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.
Reasons To Be Cheerful: Active Travel Funding Is Coming!
Yes, we like mountain biking, but more people on all kinds of bikes is good for the bike industry and for mountain biking. The Guardian is reporting that the government...
This Weekend! GT Bicycles Malverns Classic MTB Festival
It’s this weekend! Are you coming? Whether you were there in the early days and want to relive the glory of your youth, or you have your own kids now...
Bikemon Go! Your August Ride Inspiring Download
Back in issue 153 in February, Hannah proposed an alternative approach to measuring rides. As part of that, we gave you a set of ride ‘achievements’ to collect in the…
Fresh Goods Friday 718 – Bright And Early Edition
Ooh, yes it’s Friday. Not lunchtime mind. We’re messing with you by getting this up early. Mostly because there’s no video this week, because I’m not going to sit and...
2024 Red Bull Rampage Women: Who To Watch And What To Expect
Whoop! The news that you’ve all been waiting for! (Well, I have, anyway – and I called it right for many of the riders I predicted would be on the...
Limitlass Mountain Bike Festival 2024 Wraps Up with an Unforgettable Weekend in Dunkeld
We’ve just received this press release (of an event we missed going to!) that looks like a whole heap of fun. One to look out for next year, perhaps. It’s...
Before the Party’s Over
Mountain biking is getting old. It might be time to sit down and talk to our elders. Words Hannah, Illustration James Vincent Remember when you were a kid and every…
1949-2024: Geoff Apps, pioneer of mountain bike design
We’ve just heard the sad news that Geoff Apps, pioneer of mountain bike design, died unexpectedly at home on 25th July. His passing is as quiet as much of his...
Fresh Goods Friday 717: Sound The Sun Klaxon!
Apparently it’s only a week ago that I was on holiday. Since my house is currently shaking thanks to neighbours having their front garden paved over, let us cast our...
Nerd Alert! Rare Structure SCW1 Prototype Bike for Sale
This caught our eye in the Singletrack Classifieds. I mean, why wouldn’t it? With echoes of the old Whyte PRST1 but a stack of new tech, it’s a bike nerd’s...
Red Bull Rampage: Dates Revealed For Men’s and Women’s Events
It had already been confirmed that Red Bull Rampage would include women in this year’s event, but now it’s clearer that there will be two separate days: Women on Thursday...
Off to Fort William? Test a Saracen while you’re there!
If you’re making the trip to Fort William and the Nevis Range, you’ll now be able to try out one of a number of Saracen bikes while you’re there, as...
Tweedlove ends: Management of world enduro partly to blame says organiser
TweedLove founder Neil Dalgleish has announced in a blog post that the hugely popular Scottish mountain bike festival is coming to an end. If you’ve been meaning to get round...
Interview: Atherton Bikes at Bespoked
In our final interview from Bespoked, Manchester, I stopped for a chat with Alex from Atherton Bikes to see if I could find out what’s ahead for the Welsh brand....
BikePark Wales: New 33 year lease to bring many benefits
Amidst reports of job cuts at Natural Resources Wales (NRW), it’s good to see some positive news coming from Wales: BikePark Wales has signed a new 33 year lease that...
Bike Check: Sour Bikes ‘Pasta Party’
Jürgen from Sour Bikes talked us through the features of this ‘Pasta Party’ bike from Sour Bikes, a German brand that’s managed to make production in Germany work for them....
Bespoked Interview: Auckland Cycle Works
I first saw these bikes when they were a very early prototype, at Bespoked in October 2022 at the Velodrome in London, where Gary explained to me how he’d used...
Interview: Ted James Designs
I always enjoy chatting with Ted about his bikes. For one, it’s a bit like listening to Tom Waits or Iggy Pop – there’s more gravel in his voice than...
Cycling UK’s New Strategy – Still working for mountain bikers?
Cycling UK recently launched its new strategy, setting out what the charity will be working towards in the years ahead. Plus, in advance of the general election, it issued a...
Cduro Epona: Innovative Carbon Fibre Mountain Bike | Bespoked Interview
Humphrey and Martin brought this wound carbon fibre Cduro Bike to Bespoked, Manchester, all the way from the Czech Republic. As the more confident English speaker of the two, Humphrey...
Niner Bikes go consumer direct in Europe and UK
We don’t often see Niner Bikes on the trails in the UK but that may be about to change as they move to selling direct to the public. Niner Bikes...
‘Wales. Made For Bikes’ – but maybe not all mountain bikes?
Welsh Cycling has revealed its rebrand to ‘Beicio Cymru‘ and a new ‘Wales. Made for bikes’ strategy. The strategy document reads like a bit of a mix of tourism/participation promotion...
It’s Time To Subscribe To Get Your August Edition of Singletrack!
Whether you’re planning lazy days by the pool, sheltering under damp canvas in a field, or endless party laps in the mountains, we hope you’ll find at least some down...
Bike Check: Dawley Bikes T16
Thom Dawley brought this understated short travel full suspension bike to Bespoked, Manchester. We stopped for a chat to find out what goes into making something as apparently simple and...
Bikemon Go! Your July Ride Inspiring Download
Back in issue 153 in February, Hannah proposed an alternative approach to measuring rides. As part of that, we gave you a set of ride ‘achievements’ to collect in the…
Madison Saracen Factory Race Team to cease racing at the end of 2024
In surprise news that would have been pretty unthinkable a few years back, but is now almost no surprise at all, Madison Saracen Factory Race Team has announced it will...
Bike Check: 18 Bikes Full Suspension Prototypes
Peak District based 18 Bikes had two prototypes on display at Bespoked Manchester. Matt talked us through them. These two bikes are the first prototypes on what is already quite...
Fresh Goods Friday 712 – The Overlording It Up Edition
A new dawn, a new day, a new batch of bike bits for you to spoil your ballots over. Yes, there’s been a general election but we all know that...
NBD: Merida Big Trail, Hutchinson Eco Tyre, DJI ebike motor…
… Amflow PL, SRAM T-Type expansion, SRAM DB8 brakes, Giant Revolt, TRP x Bosch E-Shift system, Manitou R8 fork and Mara shock, Orbea Rise Alloy, Schwalbe Clik Valve and Fizik...
Readers’ Rides: Rick’s Custom Marino
Whether you’ve got a special new bike or just a bike that’s special to you, this is where you get to tell us about it! You send us your submissions, and...