Havent heard the name Andy Oldham for a long time,when he quit I remember going to his house,think I bought redline flights,pair of vans etc,still remember his factory reynolds 531 hand made raleigh,weird geometry ,very long seat post,looked odd,but very nicely made,would get the "burner world" guys hot under the collar.
Ribby Hall 84, NBMXA NATIONAL, Id only been racing a month or so, seen all the names in and faces in BMX ACTION ,BI-WEEKLY etc,turned up at Ribby and all the factory teams started turning up,Ammaco Mongoose,GT,DiamondBack and the like,I stood there gawping like Id seen my first pair of tits,well I was only 10. I met Andy Ruffell a few times at different avents around the NW and later at the Nationals,he was always a really sound guy,never big timming it like some other top riders.
be carefull there mate i told tim march he was a big time charlie bitd it got messy on another forum think he might TRY and kick my arse if he ever catches up with me!
Andy was pretty Factory back then around 82, 83, He had that custom bike made in Ilkeston near were i lived . I wanted to ride for Raleigh so bad! ha ha
Trev Robinson,i remember seeing him in the mags,and finding out he lived 5 mins from me.Strated saying hello at the local trails,and then became really good mates.Used to practice with him on a makeshift track in Coventry,with a 2 man gate that Frank Tennant had made when he worked for Massey Ferguson.When i lost my sponsor,Trev give me grips,tyres,and lifts to the races.When i bust my Curtis,Trev loaned me an aero pro burner,that i never gave him back,ooops.He always had time for everyone,and treated everyboby the same,whether they were a fellow pro,or a young kid on a burner.Still see him,and in all honesty,he's living proof that taking care of yourself and eating properly has its benefits,cos he looks just the same now 25 years later.TOP BLOKE!!
