Mountain Biking UK 12.2021

DHB TRAIL WATERPROOF WRECKED & RATED GROUPTEST

£150 | www.wiggle.com Weight 121g
Waterproofing 20,000mm
DHB’s Trail feels substantial but not heavy and Breathability 20,000g/m2
boasts a great spec, including fully-taped seams,
a waterproof front zip, glove-friendly zip-pulls and Weight 265g
silicone gripper on the shoulders to keep your Waterproofing 20,000mm
pack in place. It’s made from an abrasion-resistant, Breathability 20,000g/m2
three-layer fabric that has a degree of stretch,
allowing the cut to be slimmer without restricting Weight 243g
movement, but leaving room for layering. Plus, it’s Waterproof rating 28,000mm
relaxed enough to wear off the bike. Two zipped Breathability rating 25,000g/m2
hand pockets are mesh-lined to double up as
vents. The well-shaped elasticated cuffs are great, Mountain Biking UK
and the hem drawcord pulls in at each side rather
than running all the way through, so it doesn’t
ride up at all. While the fold-away peaked hood is
designed to go over a helmet, it pulled a bit, so we
wore it underneath, where it works just as well.

POC SIGNAL

£320 | www.pocsports.com

Even in the worst conditions, the Signal kept us
dry and comfortable. The material is breathable
when working hard, and there’s further ventilation
from underarm gills, a back vent and the two-way
zip. Its lightweight, three-layer ripstop fabric is soft
enough to wear against bare arms. The fit is close
but not restrictive, and styling is sleek. It packs into
its own zipped back pocket, and has a smaller side
pocket too. Design is efficient across the board –
it has a good interface between hood and helmet
straps, shaped cuffs that sit just right, and a long
drop-back that hangs perfectly flat, courtesy of
side elastic in the hem. Elevating the Signal further
is its ‘twICEme’ technology, which gives medical
information and emergency contacts with a tap of
an NFC-enabled phone.

7MESH COPILOT

£220 | https://7mesh.com

Made from the same GORE-TEX PACLITE PLUS
fabric as the Rab, the Copilot is a lightweight,
packable jacket that’s guaranteed waterproof
and superbly breathable. The cut is relaxed with
ample space for layering, which translates into
room to move, but thanks to its shape and cut,
it articulates with you to stay in place no matter
what. This turned out to be the jacket we forgot
we were wearing – it really is that comfortable.
The Copilot boasts clever details like one-handed
adjustable drawcords on the hood and hem, and
an angled chest pocket that’s easy to access (and
positions its contents so they don’t get in the way).
This ease of use is mirrored in the hood, which flips
generously over a lid and is simple to adjust. Taped
seams and waterproof zips complete the package.

The all new Expedition 68 2-4 4 6.36M

The Expedition 68 is Auto-Trail’s first foray into the world of dedicated
sports campers. With over 38 years of experience in designing and building
motorhomes of all shapes and sizes, this is the only campervan they have
created specifically for cyclists to travel and transport their bikes, equipment,
and themselves. Starting from £42,538 OTR.

o.uk/expedition

SKILLS, KNOW-HOW, MAINTENANCE & RIDE GUIDES

104

HOW TO SEND IT

WITH STYLE!

LEARN TO HIT JUMPS LIKE A PRO,
WITH MATT JONES & GRANT
‘CHOPPER’ FIELDER

104 108 110 122

HOW TO... GRIMETIME BIG RIDE & MAPS TRAIL CREW

Send it with style and Fi ing a chain guide, fork A big day in Collingbourne We hit the jumps at
add some tricks dampers explained & more Wood, Wiltshire Cornwall’s The Track

HOW TO... PRO-FILE

SEND IT GRANT FIELDER
WITH STYLE!
JOB Dirt jumper/slopestyler
Take your jumping to the next level with Matt Jones & Chopper
CREDENTIALS
Jumping is a key element of freeriding, whether you’re hitting gaps at the bike ‘Chopper’ is a legend of the
park or faced with an unexpected obstacle on a backcountry line, and it’s a useful UK dirt jump and slopestyle
skill to master for trail riding, too. We covered the basics in MBUK 400, so this scene. After competing for
issue we’re looking at how you can step things up and add some style, with help many years at a world-
from our cover star Matt Jones and dirt jump veteran Grant ‘Chopper’ Fielder. class level, he’s graduated
to being a sought-after
judge for the same
contests. You’ll also see
him in a host of Muc-Off
video productions.

BASIC TRICKS while using the ‘gorilla’ stance – elbows PRO TIPS
out, knees bent.
1 BAR TWEAK CHOPPER’S
A bar tweak is the easiest trick to learn. TABLE-LAYING
When you’re trail riding, you can often You should only use your arms, and keep
use speed to clear jumps, but if you want the rest of your body relaxed. To add ADVICE
to add some tricks, you need to be able a tweak, push one arm away and pull
to ‘pop’ off them, says Chopper. This the other towards you, turning the bar in
will maximise your airtime over even the whichever direction you prefer. Then lean
smallest jumps, allowing you to style it up. away from the tweak. So, if you’re turning
to the left, lean to the right. This will
Start by practising bunnyhops. Get ensure that your centre of gravity remains
used to the feeling of pulling up with the constant. Make sure you have enough
front and having your back wheel follow time to straighten up before you land.
the same path. Next, find a small jump Keep your eyes ahead of the downslope
to learn on. Don’t let the bike do all the and try to land with both wheels together.
work, as you would when riding the trail,
but pop in a fluid motion. Make sure the
front wheel is a bit higher than the back,
and try to be as relaxed as possible,

Mountain Biking UK

THE MANUAL HOW TO

BASIC TRICKS to the left, use your right hand to with your right knee. The main
pull the bar up to your left armpit, forces should be coming from your
2 TABLETOP rotating your wrist so the back right hand and left leg, with your
of your hand moves round the left hand and right knee stabilising.
The tabletop is definitely easier grip toward the brake lever. Use Your head and shoulders should
to do on a hip jump [where the your left hand to push away and remain in the same place.
landing is at an angle to the take- stabilise the bar. At the same time,
off] than on a straighter jump, rotate your left hip and lift the bike Once you’ve reached the peak,
where you have to bring the bike upwards with your left leg towards reverse the process and spot your
back round more on landing, so the sky, while pushing down slightly landing. If you’ve done everything
practise on a hip if you can. right, you’ll land as normal.

You need to start the move the
moment your back wheel leaves
the ground. To lay the bike over

1 Riding quarter-pipes 2 Keep your eyes on 3 Lie on your back on the 4 Start small and build up
and hips is great practice the landing throughout,
so that your head and ground with your bike your confidence until you
for bar-tweaking and shoulders don’t move
tabletopping. Get down to above you, feet on the feel happy progressing
your local skate park! about too much.
pedals, to get used to the from smaller hips to

movements required. larger jumps.

