Innehållsförteckning för August 2019 från Mountain Biking UK

We’ve just taken delivery of one of SRAM’s Eagle AXS drivetrains – mountain biking’s first cable-free electronic shifting system. Once paired, the rear mech and shifter ‘talk’ to each other wirelessly. They also connect to SRAM’s AXS app via Bluetooth, letting you control how the system operates. That’s some smart – and expensive – technology, which is why SRAM have taken steps to protect the mech. It uses a 10mm shorter cage than its mechanical counterpart, wraps around the cassette more and sits further inboard, to help it avoid knocks. When the inevitable does happen, An ‘overload clutch’ lets the mech move on impact, before returning to its last shift position. The shifter is new too and features a single paddle on a central pivot, instead of a traditional twin-trigger…

The British Cycling National Mountain Biking Championships is a prestigious event, with the winners entitled to wear the national champ’s jersey for a year – an internationally-recognised symbol of their achievement. It’s an annual race, both adding to the importance and piling on the pressure. If you mess up your chance, it’s over until next year. This year, the downhill and cross-country events were held on the same weekend, but at different locations. The DH took place at Revolution Bike Park in North Wales – a track known for being steep and wild, and one of the training grounds of Tahnée Seagrave. Cannock Chase, in the Midlands, hosted the XC – and will also be the venue for the mountain bike racing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. IT’S AN ANNUAL…

With several roadgoing e-bikes in their range, it was only a matter of time before Whyte launched their first e-MTBs. Here’s what you need to know… POWER TO THE PEOPLE Whyte’s e-MTBs all use Bosch’s latest, fourth-generation Performance Line CX motor paired with a 625Wh Bosch PowerTube battery – a higher capacity than the standard 500Wh. Rather than slotting into the down tube, the battery loads through a port by the BB. With no big hole in the frame, Whyte can achieve the same strength with lighter tubing. The E-150 RS model is said to weigh a reasonable (for an e-bike) 23.9kg (52.7lb). BIG HITTER There are 180mm and 150mm-travel bikes. The E-180 boasts a 64-degree head angle, 75.3 or 75.5-degree seat angle (depending on frame size), 444mm chainstays and…

We’ve been loving the glorious summer weather. The trails are almost too dry, not that we’re complaining. By the time you read this, the ’Ard Rock Enduro will be over for another year. Steve Peat won in 2018, and this year his World Cup nemesis Nico Vouilloz was planning to come over and try to take the Yorkshireman’s crown on home soil. A proper old-school rivalry if ever we saw one! We have lots of bling hardcore bikes in to play with at the moment – Evil’s Insurgent LB, Scott’s new Gambler, Santa Cruz’s latest V10 29er and Yeti’s SB165 (read our First Ride review on p36). We were really sad to hear about exfreeride pro turned motorcycle racer Carlin Dunne. The 36-year-old New World Disorder star died in a…

Looking like an extra in The Walking Dead, Ian Churchill’s bloodied face is the result of a crash at the Kinlochleven round of the BEMBA National Enduro Series. Ian clipped his left fork leg and front brake rotor on something in practice and was chucked face-first into a rock. “It left me with a dislocated shoulder, eight stitches in my face, gravel embedded in my lip and a destroyed jacket,” he laments. Ian hopes to be fixed up for the Inter-Services Champs in September – “and I'll be wearing a full-face lid this time!” he laughs.…

The Chameleon, as the name suggests, is an adaptable, do-it-all machine. Trail bike, occasional racer or bikepacking load-hauler; geared or singlespeed; 650b- or 29in-wheeled – there’s not much this hardtail can’t do, in theory at least. The frame Santa Cruz use their C-level carbon fibre on the Chameleon (an alloy version is also available), which is heavier and cheaper than their CC carbon. The frame gets down tube and chainstay protection, as well as internal cable routing that uses a simple rubber tube to stop rattle. You can swing the rear dropouts to adjust the chainstay length to suit either wheel size, or swap them for singlespeed versions without a mech hanger. The geometry is fairly modern for a hardtail, with the large getting a 456mm reach, 415-430mm chainstays, a…

