A Mountain to Satisfy a Craving

When our rach planned a trip to the lakes, she wasn't expecting to get quite this much of an MTB FIX

- By Rachel Bennet

The mountains are constantly calling me, enticing me with their grandeur and breathtaking beauty. They put me at ease in this topsy-turvy world and do wonders for my mental health. So, when I was tasked with putting MET's Parachute MCR convertible helmet through its paces, I knew exactly where I was heading. With a general plan to bag as many peaks as possible, and access issues counting out the Welsh mountains, I cast my sights further north.

As a Scot, I don't know much about the Lake District, but I do know the mountains there are scattered with jagged rocks and big boulders, so I was glad to be tackling this terrain with the protection of a full-face lid. I roped in my mate Issy to accompany me - adventures are better with friends, right? She was one of the first people I'd ridden with down in MBUK's hometown of Bristol, and her personality and riding style match my own, so I knew she'd be up for this mission.

HAVE I GOT IT IN ME?

With this being my first big trip away for the mag, it's fair to say I was a little apprehensive. All the planning involved was daunting, and then there was the pressure to meet the brief. However, it wasn't until snapper James Vincent asked whether I'd be OK with hike-a-bike that I questioned whether I'd even be able to complete the ride. James had done his research, was aware of my past back injury and rightly so - wanted to make sure I was up for lugging an enduro bike on my shoulders. "I'll be fine," I told him, but it was on my mind. Would I? "Ach weel, it adds another dimension to the challenge." I reasoned with myself and I love a challenge!