Alans BMX 45 Years: Robinson Ad 1981

To celebrate 45 years I'll be reaching into the archive and pulling out some gems to share.

Here are one of our Alans BMX/Robinson ads that appeared in the UK's Official BMX magazine in June 1981.

We were the Robinson importer from February 1981 until the end of 1984. 

This ad features a photo of me from the 24th May 1981 Eastway UKBMX National, I'm still running a Haro Type 2 plate that Bob gave us on our trip in April that year (we switched to Wizard mid-season). From what I can see on the bike (a Robinson Expert), there's Phil Wood hubs laced to 7C rims and a Shimano DX lever. Rare photo of me without a front brake too! I remember the race really well, Pete Middleton slipped his pedals on the last straight and I could have caught him, but had settled into second at that point (lesson learned, alway pedal to finish). Craig Borrows' shoe came off in one of the motos! Never a dull moment with Craig around. 

Here is a photo of the podium from that day, L-R: Me -  Pete - Craig

Official BMX reported on the race in issue 4, June 1981:

579 is Pete Middleton (eventual winner), Cav Strutt with the ACE plate, 307 Mike Chilvers, 214 (me), just behind me Craig Borrows and 198 Dave Arnold.

Alan Woods
February 2026