Yep, today we’re celebrating a quarter of a century of Mountain Biking UK, and we’ve got a whole host of retro goodness to help us do that!

Let’s start with the outside! This month’s mag comes specially packaged in a collector’s edition box, and the cover pays homage to one of mountain biking’s true icons – Jason McRoy. JMC  was responsible for some of the most memorable shots that helped inspire a generation. We asked one of today’s most exciting talents, Josh Bryceland, to give us his take on some classic JMC moves and show how far ahead of his time he was… check out the one that made the cover on the left.

To mark the special occasion, we’re giving away a free 68-book that bring you the 100 Best Bits of Bike Bling Ever  - all the gear that’s shaped the way we ride. It was a real labour of love to put it together, and we’d love to know what you think. Did you own any of the retro products we featured? Have we missed any bit of classic kit? Let us know below, or via Facebook or Twitter.

It’s been a wild 25 years, and as part of the celebrations we’re looking back over the 25 best things we’ve ever done (from the loop of fire to Whistler Bike Park), and rounding up the 25 feats we’d like to do next.

The four biggest legends of mountain biking – Rob Warner, Will Longden, Martyn Ashton and Steve Peat – get together to look back over 25 years of MBUK, and the sport itself. Martyn even writes us a special column to commemorate this milestone!

We also look back at how the bikes we ride, the technology attached to them and the places we ride them have changed in that time (clue, a lot).

The dream bike that YOU helped build over on our Facebook and Twitter pages will be revealed – and we’ll be telling you how YOU can win it!

There’s a super special double-page edition of Mint Sauce, and look back at Steve Peat’s 1993 Kona Hei Hei and how it compares to his current Santa Cruz V10 in Super Bike.

The MBUK team reflect on the best bikes they’ve ‘owned’ in their time with MBUK, plus we test six very different steeds in an attempt to discover the best bike you can buy for £1,000. We also round up 15 sets of all-rounder wheels, try out six of the best trail saddles and review all the latest new MTB gear.

The Wrecking Crew hit the Malverns with Tracy Moseley and Dave Hemming, an area that’s steeped in MTB history, and the Big Ride guide takes us to Exmoor – one of the most underrated riding spots in the country.

And don’t think we’ve forgotten about you! There’s a special Readers’ Rides gallery showing a ton of the retro photos you sent us – and the ones we couldn’t fit in the mag will be featured right here on this blog next week!

Get your copy today, and don’t miss out on the chance to celebrate MBUK’s 25th anniversary!

Aaron Gwin has already clinched the overall from Greg Minnaar, but Greg isn’t safe with all to play for, with Gee Atherton a measly 19 points behind in 3^rd place.

As for the women, the overall is still undecided, with Rachel Atherton and Emmeline Ragot in hot contention for the title. It could go home with either of them.

The track looks like a combination of some pretty gnarly jumps at the top of the course into some super steep and rooty wooded sections with a couple of long, high speed grassy sections thrown in for good measure.

Will Longden’s been twittering…

With that, the riders seem to be loving the track on the tweetbox…

Looking at the track, there are plenty of riders in with a chance here – the loose rocky, rooty gnar will no doubt give the young guns some ammo to lock and load. We’ve got a feeling it might not be the Aaron Gwin domination that people have come to expect. Riders like Josh Bryceland will be hungry to translate some strong results from the rest of the season into a win, and the ultra consistent, now World Champion, Greg Minnaar can’t be ruled out either.

We can’t help thinking that this track will suit the ragged style of Emmeline Ragot, provided she can stay on her bike and get down in one piece. Rachel Atherton will be pushing the limits though, she’ll be strong on the pedally sections and hungry for that overall win.

Check it out here:

The Downhill World Champs are taking place in Leogang at the end of this month, and the latest This Is Peaty shows Peaty following Greg Minnaar down the course for the 2012 event.

It doesn’t really need much more introduction than that, so without further ado, check out the video below…

It’s going to be one heck of a show!

Steve Peat flying the flag- would it look this good at the Olympics?

Our heart rates are already up just thinking about the Brits representing at the Velodrome, and how likely they are to take away a lot of medals. And the same too for the Cross Country MTB crew doing us proud at Hadley Farm.

But really what we- and most people we know- are calling for is the biggest, baddest and most exciting form of mountain biking to make it to the games. But does it belong there or should it be at the X-games instead?

The whole idea of the Olympic Games is that the sports are down to sportsmanship and fair game- not the tools used. Cross Country mountain biking sees most riders on very similar bikes- they may as well all be the same given the advantages between them all.

It’s the riders that really make the magic happen.

Track racing is done on bikes virtually identical to each other and Skiing is done on skis virtually the same as the next set.

