Innehållsförteckning för June 2016 från Mountain Biking UK

The Canadian has been on the slopestyle scene for over 12 years, first picking up a freeride bike at 14 and quickly securing sponsorship from Trek. In 2008, aged just 17, Semenuk won Red Bull Rampage, blowing the competition out of the water with a three-point winning margin! It was the start of a winning streak that saw him rack up some major victories, including taking the FMB World Tour overall title in 2011, 2012 and 2014, and winning the Red Bull Joyride at Crankworx Whistler three years in a row (2013, 2014 and 2015). Although he only placed fourth at Red Bull Rampage last year, he won the People’s Choice Award, testament to his popularity. His latest win at Crankworx Rotorua set 2016 off to a blinding start. You…

The buzz and confusion created by YT’s ‘I hate Jeffsy’ marketing campaign was massive, and so was the expectation on them to deliver. So just what type of bike is the Jeffsy? In short, it’s a 140mm (5.5in) travel 29er – a type of bike not many YT fans had expected. “We tested a lot of stuff, made up our own minds and found 29in wheels were perfect [for trail/all-mountain use] ” says YT’s head of development Stefan Willared. Once they’d settled on a wheel size, one of YT’s first requirements was to design the bike around a riser bar and ensure there was enough length left on the fork steerer for riders to play with bar height to avoid the old 29er woe of a high front end. Then…

IN ASSOCIATION WITH CONTACT US: Write to: MBUK Send it! Second Floor, Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol, BS1 3BN Email: mbuk@bikeradar.com Visit: www.bikeradar.com/forums Bailiff bother I thought I should tell you about something that happened to me recently so others don’t get caught out. I arranged to buy a second-hand Whyte T-130 and before parting with my money did my due diligence and checked it wasn’t stolen, even down to seeing the receipt and phoning the shop where it was bought. Job done and bike transported home. One month later I got a knock on the door. It was the police and a baili , who wanted the bike. Apparently it had been purchased on 0% finance and the chap who’d bought it had never made a single payment. I’d never…

As days for the duvet, sofa and reruns of Columbo go, this is certainly up there with the finest. Fleeting snow and biting Siberian winds have replaced the recent disconcerting T-shirt weather overnight. Mother Nature has been cruel today. Human Race, the organisers of the off -road Wildman Duathlon (10km run/18km bike/5km run), haven’t been much kinder either. The course at the Army testing ground in Ash Vale, Surrey, provides pretty much every type of terrain known to (Wild) mankind, with peaty bogs, giant puddles, grass, sandbanks, forest paths, heather and a little bit of asphalt thrown into the unruly mix. Off -road duathlon (run/bike/run) and trail triathlon (swim/bike/run) events are an increasingly popular part of the multisport scene, with many road duathletes and triathletes using off -road races to…

FLAT TOP BMC have gone for a distinctively horizontal top tube to increase the triangulation and stiffness of the big-tubed frame HIGH ROLLERS Large-volume Continental 29er tyres roll very fast and smooth out small trail chatter well, but are slippery and vulnerable off piste HIDDEN COST SAVING The RockShox XC 30 fork uses a coil spring that’s smooth over small bumps but lacks adjustability and adds significant weight SO GOOD Dramatic power delivery from the super-stiff frame 29er wheels with relatively fat tyres add speed sustain High-mileage spec NO GOOD Coil fork is less adjustable than an air-sprung unit Punishing and pace-sapping frame on rougher trails Heavy for racing JARGON BUSTER Quick release Clamping system that uses a narrow spindle with an eccentric cam that tensions and locks as you…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 3/3 Intermediate: 2/3 Advanced: 1/3 FACILITIES Bike hire, bike shop, skills coaching, cafe, pay & display parking, toilets NEARBY BIKE SHOP Pedal Progression (on site), 01179 731298, www.pedalprogression.com MORE INFORMATION www.bristoltrailsgroup.com www.1sw.org.uk GETTING THERE The Nova trail begins from the upper car park of the Ashton Court estate, accessed via the Clifton Lodge gate, which is just up the road from the Clifton Suspension Bridge Grid ref: ST 558727 Postcode: BS41 9JN (mansion house, not trails) THE TRAILS NOVA 6.5km The main trail is relatively flat but still has plenty of pump and flow. There are enough berms and hidden gems along the route to keep you entertained but there’s nothing too technical or demanding. It’s great for beginners but still fun for…

