Innehållsförteckning för December 2019 från Mountain Biking UK

Should the cold stop you getting out on the trails? Endura certainly don’t think so – otherwise, the Scottish brand’s staff might not get out riding at all! To discourage you from staying in, they’ve introduced their MT500 Freezing Point jacket and trousers. This new outerwear uses Primaloft Gold Active insulation in crucial areas, with stretch thermal softshell fabric elsewhere for freedom of movement. Waterproof panels and a DWR treatment provide protection from light rain and trail spray. Thigh, underarm and front-pocket vents let you regulate your temperature when the going gets tough. The jacket gets a dropped tail to keep your bum covered and silicone gripper on the shoulders to stop packs shifting around. A neat touch on the trousers is the abrasion-resistant ‘crank guards’ on the inside of…

Last month, a flurry of images and videos appeared on Instagram from some of the world’s best female riders, including one of Tahnée Seagrave pulling a toboggan on desert terrain. And a name: Formation. What was it, and why so mysterious? “We didn’t intend it to be that way!” laughs Tahnée. “It was a progression camp. Katie Holden, a former freerider, wanted to get some girls together to go to an old Red Bull Rampage site and see what we could do. No media, no pressure. Red Bull were keen on the idea and decided to support it. “I was excited to see how it would go, because obviously I’ve watched Rampage and thought ‘no way!’. Then, actually being at the site and seeing it first-hand – wow! I was…

1 Rab Horizon Down Pull-On You don’t always need (or want) zips, so pull this one on and warm up fast. The toasty hydrophobic-down filling is 100 per cent recycled, as is the Pertex Quantum Eco lining. £130 www.rab.equipment/uk 2 Patagonia Women’s Stretch Nano Storm Jacket Not all cold days are sunny, so this jacket boasts an ‘H2No’ technical outer shell made from 100 per cent recycled sources including discarded fishing nets. The synthetic insulation and polyester lining are part-recycled too, and it’s sewn together in a Fair Trade Certified factory. £350 www.patagonia.com 3 Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Hoody Responsibly-sourced goose down packs the warmth into this jacket, and a 100 per cent recycled polyester shell and lining keep it where it needs to be. £199 www.outdoorresearch.com 4 Vaude Mineo…

Earlier this month , a Facebook post shocked and tugged on the heartstrings of the MTB community. It was written by ex-Orange Bikes and Identiti Bikes designer Michael Bonney, who announced he’d be refusing medical treatment and turning off his ventilator, thus choosing to end his life. For those who don’t know, Michael crashed on his road bike six-and-a-half years ago and was paralysed from the neck down. His post explained his decision pragmatically and described his pain, despair and frustration. Rather than trying to paraphrase it here, we asked Pat Campbell-Jenner, who worked closely with Michael at Identiti, to explain just why he was so loved and respected. “While I may not be the most qualified person to talk about Michael’s life, having only known him since his accident,…

CUBE STEREO 170 RACE 29 £2,999 Big-wheeled thrasher Fresh for Cube’s 2020 line-up is their new Stereo 170 29er, designed as a go-anywhere, smash-anything and have-a-laugh-while-doing-it bike. It has two shock positions, giving you the choice of running an air- or coil-sprung damper, or swapping between the two depending on what takes your fancy. A second neat feature is that you can alter the head angle from 65 to 64.4 degrees with a simple change of headset cups. The Race model shown here is kitted out with a SRAM GX Eagle transmission and Code R brakes plus Performance-level Fox suspension. Race Face, Newmen and Maxxis kit finishes off the build. The Stereo 170 has already been piloted by the Cube Action Team at certain Enduro World Series races this year,…

HOW WE TEST THE KIT Starts with a detailed product check in the workshop. We strip and rebuild, checking for any problems. Next we hit the trails… hard! We test in real riding conditions for the complete picture. And finally we re-test with another tester. WHY OUR TESTS ARE THE BEST! Our test team is made up of the most respected bike and kit testers in the world. We have unrivalled knowledge and experience, and spend a vast amount of time making sure we get it right. We tell you the truth and aren’t influenced by PR or advertisers. ABOUT OUR TEST TEAM Our technical-editor-in-chief, Rob Weaver, gets new products in as soon as they’re available and coordinates all the testing through our vastly experienced band of reviewers, who’ve ridden…

