Yes, the time is almost upon us. Singletrack Issue 74 has been sent to the printers and come June 8th will be landing on the doormats of subscribers and be available in bike shops across the land. As usual it’s packed with loads of inspiring words and stunning photos from mountain biking adventures and culture the world over.
A Singletrack subscription is much more than just a magazine – so if you aren’t already a subscriber head here to find out what you can get from just £2 a month.
We’re currently running a special Bank Holiday/Queen’s Jubilee offer for new subscribers – if you subscribe online to an annual “Digital” or “Print and Digital” package using the “Pay Online” method before Wednesday 6 June 2012 you’ll receive a £10 credit towards your next years renewal. More information is here…
Here’s our usual taster to whet your appetite:
“After hitting this loose, fast corner a few times from different angles during the Santa Cruz launch in Sedona, we noticed the red dust being lit ethereally by the evening sun after a rider had passed. With the aid of a couple of ‘dust fluffers’ and the talents of Dan Barham, we had this shot…”
Jon Woodhouse
Bikes and water. A good idea filled with potential or something that will give you that sinking feeling? Sim and Dave have formed their opinion.
Contents 74.
9. Editorial: Cupholders And Yellow Knobs.
Chipps embraces the fact that his bike is now as complicated to work on as a modern car. He suggests you do that too and then just ride it.
12. UK Travel: Torridon: Riding On The Edge Of The World
Jenn steals most of May’s sunshine with a blessed few days in remote, disconnected, Scottish, Torridon. We only just got her to come back.
22. Steve Worland: Displacement Urges.
Steve’s mind is always wandering, especially when he’s, er, hmm? What?
24. Sim’s Corner: What Tyres For STW?
Here’s Sim’s simple to use infographic to help you work out the perfect tyre for any condition. You may be surprised.
28. Strava-Ize Me.
Jenn asks if this social racing phenomenon will thrill you or kill you.
26. Jewels Of The Isle: The Bristol Buttery.
It’s just a café hut by the docks, yet it’s a must-visit, pre-ride ritual for many.
30. Sea Otter – Time For A Revolution?
What happens if China one day becomes uneconomical to manufacture bikes in? Will the West have to re-learn how to make stuff? And who’ll teach us?
34. International Travel: Santa Cruz, The Town.
Chipps asks ‘What makes so many bike companies, writers, riders and photographers live in this slightly scruffy Californian surf town?‘
46. UK Adventure: Faked Alaska
Sim and Dave lacked the Alaskan mountains for a ‘proper’ packrafting adventure, so they improvised with some inflatable canoes and the Lake District.
58. Classic Rides: Pennine Bridleway North.
The PBW is now hundreds of miles long and stretches up to Kirkby Stephen in the Yorkshire Dales. We ride this newest, northern part in sun, hail and… snow?
70. The Big Feature: Roadtrip! Squits And Wiggles.
A ‘proper’ roadtrip is a rite of mountain biking passage and it’s what makes stories worth telling. Here’s our guide on how to become a comedy road warrior.
84. Scenes: Enduro – A Potted History.
Gravity-based enduros may have only just arrived in the UK, but they’re well-established on the Continent. Matt Wragg charts their success.
98. A Question Of Fitness.
Why am I so tired? This time three panellists give their expert opinion on the same question.
102. Bike Test: 140-150mm Trail Bikes
Big and bouncy bikes for aggressive trail riding from Commencal, Ghost and Mondraker.
Save money and get the magazine delivered early. Everyone’s a winner!
114. Through The Grinder.
Product testing that made use of all the filthy weather we had in April and May.
120. Grinder Bikes: Cotic ‘X’ and Genesis Vapour.
Two disc-equipped cyclocross bikes. Or are they commuters? Adventure bikes? Racers? We’ll let you know when we work it out ourselves.
134. Grouptest: British Summer Shades.
Sorry, but you probably don’t need full black-mirror shades for a typical British summer day. You probably need something a little… lighter? We test nine.
140. Premier Listings.
Proud owner of a Premier Member’s card? This is what it gets you…
146. We Just Work Here
Who does what, how to get in touch, what helped this issue on its way and who we’d like to thank.
Comments (5)
Comments Closed
i really really really hope it does hit(with a big thud) my door mat on june the 8th as iam on holiday for two weeks the next day and iam looking forward to taking it with me to read
Will Strava thrill me or kill me? I’m pretty sure kill me- either wrapped round a tree somewhere on a loose corner or cardiac arrest at the top of a hill. Either way it isn’t going to be pretty!
Looking forward to it, last 2 all read through and enjoyed.
Me and my crew are quickly finding that Strava is a killer – its great for setting personal goals and tracking training but the competitive ‘red mist’ it brings on is causing more accidents.
Just got mine. Best cover for a while.