Innehållsförteckning för December 2021 från Mountain Biking UK

Brandon Semenuk is always inventing new ways to win Red Bull Rampage. This year, the Canadian freeride colossus didn’t just work on his tricks and his line, but his bike set-up, too. With help from some industry heavyweights, his mechanic Sean Murphy transformed Brandon’s extra-large Trek Session DH bike into the unique machine seen here, with its single-crown fork, ‘mullet’ wheel set-up and barspin-friendly cockpit. And it paid off, with Semenuk taking his fourth win. Sean has been wrenching Brandon’s bikes for six years, in between shifts at Fluid Function bike shop in Squamish, BC, so he knows just how the Red Bull rider likes things set up. The aim with this year’s Rampage rig was to build a versatile bike that could take the hits but, unlike a full-on…

Built on the Hodgsons’ family home of Cheverton Farm, the Isle of Wight Mountain Bike Centre is the island’s first and only bike park. With a geography that doesn’t lend itself to epic descents, founders, friends and sole builders of the park Sam Hodgson and Matt Townsend have split their efforts across the farm’s three valleys, creating a number of downhill trails in each. Their eventual ambition is to create trail centre-style loops of varying length and difficulty that are unique in the way they give riders a choice of descent from the top of each hill. What’s here so far is only a fraction of what they envision, but there’s already a good mix of flow and natural tech, plus lines of mostly-rollable jumps, which, in the case of…

ROBIN WEAVER TECH EDITOR IN CHIEF With three decades of MTB experience, Rob can identify the kit that works TOM MARVIN TECH EDITOR XC/trail/enduro rider and tech wizard Tom gives his kit a proper hammering LUKE MARSHALL TECH WRITER Downhiller Luke is always looking for what saves time between the tape ALEX EVANS BIKERADAR TECH EDITOR Many years of breaking bikes means Alex can give reliable buying advice KATHERINE MOORE MBUK TESTER A route maker and guide, Kat is always after kit that performs on all-day rides RUSSELL BURTON PHOTOGRAPHER/TESTER Big days outdoors mean that snapper Russ needs equipment that lasts…

A waterproof jacket is likely to be your most expensive piece of bike clothing, but if you want to keep riding through a British winter, it’s an essential. There’s a good chance you’ve been told that the more you spend, the better the jacket, but does that mean you always have to compromise if you don’t have a big budget? Before parting with any cash, think about the sort of riding you do. If you’re a cross-country fiend who spends all day in the saddle in the most extreme conditions, then you ideally want a high waterproof rating (20,000mm) combined with maximum breathability (30,000g/m2 ). If your style is more bike park or DH runs, then breathability will be less important. In fact, a heavier jacket may suit you better…

Jumping is a key element of freeriding, whether you’re hitting gaps at the bike park or faced with an unexpected obstacle on a backcountry line, and it’s a useful skill to master for trail riding, too. We covered the basics in MBUK 400, so this issue we’re looking at how you can step things up and add some style, with help from our cover star Matt Jones and dirt jump veteran Grant ‘Chopper’ Fielder. BASIC TRICKS 1 BAR TWEAK When you’re trail riding, you can often use speed to clear jumps, but if you want to add some tricks, you need to be able to ‘pop’ off them, says Chopper. This will maximise your airtime over even the smallest jumps, allowing you to style it up. Start by practising bunnyhops.…

Route summary A classic Peaks ride, with stiff hills and fabulous trails, and of course, some post-ride Bakewell tarts as a treat at the end! Start/finish Bakewell Station (Monsal Trail) car park (postcode DE45 1GE, grid ref SK 222/690) 1 Exit the car park at the far corner by the old station building. Go right (south-east) on the Monsal Trail, passing under a bridge. Follow this trail to the end, then drop down to the field towards the river. Follow the bridleway along the bottom of the valley to some tarmac. 2 Bear left up the road, over the tunnel entrance. Shortly after, go right through a gate into a field, on a bridleway. Continue to a good track and head right. Go ahead at the crossroads on some dirt…

MALCOLM MCLAWS VETERAN FREERIDE SNAPPER Our man on the ground at Red Bull Rampage (p44) rode the North Shore before it was cool and counts many of the top riders as mates AOIFE GLASS PODCASTER & WRITER Taking time out from her Spindrift podcast, Aoife has been speaking to some key players to find out why women’s freeride is blowing up right now (p19) HANNES KLAUSNER AUSTRIAN FREERIDER He’s starred in our last two calendars and now Hannes has made it into the mag itself, with a self-penned piece about taking freeride back to its roots (p54) VICKY BALFOUR MECHANIC (& MUCH MORE) Vicky’s been beavering away creating Grimetime guides for us for a while now, so it’s time she shared the spotlight!…

