Two decades ago, mountain bikes ruled the road. Now, they’re a hidden cult. So where did it start going downhill for the craze that kept British cycling rolling? And could there be a way back up? Knobbly-tyre fan Andy Waterman reports:
The Tour de France is about to visit the UK amid an English-speaking cycling boom – much as it did 20 years ago. But, despite the success of Chris Boardman and Sean Yates back in 1994 – both of whom wore the leader’s yellow jersey during that year’s race – the boom then had little to do with road-cycling, and everything to do with the then-fashionably rugged mountain bike. From TV to Sunday supplements, mountain biking was the public face of cycling, and the coolest hobby of the year.
Two decades on, the wheels have turned: road-cycling is at its pinnacle, and the mountain bike is … More
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Mountain biking is a constantly evolving sport – components, apparel, even riding styles continue to change from season to season. What was once a must-have accessory (anyone need some anodized purple bar ends?) becomes a piece of history, something we can chuckle at when telling stories about how it was ‘back in the day.’ What follows are seven freeride trends that have earned their place in the history books, for better or worse.
1. Skinnies
The initial reasoning behind the advent of woodwork onto mountain bike trails was sound – bridges helped raise the trails above the mud and water found on Vancouver’s North Shore, allowing them to be rideable year round. But then something happened … More
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How has Team CRC/Nukeproof rider Sam Hill been spending his off-season? The only way a champion knows how – getting back to 100% fitness, ready to shred for another year in pursuit of a top podium position.
Includes interviews and riding footage on Sam’s local trails in Perth, Australia. The perfect prelude to the upcoming race season.
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Coming just one week after round 2 of the 2014 USA Cycling US Cup Series presented by Sho-Air Cycling Group in Bonelli Park, Fontana will host round 3 of the world-class mountain bike race series. Top racers, such as Bonelli Park winners Geoff Kabush (CAN/Scott-3Rox Racing) and Katerina Nash (CZE/Luna Pro Team), will be on the start line in Fontana, Calif., on Saturday, March 22.
“We’re excited to host many of the world’s best mountain bikers for a second week in a row here in California,” said Sho-Air President Scott Tedro. “We expect some more tight battles among North America’s and Europe’s elite stars in Fontana.” … More
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