Downhill mountain bikes vary immensely. Weight, suspension travel, geometry, efficiency, design– and the list goes on. Plus, the terrain they ride them on deteriorates as the race goes on. Meaning a lot of factors affect what the riders can do- despite current top times being so close. Apart from that American chap though,  who’s riding on his own at the moment.

Imagine if downhill mountain biking could be classed- like sailing…

Bikes could be built by different manufacturers but all have to adhere to a design, weight, length etc- removing the bike factor from the equation.

It’s certainly a talking piece right now here at MBUK towers- what’s your take on downhill mountain biking at the Olympics?

The best ‘things to do when your’re bored at work’ that we found this month, collected together in one handy place!

Silent Troy
Troy Brosnan strapped a helmet cam on just before he crocked himself at the iXS Cup in Leogang. Check out his mental speed but also just how quiet his Specialized Demo is…

Uprising
Rising Up is not only the opening line of one of our favourite 80s power ballads but also the title of this bumper 34-minute Aussie DH video. Well worth a ganders after a day’s riding.

Roastin’ Santa Cruz
Cody Gessel is mates with hamster-faced Californian JD Swanguen. He provides the coolest dirt jump/street edits we’ve ever seen paired with Belinda Carlisle.

Warner warning
Red Bull think the world still hasn’t seen enough of Rob Warner so, worryingly, have given him a show – Rob’s Dirty Business. Contains (male) nudity.

See also - Dirty Business episode two, three and four!

Rocketman
Cotic Bikes have recently unveiled their latest full sus design, the Rocket. And what better way to celebrate this than some rapid trail roasting in a superhero outfit?!

Doddy does D-Line
Our very own Andrew Dodd climbs aboard his trusty Ibis Mojo HD and trains it down the new D-Line trail at Blaenau Ffestiniog, Snowdonia, Wales.

Fort William is our favourite DH race of the season!

The luckier members of the MBUK team are off to Fort William for the third round of the MTB DH World Cup this weekend, and we’ve been debating what’s going to go down at our favourite downhill race of the season!

Here our are predictions…

Doddy, Features Editor
Clearly Greg Minnaar is always a top three threat. He’s the Iceman on the scene. He flies clean. No mistakes. The same can’t be said for Danny Hart with his on-the-absolute-limit of what can be done on a bike. He’s definitely Maverick, and while he could pull in the run of all runs, he could go down in flames too.

Aaron Gwin though, despite ironing out the course last year, and putting 7.5 seconds into people last weekend, he claims he still has more in reserve. This I have to see. He’s so mentally on it, and has the skill to follow his level-headedness. What’s he gonna do?  Being like the Viper of the crew, he comes across cool, calm and calculated. We might see something special here.

Who do I want to win though? Tough question. It would be amazing to see Marc Beaumont bag it, and likewise Brendan Fairclough. Gee Atherton needs a win too to remind him that he is that damned good. And clearly Rachel Atheron has to stamp her authority down – I won’t be alone ib screaming the house down for her.

For overseas contenders it has to be Andrew Neethling – he’s one of the nicest guys in the sport with outrageous style on a bike. Get it done Needles!

Will Danny Hart ride his Glory to glory at Fort William?

Rob, Technical Editor
Like Doddy said, Danny Hart is a pinner and has proved he’s got form on that track after winning the BDS with drivetrain problems and I think Val di Sole proved that he can still ride fast without getting out of shape. He know’s Fort Bill and loves it there so I think he’s a top three contender.
Greg Minnaar will also be up there – his smooth, speed-carrying style translates perfectly to Fort Bill… hence all the wins he’s had there in the past.

Aaron Gwin will win though. He’s so prepared both physically and mentally. He’s the new Sam Hill and will force all the other guys to re-evaluate who they train and race in order to keep up with him. The track suits his style of riding and he’s ridiculously strong so can handle the big hits. Gee Atherton will be a contender for the top three but understandably, those niggling injuries will play on his mind. If Steve Smith’s hand holds up, he’ll be top five.

Cam Cole could be the one that rocks the boat. He’s always knocking on the door up in Fort Bill and he’s obviously confident and strong.  Brendan Fairclough might be top 15 but I reckon Sam Hill will be up there in the top 10 again.

As for the women’s, this is Tracy Moseley’s first DH race of the year and she’s beyond fit enough to handle the beating up there. She’s won up there enough to know how to do it. Tracey Hannah has done well there in the past too and will look to put last week behind her. Rachel Atherton will make it a close race for the top spot though!

Ric, Senior Staff Writer
I’ve got to say Aaron Gwin for the win really. He classes the run he was on at Fort Bill last year as the fastest of his life and that includes last weekend. He’s supercross fit and on a track this brutal it should shine through. Even if it does get wet, I don’t think it’ll cut up enough to really hamper his pace. In short, it’s his to lose.