NS DEFINE 150 1 £5,500A 29er that’s Poles apart? NS’s new 29er is more than just a carbon version of the Snabb. It’s super-adjustable, with options to tweak the reach (via offset headset cups), BB height (by swapping shock mounts) and even the travel (though you’ll need a new shock). The Define 150 is set up with 150mm of four-bar-linkage rear bounce, or there’s a 130 model with 20mm less. Something else that stands out is the cable routing – the Polish brand have channelled the control lines down a groove under the down tube for clean looks and easy fettling. With its 64.5-degree head angle, lengthy reach (up to 490mm on the large) and 160mm fork, this thing looks like the very definition of an aggressive modern trail/enduro bike.…

September 2000 A 22-year-old Chris balances on the front wheel of his Pace RC250T. “My face is so red it looks like someone’s set me on fire!” October 2002 Chris backhops his way on to the front page aboard his Onza T-Max, during a Swiss trip with fellow street-trials ace Eddie Tongue. June 2011 Now doing his thing on both trials and trail bikes, and a full-time pro for Mongoose Bikes, Chris scrubs off a drop in Widdop, West Yorks. September 2014 Snapper Sam Needham joins Chris for a tour of his local spots and finds out just how good the Yorkshireman is at riding any bike.…

1 Get your whole family riding – old, young, male, female. Riding doesn’t have to mean hitting A-Line! The more people who ride, the more normal it becomes, and the more support there is for it from the local community. 2 Get your kids on two wheels ASAP. The riders of Whistler start young, both boys and girls. 3 Show some respect. If you see a woman, a newbie or whoever in the park, don’t be a dick. It’s not rocket science! 4 Provide opportunities to get involved. MTBing can be intimidating to newcomers, and some women, in particular, benefit from a relaxed riding environment where they can meet others who ride. 5 Build a community that’s open to everyone. If you see someone new, chat, be friendly and welcoming.…

SKS TOM 18 £26.99 SO GOOD… There are no plastic tools (except for the spare chain-pin holder) on the TOM 18 – everything’s robust. It’s nice and small, which makes it easy to slip into a pocket. The metal disc-pad spreader works well. All the tools are clearly labelled. NO GOOD… Because the tyre lever is made of metal, extra care is needed to avoid scratching or damaging rims. There’s no 2mm Allen key included. The ability to carry a quick-link would be more useful than the chain-pin holder. Its compact size means less leverage for undoing tight bolts. www.zyrofisher.co.uk Fabric 16 in 1 £24.99 SO GOOD… This is certainly the most pocket-friendly tool on test, thanks to its low weight, but it’s still well-built and robust. The rounded edges…

Having had a good old rant last month about the rubbish British weather, lo and behold, the sun’s sorted itself out and made an appearance. What’s that old saying? ‘When life gives you lemons, ride mountain bikes’. The new grips I fitted last month grazed my thumbs, so they’re gone now – replaced by a pair of DMR Deathgrips. One ride in and, so far, all’s well in the hand department, but it’s a bit early to say whether or not the problem is completely fixed. I’m hoping I don’t need to change my gloves too! www.vitusbikes.com…

Ultimately, not one of the mega-expensive ‘superbikes’ in this test is perfect, which is a hard pill to swallow. Mondraker’s Foxy Carbon XR is our favourite, with its amazingly grippy suspension offering loads of traction and control up and downhill. While the ride position is a tad upright for railing turns like a demon and it’s also easy to smash through the coil travel if you really push the bike, the compliant, beautifully sensitive chassis keeps you feeling really safe and assured when the going gets gnarly. And with next year’s Foxy appearing to address all the issues our testing identified, it looks like a fantastic upgrade. Scott’s fleet-footed Genius 900 Tuned has a perky attitude and smooth, refined ride. It’s a great all-rounder for a mile-hungry trail rider, but…

