Features

FIRST LOOK: Martin Grainger

Words, Photography & Video by: Scott Connor

Two wheels, one wheel or no wheels at all, Martin has got all bases covered. He’s a gentle giant. Forever keen to ride, be it street, skatepark, carpark or even a day at the trails. Bike control, bike control, bike control. People from outside the Brighton scene always ask me, “is that the manual master dude?” Along with being a great person and a great rider, he’s also very creative – he’s a talented illustrator and photographer. Heavily involved in the McVitie’s biscuit scene too… – Scott Connor

Full Name: Martin Alan Grainger

Age: 24

Occupation: Web content guy at Evans Cycles

Hometown: Reading

Current City: Brighton

Years riding: 5 or 6

Top three riders: Trey Jones, Eric Lichtenberger & Simone Baraco

Martin, first up, how’s life? You just got back from Amsterdam, how did that trip go?

“Yeah everything is pretty chill, just working and riding and then finding time for the motorbike and other side projects. Amsterdam was cool thanks dude, it was just a little weekend trip away with my girlfriend because we hadn’t be away for a long time and all I’ve been doing is going out riding all weekend every weekend before the bad weather gets here, haha.”

You’re from Reading, right? When did you make the move to Brighton and how’d that come about?

“Basically, I grew up in reading until I went to uni in Birmingham and then after that I moved back and knew I needed to get out of there for a change. It was between Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Brighton, my main deciding factor was riding and with the attraction of seeing stuff like the first Brighton ain’t ready, the what was brand new level skatepark and just a generally easy going city, what is there to not like? This city is so good, there’s always something going on and it was definitely one of the better choices I’ve made. I think I’ve been here now for just over 2 years now.”

When I first moved down here, I was surprised with the amount of pegless, transition pumpers on the south coast. How does the riding scene in Brighton compare to back in Reading?

“Haha, there wasn’t really much of a scene in reading, I mean a few groups of people who rode a few parks but I got into riding a little later and it was basically me and a couple of mates and we would go ride some curbs or just ride around searching for street spots. Since going back it seems a lot better now with more parks popping up and since SCUK opened in the town as a local BMX shop it’s only getting better… Brighton however really is something else! I had to get to grips with the fact that there was ALWAYS someone about riding or up for a shred. And with the level being centre attraction it’s usually pretty easy to find them. I love the fact that every evening after work and every weekend you can just ride, and it’s always a good session!”

So, on behalf of everyone who’s ever seen you ride, I’ll ask this question. How the f**k did you get so good at manuals?

“Haha thanks, but I don’t know it just sort of happened you know? I don’t have a lot of tricks so I guess what you do do, you should do good, right? Haha But really I think it’s from riding mountain bikes when I was younger, it was all balance and then I started riding Bmx and we just had lots of curb and car park sessions in reading.”

Biscuits, some would say your are a connoisseur of the crunchy snack and others have mentioned that they worry about you and biscuits. Give us a rundown on your all-time top 3?

“Man you know I’ve been trying to cut down haha, I’ve just come off of a month off of sugar, but anyway …top 3? I’ll try and cut it down to top 5…
-Chocolate malted milk, current fave…
-Chocolate Hobnobs, the classic.
-Mcvities chocolate orange digestive, anything chocolate orange is a winner.
-Cadburys chocolate shortbread, need I say more?
-Mcvities triple chocolate digestives, a recent discovery
And abroad, I’ve seen you can get chocolate covered Oreos, it’s like a holiday special, hahaha.”

Besides being a stylish rider, you are also pretty creative. Did you study illustration at university?

“Yeah. so I studied photography up until I got to uni and then last minute I decided I wanted to mix it up and moved to illustration. The course I studied was like a 3 course mash so I got taken in for photography and then I just decided to expand my skill range and a little challenge would be fun. I have always drawn stuff and when I moved down I actually managed to do the poster for the local park jam, it’d be cool to eventually get more illustration work but all in good time aye!”

For those who don’t know you personally, I can testify that you’re a keen photographer. You recently put together a little photography zine. Are you planning on another instalment and where can people see your work?

“Yeah, so I decided it would be cool to do something that everyone could actually have and keep. So I’ve been working on a little zine, shooting photos and documenting goings on. I want to release it together with a t-shirt that I’ve hand printed myself, it should be ready soon I’m just being picky. And then after that I just want to try and keep it going, release them as and when I feel I’m happy with them. For the next one I want to include some illustration, maybe some writing and then just print more clothing and prints. If anyone is interested seekersoffun.tumblr.com or via ‘the gram’ haha @martinalangrainger, when it’s ready there will be a link on both of them.”

Before you return to the cupboard for another packet of McVitie’s, would you like to give any shout-outs, spiritual advice or even abuse?

“Haha yeah, shout out to all of the Brighton crew, my girlfriend Carley, you Scott for giving us this opportunity, Dan, Sam, James and Charlie in Reading, my Mum and Dad and then extra thanks to Mad Jon, Mike King and Ben Green!

Eat biscuits, ride bikes, be nice and have fun. Good things take time.”