https://www.mbr.co.uk Mountain Bike Rider Wed, 16 Oct 2024 08:08:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/storm-force-manon-carpenter-trail-advocacy-film-making-430161 Tue, 29 Aug 2023 13:06:18 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=430161 Six years on from retiring from racing, Manon is still being recognised, still achieving results, and still inspiring riders – this time with no podiums or race tape in sight.

New stars of 2013 revisited: Manon Carpenter Words and photos: Sim Mainey “You know who that is, don’t you? That’s …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/trailblazers-caersws-bike-park-428831 Mon, 31 Jul 2023 09:46:34 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=428831 Thanks to Matt Simmonds and supportive landowner Ian, Mid Wales's DH tracks are taking on a second life.

Bike brands like to talk about evolution. Every model year brings tweaks and changes, increases – or decreases – in …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/mountain-bike-routes/these-trails-will-take-you-out-into-the-back-o-beyond-427738 Fri, 07 Jul 2023 12:54:04 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=427738 How far would you go to have the trail to yourself? These five rides will take you to the back-o-beyond - and back again - so you can find solitude on the singletrack.

Sometimes, you just want to be alone. Or with a few good friends. Just you, your bike, the trail, and …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/featured/why-we-ride-426975 Sat, 03 Jun 2023 07:04:38 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=426975 What’s the thing that you love most about mountain biking? For some the answer comes to mind immediately, for others it requires a bit more thought.

A summer’s evening, a pub with a beer garden and a bunch of bikes stacked up against the wall. It’s …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/mountain-bike-routes/epic-long-distance-mountain-bike-routes-to-tackle-this-summer-426989 Fri, 02 Jun 2023 06:36:32 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=426989 The days are long, so why not fill them with an epic mountain bike adventure? These long distance routes are ideal for a big day (or several days) of riding, and will take you to some absolutely stunning places in the UK

Summer has landed, so it’s time to crack out the chamois cream, stick an extra jam sandwich in the backpack …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/featured/riders-on-the-storm-llandeglas-road-to-recovery-425804 Thu, 13 Apr 2023 08:13:43 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=425804 When a barrage of storms hit the UK in the winter of 2021-2022, Llandegla Forest in North Wales took a hammering: Now though, trees are being replanted and trail re-imagined

As a nation we’re obsessed with the weather. Which is odd as our weather can best be described as degrees …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-2023-uci-cycling-world-championships-in-scotland-424580 Wed, 15 Mar 2023 10:57:46 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=424580 The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships are coming to Scotland and we’ve got all the information you need to make the most of it, from how to watch, when to buy tickets, and where the mountain bike events are taking place.

Downhill, cross-country, marathon – Glasgow ’23 has a whole load of mountain biking going on, not to mention BMX, track …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/featured/go-with-the-flow-discovering-the-tech-flow-of-wharncliffe-crags-424689 Thu, 23 Feb 2023 07:30:07 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=424689 Like Wordle for bikes, Dan Greenwood’s trails challenge the mind as much as the body. Sim Mainey explores the one nerve-shaking example at Wharncliffe Woods, Sheffield, UK.

Sim Mainey chats with mountain biking polymath Dan Greenwood to learn more about his unique approach to trail building.  Standing …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/mountain-bike-routes/best-uk-mountain-bike-descents-421980 Thu, 17 Nov 2022 07:30:00 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=421980 These are some of the best mountain bike descents the UK has to offer, from technical to flowing, rocky to rooty, beginner to expert, and everything in between.

Love the rush of gravity when you ride? These descents are a selection of the best the UK has to …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/featured/the-science-of-fun-can-make-you-a-better-mountain-biker-419604 Sat, 27 Aug 2022 06:08:12 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=419604 Science is still picking its way through the concept of play and its importance for us as humans but one thing is for certain, play isn’t just for kids

Describe why you ride a mountain bike and you’ll probably not be able to avoid using the word fun. Because …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/mountain-bike-routes/rude-place-names-bike-rides-416995 Sun, 15 May 2022 08:40:38 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=416995 Rude British place names - the country has them in abundance. The UK is also home to some equally vibrant riding. So why not combine the two?

From Shitterton to The Knob, the UK is home to some colourfully rude place names that cause endless sniggering amusement …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/mountain-bike-routes/the-evolution-of-the-mountain-bike-trail-415988 Sun, 10 Apr 2022 19:00:42 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=415988 At MBR, we’ve always sought to highlight the best places to ride in the UK and beyond. But the definition of ‘best’ has evolved massively over the last 25 years. What's changed, why, and what does the future hold?

If there’s been one constant over the last 25 years since MBR magazine first hit the shelves, it’s the trails …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/rude-rides-413663 Tue, 14 Dec 2021 09:00:26 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=413663 The UK is home to some colourful place names and some equally vibrant riding. Here are five of our favourite rides that combine the two. After all, it’d be rude not to...

The UK is home to some colourful place names and some equally vibrant riding. Here are five of our favourite rides that combine the two. After all, it’d be rude not to...]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/tirpentwys-trails-413523 Wed, 08 Dec 2021 09:00:02 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=413523 A volunteer-built trail centre in South Wales honours its young founder with every pedal stroke and with its quest for recognition

A volunteer-built trail centre in South Wales honours its young founder with every pedal stroke and with its quest for recognition.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/five-favourite-singletrack-routes-413014 Fri, 19 Nov 2021 14:28:18 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=413014 Those thin, winding trails we call singletrack are the reason we ride. Singletrack IS mountain biking. So, here’s to stellar singletrack!

