The mountains are constantly calling me, enticing me with their grandeur and breathtaking beauty. They put me at ease in this topsy-turvy world and do wonders for my mental health. So, when I was tasked with putting MET's Parachute MCR convertible helmet through its paces, I knew exactly where I was heading. With a general plan to bag as many peaks as possible, and access issues counting out the Welsh mountains, I cast my sights further north.
As a Scot, I don't know much about the Lake District, but I do know the mountains there are scattered with jagged rocks and big boulders, so I was glad to be tackling this terrain with the protection of a full-face lid. I roped in my mate Issy to accompany me - adventures are better with friends, right? She was one of the first people I'd ridden with down in MBUK's hometown of Bristol, and her personality and riding style match my own, so I knew she'd be up for this mission.
HAVE I GOT IT IN ME?
With this being my first big trip away for the mag, it's fair to say I was a little apprehensive. All the planning involved was daunting, and then there was the pressure to meet the brief. However, it wasn't until snapper James Vincent asked whether I'd be OK with hike-a-bike that I questioned whether I'd even be able to complete the ride. James had done his research, was aware of my past back injury and rightly so - wanted to make sure I was up for lugging an enduro bike on my shoulders. "I'll be fine," I told him, but it was on my mind. Would I? "Ach weel, it adds another dimension to the challenge." I reasoned with myself and I love a challenge!
This story is from the May 2023 edition of Mountain Biking UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2023 edition of Mountain Biking UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BIKETEST BACKCOUNTRY HARDTAILS
We see whether carbon fibre or steel, big-name value or boutique attention to detail comes out on top on the trails
NUKEPROOF MEGAWATT CARBON 297 RS
The original Megawatt proved itself almost instantly, winning our inaugural E-Bike of the Year award in 2022.
CALIBRE LINE T3 29
£1,100 (with £5 GO Outdoors card) Cost-effective proper' mountain bike
FIRST RIDES
STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX & ONTO THE TRAILS
ROUTES QUICK BLASTS
Facing shorter days and inclement weather, Max finds three satisfying routes that show it doesn't have to be an all-day ride or nothing
GRIME TIME
EXPERT WORKSHOP ADVICE
TRAILCREW HAVOK BIKEPARK
A hand-cut, rider-built bike park, Havok reopened earlier this year at a new site in West Yorkshire and is still expanding
From dust it did rise
Steve Thomas traces the birth of British mountain biking, from 'tracker bikes' to Muddy Fox
THROW DOWN THE CAUNTLET
In our final challenge of the series, we see if e-bikes really are as good at climbing as they're cracked up to be, as we tackle Antur Stiniog back to front
THE RIDER OFF YEAR' 23
THE BIG REVEAL! You voted in your thousands - now meet our winners...