Reading between the lines, you may have surmised that I’ve had mixed feelings towards the Stumpy EVO. While I’ve had some good rides on the bike, it’s rare that I’ve come away absolutely buzzing off it. That changed last weekend. I’ve been riding a lot of XC bikes recently in preparation for a three-day marathon (story in an upcoming issue), so instead of hitting the steeps, it’s been miles over smiles to make sure I had the legs to get round. With the race out of the way, I jumped at the opportunity to ride with mates on some slightly cheeky off-piste trails in South Wales. The first trail we hit was as steep as they come, with only catch- berms to slow you down before a final chute straight…

The Habit got a good workout on last month’s night shoot at BikePark Wales, where it smashed through the rocks like a champ – it even made Jimmer consider a shorter-travel bike for next year. Since then I’ve been out in my local woods, testing Exposure’s latest helmet light (Tested, p65). The ’Dale’s been a reliable companion on these nocturnal outings, where its light weight (13kg) makes the climbs that bit easier and its stealthy ride gives me a better chance of spotting deer, foxes and badgers – one of my favourite parts of night riding. www.cannondale.com…

SPECIALIZED S-WORKS ENDURO £8,999 The Enduro has been on the scene for 20 years and has enjoyed its share of popularity. For close to a decade, Specialized stuck with a distinctive X-Wing frame design, but for 2020 they’ve moved in a new direction, drawing inspiration from their successful Demo DH bike. RIBBLE HT TI SRAM GX EAGLE £3,199 Ribble’s 650b-wheeled HT Ti is their first mountain bike in two decades but continues a long tradition of UK-designed aggro hardtails. This titanium steed boasts frame angles well-suited to steep, loamy tracks, where front wheel control is key while the rear is left to roam free. CALIBRE BOSSNUT£ 1,100* Since its arrival on the scene in 2016, the Bossnut’s been a firm favourite with testers and riders looking for a capable bike…

WATER-RESISTANT ZIPS These keep wind and rain out without the need for a storm flap. They’re easy to identify by the smooth seal that closes protectively over the teeth, but can be stiff to use. DROP TAIL A longer back hem to ensure your lower back is covered and help keep mud and spray off the seat of your shorts. Check the length is right for you by jumping on a bike when you’re trying a jacket on. LINED NECK A fleecy inner collar not only feels more comfortable, it also absorbs stray drips before they run down your neck. HELMET- COMPATIBLE HOOD A hood that goes over a helmet is our preferred style for practicality, although some riders prefer one that fits underneath. Check that it can be cinched…

1 Eye protection Protecting your eyes from trail spray, mud and rain will improve your ride no end. If you don’t have to stop to clear muck and grit out of them, you’ll be able to concentrate on the trail ahead and maximise your fun. We like goggles in winter, especially for bike park duties, because of the extra protection. For XC rides, riding glasses with large, untinted lenses work best. 2 Gloves Your extremities will be the first things to get cold, so a warm pair of gloves is essential. It’s tricky to find designs that balance warmth and water-resistance with a good feel on the bar, but 100%’s Briskers are a solid choice. 3 Waterproof gear Here in the UK, you’re inevitably going to get wet riding in…

Seb“Pack a mini bottle of wet chain lube for top-ups – it can get washed off when you ride through puddles.” Ed“Take two pairs of gloves – one for the climbs and one for the descents.” Rob“Store some shop towel in a zip-up bag for cleaning your goggles or glasses.” Jimmer“Try a Dryrobe for changing. They keep you warm and stop your nethers being on public display!” Tom“Putting grip tape on your shifter paddle and brake levers is really useful in the wet.” JCW“Tape up the bottom of your fork’s steerer tube to stop mud and water getting in and rusting your headset.” Luke“Using silicone spray in key places can stop mud from sticking to your bike, and it makes it easier to wash too.”…

