With a weather forecast that looks ‘mixed’ and bothies out of bounds, this year’s Highland Trail 550 riders will be pedalling into the sunset/sunrise/low cloud/driving rain for the next week or so. Here’s the start list (rv = route veterans): WOMEN1 Ruth Crewe2 Dawn Anderson3…
Gallery: In Celebration of The Group Ride
After a long spell, group rides are back in much of the country. In celebration of the joy that is the group ride, with its giggles, its slithers, its mechanicals and its chat, we asked you to send us your photos from this week’s return…
Scouting About with Nukeproof: Part 3
Remember the new Nukeproof kit we posted about earlier this week? Well, look close enough in this video and you’ll see it in action. We can’t really promise you’ll be able to concentrate though, because the riding in Scouting About is wild. Tommy C delivers…
Fresh Goods Friday 550 – The ‘Month To Midsummer’ Edition
Yes, make sure you’re enjoying every day of the summer so far, you’ve got a month before it all starts fading away. OK, OK, it’s not all bad. We know that a British summer tends a little nicer after midsummer’s already gone. All those long,…
Matt Walker’s Home Run at Fort William
Matt Walker should have been in the start gate with a number one plate at Fort William this weekend. Unfortunately, as we all know, Fort William World Cup was cancelled due to Covid. This year would have been the 20th anniversary of the race at…
Updated UK MTB Racing Calendar: Changes for 2021
Due to Covid, there have been some changes to the MTB racing calendar for 2021. Both the HSBC National Downhill series and HSBC National Cross-country series have amended dates as well as venue changes. HSBC National Downhill Series With different restrictions in place all over…
Video: Samantha Soriano’s Road to Red Bull Formation – Episode Two
A lot has changed in the run-up to this year’s Red Bull Formation. With travel restrictions to contend with, a few of the riders are unable to make it to the event. Samantha Soriano has been busy preparing, this time by riding with three Rampage…
Side by Side, Beyond the Ride: Video for Mental Health Awareness Week
Cyclist & founder of ASCND.CC, Nick Frendo has created a short film for Mental Health Awareness week to highlight the great work of The New Normal charity. The New Normal Charity host peer-to-peer meeting groups to help support each other through life’s most difficult times.…
Round-Up: Highlights from Nove Mesto UCI XC World Cup 2021
The second round of the 2021 UCI XC World Cup in Nove Mesto tested riders with some tricky conditions. Notably, Thomas Pidcock (who took his first elite win) was the first British man to win an XCO World Cup since 1994. As the last race…
Can You Wheelie? You could be in the next Danny MacAskill video!
If you can wheelie, then you could be in with a chance of appearing with Danny MacAskill in an upcoming video. This is a once in a lifetime chance for a UK based bike rider. Danny MacAskill, Adidas and Five Ten have teamed up and…
10 Bikes of the Highland Trail 550
It’s the first event we’ve seen in a while and all those long distance riders must surely have the pent up energy of a spaniel that needs a wee. The Highland Trail 550, 550 miles in length with over 16000m of climbing, kicks off this…
Podcast: Meet the Orange Phase and our new Newshound
In this week’s podcast we have Andi talking about the Orange Phase that he reviewed recently. This EP8 powered enduro beast isn’t going to win any prizes at the ‘lightest eMTB’ contest, but that’s not really the point, is it? We also chat to Lauren…
Nukeproof Launches New Ridewear for 2021
Nukeproof has released details of their new ridewear range for 2021. Consisting of three main ride categories, there are options for men and women. For 2021, Nukeproof is offering the Blackline, Blackline Race, Outland and Casual ridewear options, giving you a few ranges to choose…
Midweek Movies: Road Trips, Racing and New Things
It’s hump day, we’re just a few days away from Friday! There’s nothing like watching some riding videos to make you dream of heading off on adventures. The weather hasn’t got the memo that we’re heading into June it seems, so fingers crossed for some…
Schwalbe British 4X Series 2021
For 2021, the Schwalbe British 4x series will make its return and host seven rounds. The first round is in Hartill at the end of the month. The release reads: The seven-round series will visit 4 of the best 4X venues across the UK, as…
Return of the Goat 2: New YT Capra launches with a big-budget movie
YT launches an updated Capra, but what’s more exciting the new bike or the big-budget movie attached to it? So what do the new YT Capra and a new unnamed Indiana Jones movie have in common? Give up? Well, each one is now associated with…
Road Collision Reporting Guidelines Issued
Following consultation across a range of media organisations and representatives, the Road Collision Reporting Guidelines, produced in collaboration with the University of Westminster’s Active Travel Academy, have been launched today. The Guidelines seek to reframe the reporting of road collisions so that they align journalistic…
Dropping in: Short Stuff You Should Know
