Here in Australia, we don’t have the amount of historical paths and routes that fall into everyday use like some parts of the world. While we still have plenty of examples where indigenous routes of travel have become major traffic corridors, we don’t have quite the same connection with the lived history. We don’t have […]
The rider behind the Mitas 4 Islands MTB Race
The Mitas 4 Islands MTB Race has been quick to find fans around the world. And what’s not to like? The 4-day mountain bike stage race explores trails on four islands in Croatia, with the racers transported by boats. It’s a pairs race that is early in the season – offering great trails, good racing […]
Everything you need to know about the Appenninica Stage Race
Related Event: Apenninica MTB Stage Race
There’s a new kid on the block in the world of mountain bike stage races. This new 8 day stage race is held within the beautiful Emilia Romagna region in Italy. Running from 20-27 July, the race will cover 550km and 20000m of climbing. If you are familiar with other major mountain bike stage races […]
7 things you should know about the Otway Odyssey
Related Event: Otway Odyssey
In a time when Australia is losing some classic marathon races, our National Championship is a glorified XC race run on laps in a bikepark, and there is increasingly less focus on elite athlete development from the governing body – it’s worth giving credit where credit is due. One part of that is appreciating how […]
How to set your bike up for The Pioneer
The Pioneer is just days away, and all in a rush it was time to actually make the changes to the bikes Imogen Smith and I are taking to The Pioneer for 2018. We’ve both done a number of mountain bike stage races, but this is the most ‘trail’ we have set up our race […]
6 things you need to know about the Augusta Adventure Festival
The Augusta Adventure Festival is just weeks away. The popular multisport festival has always catered for mountain bikers in one way or another, be it a leg of an event, or having a team’s event where a mountain biker might do their thing for their team for the two-wheeled time on the trails. But now, […]
The Cape Epic route for 2019
The Cape Epic has released the route for 2019, and as you would expect from the world’s most high profile mountain bike stage race, it is really going to deliver a huge challenge for those who atake the start. With a prologue on the iconic slopes of Table Mountain’s National Park through to trails on […]
Equipment choices for MTB stage races
After finishing the recent Tour de Timor I have been giving my bike a post stage race overhaul. Going through my bike and all my personal equipment after many of these ‘adventure style’ stage races over the years has given me a deeper insight into appropriate equipment selection than I had before. By ‘adventure style’ […]
Who can win the 2018 XCM World Championship?
The 2018 UCI Cross-Country Marathon Mountain Bike Championship is upon us. And if you haven’t heard already – the start lists are intense. While we’ve already given our thoughts on the course, the question of who can win on it isn’t so simple. Firstly, you should go and read the entry lists on the UCI […]
2018 XCM World Championship course preview
Related Event: 3Epic
After the flat out marathon course in Singen for the 2017 UCI Cross-Country Marathon (XCM) World Championship, the course for the 2018 event is a completely different beast. The 3Epic race which hosts the Championship is a hilly course with sustained climbs and descents, taking in fast gravel roads, steep climbs, forest trails, a long […]