Guide
Cycling has been a passion for me since I was given my first racing bike for my 13th birthday. With it I was able to leave the confines of home with purpose, to explore my local area and beyond for the first time – something of a risk for children of today’s parents perhaps! I rode competitively for my local club in South Croydon for a few years in my later teens, but took my love of cycling further afield soon enough, solo bike touring in central Africa, South America, China, Tibet and Nepal, as well as countries closer to home in Europe with friends – yep, I know what climbing those Alpine cols takes, I promise!
In between, I muscled my way into the dark underbelly of mountain biking, unavoidable with the North Downs on my doorstep and the South Downs just down the road. My love of the dirt exploded during my stint teaching at a school in Northern Scotland, where I took myself away to the numerous trail centres and into the wilderness whenever the opportunity arose – frequently! During this time I also had the privilege of introducing some of the kids to the basic skills of mountain biking too, making use of my trail cycle and mountain bike leader training.
Moving back down South 5 years ago meant a natural return to the road bike and I get out on the tarmac as much as I can, although I like to think I have my feet in both disciplines still. I have also returned to undertaking some serious bike touring too – more recently I solo toured the Karakoram Highway and other silk routes through Pakistan, China and Kyrgyzstan, and a circumnavigation and crossing of Iceland – both trips on my trusty custom-built Roberts ‘Rough Stuff’ tourer.
Basically, I adore cycling…it’s in my blood! I am excited and feel privileged to be guiding for Marmot this summer. I am looking forward to meeting and working with and for each and every one of my clients this summer – and it’s surely about time I pass on my experience and passion for the bike!
What our clients say about Matt…
Matt is a real personality and makes a huge effort to include all. An ideal guide. G Sanford. Classic Cols of the Picos 2019
Very helpful and encouraging helped sort out a couple of things with my bike very competently. M Craig. Classic Cols of the Picos 2019
A professional, enthusiastic, eager-to-please, ever-helpful, hard-working, always willing, top-quality addition to the Marmot guide team. Hang onto him! J Hutchings. Classic Cols of the Picos 2019
What a great guy, always positive, always supportive, showed empathy for my injury and encouraged me on, the answer was always “Yes, how can I help”, customer service at its best. A Roberts. Classic Cols of the Picos 2019