North-eastern Scotland has its own dialect called Doric, with phrases such as fit like, which means ‘how are you?’. You don’t need to learn Doric before visiting, but knowing a few Gaelic words can be useful when out in the hills. Here are some to get you started… A’,an– the Abhainn– river Allt – stream Aonach– ridge, steep hill Ban,bhan,baine– white, fair Beag,beg,bheag– small Bealach– mountain pass, glen, gap Bheinn, beinn, ben – mountain, peak Bidean, bidein – peak Bothain – bothy Carn, Cairn– pile of stones, hill Clach– stone Cnoc – round hill, knoll Coille– wood Coire,choire – corrie, hollow Creag – crag, cliff, rock Drum,druim– ridge Dubh– black/dark Eas– waterfall Gaick– cleft Garbh – rough Gleann – glen, valley Hourn – lake Lochan– small lake or pond Meall…

ACCOMMODATION Best for comfort: DeesideInn (01339 755413,www.crerarhotels.com/ deeside-inn ) Affordable hotel: AlexandraHotel (01339 755376,www.alexandrahotel ballater.co.uk) Budget: BallaterHostel(01339 753752,www.ballater-hostel.com) Camping: BallaterCaravanPark (01339 755727,www.ballatercaravan park.com) Best for families or groups: Glen Tanarluxurycottages(01339886451, www.glentanar.co.uk) FOOD & DRINK Cafes Bean for Coffee?: Great coffee, plus homemade cakes and sandwiches, etc (01339 755514) The Bothy: A good lunch spot, with soups, sandwiches and cake (01339 755191) Rocksalt & Snails: Superb cafe serving local cuisine (07834 452583) Riverside Cottage: On the A93, near the Cnoc Dubh trails (01339 755126, www.riverside cottagecafe.co.uk) Shorty’s Ice Cream Parlour: Perfect on a hot day (01339 756215, www.shortysicecreamparlour.co.uk) Evening meals Clachan Grill: For something special (01339 755999, www.clachangrill.com) The Balmoral Bar: Decent local pub with good food (01339 755462) India on the Green: The place to head for something spicy (01339…

Route summary A rough, tough and remote ride out in the hills, with some technical trails and hike-a-bike sections, which can be adapted to make it easier or harder Start/finish Spittal of Glenmuick car park (grid ref NO 310/852, postcode AB35 5SU) Getting there From Ballater, take the B976 over the bridge and turn right. After half a mile, take a left just before a bridge. Follow this single-lane road for eight miles, to the end 1 Join the track towards Loch Muick, forking left to climb up the hillside on the Capel Road track. NOTE You can miss out the next section to Glen Clova by continuing along the southern edge of the loch to a bridge. Cross this and bear left, uphill, on a track known as the…

With some wild sections and endless slippery rocks, I used to think of Antur as being suited to top-tier riders, but the new beginner trails have changed my opinion. They’ve made Antur way more attackable and enjoyable for both trail riders and beginners. I never once felt under-biked riding my 140mm-travel Nukeproof Reactor. I’m impressed by how fun they were too. Everything flowed without pedalling and even the crap weather didn’t matter. If there’s one piece of advice I can give, it’s to warm up with a few runs of the easy stuff, before taking on the blacks.…

While the average Briton won’t have been able to avoid hearing all about Coleen and Rebekah’s Twitter spat last month, they’re much less likely to have heard anything of Jack Carthy’s World Cup victory in competitive trials. The Yorkshireman may only be 23 years old, but he’s already winning titles and breaking records in this tough discipline. Jack is a three-time UCI 26in trials world champion (this year’s championships take place in early November, so he may have won his fourth by the time you read this!) and, in October, clinched his fourth consecutive World Cup series victory, after winning all three rounds of the competition. “I’m absolutely buzzing to have won,” Jack tells us. “I’ve trained so hard all year, day in, day out, to win as much as…

