Innehållsförteckning för March 2021 från Mountain Biking UK

“The last wee while has been a chilly old time. Defrosting my toes by the fire after a ride seems to have become a staple. The big question is whether to bother drying my shoes out too, or just commit to it and leave them soggy for the next session. It’s a winter dilemma, for sure. “It only takes 10 seconds until the water in my favourite boots warms up a tad and the shiver down my spine eases up. Even so, that feeling of slipping into a cold, wet shoe is bad enough to kill the buzz of even the hardest nut around. Needless to say, my shoes seem to have set up home in my van these days – always ready for action, but never dry. “My winter…

STAR LETTER BACK IN THE GAME I’m writing to tell you my story of getting back into riding, hoping it inspires others to do the same! I’ve been a long-time reader of MBUK and, a few years ago, was inspired to go out and buy a Whyte T-130 to get myself back into mountain biking; I was heading towards 40 and wanted to get fit. Not long after having the bike, I started suffering severe back and leg pain. After numerous doctor’s visits and X-rays, I arranged an MRI scan and discovered I had a prolapsed disc in my back, which was crushing my spinal cord. Soon after, I was taken in for an operation to stop it from getting worse, because I was slowly becoming paralysed. The operation was…

Frame ‘CC’ carbon fibre, 170mm (6.7in) travel Fork Fox 38 Factory, 170mm (6.7in) travel Shock Fox Float X2 Factory Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle (1x12) Wheelset Santa Cruz Reserve 30 carbon wheels, Maxxis Assegai 3C Maxx Grip EXO+ 27.5x2.5in WT (f) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C Maxx Terra EXO+ 27.5x2.4in WT (r) tyres Brakes SRAM Code RSC, 200mm rotors Bar/stem Santa Cruz carbon, 800mm/ Burgtec Enduro MK3 Seatpost/saddle KS LEV Integra, 150mm (listed; our bike came with a RockShox Reverb)/WTB Silverado Weight 14.6kg (32.2lb), medium size without pedals…

CROSS-COUNTRY XC forks offer 100-120mm of travel and are reserved for serious racers. They use a lightweight chassis, normally with 32mm-diameter stanchions. The trade-off is more flex and therefore less precision than you get with a beefier trail fork. A remote lockout on the handlebar can be used to stop fork bob from sapping the rider’s energy when climbing. DT SWISS F232 ONE Travel: 100-120mm (29in or 650b wheels) Spring: Air Offset: 51mm Stanchion diameter: 32mm Steerer: Single-crown, tapered (1-1/8 to 1.5in) Axle: Boost (15x110mm) Max brake rotor size: 203mm Weight (claimed): 1,480g Price: £924.99 Other examples: Fox 32, RockShox SID TRAIL Trail forks have upwards of 120mm of travel and combine relatively light weight with enough stiffness to keep the fastest trail-centre lappers happy, while also appealing to those…

ROB WEAVER With With two tw decades s of o riding experience e e , , Rob R knows ws what works w and what doesn sn’’t t TOM MARVIN Riding anything up to five days a week means Tom has plenty of time to hammer test kit ALEX EVANS Many years of breaking bikes means Alex can give reliable buying advice SARAH GAMSJÄGER Skier turned enduro racer Sarah is always on the lookout for kit that gets results RUSSELL BURTON Long days outdoors mean photographer Russ needs kit that won’t let him down LUKE MARSHALL Keen racer Luke is quick to identify what helps or is a hindrance between the tape…

STANCHIONS The upper legs of a fork, which slide in and out of the lower magnesium casting. Both forks here have 38mm-diameter stanchions, to resist twisting when combined with long travel. ANTI-SQUAT A feature of the suspension design to counteract suspension bob or compression when the rider’s weight shifts under acceleration – imagine the bonnet of a car lifting when setting off. SRAM U.D.H. Universal Derailleur Hanger – an open-to-all rear mech mounting standard, which we hope makes its way onto all bikes for ease of replacement.…

HARNESS The arrangement of shoulder straps, sternum (chest) strap and waist belt that secures the pack to your back. Some designs do away with the waist belt and rely on an extra sternum strap to pull the shoulder straps in tight. COMPRESSION STRAPS On bigger packs especially, additional external straps are useful for cinching down your cargo to stop it shifting around when the bag isn’t stuffed to full capacity. CERTIFIED BACK PROTECTOR Level 1 or level 2 certification indicates the amount of impact energy transmitted through/absorbed by a CE-approved back protector. Level 2 designs offer more protection but are likely to be bulkier. BITE VALVE The rubber mouthpiece at the drinking end of the hose. This is usually replaceable, and most have a twist-lock or lever closure to prevent…

