Kinesis UK is my baby, I’ve helped it grow from 5 forks almost 15yrs ago to the solid and successful complete bike brand that it is today.
It’s been exciting to watch the brand grow, demand is high, [at times we struggle to keep up with it!] and the brand-allegiance, support and respect that it has gained from both riders, industry and media is astounding. Winning the BikeBiz ‘Bike Brand of the Year’ was a real high point for me [unfortunately my slightly unhinged picture seems to have become the 'face' of the awards this year] and I’m so proud to see the range, ‘looking like a brand’ on the site and at trade shows. It feels like it’s reached a real pinnacle.
I’m also extremely proud of my contribution to DMR and Upgrade & it’s brands as a whole through my ‘Creative Director’ role during the years, it’s all come a long way.
The future has never looked brighter for both Kinesis UK and Upgrade Bikes, but although Kinesis UK has become a major success and my name has become synonymous with the brand, I’ve recently realised that I need a new challenge and direction for the next chapter in my life.
The last few years have been full of changes, recent events, my Dad passing away being a major one, have made me realise that life is short, too short not to follow your dreams…I have had a big dream for a long time, that dream is to own a bike brand of my own and to make it as successful as the brands I have created and helped to build for Upgrade.
Of course, leaving a stable, well paid job running one of the best bike brands in the UK for a growing distributor may look crazy from the outside, it’s also pretty painful to leave the brand that I have worked on for so long, worried over every detail and have so many plans for. But, I wonder what is worse, taking the chance to follow your dream or burying it and looking back in 30 years and thinking “what if?..”
Now is the time to see if the dream can translate into reality, but I also feel a huge allegiance to Kinesis UK brand and I will be working with Upgrade in the future to help ensure it’s continued success.
Please keep in touch, your support has been phenomenal over the years and it’s really the riders that have made the brand what it is today. Support and feedback from our unique, UK riding community has always been something I’ve embraced and enjoyed, I love to read your stories of adventures and build plans for bikes and frames that I’ve designed, it really is the most inspiring and important part of the job for me.
BIG thanks and see you out there on the sun-dappled lanes and dusty trails…
Dom.