SKILLS TO TAME THEM BOTH

Nowadays there are loads of different places to ride our bikes. Trail centres are well established while the network of handbuilt tracks in local riding spots seems to get larger every year. With this expansion comes a lot more choice, from bike parks, trail centres and local pump tracks with their distinctive flavour, to natural trails and community-led projects. Most mountain bikers over a certain age will tell you that natural trails are real biking, but the lure of the sustainable trail has loads of advantages.

This month we look at the similarities and differences between wild trails and bike parks, highlight the skills they both call for, and discuss the pros and cons of each location.

BIKE PARKS

HIGHS

Trail centres or bike parks provide a safe place to ride all year round. Think of them as indoor climbing arenas. They usually have a changing room and a cafe (although whether they’re open at the moment is another matter), are clearly waymarked and open in