You’d be forgiven for thinking we’ve got competition crazy here at MBUK at the moment!

But Monster Energy wanted to help us celebrate this important milestone, so they gave us a ton of Monster kit to give away, along with a pair of DMR Brendog pedals.

For a chance to win the lot, head to www.futurecomps.co.uk/MBKMONSTER, enter your details, and we’ll be in touch if you win!

If you’ve already got your 2013 diary, we’ve got some dates for you to put in it now! January 17-20 will see London’s Excel play host to the London Bike Show, alongside The Outdoors Show, The Active Travel Show and the Tullet Prebon London Boat Show.

Brands confirmed to attend include Genesis, Ridgeback, Schwalbe, GoPro and more. Once you’ve checked out what the exhibitors have to offer,  take a look at the DMR Pump Track Challenge, where some of the UK’s best riders will race head to head, or get advice from the BikeRadar Training Hub. You can book a session to get a personalised training plan designed here. Use code TRAIN to get your session for £69! Code is valid until 31 December, but book early as there is a limited number of sessions available for this price.

Book your ticket now and save money by entering the discount code WMB12. For more details and to book go to www.thelondonbikeshow.co.uk

The London Bike Show will be returning for 2013, taking place from 17 to 20 January at ExCeL, London.

At the show, you’ll be able to check out the latest bikes and equipment from a range of mountain bike brands,  get a great deal, witness exclusive and rare bikes on The Cool Wall, listen to a fantastic selection of speakers and more…

We’ve teamed up with the organisers to give you some money off the entry fee. Just enter the discount code MB12 on the tickets page to get an adult ticket for just £12 instead of £16! (Code expires 31 December 2012.)

See the UK's best riders go head to head on the DMR Pump Track

Of interest to mountain bikers will be the DMR Pump Track.  It features a packed program of head to head racing, with the best riders in the UK going head to head on two 200m long timber tracks over rollers and berms each day.

There’s also the BikeRadar Training Hub, an exclusive area within the show.

A team of experts from Koolstof Sports Coaching will be on hand to put you through your paces in a series of tests and consultations, designed to enhance your cycling performance and show you exactly where you can improve. Find out exactly what’s involved here.

Have your fitness assessed by cycling experts at the BikeRadar Training Hub

Tickets for the BikeRadar Training Hub are available now (priced at £115 per person), but are extremely limited.

You can book a session on the tickets page of the London Bike Show website. Use the discount code TRAIN to get a  session for just £69 **update – this offer is now sold out**

So without much notice we fired it about on Twitter and the MBUK Facebook and asked him a bunch of questions you guys wanted asking- and here’s his answers…

Sven Martin (World Cup photographer): Can you still whip hung over, after the World Cup finals?

Is this a genuine question? You’ll have to ask him how much money he got for the photoshoot that I got up for especially early in the morning to help him (laughs)

Gareth Bates: Beef or Chicken in your Burrito?

Actually, Carnitas- Pork. It’s the most tender and tasty.

#s4bp @MissionBurritoHQ

Will Minton: What are your tips for Winter training?

Winter training for me is about Cross Country, Dirt Jumps and a lot of action on the motorbikes with the S4P team. I like to get out and do stuff- that’s what motivates me. Whatever you do, you have to want to do it. If it becomes a chore or too regulated you can lose that passion. You need to find what works for you.

Luka Novak: You were third at Pila in 2005- will this happen again?

Hopefully first race back next year! I’ve had five or six third places in my career so far, so I’m hoping to upgrade straight to a first place.

Tim Sadler: Have you got one of those Honda frames hung up in your garage?

No. I bloody wish! Greg (Minnaar) has though- he’s got one hanging up in his own bike shop. I don’t know why I didn’t try harder to get one.

King Harvey: What age did you start being successful at riding?

I guess when I was about fifteen. I was doing English Nationals at the time, and things started coming together. I was in Juvenile category and really had no interest in racing back then, but remember doing pretty well at Combe Sydnenham- and was just bitten by it.

Keith Valentine: Best W/C position? Is it speed, strength or stamina that’s stopped you getting higher?

Well, my best World Cup so far is a third place.

I think it’s been strength at times that’s held me back- it’s a hard one as I think I have most of the skills I need and my heads normally in a good place. There are a lot of elements I guess.

Sometimes after a run I might feel I didn’t push as hard as I can- and other times it can end in a crash. Maybe from not having the strength, maybe from having too much speed in that area.

Mission Burrito: Is Habanero salsa too hot for a first time Burrito?

Definitely too hot for a first timer! I spend a lot of time in Southern Cali at various Burrito establishments so I’m pretty down with my Burritos- but Habanero is too hot for me still!

Smokey Chipotle is perfect for Brendan. Habanero is too much...

James Gould: Skids or wheelies?

(no hesitation ) Definitely skids. Definitely. (looks at me like it was a stupid question).

