This issue's routes are a treat for downhill fans, taking in some of the longest descents around the UK. With the ground still suffering after a long winter and soggy spring, we decided to head to the Lake District for our Big Ride, because the rocky terrain there copes well with wet weather. Unfortunately, the towns at the bottom of the mountains can get horribly flooded as the rain sheets off the slopes and is channelled down into the valleys, and there are still tell-tale signs of this when we arrive, in the form of sandbags along shop and house fronts. All is well for now, though, and the streets are buzzing with tourists. This National Park, understandably, attracts a lot of visitors each year - over 10 million - so it's best to visit out of peak season, when the trails are quieter and it's easier to find parking and accommodation.
Although we've picked a classic destination the ride we've selected is a route that often gets overlooked, in favour of climbing and descending one of the more well-known peaks, such as Skiddaw or Helvellyn (with Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England, at 3,209ft, not accessible by bike). It doesn't lie in the heart of the National Park, and isn't on the biggest hills, but does offer an extended and superb descent, which just teeters on (and occasionally off) the perfect edge of difficulty for many experienced riders.
Down to the water
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Summer 2023 من Mountain Biking UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Summer 2023 من Mountain Biking UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
GRIME TIME - EXPERT WORKSHOP ADVICE
WHEELY ANNOYING
TRAILCREW HAFOD TRAILS
We discover the delights of Wales's newest bike park, located deep in beautiful Carmarthenshire
BIKETEST ULTIMATE HIRE BIKES
We test three park-cum-DH rigs - the kind of bikes available in holiday spots like Morzine and Whistler, as well as uplift venues closer to home
SCOTT GAMBLER 910 - £4,399 A bike park-ready budget beater worth taking a chance on
This latest iteration of Scott's long-standing Gambler launched in 2019.
THE MANY FACES OF MOUNTAIN BIKING
WE HIT THE ARIZONA DESERT AS PART OF A HUGE FEMALE-LED GROUP RIDE THAT PUTS THE FOCUS ON FUN AND FRIENDSHIP
PARIS HERE WE COME!
With the 2024 Olympics in France fast coming around, we take a quick dive into the history of mountain biking at the Games, plus explain what to expect, how to watch and who to keep an eye on this year
TRANSITION SPUR XO AXS - £7,999 Can the smallest of revisions keep Transition's downcountry demon at the top of the pile?
Transition's Spur has set the benchmark for downcountry bikes since its release in 2020.
MARIN ALPINE TRAIL E2 BOSCH - £6,385 Big-battery, high-powered e-MTB for gravity fans at a (relatively) affordable price
The Alpine Trail E Bosch is Marin's first e-MTB to use a four-bar linkage suspension design and a non-Shimano motor.
PINARELLO DOGMA XC - £12,000 Designed by and for Elite racers, with a ride feel to match
STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX & ONTO THE TRAILS
MBUK SUPER BIKE - #128 MATT WALKER'S SARACEN MYST
The British national downhill champ has a new ride for the 2024 race season