Amanda and Hannah think they know what makes a bad gate - and a good one. Here is their appraisal of local gateways. If you have ever ridden the Mary Towneley Loop solo, you will perhaps understand the importance of gates to riders. This trail…
Hannah Dobson
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.
British Cycling Cancels Most National Championships for 2020
In a move that’s not entirely surprising, British Cycling has cancelled all but its winter National Championship 2020 cycling events. British Cycling has been issuing regular updates on what activities its affiliated clubs and events can put on. Group rides are back on, with social…
Diversion Diary – The Final Countdown?
Hannah’s partner, BK, lives in the USA, and lockdown has kept them apart. Each week in the Diversion Diary she brings us some lonesome ramblings, plus a selection of internet finds. This week, BK has been vintage bike shopping. In theory this should be the…
What Would It Look Like Now? The GT Lobo
We wonder what a modern incarnation of the GT Lobo might look like, and take a trip down memory lane with GT. Bike designer and fabricator Steve Salter of SmallTownBoyCustoms has been busy re-imaging the GT Lobo as it would be if it were around…
Diversion Diary – Know Your Place
Hannah’s partner, BK, lives in the USA, and lockdown has kept them apart. Each week, she brings us some lonesome ramblings, plus a selection of internet finds. This week she’s looking at the land beyond the trails. As much as I enjoy the adrenaline rush…
YT Shred Range: Coil Shocks For Decoy and New Alloy Capra
The YT Shred range sees the mullet Decoy e-bike get a coil shock, and the Capra get a full metal body and a coil shock too. If there’s not a hair metal video to go with this launch we’re going to be very disappointed. YT…
Video | Corona Coaster With Matt Walker
This week’s Corona Coaster video by Nico Turner features Madison Saracen‘s Matt Walker. Matt has taken the lockdown as an opportunity to double down on his training, investing in some Rocky Balboa style gym equipment and riding some of Shropshire’s finest trails. Nico says: ‘Due…
Video | Skem’ed by Nukeproof
Singletrack Towers may be in the North of England, but that doesn’t mean we couldn’t use a few subtitles to go with this video from Nukeproof. Nukeproof says: Skelmersdale; for a region with few official hills let alone mountains, there is a quality crop of…
Double Your Donation To World Bicycle Relief This Week!
We’re big fans of the work of World Bicycle Relief, and this week your donations are being match funded – making them worth double! How much did you spend on your last bike? How many bikes do you own? We know that many of our…
Go Outdoors’ Possible Administration Brings Calibre Future Into Question
JD Sports has filed a notice of intention to enter administration for subsidiary company Go Outdoors, the company who owns Calibre bikes. This will have fans of the budget bikes wondering when or if they’ll be able to buy another Calibre. The statement posted on…
Islabikes Prepares Two New Ranges To Improve Access to Cycling
Islabikes is working on two new products to improve access to cycling: an e-assist version of their Icons range, and bikes designed for people with restricted growth. Islabikes started because founder Isla Rowntree wanted there to be bikes that were better designed for the needs…
Bike Nerd Bingo | Linkage Driven High Single Pivot Steel Full Suspension Prototype!
We get a bit hot under the collar over this linkage driven high single pivot steel full suspension prototype – because that sentence is like bike nerd bingo. Oh my, what do we have here? It’s like all our nerd buttons are being pushed at…
Cotic Solaris MAX 2020 | More Sparkles, More Bottle Bosses!
Cotic has revealed the latest update to the Solaris MAX, their 29er hardtail which they say can do everything from enduro to bike packing. This latest edition of the Cotic Solaris MAX features a slightly steeper seat tube, but that’s not what going to catch…
Diversion Diary | Up Fish Creek Without A Saddle
Hannah’s partner, BK, lives in the USA, and lockdown has kept them apart. Each week, she brings us some lonesome ramblings, plus a selection of internet finds. This week she covers the next big cycling trend: bike fishing. I am walking a tightrope of anxiety.…
DZR Turin Boots | Now With European Distributor For Easy Purchasing
Hannah checks out the DZR Turin boots, just as they get a whole lot easier to get hold of int he UK and Europe. When offered a pair of these DZR Turin boots to try out before the launch, I thought they looked like the…
Wiggle Data Breach – Accounts ‘Fraudulently Accessed’ – Updated Story
Wiggle customers are reporting purchases made using their card details, amid what appears to be a data breach. Updated 20:30 16th June We’ve received the following statement from Wiggle: Ross Clemmow, CEO at Wiggle: “Data security is of the utmost importance to us. We’ve investigated the…
Hayes XC Collection | Because Not Everyone Is Enduro?
