Your letters and photos, including being thrown in at the deep end at 10 Under the Ben and buying a bike not being as much fun as it used to

YOUR MAIL, PHOTOS , IDEAS AND RANTS

STAR LETTER in at the deep end

Back in 2019, I was a 45-yearold road biker whose last time out on an MTB was bunnyhopping curbs while delivering newspapers after school. At the start of the year, my work pal offered me the opportunity to borrow his hardtail and ride the 10 Under the Ben endurance event [in Fort William] as a pair. I was talked into it and given the bike to do some off-road riding in preparation. After about 20km on a gravel track, I declared myself ‘ready’.

The event was one of the hardest and most humbling days of my life. Rob rode the first lap while I waited in anticipation, with very little idea of the level of terrain I was about to encounter. I completed my first lap in just over an hour – I was brilliant going uphill, but went over the bars three times on the descents and hit my knee hard on some rocks. Broken, mentally and physically, at the thought of another eight-plus hours before the end of the event, I retired to the camper van, where I watched YouTube videos about MTB skills while Rob completed his next lap.

My second lap was much better – I only crashed once. While handing over the timing band to Rob, I mentioned how my arms were going to drop off because they were so sore. This was met by laughter as he bent down and adjusted my fork so it wasn’t locked out. Back to the van for more YouTube! In the end, I managed to complete five laps, and on the last three I didn’t hit the deck, with each one being quicker than the last. I was tired, and beyond sore, but felt absolutely amazing – I was buzzing. This roadie was hooked.

After a few days of recovery, I decided I had some unfinished business with TUTB. The past year has seen me shift my focus from the road to MTB. I’ve replaced my much-loved time trial bike with a full-sus beauty, attended a couple of MTB skills courses and hit the trails. I’m looking forward to doing some endurance events this year, and hope that we see TUTB return next year so I can see how far I’ve come since that tough, tough day in April 2019, when I learned more about myself than on any day on a bike before it.

Mark Warters, via email

What an inspiring story, Mark! If you can achieve something like that on your first full day riding a mountain bike, imagine the possibilities! We hope this handy selection of Lezyne kit will help to further broaden your horizons.

Where has the fun gone?

Don’t get me wrong, picking up a new bike is still an exciting experience. However, buying a bike these days just isn’t as much fun as it was years ago. I remember going to a decent mountain bike shop and seeing rows of awesome steeds that you could choose from (and usually take for a quick ride in the car park, at least). These days, you’re lucky if your local bike shop has two models. I appreciate you can get a bike online and select what you want (I’ll bet with a long delivery time) but the fun of going to a shop and taking home a new bike the same or next day has just gone. Maybe I’m just too old and remember the good old days too fondly… Happy riding!

Nick lamb, via email

Buying a bike can definitely be less of a personalised experience than it used to be, but even with the current supply issues, there are still some shops out there that make the process a real pleasure. You just have to seek them out.