Mountain Biking UK

STEP IT UP

3 SUICIDE

NO-HANDER

Once you’ve mastered tables and
doubles, one of the easiest moves to
learn next is the suicide no-hander,
says slopestyle supremo Matt Jones.
It’s the perfect trick to have in your
arsenal, because if you can jump
a jump, you can suicide it, and it’s a
crowd-pleaser with no extra speed or
effort required. You can build up to it
in stages and gradually work towards
full extension. Here’s how to do it.

123

SET UP GET INTO POSITION LET GO!

Find a straight jump, where the take-off and Once you’ve left the lip and clamped the Release your grip on the bar, then move
landing line up – no-handers are difficult on saddle with your knees, move your weight your hands away from the grips. Do this in
hips. Have your saddle at a height where you backwards without pulling on the handlebar stages, on successive attempts, until you feel
can pinch it between your knees the moment that the bike is stable underneath you and
you take off, to stabilise and grip the bike. – this will ensure that the bike remains
relatively level throughout the trick. won’t drop away.

Mountain Biking UK

THE MANUAL HOW TO

PRO-FILE PRO TIPS

MATT JONES MATT’S
NO-HANDER
JOB Pro slopestyle rider
NOTES
CREDENTIALS
1 Put your saddle at the right
With a decade of slopestyle height to grab it with
competition under his belt, your knees.
some world-first tricks
to his name and 600,000 2 Make sure it’s a straight
YouTube subscribers, jump, not a hip.
27-year-old Matt knows a
thing or two about sending 3 Progressively move your
it with style! He also has hands further from the bar.
his own clothing brand,
Helfare, and represents a 4 Keep an eye on the grips.
host of sponsors, including
Red Bull and Marin Bikes. 5 Don’t grab the brakes when
reaching for the bar!

SEND ZONE

WHERE TO PRACTISE

There are local jump spots all over the
country, but they vary from perfectly-
sculpted dirt dreamlands to shoddily-
constructed potential deathtraps! The
safest place to work on your aerial skills

is a bike park, where the jumps are
professionally built and designed to help

you progressively work up to bigger
things. Chopper and Matt showed off
their skills at The Summit, a purpose-built
skills development area in Swinley Forest,
Berkshire. Membership is available, with
open sessions and coaching included, or
you can sign up for a specific skills course
at www.swinleybikehub.com/coaching.

456

EXTEND IT GET BACK ON THE GRIPS PREPARE TO LAND

Gradually work your way to getting your Keep an eye on the grips throughout the You should feel super-balanced throughout
hands as far behind your back as possible. trick. With a spinning front wheel and a the whole trick, so landing should be the easy
To pull a fully-extended suicide, your hands straight jump, the bar shouldn’t twist at all, so part. Just make sure you don’t grab a handful
need to be as far away from the grips as is they should be right where you left them. All
that remains is to grab them before you land. of brake when you get back on the grips –
humanly possible! a common rookie error!

Mountain Biking UK

EXPERT WORKSHOP ADVICE

TECH Q&A roll slower and weigh more, Running a well-damped back by the better tracking and lower
but unless you’re into mile- tyre on a hardtail will stop the weight of more traditional forks.
BOUNCE BACK munching and long climbs, rear end pinging about so much
the improved ride quality MIX AND MATCH
I’m trying to get faster on my outweighs these downsides. various ‘upside-down’ models.
2019 Vitus Sentier 27 VRS However, the bigger brands – Do I have to use same-brand
hardtail, but struggling with Currently, we really like Fox, RockShox, SR SunTour rotors with my brakes or can
the rear end bouncing about. Maxxis’s DoubleDown casing, – don’t make them any more I mix, say, Hope rotors with
Have you any tips on keeping it in a 2.4, 2.5 or 2.6in width. (RockShox’s RS1 disappeared Shimano callipers?
connected to the ground? It’s beautifully damped and a few years after its relaunch Ben, via email
Sam, Northants could really change your ride in 2014). The main issue with
experience. We get on with inverted forks is that, whether While brake manufacturers say
To stick the back end of a hardtail their standard dual-compound you’re looking at single or dual- the best performance comes
to the trail better, the only tyres, as well as their pricier 3C crown versions, there’s always from using their own rotors,
thing you can really influence MaxxTerra and 3C MaxxGrip one less brace between the the reality is that in most cases
is how well the rear tyre reacts triple-compound rubber. If you’d left and right-hand sides of the you can mix and match. Some
to impacts. You’ve got a good like to stay with Schwalbe, go fork (the arch found on regular discs, such as Magura’s MDR-P
starting point, as the Sentier for their Super Gravity carcass non-inverted forks). This means rotors, are a touch thicker than
comes fitted with big-volume in one of the same widths, with they’re more prone to twisting, standard, which can cause
2.6in rubber on fairly wide 30mm the ADDIX Soft compound – the which impacts on cornering clearance issues with some
rims. However, the Schwalbe rear Hans Dampf or Big Betty tread control. To counter this, extra callipers, so check before buying.
tyre (either a Nobby Nic or Hans pattern would be a good shout. material is needed elsewhere, But in our experience, standard-
Dampf, depending on the model leading to a heavier fork. Most width rotors will work with most
year) uses the brand’s harder UPSIDE DOWN manufacturers seem to be of the brakes without any real issue.
ADDIX Speedgrip compound and belief that the benefits of inverted
lighter Apex casing (now replaced Back in the day, I remember designs (better lubrication, lower
by Super Trail). We’d recommend loads of cool upside-down unsprung mass) are outweighed
upgrading to something with forks, like the Marzocchi Shiver
softer rubber, a thicker carcass and Manitou Dorado. What
and, consequently, a more happened to them?
damped feel. We ride plenty of Danny, Telford
hardtails, and a well-damped
rear tyre can make a world of There are still some inverted
difference. Yes, they tend to forks around – the Dorado still
exists and was recently given
a facelift, while Intend have

Mountain Biking UK

WALKTHROUGH THE MANUAL GRIMETIME

HOW TO... FIT AN ISCG-05 CHAIN GUIDE BLUFFER’ S GUIDE

12 ROCKSHOX FORK DAMPERS

The damper controls how quicklyand smoothly
yourfrontsuspension compresses and rebounds

–here’showitdi ersbetweenforkmodels

Single-ring (1x) drivetrains often use a chain guide Chain guides have a backplate that bolts to the
to help keep the chain on the front chainring. The bike frame. At the top of the backplate sits the
International Standard Chain Guide mounting guide itself, on an adjustable slider. This allows it
system was introduced in 2003, and ISCG-05 is to be moved up or down to fit the chainring size.
the latest iteration. It consists of three mounting Some chain guides also have a bashguard at the
points, spaced 55.92mm apart. bottom to protect the chainring from impacts.

