‘Down for Life’

A week or so ago I was up in Sussex visiting my family and got a message from Mark Noble at DMR inviting me to join the staff to watch ‘Down for Life’, the film celebrating thirty years since DMR began. I’ve previously written about my tenuous link to their humble beginnings, but I’ll say briefly, they began in the back office of our little BMX shop in Sussex, where after a couple of years, we (being myself and best mate Dan Beamish) moved on, and well, they went global! However, after a 15 years hiatus, I really got back into my bikes again, starting with BMX Racing and then MTB back in 2016 and since then I’ve always ran DMR parts on my bikes, and watching this film with founder Damian Mason, (Matt was on holiday) I was so stoked to see how far  they have come,  and excited about where their heading, thanks to Matt Gray, their graphic designer and creative genius, who always loves to show me what’s in the bag for the coming months. ‘Down for Life’ is an epic journey of hard work, commitment and passion, that continues through their sponsored athletes, and is a must watch if you love bikes.  I for one love my bikes and I’m ‘Down for Life’. Thanks DMR. 

Proving that point, on that same day, the weather cleared, the super moon appeared, and with floodlights on our side; on a cold December evening, a session at the recently new Velosolutions Pumptrack in Brighton, well, ‘Hove Actually’, was well and truly on. When former Marketing Director at DMR/Upgrade, Rory Hitchens invites you to park at his house, as ‘it’s a stones throw’ from the track, you do that to avoid the endless parking meters and resident permit bays, because you never know what time the traffic wardens clock off, and more importantly, it actually is that close.  Even after a long day in London, Rory kindly graced us with his infectious stoke and warm winter man hugs telling us of the plans for events at the Pumptrack next year and I shall be heading up for sure.  I’d arranged to meet Tom Catton, full shredder and former digital creator at DMR, who rocked up on his Cargo Bike with jump bike in tow, with all manner of visually creative equipment in his panniers, and you can just tell by his mode of transport,  Tom is a full on, 100% bonafide bike lover.  Add to the mix a couple of teenage rippers, stoked on riding, and a twenty something  called Ben, who recently won the Brighton round of the UK Pumptrack series, and who can also lay down some of the sweetest berm to berm tables I’ve ever seen, this session was going to be pretty epic.  

Every now and then we get to experience the finest example of shared energy. When the ages range from 13 to 56, but the common bond is not age, but bikes. A machine, based on two triangles, two wheels, one gear, one brake and some components to suit, you have recipe for a simple thing that pleases simple minds, and this simplicity equals a huge amount of fun. 

Combine this with a perfect Pumptrack and you have the world’s finest gym and no need for a monthly membership. You’ll find a facility that will undeniably develop your bike handling skills, physical fitness and mental wellness. If you don’t believe me, do a lap and tell me if your heart rate isn’t maxed out. Ride two laps and tell me you don’t feel a little nauseous, legs like jelly and lungs extruding from the chest. Ride all evening and you’ll find yourself getting faster, leaning into turns, looking for your exits and your smile getting bigger while you’ll be thinking of nothing else but riding your bike. But look around you and there’s a community at this track, as there is at all pumptracks, that is so welcoming, and it’s obvious from this, and my previous visit to Brighton, that this track is also welcomed by the riders, they just seem really thankful, and pretty darn excited about things to come, and when a new rider turn up, they knew them and were stoked to watch them ride and share a few laps. 

My Thursday night session only ended when my legs, arms, and lungs would not work anymore, so half an hour before lights out, I called time before I hurt myself. Until that point, I’d ridden so many laps and got up to good speed for an ol’ bugger, but the highlight was watching a small group of locals ride. Taking multiple lines, seeking out transfers, the local crew are stoked on finding out what more this pumptrack has to offer. The endless possibilities of one line leading to another, gap after gap, and how much speed can they generate out of a turn and carry through rhythm sections. Pump tracks should be mandatory in every community as far as I’m concerned, and down here in Cornwall we are seriously left wanting. 

This trip, actually this one day was pretty epic. Bikes really do bring people together and the shared energy is infectious.  Thanks to everyone at DMR for inviting me to watch the film, and the locals the Brighton and Hove Pumptrack for making me feel so welcome. Thanks also to Tom Catton for filming and getting all these sick shots, and I’ll see you in the spring and look forward to the comp in 2026. 

Oh, and one thing is for sure if I forgot to mention it, I’m ‘Down for Life’.