Big-framed riding glasses from the likes of 100% and Smith are on-trend for trail riding, and with good reason – they provide loads of coverage to protect your eyes from spraying crud, dust and trail debris. However, these modern designs are more a blast from the past than a new development, looking remarkably similar to the eyewear that riders were wearing back in the 1980s. Two of the original players have underlined this with the release of replica glasses. Scott revived the Sport Shield, a key model from 1989, as a limited edition to mark their 60th anniversary in 2019 (right, top), and a toned-down version remains in their line-up. Oakley reached back even further for inspiration for their Sutro Eyeshade (right, bottom), launched last year. These glasses reference their…

Poor Adam Brooker received a little more hospitality from Dyfi Bike Park than he was hoping for. He explains: “A riding weekend away in Wales with a couple of mates unfortunately ended sooner than planned, after a gust of wind at Dyfi caused me to land a jump with my leg sticking out. After hearing a crack like a stick breaking, my mates, together with Dan Atherton, put me in the back of a Land Rover to save waiting for mountain rescue. This was the start of a long road to recovery. One month in hospital later (including a six-hour operation with 23 metal pieces in my leg), I’m now learning to walk normally again. Here’s hoping I can get back on a bike in time for summer!”…

Frame Aluminium alloy, 180mm (7.1in) travel Forks Fox 38 Float Performance Elite GRIP2, 180mm (7.1in) travel Shock Fox Float X2 Performance Drivetrain Bosch Performance Line CX motor with 625Wh PowerTube battery, SRAM Eagle gearing (X1 1000 cranks, X01 mech, GX cassette, NX shifter/chain; 1x12) Wheelset Syncros X-30S rims on Formula hubs, Maxxis Assegai (f) and Dissector (r) 3C Maxx Terra EXO+ 29x2.6in tyres Brakes Shimano Deore XT M8020, 203mm rotors Bar/stem Syncros Hixon 1.5, 800mm/ Syncros XM1.5, 50mm Seatpost/saddle Fox Transfer, 150mm/ Syncros Tofino 1.5 Regular Ti Weight 24.1kg (53.1lb), medium, no pedals…

TELESCOPIC OR LINKAGE? Telescopic forks have been the norm since the mid ’90s, but in recent years brands such as Motion Ride, Structure Cycleworks and Trust Performance (above right) have been touting the benefits of linkage forks. These include a tunable axle-path and reduced stiction. The drawbacks are added weight and complexity, as well as some, er, interesting handling characteristics for riders to familiarise themselves with. AIR OR COIL-SPRUNG? The coil vs air debate will continue, with some riders enjoying the low stiction and linear rising rate of coil springs, but most opting for the lighter weight, progressive feel and easy tunability of air systems. ONE LEG OR TWO? Cannondale debuted the Lefty fork in 2000 and maintain that there are advantages in stiffness and weight to using just one…

Phone: fully charged. Tools: include a good quality multi-tool with 2.5-8mm Allen keys, a T25 Torx key and screwdrivers; tyre levers, a spare tube and a pump. Zip-ties, quick-links and a spare tubeless valve can also come in handy. Food, water, jacket: Even if you’re only going out for an hour, eat and drink at the top of each climb and pack a waterproof in case the weather changes suddenly. On cold, wet rides a pair of dry gloves in a sandwich bag can be life-changing.…

Nukeproof Horizon V2 Carbon £109.99 SO GOOD… It’s available in three rises, two widths and two clamp diameters. The 9-degree backsweep gives a swept-back feel, which some riders will find comfy. Because the sweep starts further outboard than on most bars, it doesn’t leave your hands too far behind the stem. NO GOOD… The one we tested (38mm rise, 800mm width, 35mm clamp) is among the stiffest here, which makes it more jarring on rougher trails. At 248g, it’s slightly heavier than the other carbon fibre options, too. Despite the textured finish, brake levers can twist around the bar, even when torqued up properly.* www.hotlines-uk.com e*thirteen Race 35 Carbon £125 SO GOOD… At 219g (35mm x 800mm), e*thirteen’s top-end handlebar is one of the lightest full-width options around. Compared to…

