Page 17 - MTBSA JAN 2020
P. 17

If you were planning on going   day while you’re there to tackle   weaknesses are on a bike and   You know the trail we mean.
 on a city break with your friends   some stunning new trails. Not   ultimately makes you a better   It’s the trail that you’ve thought
 this summer, then why not   only does riding in another   rider.   about riding half a dozen times.
 look to get out to a bike park   country feel like a proper cycling   If you want to take your bike to   Maybe you've even ridden the
 somewhere in Europe instead.   adventure, but it also challenges   even wilder destinations take   majority of the thing a couple of
 It won’t be that much more   you to ride a completely   a look at Rob Warner’s Wild   times, but had to get off the bike
 money all in, plus you can rent   different type of terrain, lets   Rides series for inspiration.  and walk a few sections because
 a ride pretty cheaply for the   you know what your skills and   you lost your nerve or things got
        a little too gnarly. Maybe there’s
        a big drop you’re not sure you
        can handle, or a jump section
        that feels just that bit out of     features until you’re really        target them with your practise.
        reach.                              comfortable and confident           There are few things quite as
        Make 2020 the year that you         and eventually you’ll be able to    rewarding as flowing through a
        ride that trail! It’s the perfect   smash through the thing like        trail that once felt beyond your
        motivation to centre your riding    a pro. Don’t rush it – you’ve got   skill level.
        on. Build up to it, practise on     all year. Look at the segments
        similar trails and on similar       you’re struggling on and

















































 Build crew hard at work © MOONHEAD MEDIA
                                    Gee and Rachel Atherton in Fuerteventura © MATTIAS FREDRIKSSON
 You ride them every single time   – and ask how you can help.   preferences and help you realise   Last but by no means least,   standing on one.  from a local shop – and then
 you get on your bike, so why   This will ensure you don’t start   what features and styles of   make this year that you spread   Mountain biking can be quite a   take them up into the hills. Show
 not make 2020 the year that   shovelling and accidentally   mountain biking you really love   the bike love. Sure, you’ve   daunting thing to get into after   them your favourite trail, the
 you finally get involved in trail   disrupt someone else’s work or   to ride. Once you know this,   probably already got friends   a certain age if you don’t have   beautiful scenery and by the end
 maintenance? The best way   get in the way of other plans.   you can build more of it! And   that ride, but we’re betting that   someone to explain what the   of the year you could have a new
 to do this is to get in contact   Not only does trail building help   you’ll probably make a good few   you also have some really good   hell is going on. Get your friend   favourite riding buddy. In fact,
 with your local mountain biking   you get a better sense of how   friends along the way. The dirt   friends that love the outdoors,   on a bike – lend them an old one   you could have made someone
 community – often there is a   to ride features you build, but   always feels better under your   but probably couldn’t pick out   to start with, if you have one, or   else’s year.
 Facebook group or equivalent   it’ll also develop your personal   wheels when you’ve earned it.  a downhill track if they were   maybe get them to rent a bike

 16 | MTBSA |   8 TIPS                                                                   8 TIPS       | MTBSA | 17
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