Essemtial info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 2/3 Intermediate: 3/3 Advanced: 2/3 FACILITIES Bike hire, bike shop and workshop, bike wash, cafe, pay & display parking, showers, toilets, uplift service, suspension tuning NEARBY BIKE SHOP Pedalabikeaway (on site), 01594 860065, www.pedalabikeaway.co.uk Dean Forest Cycles, (three miles away), www.deanforestcycles.co.uk Sprung Suspension Workshop (on site), 01594 800910, www.sprungsuspension.com MORE INFORMATION www.fodmtb.com www.flyupdownhill.co.uk GETTING THERE The XC routes and DH trails are all accessed from the Cannop Cycle Centre, home to the Pedalabikeaway shop and cafe, just off the B4234. Grid ref: SO 607126 Postcode: GL16 7EH THE TRAILS FAMILY TRAIL 17.5km VERDERERS’ TRAIL 11km Packed with switchback climbs and beautiful berms, and with an exciting final descent, the Verderers’ may be ‘just a blue’ but it’s great fun whatever level you are.…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 2/3 Intermediate: 2/3 Advanced: 1/3 FACILITIES Bike hire, bike shop and workshop, cafe, toilets, coaching, pay & display parking NEARBY BIKE SHOP Bike Art (on site), 01702 551076, www.bikeartthetford.co.uk Cycles UK, Leigh-on-Sea, 01268 748285, www.cyclesuk.comRichardsons Cycles,Leigh-on-Sea, 01702 713847,www.richardsonscycles.com MORE INFORMATION www.hadleigh-park.co.uk GETTING THERE Leave the M5 at junction 30 and follow the A13 towards Southend-on-Sea. In Hadleigh, turn down Castle Lane to the visitor centre. Postcode: SS7 2PP THE TRAILS 2012 OLYMPIC XC TRACK 5km Designed to test the best athletes in the world, the Olympic XC course contains almost 1.7km of climbing per lap as well as a number of sharp technical descents. Riding it fast is a real test of fitness, and taking on the optional black lines, such as Deanes…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 2/3 Intermediate: 3/3 Advanced: 3/3 FACILITIES Parking NEARBY BIKE SHOP Bike Rehab, near Grenoside,0114 4388 506,www.bikerehab.co.uk JE James, near Lady Cannings,0114 255 0557,www.jejamescycles.co.uk MORE INFORMATION www.ridesheffield.org.uk GETTING THERE Grid ref: SK 325950 Postcode: S35 8RS for Greno Woods S11 7TU for Lady Cannings S5 8XB for Parkwood Springs THE TRAIL LADY CANNINGS PLANTATION 1.4km This rollercoaster trail is suitable for all abilities, with no jumps to put off beginners. A crowdfunding project is underway to build a second blue trail, due to open in summer 2017. PARKWOOD SPRINGS 2km Right near the centre of town, this blue trail with red-graded options has classic flow, with lots of berms, jumps and rollers. The new dual slalom track opens any day now. GRENO WOODS Steve…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 1/3 Intermediate: 2/3 Advanced: 3/3 FACILITIES Changing rooms, toilets, bikewash, cafe and bike hire (bothSundays only), skills coaching NEARBY BIKE SHOP Cookstown Cycles,028 867 69667www.cookstowncycles.com MORE INFORMATION www.mountainbikeni.com www.outdoorconcepts.co.uk GETTING THERE Davagh is six miles fromCookstown, off the A505. Grid ref: NV 83096 47209 Postcode: BT79 8JH THE TRAILS GREEN TRAIL 3km BLUE TRAIL 7.5km Fast and flowy, the blue trail has a quick ascent and an even quicker descent, complete with some great rock sections that are at the more technical end of the spectrum when ridden at speed. RED TRAIL 16km A long steady climb takes you up the slopes of Beleevnamore Mountain before the trail splits into two options for the rock-slab-ridden descent. It’s easy to loop back around and…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 2/3 Intermediate: 3/3 Advanced: 3/3 FACILITIES Bike wash, pay & display parking, toilets NEARBY BIKE SHOP MPG Cycles, Dalbeattie,01556 610659,www.mpgcycles.co.uk Gorsebank (bike hire, on site),07814 501214,www.gorsebankglamping.co.uk MORE INFORMATION www.7stanesmountain biking.com GETTING THERE Dalbeattie is about 13 miles from Dumfries on the A711, and the car park is a short way south of the town Grid ref: NX 837590 Postcode: DG5 4QU THE TRAILS IRONHASH 11.5km This trail is an easy ride into the forest. It’s fairly flat and ideal for beginners to get a feel for what mountain biking can offer. Mostly on forest roads, it does have two small singletrack sections. MOYLE HILL 14km While not that technical, the blue trail is a good introduction to riding on the granite that’s so…