Canyon Torque CF 8 £4,755.98 shipped Frame Carbon fibre front triangle, alloy rear end, 175mm (6.9in) travel Fork Fox 38 Performance Elite, 180mm (7.1in) travel Shock Fox Float X2 Performance Drivetrain Shimano Deore XT M8100 with e*thirteen TRS+ chain guide (1x12) Wheelset DT Swiss EX 1700 wheels, Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxGrip EXO (f) and 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ (r) 27.5x2.4in tyres Brakes Shimano Deore XT M8120, 203mm rotors Bar/stem Canyon G5 R, 780mm/ Canyon G5, 40mm Seatpost/ saddle OneUp V2, 180mm/Ergon SM10 Enduro Comp Weight 16.04kg (35.36lb), medium size without pedals www.canyon.com Propain Spindrift CF 29 Performance Price £3,891.90 shipped Frame Carbon fibre, 180mm (7.1in) travel Fork RockShox ZEB Ultimate, 190mm (7.5in) travel Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Select Plus Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle with Truvativ Descendant Carbon cranks…

STORAGE VOLUME You need enough space for all your stuff, but there’s no point carting a massive half-full pack around. Around 7l to 15l is ample for most day rides. ORGANISATION Most packs have mesh pouches or zipped pockets inside the main compartment to keep things organised. Some even come with tool-rolls. Waist belt pouches are ideal for grab-on-the-go items. HYDRATION SYSTEM Whether supplied with or without a reservoir all these packs are designed to carry water, with a pouch to hold the bladder, a clip or Velcro tab to hold it upright and routing for the drinking hose on the shoulder straps. Most can take 2-3l of liquid. HELMET CARRIER If you’re riding enduro it can be useful to be able to bring a full-face lid too. Even if…

MISTY EYED Q What’s the best way to clean my glasses out on the trail? I get loads of misting and I’m worried about scratching the lenses. James Hussenthwaite, Settle A This time of year is a real pain for riding glasses and goggles – all the moisture in the air means misting is really prevalent. There are sprays available that may help (such as Muc-Off’s Anti-Fog Treatment, £9.99), but keeping the air flowing around the lenses (and removing your eyewear when you stop or start a slow climb) is the best way to prevent fogging. To clean lenses, we use kitchen (or blue) roll, a microfibre cloth or a dedicated glasses wipe or bag. Keep it in a zip-lock bag to keep it dry and clean. If your glasses…

Formed by volcanic eruptions, tectonic action and glacial erosion in the last ice age, the Lake District’s landscape is striking, with its vast mountains, plunging valleys and numerous bodies of water. Despite the name, there’s actually only one lake here – Bassenthwaite. The rest are meres, waters, tarns or reservoirs. In the southern part of the National Park, a mix of mudstone, sandstone and limestone has been folded, faulted and eroded to create gentler scenery, alongside magma and granite outcrops that protrude from the ground in places. This unrivalled scenery means it attracts millions of visitors each year, and gets very busy at peak times. The good news is that the facilities have grown and improved alongside the area’s popularity. Our easy and medium routes overlap one another. Sticking to…

If you’ve ever scoured a map of the Lakes, you’ll have noticed lots of ‘northern’-sounding place names. These come from Old Norse words, because the Lake District was once ruled by Vikings. In around 886 AD, after an agreement with King Alfred the Great, England was divided roughly in half with a line drawn from London to Chester. To the north the territory was called Danelaw, while the south was still under Anglo-Saxon law. Words ending ‘-thorpe’ mean hamlet or farmstead, ‘thwaite’ a clearing or settlement, ‘by’ a village or town, ‘fell’ a hill, ‘beck’ a stream, ‘tarn’ a small lake, ‘pike’ a peak and ‘gill’ a valley.…

ACCOMMODATION Where to base yourself The attractive town of Ambleside sits at the top of Windermere, England’s largest natural lake. Located amid lots of great riding and with a wealth of facilities, it makes an ideal base. Which is why it gets very busy, so plan ahead, or visit outside of peak times. Budget & groups Ambleside Backpackers (01539 432340, www.amblesidehostel.co.uk).Waterhead YHA (01539 432304, www.yha.org.uk). B&B In town Stiles of Ambleside (01539 433585, www.stilesofambleside.co.uk). Out of town Nab Cottage B&B in Rydal, two miles north of Ambleside (01539 435311, www.rydalwater.com). Camping South of Ambleside on the western side of Lake Windermere is the lovely Low Wray campsite (01539 432733, www.nationaltrust.org.uk). FOOD & DRINK Cafes There are lots of great cafes in Ambleside. Try the Picnic Box (www.facebook.com/ thepicnicboxambleside), which offers…

