The December issue of Singletrack includes a free 2019 wall calendar.
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.
EWS Says Doping Tests Are Not New
EWS say doping controls at Enduro events is NOT new despite rumours
Bike Check: Sam Jones from Cycling UK’s Surly ECR
Sam Jones is Cycling UK’s Senior Campaigns and Communications Officer. Hannah caught up with him at a recce of the planned new North Downs Way National Trail, where he was riding his Surly ECR. Here’s a closer look at his bike. What was on your…
North Downs Way: Riding In The Shadow Of The Rat Race
This might be what it feels like to be a rabbit, or a fox, perhaps. Scurrying along the edge of hedgerows, through labyrinths of close grown bushes, darting out into sunlight and across a field, then back into the shade of a holloway. It’s not…
Video: On Her Terms – Manon Carpenter moves on from gnar to geek
This video contains all the usual mountain bike cliches – slo-mo action of tyres kicking up stones, unfeasible wrestling of bars from side to side on climbs, ‘casual’ standing around gazing at views… you get the idea. But what’s a breath of fresh air in…
Video: Danny MacAskill Game of Bike – Which Trick Could You Do?
There’s a new video from Dany MacAskill, which has prompted some surprising reactions in the office. Chipps – not known for airtime and tricks – may be getting rad out in the slickrock of Moab, because he said: ‘It’s rather good – and not uber…
A Day With Charlie Kelly, Godfather of Mountain Biking
The railing moves, or maybe the pavement is narrower than last time I passed. My bar clips the safety barrier and I’m catapulted off the bike and onto the grassy bank on the other side. I lie, laughing and staring up at the moons. It’s…
Could we all benefit from pro-level concussion protocols?
Is the UCI doing enough to protect athletes from their own enthusiasm after a head injury?
Video: Dudes of Hazzard Muckle Day Out
Those Scottish boys, the Dudes of Hazzard, have been up to things again – riding bikes in ways that make the rest of us sigh. At least they look a bit cold and uncomfortable for some of it, making this video just a bit more…
Video: A Slice Of Ariégeoise Pie
We not sure how to say it. Ariégeoise. Ar-ee-ay-jwaz? We’ve googled it, it’s in the Pyrenees, on the border with Andorra – which is of course the home of Commençal. It looks like it’s fun to ride there – though we’d be sure to take…
Video: Buying A Mountain Bike, Buying A Lifestyle
If you’ve stumbled onto this looking for genuine advice on how to go about buying your first mountain bike, you should probably go and read the reviews section of our website, because this video is not going to help you. It might still be wise…
Bike Check: Paul Byrom’s Kingdom Vendetta XFS 29
Before the Singletrack Reader Awards kicked off last week, we had a Trade Day ride out, where loads of our friends from the bike industry join us for an actual ride. It might come as a surprise (and something of a disappointment) to you that…
The Winners! Singletrack Reader Awards 2018
Nominated and voted for by you, our readers, the votes have been counted and the winners have been revealed at our star studded awards ceremony. There were definitely more flannel shirts than sequins on display, but as usual Chipps made up for the lack of…
Two Videos To Remind You Life Is Precious
It’s all too easy to say ‘maybe tomorrow’. To look out the window at grey skies and turn on the TV instead of heading for the trails. To put off that meet up with old friends, or tell yourself you can’t justify that trip of…
Interview: Veronique Sandler – Not In It To Win It
Sitting in the yurt at the Bike Park Wales Women’s Weekend, a group of women are gathered for a Q&A session with three pro riders: Tahnee Seagrave, Katy Curd, and Veronique Sandler. It seems that many in the audience are keen racers, and many questions…
Bike Park Wales: Women’s Weekend – not just for women
For the weekend of 6th and 7th October, Bike Park Wales opened its doors to women. Not that women aren’t usually welcome, but to make sure the park was filled with #RadMums, #girlswhoride and #ladyshredders they were giving women free pedal passes (usually £10) for…
Singletrack Issue 121: Shakespeare’s Sister
‘All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players’. How your ride will play out – whether it results in comedy, tragedy or historic triumph – will depend on your cast of players. Let us head to the casting couch and…
It’s Here! Singletrack Magazine Issue 121 – Where Will Your Read Yours?