HIGH-BACK WAIST Look for a waistband that curves up higher at the back, to ensure full coverage. SILICONE GRIPPER This happy steal from road jerseys is used inside the rear of the waistband to prevent your shorts slipping, either over skin or your chosen liner shorts. PERFORATED SECTION A strategically-placed series of holes, laser-cut into the fabric, to create airflow and help keep you cool. Used across all styles, but especially helpful on heavier-weight shorts. DROPPED KNEE This is where the legs are cut longer at the front than at the back, to deliver more coverage with less bulk. Look for a smooth lining on the inside, which will help the legs slide over knee pads. PRE-CURVED SHAPE Cut to mimic the riding position, a pre-curved design allows manufacturers to…

INTENSITY Knowing what ‘easy’ feels like isn’t complicated, but does require some mindfulness. You can use heart-rate monitors or power meters, but a simple and effective way to know whether your pace on the climb is in the right zone is by speaking. If you can utter an eight to 10-word sentence without taking a breath, you’re on the money. GEARING Instead of chopping and changing to get the right gearing, choose a gear that allows you to maintain the above intensity while riding either seated or standing – and stick with it. After 10 to 15 minutes of pedalling, you should find a nice, crisp rhythm. POSTURE Hinged at the hips, back flat, neck in a neutral position – these are the hallmarks of someone who’s climbing in comfort.…

Max loves travelling up and down the country, searching for the best routes for you to ride. He’s the man behind www.roughrideguide.co.uk PLAN YOUR RIDE WITH With over half a million ready-made routes, OS Maps by Ordnance Survey is the ultimate navigation tool on smartphone, tablet and desktop. Covering the whole of Great Britain, it’s the perfect way to discover rides up and down the country, at any time, and start exploring on your mountain bike. Extremely detailed and highly accurate OS mapping at 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 scales makes it easy to understand the gradients and terrains of each route, and you can preview rides in stunning 3D before even stepping out the door. It’s the ultimate tool for planning some serious dirt missions! OS Maps also comes with Augmented…

Route summary A lovely ride across the spine of the Gower Peninsula, providing wonderful views and satisfying riding Start/finish Penmaen, near Oxwich Bay on the south coast (grid ref 529/888, postcode SA3 2HE) 1 Rejoin the narrow road up the hill, going past the houses, then fork right on a rougher track, uphill. Keep ahead, then bear left to the ridgetop and follow it along (known as Talbot’s Way). Cross the road and continue straight ahead on the bridleway opposite, cruising downhill, then left to, and right on, the road, past the hotel (Fairyhill). 2 Turn left at the junction, then go right on a bridleway, beside Burry Pill. Bear right over the stream and up to a road by the castle remains. Head left on the road, to Cheriton,…

TRAIL STATS Distance Four 0.5km tracks Climbing Fireroad or uplift Time 2-5mins per run Grading Black/orange (bike park) WHY RIDE HERE? Downhill tracks that’ll test anyone and an uplift service to whip you back up top for another go RAD… Foel’s steep, twisting, root-infested trails offer gravity riders a real chance to hone their skills The dirt has excellent grip in the wet – just as well, given how much it rains here! One of the cheapest and most efficient uplift services in the country BAD… No easier-graded trails mean this isn’t the place for beginners, but new flow trails are in the pipeline Lots of puddles, so unless it’s been dry for a few days, soggy shoes and socks are guaranteed Steve has his work cut out to keep…

If you follow downhill or enduro racing, Ed Masters is a character you can’t miss. The enthusiastic Kiwi isn’t just a loud personality, but a hell of a bike rider too, and 2019 has been a phenomenal year for the Pivot Factory Racing star. Not only has he been smashing top-15 results on the DH World Cup circuit, but he also won his first Enduro World Series race in Les Orres, France, and currently sits second overall in points. “I was only keeping tabs on third place as I really wanted to get on the podium,” he tells us. “With one stage left I knew it was between Richie (Rude) and myself for the win, so I thought ‘f**k it, I’m gonna have a crack at the win!’ I pushed…

It’s been a whirlwind year so far and we’ve suddenly landed in high summer. It always bothers me when we move so swiftly past the longest day. In between biking trips, I want nothing more than to just build and ride tracks next to my house, and hit dirt jumps with the gang. That’s what summer is for and it seems we’re already halfway through it! There’s no point in worrying about the weather – for all the bad rep England gets for being a rainy country, I actually think our summers are the best around. Add five degrees to our hottest days and you’ll find yourself in a spot where it’s too hot to ride and too dusty to dig. I like the long, mild days best – heat…