Route summary A great ride, suitable for intermediate riders wanting to push themselves, or experienced mountain bikers looking for a physical but not too technical route that’s ridable in poor weather. There are refreshment and bail-out options along the way, and wonderful views of the mountain peaks around you Start/finish Rothay Park, Ambleside (postcode LA22 9LJ, grid ref NY 371/045) or Under Loughrigg Road (roadside parking) 1 From Ambleside, ride out on Vicarage Road by the cinema, past the church and through Rothay Park, over the bridge to Under Loughrigg Road. This is also a good starting point, with lots of roadside parking. Head north but quickly turn left on a tarmac bridleway, steeply uphill. 2 Past Brow Head Farm, climb ahead on a rocky bridleway, then descend to a…

SWAP SHOP! A quick look at the five biggest team switches for 2021 in DH, XC and more 1. DANNY HART > CUBE FACTORY RACING This won’t come as a surprise if you watched last year’s Downhill World Cup final, because Red Bull commentator Rob Warner dropped a pretty big hint. Plus, we knew two-time world champ Danny was off somewhere because Madison Saracen had said they weren’t renewing the Redcar Rocket’s contract. It’s an interesting move, and shows just how much Cube have improved the reputation of their bikes in recent years. Phil Atwill ended the team’s 2020 World Cup season on a high, riding their new DH bike, the Two15, to fifth place. He’s moving on for next season, but we’re sure Danny’s involvement will take the team…

1. Muc-Off Pressure Washer bicycle bundle This mains-powered pressure washer has all you need to get your ride sparkling, including their ‘snow foam’ lance. £139.99, www.muc-off.com 2. Boot Buddy 2.0 Hosing down your muddy shoes can leave them saturated. This tool gives them a thorough clean without soaking them. £21.99 (currently on offer for £15.99), www.bootbuddy.com 3. Pedro’s Green Fizz Pedro’s foaming bike wash is biodegradable and free from solvents, phosphates and VOCs. £9.99 (1l) www.raleigh.co.uk 4. Peaty’s Foaming Drivetrain Degreaser Oil, mud and grit give drivetrains a hard time. This foaming degreaser is tough on grime but kind to the environment. £14.99 (1l) www.silverfish-uk.com 5. Park Tool Cyclone chain scrubber (CM-5.3) When it’s time to deep-clean your chain, this gadget does the hard work for you. £29.99 www.freewheel.co.uk 6.…

The highs & lows of life on the mag The Bristol area got a rare smattering of snow, which made a welcome change from riding in mud! Looks like lots of you were out enjoying the white stuff too (p28). Fortunately, the trails weren’t too dicey, and the extra effort getting up the hills kept us nice and toasty (well, warmish). We’re looking forward to seeing some dusty trails again soon, though. JCW has been trying out the Shotgun kids’ seat we featured a couple of issues back. His four-year-old can’t get enough of it, giggling so much that she can barely hold on. He was worried that stretching his lanky legs around her would leave him walking like a cowboy, but so far, so good! We’re always excited to…

COMMIT TO A SECTION, LET OFF THE BRAKES AND YOU’LL BE REWARDED WITH PINPOINT ACCURACY AND MASSES OF MOMENTUM SANTA CRUZ NOMAD CC X01 RSV £7,799 Is the revamped Nomad the US brand’s best big-hitter yet? Santa Cruz last overhauled the Nomad back in 2017, and it was a bike we quickly fell in love with thanks to its playful ride. It was a real plus how well it pedalled uphill, too. Fast-forward to 2021 and the bike gets another makeover, although the differences aren’t quite so easy to spot as last time around. The frame The fifth-generation Nomad continues to roll on 650b wheels, with no 29in (for that, look to the Megatower) or mixed-wheel-size ‘mullet’ option (as found on Santa Cruz’s e-bikes) available. As with pretty much every…

COTIC ROCKETMAX GEN3 From £3,599 (bike)/£2,099 (frame) Rocket by name, rocket by nature Cotic’s enduro-focused 29er has become even more capable with the launch of this third-generation model, which boasts an extra 10mm of rear wheel travel (giving a not-insubstantial 160mm in total), new suspension kinematics and compatibility with larger-volume air shocks. These changes, which include a tweaked progression rate and lower leverage ratio, are said to give a more composed ride and extra tunability. The geometry remains pretty much unchanged and is based on the brand’s Longshot concept, meaning the bike has a long reach and short 35mm stem paired with a slack head angle and long-ish chainstays for a more balanced riding position. The front triangle is made in the UK from Reynolds 853 steel, with a new…