34 Motion Control externally. The Charger
RC damper uses a similar
To fit an ISCG-05 guide, first lift the chain o the Remove the driveside crank arm and check for RockShox’s Motion Control system of restricting oil
chainring. Check the removal/installation wear on the crank spindle and the bottom bracket damper was released in flow to Motion Control,
procedure for your crankset. For Shimano cranks, bearings (they should feel smooth, not gritty). Use 2004 and is now found where a needle moves to
loosen the two pinch-bolts on the non-driveside degreaser and a cloth to clean the crank arm(s) in their lower-spec block ports, firming up
crank arm, before flicking back the locking chip and spindle thoroughly, as well as the area where forks. It’s an open-bath the low-speed damping.
and removing the preload screw. the guide will be mounted. system, where the oil and However, the cartridge is
air inside the damper more sophisticated. High-
56 leg can mix, potentially speed damping can again
reducing oil consistency only be adjusted by altering
Insert the bolts through the backplate, fit washers Lower the top guide into position (using markings and performance. The internal shim stacks.
on the reverse side (ensuring that the plate clears on the backplate or fixing it 3mm above the chain) damper features externally
any pivots/other frame details) and screw it loosely and tighten it in place. The chain should run adjustable low-speed Charger 2.1
to the frame. Align the plate so that the slider is through the centre of the guide – if it doesn’t, you’ll compression and rebound RC2 and RCT3
vertical. Reinstall the crank arm(s) and lift the need to remove the backplate from the frame and damping, letting you control
chain onto the chainring. Fit the top guide. experiment with washers to get a good chainline. how the fork reacts to This is RockShox’s most
rider inputs and gentler advanced damper, found
78 trail impacts. This works in their high-end forks.
using simple ports that oil Charger 2.1 is a more
flows through. Each click refined version of Charger
of rebound adjustment RC, with less friction and
or small turn of the improved performance.
compression dial closes There are two options with
the relevant port a certain this damper. The RCT3
amount, slowing the oil flow version lets you select
down until the port is fully from three low-speed
closed and the damping compression modes
is locked-out. High-speed – open, pedal and firm –
compression damping is which act a bit like an
controlled by an internal easy-access fork lockout.
shim stack, which can only You can also tweak the
be adjusted by a specialist amount of damping applied
suspension tuner. in the open mode. The RC2,
on the other hand, features
Char er RC independent high- and
low-speed compression
The Charger RC damper adjustment, making it
is found in RockShox’s RockShox’s most externally
mid-range forks and uses tunable damper. It also has
a sealed cartridge design, a low-speed rebound dial.
where air can’t mix with As with the Charger RC,
oil and shouldn’t a ect the shims in the high-speed
performance. RC stands for damping circuits can be
rebound and compression, tuned to provide suppler
and again, you can adjust or firmer suspension.
the low-speed damping

Remove the driveside crank arm again, tighten Shift gears and check that the chain doesn’t rub
the backplate bolts so that the chain guide is on the top guide in the highest or lowest sprockets.
secured in place and then reinstall the crankset. If it does, make a note of which side it’s rubbing on
For Shimano cranks, tighten the preload cap and then remove the cranks. Unbolt the backplate
(using a Shimano star tool), flip down the locking from the frame and add or remove spacers, then
plate and tighten the pinch-bolts. repeat steps 6 to 8.

Mountain Biking UK

Mountain Biking UK

THE MANUAL BIGRIDE

With few houses, plenty of unspoiled woodland and
more animals than people, this picturesque area of
Salisbury Plain is a perfect oasis in the busy South

Words Max Darkins Photos Russell Burton

Mountain Biking UK

Mountain Biking UK

THE MANUAL BIGRIDE

WHERE
ARE WE?

COLLINGBOURNE WOOD,
WILTSHIRE

Wiltshire is a county in South
West England. It covers

3,485km of mostly chalky,
downland terrain.

www.visitwiltshire.co.uk

These wide, exposed farm tracks are perfect for
working up a head of steam – just steer clear
when the MOD are using live ammunition!

YOUR GUIDE W e had big plans to be exploring the the largest-known expanse of unimproved chalk
Scottish Highlands this week, but alas, downland in north-west Europe.
MAX DARKINS fresh problems, in the form of fuel
Max loves travelling up and shortages, mean our far-flung ideas If you go down to the woods today
down the country, searching are on hold for now. With Russell’s van Our ride kicks off in the sleepy village of
for the best routes for you to running on fumes, we decide to keep Collingbourne Ducis, from where we head north
ride. He’s the man behind it local. As many people have found over the past and soon turn off-road, leaving the houses and
www.roughrideguide.co.uk two years, rediscovering the riding closer to home tarmac behind us. Disappearing into the silent
can be fulfilling. Having been all psyched up and countryside, we’re soon surrounded by rolling fields
DOWNLOAD set for the remote and technical trails of Scotland, and far-reaching views in all directions, with not a
I wonder how we’ll find the busy South of England. person in sight. There is a herd of wild deer, though,
Download the Thankfully, Salisbury Plain, a chalk plateau covering enjoying the quiet, misty morning, who majestically
OS Maps app to ride 780km , which mostly lies within Wiltshire, does bound across the field, startled by our sudden
& share this route a pretty good job of furnishing us with some empty appearance. A firm farm track provides us with
countryside for this month’s ride. a good, fast-rolling surface and makes light work
of the gentle climb we’re on. Soon warmed up, we
With large parts owned by the Ministry of cross a road at the top to join a grassy, tree-lined
Defence (and inaccessible to the public), a relatively driveway that leads us to a stud farm.
small population and big, open views across the
rolling hills, this area has a more remote feel than After diving out of the way of an oncoming 4x4,
most parts of the South. The same can’t be said we’re able to continue up a rough, chalky climb to
for when the Army are training, though – with a wide junction at the entrance to Collingbourne
gunfire, mortar explosions, the rumbling of tanks Woods. This ancient 500-acre woodland has a
and the thundering of Chinook helicopters passing number of tracks running through it, but it’s been
overhead, it can be far from quiet. It all adds to the a while since I last rode here and I’m keen to see
wild, rugged feel of this unique setting, though. what’s been happening in my absence. With the
Salisbury Plain is also a haven for wildlife, and morning mist still hanging low over the open land,
home to two national nature reserves, supporting we decide on a quick taster session. A singletrack
trail directly in front guides us into the dark, damp
A SINGLETRACK TRAIL GUIDES woodland, which although wet and muddy to start
US INTO THE DARK, DAMP with, is marked with promising tell-tale tyre tracks.
WOODLAND, WHICH ALTHOUGH The trail soon starts to dry out as it goes further
WET AND MUDDY TO START WITH, into the woods, becoming narrower as it twists and
IS MARKED WITH PROMISING turns between the trees. A gentle decline enables
TELL-TALE TYRE TRACKS us to keep our momentum and flow, and assists us
in hopping over fallen logs with ease as we delve
deeper into the trees.

