Pump it up

From BikeRadar.

A valuable but often overlooked technique, pumping can vastly improve your riding technique and overall speed on the trail. Here are five reasons why you should get pumping.

Simply put, pumping is the act of pushing the bike into the trail in some way as you ride to tap into its latent energy. Whether you’re pushing the bike down, forwards or into the side of a turn – it’s all pump. The action of pushing your bike can be done through hands, feet or both.

Read the full article here.

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Mountain biking t-shirt range launched

Ever keen to shamelessly promote the brand whereever and whenever possible, today sees the launch of our first line of mountain biking t-shirts. There's only a couple of designs available so far but they're fashioned in a cool choice of colours and whether your a Trail God or Dirt Diva, we''ll have a size and shape for you. We'll be designing more as the season goes on, plus adding mountain biking hoodies and mountain biking sweatshirts to the stocklist for those cafe-chilling sessions, but in the meantime you can check them out here... http://fat-tyres-mountainbiking.spreadshirt.net
Everything is printed by our partner Spreadshirt individually for you and is ready to dispatch within 24-48 hours of ordering.

Afan Lodge opens in South Wales mountain bike mecca

From The Guardian

A new lodge modelled on a ski chalet has opened in Wales - except this one is for mountain bikers keen to try out the country's world-class trails.

A mere 10 minutes from Glyncorrwg in the village of Duffryn, the Lodge was opened three weeks ago by keen riders Louise and Richard Davis specifically for mountain bikers, and it makes a nice change from the bunkhouse or traditional B&B options usually on offer.

Huge and spacious, it was originally a Miners' Institute housing a large dance hall, skittles alley and library. Today, it feels more like an Alpine ski chalet, its wooden floors capable of dealing with mud and grubby riders and its power hose more than adept at blowing chunks of dirt off derailleurs and chainrings. Probably even more importantly for the mountain bike community, or indeed anyone who enjoys an ale at the end of a day in the fresh air, it has a bar and restaurant on site, both of which look out on to The Wall, one of Afan's five trails.

Read the full article
http://www.afanlodge.com/

Mountain bikers go Dutch in the North East

From BikeRadar

Olympic mountain biker Bart Brentjens led a party of nearly 50 Dutch cyclists on a package holiday to North East England.

The riders checked out the trails at Kielder Water & Forest Park in Northumberland and Hamsterley Forest in County Durham.

They also had a masterclass from Brentjens, gold medallist for Holland at the 1996 Atlanta games.

They were visiting on the the first ever – and oversubscribed – tailor-made biking holiday to the region.

The trip was organised by ferry company DFDS and regional development agency One North East, and supported by Newcastle-based cycle tour organisers Saddle Skedaddle.

Helen McLoughlin, international marketing manager at One North East, said: “Mountain biking is an increasingly popular sport and as Bart’s visit shows, North East England is attracting riders from across Europe.

"The region’s routes, including the challenging Deadwater Fell at Kielder Water & Forest Park, will put even the best bikers to the test and it goes without saying that the views across Northumberland are some of the most attractive in the country."

With further off-road routes set to open this summer, scores more European bikers are expected to cross the North Sea to hit the region's trails between now and October.

Read the full article here
BikeRadar website

How to clear step-ups on climbs

Ahh yes, we've all been there. Nicely in the rhythm on that super-steep technical climb and along comes that pesky rock step or root that you have to get over without losing your balance or momentum. Good of Chris from CycleActive to give us all the low-down on the classic technique for not ending up flat on your backside. Check it out here.

The PR offensive continues!

Not content with the write-up we received from the Sunday Times last year, today saw the second mention of us in the national press - that home of things green, eco-friendly and sandal-wearing, The Guardian...

"Renowned mountain biking guides Fat Tyres run beginners' courses around the summit, but those wanting to DIY it can follow trails that begin seconds from the railway station."

Not bad, eh? Check out the full article here.

New downhill course for the North East

A new downhill track has been created at Kidland Forest in the Cheviot Hills, and it's set to host its first race next month.

The black-rated run is the result of two years' work by riders' group Northern Downhill in partnership with the Forestry Commission and the Northumberland National Park Authority.

Packed with twists, turns and technical features, and described as "steep and fast", the sub-three-minute track will be used solely for competitions.

The first race at the venue will be the opening round of the new Northern Downhill Series, on 4-5 April. It is expected to attract up to 150 riders.

Check out the full article on BikeRadar.
Northern Downhill official website.

Saturday morning spin

What better start to the weekend than a blast up Rivington Pike on the first decent sunny morning we've had for ages?

ROUTE DETAILS
Kicking off from the Lower Barn car park, track up to the Great Barn (either on the road or along the rocky path that runs to the left of it. Head through the carpark and follow the bridleway sign to the left through the gate and up the stony path runnung parallel to the dry stone wall. At the top head round the field then where the track splits, kick left up and through the farmer's field to bring you out just below the Upper Car Park.

From there I usually head up to the right (not up the left - you come DOWN that way!) and follow the track snaking uphill through the Oriental Gardens untill you come out at the gate just above the Pigeon Tower. From there it's a right along the hillside past the public toilets on the wide stony track until you arrive at the gate that leads upto the Pike. At the base of the Pike it's a bit knarly with some huge paved switchbacks but if you get a decent head of steam up that should carry you over and round to the final push up to the top. Mind out for the step-up halfway and that's the summit!



All downhill from here then... roll off the summit via the deeply rutted trail (heading approximately towards Horwich) then pick up the bridleway that tracks around the Pike and go through the gate at the bottom. Turn right here to retrace your steps to the Pigeon Tower and head past it and down the "Ice Cream" run, so-called as in the summer there's an ice-cream van at the bottom! This is pretty technical and not-for the faint-hearted; you either have to opt for the thin singletrack that runs along either side of the trail or the central section with it's huge drop-offs. You pays your money and takes your choice!!! If you get to the bottom in one piece you can either follow your route back to the car park or head out to the main road for a high speed descent off the hillside.