Oh winter, why are you here already? I got home from my last race away and the weather had already turned chilly, with the leaves dropping to the floor. Every year it creeps up and pounces, then boom! Permaslop is here for the winter. I hope everyone likes the colour brown! The levels of slop on the trails are more consistent than the levels of grip, so you have to watch out that the speed police aren’t peeping out from behind the leaf-free bushes, checking you’re not getting too reckless on the track. They’ll do you for a ‘sustained loss of traction’ – it’s a very real danger in these conditions. Who am I kidding though? When the muck arrives for the winter, it’s actually a time for rejoicing. I…

Flying around the globe to all the Enduro World Series races, riding the tracks and hanging out with the pros doesn’t sound like a bad gig, does it? The man with this enviable role is Ric McLaughlin, who started his career right here at MBUK. After four years as our staff writer, Ric was sick of being persecuted by Jimmer for his Northern Irish accent and took his dulcet tones somewhere they’d be more appreciated. That place was Red Bull, where he ended up being the man on the mic in the finish arena of the World Cups, interviewing the riders. Three years later Ric was offered the chance to be the face of the EWS coverage and “grabbed it with both hands”. Who is Ric McLaughlin? A 35-year-old bike…

Jimmer and Chris have been e-bike adventuring in France’s Queyras National Park and Italy’s Piedmont region for an upcoming feature. The photos are stunning, but our man behind the camera, Andy Lloyd, grumbled the whole way through, because not only were his bags lost in transit, but he pulled the short straw and had to ride a rattling bag of spanners with backwards brakes. We’ve been cooking up some plans for next year and, if they all come off, we’re definitely in for some adventures. Roadtrips, races, rock climbing with bikes… we’re even thinking of trying to get a staff team together for the Trophy of Nations enduro. We’d best get training, eh? For once, we lucked out with the weather on our biketest shoot in North Wales. Dropping off…

STAR LETTER “TARMAC, TARMAC!” I’ve just been on an early winter break to Agadir in Morocco and, although I couldn’t take my bike, I managed to smuggle my lid and CamelBak into my hand luggage without my wife noticing. A Google search didn’t reveal any mountain biking nearby, but a local promised me a “good deal, good deal,” as he tried to convince me to hire out a Focus 29er, complete with kickstand. With his instruction of “tarmac only!” ringing in my ears, I headed out with a few locals on what turned out to be my own free guided tour. With my French at roughly the level of ’Allo ‘Allo! I just about got by, but the trails were a bit more than I’d bargained for, with descents into…

Welcome to the MBUKSubs Zone. As a valued subscriber, not only do you get a big discount on the shop price and every issue delivered direct to your door before it hits the newsstand, but you also get access to this special membership area of the mag, where you can obtain exclusive benefits every month. Ranging from subscriber-only competitions to events and experiences, special offers and discounts, there’s something different every issue to reward you for being a loyal reader of MBUK. We’ll be bringing you custom covers, extra content and exclusive designs on our cover gifts too, so keep an eye out for those! This month we’ve got a great bundle of winter kit up for grabs from Scottish brand Endura, including two all-new products made from tough Cordura…

From my point of view, we built our dream Rampage run this year. I really do feel like we ticked every single box that we’d assigned ourselves. Last year was amazing and we knew we had a solid run. This year was about building off that and improving something already worthy of a top finish. I was very lucky to get to build such a wild line and watch it get ridden with such steeze by my best friend. FIRST DROP Bren’s line started with a hipped landing off the start drop – a truly horrible technical feature. The straight drop had so much run-out in case you got it wrong, but not Brendan’s version! It then snaked through giant boulders onto the cliff edge and over a baby canyon.…

Starting at Gatesgarth at the southeast end of Buttermere, we rode a 13.6km counterclockwise loop with around 800m of climbing. A gentle pedal to the far end of the lake eases you in, followed by a big hike-a-bike to the top of Red Pike at 755m, which gains you most of your height. From here it’s an undulating but technical ride along the ridge to High Stile following the line of the cliffs, with amazing views down the valley (if you pick a better day than us). From High Crag the contours come thick and fast, with steep, rocky switchbacks dropping down to Scarth Gap. At the intersection of paths, turn left and follow the bridleway down to Buttermere, going faster and faster as the terrain mellows out. It’s a…