From gravity racing to remote adventures in the Arctic Circle, Rachael Walker loves all things two-wheeled. Hope Technology’s brand manager hasn’t always been an MTBer working in the industry though. Before being pushed by some friends to try downhill, Rachael was a corporate lawyer in London with a passion for snowboarding. Once she tried bikes, she was instantly hooked, and after some temporary leave from the legal world – which involved packing boxes at Hope – she never returned to the city life. Rachael has now been with the Barnoldswick-based brand for seven years, where she looks after all things marketing-related. Who is Rachael Walker? A 30-something-year-old who lives for the outdoors. What do you do? I’m the brand manager for Hope Technology. Where do you call home? Barnoldswick, Lancashire…

STAR LETTER A PICTURE’S WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS It’s amazing what you can find when you have a good old rummage through the long-forgotten junk in the loft. I was enjoying a well-deserved peaceful weekend after a generally terrible week, but having put my feet up with a brew and stuck on some crap TV, the boredom started to creep in and I decided I had to do something. Clearing out some space in my parents’ loft (odd decision, I know), I found a load of mementos and treasures that brought back memories – including an old pair of football boots and some toys from the ’90s – but the box that really caught my eye was the one filled with photos. As I sat there in the dim light…

THE WELL-CONTROLLED FORK, WIDE BAR AND SLACK HEAD ANGLE CREATE AN UNFLAPPABLE FRONT END THROUGH ROCKY GULLIES, AND IT CARVES CHOPPY TURNS WITH CALM AUTHORITY After releasing three 29ers in 2018, Yeti have now unveiled two new 650b-wheeled bikes. The SB140 is a light and efficient trail bike, but it was the longer-travel SB165 that we enjoyed riding more at the launch. It’s designed to deliver maximum fun when bombing down technical terrain, but climb back up for more. The frame Yeti’s proven Switch Infinity suspension system features a main pivot that moves up and then down as the suspension compresses, on a pair of vertical rails. This allows the anti-squat (the main force that resists pedal-bob) to be highest in the pedalling zone (from roughly 20 per cent of…

Mixing up wheel sizes is nothing new – just look at the penny-farthing! When it comes to mountain bikes, Keith Bontrager created the 69er in 2009 – a Trek hardtail with a 29in front wheel and a 26in rear. Specialized did it too with their Big Hit, which paired a 26in front wheel with a 24in rear. But it wasn’t until 650b wheels appeared that brands really started mixing wheel sizes, with specialist companies like Foes, Liteville and GeoMetron building assymetric bikes. This set-up has been dubbed the ‘mullet’, with a 29in wheel (‘business at the front’) for rolling speed and a 650b (‘party at the back’) for sharp handling. NEW RULES In the racing world, the UCI (cycling’s governing body) had ruled that both wheels must be the same…

BEN CANNELL Somehow not put off by his last trip with Ed, to take on the Strathpuffer 24-hour race, formerMBUK tester Ben is back for more. Despite having ridden the Trans-Cambrian before, he admitted to not knowing where he was going most of the time. ED THOMSETT Ten years ago you’d have struggled to drag our features editor up a hill if it didn’t have a chairlift. Now though, Ed’s realised there’s a whole world beyond the race track, which he assures us is because he loves a challenge and isn’t because he’s getting old and slow.…

Whistler, in British Columbia, is the Promised Land of mountain biking – the exemplar of what the sport can be. It’s got incredible trails, numerous pros who call it home, a strong grassroots scene, a tight-knit riding community, a huge advocacy group and thousands of visitors – plus a well-above-average proportion of women ripping up the downhill runs, jump tracks and backcountry routes. Pop along to the world-famous bike park on any given day and the lift queue will have a nearly 50/50 split of male and female riders. Hit the trails elsewhere in the valley and you’ll encounter solo riders, mixed groups, couples, groups of girlfriends, and mums and dads out for a family ride with their kids. Meanwhile, in some areas of the UK it’s rare to see…