I also think Greg Minnaar will be right up there though. He’s the master of managing himself and his riding – look at last weekend. He came second on a track he doesn’t enjoy and this is Fort Bill where he’s had great success in the past. Any mistakes from Gwin will play straight into his hands. He knows what it takes to win here and that counts for a lot.

Marc Beaumont and Gee and Rachel Atherton will be on the hunt for victory this weekend

Gee Atherton is another rider with form at this track but I just get the feeling that he’s trying too hard this year. I think Gwins physical strength and relaxed demeanour has really got to him in the last year or so. If you look at his body language at the finish line last weekend compared to Greg’s it’s obvious he’s fed up with not being on the top-step. I could see teammate and all-round Mr Cool, Marc Beaumont, pipping him to the post come Sunday.

Danny Hart will be up there too, but where-abouts I think it’s tough to call. He got tetchy when called out on practicing the Fort Bill track before the recent national there but then smoked everyone with a knackered drivetrain. The World Champs jersey is definitely a target on his back and now that he’s had a couple of races to get used to that idea, I think it’ll galvanise him all the more. It would be great to see him win a World Cup this year.

My dark horse however would be Andrew Neethling for a podium. He’s been quietly improving all the time and goes well here. We’ve also yet to see his true pace this season and the British crowd seem to really get behind him.

Wales is quickly buliding a reputation as the must-visit place for all serious mountain bikers to head to. In MBUK 278 we celebrate some of the newest and most exciting, along with well-established and varied riding destinations that Wales has to offer

Doddy and co get a sneak preview of of the awesome new downhill and freeride trails at Blaenau Ffestiniog‘s new downhill and freeride centre, Antur Stiniog.

The man behind some of your favourite Welsh trails, Rowan Sorrell reveals what goes into designing and building new trails. Plus! Inside info on Bike Park Wales, and brand new bike park opening in Gethin at the end of 2013.

We show you how to drop off and hop up and over trail obstacles so that your riding never loses its flow, as well as providing training plans, advice and work-outs to help you do that, with the men behind Pro Ride Guides, Joe and Alex Rafferty.

There’s also a ton of new gear tested, including a grouptest of 15 pairs of riding shorts, four alpine-ready all-rounder full sus bikes and six of the best clipless pedals.

We also go on a Big Ride to Arbroath in East Scotland, and the Wrecking Crew visit Reeth in Yorkshire.

All this, and you get a free maintenance DVD and four free pull-out route maps!

MBUK 278 is in the shops now – or why not subscribe and never miss an issue?

Doddy headed to Snowdonia recently, to get a sneak preview ride on the downhill trails at Antur Stiniog, a new mountain bike centre in Blaenau Ffestiniog with Neil Donogue, Alex Rafferty and Cal Jelley in tow.

They’re still a work in progress, but our test-riders were impressed. You can see the boys riding the trails in the video below.

Doddy said: “The D-Line trail is a super fast flowing trail with rollers, jumps, drops and rock features as well as some of the best berms we’ve ridden.

“The black-rated runs are steeper, rockier and more technical. They carve down the steeper face of the hill with a striking view of the Glodfa quarry, the town of Blaenau and incredible scenery beyond.”

The downhill trails will be opening in July. A full visitor centre will be opening later, and there’ll also be an uplift and cross-country trails.

Read the full feature in MBUK 278, on sale 1 June!

Here are some helpful links to allow you, the viewer, to check out our pick of last month’s interweb viewing.

Nico’s X-Factor
The man who ruled downhill for a decade, Nicolas Vouilloz, goes for a quick spin on his new Lapierre X-Flow and tyre-taps a tree.

Crawfy big love
Crawford Carrick-Anderson is a legend – a former Giant World Cup racer, he’s pretty much the man behind Fort Bill. Here, he shreds the Tweed Valley to The Clash.

Spring with Jaws
You know if somebody’s called ‘Jaws’ they’re going to be a pretty serious customer. We like this dark, grimy edit featuring a great soundtrack from Justice.

This Is Peaty: Episode One
This is Peaty’s premier episode and it sets the foundations for what we reckon will be a brilliant series. All the action, including a fight with Sheffield’s biggest man.

Sprung 2
Now this is an absolute treat – Alex Rankin has uploaded the full 52-minute Sprung 2 movie he released back in November 1998 onto YouTube. Get your retro fix pronto!

MBUK 278 is on sale now!

Sam headed to Fort William for his first go at downhill racing at round two of the Halo BDS.

Things didn’t go as well as he might have hoped…