Singletrack Issue 121 has landed! Whoop! If you’re a subscriber your copy has probably landed. Have you ripped it open eagerly, or are you saving it for some quality me time? Why not tag us on Instagram or Twitter so we can see how you read…
Five Ten And Adidas Eye Up The Olympic Effect
Five Ten has been the name in flat pedal sticky shoes for so long that it’s easy to forget that it started out life as a climbing and outdoor brand. With some bright spark having the idea that sticky rubber could prove useful at gripping…
Video: Nick Craig At Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross 2018
We often refer to Nick Craig as ‘the nicest man in cycling’. If you’re ever lucky enough to meet him, we’ve no doubt you’ll experience his kindly soft spoken voice, enthusiasm, encouragement, and love of all things bike. Nick is a veteran of the Three…
New Ibis DV9: A carbon hardtail you can pay for with your summer job?
Ibis has just announced the launch of its new carbon hardtail, the DV9. Following the current trend for XC-but-slacker (which Ibis is calling Downcountry), this new bike will be offered in two build options to suit the racers and the trail riders. Ibis co-owner Hans…
Are these the most expensive glasses we’ve ever had? Fresh Goods Friday 415
FGF this week started off with just 2 products, but the last minute haul at the 2018 Cycle Show has fleshed it out into another bonanza of bike booty (not the ‘B’s again!). Before we get to the squawking, have a giggle at Hannah’s expense:…
WTF: Just what we all need – zip on tyres?
Amazing things have been achieved since the invention of the zipper in 1909 or thereabouts. We can now get dressed without the assistance of a button butler. We can leave it until the very last minute before dashing to the loo. We don’t have to…
Sick Bicycles Ceases Titanium Production
Makers of titanium madness, rad T-shirts, and self proclaimed industry shakers and agitators Sick Bicycles has just announced that it is ceasing production of its titanium frames. A newsletter just issued reads (published here complete with apparent typos and odd formatting): Say goodbye to Ti…
Video Madness: A Strongman, A Chainsaw, And A Freerider
It’s easy to get bored of all the latest shredits, but sometimes something is just so bonkers you find yourself watching it all the way to the end. This piece of advertising from De Walt is one of those. There’s a chainsaw, and some other…
Recall: Öhlins RXF Air Fork
Öhlins has issued a recall of its RXF Air Fork, and advised riders to cease using them immediately. The forks came as standard on a number of Specialized 2017 and 2018 bikes, so we expect that this is recall is going to have quite a…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 120 | Last Word: The same sort of different.
Three short stories from Hannah’s recent trip to the USA that demonstrate the reach of the bike and the unspoken bond shared by those who ride them.
Last Chance To Subscribe – Singletrack Issue 121
The trails have finally returned to their usual state. Mudguards are essential once more, waterproofs no longer a ‘just in case’ item. If we’re lucky enough to finish work early we might get out to catch the last of the evening light before hoping we’ve…
The 28 Riders of Red Bull Hardline 2018
Judging by these photographs, Wales is proving to be wet. So, as well as all the other obstacles, everything is going to be super slippery and slithery too. Frankly terrifying. It is due to be dry tomorrow when all the action will be taking place.…
Video: Red Bull Hardline 2018 – Course Preview
If you’re still experiencing vertigo after checking out our gallery, then perhaps don’t watch this course preview. Gee Atherton manages to talk his way down this course, which combines downhill with freeride with lunacy. This year’s course combines the iconic road gap jump with some…
Gallery: Red Bull Hardline 2018 – The Warm Up
It’s Red Bull Hardline this weekend. As the name suggests, riders will be taking it in turns to swoop down a hillside on a trail punctuated by gaps which many of us would assume were whole sections of trail that had yet to be built.…
MTB World Championships 2018 – One To Have Watched
Through the miracles of modern technology, it is now pretty easy to watch the MTB World Championships wherever you are in the world, giving riders and fans an excuse to get together for a bit of a party to cheer on the action – even…
Yeti SB130 – Forget Longer Travel, This Is the Yeti You Need
It’s only been a few weeks since we brought you news of the new Yeti SB150, and here we are with another new bike from the Abominable Snowpeople of Colorado. But if you thought the SB150 was more bike than you need, then perhaps this…
The Rampage – Prepare For The Zombie Apocalypse, Raise Money For Charity
We’ve all seen the zombie movies where people find themselves running through a concrete multi storey carpark. Up they run, in and out of pillars, up, looking side to side for exits, up and up until the inevitable roof top finish arrives and the eating…
There’s A Hole In The Road, Please Can We Keep It?
