The GT Bicycles Malverns Classic has always lived up to its name, but, for us, this year’s edition was the best yet. Organisers Si and Oli Paton have really got into their stride, and us punters know what to expect – the biggest bike party of the summer! Here are some of our favourite bits from 2023…
10 things that made this summer's malvern hills bikefest one to remember
1 the have-a-go heroes
It was great to see so many people getting stuck in and trying new things. Youngsters could be found hitting the Frog Bikes kids’ zone, DMR pump track or GT Hans Rey trials area, getting some expert tips from Mark Clements and the crew at Apex Cycle Coaching or taking part in the Pinkbike Balance Bike World Championships. For those of more advanced years, the racing was the big draw. Matt and Jono Jones swapped slopestyle and enduro, respectively, for the 4X National Champs start line, Ben Deakin seemed to have entered everything and even organiser Si Paton got involved between the tape, taking the grand vets win in the dual slalom. Of course, we weren’t going to be left out! Our YouTube presenter Will braved the Evans Cycles Lake Ride and (narrowly!) made it across unscathed, while our videographer Max was beyond stoked to nail his first backflip on the iXS Air Bag.
2 no one left out
This year’s Malverns showed what a ‘broader church’ mountain biking has become in the past few years. It’s no longer just youngish blokes worshipping at the altar of tech and trails, but riders of all ages, genders, shapes and sizes. In particular, it was brilliant to see so many adaptive bikes being raced.
3 the partying!
The atmosphere was great all weekend, but particularly in the evenings, when an array of covers bands and DJs kept the crowds entertained. None more so than on Saturday night, when – and yes, we may be biased here – former MBUK features editor Andrew ‘Doddy’ Dodd took to the stage for a banging set. The music ended at midnight, but that just meant it was time to head back to the tents for the afterparties!
5 cruisin' for a dunkin'
The lake ride is always a high point of the weekend and this year’s didn’t disappoint. Matt Jones took a break from being absolutely swamped by young fans at his Helfare stand to, well, being absolutely swamped in the lake, where he was joined by everyone from downhiller Becci Skelton and young pinner Harry
