WHAT’S THE STORY
Matthew Alpe
Having a vision in life and becoming a reality can be achieved with hard work and dedication. Entrepreneurial skills can often be found at a very young age, maybe mirrored from supportive parents who had become successful. Following them into a family business can have its benefits, as generations of younger siblings have proved in the past in all walks of life. Matthew Alpe showed an eye for business at a very young age, even when he was in his school uniform. These early-learning years started to mould his future business career, which would move to the two-wheeled industry. From a non-motorcycling background, he had a futuristic vision of selling his chosen sport — motorcycle trials — to the general public. And you are about to find out how he wanted it – Inch Perfect.
In this feature, we have a walk through the life of Matthew Alpe, supported by his partner Amy Holden, who is just as passionate about trials as Matthew, sharing a joint vision of the future in motorcycle trials. We find out ‘What’s the story’ from the early days right up to the present from the head of his empire Inch Perfect Trials, based in the beautiful Ribble Valley, just 20 minutes out of Clitheroe.
Was it always motorcycles?
I have always been an outdoor person, and as my dad had a garage business, I have had an interest in anything mechanical from a very young age. My family was not from a trials background, and so it was basically down to me to get the wheels in motion. It was a four-wheel start, with a quad bike, before meeting a family friend who had a trials motorcycle. After a quick spin, it was love at first sight. The vision was now set for the future; I wanted a trials machine! There was no easy way to a trials motorcycle, and my father emphasised that if I wanted one, I would have to save up to buy it myself.
How did you purchase your first motorcycle?
I used to make dog kennels after school to sell and took into school chewy bars – all sold at a premium price. I carried out washing and serving at a local hotel before I had enough money for my first purchase. The machine I wanted, a Yamaha TY 175, was out of my reach. So, as Christmas 2004 approached, I moved into the supply of turkeys to have enough money; finally, I could purchase my machine — one I had grafted to buy! To say I got value for money out of the Yamaha was an understatement; I rode it 24/7.
Tell us about your first trial.
After progressing to a Beta Rev 3 250, the day of the first trial arrived. Encouraged by a family friend Jonny Smith, who I purchased the Beta from, I was now a trials rider riding in a trial at Lancs County. This trial would bring me into contact with a certain Mike Rapley. From that day on, I became Mike’s new ‘friend’ as I hassled him to death on the phone! The trials’ bug’ was now part of my obsession for motorcycle trials, and it took over my life. School life came second fiddle to trials; it was now a six o’clock start to enhance my trials skills before first light came, and I was out practising, well before the school bell called. I wanted to be Dougie Lampkin!
How did you progress with trials?
It was a massive eye-opener after riding conducted trials at Lancs County to my first actual training session at Dudwood Farm with David Bacon. I still look back at the size of the rocks and wonder how I ever got up them. Now practising way beyond my limits, my hardearned cash would go to pay for the constant need for spare parts. A brand new 2006 125cc Sherco at the price of £2,900 came from Colin Appleyard Motorcycles after trading in the now well-worn Beta.
Did you want to be a trials superstar?
Armed with the new Sherco, I competed in YMSA Trials and the Youth B class BTC. It was a steep learning curve, but I was very determined and progressing all the time. The move onto Youth A was a huge step, but one I embraced; I always gave it my best shot. In 2009 it was the start of a long association with riding a Beta. I achieved moderate success but soon realised this would not be my future career. What it had done, though, was plant the seeds for my life in the future. I was already thinking about a career in motorcycle trials and one where I could fulfil my passion for the sport.
Did you enjoy your school days?
Education is always important. I would always say to anyone, put as much effort as you can while at school. I was in my early teenage years when my thoughts about the future started to come to me, and without a good education, the business would not be where it is today. I studied hard at school as my parents always pointed out that to be at the top in any profession and successful, you have to put in the hard work first, starting with a good education from a young age.
I attended Bowland High School and achieved much academic success, including being the Deputy Head Boy. I left school very proud and looking forward to the future. Even at this early
stage in my life, I knew exactly what I wanted to achieve, which was to own my own business based around my passion — motorcycle trials.
Did you go straight from school into employment?
On leaving school, my heart was set on entering the motorcycle profession. I served a mechanic’s apprenticeship at KIK ATVs — a local Honda quad bike dealership owned by Keith Knowles. It was a hands-on approach to all aspects of the job, which broadened my business mind and mechanical knowledge as the shop also dealt with off-road riding. Soon I was well into the workings of two- and four-stroke engines, gaining experience all the time. The owner recognised my enthusiasm for the job and encouraged me to go on to the Honda institute to further my knowledge as a motorcycle mechanic but, most importantly, gain some qualifications. It was working in a whole new environment, with many hours spent not just in the workshop but also in the classroom.
