BETTER WITH FRIENDS

It is hard to replicate a trail experience from one ride to another. Even if we try to have the same ride, the same conditions, the same stoke – I don’t think it ever ends up the same. I reckon that is because our on trail experiences change every time. From interaction with other riders, or how we engage with the environment around us, or just the mood we head to the trails in and the mood when we leave. No one ride can ever be the same as the next. And I think that’s great.

While I’m happy to come home with a different experience and memories from any ride, the past few months have been a reminder that some of the best rides, and best memories, are those shared with others. It may not be the same for everyone, but my social interactions on the bike were reduced over the past two years, compared to the decade prior. But a few great group rides this year have been a timely reminder that a ride that is shared is a ride that is well remembered. Whether it’s on the trail trying something you may not otherwise, the post trail banter or of course the post-ride chat in group messages.

A big feature for this new issue was testing a bunch of vertical bike racks. They really are a game changer in getting more people on bikes, facilitating whole families getting to the trail head more easily, or parents taking their kid and their friends safely to the dirt. It’s not often that I can step back from a product review process and think that a type of product really improves the uptake and enjoyment of cycling – but in this case I really think being able to take more bikes to the trails is a huge boost to cycling in general.

My take away? Call a mate and tee up a ride. Mountain biking is better with more people, and each ride makes unique memories, even on trails you’ve ridden for years.