Like a flower in bloom, the world is once again starting to open. Albeit it with trepidation and hopeful optimism. There’s stuff happening, races, launches, events and more. Here’s a round-up of what’s been happening, and here’s hoping we can safely continue. Rapha Teases new…
Binners Has Axle To Grind After Ordeal
Demonstrating that age and experience are no guard against stupidity, Singletrackworld.com near-legend status Forum regular, Adam ‘Binners’ Rawlinson has had what some might describe as the most testing week and a bit of his life. His ordeal started as he prepared to head for a…
Marzocchi Bomber Z1 Coil and Bomber CR Coil Shock Review
Intro When it was originally launched way back in 1997, the Marzocchi Bomber caused something of a stir. I don’t think there would be many riders to argue against it being the first really good suspension fork on the market. In a world of flexy…
Dirt Sisters of Shred: Encouraging Young Women to Ride
More women on bikes, especially young women is something we’d all like to see. Unfortunately, it’s not always simple, but thanks to Ruby’s Big Bike Challenge and Dirt Sisters of Shred, we should see more young women mountain biking in future. Ruby’s Bike Bike Challenge…
Trans-Savoie Announces New 50/50 Event for 2021
Launching in August, the Trans-Savoie have released details of their new 50/50 event, a six-day adventure in the French Alps. Following a five year break, the Trans-Savoie team announced their comeback with the 50/50, a mixed bike event. There are only 100 places, 50 for…
New Reserve 28/XC Wheels: No Weight Limit And No More Santa Cruz
If the ‘Reserve Wheels’ name sounds familiar, it’s because until recently, it’s been associated as Santa Cruz Bikes’ in-house wheel brand. Now, however, with the launch of the new 28/XC cross country wheels, the Reserve Wheels brand is going it alone (in much the same…
Wheels, Tyres, Clothing, Chickens: It’s Fresh Goods Friday 549
Do you ever set out for a ride and realise the moment you’re out the door that your legs are too tired to join you? It happens frequently to some of us here in Calderdale, probably due to the gradients on our valley climbs. Amanda…
Event Preview: PMBA Enduro, Round One at Graythwaite
The PMBA Enduro series will return for round one of the British National (an EWS Qualifier) in Graythwaite over the bank holiday weekend. Held on a private estate with plenty of off-piste trails, the race will take place over two days. Rated red 2 on…
Video: Samantha Soriano’s Road to Red Bull Formation – Episode One
Red Bull Formation will be back in Utah on 24 May to 1 June 2021. This women’s freeride event started back in 2019 and will take place for the second time in just a few weeks. With some of the top names in women’s freeride…
Making Burlish Bike Park Official
With the help of crowdfunding, a local charity, and a large donation from Sport England, Burlish dirt jumps is on its way to official status. Burlish dirt jumps, situated in Stourport upon Severn, has been a much-loved dirt jump spot for over thirty years. Now,…
Round-Up: Highlights from Albstadt UCI XC World Cup 2021
The opening round of the 2021 UCI XC World Cup brought a few surprises as the season began. A physical track, soaring temperatures and some technical sections, Albstadt was likely a shock to the system after such a long break from racing. Results: Elite Women…
Vihti: A Self Shot Mountain Bike Movie
How much effort would you be prepared to put into your sick edit? If your mates are filming, it’s not too bad to push up and ride a feature a few more times. But on your own? How far would you go? Maybe a few…
Naughty Northumbrian Returns for 2021
If you’re eager to test your skill and rusty from lack of racing, the Naughty Northumbrian is back this August. With six stages, rated a black 3 bar event on the EWS enduro event grading system, it’s not an easy event. However, if you want…
Specialized Launches New Adjustable Children’s Bikes
Specialized has just announced the launch of Jett, its new range of adjustable kids’ bikes. Available in 16, 20 and 24″ wheel sizes. Designed to last around 30 months, you can adjust as they grow with two crank positions (on the 20 and 24″ multispeed…
Starling Cycles Launch Limited Edition Murmur Stainless
Ask and you shall receive. Starling Cycles have launched a limited edition Murmur Stainless frame in response to the many requests for the bare metal finish. With only 15 available in sizes L and XL, you need to act fast if you want to get…
First Ride: The Gen 4 Cotic FlareMax punches way above its weight!
Now in its 4th incarnation, the Cotic FlareMax takes on frame updates, new build options and a ‘down country’ alter-ego. Can you believe that the first generation Cotic FlareMax is now approaching 5 years old? Launched in 2016, the Cotic FlareMax is Cotic’s aggressive short-travel…
Behind The Scenes of ‘This and That’ with Danny MacAskill and Kriss Kyle
Danny MacAskill and Kriss Kyle head to a few places around the UK for a riding adventure. It’s good to see the guys shred and ride a bit of everything. Due to the pandemic, it’s been a while since riders have been able to travel.…
Is What3Words Really That Bad? Or Good? Let’s Ask Mountain Rescue.