This experience of Honda motorcycles came into its own when we at Inch Perfect took on the Honda/Montesa dealership in 2017.
You then purchased a trials display truck.
I had always had a vision of taking motorcycle trials to the general public and, in 2010, I purchased a second-hand truck that had been built for what we had in mind. We did a few shows, and then the bookings started to materialise. The Inch Perfect Trials Display Team soon came to life. In the early days, I was supported by Ben Butterworth.
During 2010, we also attracted support from the then Montesa distributors in the UK, Pidcock Honda Motorcycles, who supplied us each with a Montesa 4RT Repsol Replica. Soon we had performed at more than 150 shows, including British Super Bikes, Otley Show, Wilton House Classic and Supercar Show, Southport Flower Show and International Dirtbike Show, to name just a few.
So, when did the Inch Perfect Trials idea come to life?
It was 2004. I was on holiday with my family when I thought about my future. On a P&O notepad, I drew a picture of a row of trials motorcycles in a shop, and I listed what it would provide. It was motorcycle hire, training days, workshop and machine sales. I even thought of a name for the shop, which was Alpe Back. After one year as a sole trader, it was a proud day for me when, on 14th November 2011, Inch Perfect Trials was incorporated as a limited company.
Along with the display team, you then opened the shop.
I had the vision of experience days to showcase motorcycle trials to a broader audience. The thoughts of a pay-and-play day with rider instruction were part of the long-term idea of looking towards the shop’s future. We started from some very small buildings in the corner of a barn; we still use part of this space in the present-day surroundings, where Charlotte Fearnhead would start taking the orders for the instruction days. I began to bring in the workshop work and started to build the shop area to attract customers. I am sure you remember your first Trial Magazine visit in the cold of November 2014. We were very primitive when we started, and we placed our first advert with you in January 2015.
And it has grown since then!
What you see today is the fruits of the labour of many long and challenging days. Inch Perfect is the complete package for riders of all ages and abilities to enjoy. You can call or go online, find a package to suit both the rider and their pockets, and turn up on your allocated day. My fleet of machines are all the latest models, so if you fancy a change of machinery and want to try the latest model, you can book with us and enjoy at your own pace and time.
You pride yourself on service.
Correct. All our second-hand machines come through the workshop. The standard is very high, and I always make a
point of checking the stock myself. ‘Would I want to buy this machine myself?’ is my first thought; that is how much I value the product we are selling. When potential customers come into the shop, I always want them to have a feelgood factor when they leave; if they have that, I know they will always return.
We stock what we consider to be the best, both in the riding kit and after-market hard parts. I used to find it frustrating when I wanted a new machine and be able to pick it up from a dealer with my choice of after-market parts fitted and ready to ride. In our fully equipped workshop, one of our mechanics can arrange that for the customer.
You are very passionate about Electric Motion.
It is another arm of the company, which came to life in 2020. They are the only motorcycle manufacturer to offer a range of full-size electric trials models. Linear and easily adjustable power delivery from the Electric Motion makes it such a good machine for riders of all abilities to learn about off-road riding.
As a package for a new rider to the sport, the main areas of enjoyment come from the ridefree environment as they produce no exhaust noise or emissions, and the maintenance is almost zero. In my opinion, this is where the trials market can grow and, as a motorcycle manufacturer, Electric Motion is the market leader with its adult model range.
Favourite Trial?
It has to be the Scottish Six Days Trial — man and machine against the elements. It is the dream for so many youngsters to compete in; I was one of them.
I first rode it in 2013, it was a fantastic experience, and I wanted more. My biggest problem is the commitment needed to train and be prepared; we are always so busy at work.
In 2020, and for the first time in the history of the SSDT, I entered an electric motorcycle along with the Competition Team Manager at Electric Motion, Marc Colomer from Spain.
The electric machines were prepared and ready. We had worked out how to manage the battery life and were more than happy to take on the challenge. We will be back in 2022 with a threeman manufacturers’ team.
What is the ultimate vision?
We have just heavily invested in a new riderfriendly trials park, which you can see on your way into Inch Perfect Trials. This area is for riders to learn about the sport in a very controlled environment. Our instructors can guide the riders as they progress and hopefully improve to be able to have the confidence to attempt the more challenging hazards.
We have also introduced what we term the forest trail, a gravel track that allows all levels of rider to access all the sections across the full 100 acres of land we have available. It is around two miles in length and, on the entire lap, you will encounter all the natural types of terrain, including rivers, banks, tree roots and muddy banks you will ever find in a trials competition.