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We're getting ever closer to September, when we will launch a campaign via the CrowdCube platform offering you the chance to become a shareholder of Singletrack. A real shareholder, part owner and with the chance to benefit from our future growth and success.
As we're thinking about the future, we've been reaching out to the Singletrack MTB community to find out what makes mountain biking (and the community itself!) so special. We've had your vintage and worldwide riding pics, as well as finding out what the community means to you.
We want to know now: what are your all-time favourite bits of Singletrack? Could be a classic article that still makes you laugh, a podcast episode you reckon everyone should hear, a hilarious forum thread (Picolax, anyone?), or just someone in the community who always makes your day better.
Could be a classic article that still makes you laugh
2 articles from Samuri in the early issues
- Roadie 1 & Roadie 2 try to intercept a rogue MTB rider
- the results of MTB injuries including sticking to bedsheets
I was asking where to source some Lego characters for my (then) young daughter. Someone kindly offered to send me their now-grown up kid's figures. I tried to insist on giving him - or the big kid - something for them. His response "that's not how this place works". That's the community aspect, generally speaking. Applies to bike parts, too.
JoB's anti trail centre rant from yeeeeeeeaaars ago
For some reason, I always remember the article Excess Baggage in Issue 144 it was an inspiring and moving article. It made me think about and appreciate the joy of getting out and riding.
No contest. This forum and its users.
I always liked the 'fish out of water' articles, especially the world pedal-car champs which if I remember at the time, got a bunch of criticism, that I couldn't ever figure out why, and it was clarly years ahead of it's time, as GCN of all organsations did a whole half hour video on it!
For me it's been the all-round package of information, advice, and support from the magazine and forum in the first few years of getting back into MTB a few years ago in the pandemic. I searched or asked on STW about many adventures, purchases, workshop jobs etc.
I did email the team a few years ago to say that and thanks, after they posted about some hard times.
For me personally "the voyage of the gnusmasmobile" where for reasons we took a suitably unsuitable car via a ridiculous relay run and a mechanics overhaul from scottish borders to south wales for one of our own who was in need of a car. It was both this place at its best coming together to help someone out with a touch of absurdity and humour. The whole thing just grew arms and legs and was both uplifting and funny.
Came here with a stupid question about cranks or bottom brackets.
Four times I've asked on this forum for ride suggestions in countries far from my home. Each time has resulted in great suggestions. Three times have resulted in personal tours (thanks @sweaman2 @weeksy @ajandtom ) and twice it's even involved bike loans!
You just don't get that with TikFace
I'm pretty sure it was in STW(!) - the interview with Brant Richards in his shed article.
It opened my eyes (and I'm sure many others) that there were other ways of buying a bike rather than heading to a bike shop and buying a big name brand.
He probably wasn't the first to do this but he certainly popularised it, and also opened the doors to many other small bike designers to do the same.
If there were an STW Hall of Fame - I'm reckon Brant would be in it.
There's so many, but generally (if you avoid certain threads...) this place is full of genuinely kind and caring people who go out of their way to help.
Years ago my wife was really struggling with her mental health and I was somewhat isolated because of that. This place came through for me, with calming advice, with suggestions and offers of help. It massively helped me and, by extension, her as well.
The care shown to people like gnusmas is/was touching too, I hope he's doing better now.
In terms of specifics, Molgrips car thread was truly hilarious at the time, Picolax will always amuse and Magnetodog was wonderful too.
I just like it hear, I've been around it so long that it feels like home.
For me it reached a peak in the 2010s when I used to go on rides arranged on here. Met some good friends on those rides.
Did some rides with Bullheart and some of the charity events he arranged - the Bontrager 24/12 with the Bullheart team was a special highlight.
Life changes, and that stuff doesn't happen anymore, but have some great MTBing memories that wouldn't have happened without STW.
For me it was the Piers Barber column from early issues. "Clink-plink!" from issue 17 is my favourite. Bring back Piers!
Did some rides with Bullheart and some of the charity events he arranged - the Bontrager 24/12 with the Bullheart team was a special highlight.
I recognise (have met and ridden / had a drink with) the chaps on either end of that photo. THis place is great.
I don't know if it's quite the same now and I've only just started getting the magazine again after a break but in the early days I really loved the readers articles. So much so I was inspired to write one myself. Otherwise it's the people I've met through here who became friends.
The most memorable and enjoyable magazine articles for me were Mark and his family visiting Bike Verbier, and Chipps having a biking holiday in Idaho (or Colorado? I can’t quite remember). Chipps talked about the trip organisers making pancakes and coffee each morning and rousing the clients each day by calling out Jave, Java, Java in the mornings. I found it completely enthralling!
I haven’t made it to Colorado or Idaho, but I did make it to Verbier a few times. I even managed to tag along on one of Bike Verbier’s outings.
Also the "Bike Porn" section of the earlier magazines was normally superb - there were some really interesting/ unique bikes covered.
Any post that started off with "Anyone handy with photoshop, can you just..."
For me it's that everyone on the forum bitches like hell. And then someone needs help, and suddenly there's a crowd of people standing up to do whatever they can.
For me it's the forum. Especially Gordimhor's posts he's a genius.
Also enjoy the articles that deal with riding remote areas and generally coverage of mountain biking that's not focused on trail centres. Although there is nothing wrong with trail centres