Hayes has launched the Hayes XC Collection – a new range of XC gear aimed at ‘normal’ riders and not just pro racers. If you’re not sure what category of rider you are, here’s the introduction from their PR piece: You wake up at 5:00 am in…
Corona Coaster: Matt Stuttard – from EWS to LBS
We’ve another ‘Corona Coaster’ episode for you, this time with Enduro Privateer Matt Stuttard. The series takes a look at how professional mountain bikers are dealing with a year put on hold and Matt’s been keeping himself busy working in his local bike shop, riding…
Diversion Diary – Lockdown Birthday Mixtape
In this week’s internet round up, Hannah has a lockdown birthday party for one. Warning: this is almost entirely a bike free zone. One of the many things I enjoy in my relationship with BK is the sharing of musical discoveries. He’s much better at…
Nukeproof Wheel Lineup Gets Update and Goes Pick’n’Mix
Nukeproof brings out an update to its Horizon and Neutron wheels, along with a bunch of customer friendly choices. Even if you’re a committed wheel wrecker, you probably don’t break both wheels at the same time, so being able to buy single wheels makes a…
Cane Creek Helm Mk II Gets Internal Updates
Cane Creek launches the Helm Mk II, the first major revision since it launched its air and coil spring versions. While it’s the internals that have changed in a variety of important ways, to celebrate the launch, Cane Creek has also announced a Hot Pink…
Fresh Goods Friday 503 | Shed, solar, sunflower, Suntour, Stash, saddle and spokes!
Fresh Goods Friday 503 is filled to the brim with new forks, cool Troy Lee Designs clothing, Hope bling, saddles, and even shed accessories. For a break with tradition, we did consider publishing Fresh Goods Friday on a Saturday, but instead we’re going to start…
SRAM Commits $100,000 To ‘Listen. Learn. Take Action’
Amid the current conversation about what the cycling industry can do to improve diversity and the inclusion of people of colour, many brands are looking at their current policies, sponsored athlete roster, and advertising materials with a view to making changes. Some, like Cotic, who…
Corona Coaster – Canyon Collective’s James Farrar
EWS film-maker Nico Turner hangs out with Canyon’s James Farrar to see what he’s been doing during lockdown. Film-maker Nico Turner is usually busy working on the Enduro World Series highlights over the summer and with the season being postponed until late August this offers…
Diversion Diary – A Different Focus
The news itself has diverted attention away from the virus. There can only be one theme for this week’s round up, and I don’t think you need a bunch of words from me to go with it. Before anyone says anything about keeping politics out…
Val Di Sole World Cup DH and XC Rounds Cancelled
Despite the UCI’s best efforts to get a new race schedule in place, already the plans for the MTB World CUpare coming apart as the proposed Val di Sole round is cancelled. As the Simon Burney made clear in his interview with us last week,…
Liam vs Liam, Bike vs eBike – Which Is Faster?
As the Scottish lockdown eased, racer Liam Moynihan was itching for some action – but there are still no events. So he decided to race himself. Which is faster, a bike or an ebike? Lining up a Scott Genius E-Ride and a Scott Ransom, he…
The Kids Are Alright – The Riders of The Future
Shimano teamed up with Cam McCaul to look at what made him a rider, and the mountain bikers of the future. There’s an emphasis on play, a good dose of dirt jumping, and a disregard for fear that many of us will wish we still…
2020 MTB World Cup | Your Questions Answered With UCI’s Simon Burney
In This week’s Making Up The Numbers podcast, we were lucky enough to have Simon Burney join the team to answer all the burning questions about that new eight race 2020 Mountain Bike World Cup season ahead. It’s clear that the UCI wants a 2020…
Diversion Diary – Little Details And Small Acts of Kindness
Hannah is alone during lockdown since her partner lives in the USA. Each week, she brings us some ramblings, plus a selection of the internet she’s been using to keep herself company. This week she goes all macro on kindness. The past week has contrived…
Evoc Bike Travel Bag | Planning Some Adventures?
If you’re dreaming of far flung adventures, maybe you want to take your own bike with you. The Evoc Bike Travel Bag is designed to keep your favourite toy safe in transit. The Evoc Bike Travel bag is a soft bag with hard shell bottom,…
The Quiet Of Quarantine | Hear the Sounds of Shred!