Once properly in the heart of the woods, we join
a great little track that has multiple berms along
it, once again enabling us to lean the bikes into the
corners and carry our speed, making the most of
this fast and flowing trail as it winds through the
trees. Once we enter a natural gulley, there are
a few jumps and drops to search out, allowing us
to carve up and down the banks and launch off
whatever we can find. After a particularly big berm

Mountain Biking UK

EAT BETTER, RIDE BETTER

THE FUNDAMENTALS T H E H O LY T R I N IT Y

THE HOLY 1 PROTEIN 3 CARBOHYDRATE
TRINITY
FAT
As an athlete it’s important you
fuel properly. We explain the three

key nutritional elements to help
you train stronger and recover

W hen you re putt ng your body
through rigorous exerc se good
nu rit on is more important
than ever What you eat before
and after tra n ng is crucial to
maxim se your perfo mance and
recovery and s ay healthy That
doe n t simply mean gett ng your
five a day and cu ting out junk food
and excess alcohol But despi e what
you might think getting the r ght
balance of vitam ns and m ne als in
supply of laboratory grade
supplemen s In fact it s as easy as
one wo three
are he key build ng blocks of any

the m nerals and vitam ns it needs
work you’re putting in

INCREASE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF NUTRITION

GET IN SHAPE E AT MORE LOSE WEIGHT

EAT MORE
LOSE WEIGHT

LEARN THE RIGHT WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT

PEAK PERFORMANCE

TRAIN FOR LONGER

CARB UP THE UNREFINED WAY FOR LONGER LASTING
ENERGY AND A PLATEFUL OF NUTRIENTS! CUE
FOUR RECIPES THAT WILL KEEP ON DELIVER NG
THROUGHOUT YOUR TRAINING

PREP hotly debated topic the The truth s not all carbs are equal recipes w ll help you carb up the
10MINS H ghly ref ned processed foods unrefined way!
SERVES A idea that carbs are bad such as white b ead whi e r ce
has left many confused sugary foods and drinks are Take h s nutri ional powerhouse
4 One of the hree qu ckly absorbed into the of a recipe Red and Wild Rice
mac onutrients that form the main bloodstream prov d ng short l ved S uffed Peppers for example R ch
part of our diet along w th fat and energy release and less nut itional in vi am n C and potassium and
prote n carbohydra es are b oken benefit than wholegrain unref ned packed w th slow releas ng
down into glucose before being carbohydrates which release carbohyd a e and f bre to sustain
absorbed n o your blood and a e glucose n o the bloodstream more energy levels this dish s great in
your main source of energy in a gradua ly prov d ng not only its own r ght and can be enjoyed
heal hy d et The glucose enters longer last ng energy but also hot or co d
your body s cells w th the help of add tional nutr en s such as
in ulin It s then used for energy or protein healthy fa s fibre and Eating ca bohydrate doesn t
converted n o glycogen and stored vitam n C These four training have to mean r ce bread and
in your l ver and muscles pasta. Pulses are also a good
source of carbohydrate, along
QUINOA & LENTIL SALAD with protein and fibre. This tasty
and nourishing Flageolet and
1 Chickpea soup, contains 44g
carbohydrate per serving; a
perfect post-ride lunch with a
hunk of wholegrain bread.

Moving onto ‘double carbs’ in
my version of a Massaman Curry
with beef, butternut squash and
potato. Spooned over brown
basmati rice, you’ll get 100g carbs,
30g protein and 12g unsaturated
fat per portion. A well-balanced
(and very tasty!) fuel-up recipe for
the night before a long workout.

Our last recipe, a fresh,
colourful and highly nutritious
Quinoa and Puy Lentil Salad with
Salsa Verde, is very light on the
stomach, proving it is possible to
load up on healthy carbs without
feeling too weighed down
afterwards. Enjoy!

THE BEST FUELLING AND RECOVER METHODS

REFUEL AND REBUILD ecovery is key for us promote recovery and optimal health
cyclists so that we can They’re a great way o replenish your
TTMEFKORVHAAUEEATKRRIERNEYIPPIGTNSEEHHRERGETSFCRESMRYECIEOCOPTCSINROPPTOVBEOVOSEYSIFRTDCYEEHASFOCUOHESLAI.NNGD maintain a healthy, energy with healthy carbohydrates and
consistent routine. But also have a source of protein.
when it comes to
recovery nutrition, there are a few key Simple nut itious and great for both
nutrients we need to focus on: stamina and keeping your muscles
carbohydrates, which are essential for healthy baked beans are rich in protein
replenishing muscle glycogen (your B vi amins f b e and minerals, and are
storage form of energy); protein for low on the Glycaemic Index. But these
muscle recovery and regeneration; and Home Baked Beans are even more
plenty of vitamins, minerals and other packed with goodness than the tinned
compounds that help with muscle variety Try them as a side dish
repair (e.g. by reducing inflammation). (delicious with bangers and mash) or
With this in mind, we’ve provided four double up your portion size if you’re
recipes to help your muscles and body going for it as a meal
recover, ready in time for your next
training session. With 33g protein per por ion these
First up, this Salmon & Quinoa Salad delicious li tle Protein Pancakes pack a
is a super speedy meal to prep, perfect mighty punch using just ki chen
for a weekday recovery meal. It’s cupboard ingredien s – a great way to
packed with an equal amount of help your muscles recover after a long
protein, nutritious carbs and healthy workout or gruel ing event
fats – excellent for replenishing your
energy levels.
These flavoursome Lentil & Sweet
Potato Burgers are packed with
vitamins, antioxidants and minerals to

PACKED WITH NUTRITIOUS RECIPES

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY

www.buysubscriptions.com/CYCLINGNUTRITION2021

or call 03330 162 138 and quote ‘Cycling Nutrition 2021 Print 1’

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Outside of free call packages call charges from mobile phones will cost between 3p and 55p per minute. All orders are subject to availability. Please allow 28 days for delivery.