Essential Info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 0/3 Intermediate: 3/3 Advanced: 3/3 FACILITIES Pay & display parking, uplift service NEARBY BIKE SHOP Alpine Bikes, Innerleithen, 01896 830880, www.tiso.com/shops/innerleithen MORE INFORMATION www.7stanesmountain biking.com www.upliftscotland.com GETTING THERE Innerleithen is the next village on from Peebles, on the A72. Turn right towards Traquair and the car park is on your left Grid ref: NT 336358 Postcode: EH44 6PW THE TRAILS TRAQUAIR XC 18km A trail not for the faint-hearted! It starts with a leg-burning and lung-busting climb up to the top of Minch Moor and then leads into some swooping singletrack with optional black-graded features. There are tight, technical sections, and the fast, steep final descent filled with berms and jumps guarantees you finish with a smile on your face. DOWNHILL Various The…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 3/3 Intermediate: 3/3 Advanced: 3/3 FACILITIES Pay & display parking, toilets, hotel near car park NEARBY BIKE SHOP G&G Cycle Centre, Dumfries, 01387 259483,http://tinyurl.com/zak9u2k MORE INFORMATION www.7stanesmountain biking.com GETTING THERE The trails are four miles south of Dumfries, off the A710 Grid ref: NX 950709 Postcode: DG2 8HB THE TRAILS BIG VIEWS LOOP 8km Check out the viewpoints along this scenic route to see some great angles of Solway Firth and the Nith estuary. They’re interspersed with short climbs and descents, mostly on forest roads. WOODHEAD LOOP 10km This is a longer version of the Big Views Loop and includes some singletrack as well as fireroad, but it’s still pretty easy. THE PHOENIX 19km Featuring 80 per cent singletrack, this is a classic…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 2/3Intermediate: 3/3Advanced: 3/3 FACILITIES Bike hire, bike shop, bike wash, cafe, camping, pay & display parking, showers, toilets NEARBY BIKE SHOP Skyline Cycles (on site at Glyncorrwg), 01639 850011, www.skylinecycles.co.uk Afan Valley Bikeshed (on site at Afan Visitor Centre), 01639 851100, www.afanvalleybikeshed.co.uk MORE INFORMATION www.mbwales.com www.cognation.co.uk Glyncorrwg MTB Centre, 01639 851900 Afan Visitor Centre, 01639 850564 GETTING THERE Afan Grid ref: SS821951Postcode: SA13 3HGGlyncorrwg Grid ref: SS872984Postcode: SA13 3EABike Park Postcode: SA12 9SP THE TRAILS ROOKIE 5.5km (with 2.2km blue extension) PENHYDD 14km BIKE PARK BLUE SCAR 7km This trail is designed for riders progressing from green to blue trails. There are a few technical sections to test your skills and a fun descent to the finish. THE WALL 24km Afan’s most famous…

RIDING ON HOME turf, world champ Loic Bruni (pictured) was the hot tip to win the first round of the 2016 UCI Downhill World Cup, held in the French holy town of Lourdes. Winning qualifying and up at all the splits, the title seemed to be his. But he crashed out on one of the last technical sections, handing the victory to the USA’s Aaron Gwin. Bruni was uninjured, but he paid the price for pushing his riding to the limit. The young Frenchman wasn’t the only rider to make mistakes at one of the most technically challenging and weather-dependent races of the past few years. Thankfully the British women were able to use their plentiful mud-riding experience to dominate the finals, with Rachel Atherton, Tahnée Seagrave and Manon Carpenter…

SRAM’s announcement of 12-speed shifting, courtesy of a new cassette with a massive 50t biggest sprocket, has had internet commentators spitting feathers. So are they avian a laugh or will this new kit help you soar up the climbs, swoop down the descents and sink your talons into the trail like never before? Here are the eight things you need to know… Huge gear range  These new 1x groups have the gear range of many twin-ring set-ups. Silencing the single-ring naysayers wasn’t SRAM’s primary aim with Eagle, but by adding a huge 50t cog to their 10-42t 11-speed cassette, they’ve delivered a huge 500 per cent gear range. Compare that to a 36/26t double with 11-40t cassette, which has a 504 per cent range. Longer lasting  Thanks to work to…

I had an argument with a car door on the way home from work and ended up with a broken rib, a liberal dose of bruises and a broken helmet. So I was feeling a bit low and sat at home reading MBUK, knowing that even though the trails were drying out I was going to miss most of the springtime riding. Oh, woe is me. Then I had a look at the Next Month page and saw the great Martyn Ashton riding again. I said to myself, “Hell, what have you got to moan about – look how positive he’s been and what he’s been through!” I have summer to look forward to and a planned trip to the Lakes in September, and in the meantime I can fettle…

WHAT YOU COULD WIN… The Lezyne CNC Dirt Floor Drive track pump is made from durable CNC machined aluminium and has an oversized barrel, piston, hose and connectors to deliver twice as much air per stroke and quickly fill tyres or seat tubeless tyre systems. For more info, visit www.upgradebikes.co.uk.…