Robert Chadwick: 29in or 26in?

This is a trick question or what? Obviously 650b all the way (laughs).

Nah, 26in all the way.

A Kinesis, a DMR Bolt, A rusty chained 650b Scott and a mean ass Scott hardtail

 Andrew Neethling (World Cup racer): I hear you’re clipping in next season…

That’s absolute rubbish!

* clips on clip on tie *

We’re actually just bringing out my signature flat pedal with DMR- the DMR Vault Brendog Edition. It’s matt black with gloss graphics and special pics. It’s amazing- really happy to have my own pedal.

Absolute rubbish Needles, you’re wrong.

(laughter)

Brendog's signature pedal...

Ricky Crompton: How was Morzine this year? See anything shocking?

(laughs) What!

Am, I supposed to answer that? Erm, yeah.

 Sami Poutianen: Which size Gambler do you ride?

Size large- it looks a little smaller at a glance as it’s low slung, but it’s good and long.

Ben Baker : How old were you when you were my age?

(laughs)

I reckon about 22.

Tom Hault: Who taught you to whip?

Just practice. I’ve always ridden trails and love jumping- it kind of just started coming on from when I was learning tabletops.

I love them though- they feel as rad as they look.

The Cycle Show is going to be better than ever this year! It’s held at the NEC in Birmingham on 28 to 30 September and is your chance to see brand new gear from the top mountain biking brands.

Specialized, Trek and Madison will be bringing a selection of their test bikes along so there’ll be an amazing choice of 2013 bikes to ride – you can try them out on the Dare2b Mountain Bike demo track.

Inside the NEC halls, you’ll find a new MTB pump track and a VIP lounge where you can meet pro riders, medallists and celebs.

DMR will be hosting a round of their Pump Track Challenge there too, so you can watch pro riders battle it out!

You lucky MBUK readers can get into the show for cheap too! Simply head over to www.cycleshow.co.uk/book and enter the discount code ‘MBUK’ to get a ticket for £11.50, saving you a tidy £4.50 off the on-the-door price.

Try out the latest bikes on the Dare 2b Mountain Bike demo course

On Wednesday I rode the qualifier course, it starts at 2800m up and its 11km long. Today we went right up to the top, Pic Blanc at 3300m altitude. It is the highest lift at Alpe d’Huez and where the main Mega Avalanche race starts.

I had no idea what to expect, there has been lots of talk about the glacier, or lack of it! I met up with a group of Brits including a few who had ridden in previously, Martin Astley of Hotlines and Duncan Ferris of DMR bikes, they have both done well too so I hoped to pick up a few tips. Reaching the very top there really is nothing that can prepare you for it. I’ve watched the videos and seen the pictures but nothing does it justice.

It is high, it is steep and it is like nothing I’ve ridden before. The start is in the snow, deep horrible slushy snow with a few deep tracks through it. I’m not sure about the top guys, but I certainly couldn’t ride it. There are intermittent sections of snow & rock for the first few kilometres where just staying upright will be my main goal, and a pretty tough one too. One section traverses an icy slope before heading down it. Touch the brakes and you hit the deck, as I found out!

Once past the snow it becomes a big rock strewn track with a few absolutely crazy rock drops and step-downs. By the time we got to them I’d lost my bottle and decided to walk several of them and I certainly was not alone. It is a good few kilometres until it starts to become more ‘normal’ of alpine riding, with single track and rocky tracks that I am now confident enough to ride.

We only rode the first half of the course to Alpe d’Huez so I will be riding the bottom section blind, although everyone seemed to think it was point and shoot and not too technical. To round out the day we all headed to the top of the qualifier course for a look at the start. There are a few crazy lines all the way down which are known as the ‘pro lines’ which I can’t even imagine riding, but Martin & Duncan were making them look easy. Often the hardest part is spotting them, rather than actually riding them! The qualifier course is being ridden quite a bit and it is getting badly cut up and new lines are forming, which are often quicker. The “pro lines” are obviously the quickest but take some real commitment and a clear track.

My Rocky Mountain Slayer is amazing and I’m happy riding it and I think I’ve made the right kit choices, except perhaps not having full knee/skin guards. I don’t want to jinx too much before the races though. The only let down is me and my riding, but considering how little of this type of riding I do I think I am doing OK.

Tomorrow is qualification day. I’m in heat 9 of 10 and lucky enough to have a front row spot. All I have to worry about is 180 people behind me all wanting to take the same line through the first corner! My aim is still to qualify in the top 35/200 in the heat, which is what it takes to make the main race. It won’t be easy, but if I have a good start then it might be possible! Once that is over I can start worrying about the main race. We’ll keep you posted on Matt’s progress- hopefully he’ll qualify without a hitch and will be ready for the big race. Don’t forget that Rob, Jamer and Ric are also out there- we’ll let you know how they’re doing when we hear from them!