Mountain Bike Skills

Brian Lopes out to win at the World Cup

THERE are risks involved requesting an interview slot with the all-round bike god of the downhill scene.

Will you swoon when he picks up his cell? Will you ask a ‘dumb ass’ question? Or worse. Will anecdotes about Uncle Joes mint balls and Earl Gray simply fail to cut the mustard of a yawning time-zone difference.

Luckily for me, I was interviewing Brian Lopes (that’s Lopes as in slopes not the Jennifer kind) and the man who is described as 'the best all around world class cycling athlete' is generally too cool to worry about funny tasting mints or tea.

He knows what he does best: biking. And apart from a cranky skewer dropping off mid-way through the first World Cup event of 2008, this mega star of the biking world is generally riding high…

Brian Lopes out to make up ground

EXCLUSIVE

AFTER coming 33rd in the first World Cup of 2008, the king of skills Brian Lopes is going to be all out to get back on the podium - and he will be chatting to us later today about how he's planning to do it!

Europeans dominated the first World Cup 4X of 2008 with the second round at the end of May in Andorra.

But the multi prize winning star will be back on top form after he's fixed his dodgy back wheel....

Join a mountain biking club in the north west

IF you are dusting off your mountain bike or wanting to start off there are several clubs and mountain bike societies you might want to join.
Being part of a club not only gives you an extra kick when you might be feeling lazy, but helps you share knowledge of local trails and excellent rides.
Where skills are concerned, there's also plenty of people to help you out with the basics or warn you when the terrain is likely to get a little more hairy.

Manchester new off road trails

NEW trails will be coming to Stockport if riders in Manchester get their way.
Under the watchful steer of organiser Brian Cook there could be an "off road" MTB park suitable for all ages and abilities by this time next year.
Manchester Mountain Bikers have raised the £1.2million to make it possible and are now vying to prove the land owners - Stockport Council - that the plans are a goer.

About Mountain Biking Racing

MOUNTAIN biking means many different things to different people. Some like a leisurely jaunt along the canal; others like extreme downhill or technical climbs.
For the elete few, there's also the added challenge of competing. As the race season gets into full swing, here's a breakdown of the kind of skills you will need...

World's test even in Italy

Steve Peat Second as Sam Hill Dominates World's Test Event

Location: Val Di Sole, Italy
Event Date: May 4, 2008
Report: Nigel Page for The Syndicate

Nigel Page reports from Northern Italy on a high-profile test event for this year's World Downhill Championships, which attracted some of the world's top riders.

Cycle to work scheme

CYCLISTS and mountain bikers have been taking up the chance to get a new bike - and use it to cycle to work.
Statistics sourced today revealed that more than 20,000 bikes have so far been purchased by mountain bike enthusiasts and general cyclists under the Cyclescheme.
The initiative was launched by the Government in 2005 as a way of encouraging more people to use green friendly transport options to work.
Some cyclists have bought bikes worth £2,000 and saved around £800.
But the scheme has come under criticism from some employers who have found the paperwork just too much of an uphill slog.
And changes to the tax system from April 2008 mean the scheme is less lucrative than it used to be.

Mountain bike for charity

MOUNTAIN bike riders are being urged to take part in a charity event.
The Hearts First Bike Ride - South Downs Way Challenge 2008 - will be held on Saturday 28 June and Saturday 26 July in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

Healy Nab trail ideas wanted

EXCLUSIVE

THE MAN driving the consultation forward for more mountain bike trails in and around Rivington today revealed precise details of the plans.
Ian Hart, Lancashire Countryside Service West Pennine Moors, is overseeing work to build new trails around Healy Nab on the West Penine Moors.
He urged mountain bikers to join the consultation and post comments - before the deadline for final designs in May.
And he sent a clear message to everyone in the mountain biking community: use it but respect it - the eyes of everyone in the outdoor community will be watching how this goes.

New mountain bike trails to be built at Healy Nab

NEW PURPOSE built mountain bike trails are set to be erected around Rivington - designed by an elete down hill racer.
The move comes after mountain bikers have been left increasingly frustrated by the number of trails flattened or sanitised for walkers.
Enthusiast mountain biker Rowan Sorrell, with 16 years riding experience, from racing cross-country to more recently downhill, has been put in charge of design.
Rowan is an Elite level downhill racer riding for Mojo Suspension, competing on the UCI world cup circuit and currently ranked 5th in the UK, has been enlisted to help design the technical trails.
Ian Hart, Lancashire Countryside Service West Pennine Moors, is overseeing the work - and making sure the area appeals to everyone.