The Stumpy’s been enjoying a lot of riding recently, for two reasons. First, after a year of waiting I finally got my mitts on Shimano’s new XTR groupset. It was hastily fitted to the bike to get some big miles ridden. Initial impressions? Flawless. Second, I took the bike on holiday to visit my friends at BikeVillage, near Les Arcs in the Alps. I’ve been riding there for 16 years now, never skipping a year in that time, so I know the valley like the back of my hand. Well, I thought so, but even after all this time Sam still managed to show me some stuff I hadn’t seen before. It’s steep, tight, technical and tough out there, so the hard-charging big-wheeler with a massive 10-51t cassette was, in…

With the longer dropper post, the Habit’s riding better than ever. I damaged the lever when fitting it though (through ham-fistedness, not any fault of the product), so I contacted OneUp Components for a replacement – and asked to try out one of their new EDC stems too. Reviewed by Ed last issue, this is a really neat bit of kit, which allows you to stow their EDC tool in your fork steerer without having to thread the tube first. There’s nothing else I want to change on the Habit, so it’s time to get out and hit the trails! www.cannondale.com…

The key things to consider when shopping for shorts are cut and fabrication. Cut, because they need to not only look good, but stay in place and let you move freely. And fabrication, because if you want to ride fast and light, your needs will be different to someone using the uplift. It all starts with the waistband. Check the height of the front versus the rear – if they’re the same, the shorts will look fine when standing but pull down at the back as you pedal and reveal more than you want to if you try doing anything more extreme. Look for a cut that curves up at the rear, with silicone gripper print inside to help keep the waist in place, and adjusters that pull from the…

“IT WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE HARD TO PULL AHEAD OF A VERY HIGH-SCORING PACK, BUT INCREDIBLY, THE GORE C5 ALL MOUNTAIN SHORTS HAVE MANAGED IT” Gore C5 All Mountain £99.99 The standard in this test has been exceptional and it was always going to be hard to pull ahead of a very high-scoring pack, but incredibly, the Gore C5 All Mountain shorts have managed to do so. They have all the features you’d expect of a high-end pair of shorts, as well as some more that you wouldn’t. The main body fabric is lightweight, but wear hasn’t been an issue, because the seat is reinforced with an abrasion- and water-resistant panel. Stretch inserts at the back yoke and across the front of the thighs provide extra movement without pulling…

Anyone who’s ridden a pump track will know how tiring it is. A few laps ridden at full gas are guaranteed to get your thighs burning and heart thumping. This makes it a great form of training, as you’re not only developing your anaerobic energy systems, but strengthening the muscles you use to stay poised over the bike. Both of these will have noticeable benefits in your trail riding, and will help you maintain a strong position on the pedals – particularly useful for prolonged downhills. If, like most of us, you’d rather avoid the gym, then fitting a regular pump track session into your weekly biking routine is a great idea. Challenge yourself to see how many laps you can ride in one go, or give yourself a set…

BOOSTING POTENTIAL Q I’ve been looking at buying a new wheelset recently, and I’ve noticed that most new(ish) options use hubs with ‘Boost’ spacing. But I’m not sure what that is and whether it’ll fit my bike. If it doesn’t, will it make a big enough difference to warrant me buying a new bike (seriously, I’m always looking for excuses to do this)? Or should I stick with my current one and just get some replacement wheels that I know will definitely fit? Any help would be much appreciated. Shaun Gould, via email Boost spacing has been around for a few years now and adds 10mm to the width of the front hub (which uses a 110x15mm axle) and 6mm to the rear (which uses a 148x12mm axle). The idea…

Route summary A wild and rocky route along technical, natural trails and incorporating a bit of the superb The North Face manmade loop. Nicely sheltered and good in the wet Start/finish Hawkshead car park (grid ref SD 354/981, postcode LA22 0NT) 1 Go past the toilets and right on Main Street, into the village. Fork left at the square, then go under the Kings Arms (by Relish) and keep left uphill on Vicarage Lane. This becomes a bridleway – follow it to a forest track, then turn right. Climb until you reach The North Face MTB trail, and go left on it. 2 Follow The North Face trail until the forest track junction just after marker no.31. Bear right here and head uphill on a bridleway, taking the left fork…