INTENSE M16C EVER SINCE THE legendary M1 blasted its way onto the downhill scene back in 1994, Intense have been continually updating and improving the design of their M series bikes to arrive at this, the M16C. The Californian company’s first full-carbon DH bike, it has identical geometry to the aluminium M16A but weighs a couple of pounds less and looks far sexier! The mid-range Pro build seen here weighs 16.02kg (35.3lb) with some top-class components including a RockShox Boxxer World Cup fork and Vivid Coil shock, SRAM X01 drivetrain, Shimano Saint brakes and a Renthal cockpit. Look out for it under the young guns of the Intense Factory Racing Team on the World Cup circuit this summer. £6,899 Saddleback www.saddleback.co.uk DMR DEATHGRIPS CREATED IN CONJUNCTION with one of the…

FIVE REASONS WHY OUR TESTS ARE THE BEST 01 Our test team is made up of the most respected bike and kit testers in the world 02 We have unrivalled knowledge and experience 03 We spend a vast amount of time and money making sure we get it right 04 We care more about telling you the truth than anyone else anywhere! 05 We aren’t influenced by PR or advertisers HOW WE TEST Detailed product check in the MBUKworkshop Strip and rebuild, checking for potential problems and improvements Hit the trails… hard! Test in real riding conditions till we know everything there is to know about the product Re-test product with another tester OUR TEST TEAM Our Technical Editor in Chief, Rob Weaver, gets new products in as soon as…

THE TESTER Guy Kesteven Whether it’s racing tandems and singlespeeds or ripping up red trails on a cyclocross bike, Kes knows a thing or two about deviant behaviour. The sub-£1,000 price bracket is an important one. Spending more than a grand on a bike is a psychological barrier for many. It’s also the cut-o point for most Cycle to Work schemes (a Government-backed initiative that gives you a tax break on the purchase of a new bike if you buy it through your employer). That means there’s lots of competition for your money. But with so many different bikes available, what should you go for? Most mountain bikes for under £1k are relatively generic, and that’s no surprise – at this price brands are targeting the mass market, producing bikes…

PLUS-SIZE PLUSSES The Marin’s 27.5x3in tyres soak up so much rough trouble that we actually preferred the rigid front end to a crap suspension fork SIMPLE SHIFTING The 1x10 transmission saves weight and keeps the Pine Mountain looking clean and running quiet even when the big tyres start bouncing RETRO BUT MODERN This tribute to past Marin machines gets a matt grey steel frame but there’s nothing dull about the way it charges across rough trail sections SO GOOD Plus-size tyres add oustanding traction and speed sustain Very controlled for a rigid bike Great price for a bike with a wide range, single ring transmission NO GOOD Tyre pressure setting is crucial to getting the plus ride Big-day-out focus won’t suit everyone JARGON BUSTER Butting Process of changing frame tube…

If you’re on a tight budget, buying second-hand can get you a lot more bike for your money. But be warned, the process is full of potential pitfalls. If the price of a ‘pre-loved’ bike seems too good to be true, it probably is. Thieves are always keen to shift hot property quickly, and buying a stolen bike doesn’t just encourage theft, it could also lead to your new ride being seized by the police. It’s a good idea to ask why they’re selling and for proof of purchase. If you’ve found your dream steed then you’ll need to view it, pay for it and collect it. Don’t meet at the buyer’s home – instead agree on somewhere safe (public) and mutually convenient. If you don’t know what you’re doing,…

THE TRAIL IS NARROW AND ROCKY WITH A BIG, STEEP DROP TO THE EDGE DON’T LOOK DOWN! We’re in the Lake District on the 100-day anniversary of Storm Desmond, and the aftermath is still quite visible. The A591 between Ambleside and Keswick remains closed, due to it not being there, so we have an unexpected trip over the Kirkstone Pass – not my finest bit of planning. Quite how the A592 was awarded A-road status baffles me, but it makes for a stunningly scenic drive. The first port of call after our epic journey is the superb Filling Station cafe-diner in Keswick, where we meet local rider James Vincent. While enjoying rock music and a stack of pancakes, we discuss today’s route. James has managed to ditch his day duties…