Think of women freeriders and you can probably list names such as Casey Brown, Hannah Bergemann, Veronique Sandler, Katie Holden and Vaea Verbeeck. But just five years ago, it would’ve been more of a struggle. It’s not that those women weren’t riding, rather that they’ve only recently had the support, the events and the coverage to really showcase what they’re capable of. Women’s freeride is here and it’s growing. “I used to watch freeride films before I even started riding,” says UK-based Vero Sandler. “I guess that was my first exposure to it. I remember thinking ‘this is sick!’ but I didn’t see it as a potential career because there were no women visibly doing it. [By 2016] there were a couple of girls, like Casey Brown, doing freeride stuff,…

Trek’s latest Rail 9.8 and 9.9 e-MTBs (above) boast an updated full-carbon frame that’s mullet-ready and has slacker geometry, a bigger 750Wh battery and Bosch’s latest Smart System tech, including a top tube-mounted Kiox display. The 9.9 bikes also get RockShox’s new AirWiz fork and shock spring-pressure indicators plus Quark’s TyreWiz tyre-pressure monitors. While the new Rail’s Mino Link flip-chip means you can run a 650b wheel out back if you wish, it comes with 29in wheels. Trek’s ABP suspension platform provides 150mm of rear travel, controlled by a proprietary RockShox Super Deluxe ThruShaft shock, designed to reduce friction and improve performance. The head angle has been slackened out to 64.6 degrees, further improving the Rail’s DH potential, while the effective seat tube angle has been steepened to 77.1 degrees,…

As much as we miss the dusty trails and light evenings of summer, there’s something magical about the colours and the crunchy leaves of autumn rides. JCW, Jimmer, Julia and Will got together recently at Margam Park in South Wales – watch out for an upcoming Trail Crew. Despite navigational difficulties and the rash decision to launch straight into the black trail (we sometimes forget Julia’s not been riding long!) a good time was had. #TotalMTB’s Big Christmas Charity Raffle is underway, and it’s for a great cause – half the proceeds go to mental health charity No Panic and the other to fund tree-planting with Ecologi. There’s £9,747-worth of prizes from 65 brands up for grabs. Grab your ticket(s) before 17 December. It was gutting to see so many…

Write to: MBUK Send It!, Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST Email: mbuk@immediate.co.uk Visit: www.mbuk.com STAR LETTER VIRTUAL MTB FOR CHARITY My name is Noah, I’m 13 and have recentlystartedreading MBUK. In the past year I’ve got into mountain biking and absolutely love it! In 2017 I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, but I haven’t let this stop my love of cycling. I’m determined to help make a difference to other children with type 1, so I decided to raise funds for the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh by undertaking a virtual Race Across America cycling challenge. This is one of the longest bicycle endurance events in the world. Racers ride 3,000 miles across 12 states and climb over 51,000 vertical metres. I aim to complete it…

Props to the Isle of Wight tourist board (www.visitisle ofwight.co.uk) for helping us make this trip happen. We used Red Funnel Ferries to get across from the mainland (www.redfunnel.co.uk).Theyoperate to and from Southampton nearly every hour of the day, while other providers run services from Portsmouth and Lymington. We stayed at Camp Wight, a sustainably-focused campsite 15 minutes from the bike centre. You can overnight in one of their super-cool geodesic domes, like us, or the secluded woodland site has plenty of space for you to bring your campervan or tent (www.campwight.co.uk).…

WATERPROOF RATING The height of a 1in-diameter column of water that a fabric will withstand before it leaks, measured in millimetres. As a guide, 10,000mm is a good benchmark, with 20,000mm better for prolonged or extreme conditions. BREATHABILITY This is the rate at which a fabric transfers moisture (sweat) from the inside to the outside, measured in grams per square metre, over 24 hours. The higher the number, the more breathable the material – 20,000g/m2 is decent. THREE-LAYER FABRIC A fabric consisting of an outer shell over a waterproof membrane with an inner backing. This lining helps protect the membrane and prolong the life of the jacket. It also gives a smoother feel against the skin, and may have wicking properties, too. 2.5-LAYER FABRIC Here, the waterproof membrane has a…

There are local jump spots all over the country, but they vary from perfectly-sculpted dirt dreamlands to shoddily-constructed potential deathtraps! The safest place to work on your aerial skills is a bike park, where the jumps are professionally built and designed to help you progressively work up to bigger things. Chopper and Matt showed off their skills at The Summit, a purpose-built skills development area in Swinley Forest, Berkshire. Membership is available, with open sessions and coaching included, or you can sign up for a specific skills course at www.swinleybikehub.com/coaching.…

