FOX MUD GUARD XL £24.95
When fork brands make mudguards they’re usually underwhelming. From the original Fox Mud Guard to DVO’S Fender, they’ve not been long enough to stop crap flying into your face. Fox has remedied this with the XL, adding a forward curve to the Mud Guard that cantilevers out over the wheel and covers the old blindspot – Fox says it gives 85% more coverage. There’s also now added protection for the stanchions and seals too.
Now the Mud Guard XL is up to full speed and really worthwhile putting on your bike, we can concentrate on how well it fits to your fork. You’ll need a Fox 36 or 38 from model year 2021 onwards though, and that’s because the guard mounts to the little bleeder valves
HIGH CUP NICK, PENNINES 33KM (20.5 MILES)
Don’t go chasing waterfalls may be sound advice but riding to the top of one is very much recommended. The North Pennines is a stunningly beautiful place, in its own unique way, and home to some fascinating water features – High Cup Nick being one. Looking like someone has taken an ice-cream scoop to the hillside, the long, deep valley is headed up by a waterfall providing a dramatic setting for a ride. This route takes you from waterfall to watershed, the invisible line that runs the length of the country with rain landing either side of the line ending up in the Irish Sea to the west or the North Sea to the east.
GPS download bit.ly/highcupnickride
ELAN VALLEY, MID WALES 29.1KM (18.1 MILES)
The well supplied dams and reservoirs of the Elan Valley in Mid Wales are responsible for keeping the city of Birmingham, some 70 miles away, supplied with fresh water. The whole of the estate (which accounts for 1% of Wales) is dedicated to the collection, channelling and storage of water but also packs in some great mountain bike riding. Big climbs, challenging descents, some really fun trail-centre style trails and as you would expect, panoramic views in every direction mean there’s rarely a dull moment. The nearby town of Rhayader also has a mega pump-track which is well worth a visit.
GPS download bit.ly/elanvalleyride
RIVER THAMES, HAMPSHIRE 32.9KM (20.4 MILES)
ISIS may be known in mtb circles as an unreliable bottom bracket standard, but the Isis, aka the Thames, always delivers and along the UK’S second longest river are some great routes hidden in plain sight. Linking up the archipelago of woodland that surrounds Reading, this route twists and turns to pack 32km of riding into a relatively small area. Starting off in Pangbourne on the banks of the Thames you follow the river upstream to Goring before climbing out of the valley and diving into pockets of woodland proving the Thames isn’t just Eastenders and boat races. GPS download bit.ly/thamesride
LOCH AFFRIC, SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS 17.2KM (10.7 MILES)
Lochs come in all shapes and sizes but there’s a definite satisfaction to be had from riding the entire circumference of one. Loch Affric may not lay claim to being the longest, deepest or most remote body of water in Scotland but it is one of the prettiest. Keeping to the lower slopes of Glen Affric this ride is sedate by Highlands standards, but that makes it a good choice for beginners or those more interested in taking in the sights than tackling singletrack. Those keen on adding a bit of altitude to the ride could do worse than look at the trail up to Màm Sodhail.
GPS download bit.ly/lochaffric