ROB WEAVER With two decades of riding experience, Rob knows what works and what doesn’t 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 ALEX EVANS Many years of breaking bikes means Alex can give reliable buying advice…

Autumn rain has wreaked havoc on my local trails. It’s too early for a full tyre change, but on an e-bike you need to pay attention to the grip up front, because in the wet the weight through corners makes for unpredictable grip levels. My strategy – swapping to a Specialized Hillbilly BLCK DMND tyre on the front while leaving the back alone and shaving off the top end of the motor’s power using Specialized’s Mission Control app – has provided enough bite to keep things under control until the inevitable change to a full winter set. www.specialized.com…

A waterproof jacket will probably be one of the most expensive items of bike clothing you buy. You can spend a lot of money on one – but do you have to? Generally, the more you pay, the more you get, in terms of performance – by which we mean breathability, durability, features or a combination of all three. This isn’t always the case though. Working out exactly what you need your jacket for can help you narrow down your options and avoid spending money on features you don’t need. The one complaint everyone has about waterproof jackets is that they’re too hot, so excellent breathability is the gold standard. This comes down to more than just the fabric though – how a jacket is made can impact it too.…

THE BERGHAUS CHANGTSE WORKS WELL ON AND OFF THE BIKE, JUSTIFYING THE COST, BUT THERE ARE GREAT OPTIONS FOR HALF THE PRICE Berghaus Changtse £290 You’d struggle to find a jacket packed with more features than the Changtse (named after a Tibetan peak). Berghaus describe it as a feat of engineering and we can’t disagree. Designed as an all-purpose jacket, it’s so well-articulated that even if you only use for mountain biking you won’t feel short-changed. Let’s start with the material, because with a combination of three types of Gore-Tex, that’s a science all in itself. The main body is made from highly-breathable Gore-Tex Active, because it covers your heat-generating core. On the chest and arms, Gore-Tex Paclite Plus is used for its abrasion resistance and durability. Finally, Gore-Tex Topo…

1 Neck/head warmers Cold wind can nip at your ears and blow down your collar, so it’s a good idea to protect these parts with Buff-style neck tubes, which can also be folded up to form a headband. When the mercury really plummets, an under-helmet skullcap can be a lifesaver. 2 Thermal outerwear This is the kit that’s going to keep the wind and the chill out. When it’s not wet, softshell materials offer more breathability and comfort than full-on waterproofs. We like riding in trousers when it’s cold, and a jacket with wind protection is a must. Fox’s Fire range has some good options. 3 Baselayers You can add or remove clothing to suit the conditions, but your baselayer stays put, so it’s essential to ensure you have a…

CRUISE CONTROL Q I have a Voodoo Bizango, which I bought after reading the review in MBUK (issue 373). I’m really enjoying the bike and am getting better at riding it, but when I’m on steeper tracks, especially in the wet, I lose traction, making me tense up. I’ve heard I should fit winter tyres, but I like how the stock Maxxis Ardents roll on the road. How can I get more confidence on the bike but keep it fast, without spending tons? Darren Hutchings, via email A The Bizango is a great bike to learn skills on, but there are definitely things you can do to improve control, which won’t have much impact on the time it takes you to get to work. Wider, softer, more knobbly tyres will…

The River Dee starts its journey in the mountains, fed by melting snow. From there, it runs east through some of Scotland’s most majestic scenery, down to Aberdeen. In its magnificent valley lies Ballater, once best-known for its spring water. The village has long been a popular haunt of walkers and wildlife lovers, but now it’s quickly making a name for itself as a mountain biking hotspot, with good facilities and some superb riding on its doorstep. Blue mountains A good way to start is with our ‘Ballater Blue’ loop. This easy introduction to the area takes in some remote mountain trails and scenery, before a long, fast-flowing singletrack descent, which is great fun but never too tricky or technical. More experienced riders can spice up the end of the…

