Everyone has a secret bucket list. Maybe it’s not written down, but we all have those things we would love to tick off, the ultimate adventures that we promise ourselves we will do one day. However, if your aspirations are lacking inspiration, we have the list for you.
Summer is coming, hallelujah! After the dark and dank of winter, long summer days are precious and shouldn’t be wasted. It’s time to grab a beer, get out the maps, round up your buddies and plan something awesome. We’re not talking about swimming with dolphins, or skydiving strapped to a ‘Point Break’ instructor while he tries to hit on your girlfriend. We’re talking about proper, awesome bike adventures. We rounded up our global editorial team to see what advice they had to make this the ‘summer of summers’. It’s time for the ENDURO bucket list.
Andreas: Try bikepacking
Mountain biking is about more than just adrenaline – it enables you to discover the world in an intimate way at a pace that suits you. Faster than on foot, but still self-sufficient and self-powered (aside from the occasional coffee), you’ll still be able to absorb nature and interact with the people you meet a lot more than you could do any other way. There’s no need to go all-in on a multi-week adventure trip though. Simply find a point of interest you’ve been wanting to visit and go there by bike. Or grab a sleeping bag and bivy bag, ride to the top of your nearest proper mountain and spend the night there. Seeing the sun go down and rise again from the same spot is a very unique experience, no matter where you are. If you liked that taster, grab a hardtail, some bags and maybe a lightweight tent and the world is yours!
Andi’s tip: Bring your favourite alcoholic beverage. It helps you sleep soundly and block out all the unusual noises if you’re not used to them – especially if you happen to sleep in the woods. But please resist the temptation of filling your social media channels with sunsets. Just enjoy the moment in private or with the friends/partner you brought along.
Christoph: Go to Canada
It sounds cliché, but Canada really is the land of dreams for mountain bikers. In any bike movie, that’s where the best parts will undoubtedly have been filmed. Fresh loamy trails, huge jumps, amazing forests – Canada has it all. It’s the ultimate experience for any mountain biker. But instead of just flying over and hopping straight on the Whistler express bus to shred A-Line, we suggest you take a different approach. Go to Vancouver, get a camper van and explore the country. Our favourite route starts at the iconic trails in North Vancouver, before heading to the trail paradise of Squamish, followed by the huge jumps in Whistler. From there you can travel to the steep rock rollers of Pemberton before you drive to the desert in Kamloops. The last two stops of your trip should be Revelstoke and then Nelson to finish. Each of these stops alone could keep you busy for at least 3 weeks, but combining them in a round trip makes it a once in a lifetime experience.
Christoph’s tips: Whistler is awesome, but instead of just doing park laps all day long, go and explore the trails around. There is some real trail-gold hidden around and it’s worth pedalling a bit to get there.
Trevor: Ride the Megavalanche
There is no race more iconic than the mighty Megavalanche in Alpe D-Huez, France. It’s an all-out assault on the senses. Imagine careening down a black graded ski run on your bike, hitting 100 km/h on the glacier then charging down one of the longest gravity races in Europe! Now imagine doing all this at over 3000 m altitude and throwing another 400 riders into the mix, all trying to beat you to the bottom – insane! Some would say that the Megavalanche is a rite of passage to become a real mountain biker, a true test of body and bike. Others would say it’s just outright lunacy. Whatever you think, it’s certainly bucket list worthy. The beauty of the Megavalanche experience is that there are many races, all grouped according to ability so you will find yourself battling with riders of the same level. Round up some buddies and earn that 1000-yard Mega stare this summer while you whisper “You don’t know man, you weren’t there” at the bar.
Trev’s tip: If you are lucky enough to head out this year, my tip is to focus on practising for the qualifying course, as that’s where the really intense action happens. The best way to train is to operate a jack-hammer for an hour, sucking air through a straw while someone hurls spadefuls of dust and dirt at your face – that should do it until you get to the actual race.
Thomas: PTry an eMTB
Sure, you don’t need an eMTB, but if you haven’t already tried one on a proper mountain bike trail, then 2019 is the year to do it. There’s one main reason for you to ride one – it’s awesome fun! If you’re new to biking or don’t have enough fitness to ride all day in the mountains then an eMTB will help you access a whole world of fun and adventure. Already biking fit? An eMTB is perfect for recovery day rides as it will get your heart rate up and stoke levels high, without pushing your muscles too far. Already shred? An eMTB can help push you to the next level – after all, who doesn’t want more fun going up, more time riding downhill or more runs at the bike park? Demo, hire, borrow or buy one, but ride one this year and prepare to have your mind blown.
