THE MANY FACES OF MOUNTAIN BIKING
Mountain Biking UK|August 2024
WE HIT THE ARIZONA DESERT AS PART OF A HUGE FEMALE-LED GROUP RIDE THAT PUTS THE FOCUS ON FUN AND FRIENDSHIP
Tim Wild
THE MANY FACES OF MOUNTAIN BIKING

It's early March and we're tackling 'Adobe Jack, one of the many jaw-droppingly scenic and technical trails surrounding the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival site. This is one of the most unusual rides we've ever been on.

Not just because there are 50 of us taking part, and trying to get that many riders to listen to words of instruction is nigh-on impossible. But also, because this ride has been organised, led and is more than half-populated by women.

The rocky, technical slab trails of Sedona aren't a walk in the park at the best of times. Right-angled ledges, spiny trailside plants and sometimes terrifying exposure can combine to make even the simplest of rides more complicated than you'd think. So, the idea of sharing the trails with 49 strangers - not to mention hikers, horse riders and tourist 4x4s, too doesn't seem like a particularly sensible one. However, after a quick "Follow me!" from ride leader Jess Hana, we make our unruly way off the fireroad and into the red, sandy rocks.

It's way more fun than anyone was expecting. We stop at different features - drops, rock-rolls, tank-track climbs up sandpaper ledges - and it's less like -a ride and more like a party. The mix of men and women, and the wide range of abilities, makes it one of the most positive, supportive sessions we've ever been part of.

No macho posturing, no jostling over position - just a massive gang of people riding, laughing and helping each other out. Every individual triumph, no matter how minor, is cheered to the rafters, people are making new friends left and right and grins stay on faces the whole time.

Meet your makers

Esta historia es de la edición August 2024 de Mountain Biking UK.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición August 2024 de Mountain Biking UK.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE MOUNTAIN BIKING UKVer todo
GRIME TIME - EXPERT WORKSHOP ADVICE
Mountain Biking UK

GRIME TIME - EXPERT WORKSHOP ADVICE

WHEELY ANNOYING

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 2024
TRAILCREW HAFOD TRAILS
Mountain Biking UK

TRAILCREW HAFOD TRAILS

We discover the delights of Wales's newest bike park, located deep in beautiful Carmarthenshire

time-read
6 minutos  |
August 2024
BIKETEST ULTIMATE HIRE BIKES
Mountain Biking UK

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

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2024
SCOTT GAMBLER 910 - £4,399 A bike park-ready budget beater worth taking a chance on
Mountain Biking UK

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.

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2024
THE MANY FACES OF MOUNTAIN BIKING
Mountain Biking UK

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

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 2024
PARIS HERE WE COME!
Mountain Biking UK

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

time-read
5 minutos  |
August 2024
TRANSITION SPUR XO AXS - £7,999 Can the smallest of revisions keep Transition's downcountry demon at the top of the pile?
Mountain Biking UK

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.

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 2024
MARIN ALPINE TRAIL E2 BOSCH - £6,385 Big-battery, high-powered e-MTB for gravity fans at a (relatively) affordable price
Mountain Biking UK

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.

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 2024
PINARELLO DOGMA XC - £12,000 Designed by and for Elite racers, with a ride feel to match
Mountain Biking UK

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

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 2024
MBUK SUPER BIKE - #128 MATT WALKER'S SARACEN MYST
Mountain Biking UK

MBUK SUPER BIKE - #128 MATT WALKER'S SARACEN MYST

The British national downhill champ has a new ride for the 2024 race season

time-read
5 minutos  |
August 2024