The Team Behind The Dream

Name: Richard Wilford (Dickie)

Role: Business Owner

Quote: You don't ask you don't get

Born: 1986

Born and bred in Cheddar, Somerset, home to the best cider and cheese in the world it's no wonder Rich is normally found post-ride with a pint of Thatcher's Gold and a full ploughman's! After spending many years living in Morzine he has now returned to the West Country and made Bristol his home and the base for Atlas Ride Co. 

Back in 1996, his dad bought him his first proper MTB, a Scott Rockwood with some Tioga riser bars, blue shark fin pedals and some RST 3.5's. After a few years crashing around the South West, the bike was ditched for the snowboard and skateboard and stayed this way until 2011 until after one epic winter in Morzine a friend lent him an Iron Horse Sunday and the rest is history!

Since 2012, MTB Beds has been life, the dream of combining his passion and work has become a reality. If he's not in the office plotting his next adventure or more realistically replying to emails he will be looking after his two daughters, out on his bike, on top of a mountain or more recently trying to catch Sea Bass on the Isle of Wight. 

With a huge passion for nature and the great outdoors alongside riding his bike this has pushed Rich to never stop searching for the next adventure that can be shared with our clients. Rich rides maybe faster than he should, can't jump for toffee, though this is improving! His passion for bikes and his business is unquestionable.

Name: Ben Richards (Benson)

Role: Operations & Co-Owner

Quote: Dog!

Born: 1982

Originally from Torquay, UK, riding bikes was always going to be part of his life. his Uncle opened a bike shop in 1996, so working as a Saturday lad and then full time mechanic, bikes (maybe girls too) were the only thing worth thinking about during the school and teenage years.

Moving to Les Gets in 2000 to work with the renowned JM (French/Australian Gordon Ramsay) for 5 years Benson did everything from washing pots to managing Hotel Le Boomerang. This was in the early stages of the mountain bike scene in the Portes du Soleil, kong before Crankworx, Pleney singles and the politics of today, fortunate to witness some of downhill mountain bikings great characters in their prime, historic moments and be part of the birth of many timeless trails.

After meeting a girl, a hiatus from riding in Australia meant career time, working for some Australia's top restaurants and wineries. A Morzine holiday in 2011 ignited the riding fire once again.

The experience of being part of the Alps number one bike hotel Le Boomerang became invaluable when he was approached by Seb at Le Cottage, to help turn the hotel into the icon it is today. Benson joined MTB Beds in 2013, helping Rich checking guests in and out on a Saturday. Years later, like shit to a blanket, Benson and Rich can't seem to get rid of each other, despite living on opposite sides of the channel. Europe is now home with his wife Tiffany and son Luca.

Name: Lewis Bulley (LOVELACE)

Role: Events & Marketing

Quote: ‘I’m starving!’

Born: 1991

Working across Atlas Ride Co & Atlas Ski Co, Lewis is lucky enough to dip in and out of both MTB & Ski as often as possible from his home base of Bristol. 

A relative late comer to MTB, Lewis’s first steps into off-road riding was with a motor attached to a KX60 back in 2002 (give or a take a couple years, it was a long time ago now!). After racing MX for 10 years, there was a long spell of travelling and working abroad, and it was only after returning to the UK in 2020 that Lewis got back on a bike, but this time a Specialized Levo (still opting for motors and not pedals…). 

Lewis’ first foray into skiing was a bit more conventional, putting on skis for the first time in Morzine on a family holiday in 2010. It still seems a bit surreal to him that all those years later after his first ever ski holiday in Le Petit Dru hotel, he now gets to share his love of Morzine and skiing with anyone looking to book a ski holiday. 

The face of Atlas Ride Co at summer events, you’ll probably bump into Lewis at Ardrock or local race series. Away from summer weekends away in various fields around the UK, Lewis likes to spend his time sampling crafty beers and strong coffees in Bristol, or possibly playing some golf, but only in fair weather…
 

Name: Gabriel Burgaz

Role: Host

Quote: Fried chicken Friday?

Born: 1998

My father put me on a bike when I was 4 years old and I used to go with him for pedals around the mountains of North West Madrid, since then I have always loved mountain biking. Growing up, me and my brother Inigo used to build little ramps with bricks and wood and loved trying to get the tyres of the ground, go down stair sets and little things that seemed rad at the time and got the adrenaline going. More friends got into riding and day by day riding was becoming a big part of our lives.

I did the senior year of high school in the USA in a small town called Monroe in Utah, and got the opportunity to watch Rampage live. It was an unforgettable experience. After that, the first year of university I worked in a sushi place for afew months just to be able to buy my downhill bike and I have loved it ever since. The best decision of my life was when my friend Santi and I decided to get a van and head to Morzine for the summer together with MTB Beds.

I have always loved riding jumps, but after spending the first season in Morzine I fell in love with riding more technical and steep stuff and I have gotten more confident the faster I've been riding them. I re-discovered mountain bike. I have fallen in love with the place and it is unbelievable all the stuff it has to offer. My first season being part of MTB Beds has been a dream and finishing it in Finale Ligure was the icing on the cake.

Name: Mark Twomey

Role: Mechanic

Quote: Blue

Born: 1996

Growing up I spent alot of time riding street spots and skate parks on my BMX. You have to be creative to have fun on a BMX, so pushing yourself and friends to learn new tricks is where the fun is at! I'd borrowed and rented mountain bikes for a while after renting a downhill bike in Whistler my eyes were opened. After taking a run down A-Line I remember thinking "This is the most fun I've ever had!" It was a no brainer to add another bike to the collection.

The mountain bike has taken me to some amazing places and has made many friendships along the way. You really get the best experience of a place by going far into the mountains, discovering new terrain and being outside the whole time.

I love all types of trails but getting airborne is a favourite past time of mine, especially in a big train with mates! A season in Morzine is like a weeks holiday that never ends, a life in paradise where you keep telling yourself "today has been the best day!" There is so much top notch biking here and more exploring to do, which I'm excited for!

Name: Sian Joy-Clavis

Role: Accounts

Quote: Too Easy

Born: 1985

Growing up in Australia, I’ve always had a love for active pursuits and the great outdoors. However, the mountains were never really on my radar until I took a leap of faith and accepted a job in Morzine, not fully realizing where in France I was headed. Armed with just a backpack and a pair of Converse, I arrived in Morzine, completely shocked to find myself surrounded by the majestic Alps—and seeing snow for the first time in my life! Needless to say, I quickly realized the need for more suitable footwear—a first for a sun-loving Queenslander!

That moment marked the beginning of a whole new chapter in my life. For the next 12 years, I chased winters around the world, working and snowboarding, but I always found myself returning to Morzine. It’s now been 17 years since I first arrived, and my love for the French Alps remains as strong as ever. Today, I have the added joy of sharing everything this beautiful region has to offer with my husband and our twin girls.

We begin the hunt for new team members in the new year!

To apply check out jobs page and send a CV and cover letter to ben@mtbbeds.com