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.
Protect Our Winters: Update on British Cycling and Shell
When British Cycling announced its partnership with Shell, the folks at Protect Our Winters wrote an open letter to British Cycling setting out their concerns and asking for British Cycling...
Help Shape the Future of the 7Stanes Trails
Forestry and Land Scotland has announced upcoming consultations on the future of the 7Stanes. To begin with, the dates announced only cover Newcastleton, but the other popular trails at Dalbeattie,...
6 Takeaways From Red Bull Hardline Tasmania
The season’s Downhill racing has started. It’s official. What did you make of the new Tasmanian Red Bull Hardline event? Here are some takeaways from our point of view. 1....
Spot That Bike: the Short Travel edition
Think you know bikes? Do you even XCO? Have yourself a short travel quiz and see which bikes you can identify. There’s more to this story BUT IT’S A MEMBER-ONLY……
Win A Forbidden Druid Dream Build, Make Nils’ Dreams Come True
Many of you mourned the passing of Nils Amelinckx. Here’s a chance to win a bike and do something nice for his family, from as little as £4.99. Nils Amelinckx,...
FGF 693: The Coffee Summoning Edition
Hello, hello, is this thing on? It’s been a while since I (Hannah) have done one of these. I’m usually quite busy on a Friday writing the Weekly Word and...
Danny MacAskill & Steve Peat Ride the Trotternish Ridge
A new video from Danny Mac and Peaty… probably quite good then? We note it’s subtitled. Probably needs a whole glossary to be honest. Spracheling, faffing… no, these are real...
Wiggle Chain Reaction Deal Falls Through: Mike Ashley Buys Name and IP
Last time we reported on the Wiggle CRC administration it looked like the company could be bought as a going concern, with a number of buyers apparently interested. Now, sources...
How To Watch Red Bull Hardline Tasmania
The riders are picking their way down the features of the new Red Bull Hardline course in Tasmania, ticking them off and stringing them together. Race day is Saturday 24th...
Campaigners Hope To Save Wyllie Bike Trails, Wales
In a good illustration of how ‘we’ve always ridden there’ doesn’t mean ‘we’ve got the right to ride there’, campaigners are hoping to save Wyllie Bike Park – and the...
How To Read The New Look Singletrack Magazine
Many of you have already experienced the ker-thwack of the latest edition of Singletrack Magazine dropping through your letterbox. Thunk, rip, flick, sniff. Forget ASMR YouTube videos, we can deliver...
Fresh Goods Friday 692 – The Al Fresco Edition
For this week\'s Fresh Goods Friday we have escaped the shrouded misty slopes of TodMorDen and headed on over to... Stockport.
NBD: Cotic Escapade, Sonder Broken Road, Chris King bits, Purple Hayes (slight return)…
Roses are red, violets are blue, Wednesday was Valentine\'s, but we have bike news... Here\'s a round up of PR that\'s landed this week.
Issue 153 Last Word: Weights and Measures
Hannah proposes a new system of measurement, putting quality over quantity. Miles covered and feet gained seem to me an inadequate measure of mountain biking. Kilometres and metres likewise. Hours……
Kelly: Mountain Biking Through Motherhood
You might well have met Kelly at an event or two – she’s often to be found chatting and riding, either in her day job for komoot, or as an...
Patagonia Dirt Roamer Bike Pack review
The Patagonia Dirt Roamer Bike Pack is billed as a pack to hold \'all the extra layers and supplies for big rides or bad weather\'.
Retro Bike Cryptic Crossword
Twist your melon and cast your mind back for the answers to this mostly cryptic crossword. The answers are there, don’t let all the anodising dazzle you! And beware of………
Evolution Stories: Katy Winton’s Dyslexia Journey
Andy McKenna continues his exploration of mountain biking and the lives of mountain bikers beyond the trail, as he finds his own way through life as his Multiple Sclerosis stops...
Podcast: How do we test gear, and what are we up to?
Podcasts haven’t stopped – we’ve just had a bit of a hiatus while we’ve been rather busy doing a lot of things. In this podcast, Mark gives you an update...
New (Baffling) Rob Warner video: The Way Back
What is Rob Warner up to now? Watch this video and see if you can figure it out. Is this a pitch to come back and race Masters? A pitch...
High School Mountain Biking: How the bike industry could save itself?
But perhaps there’s a possible option that might see bikes put to good use, and actually generate demand in years to come? Take a look at the USA and I…
Orange Bikes Announces ‘A New Dawn’
We’ve just had word from Orange Bikes, they’re set to continue. When the application for administration was made, an application was also placed for P. Bairstow Limited, the metal fabricators...
Welsh Trail Centre Review: UK MTB’s origin story under threat
Update NRW has just sent us this revised version of their original statement: We know our visitor centres are a much-loved resource among locals and visitors from further afield and...
Fresh Goods Friday 689 – The Very Testing Edition
Testing, testing, one, two, three... is this thing on? Welcome one and all to the latest and some* would say greatest edition of FGF!
UCI Mountain Bike World Series Fort William Tickets: on sale now!
If you’re planning to go and watch the MTB World Series at Fort William, act now! Careful as you choose your tickets – note the different access options with and...
Video: Innes Graham In Da Jungle
Wicked, wicked etc. Innes inna Inners. Spot that trail, enjoy some tunes, and know that you could do it like, that, do it like that – maybe*. Here’s what the...
2023 Cross-country Season Recap | UCI Mountain Bike World Series
As we wait for the UCI to reveal the official list of teams and riders for 2024, take a look back at 2023\'s season. Who will you be watching for…
Mintel predicts £1 billion new bike sales this year
According to new research from Mintel, new bicycle sales are forecast to climb by 12% in 2024 with Brits set to buy 2.1 million bikes.
Off The Beaten Track
This piece was originally published as the editorial in our Weekly Word newsletter. It’s free and available to anyone who signs up. There’s also the Members’ newsletter – only available………
The Bike Brand Old Logo Quiz
Before marketing bods sat around in ball pools having thought bombs, these are some of the logos and head badges that were being used. How many do you remember? Please………
