I'm sure some of you read Singletrack magazine already, but if not it's worth checking out. I'm not really one for buying mtb magazines (I much prefer Grazia) but Singletrack is actually really great and everytime I read it I start making all sorts of crazy plans. It's a good mix of mad trips, technical stuff and training/racing.

This month there is a feature comparing full sus bikes from 2001 with the same models from this year (Santa Cruz, Orange etc.) and there's actually a lot less difference than you would expect.

Last month there was a feature on riding "Dounie Valley" in Wales, which apparently has the longest section of singletrack in the UK (I've filed this at the back of my brain for future reference).

The best bit part of the magazine though are the photos, they just make you want to get out there. There are some beautiful ones this month of riding in Utah, no green anywhere, just red rock and blue sky, fab!

Anyway, I should stop dreaming and get back to work

STM (SingleTrack Mag) and STW (SingleTrackWorld - the web site) are both great.

I love their "Grinder" reviews where they do real-life long duration tests of kit, and I thoroughly trust their bike reviews.

It's also worth keeping an eye on their special offers - I recently got a new set of Multi-Compound brake pads from Fibrax, worth I think at least £20, simply by sending an email to their offer.

Might it be worth us making contact with them?

Al.

You've probably all noticed that I like a bit of a rant, but I think I've been outdone in the ranting stakes by an article in this month's Singletrack magazine.

This made me laugh out loud on my own in Costa at lunch time today, oops!

Page 12 (Right Here Right Now)
"Some riders have been tempted by the Dark Side and find themselves buying road bikes. They claim it's easier for them to fit in a quick spin on a road bike than to go out on a normal mountain bike. Which is total rubbish. They fool themselves into thinking a road bike makes a more virtuous, more-rounded cyclist. After all, 'it's all riding isn't it' ... Every time the Dark Side claims a new soul it hasn't made them a more rounded cyclist, it's just ruined a mountain biker."

Haha, brilliant! I flipping love people with opinions whether I agree with them or not. Anyway, still loving Singletrack magazine, some nice pics in there this month as usual.


p.s. quiet on here just now isn't it, shall I shut up as well? I probably post on here far too much but there's not much to do when you're stuck in an office all day dreaming of escape...

I think it's probably

a) People out riding, which is great, and
b) People away on holiday or out doing other things,

neither of which are a problem.

There have been some great results from various races, and some great posts, so please don't shut up anytime soon!

I love the opinion, rants and great tips and info that you get both in Singletrack and on here, and I wouldn't want either to ever stop.

Al.


P.S - Loved that article as well. Am I the only one here sad enough to have bike mags as bedtime reading?

Sarah was that article signed off 'MG, CHingford'?

"MG", I wonder who that might be, he has been spotted on a road bike recently so maybe the Dark Side has been calling him as well

The thing that made me laugh most about the article is that all the things he's having a rant about are all the reasons I bought a road bike, haha! I even rushed home yesterday so I could go for a quick spin after work. Lets hope it doesn't "ruin me as a mountain biker".

Al, bike mags as bedtime reading, perfectly acceptable I think. I'm reading a book about a guy who builds his dream bike at the moment that you might like, it's called "It's All About The Bike" by Robert Penn. Probably the geekiest thing I've ever read about bikes but I'm liking it. He travels the world finding perfect components for his perfect bike, so far he's been to Rourke frame builders, Chris King and Cinelli.

I think that book was subsequently made into a TV program, which I think was on BBC4. The guy travels the world getting bespoke (geddit?) components made for his dream bike which he hen assembles and test rides.

Some of the manufacturers wouldn't let him film inside the factory as I recall.

Nothing wrong with road bikes or spinning - it's all different facets of the same diamond! I started off as a road biker, but after a teenage summer holiday in Austria and a chance encounter with a lady pro mtb'er fom Norway, I was hooked on off-road....

Al.






superlight wrote:

Ride of My Life: The Story of the Bicycle





It doesn't appear to be on iPlayer any more....

Thanks for that Al, didn't realize it had been a TV program. Somehow it all seemed more romantic reading about it than seeing it, same thing as usual with books!