For us, 2023 was the year when it really felt like things had gone back to normal. No lockdowns, no mask-wearing, no sky-rocketing inflation. The cost-of-living crisis continues, but travel has opened up again, events are once more drawing big crowds and we can ride when and where we want. While the bike industry is still in a spot of bother, there’s been plenty to celebrate this year, from epic racing to exciting tech. Here are our high points…
TOM B.O.T.Y. BOUNCES BACK WITH A BANG
“I make no bones about the fact I love travelling, seeing new places, riding unfamiliar trails, eating good food and generally being in a sunny environment. This year, after a hiatus from 2020 to ’22, we managed to take our annual Bike of the Year shoot over to Italy, to beautiful Dolceacqua. There were trials and tribulations (the less said about the signatures required at the border, the better!), and, in a post-Brexit world, the admin required for a trip like this is hugely frustrating. But all good things come to those who wait, and the photos and videos we shot were bangers. (As were the pizzas and gelatos!)”
JCW HATTON WINS THE WORLDS
“Danny Hart’s a hard act to follow, so when Charlie Hatton dropped in for his finals run at this year’s World Championships, expectations weren’t particularly high. But, as he despatched the muddy Fort William track with ease and split time after split time came up green on the big screen, a buzz began to spread through the bedraggled crowd – Julia, Rach and I among them. I’ll never forget the roar when he crossed the line in first place, and the celebrations in the Atherton Racing pits and Nevis Range gondola station were off the hook, too!”¬
LUKE MATT WALKER RACKS UP THE LAPS
“It’s not often you get to ride with a former World Cup champ, in the Alps no less, and in glorious sunshine and dust. I don’t know what I did for the mountain bike gods to bless me that day, but thanks! I did have to descend over 9,000m, but I should see that as a bonus. Chasing Matt for our Saracen Everest challenge (MBUK 428) was humbling and inspiring. Watching him effortlessly thrash out downhill laps while I battled to keep him in sight was a brutal privilege. Plus, he’s a sound guy. Even if my hands are still sore, it was totally worth it.
RACH MENORCA HITS THE MTB MAP
“Sun, travel andpushing my limits on the bike are all things that make me tick, so I jumped at the chance to head to Menorca for
