Industry Insights - Jamie Edwards
Industry insights is back! We are asking the all important questions to some of the faces that make it tick! Meet Jamie Edwards, the big boss at Wideopen Mag.
Who is Jamie Edwards?
Jamie Edwards is a boy who lives in Bristol, He likes riding his bike and is the big boss/editor at Wideopen Mag.
Give us an interesting fact about yourself?
I work full time, 5 days a week alongside doing Wideopenmag. In fact, all of us at Wideopenmag hold down jobs and families alongside what we do at the mag which I guess is a bit of a shock to most.
Whats your role within Wideopen Magazine?
I am the editor and I manage our team. My job I suppose is pulling the magazine together for publishing. I nag people for content and sort out all the advertising. I am also responsible for all the admin on the team. I do pretty much everything Wideopen except checking the spelling and doing the layout!
How long have you been doing your job and how has it changed over the years?
We’ve been doing wideopen magazine for about 7 years I think… Originally it was just me, a chap called James Hilton and a guy called Scott. We did it in our bedrooms and every year it has got bigger and better with more contributors. The biggest change has got to be this year when we printed our first issue which is a massive step.
You are stuck in a lift for the next 3 hours, you can pick 3 people to be stuck with you, who would it be and why?
Well I’m an only child so I quite like being on my own. I wouldn’t mind the 3 hours alone I guess but if I had to pick someone… It would have to be the 2 mechanics Chaz and Oscar to plan and sort the team for next year!
What bike do you ride?
I ride my road bike to work everyday! It’s a Specialized that I bought off Rich Thomas that previously he had used for world cup training. I have a Stanton Slackline Ti. Which we have on longterm test at the moment, which I ride a lot. I also have a Saracen Myst downhill bike at the moment!
There is also an Orange frame that isn’t built up that I trip over everyday as I get out of bed!
26, 27.5 or 29?
What are we talking about here? Age of girlfriends haha!
Currently all my bikes are 26… I’ve tested the Norco Sight 650b which didn’t feel hugely different to a 26” bike but it pedaled really nicely. 29” is cool aswell but for me it’s 26”
Tubes or Tubeless?
Tubes because I’m a faffy rider and a poor mechanic so it’s a fine line between being at the trails or having my bikes in 50 pieces in the car park. Tubes work perfectly for me at the moment!
Clips or Flats?
Clips on the road bike, flats on the mountain bike.
Whats the best thing about working in the cycle industry?
Meeting cool people, going to cool places and riding bikes in interesting places.
And the worst?
Bull shit on the online forums.
What’s the Best mountain bike product of all time?
The Mountain Bike? Wideopen Mag? MoreDirt! Angus McIntosh he’s pretty cool haha!
Dropper posts are up there for me or fun, mid travel, lightweight all mountain bikes.
And the worst?
Anything that people say is awesome that immediately breaks.
What’s the best piece of advice anyone’s ever given you?
Sponsor Laurie Greenland that was good advice! Actually running a race team was a great piece of advice!
Mark Noble gave us some advice that was to go ahead and print the magazine. That was great advice! Michael Boney or Orange gave us some great advice to make sure that you grow organically and don’t just charge in like a bull in a china shop and try to be as big as you can be straight away!
Its either Mark or Micheal I guess!
And the Worst?
Don’t worry about it let’s just drink all the cider and then ride home!
Who’s the most famous/influential person you’ve ever had dealings during your time in the Mountain Bike Industry?
Everyone’s so grounded and approachable so you don’t really think about it in that way… I offered Sven Martin a magazine in Fort William and he replied “I’ve already got one in my car” which was pretty cool.
What will be the next big innovation to take off in the mountain bike industry?
The next big innovation is free print magazines… haha
Everyone’s going to make 27.5” wheeled bikes for a bit I guess. In built strava might happen I guess. They could put a chip on your brain.
Have you got any sneak previews of something new that’s coming from in the near future?
Our next issue will be coming soon. It’s going to be another print issue with lots of UK content and some bits on trails. We will also have the Wideopen Mag end of season party!
Whats your best seller out of the products you look after?
Wideopen Mag!!
And finally…
In 10 years time what will the average trail centre warriors bike look like?
Light, long travel trail bikes with great angles. That’s what I’d like to see anyway!
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