The Highlands’ infamous midges usually emerge by late May, although these are the non-biting males. It’s not until early June, when the females arrive, that the real trouble begins, with July and August being the peak (worst) times, and their season running through into September. They love warm, damp conditions, and especially cloud cover, with dawn and dusk being prime times. It’s worth noting that they can’t fly in winds over 7mph and also dislike hot, dry, sunny conditions.…

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 selection of varied – but all exciting – loops starting from Ballater, enabling you to customise the ride to your own requirements by removing or adding runs as you prefer Start/finish Ballater car park (grid ref NO 369/957, postcode AB35 5QQ) 1 Go left on the main road (Bridge St) then right on Station Square, joining the Deeside Way cycle path. After 4km, after the Cheese Co offices, cross the road into Cambus O’May (Forest Trails) by a bus stop. Take the first forest track on the right and continue uphill. Pass some overhead electricity cables and go through a silver gate. Turn right onto some singletrack back under the cables. 2 Continue uphill to some rock slabs and go right, downhill. Follow the track left, back…

GET THERE Antur Stiniog is just on the outskirts of the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, postcode LL41 3NB. Being right on the A470, it’s an easy spot to get to from both north and south. FACILITIES Parking, uplift, cafe, toilets, showers, bike hire, shop, bike wash NEARBY BIKE SHOPS The visitor centre has a small selection of parts and spares to keep your bike running in an emergency. For a bigger range of bikes and gear, plus workshop facilities, head north to The Framed Bicycle Co in the town of Llanberis. www.theframedbicycleco.com CONTACT www.anturstiniog.com NEARBY? Zip World In the old slate mines next to the MTB centre are a whole load of crazy activities to keep the family entertained while you hit the trails. A huge zip wire from the…

“Alright Butt!” – it’s the friendly greeting you’ll probably have heard at any Welsh trail centre. It’s also the name of a new film by videographers Alex Tyler and Tom Wheeler, documenting the ever-growing Welsh riding scene. “We’re both astonished with what Wales has to offer and the vast range of talent that comes from it,” explains Alex, “and the idea for a film is something we’ve had in our notes for five years.” But it wasn’t until this August that the pair put their plan into action. Since then, they’ve been flat out, touring the country and capturing action from Wales’s best. The cast reads like a Who’s Who of Welsh MTB, with Joe Smith, Mike Jones, Manon Carpenter, Leigh Johnson, Rowan Sorrell, Nikki Whiles and Ajay Jones all…

To mark DMR’s 25th anniversary next year, the UK brand wanted to give something back to the MTB scene. The result is the new ‘S&M’ trail at Rogate B1kepark. Plans were first drawn up for this flow line seven years ago. With DMR’s help it’s now finally finished, and includes their own slopestyleinspired freeride section. The run is the brainchild of Sam Bowell, one of the key players behind Rogate, who told us: “Heaps of people helped, but Mike [Walker] and I were the driving force, hence S&M – Sam and Mike. Olly [Wilkins, DMR-sponsored rider] had this idea for a sick bridge and I knew it was the final piece of the puzzle. DMR were all over it and backed us completely.” Working with Olly’s company BSI, DMR and…

Downhill racing has become increasingly professional over the past three decades of international competition, but to reach the top you’ve always needed two things – talent and an uncompromising approach. Two legends of the sport possessed both qualities, but applied them in completely different ways. Nicolas Vouilloz (right), aka The Alien, won more World Champs gold medals – 10, to be exact – than any other pro male DH racer. In his prime, the Frenchman was renowned for a precise, calculated approach to racing. His commitment was such that it was rumoured his bikes were specifically built for each track. Shaun Palmer (left) was the opposite – loose, wild and extroverted, on and off the track. While this freewheeling attitude didn’t earn the American as many medals as Nico, it…

Sam Hill should need no introduction. The quiet Australian claimed his first of five Downhill World Championships wins in 2002 as a Junior and is still at the top of his game in 2019, notching up his third consecutive Enduro World Series title this year. The 34-year-old has had an illustrious career few others can match, thanks to a riding style even fewer can replicate. Famed for his crazy corner speed, inside lines and love of flat pedals, Sam is also known for his custom-painted bikes, which are painstakingly set up by his long-time mechanic, Jacy Shumilak. Seen here is the Ferrari-red Nukeproof Mega 29er that Sam raced at the Trophy of Nations in Finale Ligure, Italy, for Team Australia. The bike was inspired by Chain Reaction Cycles team manager…

