In this month's MBUK we hang out with likely lad Ben Deakin, follow a former world record holder's quest to reclaim his title on the West Highland Way and head to the MTB island paradise of Madeira to hear the story of one of the best local trail builders.
We also bring you the lowdown on 2021's hottest rides in Biketest, review the best waterproof trousers and aggro tyres, and all the latest gear in Wrecked and Rated.
One of the lads
Known throughout the MTB scene for his cheeky grin and cries of "Oi oi!", Ben Deakin is every kid's dream come true: a man who's made a career out of messing about on bikes and prioritising fun above all else. We take a deep dive into the Deakinator's wild life and come out with some stories to tell.
Sowing the seeds
The Atlantic island of Madeira is known for its steep volcanic hillsides that are rife for a bit of two-wheeled mayhem. But what's it like to actually live there – and build the trails that are renowned as some of the best in the world? We meet legendary trail builder Alex Gouveia to find out.
Taking the high road
A decade ago, former World Cup XC racer Rab Wardell set the record for the fastest traversal of the West Highland Way – a devilish 154km-long cycling route from Glasgow to Fort William. Now he's returned to face his old nemesis one more time. Can this old dog reclaim his title from those who followed in his footsteps (or should that be tyre tracks)?
Hot rides for 2021
New year, new bikes! We take six of the hottest new rides out for a thrashing – from beastly hardtails and XC whippets to heavy-hitting enduro monsters. Discover what's going to take the mountain biking world by storm this year.
Cannock Chase & Stile Cop Trail Crew
Ed Thomsett takes the crew to the English Midlands for a double-dip of venues close to Birmingham. The team brave the – ahem – changeable off-season weather and find the trails packed with riders.
And that's not all…
This issue of MBUK is jam-packed with all the latest and greatest bikes, product reviews and news stories from the mountain biking world. There are brand new bikes from Santa Cruz, Marin, Canyon and Stif, along with pages of product reviews that include our aggro tyres grouptest.
Free gift – 2021 E-bike Guide
Year by year, e-bikes are growing in popularity and ubiquity, with technology moving as fast as the bikes themselves. But fret not – we've got you covered with our comprehensive e-bike guide, which includes features, reviews, how-to advice and much more.
Subscription offer
Subscribe to MBUK and receive an Outdoor Tech Kodiak Mini power bank!
Why subscribe?
- Save 30% on the shop price: only £12.50 every 3 issues
- Get an Outdoor Tech Kodiak Mini power bank worth £19.99
- Every issue delivered straight to your door
- Never miss an action-packed issue or supplement
- Exclusive offers and competitions with our Subs Zone!
You can subscribe to MBUK here and check out our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts for all of the latest mountain bike action.
And don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter!
