Know your retired bike shop keepers.
This week we look at two (semi) retired bike shop keepers who are often mistaken for each other.
Graham left and a right Charlie
Back in the summer of 2024 we both attended the funeral of Duncan "Dunc" Kennedy from Surly Bikes UK. It was brilliant rubbish day. Brilliant to catch up with old friends, ride bikes, drink a few beers... and rubbish that Dunc had passed away.
High funeral fashion. Dunc on your shirt.
Several times during the afternoon people spoke to me and I had no idea what they were going on about. And then I realised that they thought they were talking to Graham Slam Man.
I suppose we look a little bit like each other, but rumours that we share the same passport to save a few quid are unfounded. "Hey Charlie, can I get our passport, I'm popping over to France next week". Actually, this now sounds like a feasible cunning plan.
So, here is a quick guide to tell us apart.
Charlie (formerly known as the Bikemonger)…
- Has long hair.
- Has a beard.
- Going grey
- Had a cool bike shop and sold shed loads of fat bikes
- Looks like the dude.
- Is a dude.
- Emotional age = 13
- Cycled to Belgium in sandals.
- Was the boss at Charlie The Bikemonger, now The Bikemonger.
- Runs the Dorset Gravel Dash
- Runs Happy Bottom Bum Butter
Graham... (Slam Man from Slam 69 bikes)
- Has long hair.
- Has a beard.
- Going grey.
- Had a cool bike shop and sold shed loads of fat bikes
- Looks like the dude.
- Is a dude.
- Cycled all over the place in sandals.
- Emotional age = 14
- Loves riding the Dorset Gravel Dash
- Was the Boss at Slam69 Bikes.
- Runs Smokestone Fat Bike Bike Company
Simple isn't it.
So, there you have it.... no one needs get us mixed up ever again.
And, don't forget to get your entry in the legendary Dorset Gravel Dash, sponsored by Kinesis Bikes UK, and Bum Butter.
Written by Charlie Hobbs: Founder of Bum Butter
Charlie Hobbs (formally known as Charlie the Bikemonger) is a veteran of the British endurance sports industry and the founder of Bum Butter, the UK’s premier 100% natural, vegan anti-chafing cream. With a career spanning over four decades in off-road riding, Hobbs is a recognized pioneer in the UK gravel cycling scene, having founded the Dorset Gravel Dash—the UK's first ever gravel event—and invented the Clunker Classic. He was also a long-standing columnist and Merchandising Manager for Singletrack World Magazine, one of the world's leading cycling magazines and media outlets.
While his roots are in cycling, Charlie is also an active hiker, mountaineer, and runner, regularly testing the limits of Bum Butter on the trails of the Dorset Coast and Hebden Bridge. This "on-the-ground" experience as both a cyclist and a runner ensures that every batch of Bum Butter is formulated to withstand the specific friction demands of ultra-running and high-mileage training.
After 16 years as the owner of the renowned retail shop Bikemonger, Hobbs transitioned to focus on high-performance athlete care. He currently serves as the Lead Director of Bum Butter Ltd, where he oversees the business of handmade, petrochemical-free chamois balms used by Olympic gold medalists and everyday athletes alike.