Editors’ Choice

EDITORS’ CHOICE

Part rider, part lumber jack

Introduction: I like tech, like slogging, enjoy events – but taking part, not competing. I’ve also really enjoyed riding with my girlfriend this year. I found a love of moorland singletrack this summer, once I realised that you can’t cut corners any more than if there was a tree there!

Best Bits Of The Year: Trek 69er. I didn’t like the idea of the big wheel up front. I still don’t like the idea of big wheels, but somehow when combined with a smaller back wheel it all made sense. The nearest thing I’ve ridden to a proper all rounder that I’ve been on for a while, and that’s despite having two different sized wheels and no gears! You could make big gaps on your mates on singletrack and I also cleaned some climbs in Calderdale that I’ve never managed before. I imagine the geared version of this bike that’s now available will be a blast as well.

Orange Alpine 5. If you’re in your mid to late thirties like me you need a bike like this. Makes you feel invincible makes you grin a lot. Let it all go wrong, shut your eyes for a second and mysteriously you’ve got through it. I’ve bought one.

Kriega Back packs. They may not be as perfectly compartmentalised as some of the other better known brands but when it comes to limpet-like grip on your back then it can’t be beaten, plus if you’re a little larger than you should be around the midriff (ahem) you don’t need to do up the waist belt to keep it snugly in place

Gore bibshorts. And their liner shorts for that matter as well. Shorts that are so fab I nearly forgot to mention them. Assos-like quality at a much more affordable price (They range from £65.00 to £85.00) the material is silky and the pad is just the right thickness to be comfy but not a nappy.

Geax Pit Stop Magnum. A cunning combo of air and latex in a can with presta /Schrader valve to attach it to your flat tyre. After being initially cynical I couldn’t believe how good this product was. Big tyres and tubes, XC tyres and tubes and even tubeless tyres inflated quickly and easily. Yep they’re lazy and I guess if you used them all the time it could be pricey, but if you’re a racer or rich or not keen on hanging around in the cold while you repair a puncture in the traditional way you’ll love it.

Event Of The Year: Singlespeed World Champs. My faith in bikes was saved. After sitting under arc lights for three days in a massive German shed (aka Eurobike) looking at new axle paths and hearing about ‘the next big thing’, Aviemore saved me. Great company, great trails, enormous hangover. A course so good that each horrific climb could be endured, as you knew the descent was going to be worth it. Thank you the Telly Savalas Players’ Club for all of your hard work.

USE MaXX Exposure. Riding the South Downs overnight. 85 mental slogging miles of mind-loss and self-hatred. I recommend it.

Trail Of The Year: Trail 416/417 in Cortina Italy: Rocks fast, roots fast, slippery corners, switchbacks, blue rivers! All downhill and then a little climb up to the road followed by a road descent to the bar and gondola.

Looking Forward To In 2008: Riding more! Again! In the strange universe of magazines getting a regular riding life rather than feast and famine would be much appreciated.

The return of sunshine.

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www.singletrackworld.com
Mr Wonky Legs Akimbo 2007

EDITORS’ CHOICE

I’m in charge of editing the mag and I still make the best coffee here. I reckon I’m a pretty average rider and, ironically don’t get out

Introduction: I’m in charge of editing the mag and I still make the best coffee here. I reckon I’m a pretty average rider and, ironically don’t get out to ride enough to make me much better. I like a good day out in the hills though, I like the challenge of a rocky climb and I enjoy the buzz of a good descent. I’m a wheels on the ground rider, pretty lazy when it comes to bike maintenance, though I still expect my bikes to work without question.

and I enjoy the buzz of a good descent. I’m a wheels on the ground rider, pretty lazy when it comes to bike maintenance,

Best Bits Of The Year: I didn’t get to ride many of our super duper test bikes that wafted in this year, though I did enjoy doing our Carbon Hardtails test. Of that, I loved the Cannondale Taurine’s head-down speed, but for versatility, I loved our surprise winner of the Merida FLX 3000.

I didn’t get to ride many of our super duper test bikes that wafted in this year, though I did enjoy doing our Carbon Hardtails test. Of head-down speed, but for Merida FLX 3000.

The other bike that would be a fun project bike was the 2.5in, . A frame-up build of one of those would

The other bike that would be a fun project bike was the 2.5in, very racy Kona Hei Hei. A frame-up build of one of those would be a fun challenge I reckon.

(www.dirtworker.co.uk). It’s a simple, self contained, mini jetwash that works off your car battery, costs £90 and carries enough water to wash two bikes effectively. More importantly, it does it before you go home/get changed so you’re far more likely to do it – and wet mud takes less effort to get off than dry mud.

Dirtworker (www.dirtworker.co.uk). It’s a simple, self contained, mini jetwash that works off your car battery, costs £90 and carries enough water to wash two bikes effectively. More importantly, it does it before you go home/get changed so you’re far more likely to do it – and wet mud takes less effort to get off than dry mud. Great stuff.

. You put water in it, can’t spill it, don’t need to tip your head up to drink and it’s always there so you end up drinking

Camelbak Bottle. You put water in it, can’t spill it, don’t need to tip your head up to drink and it’s always there so you end up drinking more water. I wouldn’t be without one.

Event Of The Year: The Strathpuffer. A 24 hour race in northern Scotland in January. Stupid, stupid, stupid. But the course was great, the camaraderie was strong, there wasn’t a grumpy face anywhere and you knew that ANYTHING you did after it would seem easy by comparison.

The Strathpuffer. A 24 hour race in northern Scotland in January. Stupid, stupid, stupid. But the course was great, the camaraderie was strong, there wasn’t a grumpy face anywhere and you knew that ANYTHING you did after it would seem easy by comparison.

Most enjoyed: Getting back to a bit of big hill, old school riding with old friends Andy and Dr Jon when we rode the Devil’s Staircase, near Glen Coe. Being dwarfed by real mountains is good for the soul now and again.

Most enjoyed: Getting back to a bit of big hill, old school riding with old friends Andy and Dr Jon when we rode the Devil’s Staircase, near Glen Coe. Being dwarfed by real mountains is good for the soul now and again.

Looking Forward To In 2008: ‘Tweeny’ riding. I want to do more riding in the near-local areas around me. Less ‘just’ riding out the door and less driving for four hours. I’m going to try those peachy places an hour’s drive, or a half hour on the train away. Completely do-able on a summer evening, or spring day, but ‘foreign’ enough to make a mini mountain bike adventure for me every week.

Looking Forward To In 2008: ‘Tweeny’ riding. I want to do more riding in the near-local areas around me. Less ‘just’ riding out the door and less driving for four hours. I’m going to try those peachy places an hour’s drive, or a half hour on the train away. Completely do-able on a summer evening, or spring day, but ‘foreign’ enough to make a mini mountain bike adventure for me every week.

I’m also going to ride in daylight more. We don’t skive off to ride in work time enough. Or ever really. So don’t worry if I don’t answer my phone, I’m out riding.

I’m also going to ride in daylight more. We don’t skive off to ride in work time enough. Or ever really. So don’t worry if I don’t answer my phone, I’m out riding.

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