Think you know which is the best mountain biking town in the UK? After a weekend of riding trails local to the city of Stirling, Sanny reckons it might just be time to reconsider your opinion. Words & Photography Sanny “There’s a voice that keeps…
David Gould
By day, Sanny plies his trade as a Chartered Accountant and Non-Executive Director. By night, however, give him a map and the merest whisper of a trail "that might go" and he'll be off faster than a rat up a drainpipe on some damn fool mission to discover new places to ride. Rarely without his trusty Nikon D5600, he likes nothing better than being in the big mountains, an inappropriately heavy bike on his back, taking pics and soaking up the scenery. He also likes to ride his bike there too although rumours that he is currently working on his next book, "Walks with my bike", are untrue (mostly).
Fat biking, gravel riding, bikepacking, road biking, e biking, big mountain adventures - as long as two wheels are involved, you'll find him with a grin on his face as he dives off the side of a mountain, down a narrow lane or into deep undergrowth in search of hidden trails and new adventures.
His favourite food is ham and mushroom pizza and he is on a mission to ride all of the Munros, mostly as it allows him to indulge in eating more pizza.
He has no five year plan, is a big fan of the writing of Charlie Connelly and reckons that Kermode and Mayo's Film Review Podcast is quite possibly the finest bit of broadcasting around.
Singletrack Issue 127 | Going Over To The Dark Side
Sanny and Dene head out on a pre-dawn mission proving that winter shouldn’t be a barrier to fun. Words & Photography Sanny Be honest. It’s hard not to feel your heart sink, if only just a little, at the thought of the impending winter. Shorter…
There and back again – putting the mountains back into mountain biking
In association with… There are some places you ride that stick in the mind long after you’ve brushed yourself down, cleaned the dust off your bike and moved onto places and adventures new. The towering peak of Binnean Mor, an imposing edifice of possibility and…
Singletrack Issue 126 | How to lose friends and alienate people
Sanny takes on a Lake District pass too many, nearly breaks Mark and makes Nick Craig swear. Words & Photography Sanny This feature was originally published in Singletrack magazine issue 126. Features like this are normally only accessible to our full members. Help us create…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 125 | The Art Of The Possible
Has your biking mojo taken a knock of late? No longer quite feeling the love? Sanny reckons you might just need a wee challenge in your life to fire you up. Like a few Scottish Munros. Words & Photography Sanny What is it that first…
Singletrack Magazine issue 123 : In Praise Of The Trail Less Travelled
Sanny heads off the beaten path to Glasgow’s Campsie Fells and discovers that the best rides don’t always need the best trails. Words & Photography sanny What makes the perfect trail? If you were to put crayon to paper, what features would you consider an…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 123 : Budget Bolognese
Sanny, Dave and Matt tackle the Veneto Trail to see if it is possible to have an overseas adventure without sending the credit card into meltdown. Words & Photography sanny I don’t know about you but every time I read a piece about some adventure…
At Home With Canyon Bikes | Part 2
In association with Canyon Bikes UK In part 1, Sanny got up close and personal with Canyon Bikes Koblenz HQ. This time round, he gets to find out about the new cross country racer, the LUX and sample the local trails, German style. After a…
At home with Canyon Bicycles: Part 1
In my hand is a torque wrench. Nothing unusual in that. They aren’t exactly rare in the bike industry. This one, however, is more than a little bit special. The small digital gauge on the shaft is the only real giveaway. Well that and my…
Inventing the future: At home with Canyon Bicycles – Part 2.
In association with Canyon UK [the_ad id=”10400300″] In part 1, Sanny got up close and personal with Canyon Bicycles Koblenz HQ. This time round, he gets to find out about the new cross country racer, the LUX and sample the local trails, German style. After…
Inventing the future: At home with Canyon Bicycles – Part 1.
[the_ad id=”10400300″] In association with Canyon UK Inside The Canyon Bicycles Factory In my hand is a torque wrench. Nothing unusual in that. They aren’t exactly rare in the bike industry. This one, however, is more than a little bit special. The small digital gauge…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 121: There Be Dragons Here! Probably …
In search of trail treasure, Sanny and chums tackle what is reputed to be ‘the worst trail in the Lakes’. Do they find a hidden gem or should they have heeded the warnings? Words & Photography Sanny (unless credited) Let me be honest with you,…
Flying the flag for British design – a visit to Ison Distribution – Part 2 – Halo wheels.
Flying the flag for British design - a visit to Ison Distribution - Part 2 - Halo wheels.
Singletrack Magazine 121: The Not So Nutty Professor
Sanny takes a step into the alternative bike world of Ben Cooper. What he finds is that it isn’t just about the bike. Not even close. Words & Photography Sanny I first came across Ben and his Glasgow-based shop Kinetics many moons ago when he…
Flying the flag for British design – a visit to Ison Distribution – Part 1 – Gusset Components.
The skies are bigger and there seem to be people everywhere. It’s not somewhere that I would have expected to find one of the UK’s most progressive and innovative bike manufacturer and distributers.
Feeling Flat? 12 Tubeless Repairs that nearly all work
Back in the not so dim and distant past, when it came to repairing punctures, life was pretty simple. Pull out your half deflated tube, pore over it to find the offending hole (or two if you had experienced a pinch flat), open your Chemco…
Back to the Future: From Singletrack Issue 120
Sanny dusts down his old ’90s race bike and takes on the quintessential Peaks route. Was the bike as good as he remembers, or is it a case of distance lending enchantment?
Notes from a small island: A Scottish sea to sky adventure
Sanny and friends head to the Isle of Arran in search of big mountain adventure. But is it a ridge too far?
Smores and brews? The Solo Stove does both!
