What’s Inside Singletrack Issue 144? Out Today!

If you receive a printed copy of the magazine each issue, it’s now in the post – we can’t be sure exactly when it will land with you, but if you’re in the UK and you’ve still not got it by 21st August, please email us. If you’re outside the UK, it might take up to a month to make its way to you, across the sea and overland, so hopefully it’ll be with you by 9th September.

If you want to read the magazine online, or you join us today, you have other options too:

• You can download a pdf of the magazine here. This is an exact copy of the printed magazine.
• You can download an ePub version of the magazine. This is a more basic version of the magazine, with fewer pictures, that you can read in a variety of electronic book programmes, such as iBooks, or on an iPad.
• You can download a Kindle version, for your Kindle. Like the ePub version, this is optimised for Kindles, so has all the words, but far fewer pictures.
• Read the articles online. We’ll be publishing them over the next week or so, so look out for them popping up on the homepage, or check back here to see what’s new each day.

If you were already a member by 25th July 2022, you can also download the interactive app version of the mag from Pocketmags, which has all the same content as the web page versions, but with all the swipe and tap interactivity you get with an iPad or iPhone – which is what you need to read this version. We get charged for every download in this format, so you only get access to the versions created while you had an active membership – so if you want a back issue from before you joined us, try one of the other formats above.

Both the Pocketmags and online versions of our articles contain some extra features, like more images, plus some videos – but it doesn’t smell like our printed magazine, and it’s riskier to read it in the bath. If you want a printed copy of any of our magazines – maybe you usually get a digital version but a paper one would be good for a beach holiday – then head to our shop.

Inside Issue 144

Editorial – No More Crashing (on floors)

Chipps has spent a lifetime crashing on floors and sofas. Now that he has a floor and sofa of his own, he wonders where the next generation of floor crashers is.

UK Adventure: Excess Baggage

Nils Amelinckx takes an unusual packing list to the mountains for an overnight adventure. His bags are strapped to his bike, and his stomach is strapped to his body. Bowel cancer treatment and a stoma won’t keep him from the mountains.

MTB Culture: Cultivating Success

Hannah heads to the birthplace of mountain biking to meet WTB, a company that is part of mountain biking’s origin story.

UK Adventure: Cannock Chasing Time

Geoff Waugh looks at two mountain bike races, same venue, 30 years apart.

UK Adventure: Where The Duegars Dwell

What’s short, hairy and lures us to the moors of Northumberland – Pete Scullion, or a Duegar?

UK Adventure: Lord Of The Granny Rings

Inspired by the works of Tolkien, Sanny leads his merry crew on an adventure through lands that could easily double for Middle Earth.

Column: Zippity Doo-Dah

Chipps leads us in praise of the humble cable tie.

Interview: Searching For A Solution

Dean Hersey chats to the ball of energy that is Claudio Caluori.

Classic Ride: Ludlow And The Clee Hills

Shropshire isn’t all about the Long Mynd. Steve Chapman links up some hidden gems.

Bike Test: WTF Is A Trail Bike?

Benji and the team set out to stick to the trail, without veering off into the enduro, or XC.

ST Kitchen: Taking The Rough With The Smoothie

Charlie shows you that blended vegetables aren’t just for babies and after a trip to the dentist.

Kit Essentials: 4-Pot Brakes

Benji and the team test out seven sets of brakes to stop you in your tracks.

MTB Culture: Building For The Builders

There’s more to it than tubes. We meet the people at Paragon Machine Works, who make the bits for the people who make the bikes.

Last Word: Eudaimonic

Hannah ponders if there could be a way to extend the benefits of a ride?

If you’d like to give us feedback on the articles once you’ve read them, our survey for issue 144 is here.

Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

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