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Here’s a round up from the world of bike news. Short stuff, serious stuff, and a bit of silly too.
Who Is Taking This Seriously?
Antoine Taillefer and Corentin Desbois have teamed up to attempt to break two snow speed records. In this video to hype up the attempt, Corentin appears in a rubber suit and aero helmet, tucking his body onto a snow scooter and controlling his descent with a parachute. On the other hand, mountain biker Antoine hops about his mountain bike and rides off down the hill looking pretty normal. We can only assume the rubber suit is still being fitted.
Study into eMTB use in the UK
UK cycling bodies have joined forces with land managers to support a new, long-term research project to be undertaken by Edinburgh Napier University into the use of off-road e-bikes.
The research will focus on current and future trends as well as the opportunities and challenges presented by the surge in the growth of the e-MTB market over recent years. It is being supported by British Cycling, Welsh Cycling, Scottish Cycling (through Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland), Scottish Forestry, NatureScot, Forestry England and Natural Resources Wales, and will help them to better understand user habits and technical developments and support decision-making.
We’re incredibly excited by the potential impact of e-MTB on cycling participation and outdoor access more widely, and this timely new research will enable us both to capitalise on those opportunities and prepare us for any challenges we may encounter along the way. The volume of e-bike and e-MTB riders is significant and growing fast, and they are a real lifeline for those who might not be able to ride otherwise. Like our partners we are keen to understand how we can use this appeal to engage an even wider audience, including those who are currently inactive.
Dan Cook, Leadership and Off-Road Technical Lead at British Cycling, said:
We will look to use the outcomes of this study as a platform for sustainable growth, better supporting e-MTB riders in terms of trail infrastructure, responsible access and understanding the legalities of motor modifications. We hope that by working together to manage increasing levels of access we can help to mitigate the impacts on fragile environments and rider safety.
We are hugely excited to be working with British Cycling and their partners on such an important area of research. We are seeing unprecedented growth figures in e-bike sales, with some estimates predicting as much as an eight-fold increase in e-bike sales by 2030. This research will look at the potential impact that the expansion in e-bike sales and use will have on the collective MTB industry and community, while the implications for future planning to accommodate these increased numbers and the potential to harness this technology in creating positive health outcomes will also be explored.
Professor Geraint Florida-James, from Edinburgh Napier University and Lead Academic at the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland
Further updates on the project, along with surveys of the off-road and mountain bike community, will be shared over the coming months.
Eliot Jackson and Tracey Hannah to commentate Downhill
Joining Rob Warner in the commentators booth for this season of downhill racing are Eliot Jackson and Tracey Hannah! With Eliot’s knowledge of stats, downhill riding skill and Tracey’s Would Cup winning experience, it should make for some exciting listening!
Soooo excited to finally be able to share that I will be in the commentary booth at some of the races this year on Red Bull TV!!!
Eliot Jackson
Gowaan Gals on Blue Peter this evening!
Ever dreamed of having your very own Blue Peter badge? Well for Bex Baraona and Martha Gil that dream becomes a reality this evening. The EWS heroes have been filming with the BBC at Leeds Urban Bike Park, and knowing these two the episode is sure include plenty of laughs.
French Connexion Racing Hits The Slopes
You might have heard in our podcast a few weeks ago that Andi has joined the Sunn French Connexion EWS team this season as their head mechanic. While Andi is still based here in the UK, the rest of his team get to travel around France meaning they to do cool stuff like ride in Alpe d’Huez, on the ski slopes, with skiers…
The Reinvention of Tarek Rasouli
Tarek Rasouli charts his reinvention from pro rider to promotor of all things bike following a serious spinal injury. He’s now the head of the PR agency behind many of the brands and press releases you see on these pages – here’s the story of how he made that happen.
7MESH UK Distribution Centre Opens
After Brexit, 7MESH was forced to suspend shipping to the UK. Those of you who have been recently admiring their products in Fresh Goods Friday will be pleased to hear they’ve now got a UK Distribution centre, so orders can now be placed without any fear of customs shenanigans.
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Comments (7)
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Hannah, who is Eliot Brown? Shouldn’t it be Eliot Jackson?
@ptcuk Sorry, Andi had his head in the Eliot Brown/STW watch collaboration Charlie is working on. Fixed.
@ptcuk Eliot Brown is a watch maker that Charlie has been talking about in EVERY meeting this week because we might have Singletrack watches made… This is an Andi mistake not a Hannah mistake
Has Claudio been dropped from commentating then? Shame if so.
did Claudio actually commentate? I thought he was like the man on the ground with course previews and interviews etc?
either way, love Claudio. you could probably get me to watch football if Claudio was shouting out the commentary.
“Would Cup” EH?!
Singletrack watches? Yes please! Thanks Hannah and Andi