Truth be told, one of the best aspects of bikepacking or long days out on the bike in the hills is the point at which you decide to stop and break out the stove. Quite why this is the case, I’m not exactly sure. Perhaps…
Battle of the mats – can you really get a good night’s sleep bikepacking?
“Sanny!” It was Mark on the blower. “We have a couple of sleeping mats we want you to test. It should be right up your street for all your bikepacking adventures!” Without even knowing what I was getting into, I was already in. “You know…
Review: Bikemonger’s Happy Bottom Bum Butter – definitely not for toast
Bum Butter. Flash in the pants or cracking good product?
Review: Ortlieb Frame Pack – A truly waterproof option?
One of the great things about the increasing popularity of bikepacking is that it is no longer confined to small volume producers with long lead times. That is not to say that the original bikepacking innovators aren’t still leading the charge in terms of product…
Could this be the final nail in the coffin of online scammers?
Produced in association with YOTI Enter the Ejit – like Enter the Dragon with neither the Kung Fu nor the intelligence! I will hold my hands up from the start. When it comes to smart phones and digital technology, I have a skill level somewhere…
Miss your twin rings but nowhere to hang a mech? The Vyro FrEn 1 could be the answer
Is this the future of front shifting? Sanny takes a look at the latest tech from Austrian design gurus, VYRO.
9 tips to unlock the trail-slaying potential of your fat bike
Sanny loves fat bikes - here are his suggestions for loving them even more
Into The Wild: Backcountry Essentials – Part 2
We look at some small items that could make a big difference.
Into The Wild: Backcountry Essentials – Part 1
If you're planning on going into the back of beyond, Sanny has some top tips that should keep you rolling, no matter what
Who says you need to travel far to have a big sky adventure?
Sanny heads out from his front door to prove you don't have to travel far to have adventures.
Longterm Test: Is the Rock Shox Bluto the fat bike fork of choice?
Two years of testing and a questionable service history - how do these fat bike forks fare?
Weight Weeny Wheels For Fat Bikers! Reviewed: DT Swiss BR2250 Wheels
Are these superlight fat bike wheels from DT Swiss a game changer?
8 hacks from World Cup mechanics: top tips to try at home
Maintenance tips, or budget beating hacks? You decide
Getting up close and personal with JOBY Gorillapods
Sanny took the entire Joby range of mini phone and camera holders out on the trails to see just how creative they allowed him to get.
Review: Alpkit Ordos 2 Tent – for fun with a friend?
Does this superlight two man tent deliver bang for your buck?
Mountain Days and Bothy Nights – at home in the outdoors with Lyon Equipment
A trip to outdoor maestros, Lyon Equipment, gives Sanny the perfect excuse to go on a microadventure in the heart of the Lakes.
This Is What Happens When You Throw A Lycra Clad XC Rider In To The World’s Most Famous Bike Park
What happens if you take a Lycra-wearing cross-country rider and throw him in at the deep end in the world’s most famous bike park? Do you create a gnarly dude who says ‘stoked’ a lot or do you end up with a gibbering wreck? We…
11 Ways To Buy A Bike Without Your Partner Noticing
Read this if you want to ensure that N+1≠Divorce.
10 Top Tips To Get You Ready For Winter Trails
A timely list of good advice: Sanny has made all the schoolboy error mistakes so you don't have to.
World Exclusive Review: Deviate Cycles Guide
The future of mountain bikes? Sanny takes a world exclusive ride on UK-based Deviate Cycles Pinion gearbox toting trail slayer, the Guide.
Singletrack Magazine Classic Ride 115: The Merrick
Words & Photography David ‘Sanny’ Gould Sanny heads to the deep south west of Scotland and steps back into its bloody past. As part of the ominously named ‘Range of the Awful Hand’ (almost as unappealing as Peak of the Fungal Athlete’s Foot), the Merrick…
Halo Vapour 35mm Wheelset: Long Term Test
At £345 for front AND rear, are these the plus size wheels you are looking for?
PackTowl Personal Face Towel Review
Is this the best piece of kit you can buy for under a tenner? Yes, we reviewed a towel.
Haglofs L.I.M Essens Down Jacket Review
Well, that's summer done with. Is this the ultimate ultralight down jacket?
Review: POC Tectal Race Helmet with SPIN technology – World Exclusive
Sanny got his greedy little mitts on the latest helmet technology to come out of Swedish safety specialists, POC. Here’s what he thought.
Microadventuring the Arctic Plateau – the easy way!
Sanny and Rob go up a snow covered mountain and find that adventure is to be had wherever you look for it without the need for social media updates and hashtags.
Prostaholics Anonymous – 8 Guys Riding To Make A Difference
Or how Sanny got to ride his bike for three days around the Cairngorms with his friends to raise awareness and money for Prostate Cancer UK.
Haglöfs L.I.M Down +1 Sleeping Bag
Is this the ultimate sleeping bag for the ultralight bikepacker or is it a case of less not being more? Sanny checks out the Haglöfs L.I.M.
Gore Phantom Print 2.0 Windstopper Soft Shell Jacket Review
A jacket that doubles as a gilet? How does that work? Sanny dons his inner Action Man with this stealthy camo number from Gore Bike Wear.
POC Tectal Race Helmet Review
The POC Tectal is a high-tech trail helmet with some very clever features that you hopefully won't need to use.
Surly Ice Cream Truck Long Term Review No 4 – Time To Give It Back
The time has come for Sanny to say goodbye to his long termer. Has it been an affair to remember or an encounter to forget?
Hilleberg Niak Tent Long Term Review
How does Scandinavian tent design cope with several months of British weather?
Ortlieb COR 13 Backpack Review
Does the purportedly waterproof COR 13 represent the pinnacle of ride pack design? Sanny set out to find out.