Those thin, winding trails we call singletrack are the reason we ride. Singletrack IS mountain biking. So, here’s to stellar singletrack!]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/featured/saddleback-retro-mtb-411717 Mon, 11 Oct 2021 10:46:37 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=411717 The retro market is booming as riders seek to recreate the dream machines of their youth; mbr pays homage to some iconic designs and wonders what future collectors will warm to

The retro market is booming as riders seek to recreate the dream machines of their youth; mbr pays homage to some iconic designs and wonders what future collectors will warm to.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/mbr-state-of-the-trails-2021-411183 Fri, 24 Sep 2021 09:11:22 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=411183 Over the past 18 months, riding has been a lifeline for many but a mixed blessing for the state of our trails; we sound out some of the biggest stakeholders to find out what lessons have been learned

Over the past 18 months, riding has been a lifeline for many but a mixed blessing for the state of our trails; we sound out some of the biggest stakeholders to find out what lessons have been learned.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/killer-loops-for-newbies-411053 Tue, 21 Sep 2021 12:20:34 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=411053 The perfect place to start for new riders and young ‘uns – all killer, no filler mileage. Counties covered: Dorset, Cumbria, Oxfordshire, Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

The perfect place to start for new riders and young ‘uns – all killer, no filler mileage. Counties covered: Dorset, Cumbria, Oxfordshire, Lancashire and West Yorkshire.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/dave-evans-bike-corris-410275 Wed, 25 Aug 2021 10:56:19 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=410275 Thanks to Dave Evans’s tireless advocacy, Wales’s rich network of trails is in rude health and the future looks even brighter.

Thanks to Dave Evans’s tireless advocacy, Wales’s rich network of trails is in rude health and the future looks even brighter.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/multi-day-mountain-bike-400191 Tue, 10 Aug 2021 08:58:15 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=400191 Planning on doing some riding on holiday? How about making the ride the holiday? Five long-distance classics – pick one and ride it all, or dip in and out.

Planning on doing some riding on holiday? How about making the ride the holiday? Five long-distance classics – pick one and ride it all, or dip in and out.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/dales-bike-centre-408691 Wed, 30 Jun 2021 12:56:57 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=408691 Behind DBC’s ‘centre of trails’ is an inspiring couple whose vision could point the way to the future of UK mountain biking.

Behind DBC’s ‘centre of trails’ is an inspiring couple whose vision could point the way to the future of UK mountain biking.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/mountain-bike-routes/e-bike-routes-387537 Tue, 11 May 2021 14:45:02 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=387537 Get motoring on four epic rides made for power-assisted fun

Here are four of our favourite e-bike routes that can allow you to take on real mountain riding even if you only have a couple of hours to spare.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/finders-keepers-406603 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 19:13:35 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=406603 With so many new and returning faces on the trails, we decided to stop a few of them and ask, why mountain biking?

With so many new and returning faces on the trails, we decided to stop a few of them and ask, why mountain biking?]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/remote-mountain-bike-routes-399355 Thu, 20 Aug 2020 08:00:18 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=399355 Lockdown rules permitting!

These are our pick of the top tive routes to take social distancing to new heights. Go big, it’s worth it.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/ride-sheffield-397099 Thu, 21 May 2020 12:36:02 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=397099 Part 1 our our Trail Blazers series

The ‘Outdoor City’ has embraced mountain biking with gusto and it’s all down the work of this dedicated group of …Continue reading »]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/electric-bikes/ktm-macina-kapoho-2972 Mon, 11 May 2020 11:08:11 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?post_type=review&p=396792 KMT’s new e-bike marries trail bike versatility to a grin-inducing 160mm of travel

KTM Macina Kapoho 2972 pairs a mullet wheelset with 160mm of travel. Mismatched wheel sizes is something KTM has done for a while now.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/featured/atherton-bikes-best-of-british-383839 Mon, 23 Mar 2020 22:00:41 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=383839 The Athertons are mountain biking royalty, so their eponymous bike brand comes with the ultimate seal of approval; we head to their Dyfi Bike Park testing ground

The Athertons are mountain biking royalty so their eponymous bike brand comes with the ultimate seal of approval; we head to their Dyfi Bike Park testing ground.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/mountain-bike-routes/pedalling-prozac-395404 Mon, 02 Mar 2020 10:35:05 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=395404 Pedalling Prozac

Roving snapper Sim Mainey picks his most potent doses of pedalling Prozac to help you deal with the tail end of this seemingly endless winter...]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/sonder-bikes-395365 Fri, 28 Feb 2020 11:39:09 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=395365 Sonder Bikes launched in 2016 and has grown into an 11-bike range covering road, gravel and mountain bikes — not that it likes to pigeon-hole things

Sonder Bikes has quietly been developing a range of bikes raised on South Yorkshire's post-industrial scraps. We head to the formative trails.]]> https://www.mbr.co.uk/featured/best-of-british-hope-technology-394325 Thu, 30 Jan 2020 11:07:09 +0000 https://www.mbr.co.uk/?p=394325 It’s a team effort, not just one person’s vision at Lancashire's Hope Technology.

The Hope HB.130 is the realisation of a dream for Hope's founders. We head to Lancashire in order to find out the story behind this ambitious project.]]>