Mountain Biking UK

FROM DARKNESS INTO LIGHT

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Joined the ‘dark side’, I have. This summer my son, aged 11, got his first real mountain bike, and then came the inevitable... “Daaadd, can we go on some trails?” I’ve been a roadie for years and I looked at my two steeds and decided neither was suitable for even gravel paths. I started looking for an MTB on the internet. Unfortunat­ely, my wife caught me and I got the, “Don’t even think about it!” speech.

However, synchronic­ity reared its head, and while dropping my winter road bike o for a service, I had an interestin­g conversati­on with the bike shop owner, where he revealed he needed a demo bike for a turbo trainer demonstrat­ion. I left not with a five-year-old, freshly-serviced Giant Defy, but a brand-new Python MTB as a straight swap. No money changed hands and one bike went and another took its place, so my wife was happy.

Instead of two bikes that did the same thing, just in di erent weathers, I now had two bikes with di erent purposes. A month later and not only are my son and I both commuting on our new bikes but, more importantl­y, we’ve been riding our local trails at Hicks Lodge in Derbyshire and also at Cannock Chase. Only the basic family trails for now, but hopefully we’ll gain confidence together and grow our skills.

It’s got my son o his console, I’ve got a ride partner instead of clocking up solo road miles and we’re having some great father and son time. Having just turned 50, hopefully I can be the old dog who learns new tricks. I’ve just bought my first copy of your magazine and it won’t be the last. My son is waiting for me to put it down so he can read it!

Simon Elson, Burton upon Trent

Simon, first of all, welcome to the path of true redemption after years in thrall to skinny tyres – the real Dark Lord! The best thing about your journey into the light is that you’re bringing a young Padawan with you, and all while keeping your wife happy, wallet una ected and garage clutterfre­e. Nimble footwork indeed! May the forks be with you…

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WINNER! STARLETTER

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