I DECIDE TO FLICK THE ‘OFF’ SWITCH ON ALL MY SELF-PRESERVATION SENSORS AS I FOLLOW JOE As we pedal along the exposed fireroad that leads into the Learnie Red Rock trail network, I’m reminded of a previous Highland adventure that photographer Andy and I have been on together. A couple of years ago we took fatbikes onto the slopes of Aviemore in a blizzard. People were leaving the mountain due to the gale-force winds and icy conditions, yet it felt considerably warmer than it does today. Less than 48 hours ago the trails of the Black Isle were covered in six inches of powdery snow. The temperatures ‘rocketed’ overnight and cleared all but the very last flakes of the white stuff before Storm Henry hit town and tore through the…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 2/3 Intermediate: 3/3 Advanced: 2/3 FACILITIES Bike hire, bike shop, cafe, pay & display parking, toilets NEARBY BIKE SHOP Swinnerton Cycles (on site), 01889 575170, www.bikechase.co.uk MORE INFORMATION www.chasetrails.co.uk GETTING THERE Follow the Dog starts from the Birches Valley Visitor Centre, to the west of Rugeley on Birches Valley road Grid ref: SK 018171 Postcode: WS15 2UQ THE TRAILS FOLLOW THE DOG 10.8km Follow the Dog was the Midlands’ first dedicated MTB trail. It’s 75 per cent singletrack and aimed at competent bikers. The trail is a mixed a air – fast and flowing, with some tight and technical sections. You should be able to ride the whole thing in less than an hour but it’s entertaining enough to make a second lap…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 2/3 Intermediate: 2/3 Advanced: 2/3 FACILITIES Cafe, toilets, pay & displayparking NEARBY BIKE SHOP ATR Cycles, Clitheroe, 01254 825896 Pedal Power, Clitheroe, 01200 422066, www.pedalpowerclitheroe.co.uk Escape Bike Shop, Ingleton, 01524 241226, www.escapebikeshop.com MORE INFORMATION www.forestry.gov.uk/gisburn www.gisburnbiketrails.com GETTING THERE Gisburn Forest Hub is near Slaidburn. Turn off the B6478 onto Dugdale Lane, then follow a wiggle of minor roads to the car park. Grid ref: SD 745560 Postcode: BB7 4TS THE TRAILS BOTTOMS BECK 9.5km This is a nice short and easy ride that’s suitable for novices. The trail has a good combination of forest road and singletrack as it follows an old railway line. That doesn’t mean it’s straight though – you’ll twist and turn through Park Wood before finishing back in…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 3/3 Intermediate: 2/3 Advanced: 1/3 FACILITIES Bike hire, bike shop and workshop, guiding, cafe, toilets, pay & display parking NEARBY BIKE SHOP Forest Cycle Hire (on site),01392 833768,www.forestcyclehire.co.uk MORE INFORMATION www.forestcyclehire.co.uk www.forestry.gov.uk/ haldonforestpark GETTING THERE The centre is just off the A38near Exeter racecourse. Followthe brown tourist info signs tothe car park. Grid ref: SX 884849 Postcode: EX6 7XR THE TRAILS DISCOVERY 2.4km A well-surfaced route for beginners and families. Walkers use this trail too, so be aware. SPICERS 3.7km This trail is one step up from the green, with some narrower sections and gentle gradients. KIDDENS 6.4km The next progression from the Spicers trail. There are greater challenges here, in terms of both gradient and terrain. RIDGE RIDE 9.6km This would…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 3/3 Intermediate: 3/3 Advanced: 2/3 FACILITIES Bike hire, bike shop, pay &display parking, toilets NEARBY BIKE SHOP Sherwood Pines Cycles (on site),01623 822855,www.sherwoodpinescycles.co.uk MORE INFORMATION www.forestry.gov.uk/ sherwoodpines GETTING THERE From Mansfield take the A6030, following signs for Clipstone and Ollerton. Go past these places and under the railway bridge, and Sherwood Pines is well signposted. Grid ref: SK 612637 Postcode: NG21 9JL THE TRAILS FAMILY 4.8km As the name says, this is an easy family trail. It can also be accessed from the nearby Centre Parcs holiday park. ADVENTURE 9.6km Twice the length of the family trail but not any more technical, this route uses the green trail and the nearby NCN route to take riders deeper into the forest. KITCHENER 12.8km…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 0/3 Intermediate: 2/3 Advanced: 2/3 FACILITIES Bike hire, uplift service, parking,cafe, toilets, showers, camping,skills coaching NEARBY BIKE SHOP Green Bikes, Newry,028 3083 2829,www.greenbikes-store.com MORE INFORMATION www.eastcoastadventure.com www.mountainbikeni.com GETTING THERE Rostrevor is on the east coast of Northern Ireland, about an hour from Belfast. Grid ref: J1 56191 Postcode: BT34 3AA THE TRAILS RED 27km The red climb is a real lungbuster, eventually taking you up to somewhere near 400m above sea level, but the trail uses the hillside beautifully. You must stop at Kodak Corner for a photo on the way up. There are a series of exciting downhill sections, including some North Shore woodwork, before the trail turns and heads back to the car park through the valley. BLACK 19km This follows…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 1/3 Intermediate: 2/3 Advanced: 3/3 FACILITIES Bike hire, bike wash, cafe, parking, toilets, showers, uplift service and gondola NEARBY BIKE SHOP Nevis Cycles (on site), 01397 705555, www.neviscycles.com MORE INFORMATION http://bike.nevisrange.co.uk www.ridefortwilliam.co.uk GETTING THERE Situated to the north of the town, the Nevis Range is clearly signposted Grid ref: NN 171774 Postcode: PH33 6SW THE TRAILS CATS EYES GREEN 3.5km BROOMSTICK BLUE 19km A great trail to start on, this trail bubbles round the River Lundy on lots of flowing singletrack. BLUE ADDER 3.4km An XC trail with a fast top section and 80m of bermed boardwalk. The top can also be accessed via the uplift service. THE WITCH’S WORLD CHAMPS 8.5km This is a ‘one climb and one descent’ kind of trail,…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 1/3Intermediate: 3/3Advanced: 3/3 FACILITIES Bike shop, bike wash, bike hire, parking, uplift service, visitor centre, cafe, changing rooms, toilets NEARBY BIKE SHOP Brenin Bikes, Coed-Y-Brenin, 01630 656614, www.breninbikes.co.uk MORE INFORMATION www.anturstiniog.com GETTING THERE Antur Stiniog is located just outside Blaenau Ffestiniog in North Wales Grid ref: SH 700458 Postcode: LL41 3NB THE TRAILS JYMAPR 1.8km The blue descent is smooth and fast, with sweeping turns and flowy singletrack. It’s good for newbies but has enough features to keep even hardcore downhillers happy. DRAFFT 1.8km A great introduction to DH. All the features are rollable and the trail is full of flow. If ridden at speed, the challenges increase dramatically. WILD CART 1.7km A super-steep roll-in is followed by a seemingly endless series of…

