Editorial

It’s summer, and it should be no surprise that you have an Alpine Issue in your hands. I’m not going to apologise about it as I think riding trails up high is part of what makes mountain biking so good. Here in Australia we have a pretty big alpine plateau, and while it lacks the drama of alpine ranges around the world, year on year we can get more access to the terrain. In part that’s from the expansion of dedicated mountain bike trails by land managers and alpine resorts – but it is also thanks to riders equipping themselves to get out off the marked mountain bike routes to have an overnight adventure, just like Adam Macbeth did in his feature in this issue.

Now is the time to ride in our high places, with long days and milder temperatures high above the valleys. I made two visits to the Swiss Alps this year for my alpine fix. While the second trip was a blast supporting my wife and some friends at the Cross-Country Marathon (XCM) World Championships, the first trip was with an intent focus on the Swiss Epic, part of the Epic Series.

This 5-day mountain bike race is held in the east of Switzerland, and the stage towns read like a tick list of must-ride places. The trails are demanding and the views are epic – but the racing is hot! I went with a couple of goals, and one was to earn an Epic Legend medal. And I did receive that when crossing the line in Davos, as seen above. But these races are done in pairs, and about 30km earlier my wife was transported to Klosters hospital with a knee injury. I had finished solo, losing the race lead the jersey I am wearing represents, and in turn feeling like the medal wasn’t worth a whole lot.

Not to be a downer, this is the perfect reminder that no matter where you’re riding or what you’re chasing, just about any ride is made better with friends or significant others. So get out and ride this summer, revel in the long days, and share the moments with your mountain biking buddies as that’s where the best memories come from.