AT ITS SIMPLEST, THE FORK IS JUST THE BIT THAT ATTACHES THE FRONT WHEEL TO YOUR BIKE. But delve inside a modern mountain bike fork and you’ll find an intricate series of rods, valves, seals and more, all designed to isolate you from the worst the trail can throw at you. Forks have evolved almost beyond recognition since the dawn of the sport in the 1970s, when Joe Breeze, Gary Fisher and their buddies first started riding bicycles on dirt. Their ‘klunkers’ sported rigid forks, with the only ‘suspension’ being provided by the legs flexing. Now, even entry-level MTBs come with proper suspension forks containing a sophisticated air spring and damper, combined with low-maintenance seals and lubricants, in a relatively stiff and robust yet lightweight chassis – quite an engineering…

Chris Porter worked with Fox suspension for many years and now runs Mojo Rising. In 2019 he released the MORC 36 conversion kit, designed to address problems with enduro forks that the large manufacturers were yet to respond to. This transformed a single-crown Fox 36 into a stiffer dual-crown fork with adjustable offset and a custom air spring. Fox have since released the 38 fork, with a stiffer chassis than the 36 (albeit still single-crown), a choice of offsets and updated internals. Chris is clearly a man with his finger on the pulse, so we asked him what his ideal fork would look like. Don’t expect to see all of these changes soon, though. As Chris somewhat cynically says: “We have to go one step at a time, so I’ll…

HOW WE TEST THE KIT It starts with a detailed product check in the workshop. Next we hit the trails… hard! We test in real riding conditions, incorporating feedback from multiple testers, and don’t stop until we have the complete picture. WHY OUR TESTS ARE THE BEST! Our test team is made up of some 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. 7iDP Project 23 Carbon…

JULIA’S JULIANA JOPLIN CARBON C S £4,999 Pardon her French, but Julia f**king loves her Juliana! So here it is, my first brand-new bike. Nothing can detract from the excitement of a fresh-out-of-the-box ride! It’s also only the third mountain bike I’ve ever ridden, so I’m slowly but surely learning to set it up properly. My first mistake was to neglect to fit a mudguard, in the middle of winter. I didn’t let that spoil my first session on the Juliana though – mud in my eyes, smile on my face! Having only ridden 650b bikes before, I couldn’t believe the stability the 29in wheels offered on the descents. I was worried that steeper terrain would be even more daunting on a 29er, but the way the big wheels…

ONLY YOKING Canyon attach the shock to the linkage via a neat extender yoke, which is forged for extra strength. WHAT A DRAG The 3C MaxxGripcompound Maxxis Minion front tyre is sticky and super- damped, but it’s quite draggy pedalling it around on long rides. MORE MUSCLE With its 38mm stanchions, the Fox 38 fork improves front-end stiffness but also adds an extra couple of hundred grams to the overall weight. ALL AFLOAT The Propain’s coil shock ‘floats’ between two rocker links, rather than being mounted to the frame at one end, with the upper link rotating counterclockwise. THE WHEEL DEAL You can buy the Spindrift with either a 650b, mullet or 29in wheel set-up. If you opt for the 29er but later decide to switch, you’ll need new rear…

Over the past few years we’ve come up with all sorts of ingenious ways to store water, tools and various spares on our bikes and bodies, for the purpose of riding without a backpack. But if you’re heading out further from civilisation, there’s still no getting around the need for a good hydration pack; one that’ll allow you to carry more, drink more and be better prepared. The selection we’ve tested here all fall into the 7.5l to 15l size range, which we reckon is perfect for a one-day ride. All will accept (and often include) a 2-3l water reservoir, leaving room for tools, a spare tube, pump, jacket and the number one essential – sandwiches! Many also have outer stash pockets and helmet straps. The more enduro-focused ones work…

CamelBak Skyline LR 10 £115 (with reservoir) Weight 912g Volume 10l Reservoir 3l If you’re not put off by the Skyline LR’s bulging appearance, then it performs superbly. It’s effectively a hybrid of a backpack and a bumbag, with the load supported on the hips, pulled in tight by a wide waist belt and prevented from bouncing about by a lightweight shoulder harness. As well as being absolutely steadfast and leaving your upper body uninhibited, the design means you stay cooler too, as there’s less back coverage. The small contact area is split with a large central cut-out between the back pads. Combined with minimal mesh straps, this means airflow is excellent. Water is carried in CamelBak’s wide and low 3l CRUX lumbar reservoir, which uncouples from the drinking tube…