Route summary A super-technical, rocky ride with lots of climbing and descending through the area’s steep, wooded cleeves (valleys). Mostly rides fine, even when it’s wet Start/finish St John The Baptist car park, North Bovey (grid ref SX740/838, postcode TQ13 8QZ) 1 Turn right out of the car park. Go right to the pub, then right again on a road that becomes a track. Bear right at the T-junction, then left on a farm road/bridleway. Fork left, past Peck Farm and up to a gate. Bear left slightly along the hilltop. 2 Go down a rocky descent, then bear right before a gate, uphill. Keep left at the bridleway forks, then drop to a road, turn right and keep bearing right. Just past a junction (with Lustleigh on the left),…

“Foel Gasnach has a great selection of tracks, with some really steep tech alongside some flatter and more flowing trails. With plenty of roots, rocks and drops to tackle, it’s not the easiest place to ride fast, but I enjoyed the challenge! I’ve never experienced an uplift with a turnaround as fast either, and I’m a big fan of that, because you can stay warm, build up a good flow and smash out loads of runs in a short period of time”…

There’s an unstoppable wave of bike parks spreading across the UK right now and we’ve just been to ride a new one at Mountain View Ranch, near Caerphilly. Adding to the already abundant riding spots in South Wales, this compact skills park is only the first phase of a bigger development, but it’s already loads of fun to ride. Soil-sculpting maestros Trailcraft have been in charge of construction and we met up with one of the main builders, Nikki Whiles, to have a look around. Along with two jump lines of different sizes, a tarmac pump track and a smaller beginner’s track, there’s a 1km green trail through the woods, which is way more of a laugh than its grading might suggest. A blue trail that’ll make more use of…

UNDEREXPOSING INTO THE LIGHT AND MAKING THE IMAGE MONOCHROME ADDS TO THE MOOD OF THE DAY, AND THE TYRE IMPRINTS FROM THE HUNDREDS OF RACERS ADD TO THE SENSE OF MOTION “I was never going to have an office job, finding it hard to concentrate at school. I was one of the best in my year at art though, which got me into a job on a magazine, where I was handed a Nikon FM camera loaded with film. From then on, I saw the world through a 36x24mm frame. Next, I bought a Muddy Fox MTB and distilled my attention down to two-wheeled vehicles. I rode, photographed and rode again – learning along the way – from local races and rides to World Cups and incredible locations. I feel…

Tag your Instagram pics with #mbukletters. We’ll pick four each issue and the best one will win a set of DMR V12 [Mg] flat pedals courtesy of www. upgradebikes.co.uk. Usual T&Cs apply. Bryn (@mountainbikingforyou) takes in his biggest drop to date – yeah dude! @cranky_betty out on holiday in Whistler and loving the Creekside berms [Ed: We’re not jealous in the slightest!] @samdexter60 snapped by @ian.pendr y whilst exploring some dusty trails in the Pyrenees @little_t_xd taking five on a ride at Ladybower Reservoir in the Peak District…

Frame TURQ Series carbon fibre, 165mm (6.5in) travel Fork Fox 36 Factory FIT GRIP2, 180mm (7.1in) travel Shock Fox DHX2 Factory with 2-position lever Drivetrain SRAM X1 Eagle (1x12) Wheelset DT Swiss EX 1700 wheels, Maxxis Minion DHF EXO+ 27.5x2.5in (front) and Minion DHR EXO+ 27.5x2.4in (rear) tyres Brakes SRAM Code RSC, 200mm rotors Bar/stem Yeti carbon, 800mm/Race Face Turbine, 50mm Seatpost/saddle Fox Transfer, 175mm drop (XL)/WTB Volt Weight 14.8kg (32.6lb), XL size with 500lb/in spring and without pedals…

