–k up at times.
What are your weaknesses?I have different coloured eyes…I’m sure genetically that’s a weakness.
What does the future hold for you?More riding, bigger jumps, faster stuff, better trips.
What does the future hold for mountain biking?Bikes that are so efficient that they corner for you and never leave the ground. 32” wheels, narrow bars, oval chainrings, SPD seats, Urge helmets and straight, uphill trails…those fat bike things too!
How would you like to be remembered?A millionaire with a super hot wife and a monster truck.
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