The great escape

To stay sane in turbulent times, just get out and ride

Along with bikes, components, food, fuel and everything else we take for granted in modern life, it seems like good news is in increasingly short supply nowadays. And I’m a glutton for punishment, checking the news way too often and spending a worrying amount of time doom scrolling on my phone. Even though I think it’s my duty to stay informed, it’s definitely not a healthy habit. Which brings home just how important mountain biking is to me as a way of escaping reality and emptying my head of negative thoughts. Even when the trails are bogging and my kit is covered in cack, every ride is a cleansing ritual for mind and body. A cathartic experience where I can choose a challenging trail and find myself forced to concentrate 100% on the obstacles approaching my front wheel, or cruise around on mellower tracks losing my thoughts in the surroundings. It might sound pompous, but riding is my saviour. This is something that Sim has explored further this month in his thank you letter to mountain biking, and I think we can all find home truths in his recognition of its importance to mental health and overall wellbeing. Elsewhere this month, we have a review of the latest high-pivot enduro bikes from GT and Forbidden, Andy Barlow from Dirt School guides you through the steps needed to raise your riding game, there’s summer riding inspiration from Mattias Fredriksson and his guide to Sweden’s hottest mtb resort and much, much more. Enjoy!

PS. Please join me in welcoming our newest recruit, Aoife Glass, who’ll be looking after mbr. co.uk from now on. While she’s mostly on the digital side, I’m sure you’ll see her in the mag sooner or later!