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Mustang. Maverick. Cobra. All names from history of the UK MTB scene which stir the hearts of the true connoisseur. Yes, they were built from hi-tensile steel. Yes, they were better suited to the paper round than genuine off road. But still these early Raleigh's and their ilk hold fond memories for many retrobikers of a certain age. The Retrobike West Midlands crew decided to celebrate these 35lbs plus behemoths with their Scrapyard challenge ride. Several brave riders toughed out the rain in the Forest of Dean with their side pull calipers and five speed friction shift gears to take on the first scrapyard challenge, check the full aftermath here. Two Mavericks

Sunday 28th April saw the belated kick off of the Retrobike National Event Series 2013 at Shropshire's Long Mynd. Twenty four riders turned out on a fine selection of (mostly) retro machinery to tackle the excellent trails of the Long Mynd and equally excellent ale and food at the lunchtime pub stop. Highlights include *The cracking Long Mynd trails (naturally) *The tank (soon to be seen on a street near Coventry) *The pub stop (did we mention that) *The descent off the Mynd opposite Minton Batch To check the full Retrobike Long Mynd Aftermath thread please click here. Next ride is Aviemore in May, see you there :) Retrobike Mountain Bike Ride Long Mynd 2013

Retrobike rides are a great way to meet other forum members, see some fantastic bikes and ride some great terrain. As always there will be plenty going on this year. Anyone is welcome to come along and join in. • Click for details of the eight round Retrobike National MTB Event Series. • The new Retrobike RetroRoadRide Series is here, click for details. • and you can find out what's going on each month on the Retrobike National & Regional Rides Calendar. • Retrobike members will riding be at Mountain Mayhem and The Fat Tyre Festival in Fort William. You can also find out what's going on in your local area group too by checking out the Area Group forum.

:: Date: Thursday 27th December 2012 :: Distance/time: 18 miles or so spread out over a day's riding with plenty of fuel stops and banter. Several short cut options available too. :: Meeting at: Birches Valley Car Park, Cannock Chase. Please arrive by 10 a.m. for a 10.30 a.m. start. :: Directions: Postcode: WS15 2UQ :: Terrain: Forest trails, mainly man made. :: Route: The morning will be the 'Monkey Trail', and after a stop for food we may head off for some more riding and perhaps a bit of off piste stuff. It's the day after Boxing Day and you'll no doubt still be bitterly disappointed about the lack of NOS XTR M900 in your Xmas stocking. You'll probably want to drown your sorrows in fizzy beer and consume your own body weight...

Sunday saw the first running of a National Series ride on Shropshire's Long Mynd - apparently the most westerly part of the East Midlands. Thirty riders and their retro bikes took part in an excellent 20 miles of riding under blue skies. Thanks once again to Bikefood for their excellent support. The full Retrobike Long Mynd aftermath thread can be found here

6 years ago I was on the cusp of 40 and in time honoured fashion wanted to celebrate in a suitable manner (no, not that way, hookers appear chronologically much later in this tale). My Mate Dave had always talked about his Raid Pyrenean adventure, so, with his able logistical support, I decided to take on the major climbs in the Pyrennes, the Tormalet, Aspin, Aubisque etc. I was pretty fit from running and thought that would see me through. After 96 miles in 38C on the first days it was clear that this approach was fundamentally flawed. Over the next week climbs followed, descents were avoided (what’s the point in a hire car unless you’re prepared to use it?) and My Mate Dave’s smiling face, as he leaned out of the window to offer what...

Another year, another excellent Peaks meet. For 2012 the meet was part of the Retrobike 2012 National Events series and was kindly supported by Bikefood. Once again the meet proved to be one of the most well attended of the season with almost forty riders out. Plenty of quality old school metal was on display, everything from a 80s Dawes to a box fresh Klein. The full Retrobike Peaks Ride aftermath thread can be found here

Round 5 of the Retrobike National Event Series with support from Bikefood took place North of the Border at Innerleithen. Another great day out, click here for full aftermath.

The fourth round of the 2012 Retrobike National Event Series with support from Bikefood saw twenty brave riders ignore the Met Office forecast and enjoy the excellent trails on the Yorkshire Dales. Click here for full aftermath.

The third round of the 2012 Retrobike National Event Series with support from Bikefood once again returned to the Surrey Hills. Fifty riders enjoyed an excellent ride (and pub lunch) under sunny skies around the excellent singletrack and trails. Click here for full aftermath.

Well the mountain men arrived in Torridon, conquered and are now safely home nursing their aching limbs. All weekend we were blessed with blue skies and big yellow ball they call the sun. See Macretro's latest epic ride in full techni-colour glory here.

To mark the retirement of RIH sport owner Wim van der Kaay at the age of 76 a tribute ride is taking place on the 20th May 2012. The retirement of Mr van der Kaay also sadly sees the closing of the RIH Sport famous canalside shop in Amsterdam's Jordaan area, See the forum post on the RIH tribute ride for full details.

Once again a large contingent from Retrobike took on the Hell of The North Cotswolds, an annual off road reliability ride around the, er, North Cotswolds. Click here to read the full Retrobike HoNC report.

Saturday saw forty six retrobikers arrive in a car park, in a wood, in Norfolk, UK. Not for anything untoward you understand but for the Second Round of the Retrobike National Events Series with support from Bikefood - The Thetford Classic 2012. A wide range of bikes were in attendance, everything from a Kleins, Fat Chance, GT and Yeti through to Drystonepaul's Diamond Back. An enjoyable day's riding was had by all around the endless dry and dusty thetford singletrack, click here for full aftermath report. We even managed to avoid adder attacks. The next round will be taking place in Surrey on 27th May, click here for details.

:: Date: Saturday 24th of March 2012 :: Time: 10am for a 1030 start. :: Meeting at: Brandon Country Park Visitor Centre, Bury Road, Brandon, Suffolk, IP27 0SU :: Directions: Brandon Country Park Visitor Centre is situated on the B1106. from the A11 this is the elvden cross road, signposted for brandon & centre parks. traveling from the A11 towards brandon the Brandon Country Park Visitor Centre is on the left. Parking is now Pay & Display, £2.50 all day. there is extra parking in the Orchard car park behind the old peoples home. :: Terrain: Lots of single track, bomb holes and forest trails. Last year 47 people turned out for some great riding around the trails of Thetford. Sign up now! Click here to sign up now!

Saturday saw round one of the Retrobike National Event Series 2012 with support from Bikefood take place in the Lake District. Thirty five hardy retrobikers on almost all retro machines completed a 20(ish) mile loop around some of the Lakes best and most scenic trails. The weather was positively balmy for February in the Lakes and the drizzle almost warming. Full Lakes ride aftermath up here. Next National Event is the Thetford ride on 24th March.

Don't forget tomorrow is the first round of the Retrobike National Series with support from Bikefood. Full details of the Retrobike National Series Rd 1: Lake District.