“I started shooting mountain bikes professionally six years ago and life’s been a whirlwind since. I first got into photography when I was a teenager, as a sideline to riding bikes. My big break came when I hired some professional gear and went along to the Fort William World Cup. Documenting racing is the best for pushing your creative problem-solving, I reckon. It always forces you out of your comfort zone, and I’m still hooked. I’m originally from Oxford. By way of a few ski seasons and a couple of years in Germany, I moved to Chamonix in France last year, to be in the middle of the most extreme landscape in Europe. It hasn’t disappointed, with its history, the wild, unexplored nature of the terrain and, of course, the…

Having driven all the way from South Devon to ride at Coed y Brenin, Dan Thorning made it around both The Beast and the Temtiwr trail before getting taken out by the skills area. “We’d been riding XC most of the day, so I felt the need to catch some air on my new Trek Remedy 8,” Dan tells us. “Rolling down the Lemming Stone drop went fine, but that wasn’t enough, so I went for it a second time – faster, bigger and further. I landed it but got bucked over the bars and went sliding across the gravel on my knees, which pulled down my pad and slit my knee open. I went straight to A&E, got operated on the next day and now I’m passing the time…

The good folk at Endura have put together a fantastic bundle of kit for one lucky MBUKsubscriber, which includes some winter favourites from their line-up along with two new products made from tough but packable Cordura fabric. First up is the SingleTrack Durajak, a super-light jacket that “packs smaller than a can of Irn-Bru” but is strong, durable and windproof, with a durable water repellant (DWR) coating, making it a great emergency layer. The second new bit of kit is the Durapak, a backpack that’s big enough to hold essential spares and extra layers – including your Durajak – but folds down small enough to fit into a jersey pocket when not in use. It’s fully waterproof too, with sealed seams and a roll-top closure. HOW TO ENTER For your…

LifeLine Aero Beam 25 £15 SO GOOD… A USB-charged Li-ion battery powers 16 COB (chip-on-board) LEDs with five modes and a useful pulse setting. Side visibility is good up to 30 degrees from the rear of the bike. (The light can still be seen from up to 80 degrees, although brightness is reduced.) It’s the cheapest on test. NO GOOD… The silicone strap only fits frame tubes and seatposts, and can shift if knocked. If the rubber cover for the USB port isn’t attached correctly, water and mud can get in. The button’s location makes it hard to push. Even on max, the light isn’t especially bright. www.hotlines-uk.com NiteRider Solas 250 £35 SO GOOD… An IP64 dust- and waterproof rating should make this light impervious to most muck. It’s easy…

I wonder whether your average MTBer would recognise the iconic whir of a Chris King hub? Probably like most others who do, I never imagined I’d have one on my own bike. It’s the pinnacle of American-made, precision bike bling, reserved for sponsored pros, or punters with very deep pockets. Well, this month I’ve temporarily joined that gang because I’ve been testing a new wheelset on the Kona with Chris King ISO hubs and Stan’s Flow MK3 rims. Two rides in and so far, so good. Look out for a review soon. www.konaworld.com…

BREATHABILITY The rate at which a fabric allows heat from inside to escape, in the form of water vapour. TWO-LAYER FABRIC One where the waterproof membrane has no backing. Can have a rubbery or plasticky feel next to the skin. Generally lightweight (although newer three-layer materials can compare well) and lower-cost. THREE-LAYER FABRIC Here, the membrane is lined, so the inside of the jacket feels smoother. The lining can help with moisture management and also improves durability, so can prolong wear. P.F.CS Poly-fluorinated chemicals are often used in the production of DWR (durable water repellent) finishes, but break down very slowly once released into the environment. Many brands are now moving to PFC-free materials, so check the blurb. ARTICULATED This is when a fabric is cut along the lines of…