THE TRAIL FAIRIES at Dalby Forest, on the southern slopes of the North York Moors, have been busy and by the time you read this two new blue sections of track should be open. The first is an outbound route taking the trail o the forest road. This should make for a much more interesting ride, and be ideal for riders to warm up and practise their bike skills on. The forest’s recreation manager, Stuart Startup, says the second new section “will push our blue grading to the limit with a fantastic descent down the southern slope of the trails”. He adds: “There’ll be flowing berms and more than enough trail features to keep riders on their toes!” These new routes have been designed and built by the guys from…

The capital city of Wales has a lot going for it. It’s big enough to offer plenty of places to eat, drink and shop, but small enough and close enough to hills, mountains and forests that you can easily escape the madness for a day’s biking. THE LOCAL When he’s not riding prime Welsh singletrack, Gareth is the marketing guru at One Industries Europe. Born in nearby Caerphilly, he now lives and works in the Thornhill area of Cardiff, where there’s a great mixture of bridleways and unofficial trails ridable straight from his front door. He thinks Cardiff’s an amazing place – except for the incessant rain! ACCOMMODATION Cardiff has everything from standard chain hotels and out-of-town B&Bs to five-star luxury – just get on Google and have a search!…

In 2013 Canyon took on triple DH world champion Fabien Barel and together they turned the Strive into a race-winning enduro bike. Now they’ve applied the Barel treatment to a fresh downhill bike. Enter the Sender. After 14 runs down five different Portuguese DH tracks, five aspects really stood out for us. FAB GEOMETRY Fabien’s input has yielded a long and slack machine. The head angle is adjustable from 62 to 64 degrees and chainstay length can be altered between 430mm and 446mm. The XL frame’s wheelbase and reach is longer than all of the Sender’s competitors, and it’s available in a huge size range, so should fit most riders well. AIR SUSPENSION Canyon have designed the Sender around lightweight and easy to adjust air shocks. The motocross-inspired ‘MX Link’…

SMOOTH OPERATOR The Verb runs a custom-built air shock that’s actually pretty smooth if you set it up right COST CUTTING The square-taper cranks and bottom bracket are an obvious casualty of the cost of a full-sus frame SHORT CHANGED The GT’s long top tube/short stem balance is bang on trend, but the fork is short on travel and short on control SO GOOD GT’s unique suspension system gives great traction Rear shock works OK if set up right Up-to-date long frame, short stem balance NO GOOD Full-sus frame and cheap components make it very heavy Cheap Kenda tyres and numb brakes undermine control Obvious braking and pedalling effect on the suspension JARGON BUSTER Wire-bead tyre Tyre that has a heavy, non-folding steel ring round the edge. Square-taper BB Bottom…

ACE OF A BASE With good details and dialled geometry the Marley’s chassis is a match for many boutique frames but will only set you back £249 on its own BEST OF THE BUNCH The Manitou Minute fork is better than most at this price once you’ve worked out the bayonet axle technique POWER STEERING A short stem and super-slack head angle give the Marley serious gravity confidence, with a through-axle wheel and sticky tyre for maximum front end control SO GOOD BB geometry and sticky tyre give front end confidence Well-balanced frame with short back end keeps things lively Accurate Manitou through-axle fork NO GOOD Basic brakes and flexy fork Radically slack steering and low BB can interfere with climbing JARGON BUSTER ISCG International Standard Chain Guide mount –…