Frame Hydroformed 6061 aluminium alloy, 140mm (5.5in) travel Fork RockShox Lyrik RC, 150mm (5.9in) travel Shock RockShox Deluxe RL Drivetrain Shimano Deore XT with SLX shifter (1x11) Drive unit Shimano STEPS E8000 motor Wheelset SUNringlé Duroc 40 wheels, Maxxis Minion DHF 3C EXO TR (f) and Maxxis Rekon+ EXO TR (r) 27.5x2.8in tyres Brakes Shimano Deore XT M8020, 203mm rotors Bar/stem THOK, 780mm/THOK, 50mm Seatpost/saddle THOK, 150mm drop/ THOK Fit Weight23.1kg (50.9lb), large size without pedals…

Back in the rose-tinted days of the ’90s when we’d regularly get a load of pros together and jet off abroad, we did an MBUKtrip down to Granada in Spain with the Martyns, Chris, Rob Warner, Steve Peat and Jamie Tomkins, among others. This was Chris’s first time away with the mag, and the day before the trip, he remembers going to Peaty’s house and Steve making him a cup of tea. “I’d never drunk tea before and I was shitting myself, as I felt like I couldn’t tell Steve Peat I didn’t like tea!” he admits. “So I drank it, and now I love tea!” The whole trip was a real eye-opener for Chris. “I’d never seen anyone ride a DH bike before, so when I saw Steve and…

Will has been racing and working on mountain bikes since he was 12 and now competes in the Elite DH category. He’s experienced World Cup racing from both sides of the tape, lining up in the gate at Mont-Sainte-Anne in 2014 and then working a full season as a mechanic for Trek Factory Racing. More recently, he’s worked at Mojo Suspension, where he first experimented with asymmetric wheels. He’s also a coach for British Cycling and runs bike set-up clinics with skills coaching company +3 MTB. And of course, he’s a tech geek!…

This cross-country tour takes you from the Welsh coast to the English border through the Cambrian mountains of Mid Wales. Starting and finishing at railway stations (Dovey Junction and Knighton), the 175km route is best ridden with the help of public transport, but as bike space on the trains is limited, pre-booking is advised. The Trans-Cambrian is primarily an off-road route, though there are unavoidable minor road links. All of it is on legal rights of way, but none of it is waymarked, so some map-reading skills are required, though generally path-finding is pretty easy. The terrain is a mixture of doubletrack, either rocky or through fields, forest roads and the occasional singletrack section. Some of the ground can get boggy, so it’s probably best undertaken in summer for easier…

Amy Ertel is a Whistler resident and up-and-coming  DH racer. She’s aiming to ride a full World Cup season in 2020. “My favourite zone to ride in the valley is Blackcomb, and my favourite trail is Hey Bud, as it’s got a bit of everything.” Chantelle Matthews moved to Whistler from the UK in 2015  and hasn’t looked back. Working in the arts sector for her day job, she’s traded in her lift pass in pursuit of pedalling the trails of the Sea-to-Sky Corridor with an ‘earn your turns’ attitude. “My favourite bike park trail in Whistler is Ninja Cougar and my top XC trail is Angry Midget in Squamish, plus a trail on Vedder Mountain called Black Forest Ham that’s super fun and loamy.” Miranda Miller should need no…

ROB WEAVER With two decades of riding experience, Rob knows what works and what doesn’t JAME CO TLEY-WHITE TOM MARVIN The only thing Tom loves more than his clapped-out VW Caddy is hammering test kit SEB STOTT No slouch on the race track, Seb’s passion for engineering helps him pick products apart ED THOMSETT Always on the hunt for new technical challenges, Ed gives his gear some serious abuse LUKE MARSHALL Keen racer Luke is quick to identify what helps or is a hindrance between the tape JAMES BLACKWELL Riding nearly as fast as he talks, Jimmer’s been testing kit for MBUK for 13 years…

How good are these warm, dusty summer evenings we’ve had recently? It’s a good job I have monthly deadlines, otherwise I’d be bunking off work to go and ride. The long days mean that I’ve still been managing to get out though, and it’s a treat to have the Alpine Trail coated with dust, not caked in mud. As Canadian freeriders would say, “the conditions have been all-time!” I’m making sure to make the most of summer, because I can remember how grim it gets in winter. Stop reading and get out while you can! www.marinbikes.com…