Route summary A scenic and remote ride exploring some quiet tracks. Nothing too technical, but there are no facilities, some tricky water crossings and surfaces that are prone to flooding Start/finish Roadside car park on the A86 by Roy Bridge, over the River Spean (grid ref NN 433/830) 1 Go left on the A86 then immediately left, over the River Spean, through a gate. Follow the track left through another (big) gate, climb to a T-junction and go right. Follow around the hillside and keep left to reach Lochan na h-Earba. Cross a bridge and keep left, following the edge of the loch and continuing beside the next one until you reach the forest. 2 Head through a large kissing gate into the forest, keeping right/ahead and then right at…

Locals do… Get stuck into the weekly Wednesday night jams through summer. They attract a lot of riders and there’s a great buzz Always wear a helmet and make sure their bikes have at least one working brake! Practise their party tricks on the wooden booter to airbag Locals don’t… Come out to ride if it’s a bit wet. As proven by the lack of riders on our day visiting! Ignore the barriers roping off some of the lines. If they’re in place, then it’s for your safety Ride over lips or skid up the take-offs – it just makes more work for the trail crew…

JAMES COSTLEY-WHITE EDITOR A break from my kids! Failing that, trail pants that fully cover my lanky legs JAMES BLACKWELL ART EDITOR For the trails to be rock-hard with frost so I can ride them at warp speed! CHRIS BARNARD PRODUCTION EDITOR Some liner shorts and socks that preheat themselves in the morning JULIA BROUSSIER DESIGNER A big bag of decaf coffee, so that I can re-gift it to Jimmer! WILL SOFFE STAFF WRITER Peace on earth and goodwill to mankind… or a 10-pack of tubeless plugs…

CASEY BROWN A freeride icon, Casey has competed at Crankworx, been in films such as Not2 Bad and ReturntoEarth, and entered Rampage qualifier Proving Grounds KATIE HOLDEN With over 10 years as a freerider, Holden is a pioneer of the sport and one of the key women behind Red Bull Formation VERONIQUE SANDLER The New Zealander switched from downhill to freeride and is known for her watch-worthy Shredits, as well as films such as Vision and Accomplice HANNAH BERGEMANN Enduro racer turned freerider Bergemann took part in Formation 1 and 2, and went on to set up her own women’s freeride event, Hangtime…

1 Rob Warner t-shirts Yes, that’s right, Warner’s got his own range! Adorn yourself with one of Rob’s tattoos or famous sayings in a 100 per cent organic cotton tee, printed here in Blighty. £27 https://robwarner.teemill.com 2 STFU Bike drivetrain damping system Available in sizes to fit your trail, enduro or DH rig, these nifty devices keep your chain in check for a quiet ride. From £23 https://stfubike.com 3 CloseTheGap HideMyBell regular2 bell/GPS mount Bells are useful, but not a great look. CloseTheGap’s HideMyBell options keep things stealthy, integrating a small ringer into a GPS mount, with optional light or action cam attachments. £36 https://velotechservices.co.uk 4 Rapha x Hario V60 coffee dripper Made from fine porcelain, the V60 dripper brews a sterling cup of coffee. The Rapha logo makes it…

Mark Doughty suffered this seriously nasty neck wound while riding his e-bike in North Yorkshire. “I tucked the front wheel on a tight left-hander and went over the bars,” he recounts. “There was no blood, so I thought I’d just hurt my shoulder. I picked myself up, straightened the bar and, as I was down to one power bar, thought I’d go back to my van. After riding the two miles back, I spotted some blood on my neck so I looked in the mirror and thought, ‘Oh shit, there’s a big hole!’. I’d been riding on my own and drove 14 miles home, then rang my son, who took me to AbE. There were a few gasps from the doctors as they shone a torch in the hole! I’d…

WHY OUR TESTS ARE THE BEST! Our technical-editor-in-chief, Rob Weaver, gets new products in as soon as they’re available and coordinates all the testing through our team of tech experts, who have unrivalled knowledge and experience. Every test 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 riders, and don’t stop until we have the complete picture, no matter how long it takes. Our testing is staunchly independent and not influenced by PR or advertisers (sometimes to their great discomfort). We’re never afraid to tell you the truth. HOW WE RATE We base our scores on value for money and performance SCOTT AIRFLEX UNDERSHORTS £85 | www.scott-sports.com These comfortable protective undershorts have five strategically-placed,…

