There’s something special about riding trails after dark. The woods go quiet, the air feels crisp, and your focus sharpens in a way it never quite does during the day. Every turn, root and drop feels faster and more alive. But night riding also brings a new set of challenges. Trails change character once the light fades, and having the right lighting setup can be the difference between an amazing ride and a sketchy one. Night riding at Gwydir Forest - Snowdonia National Park,

Barnoldswick has always had a strong sense of community and a growing interest in outdoor sport, especially cycling. With more young people getting into BMX, mountain biking and general fitness, there’s never been a better time to invest in a facility that supports active lifestyles and gives local riders somewhere safe and exciting to develop their skills. A pump track would be the perfect addition to the town. Not only is it a low-maintenance, all-weather riding space, it’s

Mountain biking has evolved massively over the years, and nowhere is that more obvious than wheel sizes. Once upon a time, every mountain bike rolled on 26” wheels. Simple. Easy. No debates. No mullets. No geometry charts longer than the bike itself. Fast forward to today and we’ve now got 27.5”, 29”, mullet setups, mixed rim widths… and somehow a 32-inch wheel has appeared too. Yes, really — 32”. At this point, it feels less like product development and more like a wheel-siz

I’ve been running the HEL Advocate brakes on my bike for the last six months, and in that time they’ve seen pretty much everything: wet winter slop, rocky descents, long fire-road drags, tight tech, and everything in between. After half a year of riding with them (and installing on them in the workshop), I’ve got a clear picture of what they’re like to live with. Spoiler: they’re very good. HEL are well known in the motorsport world, so I was curious to see how their engineer

Downhill mountain biking is back on the rise, and this time, it’s bringing the full buzz of gravity-fuelled excitement with it. Across the UK, more riders are swapping big climbs for big descents, bike parks are busier than ever, and race entries are filling up fast. After years of enduro leading the way, downhill is reclaiming its spot at the heart of British mountain biking. Pure Speed, Simple Format One of the biggest reasons for downhill’s resurgence is its simplicity. Th

If you’ve ever watched a child wobble their way around on a bike with stabilisers, you’ll know the struggle. Leaning the wrong way on corners, pedalling furiously but barely turning, and eventually needing to “re-learn” how to ride once the stabilisers come off. There’s a better way. What is a Balance Bike? A balance bike is a small, pedal-free bike designed to help children learn the core skills of cycling; balance, coordination, and control, before introducing pedals. Kids

When it comes to downhill riding, bike park laps, races, or hitting the enduro trails, having a helmet that offers both comfort and protection is non-negotiable. The Abus Hidrop Full Face Helmet stands out as a prime choice for riders seeking safety without compromising on style or price. Comfort and Ventilation One of the biggest concerns with full-face helmets is ventilation, especially during long, intense rides. Thankfully, the Abus Hidrop has been designed with excellent

The Goodyear Newton Trail tyres are designed to provide excellent grip and control, but how do they fare across different terrains?

Mountain biking has its own language — and when you’re new, it can feel like riders are speaking in code. This guide breaks down the most common words, phrases, and bits of jargon you’ll come across both on the trails and in the MTB community. 29er A mountain bike with 29-inch wheels. 650b / 27.5 A wheel size. Actual diameter is slightly under 27". Attack Position A ready stance with elbows out, hips back, and heels down for maximum control. Bail Jumping off your bike deliber

Mountain Bike Trail Grading Dedicated trail centres use a trail grading system to inform riders of the difficulty of the various trails on offer. You should always make sure the trail is within you abilities and fitness level before setting off. Bear in mind that trail surfaces can vary depending on weather conditions and can change over time through use. Bike parks run also run the same colour coded grading system but the grades tend to be more difficult than what you wou

#designedfordown £4,999 When you think e-bike, you automatically think of the climbing ability. That's where the new Focus Sam² is different. This bike has all the geometry of an enduro beast! This 29er enduro ripper comes with 170mm travel in the from of a Rockshox Super Deluxe shock and the all new Zeb fork. As for the rest of the bikes spec it sits comfortably in the mid range tier which is what you'd expect from a bike at this price. It comes with a Sram GX drivetrain an

When I first installed the Michelin Wild Enduro tyres I was very impressed. Having now ridden them for over a year, here are my thoughts on the popular tyres. When it came to setting these up tubeless on my Giant AM wheelset it was surprisingly easy. I had both front and rear on the rim and seated within a couple of minutes, all just using a track pump.