BACK YOKE Most shorts have a panel on the back, between the waistband and the seat. Making this from stretch fabric gives more movement, which stops the waistband from being pulled down. BONDED SEAMS Seams that are glued and fused together, rather than stitched. The finish is very smooth – and thus less likely to rub or chafe – and often used to complement a lightweight fabric. DIAMOND CROTCH PANEL A diamond-shaped gusset between the legs and base of the crotch. This not only provides a smoother feel for your undercarriage than the usual junction of seams, it also makes for easier movement. GROWN-ON WAISTBAND On most shorts, the ‘fixed’ waistband is simply sewn on. But on some more expensive models, the front and rear panels are extended upwards to…

01 TRACKSTAND Learning to trackstand helps you feel more comfortable standing up on your pedals, plus helps you understand where your weight should be on the bike for optimum balance. Turn the front wheel in, apply the brakes, straighten your legs and work on putting your weight over the middle of the bike – try not to rely on gripping the bar for balance. Stand up tall, relax, and build up the time you can hold still. 02 MANUAL This skill doesn’t just look cool, it’s useful on the trail too, for clearing obstacles such as drop-offs and climbing steps, and helps you learn how weight transfer affects the bike. Everyone’s read how to manual, but putting it into practice can be tough. The main point to remember is that…

1  Use a 6mm Allen key to unscrew the end cap on the outboard edge of the pedal. With an 8mm Allen key inserted into the spindle, use an 8mm socket to turn the nut inside the pedal body anticlockwise. Remove the nut and slide the spindle out of the pedal. 2  With a T25 Torx key, remove the two bolts in the holes in the pedal body. Pull the pedal body apart, slide a Stanley knife under the plastic bushes that sit on the inside of the two halves of the body, then use a pick to remove the O-rings that sit behind them. 3  Place the outboard edge of the outboard part of the pedal on a bench, then place the bearing tool provided in the Crankbrothers Pedal…

SPOILT FOR CHOICE! There are a number of good places to eat in Hawkshead, such as the Sun Tea Rooms (01539 436123), which serves up a range of amazing cakes and sandwiches, and even some very good fish and chips. The Little Ice Cream Shop in Hawkshead is also well worth a visit, especially on a hot day, with a range of delicious flavours, generous helpings, friendly staff and the option to taste before you buy. If you like quirky, KITTCHEN (01539 436920) is a lovely, cosy cafe, but you must like cats! Out on the route, the Grizedale visitor centre cafe is very good, with a range of food and drink, and seating inside and out. If you’re starting/finishing at Grizedale, we can also recommend The Eagle’s Head put…

Route summary An easy, simple route that gives less experienced riders the opportunity to get out and explore this spectacular, but rough and remote, area Start/finish Loch Clair car park (grid ref NH 002/582, postcode IV22 2ES) 1 Join the road, which bears off left towards Loch Clair. Go over a bridge and continue along towards the loch. At the next bridge (that leads to the estate) don’t cross – instead keep ahead/left, leaving the tarmac and passing through the gate straight ahead. 2 Climb uphill on a fireroad to a junction. Turn right, heading down towards the loch on a rough track. Take care when crossing the bridges on the way, as they’re quite uneven. 3 Exit the forest and continue down to the bottom of the valley, crossing…

GET THERE Foel Gasnach is located deep in the Clocaenog Forest, just east of Ruthin and about an hour’s drive from Chester. The postcode LL15 2DR will take you there. Once you get to the end of the tarmac road follow the wooden ‘FDHR’ signs through the forest to the car park. FACILITIES Parking, uplift, bike wash NEARBY BIKE SHOPS Being a bit out in the sticks, Foel doesn’t have any shops close by, but Oneplanet Adventure at Llandegla trail centre is an extensive, well-stocked shop, as is Alf Jones Cycles in Wrexham. www.oneplanetadventure. com www.alfjonescycles.co.uk CONTACT www.fdhr.co.uk NEARBY? Antur Stiniog Head west into Snowdonia and you’ll find Antur Stiniog. Built on an old slate mine, it’s one of the UK’s best uplift-accessed venues, with a big range of graded trails,…