MTB Adventures in Europe
Our selection of the best mtb events in Europe
by Robert Thorpe & Tudor Oprea
It seems that since the covid pandemic, more and more people are collecting memories and experiences than ever before. People want to experience life again; and that means that mountain bike events companies are red hot, all across Europe, as they try to keep up with the demand. Yes, riders of MTB Enduro have been setting the pace, with events such as the Ard Rock Enduro in North Yorkshire, U.K., creating the standard for others to follow – the Glastonbury of all MTB events in Europe, if not the world. Focal Events from the U.K., are also working hard to put on more and more off-road adventures, all across Europe, as gravel bike riders find out about MTB XCO and other MTB disciplines.
The whole scene has seen a renewed focus on MTB XCO events, with the fast and technical trails being the event of choice for many riders. Europe of course, has an unrivalled geographic arena to choose from, in terms of event locations: from the often damp and gnarly trails of the north of England, to the dusty tracks of Spain and France, or the wild and remote mountain forests of Romania, there’s so much variety, that mtb riders will never grow bored.
With so much activity taking place, we wanted to help riders of all standards to find the very best mountain bike events in Europe. Whether you’re looking for Europe’s finest MTBB XCO events, or the very best Enduro events in Europe, or the new, fast and furious EMTB events, we’ll try and list the very best for you, and tell you what makes them so special. Using our own and our friends collective years of experience, we’ll bring you Europe’s very best selection of MTB events to enjoy, as you set off in search of adventure on 2-wheels. It’s time for the MTB revolution, so let’s get started!
The best MTB XCO events
Whilst gravel bike events have been taking the lead in recent years, MTB XCO has been quietly riding along and redefining what it’s all about. The Southern XC series, in the south of England, close to London, is an excellent example of the slow growth that is now picking up pace, as gravel riders look for a more comfortable and technical ride, with the same element of speed attached. Roc D’Azur in France is the number one mountain bike XC event in the world, and is designed for all ages and types of riding! Taking place at the Nature Base in Fréjus, in the south of France, it has a level of excitement that’s hard to match. However, hidden quietly away, in the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania for the past few years, the TRIADA MTB race series has developed into probably the most unique and amazing MTB XC event series in Europe.
Tackling the thousands of kilometres of technical trails that Transylvania has, this epic landscape has been rightly described as ‘Europe’s last great wilderness’, and has the potential to top everything else and take the title of the best place in Europe for a mountain bikers. Certainly, the new TRIADA ‘Trilogy of the Trails event series, is already drawing attention, with epic trails and awesome mountain scenery.
Ride into your next adventure – at Europe’s best MTB events
Yes, we all love to see Tom Pidcock racing the trails, battling the legendary Nino Shurter. However, we also like to dream and to ride for ourselves, as the dust and dirt spits out from beneath our tyres. E-mountain bikes have brought more and more people into our sport, and will hopefully continue to do so; and gravel bikers will continue to seek the holy trail, with just that added dose of lemon and ice – a cocktail of MTB XCO heaven.
And so, over the next few months and beyond, we’ll be pointing your wheels and your bike boxes to the right departure lounges, as we bring you a selection of the best of Europe’s MTB events for you to enter. Yes, get that passport renewed, and buy that Bike Box Alan – it’s time to join the adventure revolution, at Pedalnorth.com!