THE MANUAL BIGRIDE

Salisbury Plain may be known for its
wide-open spaces, but there’s a wealth of
woodland trails if you know where to look

the trail dives into a darker section, where our eyes WITH BIG GRINS AND FRESH MUD BEST EATING
have to quickly adjust to spot the roots among the ON OUR FACES, I QUICKLY
mud and puddles, before we’re spat out at the end. VOLUNTEER TO HEAD BACK UP THE SHEARS INN
With big grins and fresh mud on our faces, I quickly FOR ANOTHER RUN OR TWO You’ll find The Shears Inn
volunteer to head straight back up for another run shortly before you return
or two, while Russell snaps away. wood to join the open countryside. A well-surfaced but it’s worth waiting for.
byway leads us quickly to a road, but once crossed, This thatched pub o ers
Autumn days when the grass is jewelled an overgrown bridleway briefly slows our progress. the amazing Shears Burger
After I’ve had my fill of the singletrack, we continue For obvious reasons, a lot of paths have been
along our way and explore the first of the two neglected recently. Thankfully, this one is very brief, and other hearty grub,
optional loops – this one in the south-west corner so we’re soon out into a big, wide-open valley. We including a tasty halloumi
of the woods, the other in the south-east, which follow a firm track and, after negotiating our way and portabello mushroom
we’ll save for the end of the ride. We follow some between some sheep, are soon enjoying the views
narrow singletrack into the trees, along the edge of the open space has to offer. Some old, withered burger for vegetarians.
the woodland – a sliver of a thing that wiggles its sunflowers stand neglected in a field, while more Alternatively, The Tipple
way between the beautiful beeches, whose leaves deer leap across another freshly-ploughed one. Inn, back in Collingbourne
are now displaying autumnal hues of gold and The time comes to leave the valley bottom, with Ducis, is another great,
brown. The weaving trail, with its roots and dips, a steep, rough climb that drags us out and up to the friendly venue which also
provides a fun little ride before popping us out to top, before crossing over an old Roman road and o ers good food and drink,
climb back up to the forest track where it all began. leading us onto a descent back down into the next
valley. The trail quickly narrows to provide with their own Tipple
The second time around, we rejoin the track and Burger in a sourdough bun,
grind our way back up to the woodland entrance
once more, keeping ahead this time and leaving the as well as various other
main meals.

Mountain Biking UK

The chalk-heavy geology of the area
gives the terrain some interesting
(and fun!) natural features

a fast singletrack descent through a tunnel of trees, A TRACK DESCENDS ALONG THE
with the sunlight piercing the multicoloured canopy EDGE OF THE WOOD, WITH SOME
and catching the spray from our tyres, reminding HEART-IN-MOUTH MOMENTS ON
us why autumnal riding is so special. After making THE CHALKY OFF-CAMBER RUTS
our way past Upper Chute village – a quiet place
with barely a soul about – we have to negotiate be enduring?) the terrain, but Russell has had
past a large tree trunk placed across the byway enough. With no refreshment opportunities so far
by someone who obviously doesn’t agree with its on the ride, sugar (and humour) levels are running
‘public access’ status. low, so we admit defeat and make for the pub.
With Russell’s sense of direction muddled from all
The obstruction means we subsequently enjoy the wiggling around and face-slapping trees, I’m
a fun and smooth singletrack trail beside the trees, able to exploit the not-so-direct route through the
but it’s short-lived and we’re soon spat out across jungle, because I want to head back up to the top of
a lush, grassy field. This trail feels a little forgotten Collingbourne Wood to extend the final descent.
with its encroaching high foliage, but evolves
into a more trodden track as we dive back into A fun finale awaits, on a track that descends
Collingbourne Woods for a final time. The rampant along the edge of the wood before joining a narrow
undergrowth, boosted by recent warm, wet byway, with some heart-in-mouth moments as we
weather, makes it feel like we’re in a tropical jungle hope for the best on the chalky off-camber ruts,
more than a classic English woodland as we battle and duck and weave our way down the hill back to
our way through. civilisation. We realise we’ve only seen one other
person out on the trails all day. OK, it is midweek,
Running on empty but I think that’s pretty good going, and I don’t
After rattling down the hill and popping out on need to work too hard in convincing Russell about
the forest track again, this time we bear left along stopping at the pub to celebrate. We may not
a narrow, muddy trail and head into the tightly- have gone far, and it might not be the wild, remote
packed trees for an optional loop around the far Highlands of Scotland that we’d originally planned
south-western part of the woods. I say optional, to ride, but it just shows that you don’t have to
because it’s pretty overgrown at the moment, and travel to the farthest reaches of our islands to find
I’m very glad to have riding glasses and gloves on a welcome escape from the busy world.
today, protecting me from the branches slapping at
our faces and grabbing at our bars. My adventurous
side is happy to fight on, exploring (or should that

Mountain Biking UK

MEDIUM ROUTE

COLLINGBOURNE WOOD, WILTSHIRE

DISTANCE 35.5KM (22 MILES) CLIMBING 665M (2,181FT) TIME 2HRS 30MINS TO 3HRS 30MINS

4

18 5

2

6 3
7

EASY ROUTE

BAKEWELL, PEAK DISTRICT

DISTANCE 12KM (7.5 MILES) CLIMBING 420M (1,377FT) TIME 1HR TO 2HRS

5 4
1

3
2

MEDIUM ROUTE LOCATION DETAILS The rolling hills around here

COLLINGBOURNE WOOD, WILTSHIRE provide long but gradual climbs and descents,
with great views. Most of the trails are well-
DISTANCE 35.5KM (22 MILES) CLIMBING 665M (2,181FT) TIME 2HRS 30MINS TO 3HRS 30MINS surfaced tracks, although within Collingbourne
Woods, o the forest tracks, there’s sheltered
Route summary A mixture of exploring sheltered woodland singletrack and the open, rolling hills along quiet lanes and bridleways through the riding and singletrack to explore.
scenic countryside
Start/finish Car park off Chick’s Lane in Collingbourne Ducis, by the village hall and primary school (postcode SN8 3UH, grid ref SU 241/540) GETTING THERE Collingbourne Ducis is on the A338,

1 Head back to the crossroads and go left. Leave the 5 Turn left at the next road, keep left through Upper between Marlborough and Andover, just north
village. Make a right on the bridleway past the farm, Chute, go right at the triangle and descend to a track of Ludgershall and Tidworth in Wiltshire. There’s
then climb and cross a road on a driveway past Herridge crossing. Turn left on the singletrack, keep ahead to a car park to the west of the A338, at the village
Stud Farm. Climb to a junction and go straight on, into emerge by the cottage again and go right, down to the hall, near the primary school.
the woods. Follow this, bearing right and descending. forest track. Keep ahead, then bear left at the fork.
MAPS & BOOKS Ordnance Survey Landranger 184:
2 After a bridleway crosses your path, bear left and then 6 Immediately go left on some singletrack. At a wide
fork right. Continue for 300m and go left on a trail with track, head straight into the woods on some single- Salisbury & The Plain. Mountain Bike Rides in
berms. At the bottom, turn right and follow the valley to track, following the edge of the trees. Bear left and leave & around Wiltshire & Dorset by Max Darkins
a forest track, then go straight on, on some singletrack. the woods. Go left at the T-junction and left on a track. (Rough Ride Guide).