Given the recent fuss about What3Words in the outdoor world, we thought we'd ask forum member and rider, Jon Bateman. Jon is a mountain biker and also an active member and the Chair of Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team. He is slightly obsessed with…
Continental Kaiser Protection Apex 29 x 2.4 Review
James Vincent tests the Continental Kaiser on the knob ripping rocks of the Lake District. Find out how they performed in this review. Brand: Continental Product: Kaiser Protection Apex From: www.conti-tyres.co.uk Price: £64.99 Weight: 1050g Tested: by James Vincent for 4 months Intro The Kaiser…
Fresh Goods Friday 548 – The everything is secret edition
Yes, we have stuff, but we can’t tell you about it. It’s all secret. It’s a moving feast of secrecy. As if it wasn’t complicated enough to remember what can or can’t go in Fresh Goods Friday in any given week, now product launches keep…
Movie: BikePark Wales Reopens
It’s been a tough old year for everyone. And while BikePark Wales was forced to close last year, it gave the owners a chance to work on the whole place without worrying about riders getting in the way of digging, or of digging getting in…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 137: Join us now or miss out!
Let us whet your appetite for big days out, last dash golden hour rides, early morning sunrise missions, and the lunchtime leg stretcher. The next issue of Singletrack World Magazine will be making its way to our Members’ letter boxes in early June – if…
Riding DJ Brandt’s X Games Canyon Gap
For most of us, stumbling across a canyon gap would be something to be avoided, probably with plenty of dragging of the brakes, a careful keeping back from all edges by at least three metres, and a good dose of definitely not looking down. For…
Midweek Movies: Steez, Recovery, and Snowboards
It’s practically the weekend already, thanks to the time warp created by that wet Bank Holiday Monday. Which means it is midweek, Wednesday, hump day, and the perfect time to kick back and spend some quality time with the internet. Or, you can go and…
Finding Motivation: Bingley Bike Ride Bingo
Amanda and Julia challenge some friends to a game of lockdown bike bingo. In association with… Words Amanda Photography Roo Fowler & Amanda Who else is fed up of talking about lockdown, reading about it and being in it? How many of you are ready…
First Ride Review of the new Pirelli Scorpion Enduro S, Trail S and Enduro R tyres
Pirelli says that “Power is Nothing Without Control” so how does the new range of Pirelli Scorpion Enduro and Trail tyres perform? Just over 2 years ago, Pirelli launched the Scorpion MTB tyre range consisting of a collection of unique tyre designs suited for XC,…
Podcast: Trail Dogs, Tube Tech and Fire on t’Moors
This week’s podcast sees Hannah reveal her trail dog anxieties while Chipps and Charlie try to persuade her that she should be more welcoming of trail friends who lick you. The team tries to think of when you might want a smart inner tube, and…
Review: Fovno N Power Automated Pneumatic Bike Carrier
The Fovno N Power Automated Pneumatic bike carrier could be the solution to small and impractical car/bike interface. I have a problem, a problem that I believe affects quite a few petrolheads who also love to mountain bike. My problem is I like cars, quite…
Fresh Goods Friday 547: The Dr Dolittle Extra Animal Edition
Lockdown, week whatever. Or are we still locked down? Kind of not – we can ride bikes with five friends and sit outside a pub in all of our coats. That sounds like freedom, right there. Still, not everyone has been making the most of…
The Duke, the bike ban and the taxman
In this instance we’re publishing Cycling UK’s entire press release verbatim. Read on, and then feel free to head to the comments! Cycling UK is calling into question the tax exemptions the Duke of Devonshire benefits from, supposedly in return for allowing public access to…
Dropping In: Short Stuff You Should Know
Here’s a round up from the world of bike news. Short stuff, serious stuff, and a bit of silly too. Who Is Taking This Seriously? Antoine Taillefer and Corentin Desbois have teamed up to attempt to break two snow speed records. In this video to…
Video: A Dog’s Tale by Shimano
Dogs or cats? Clips or flats? Pineapple and ham or pepperoni? There are a few topics of conversation bound to cause such division, and trail dogs is one of them. Some of you will view this with a tear in your eye and a happy…
Video: Back On The Bike – A Welsh Adventure
If you love riding a bike, there’s probably someone in your life that you wish you could take out there and share the joy with. Maybe even prove to them it’s never too late to try riding a bike again? That’s just what rider and…
Why Cycles Titanium – Now in the UK, for the connoisseur of niche
We know how some of you feel about titanium bikes. Add in belt drive compatibility and a choice of freak, sorry, niche options and there’s a whole Singletrack Forum thread here waiting to happen. For those of you that are so inclined, Why Cycles now…
