Trail Talk 🔴 Live!

Focus Rides are offering two great race series next season that aim to be inclusive, fun and open to riders of all bikes and levels. First up is the Winter XC series at Sherwood Pines, followed by the Peaks Enduro series spanning Barlow and Hope Valley.

🏁 Winter XC Series 2026 – Sherwood Pines

• Round 1 – 18 Jan 2026
• Round 2 – 1 Feb 2026
• Round 3 – 15 Feb 2026
• Round 4 – 1 Mar 2026

🏔️ Peaks Enduro Series 2026 – Barlow & Hope Valley

• Round 1 – 29 Mar 2026 (Barlow)
• Round 2 – 25 Apr 2026 (Ladies & Kids, Barlow)
• Round 2 – 26 Apr 2026 (Mens, Barlow)
• Round 3 – 23/24 May 2026 (Barlow)
• Round 4 – 20/21 Jun 2026 (Hope Valley)
• Round 5 – 19 Jul 2026 (Hope Valley)

👉 Full details and entries via Focus Rides Events Page

Across the UK, pump tracks have gone from niche to everywhere — over 170 now listed on iBikeRide, part of a wave that’s reshaped local riding over the past decade. From compact community loops to floodlit forest builds, they’ve become one of the most accessible ways to ride, roll, and progress.

New listings this week span Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland — including Killinchy, Dromara, Páirc Nua Chollann, Temple Cloud, Kennoway, Alton, Ellon, Dalbeattie, Beach Park Pump Track and Jumps, and more.

Our pick? Woodland Wheels Pump Track at Boat of Garten in Badenoch and Strathspey — a stunning setting in the pines, lit for night sessions  (see pic above) 🌲💡

The growth shows no sign of slowing, with dig crews like Velosolutions, On Track, and others keeping the momentum rolling.

🔥 Got a new or hidden gem to add?  💬 

👉 Browse all 170+ pump tracks here

Nevis Range have an epic line-up of biking events for 2026 — all set in the heart of the Scottish Highlands

• Season opener: MacAvalanche 2026  on Saturday 28 March 2026 — a mass-start snow race off Aonach Mòr with ~900 m snowy vertical before dropping into the lower trails.
• Spring into the endurance weekend with 10 Under the Ben (Sat 25 Apr) and the youth follow-up 10 Under the Ben Junior (Sun 26 Apr). 
• November brings the junior enduro double: Mini Blazers (ages 4–7) and Trail Blazers (8–16), finishing with the torchlit stages of the Day & Night Enduro.

🚀 Oakley’s Beach Park has a fresh setup — a full pump track circuit plus a new dual-lane jump line right alongside it. The layout lets riders choose between flow and airtime, making it a standout community build. Positioned next to the skatepark off Station Road, the design doubles the riding options without doubling the footprint — a solid model for future local projects.

The S4P bike park is now closed for winter maintenance, beginning earlier this week. The crew expects the closure to last a minimum of four weeks while essential work is carried out. Updates will be posted on their socials as progress continues 👷‍♂️🛠️

South West XC (SWXC) 2026 is shaping up to be a cross country series you can’t miss! Running from April through September, the six‑round series visits classic venues like Newnham Park, Grammarcombe, Wheal Jane and Old Hill Bike Park. The series offers categories for kids, novices and seasoned racers, with races starting at 9:30 am for under‑8s, 10 am for under‑10s/12s and noon for the main event. It’s a rare chance to ride trails not normally open to the public. 

Head over to the MTB Events Calendar to check the full SWXC 2026 schedule!

BikeRadar covers Cycling UK’s recent decision to exclude trans women from its 100 Women in Cycling awards — and how several nominees have since withdrawn in protest. The piece outlines the legal background and responses from riders and campaigners.

Rocks & Wheels Pump Track in Dalbeattie will offer a national-level floodlit pump track with a separate beginner loop as part of a new cycling and bouldering hub opening in 2026.