There are loads of different types of mountain bike and new niches are emerging all the time, from ‘plus’ bikes to e-fatbikes. Some bikes claim to span several riding genres, but run the risk of being the master of none. So, it’s important to identify your style of riding before letting the spending commence. Then check out the reviews in MBUK and at www.bikeradar.com to find the best buys out there. TRAIL RIDING A trail bike is as close as you’re likely to come to a ‘one bike does it all’ workhorse for UK riding. With 120mm to 150mm of travel – less than an enduro bike but more than a cross-country race rig – it’s the perfect recipe for making light work of the uphills and grinning your way…

A bike that’s too small for you may feel nice and nimble in the bike shop car park but out on the trails it’ll feel cramped on the climbs and unstable at speed. A bike that’s too big will feel cumbersome and may not offer enough standover room. Finding the right size is important. Geometry charts are useful but the best way to find a bike that fits is to try the different sizes and find the sweet spot. If you’re between sizes, we’d generally advise going for the larger bike but fitting a shorter stem. That way you get the more stable ride of the bigger frame without too much of a stretch to the handlebar and with quicker, more direct steering.…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 3/3 Intermediate: 3/3 Advanced: 3/3 FACILITIES Bike hire, bike shop, bike wash, visitor centre, cafe, toilets, parking NEARBY BIKE SHOP Dalby Bike Barn (on site), 01751 460049, www.dalbybikebarn.co.uk MORE INFORMATION Dalby Visitor Centre, 01751 460295, www.forestry.gov.uk/dalbyforest GETTING THERE Dalby Forest is on the edge of the North York Moors National Park. It’s situated just off the A169 from Pickering to Whitby. Follow the brown tourist signs when approaching Dalby Grid ref: SE 857875 Postcode: YO18 7LT THE TRAILS ELLERBURN FAMILY CYCLE ROUTE 4.7km ELLERBURN SKILLS AREA 300m ADDERSTONE CYCLE TRAIL 12.4km BLUE TRAIL 12.8km This route is steep in places, combining easy, enjoyable singletrack with more open terrain. There are two new off -road sections. RED TRAIL 34.3km The red trail can be…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 2/3 Intermediate: 3/3 Advanced: 2/3 FACILITIES Bike hire, bike shop, cafe,pay & display parking, toilets,visitor centre NEARBY BIKE SHOP Grizedale Mountain Bikes(on site), 01229 581116,www.velobikes.co.uk MORE INFORMATION www.forestry.gov.uk/grizedale GETTING THERE Head north out of Hawkshead, turn right up a tiny lane signposted to Grizedale and the trail centre is two miles down the road Grid ref: SD 331944 Postcode: LA22 0QJ THE TRAILS GOOSEY FOOT TARN TRAIL 3.5km GRIZEDALE TARN TRAIL 10km MUSHROOM TRAIL 11km MOOR TOP TRAIL 11.5km HAWKSHEAD MOOR TRAIL 17km SILURIAN WAY 23.5km THE NORTH FACE 16km The North Face trail is an entertaining route, which is ridable by less experienced bikers yet also a lot of fun for better riders. It has some leg-burning climbs, which will test your…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 3/3 Intermediate: 2/3 Advanced: 3/3 FACILITIES Bike hire, bike shop, cafe,pay & display parking, toilets NEARBY BIKE SHOP Wood N Wheels (on site),03338 008222,www.woodnwheels.org.uk MORE INFORMATION www.hamsterley-trailblazers. co.uk www.forestry.gov.uk/ hamsterleyforest www.descendbikepark.co.uk GETTING THERE Once in Hamsterley turn rightinto the centre, cross the riverand go left up the forest drive.The bike park has its own carpark – go through Hamsterleyvillage and look out for it on theright after three miles. Grid ref: NZ 092312 Postcode: DL13 3NL THE TRAILS THE LOOP SKILLS AREA 1.6km BLUE 14.5km A wide route that uses purpose-built cycle trails, forest roads and the tarmac forest drive to explore the forest. RED 23.5km This is a longer, harder version of the blue trail taking you to further reaches…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 2/3 Intermediate: 3/3 Advanced: 2/3 FACILITIES Bike hire, bike shop andworkshop, bike wash, cafe,toilets, pay & display parking NEARBY BIKE SHOP Swinley Bike Hub (on site),01344 360229,www.swinleybikehub.com MORE INFORMATION www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ thelookoutdiscoverycentre GETTING THERE All the trails start at the Lookout Discovery Centre just off the A322 near Bracknell, not far from the M3 and M4 Grid ref: SU 876661 Postcode: RG12 7QW THE TRAILS GREEN TRAIL 1.2km A wide family trail with two extra 25m loops that are great for small wheels, and we aren’t talking 26in. BLUE TRAIL 10.1km This is a sweeping bermed trail that makes the most of its limited elevation gain. All the features are rollable so it’s a great route for beginners, but when ridden at speed…

