Andy Smith
Andy Smith@andycactus
I have always been passionate about bikes and life in the mountains, I bought a steel framed Stumpjumper 30 years ago when I moved to the Lake District from Yorkshire and have never looked back.
Bikes have always been part of my life, I’ve ridden off-road across Mexico, raced in the Megavalanche in Alpe d’Huez, ridden numerous 24hr races and taken part in the Tour de Ben Nevis.
I don’t stand still for long, I own and run a successful local design agency Cactus Creative Ltd., I am co-developer of The Factory in Kendal and I also own LakesMTB.
I started LakesMTB in 2015 posting images on Instagram and in less than 2 years we have over 21,000 genuine followers.
It has been said I change my bikes more often than most change their socks, I love riding natural tech in the Lakes, a regular in the Alps and I’m always looking for my next mtb challenge.
Snow Business 6
By Andy Smith - @andycactus
Three of us met at Staveley Mill Yard on a dank, drizzly, grey day. I arrived first and was quick to grab myself a coffee from More Bakery and pick my new favourite trail snack, the mighty Scotch egg. The lads and Sky the trail dog arrived within minutes and after quite a bit of…
Bit of a Bash 7
By Andy Smith - @andycactus
The Borrowdale Bash is one of the Lakeland District’s classics. Great climbs, great descents, great views and different every time you ride it. It’s a real favourite but can take up a big part of your day. This particular Saturday I was really short on time so decided to only ride a bit of the Bash – it still didn’t…
Sticks Pass Solo with a twist 8
By Andy Smith - @andycactus
There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, temperatures were mild and it hadn’t snowed for a good few days, so naturally I emailed my colleagues to say I’d be ‘working from home’ that day. I threw the bike in the back of the truck and set off for a solo mission. I’d been driving a…