3 Ride along the edge of the wood and onto a byway. 7 Fork right by the farm, up into the woods. Pass where FACILITIES There’s a convenience store and the
Go left on a bridleway opposite a cottage. Climb into you crossed earlier, then keep ahead at a track
the woods and descend onto a track you crossed before. crossing as the track bears right. Keep ahead, dropping Tipple Inn pub in Collingbourne Ducis, plus
Go straight and fork right. Climb to the forest entrance. to the track from earlier. Go ahead/left on it, then left The Shears Inn near the end of the ride, with
after 0.6km. Ride along the edge of the woods. accommodation (01264 850304, www.shears
4 Keep ahead past the farm to a road. Go left, then inn.co.uk), but nothing else on the route. For
quickly right on a bridleway. Climb and bear right 8 Go right at the T-junction, join a track at the bottom bike stu , head to Just Bikes in Andover (01264
until just past some houses. Turn right and climb steeply. and ride to a crossroads. Go left, right after 0.5km 355982, www.justbikesandover.co.uk).
Cross the tarmac onto some singletrack, descend and, and right at the main road. Ride over the roundabout
after a right bend, keep ahead at the fork to cross a road. and head left at the crossroads, back to the car park.

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EASY ROUTE LOCATION DETAILS The Peak District is an upland

BAKEWELL, PEAK DISTRICT area in northern England. With its gritstone
formation, the northern half is known as the
DISTANCE 12KM (7.5 MILES) CLIMBING 420M (1,377FT) TIME 1HR TO 2HRS Dark Peak, while the southern half, with
limestone geology, is called the White Peak.
Route summary A classic Peaks ride, with stiff hills and fabulous trails, and of course, some post-ride Bakewell tarts as a treat at the end! There are excellent steep moorland and wood-
Start/finish Bakewell Station (Monsal Trail) car park (postcode DE45 1GE, grid ref SK 222/690) land trails here with a wide variety of riding.

1 Exit the car park at the far corner by the old station clump of trees. Turn right just before you reach them, GETTING THERE Bakewell is west of Chesterfield,
building. Go right (south-east) on the Monsal Trail, to the road.
passing under a bridge. Follow this trail to the end, then just o the A619 after Baslow, on the A6 north
drop down to the field towards the river. Follow the 4 Head left on the tarmac. Shortly after, the road bears of Matlock. Turn left before the bridge, by
bridleway along the bottom of the valley to some tarmac. right. Go left on a bridleway here, back to the road, a memorial and a ‘town centre parking’ sign.
then very quickly turn left (the Edensor Tea Cottage is Keep left, uphill on Station Road, and the
2 Bear left up the road, over the tunnel entrance. Shortly here). Keep ahead and uphill on this road, all the way parking is up here (on the right) just as you
after, go right through a gate into a field, on a to another road at the top. Go ahead/left on this, enter the industrial estate area.
bridleway. Continue to a good track and head right. Go continuing to climb.
ahead at the crossroads on some dirt singletrack into the MAPS & BOOKS Ordnance Survey Landranger 119:
woods. Endure a tough climb to the top, then quickly 5 Just after the tarmac starts to descend, and before it
bear right and uphill again, levelling o onto a twisty bears right, go ahead/left o it onto a bridleway (just Buxton, Matlock, Bakewell and Dove Dale. White
singletrack trail to a gate. after a farm track). Follow this steeply downhill through Peak Mountain Biking: The Pure Trails by Jon
the trees, to emerge from the woods and cross the golf Barton (Vertebrate Publishing).
3 Go through the double gates, descend to a wood and course. Drop down the road to the Monsal Trail and turn
a gate, and go right. Bear left at the bridleway fork, right on it, under the bridge and left to the car park. FACILITIES See www.visitderbyshire.co.uk for
across a field and into the trees. Keep ahead where the
tracks merge, down through the park, towards a small accommodation options. There’s a YHA hostel
in Bakewell (0870 042 9290) and Greenhills
Maps produced in holiday park in Ashford in the Water, just
association with outside town, (01629 813467). The Woodyard
restaurant in Bakewell is good and there are lots
more options locally. On the route, the Edensor
Tea Cottage, shortly before the final climb, is
worth a visit (01246 582315, www.edensortea
cottage.co.uk). Peakland Cycles bike shop in
Bakewell should be able to help with spares
(01433 639853, www.peaklandcycles.co.uk).

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MEDIUM ROUTE

ARDVERIKIE FOREST, SCOTLAND

DISTANCE 38.5KM (23.9 MILES) CLIMBING 790M (2,591FT) TIME 3HRS 30MINS TO 5HRS

2
3

1

5
4

HARD ROUTE

AMBLESIDE, LAKE DISTRICT

DISTANCE 27.7KM (17.3 MILES) CLIMBING 960M (3,149FT) TIME 3HRS TO 4HRS 30MINS

7 81

2
6

53

4

MEDIUM ROUTE LOCATION DETAILS This is a remote and quiet area

ARDVERIKIE FOREST, SCOTLAND of Scotland, with great scenery, but it’s exposed
and should be ridden with care.
DISTANCE 38.5KM (23.9 MILES) CLIMBING 790M (2,591FT) TIME 3HRS 30MINS TO 5HRS
GETTING THERE The ride starts from the A86, which
Route summary A scenic and remote ride exploring some quiet tracks. Nothing too technical, but there are no facilities, some tricky water
crossings and surfaces that are prone to flooding runs between Fort William and Kingussie on the
Start/finish Roadside car park on the A86 by Roy Bridge, over the River Spean (grid ref NN 433/830) A9. From the south, turn o the A9 at
Dalwhinnie, onto the A889 towards Laggan,
1 Go left on the A86 then immediately left, over the following this for over 5km, crossing the water along the then join the A86 going left, past Laggan
River Spean, through a gate. Follow the track left way and keeping right, close to the river, to Loch Pattack. Wolftrax. Drive alongside Loch Laggan. Just as
through another (big) gate, climb to a T-junction and go it ends, park in a layby car park on the left.
right. Follow around the hillside and keep left to reach 4 Turn right on a track down to, and around, the
Lochan na h-Earba. Cross a bridge and keep left, southern edge of the loch. Cross a wooden bridge, MAPS & BOOKS Ordnance Survey Landranger 41:
following the edge of the loch and continuing beside the keep right and climb, then descend to cross the water
next one until you reach the forest. (Allt Cam). Climb (with some hike-a-biking), with a burn Ben Nevis and 42: Glen Garry. Mountain Biking
on your left, not along the (flat) Allt Cam valley. Cross in West and North West Scotland by Sean Benz
2 Head through a large kissing gate into the forest, the burn and continue climbing to the left of Loch (Cicerone Press).
keeping right/ahead and then right at the junction a’Bhealaich Leamhain.
(or left to detour and see the Ardverikie Estate). At FACILITIES East Park B&B is located west on the
a forest track crossing, go straight ahead, then right 5 Past the cli s and loch, descend on the grass track,
at a T-junction shortly afterwards.You’ll soon come to ignoring all the others. Cross a burn, then go across A86 at Roy Bridge (07379 282283, www.east
another kissing gate and emerge into the open. the grass, left, to the track by a bridge at Lochan na parkbedandbreakfast.com). Alternatively,
h-Earba again. Cross the bridge, head left and follow there’s Grey Corrie Lodge bunkhouse in Roy
3 Keep ahead/right as another track joins, heading the track back the way you came earlier, to return to the Bridge (01397 712241, www.greycorrielodge
south, alongside the River Pattack (on your left). Keep car park and finish. bunkhouse.co.uk) and glamping at Laggan
(01528 985050). There are no refreshments on
the route but the cafe (and bike shop) at
Laggan Wolftrax is very good (01528 544366,
www.lagganforest.com).