What is the sound of shred? In the quiet of quarantine, you can hear it! This MTB video comes from the Croatian quarantine zone. While many of us have been enjoying the sound of birdsong without the background hum of cars, or the buzzing of…
Matt Walker | 5 Minutes With The Pivot Factory Racer
Matt Walker stops doing silly things with cars and motorbikes just long enough to answer a few questions about the pedal powered bikes that are his actual job. Tell us who you are, what you do and why we should go for a bike ride…
Fresh Goods Friday 501 – Dicing With The Gods Of Luck
This Fresh Goods Friday is not brought to you in multiples of thirteen. There are no thirteens in this Fresh Good Friday, none at all, no. There are no black cats, either, or ladders, or new shoes on tables. There are not thirteen products bringing…
Diversion Diary | Indulging In Nostalgia
Hannah is alone during lockdown since her partner, BK, lives in the USA. Each week, she brings us some ramblings, plus a selection of the internet she’s been using to keep herself company. This week is nostalgia week. Last week I hoped for a better…
Bontrager WaveCel Helmet Range Expanded
Bontrager’s WaveCel technology, claimed to provide better impact protection than traditional helmet construction, is introduced to three new helmets: the Rally WaveCel and Starvos WaveCel for adults, and the Jet WaveCel for kids. The Rally WaveCel, price £129.99, is an off-road helmet with a Boa…
4 MTB Films For Your Weekend Feet Up Session
Stop clipping that hedge, jet-washing your patio, or scrubbing that grout. It’s time to kick back, and watch some MTB films where other people are putting in the effort. How Was It Made? It’s always fun to see how Danny manages to pull off his…
2020 Radon Swoop – Slack, or Slacker, for Steep, or Steeper?
German direct-to-consumer brand Radon launches its all new 2020 Radon Swoop, a 170mm travel 29er aimed at the enduro market. The new Radon Swoop will be available in three models, starting at €2,999 and heading up to €4,499 for the top 10.0 HD model with…
Warning: This Book Might Make You Want To Have MTB Babies
This book might be just the right gift for the MTB baby in your life. If you’re a parent, you will know the torture of when a truly terrible book becomes your child’s favourite. Chuff chuffity chuff went the train. Bippity boppity giggle went the…
Diversion Diary | Green Shoots and Hopeful Hippies
Just like all of us, Hannah is looking to survive the social distancing and lockdown. The Diversion Diary is a tale of love under lockdown, and bikes. Only, there’s an added twist: Hannah’s partner, BK, lives in the USA, and they’re locked down on different…
Specialized Rockhopper | The Classic Gateway MTB Gets Redesigned
The classic gateway drug of MTB, the Specialized Rockhopper, gets a redesign for 2021. For many, the Specialized Rockhopper will have been one of the first mountain bikes they ever rode. It’s been the gateway drug, affordably priced but specced like a ‘proper’ bike, and…
Video | The Flight of the Pickled Onions
If you want to see some stylish riding with some weirdness and silliness thrown in, then the Hazzard boys are always worth checking out. They’ve just released a new video ‘The Flight of The Pickled Onions’, shot just before lockdown hit. Before the Lockdown and…
Video | The Legend of Tommy G
The Legend of Tommy G – here be dragons, steeds, swords and great feats of derring-do. Or something like that. Thomas Genon does his thing in Lenzerheide. Lenzerheide is no stranger to over the top marketing. Check out the blurb from the tourism website: WELCOME…
5 Minutes With Ed Masters – Don’t Be Serious!
Pivot Factory Racing rider Ed Masters stops for 5 minutes to tell us how he keeps things fun – and why he thinks you should too. Tell us who you are, what you do and why we should go for a bike ride with you……
Video: Choosing To Live – Riding After Loss
Anyone who has lost a loved one will likely relate to the sentiments in this video. The desire to make the loss mean something, count for something. The need to move on without forgetting. The awareness of the sadness that you carry to wonderful new…
8 Ways To Turn Your Daily Exercise Ride Into A Life Long Habit
For years active travel campaigners have been trying to persuade us to leave the car at home. They’ve shown us how expensive it is to run a car, they’ve told us about the environmental impact of cars, they’ve asked for segregated cycle lanes, wished for…
Diversion Diary | Solace In Solitude
Just like all of us, Hannah is looking to survive the social distancing and lockdown. The Diversion Diary is a tale of love under lockdown, and bikes. Only, there’s an added twist: Hannah’s partner, BK, lives in the USA, and they’re locked down on different…
Showers Pass Refuge Pants | Tough Trousers for Rough Weather
Hannah checks out the Showers Pass Refuge Pants – waterproof trousers from the top of their range. Generally I’ll opt for waterproof shorts for wet weather rides, and deal with the wet and chilled legs later, but sometimes waterproof trousers are worth their relative bulk…
‘Meccano For Adults’ Flat Pack Trike
Insync Bikes, the brand that surprised us with plans for a new DH bike this year before then deciding not to sponsor a DH World Championships team this year, has been working with a part time inventor to develop a trike suitable for a child…
Did You Miss Out On This Cover Story? ‘The Toughest Day Of Our Lives’
Martin Bissig reveals the video to accompany Gerhard Czerners’ story of the trip to Pakistan that featured on the cover of Singletrack Issue 130. Singletrack Issue 130 had a cover that caught your attention even more than usual – two riders – Gerhard Czerner and…
Diversion Diary | Fantasy Futures and Lockdown Dreams
Just like all of us, Hannah is looking to survive the social distancing and lockdown. The Diversion Diary is a tale of love under lockdown, and bikes. Only, there’s an added twist: Hannah’s partner, BK, lives in the USA, and they’re locked down on different…
