It’s good and bad – great that the sport is so popular and seems to still be growing. I really can’t grumble about this.
Bad because I remember the early ’90s when MTBing at night was highly unusual and you had the hills utterly to yourself. I head out on the Malverns these days and see 4/5 groups of 10+ riders frequently – sometimes it’s like a torchlight parade. Part of me hates this aspect, it’s no longer the peaceful escape from the winter grind it used to be and I can’t help thinking of the wear and tear on the trails and the effect on nocturnal wildlife. But then I’m a grumpy old bastard.