The UK winter produces some pretty foul riding conditions, but that doesn’t mean you have to have a miserable time on your bike. With the correct planning, kit, bike set-up and a few top tips, you can have a glorious time shredding in the mud. Here’s our top advice from over 30 years of riding in the best and worst that the British weather can throw at us. 1. BIKE & BODY PREP Correct kit makes wet rides more enjoyable Investing in decent winter riding kit and a few conditions-specific parts for your bike is essential, to avoid ending up soaked to the skin and freezing cold, and keep that smile on your face. Changing tyres is a faff, especially if you’ve gone tubeless, but it’ll improve control massively on…

CHANGING MAT After a ride, it’s nice to have something to stand on while you’re putting on your dry clothes. This is where a changing mat – even an old piece of carpet or doormat will work – can help, keeping your fresh socks dry. DIRTY-KIT BAG It’s good to have a reusable plastic bag to chuck all your dirty gear in, so you don’t get your nice kit bag muddy. One of those tough Ikea bags will work well. CLEANING PRODUCTS Most trail centres and bike parks have bike washes, but water alone isn’t going to keep your pride and joy gleaming. Stick some cleaning products and a brush in the car/van to get welded-on grime off. Plenty of brands now offer biodegradeable cleaners. JET WASHING While the old…

1 Remove the pedal, clean it and place it loosely in a vice or workstand. Turn the assembly collar clockwise (driveside pedal) or anticlockwise (non-driveside) using either a 17mm spanner or Shimano’s PD40 tool, depending on the pedal model. 2 Keep turning until you can slide the axle assembly out of the pedal body. Thoroughly clean the assembly and the inside of the pedal body using spray degreaser and rags. Use a jet of air from a compressor or track pump to dry off the bearings. 3 Gently clamp the pedal threads in a soft-jawed vice (or use a thick rag to protect them), with the axle bearings pointing up. Install a thin 10mm open-ended spanner on the cone, which sits just above the bearings, and a 7mm spanner on…

LOCATION Ballater is a village located halfway up the eastern side of the Cairngorms mountain range, in the eastern Highlands of Scotland. WHY COME HERE? Covering over 4,500km2 of wild and remote terrain, the Cairngorms offer some great mountain biking, and Ballater provides easy access to it all. There’s a wide range of riding here, from family-friendly cycle paths along the old railway line, to epic long rides into the wilderness and some technical, enduro-style trails in the steep, wooded valley. The village itself may not be huge, but it boasts good facilities including bike shops and hire, accommodation and cafes. GETTING HERE Ballater is west of Aberdeen, on the A93 to Perth (which can be accessed via the M90). There’s a pay-and-display car park in the centre of the…

BEST FOR LESS EXPERIENCED RIDERS The Culsten Burn and The Green Mile descents both involve a ride out to a remote hillside, before following a long, fast and flowing, blue-level descent back down. Neither is too technical, and they offer stunning views as well. BEST TECHNICAL TRAILS Mastermind is a superb, twisty, rooty natural trail that drops steeply down the hillside from the radar mast on Creagan Riabhach, just north out of Ballater. To the east is Cnoc Dubh, where, there’s a superb natural, red-graded downhill trail, the Cnoc Dubh Descent, as well as ET and Roller Coaster. To the south, Heartbreak Ridge heads north-west along the ridgetop from Pannanich Hill and is probably the most talked-about trail in the area, with superb singletrack and a fabulous rock-slab climax. BEST…

TRAIL STATS Distance:14 trail sections, adding up to full descents of 1-2km Climbing: All uplift-accessed Time: 3-8 minutes per run, depending on track choice and ability Grading:Green, blue, red, black, double-black WHY RIDE HERE? Fast uplifts, all-weather trails and everything from family-friendly flow to DH race lines RAD… Antur now has something for riders of all abilities There’s a big selection of trails with a good mix of flow and tech Super-quick uplift service means your arms will give out before the buses stop running BAD… The exposed hillside gets hit hard by bad weather, and jumping in the wind can be sketchy Shaley dirt requires some skill to tame in the wet, but makes for a fun challenge Outside of the deep fat fryer, the food selection in the…