RUSSELL’S SPECIALIZED TURBO LEVO SL EXPERT CARBON £8,500 The Levo SL has carried Russ far and wide without complaint I’ve been riding e-bikes since their nascence. My work – doing photoshoots carrying heavy kit – made me a willing early adopter. As such, I’ve followed their evolution closely and have been lucky enough to ride some outstanding bikes, welcoming the advantages and accepting the trade-offs of increased weight and unusual handling. I’ve always accepted, too, that at some point the motor or battery will fail, or need some TLC from a person more qualified than me – not so much a disadvantage as just part of the maintenance deal that comes with electrically-assisted machines. Out of the box, the smaller-than-most 320Wh battery of the Levo SL caused me some…

HOOD Whether your preference is for an under- or over-helmet fit, check that the jacket’s cut will work with your lid. Also, a hood that folds or stows away won’t flap around when not in use. TWO-WAY ZIP Double zips allow you to open the jacket from the bottom as well as the top to help you cool down faster – useful when you’re working up a sweat. VENTS These are zipped openings at the armpits or sides that can be opened to aid airflow. Also look for gills (covered slits) or strategically placed perforations. Useful in heavier jackets and warmer conditions. DROP HEM Crucial for protecting your lower back from mud and spray. Look for a drawcord or elastic detailing that keeps it snug to the body and stops…

Route summary A mixture of exploring sheltered woodland singletrack and the open, rolling hills along quiet lanes and bridleways through the scenic countryside Start/finish Car park off Chick’s Lane in Collingbourne Ducis, by the village hall and primary school (postcode SN8 3UH, grid ref SU 241/540) 1 Head back to the crossroads and go left. Leave the village. Make a right on the bridleway past the farm, then climb and cross a road on a driveway past Herridge Stud Farm. Climb to a junction and go straight on, into the woods. Follow this, bearing right and descending. 2 After a bridleway crosses your path, bear left and then fork right. Continue for 300m and go left on a trail with berms. At the bottom, turn right and follow the valley…

Route summary A good low-level option, suitable for all conditions, with refreshments and bail-out options. This is a safer Lakes route for intermediate riders, but still fun and tough, with good views Start/finish Rydal Road car park (postcode LA22 9AG, grid ref NT 378/047) 1 Go left out of the car park and take the first left, joining the path at the end. Cross the footbridge and turn right, then quickly left on a bridleway, uphill. Past Brow Head Farm, keep ahead, climb, then descend to a fork. 2 Bear right on the singletrack, down onto a track, then a road. Go right then quickly left. Keep right to a crossroads and go ahead, over a bridge, then left on a minor road. Fork left then right (towards Hawkshead). 3…

TRAIL STATS Distance Multiple short dirt jump lines, plus skills areas, pump track and airbag Climbing Surfaced push-up track Time 30secs to 1min per run Grading Green, blue, red, black WHY RIDE HERE? A compact but feature-packed jump park full of interlinking runs, where all ages and abilities can find something fun to ride RAD... Lots of rollable jumps built to be safe and predictable The runs start off super- mellow and offer a steady progression in difficulty up to the steep lips and long gaps on the big main line Hips, transfers and take-off options keep things creative and fresh BAD... The Track is closed over winter, from the end of October till the start of April Although the dirt surface can handle a few showers, a dry, still…

NATE STEPHENS SITE SUPERVISOR AT THE TRACK “The Track is a safe and exciting place to ride for all ages and abilities. With our trained and experienced staff we aim to provide a fun, friendly and socially-inclusive environment, and there’s always a great atmosphere. My personal favourite line to ride is the main set of dirt jumps – specifically the big hip where I jumped over Ed! If there’s a big group of you, the race track is always so much fun. The multiple lines and options to sneak in front of each another mean you never know who’ll get to the finish line first!”…

GET THERE The Track is at Parc Erissey industrial estate, a short way inland from Portreath. From the A30, follow the signs to ‘Cornwall Gold’ and the bike park is 100m past it on the right. Postcode TR16 4HN. FACILITIES Parking, toilets, cafe, bike hire and on-site hydro (swimming pool)! NEARBY BIKE SHOPS TR1 Cycles is a two-minute drive. www.tr1cycles.org.ukBike Chain Ricci is five minutes away in Redruth. www.bikechainricci.co.uk CONTACT www.the-track.co.uk OTHER RIDING Old Hill Bike Park It’s well worth stopping on Bodmin Moor to check this spot out on your way to or from The Track. A new arrival on the scene, Old Hill has a field filled with perfectly-sculpted flow lines and senders. www.oldhillbikepark.co.uk Mount Hawke skate park Cornwall may be popular with tourists, but it’s not always…