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HARD ROUTE LOCATION DETAILS The Lake District is full of high,

AMBLESIDE, LAKE DISTRICT remote and technical riding, but this ride
provides a nice change from all that, and is
DISTANCE 27.7KM (17.3 MILES) CLIMBING 960M (3,149FT) TIME 3HRS TO 4HRS 30MINS a great low-level route for most conditions and
abilities. Please ensure that you check local
Route summary A good low-level option, suitable for all conditions, with refreshments and bail-out options. This is a safer Lakes route for flood warnings before you ride here.
intermediate riders, but still fun and tough, with good views
Start/finish Rydal Road car park (postcode LA22 9AG, grid ref NT 378/047) GETTING THERE Ambleside is at the northern tip of

1 Go left out of the car park and take the first left, joining 5 Keep left, follow a byway to Hodge Close and go right lake Windermere, on the A591. From the south,
the path at the end. Cross the footbridge and turn on a track opposite the last cottage. Fork right to a exit the M6 at junction 36, drive to Windermere
right, then quickly left on a bridleway, uphill. Past Brow crossing and go straight over a bridge to Little Langdale. then continue to Ambleside. The Rydal car park
Head Farm, keep ahead, climb, then descend to a fork. is the main one at the northern end of the town,
6 Turn left on the road, then quickly right, on a track on the left as you’re leaving.
2 Bear right on the singletrack, down onto a track, then past Dale End Farm, downhill. Pass through a gate
a road. Go right then quickly left. Keep right to a and go left on a bridleway, uphill. Drop down, over a track MAPS & BOOKS Ordnance Survey Landranger 90:
crossroads and go ahead, over a bridge, then left on (right then left) and through a quarry, following the
a minor road. Fork left then right (towards Hawkshead). signposts. Cross a bridge and turn left on the road, then Penrith & Keswick. Mountain Biking in the Lake
right shortly after. Keep right, uphill. District by Ian Boydon (Cicerone Press).
3 Keep left at the next junction, then right on Bog Lane
until it turns left, and you go straight onto a bridleway. 7 Follow this road past a YHA hostel and go left at the FACILITIES The Apple Pie Cafe in Ambleside is
Join a bridleway heading uphill. After 0.8km, continue T-junction. Head right on the bridleway. At the far end,
into Iron Keld Plantation. Keep right at the T-junction, turn right and beware of a drop-o in the rocky section. good and they o er B&B accommodation
through a gate, and join a bridleway going right. Past the caves, descend to a road and go right. (015394 33678, www.applepieambleside.
co.uk). You can camp at Low Wray campsite
4 Descend to the tarmac and turn left. Go down then 8 At the footbridge from earlier, head into Rothay Park. (015394 32733) or try Ambleside Backpackers
up, turn right on a minor road and quickly right on Turn right, ride onto Vicarage Road, go right at the (015394 32340). Contact the tourist
a bridleway. Ride to the bottom and turn left on the end then immediately left on the High Street. Keep information o ce for many more options
gravel track. Follow this to a road and go right on it. ahead/left on the A591 and go left into the car park. (015394 32582, www.amblesideonline.co.uk).
There’s a pub en-route in Chapel Stile. Head to
Ghyllside Cycles in Ambleside for spares and
repairs (015394 33592, www.ghyllside.co.uk).

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This dedicated dirt jump park in Cornwall has stood the test of time

Words Ed Thomsett Pics Steve Behr

THE MANUAL TRAILCREW

THE TRACK
PORTREATH
CORNWALL

TRAIL STATS

Distance
Multiple short dirt jump lines,
plus skills areas, pump track

and airbag
Climbing
Surfaced push-up track

Time
30secs to 1min per run

Grading
Green, blue, red, black

WHY RIDEHERE?

A compact but feature-packed
jump park full of interlinking

runs, where all ages and
abilities can find something

fun to ride

RAD...

Lots of rollable jumps built
to be safe and predictable

The runs start o super-
mellow and o er a steady
progression in di culty up to
the steep lips and long gaps

on the big main line
Hips, transfers and take-o
options keep things creative

and fresh

BAD...

The Track is closed over
winter, from the end of
October till the start of April
Although the dirt surface
can handle a few showers,
a dry, still day is required
for hitting the big stu
Very little to ride if you’re
scared of jumping – but
it’s the perfect place to

conquer that fear!

A slice of dirt jump
heaven in the South West

Y ou get those riders don’t you, who appear excuse we’re using for letting our dirt jump skills LOCAL
so laidback they’re totally unassuming. slip below par). KNOWLEDGE
The kind of guys you don’t expect anything
of until they swing a leg over a bike and A quick trip back to the van, some furious effort Locals do…
their riding does all the talking. Nate with the track pump and we’re ready for round two
Stephens – site supervisor at The Track here – with a little more style and finesse on our part, Get stuck into the weekly
in Portreath – is someone who matches that we’re happy to say. “We’ve got to get the classic Wednesday night jams
description. It’d be fair to say that we’re not father/son shot,” Nate calls out, signalling to where through summer. They
expecting too much from our visit to The Track a tall, hipped take-off and lander sit straddling attract a lot of riders and
this morning, when we pull up to be greeted by an S-shaped pair of snaking berms. We’re quietly there’s a great buzz
sheets of misty drizzle blowing across the face relieved when Nate opts to be the son (the jumper)
of the jumps. And things look like they might be and we can stick to more familiar wheels-on-the- Always wear a helmet and
a total write-off when it transpires that no one from territory to rail the turns. make sure their bikes have
the Cornish dirt jump scene is willing to come out at least one working brake!
and brave the elements. But then Steve Tonkins, The tacky conditions, which aren’t the best
founder of the UK’s longest-running dirt jump park, for boosting jumps, turn out to provide grip by Practise their party tricks
calls over to the guy behind the desk to ask if he’s the bucketload, and we’re loving the challenge on the wooden booter to
up for getting his kit dirty and showing us around. of hammering in and getting the bars as low as airbag
“We’ll see what we can do,” shouts back Nate in we can while attempting to synchronise with the
response, and now here we are, very certainly being airborne display going on over our heads. We nail it Locals don’t…
shown – shown all the hot lines and best bits of this several times while Steve our photographer snaps
five-acre facility, and also what 15 years working at away, but then decide it’s time to move on when Come out to ride if it’s a bit
a bike park will do for your skills. a rogue gust of wind lifts Nate a little higher than wet. As proven by the lack
anticipated and he very nearly overshoots the of riders on our day visiting!
Magic carpets
Dropping in simultaneously off the big wooden Ignore the barriers roping
start ramp at the top of the park, we take Nate’s o some of the lines. If
lead and follow him into the sea of carpeted take- they’re in place, then it’s
offs. Pumping the first transition, he pulls back for your safety
on the bar to boost himself upwards, while floating
the bike sideways to touch down on the Ride over lips or skid up the
line running parallel with us. Repeating this on take-o s – it just makes
the next jump and the one after, he bounces left more work for the trail crew
and right through the row of progressively larger
tabletops before dipping out of sight momentarily,
only to reappear lofting it skywards over one of
the park’s biggest hits. We do our best to emulate,
but the rain-dampened dirt combined with our
soft suspension and sticky enduro tyres isn’t
the best for carrying speed (at least, that’s the