1 CHAIN SLAP If you have a Shimano mech, ensure the clutch is on to reduce chain noise. Apply frame protection to the chainstay and seatstay – fit mastic tape or wrap an old inner tube wherever the chain contacts the frame, or buy a chainstay protector. 2 DRY DRIVETRAIN Give your chain and cassette a good clean. Use warm soapy water or degreaser and a stiff brush or chain cleaning tool. Dry with a rag and apply lube to the manufacturer’s instructions. Still squeaking? You may need a new chain. 3 SQUEAKY SEAT Does the creaking stop when you’re off the saddle? Disassemble the saddle clamp, clean and reassemble, tightening it to the proper torque. Remove and clean the seatpost (and inside the seat tube), and check seat clamp…

LOCATION The Lake District is a National Park in Cumbria, north-west England, covering an area of 2,362km2 and packed with technical, mountainous MTBing. www.lakedistrict.gov.uk WHY COME HERE? It’s one of the most beautiful places in the country, attracting millions of visitors every year. The standard of the riding matches the scenery, with lots of rocky, technical trails and real mountains to explore. With the vast majority of visitors being outdoorsy types, there’s a friendly vibe and a huge range of excellent facilities such as shops, accommodation and places to eat, making a riding trip here straightforward and welcoming. GETTING HERE Ambleside is a good place to base yourself because it’s pretty central within the Lake District, at the northern tip of Lake Windermere. Two of our routes start from just…

Grizedale Forest has a number of waymarked cycling (and walking) trails to explore. Many are family-friendly forest tracks, but The North Face trail is a fun and technical red-graded route, and there are lots of good bridleways here too. The Old Man of Coniston has some great riding around it, such as the Walna Scar Road and the tracks around Dunnerdale Fells. Helvellyn isn’t far north of Ambleside and offers some proper, epic mountain biking with stunning panoramic views, suitable for experienced riders only. The northern part of the Lake District National Park offers more great riding, with classic natural routes such as the Borrowdale Bash and The Four Peaks, as well as the popular manmade trails at Whinlatter trail centre. This area may be best saved for another trip,…

Route summary An easy introduction to the hills. One big climb and a fun descent back to town, followed by a classic circumnavigation of Loughrigg Fell, which can be busy with walkers in places, but offers some lovely views and interesting caves to explore en-route. If you want a shorter ride, it can be done as two separate loops Start/finish Waterhead car park (postcode LA22 0ER, grid ref NY 377/033) 1 Head south on the A593 for 3km. Just past the entrance to the Brockhole Centre (on your right), turn left by the bus stop, on Mirk Lane. Go past some buildings and through the woods to a road, then turn left. Head through a farm, right on tarmac for 0.4km and then left on a bridleway. 2 Ascend to…

Route summary A seriously long, tough day in the saddle, which shouldn’t be underestimated. You’ll not only tackle the infamous Garburn Pass, but climb the Gatescarth Pass before a hike-a-bike up Nan Bield. That’s a helluva lot of ascending, but the long and technical descents are worth it! If in doubt, just do one loop. Start/finish Staveley Mill Yard car park, SD 471/983 postcode LA8 9LR 1 Go back to the main street and turn right. Keep ahead on Windermere Road, out of town, and just before the A591 follow the blue cycle route signs to the right. At Ings, pass a side road, then go right on the next road (after the Cosy Logs sign). Keep straight ahead on this road, climb for nearly 3km to a wide fork…

BELFAST - BARNETT DEMESNE TRAILS On the outskirts of Belfast, Barnett Demesne has something for all levels, including a 3.4km green trail, a 3.9km blue loop with flowing singletrack and 1.5km of more technical red options. There’s also a jump park boasting six lines suitable for first-timers to pros. www.mountainbikeni.com CARDIFF - MOUNTAIN VIEW BIKE PARK This fairly new venue has two pump tracks, several jump lines plus green, blue, red and black trails to test everyone from beginners to experts with their woodland loops. There’s also a bike shop, workshop and cafe. www.mountainview bikepark.co.uk SWINDON - CROFT TRAIL Just 2.5km south of the city centre, the 5km blue Croft trail is ideal for families and beginners with its gentle gradients and all-weather surface. There are red options to entertain…