The former World Cup Racer and Rampage rider Ben Reid is still known for his distinctive style some years after his active career. Nevertheless it has become rather quiet around him as a rider in the last years, because he has fully concentrated on his job as Team Manager of the Propain Dirt Sixpack World Cup Team.
Ben Reid is ready for some serious drifting action 5 years after his last video edit and with little to no time on a bike since he is now back on the big screen and whipping up a lot of dust and smoke! With his DRIFT skills in the legendary 1994 Peugeot 106, he could have competed alongside Ken Block! But he also shows on the brand new Propain Spindrift that he hasn't forgotten anything on the bike and is still one of the most stylish riders.
Ben Reid and the Propain Spindrift - a perfect combinationFor Ben, the video is something very special after so many years without riding. He noticed while filming that he still enjoys riding in front of the camera and wants to plan more time for it in the future. Hopefully this happens, so we can see more brilliant videos of him like this one.
| A few months ago during a stop off at Propain's HQ and a usual Propain style meeting (basically talking over a BBQ and some beers). I asked the guys if there were any ideas they'd like me to do with the team. Robert Krauss one of the company owners who is also the chief bike designer said they had a new Spindrift coming out for 2019 and he would like if I myself could feature in a video to show the bike.
For me it was the best thing to hear that even though I manage the team they still want me to follow my passion and get out on my bike. It was cool for them to step in and help me with any team stuff they could so I could set aside the time. Since my last World Cup season in 2013 I pretty much had to turn my back on any sort of 2 wheeled action to focus on running the team so I was a little nervous to get back on a bike, never mind have someone film it. After Andorra World Cup I drove the truck to Morzine for 2 days riding and blew out some cobwebs then got stuck into filming a couple of weeks later in Morgins and Les Carroz.
Even for the fittest of riders these are tiring days of hiking and riding fast and with only the fitness you get from sitting at a laptop for the last 5 years I owe a special thanks to Ben Siri (team road manager) and Andy McCullough (friend) for helping carry equipment so myself and Miles Mallinson (filmer) could make the most from the short time we had on the hill. Cheers to John (the eyeball) Lawlor for doing an awesome job on the intro as well.
A special thanks also to the new Spindrift, she was an absolute joy, all I had to do was steer and lean! Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for my trusty old Peugeot Ten Six, that yoke handles like a boat!—Ben Reid |
Credits:Rider - Ben Reid
Video - Miles Mallinson & John Lawlor
not that at one 106 could get there but I can confirm it is also safe at 120mph +
I was also thinking this would be a good ad for Thule.
i have the older Thule rack and that was great up to similar speeds to what you mentioned. on a trip through Germany obviously!
ep1.pinkbike.org/p3pb333712/p3pb333712.jpg
If you would know these guys...
It's realy worth picking your bike up at the HQ.
That Vid is f****** rad. If i only could ride my Spindrift 50% of him... #benthebeastread
Fun vid!
best vid in a long time, CLASS.
Oh and do this in a 205 GTI and then you can wheel out the word "legendary". Although the fact that the 106 stayed intact during this is pretty impressive.
Back to your original question, I think he kind of rolled into it. He used to be a privateer. Then he started the JustReid team with just him riding. Later another guy joined his team, I think it was Adam Brayton. And as the team got bigger (and became the Dirt magazine team) he probably more and more shifted into that manager role, simply because he had most experience doing that. But yeah I was bummed to see him quit racing, just didn't expect him to rarely ride his bike after that. On the other hand, I never understood how Claudio Caluori manages to do so much next to his role as team manager. I guess it is different for everyone.
"Running my mouth off", wtf? Enough with the e-anger.
Was animal sponsored for many many years, professionalised early.
About the non-riding. As someone who doesn't ride enough anymore, I can't get my head around someone not doing so when working in that world. Just surprised, no disparagement intended.
Yeah I understand your question. Maybe it was also some personal stuff. Though as I said it may just have been that out of the whole team, he had most experience managing a team so that turned out what he specialized in. It is kind of a trap in a way. A friend of mine started a company developing satellites for testing components in space (so that they don't mess up the actual more expensive mission if they don't perform). He started the company with some friends, then they got bigger and got more employees and he naturally rolled into the management role and got less of the more practical stuff to do. To actually design build the satellites, which he liked most. Eventually he quit the management board and actually became an employee again. Still an owner and working four days a week, more time for play. So I think he made the right decision but it isn't always easy for people to do. Especially if people depend on you and you can't find a replacement.
Hopefully this is a shift in the right direction for Ben. People love to see him ride and now that videos are equally (or even more) important for sponsors as actual race results, I hope he gets to ride more. At least this "off-season".
Could be that Reid is even more passionate about managing shit, to the extent that he has no time for bikes. Unless he is forced to ride as part of the managing job. They got him in the end...