Thomas’ tip: going on a biking holiday? Hire an eMTB a few days into the trip when your legs are starting to suffer and enjoy a pain-free full-day of riding that will give your legs a chance to recover whilst not missing a single day’s riding.
Valentin: Flying high and a bit higher
Coming from slopestyle mountain biking I’ve caught a bit of air in my time. However, following a big crash when I was 16, I’ve never made it back to high jumps. But there’s a quiet voice deep inside my head which is whispering all the time about 16-meter kickers and badass drops. This year is hopefully the time to face the deep sleeping fear and get back on the big bike and smash some massive hips and jumps with more than a few seconds air time. If your pop lacks pop, or your whips are straight airs, use this summer to up your game. Taking your riding to the air will transform how you see your trails – roots and rock gardens are no problem if you just jump over them. If you are new to jumps, book some quality coaching to get the basics dialled before sending it to the moon.
Valentin’s tip: Try to start on small table tops without gaps. It’s even easier if you have friends with a lot of experience to go in front of you to help you gauge the right speed, especially if you’re starting to jump doubles.
Felix: Watch the real pros!
Have you ever found yourself in lacking motivation? Even though the weather, bike and trails are in perfect condition you still prefer that well-worn spot on your sofa. If the latest and sickest edits on Youtube don’t get you out on the trails, you have one more chance to light the fire again. Go and watch a world-class race! It doesn’t matter if it’s a world cup downhill, freeride or slopestyle event, a national enduro race or even a top-level cross country race – the way the top-pros of our sport ride is absolutely unreal! Watching them in real life (GoPro makes every gnarly track look easy) will blow your mind about what’s possible on a bike. Combine that with the electric atmosphere around the finish line and the bike-porn in the pits and you will be raring to go out and shred on your bike.
Felix’s tip: If there’s an elite level race or event, the trails in the area will be absolutely crowded, hammered to death and sometimes even closed. Combine the event with a trip to a nearby location. Enjoy race day and the party that night and move on to the “crowd-free” bike nirvana in the next valley.
Robin: Explore your own kingdom
You don’t have to wrestle angry bears, drink from ditches or play Russian roulette with dodgy food to be an explorer. There are still a lot of adventures you can have closer to home. Is there a trail nearby that you always wished you had ridden or a line on a map that you have never explored? Carpe diem, seize the day, and go and check it out. If you don’t live in a trail nirvana, check out the urban adventures on tap instead. It’s easy to get stuck in a loop, yes the trails that you ride may be the best in your area, but there is nothing more exciting than blasting down a trail that you’ve never ridden before. This summer make it your aim to ride something new. If you’ve already ridden everything, why not plan a mega day, riding EVERY trail in your area. Become the king of your kingdom this summer.
Robin’s tip: Routine strikes at all of us at some point. Clear your mind and try to see your home trails with fresh eyes. If you’re always riding the fastest line try the gnarliest or the most fun line. And I’m sure that there is that one crossing on your route where you always take a right, but why not take a left and explore what’s further on? If you’re still hungry for exploration, ask your bike buddies about undiscovered trails or if you’re 100% sure that you’ve ridden EVERY trail in your area, then it’s maybe time to start building a new one. Expand your kingdom!
Finlay: Learn a new skill with coaching
They always say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but I have an eight-year-old Spaniel that I have taught to fetch my shoes in the morning, so it can definitely be done. If there’s a skill or lack thereof, that has been holding you back, it’s time to get some coaching. Do you cower at the mention of drops or jumps? If so, make this the summer that you overcome your fears. One hour with an experienced coach will save you weeks of frustration and it can also be a right laugh. Investing in your riding skills will benefit you more than any ‘new tech’ or ‘suspension voodoo’ and will help you make the most of the trails you love.
FA’s tip: Learn to bunny-hop (on flat pedals!). Learning the correct bunny-hop technique will open up a world of new options on the trail. You’ll be able to hop up onto high lines you never even looked at before, and pre-jump rollers and drops for maximum speed. The same core technique also applies to jumps and will maximise your control and air time.
We hope our list has left you feeling inspired. Now the weather is improving, we’re looking forward to ticking off some amazing experiences. Find your own adventure and make 2019 the best summer of all time.
This article is from ENDURO issue #038
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