Andy Preston. The deep North and Manchester scene was overflowing with BMX talent in the 80s, and that’s where this guy started out his journey in the world of BMX riding. It’s so obvious that Andy Preston lands in the Hall of Fame — the guy was as 80s superstar BMX freestyler as you’re gonna get, although he probably hates that term, both then and now. But it’s true, Andy Preston was absolutely one of the leading freestylers in the early days of UK BMX. You’d see the BMX Bi-Weekly trick team — Andy and teammate Mike Pardon — in every issue of that magazine for years. Multiple magazine covers and a pic in the infamous Freestyle Magazine first UK scene report.
Andy was overflowing with sponsors and soon went on to put out his own products with AP, distributed through then big-time BMX distro Ron Kitchen. Andy and Mike were often on the road with their quarter pipe hitched to the back of Andy’s Land Rover, demo’ing around the UK. He featured on multiple TV shows throughout the boom days, and he and Mike Pardon even scored their own slot on a kids’ Saturday morning breakfast show. Set to the hippest sounds of the time and a cool backdrop, they somehow managed to still make BMX look good!
By John Dye
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