Shop Staff

Name: Andrew Rackstraw

Job Title: Shop Owner

Saddle Safari Staff Since: 1993

Rides: ICE Adventure Steps recumbent trike, Hand trike

Lives: Marlow

Info: Andy started Saddle Safari in 1993 with a loan from the Prince’s Trust. He has enjoyed creating a growing business with wife Claire and their three children. Andy likes everything outdoors and also likes the odd rebellion beer! In recent years Andy was diagnosed with a neurological illness called NF2. However he is still fully immersed in the business and has adopted an Ice trike as his ride of choice .If your interested in a trike-Andy's your man!

Interesting fact: Andy was once a holiday Rep in Spain & and has also been known to perform magic shows as his alter ego Marko Frondini!

Name: Mark Wright

Job Title: Sales

Saddle Safari Staff Since: 2003

Rides: Trek Superfly FS (MTB), Trek Madone 5.9 (road bike)

Lives: Stokenchurch

Info: Mark is one of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, he has a background in FMCG sales, is a qualified water sports instructor. He still windsurfs regularly. Mark is trained in Bike-Fit and is also a keen motorcyclist.

Interesting fact: Mark purchases TV Chat EVERY week and has a personalised autograph from Ronnie Corbett!

Name: Daniel Slyfield

Job Title: Shop Manager

Saddle Safari Staff Since: Full time since 2002, Part time since 1999

Rides: Trek Remedy 9 (MTB), Trek Checkpoint SL7 (Road) Federal Ty Morrow (BMX), Echo Pure 26’’ (Trials bike), Inspired Fourplay 24’’ (Street trials bike), Pashley 26mghz (trials bike), Flyer Custom build (Fixie), Old SchoolBike (MTB)

Lives: Marlow

Info: In-between other jobs Dan has worked at Saddle Safari since he did work experience whilst at school. He is a qualified Bike-Fitter and Cytech Level 1,2 & 3 mechanic. Dan is a passionate Trials and MTB rider. He has also travelled to every continent in the world (bar the poles!). Outside of the shop Dan also works as an international stage mechanic for Ride25 as they make their way around the world!

Interesting fact: In 2010 Dan was chief mechanic on the gruelling 3005 mile Race Across America (RAAM) for the Sir Steve Redgrave Team. This event is commonly known as the toughest cycle race on the planet!

Name: Claire Rackstraw

Job Title: The glue that holds it all together

Saddle Safari Staff Since: 1993

Rides: Ridgeback Vanteo

Lives: Marlow

Info: Claire is Andy's wife and has many roles around the shop. She keeps the shop and staff in tip top condition .

Interesting fact:

Name: Ben Drew

Job Title: Workshop Staff

Saddle Safari Staff Since: February 2013

Rides: Jawbone 24” jump bike, 1950 Dawes Aristocrat fixie/single speed

Lives: Bracknell

Info: As a highly skilled cycle mechanic, Ben was previously an instructor at the Cycle Systems Academy in London. Whilst there, he trained many other cycle mechanics from all over the UK. Behind his laid-back image Ben is an extremely professional individual, with an eye for detail. Outside of riding he enjoys Snow Boarding and is also a keen Drummer/singer.

Interesting fact: Ben is the founder of the Mountain Mulisha MTB Club. He previously set-up and ran his own successful bike shop in the south of England.

Name: Matt Langridge

Job Title: Sales

Saddle Safari Staff Since: January 2013 part time, June 2017 full time

Rides: Willier Izoard XP road bike, Trek Stache 29'r hard tail MTB

Lives: Marlow

Info: Matt is one of the most genuine people you’ll meet and when talking to him it’s evident just how much he loves cycling. With an addiction for self punishment, he regularly attacks the infamous Winter Hill. Rather than climb to the top and continue with his ride Matt prefers instead to head back to the bottom and tackle it another 6 times! This often takes place before most of us have managed to get out of bed!

Interesting fact: In his previous career Matt was a member of the Thames Valley Police. Along with a number of other interesting roles, he was one of only a small number of officers to be qualified in bicycle self defence. In short, he’s like Bruce Lee on wheels!

Name: Michael McGrath

Job Title: Workshop Staff

Saddle Safari Staff Since: 1997

Rides: Trek Fuel 100 with Alfina 8speed hub (MTB), Genesis Altitude (MTB)

Lives: Lane End

Info: Michael came to work at Saddle Safari on Election Day 1997. He has a wealth of experience with bike tinkering and has been building his own bikes since he was a boy. He has a good historical knowledge of all types of bikes and is abnormally fast when riding downhill!

Interesting fact: Mike is somehow able to repair almost anything be it bike or non-bike related

Name: Trevor Scott

Job Title: Part Time Weekend Staff

Saddle Safari Staff Since: March 2019

Rides: Trek Rail

Lives: Marlow

Info: Trevor has run his own sign writing business for the past 38 years, but has a love for cycling which has led him to his part time role at Saddle Safari. Trevor also hosts our workshop puncture repair courses.

Interesting fact: Played at Twickenham when he was 16.

Name: Jonny Payne

Job Title: Workshop Coordinator, Sales

Saddle Safari Staff Since: June 2021

Rides: Custom Build Trek Remedy - Orbea Terra H40 gravel bike

Lives: High Wycombe

Info: Entered the bike trade after completing his Masters degree in Oceanography in 2019. Has worked in other bike shops but was looking for a more technical challenge so joined us to get his hands on more complex bikes.

Interesting fact: Knows what a young shark is called.

Name: Cassius Wallis-Bacchus

Job Title: Shop Staff

Saddle Safari Staff Since: July 2020

Rides: Trek Roscoe 8

Lives: Marlow

Info: Cassius joined us part time in summer 2020 and has worked his way up to being a full time member of staff, he is a key member of the team and gets lots and lots of our new bikes built up. Cassius is a training mechanic and has already completed his Cytech Level 1 and 2 qualification, he is now getting more involved in sales.

Interesting fact: Can do a backflip!

Name: Barry

Job Title: Shop Dog

Saddle Safari Staff Since: 2012

Rides: Running beside Andy's trike

Lives: Marlow

Info: Although Barry has a very limited knowledge when it comes to bikes, he more than makes up for it by sniffing random objects. He can often be found lounging in the sunny spot by the shop door or wandering about looking for affection from whomever is closest

Interesting fact: Barry is a bit of a Casanova when it comes to furniture, cushions and peoples shins!!!