Essenttial info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 3/3 Intermediate: 3/3 Advanced: 3/3 FACILITIES Bike hire, bike shop, cafe, pay & display parking, showers, toilets, uplift service NEARBY BIKE SHOP Ae Bike Shop (on site), 01387 860805, www.facebook.com/ AeBikeshopandCafe MORE INFORMATION www.7stanesmountain biking.com www.upliftscotalnd.com GETTING THERE The trail centre can be found on the right just after Ae village, up a minor road Grid ref: NX 984894 Postcode: DG11 QB THE TRAILS AE VALLEY 9km LARCH VIEW 13.5km This blue-graded trail combines forest roads with singletrack. It’s an ideal step up from the green route and includes some boardwalk to keep things interesting. AE LINE 24km The red trail takes you high up onto the side of the valley before dropping back down again. The climb is tough, with 22…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 3/3 Intermediate: 3/3 Advanced: 3/3 FACILITIES Bike hire, bike shop, cafe, pay & display parking, showers, toilets NEARBY BIKE SHOP Alpine Bikes (on site), 01721 724522, www.tiso.com/shops/glentress MORE INFORMATION www.7stanesmountain biking.com GETTING THERE Glentress Forest is an hour’s drive from Edinburgh, two miles outside the town of Peebles Grid ref: NT 384397 Postcode: EH45 8NB THE TRAILS SKILLS AREA 1.5km GREEN TRAIL 3.5km+4.5km There’s a choice of two trails here, one from the Buzzards Nest car park and one starting at the Peel Cafe. Both feature smooth singletrack. BLUE TRAIL 8-16km This blue route is made up of two 8km loops, which can be ridden in tandem or on their own. The trail is characterised by flowing singletrack and sweeping corners, and includes…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 2/3 Intermediate: 3/3 Advanced: 3/3 FACILITIES Bike hire, bike shop, bike wash, cafe, pay & display parking, toilets, visitor centre (seasonal) NEARBY BIKE SHOP The Break Pad (on site), 01671 401303, www.thebreakpad.com MORE INFORMATION www.7stanesmountain biking.com GETTING THERE Turn right onto a minor road four miles short of Newton Stewart. Take the first left, then follow the road to the centre. Grid ref: NX 452646 Postcode: DG8 7BE THE TRAILS BARGALY WOOD 6km LARG HILL 10km A great introduction to mountain biking, this route is more than half singletrack, with small drops to hone skills on. DOON HILL EXTENSION 4km This is a short extension to the Larg Hill loop. It takes you past some great views and picks up the rest of…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 2/3 Intermediate: 3/3 Advanced: 1/3 FACILITIES Parking (bike hire, cafes and shops in village) NEARBY BIKE SHOP Bike Seven, Carlisle, 01228 792497, www.bikeseven.co.uk Rock UK (bike hire), Newcastleton, 01387 375394, www.rockuk.org MORE INFORMATION www.7stanesmountain biking.com GETTING THERE The turning to Newcastleton is off the A7 just before Canonbie Grid ref: NY 482876 Postcode: TD9 0QD THE TRAILS LINNS ROUTE 8km Entirely on forest roads, but there are plenty of hills and some great scenery to enjoy. BLUE ROUTE 9.7km This mellow trail begins with a quick descent between the trees. It’s not that technical but still shedloads of fun, with wooden boardwalks, berms, optional rock steps and some sweet singletrack. RED ROUTE 23.7km This trail is only 50 per cent singletrack with a…

Essential info WHO’S IT GOOD FOR? Beginners: 3/3Intermediate: 3/3Advanced: 3/3 FACILITIES Bike hire, bike shop, bike wash, uplift service, coaching, cafe, parking, showers, toilets NEARBY BIKE SHOP BikePark Wales bike shop (on site), 07730 382501 MORE INFORMATION www.bikeparkwales.com GETTING THERE Near Merthyr Tydfil, BPW is not far from the M4. Grid ref: SO 0500035 Postcode: CF48 4TT THE TRAILS The trails at BPW are all fairly short (no more than a few minutes long) and designed so you can link two or three together to get down the hill. Here are some of our favourites... BADGERS RUN 1km This is the easiest trail at BPW. It’s smooth and flowing, making it great for newcomers. SIXTAPOD 2.2km A trail for riders of any ability, Sixtapod is packed with jumps, rollers and…