Hannah reflects on the disruption that a burst water main near home has caused, and hopes it continues. There’s a hole in the road where I live. Not your average pothole, but quite a substantial chasm. In the way of things in small towns where…
Look At These Customised Saracen Mysts Heading To The World Champs
Three Madison Saracen riders will be heading to the Downhill World Champs at Lenzerheide this weekend, and to mark the occasion they’ve all been given new custom painted Saracen Mysts. So, perhaps Matt Walker won’t be needing that one we saw at Fort William anymore…
Cycling UK: Government law review ‘ignores the main cause of road danger’
Here at Singletrack we’ve been following Government policy on cycling because most of us don’t just ride off road – we ride on roads to get to trails, work, the shops – and our loved ones do the same. Bez has written extensively on road…
Review: Julbo Renegade and Resist Glasses – ‘They’re Better Than My Eyes!’
Julbo designs its glasses high in the Jura mountains of France, gets its frames made in Poland, and then makes all its lenses and assembles them with frames in its Jura factory. It’s one of very few glasses brands that are still independent, and personally…
Aretha Franklin: A Playlist For Mountain Bikers
Here at Singletrack Towers we’ll take any excuse to play a tune to everyone in the office. There’s a fair amount of track sharing goes on, whether it’s new and cool stuff, or golden oldies we’d forgotten about. While choosing today’s Fresh Goods Friday tune,…
A Yeti, 2 Bears, and a Giant Hannah: Fresh Goods Friday 409
How are you? Do you need a little therapy? Have you discovered that your planned spare room is going to be occupied for at least another year while its inhabitant does resits, or pursues alternative school-of-life type educational experiences? Or are you now steeling yourself…
Wash Your Bike, Save Tweedlove Trees And Trails
Tweedlove organisers have issued a statement urging riders to clean their bikes and kit before and after riding in the Innerleithen area, following the discovery of a disease which kills larch trees and will necessitate the felling of many trees in the area. We’ve heard…
David Turner E-bike Interview: ‘This is an opinion on our nature, which of course is arguable to the end of time.’
When Hannah was in Idaho for the Impact Sun Valley Media Event she caught up with David Turner to talk about his new all-road titanium drop bar bike. Somewhere along the way, Hannah asked him about e-bikes. If you want, you can watch the interview…
Poll: It’s #CycleToWorkDay – Why Don’t You?
Today is Cycle To Work Day in the UK, and we’re all being encouraged to try riding to work. Yes, you all ride mountain bikes (if you don’t, how did you get here?). But we wonder if you ride to work? And if you don’t, why? [poll…
Downhill’s Most Outspoken Pro: Amanda Batty Announces Retirement
If you follow Amanda Batty on social media, you’ll be well aware that a few weeks ago she crashed and injured her lower leg in ways that are not only leg threatening, but life threatening. Having just undergone another round of major surgery to install…
UK Government Launches Entirely Unnecessary Consultation Into Active Transport.
Hannah’s had enough with Government transport planners. Again… I’m going to scream. Actually, I did, though it was more of a desperate guttural groan of suppressed rage and frustration. Why? Because the Transport Committee of the UK Government has launched an inquiry into Active Transport.…
Finland. It’s not all about snow (okay mostly…)
This article was originally published in Issue 115 of Singletrack Magazine. Words & Photography by Hannah. Hannah takes a wintery fat bike trip to the Arctic Circle to discover dangerous downhills, Russian border stations, saunas and moose stew. Before it came to mean an afternoon’s bike…
Last Chance To Subscribe! Singletrack Issue 120
We’ve got a sweat on – and not just because it’s hotter than a furnace at Singletrack Towers today. No, it’s deadline day, and Issue 120 of Singletrack Magazine is off to the printer. Just in case you’ve not already subscribed and aren’t lounging in…
Aston Hill Mountain Bike Park Needs Your Help!
It’s easy to ride and take your trails for granted – especially if you’re paying to play. But it’s not the same as heading to the supermarket and swapping cash for a pint of milk and some bread, and behind the trails there’s often a…
Review: Specialized Motodiva Women’s Mountain Bike Shoes
Sold as an all-round trail riding shoe, I’ve been using these for the more pedestrian end of trail riding – mostly because when things get gnarlier I’ll switch to flats. However, these are so comfortable I have found myself wearing them for more and more…
Mountain Rescue And Ordnance Survey Say: Stay Safe And Stay Cool
Yes, we’re all loving the prolonged sunshine and sweet, dry trails – although we could definitely go with a few less wildfires. But as things are due to hot up again this week, Ordnance Survey and Mountain Rescue are warning people to stay safe in…
Review: Hoy Meadowmill 24 – a grown up drop bar bike for kids
Do you have a budding 'cross racer or gravel rider in the family? Perhaps the Meadowmill will get them on drops sooner than you thought.
