HELLO
It’s been four years since my last visit to the Malverns Classic (and 26 years since my first!), and I was blown away by this year’s event. The mix of riding, spectating and partying was as good as I remembered. What differed was the age of the people attending. Yes, there were loads of old-school MTBers with fond memories of the event from its first time around, when they were younger, fitter and had more hair (not that you could see it, for all the Bula hats…). But it was heartening to see just how many younger riders are following their parents into the sport or discovering it for themselves. And not just boys, either.
You could barely take a step without a tousle-haired teenager manualling wildly across your path, despite loudspeaker exhortations not to ride in the main arena (we get it from a health and safety point of view, but come on, it’s a bike festival!), and the camping fields were filled with kids hooning around and hucking off plastic kickers. It’s a great sign for the future of the sport, which really is thriving in the UK right now. Bring on next year’s event – entries are already open!
James Costley-White, EDITOR
MOUNTAIN BIKING IS FOR EVERYONE
All of us who bring MBUK to life are committed to creating content that reflects and celebrates the diverse backgrounds and interests of our readers, and the MTB community as a whole. While we always strive to be inclusive, we need to do better and have begun work on a plan to drive meaningful change, but we know it’s a work in progress. We’d love to hear from you and are open to suggestions on how we can create positive change together. If you’ve got a story to share or would like to get involved, email us at mbuk@ourmedia.co.uk.
IN THE MAG THIS MONTH
RAB WARDELL
SCOTTISH XC INSPIRATION
Avid cross-country racer, West Highland Way record holder and all-round good guy Rab passed away days after winning the Scottish XC Championships this summer.
HANS ‘NO WAY’ REY
ALL-TIME MTB LEGEND
Before gamely taking on the infamous Malverns lake ride, Hans explored the colourful streets, ancient ruins and active volcanoes of Mexico City, on his latest urban adventure.
SARAH BEDFORD
MBUK’S NEWEST TESTER
Sarah’s been putting Decathlon’s new World Cup XC rig through its paces and trying out hip packs/bum bags/waist packs/whatever the on-trend term is this week.
WILL SOFFE
OUR MAN ON THE SCENE
Not content with just reporting from the Malverns, our staff writer Will podiumed in the DH and slalom, and competed in the whip-off, all with wife and baby in tow. No wonder he’s knackered!