Australian Mountain Bike Issue 197

Australian Mountain Bike magazine is Australia's leading off road cycling publication, and features extensive and industry-leading mountain bike and product reviews. It tracks down the greatest trails to ride, offers columns dedicated to both the first time rider and pro racer, plus some of the best mountain bike imagery in the world. Exclusive and inclusive - covering the full spectrum of the sport, trust AMB to give you the best advice from the sport's best journalists.

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in this issue

IN THIS ISSUE

Pumped

RIDERS: DAN BOOKER (RIGHT) AND JACK MOIR PHOTOGRAPHER: SVEN MARTIN The Enduro World Series (EWS) came back with a bang in June, with the first round in the Tweed, United Kingdom. While all eyes were on Jack Moir, there were plenty of stand out results from the Australian riders. Dan Booker raced to 5th in Elite men, and Jack Moir was 26th. RIDERS: LUKE MEIER-SMITH (LEFT) AND JOSH CARLSON PHOTOGRAPHER: SVEN MARTIN Luke Meier-Smith has been belting it, and he won the U21 EWS round in the UK. Even better, Ryan Gilchrist was 3rd! Josh Carlson finished 16th and Mick Hannah was 5th in the EWS-E race.…

1 min

FAST TRACK

BETTER WITH FRIENDS

It is hard to replicate a trail experience from one ride to another. Even if we try to have the same ride, the same conditions, the same stoke – I don’t think it ever ends up the same. I reckon that is because our on trail experiences change every time. From interaction with other riders, or how we engage with the environment around us, or just the mood we head to the trails in and the mood when we leave. No one ride can ever be the same as the next. And I think that’s great. While I’m happy to come home with a different experience and memories from any ride, the past few months have been a reminder that some of the best rides, and best memories, are those shared…

2 min

FAST TRACK

INDIGO EPIC LANDS THIS SUMMER

In 2014, the Southern Hemisphere received its first IMBA accredited Epic trail with the opening of the Buller Epic Trail. It met the coveted standards of 80% singletrack and a minimum length of 32km traversing wild and natural terrain. Other members of this elite club include Old Ghost Road in New Zealand and the famous Alps Epic in Switzerland. Since Buller, Australia had yet to see another attempt at an Epic trail despite the enormous size of our continent and growing mountain bike infrastructure. Until now. The Indigo Shire Council, nestled in the High Country of Victoria, is close to completing Australia’s second IMBA accredited Epic Trail. Construction began in 2021 and is set to finish near the end of summer 2022/2023. The trail will connect the historic towns of Beechworth…

3 min

FAST TRACK

IGNITION TURNS IT ON FOR 2022

The Ignition mountain bike event doesn’t just kick off a green season of mountain biking at Falls Creek and surrounds, it’s a standout event for the whole summer calendar. Blue Dirt have created an event that is the best mix of riding, talking about bikes, learning about riding bikes, food and beverages and live music. And that’s just as a rough summary! Kicking off at midday on Friday 18th November, Ignition has so many options to ride, including 11km of new trails that should be open for summer. There are bike shuttles and beginner and intermediate guided rides, and of course demo bikes from the likes of Norco, Canyon, Rocky Mountain, Commencal, YT and Forestal. Oakley even have demo goggles! There’s plenty to enjoy at Ignition, with a beer hall to…

1 min

FAST TRACK

ESCAPE TO REEF TO REEF

Are you tired of cold winter rides? Could you use some time at the beach, and the chance to visit some World Heritage listed areas? Do you just want to get out and ride? It sounds like you need to sign up for Reef to Reef. This 4-day mountain bike event sits in the tropical playground of Cairns and beyond, offering one of the most diverse ranges of trails and experiences of any mountain bike event in Australia. Running from 18-21 August, Reef to Reef takes you through the world-class trails at Smithfield, before tackling the Davies Creek network in the Dry Tropics. After that, you’ll twist between rainforest trails, countryside singletrack and cattle country at Mt Molloy, before tackling the iconic Bump Track to finish right on the beach at…

1 min

FAST TRACK

KICKBACK AT THE REDBACK

If blue skies, flowing singletrack, red dirt and warm days sounds like exactly what you need this August, then you have to take a closer look at The Redback. This popular 4-day mountain bike event in Alice Springs is not just an ideal winter warmer, but a rocking few days riding in central Australia as well. The event runs from 18-21 August. Alice is surrounded by mountain bike trails, and the proximity to town means you’re always just a short roll from your hotel to the trail head – and that’s something that makes a trip out to The Redback such a low-stress affair. With Rapid Ascent’s professional event organisation, you’ve got very little to think about save for turning up for event starts and bringing a bike that works. The event…

1 min