Mountain Biking UK

THE MANUAL TRAILCREW

MEET
THE CREW

TODAY WE’VE BEEN BLINKERED BY THE BIGGER STUFF, BUT ED THOMSETT
THERE ARE TONS OF MELLOW ROLLERS AND TABLETOPS –
PERFECT WHETHER YOU’RE FRESH OFF TRAINING WHEELS After visiting with his trail
OR AN OLDER RIDER GETTING AIR FOR THE FIRST TIME bike, Ed’s now determined
to dust o his jump bike

and make a return visit

NATE STEPHENS

Site supervisor Nate has
been on the payroll for 15
years and has this place

absolutely dialled

ASHLEY ENGLAND

Part of The Track’s dig
crew, Ashley reaps what he

sows, and with style

Mountain Biking UK 125

TRAIL CREW Ed gives it some style
WISDOM on a big step-up

NATE STEPHENS Having an airbag to
SITE SUPERVISOR practise tricks on is
AT THE TRACK great for progression

“The Track is a safe and
exciting place to ride for all
ages and abilities. With our
trained and experienced
sta we aim to provide a
fun, friendly and socially-
inclusive environment,
and there’s always a great
atmosphere. My personal
favourite line to ride is the
main set of dirt jumps –
specifically the big hip
where I jumped over Ed!
If there’s a big group of
you, the race track is
always so much fun. The
multiple lines and options
to sneak in front of each
another mean you never
know who’ll get to the
finish line first!”

Nate’s a tough act
to follow after 15 years
riding this place

Mountain Biking UK

THE MANUAL TRAILCREW

ASHLEY GAPS UP FROM A STEP-UP THE
KICKER ONTO A PALLET-SUPPORTED PLATFORM DIRECTORY
AND HOLDS A TEXTBOOK MANUAL ACROSS THE TOP
Everything you need to
whole lander. The impact of a 26in hardtail and but, as we’ve witnessed today, this place provides know about The Track
a barely-working suspension fork falling from 20ft a great facility and an amazing array of jumps with
up isn’t pleasant on the ears. none of the ‘no dig, no ride’ ethic that puts up a GET THERE
barrier at many dirt jump spots.
A family affair The Track is at Parc Erissey
The sound of different generations chatting and By the time we’ve finished chatting with Steve, industrial estate, a short way
riding together highlights one of the things that’s the rain has abated and the sun is almost trying to inland from Portreath. From
best about The Track – that kids and adults of come out. One of the faces emerging from shelter the A30, follow the signs to
any age can come here and have fun in the same is Ashley England, who’s part of The Track’s dig ‘Cornwall Gold’ and the bike
place. So far today we’ve found ourselves blinkered crew. In equally mellow fashion to Nate – there park is 100m past it on the
by the bigger stuff, but when you look around must be something about being from Kernow that right. Postcode TR16 4HN.
there are tons of mellow rollers and tabletops makes you super chilled-out! – Ashley starts ticking
– perfect whether you’re fresh off the training his way through the rest of the jump lines. His FACILITIES
wheels or you’re an older rider dabbling with relaxed style makes it look like he’s barely putting
getting air for the first time. As we’ve been riding, any effort in, but still, he’s getting the back end Parking, toilets, cafe, bike hire
the steadily-improving weather has brought out tweaked out on every hit, and touches down in the and on-site hydro (swimming
loads of families and youngsters, all getting stuck sweet spot of the transitions perfectly every time. pool)!
in and having a go. It must feel like quite a proud There’s a glimmer of skate-park flair too, when
achievement for Steve seeing this, given that he’s he gaps up from a step-up kicker onto a pallet- NEARBY BIKE SHOPS
built everything here from the ground up. supported platform and holds a textbook manual
all the way across the top. TR1 Cycles is a two-minute
“It started back in 2003,” he recalls, when we drive. www.tr1cycles.org.uk
stop for a break and mug of tea outside the cafe. Be there dreckly Bike Chain Ricci is five minutes
“I got dragged out for a bike ride at Woburn by Elliot Unfortunately, just as it looks like Ashley’s getting away in Redruth.
Eveson [ex DMR pro rider] and I’d never done much his eye in to tackle something big, the clouds www.bikechainricci.co.uk
riding before, but I was instantly hooked. Then, and rain return, this time with a vengeance, and
when I moved to Cornwall, this site was in my family we’re sent running for the shelter of the cafe. As CONTACT
and that’s what sparked the idea. I got 500 tons of we hurriedly chuck the bikes in the van we make
dirt shipped in, hired a digger and a roller for the a vow to return, but next time with hardtails and, www.the-track.co.uk
weekend, called in some mates and we built the more to the point, a bit of dirt jump practice up our
first line. The following week we had 20 riders here sleeves. It’s a good job there have been no Cornish OTHER RIDING
and it all snowballed from there.” Fast-forward 18 fishermen around today, as the dead sailors
years and The Track is still going strong today. UK we’ve been pulling would likely have brought back Old Hill Bike Park
dirt jumping may have ebbs and flows of popularity some harrowing memories! It’s well worth stopping on
Bodmin Moor to check this
spot out on your way to or from
The Track. A new arrival on the
scene, Old Hill has a field filled
with perfectly-sculpted flow
lines and senders.
www.oldhillbikepark.co.uk

Mount Hawke skate park
Cornwall may be popular with
tourists, but it’s not always
sunny, so having a skate park
10 minutes up the road is
a great plan B for getting your
airtime fix on a wet day.
www.mounthawkeskate
park.com

VERDICT

If you like getting air on a bike,
or you’d like to be better at it,
then you can’t fail to have fun
at The Track. While fairly
compact in size, the place is
packed full of jumps of all sizes
so you’re guaranteed to find
something you can ride. It’s
definitely best suited to
hardtails or short-travel 4X/
slopestyle bikes, but that’s not
to say you can’t rock up on
your regular trail bike and have
a great time. Because it’s all
jumps, good weather is a bit
more critical than at a trail
centre, but we went there on
a pretty grim day and at least
three-quarters of the park was
open and running well.

NEXT MADE BY RIDERS
MONTH FOR RIDERS

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