After last years successful trip to the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena I thought I would base my first European training camp for this year around the area again. With a large variety of climbs and roads to choose from and ideal weather it was the best choice. I was looking forward to getting some quality training in after […]
Meda 100 – exploring new territory
I’ve always said that one of the best things about mountain bike racing is the places it takes you. For a road race, I might make it as far from my home in London as the surrounding counties, or the occasional foray to northern France or Belgium. Fun, but not exactly an adventure. The UCI […]
Wrapping up the Cape Winelands Encounter
With a fair sized lead and the final stage of the Cape Winelands encounter encompassing some of the finest trails that Welvenpas has on offer, Jarryd and I set off to really enjoy the last stage of the race. Controlling the pace up the first climb on the start of the black route, Jarryd and […]
REVIEWED: FRM Tubeless Sealant
Tyre sealants are like toothpaste. Not for the consistency, but because once you choose one you’re unlikely to change. I have used a few in the past 10 years, but mostly settled on Stan’s NoTubes sealant. It works well, but it does separate and make big latex monsters, and struggles with sidewall punctures a little. […]
The ABSA Cape Epic from a distance
I hope you’ve been enjoying the live feeds, updates, Instagram photos, Tweets, Facebook coverage, etc. etc., from the ABSA Cape Epic this week. I say “enjoying” – it’s a particular type of “enjoyment” when you’re stuck at your desk (if you’re in the northern hemisphere) or up late at night at home (southern hemisphere). It’s particular because […]
Bike Check: Shaun Lewis’ Specialized Epic S-Works World Cup
Related Event: ABSA Cape Epic
With the Absa Cape Epic about to start, the world’s absolute best cross-country and marathon racers are all making their way towards Cape Town, South Africa. The Cape Epic is potentially the most important mountain bike race in the world. That’s objective, but more people probably know who won the last Epic than the last […]
Looking forward to Spring – the Australian XCM Calendar
If you are aching with cold, struggling for motivation to ride, and running out of daylight faster than you can devour a block of 85% Lindt chocolate, then chances are you will welcome the coming of Spring with the zeal of a junior racer. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice has well and truly […]
Profiling the Men of the 2014 XCM Worlds
We are just days away from the 2014 Marathon MTB World Championships, which are taking place at Cascades MTB Park, in Pietermaritzberg, South Africa. This will be the first time that XCM Worlds has been raced outside of Europe since the first race in Lugano in 2003. South Africa is mountain bike mad, and with […]
Syntace W30 wheelset and finishing kit review
Syntace W30 wheels The wheels are stiff, with very smooth-running bearings, and a lovely, almost Hope-matching freewheel buzz. 30mm (external) rims mean WIDE. So tyres come up with a bit more volume than they would otherwise. The wheels took a few hits through the week, particularly on my bad-stomach day when all energy and technical […]
Roc Ardennes – dust in Belgium
Rolling hills. Lush forests. Small rivers meandering through narrow valleys. Picturesque towns with attractive squares and ruined castes. Sunshine. Dust. These were not things I was really expecting when I came to Belgium. But they were among the things I found when making the road trip from London to the legendary Houffalize for the first […]