Inside Issue #207 of AMB - Alpine Issue Volume 10

Issue #207 of AMB went on sale at the start of December, and it is our fattest issue for about 5 years! AMB is now a quarterly title, and part of that shift has seen an extra 16 pages added to each issue. So here we are at the start of another iconic Australian summer, with another Alpine Issue of Australian Mountain Bike. This is actually the tenth alpine themed issue we have published. And I don't think it will be the last. Mountains are a big part of mountain biking, and some of the most dramatic mountains are those in the alpine mountain chains around the world. These vertiginous places can sometimes be off-limits to bikes due to the sheer terrain they hold – but mostly, it's the perfect place to ride.

Mountain ranges around the world are littered with trails that have evolved from the passage of humans and the development of trade. Their gradients work, their paths go places, they have water on the routes, and sometimes they even shed their winter coats faster than nearby slopes. There is a lot to be said for ancient trails that have passed the test of time. These trails can offer a lifetime of mountain biking experiences or an all-time afternoon shred, and anything in-between. I tackled a long route across the Swiss Alps in August, which I have covered in this issue. It was a fresh reminder of why trails are fun, but trails in big mountains are better.

Closer to home, our own alpine playground is open for summer. We've covered the new trails at Falls Creek, and taken a look at the key details of the best mountain bike parks to ride this summer, including Thredbo with their latest traid additions. So get out, go ride, step into the big mountains and ride in the big wide world this summer!

We have a great subscription offer from our friends at BikesOnline, and just by subscribing you can enter to win a berand new Polygon Siskiu T6E trail e-bike worth $5499! We actually have the same model tested in this issue as well, and it's a tonne of fun and super capable. Subscriptions start at $49.95 for a year – get all the details on our subscriptions page. 

In this issue we have a story from Imogen Smith, who visited Canada to ride and race Singletrack 6, a 6-day mountain bike event in the Rocky Mountains. There were bears, beers and bumbags – and a bloody good time on some testing trails. 

It is really worth catching the story from Chris Panozzo about the new trails at Falls Creek. As a high country local Chris has seen how the trails have developed over a decade, and as he notes, some of the new trails are totally unique compared to anything else built at Falls Creek to this date – they're really worth checking out!

We have 19 bikes and products testing in this issue. From the Polygon Siskiu T6E e-bike, to the new Husqvarna MC6 and hard-hitting Polygon Collosus N7. We've also tested new tyres, tyre liners, a gravel group set from Shimano, new shoes, wheel sets from DT Swiss, helmets, enduro and downhill tyres from Pirelli, nutrition, clothing and more!

Plus there's skills advice, nutrition tips, training advice and of course a low down on how to service cartridge bearings. It's a big issue with lots to read and ponder over summer. 

See you in 2024!