This issue is special in many ways, both for me personally and for ENDURO magazine as a whole. Because it is not only an issue full of exciting stories, but also a handover full of anticipation for the future.
Since its founding, ENDURO Magazine has been a platform that brings people together and unites passions. We never just wanted to report on what was happening in the scene. We always wanted to do our own thing, shape our own lives and at the same time shape the world of bicycles. At the same time, we grow in our roles and responsibilities. Oh yes, and of course also when traveling around the world – completely selflessly – on the best trails, testing exciting products, meeting interesting personalities and eating delicious food.
In this sense, ENDURO is more than a magazine. It is a dream factory that allows us to live our ideals. This requires a lot of hard work that you don’t see. But ENDURO has shown us that we are capable of much more than we and others think. Who would have thought that two students with an idea, two laptops and a 6,000 euro loan from Grandma Schmitt would create a world-famous magazine? Or even an entire publishing house with 4 magazines and a team of over 40 passionate people who share this dream? They are incredibly interested in setting trends, inspiring and shaping the cycling world with unique stories, always learning new things and pushing their limits.
For me, there is nothing more beautiful than watching people grow. On the one hand, because I had the privilege of being able to accompany many people in their development over 12 years with ENDURO Magazine and 41 Publishing, and on the other hand, because I have experienced it myself and know that personal growth brings something to your life and your attitude towards it Huge boost: The joy of having mastered something, of having learned new skills or of learning something new about yourself and suddenly behaving differently, dealing with situations differently and gaining clarity. The wrong environment fosters doubt and uncertainty, while the right environment grows roots and wings and makes dreams come true. In this sense, ENDURO Magazine is also a school of life that enables us to further develop ourselves and our skills – be it on the bike, traveling, working alone or spending time together. But it goes without saying that growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone. All the work we put into this has a much deeper meaning for us, challenges us and allows us to grow.
Skills cannot be purchased; they have to be earned. And depending on your requirements, that can mean very different things. Our goal was never to be better than others. We always set our own standards: we want to inspire ourselves and others, be proud of what we achieve and create, and free ourselves from other people’s opinions and views. Away from sameness towards uniqueness. Create stories with characters, adventures and personal experiences rather than being boring and distant and interchangeable. This requires courage and self-confidence, which are the same ingredients for personal growth!
I am very pleased to hand over the reins to Peter Walker with this issue and make him the new editor-in-chief of ENDURO Magazine. Peter is someone who lets his actions speak louder than words, provides valuable input, significantly shapes the content of ENDURO and uses his organizational talent to set up monster projects. In addition to many years of riding experience – including more than 150 days at the Whistler Bike Park – he enriches our team with a high level of technical know-how and a pragmatic way of working. After successfully managing ENDURO’s day-to-day business as deputy editor-in-chief for the last few years, it is now time for him to go full throttle. I’m looking forward to a bright future and am now officially handing over the mic to Peter: Peter, turn it up to 11!
We all need dreams. At first glance, dreams often seem far away and unattainable, but they show where you want to go – they provide orientation.
The “how” is usually unclear at first, but also irrelevant as long as you decide to take the first step and put one foot in front of the other in that general direction. So it was with me. My first step back then was to quit my regular job as a paramedic, pack my things and buy a one-way ticket to Whistler. What I experienced there is a story for another day, but the most important thing back then was that I figured out where I wanted to go and found a way to get closer to that place.
Anyone who has ever been to Whistler knows how quickly you get into the Whistler bubble. If you haven’t experienced it yet, you should change that as soon as possible. And maybe then you will remember my words. Either way, at some point I realized: I had to get out of there, back to reality – away from the bike park, the crazy camping trips and the wild nights – and take the next step.
But how could I continue to do amazing things, ride amazing trails, learn even more about bikes and enjoy the best sport in the world with new friends? The answer: being in the right place at the right time. Because while I was looking for the next step, ENDURO Magazine was also looking for someone to take the risk and take the plunge. We met at a more or less traditional job interview, which in the bike industry means we hit the local trails. A collective step towards an even better time, only this is no longer a temporary trip to Whistler, but a regular job. And I look forward to sharing this wonderful time with you in the future because that’s the reason why most of us love cycling.
Where you are today is the result of all the decisions and steps you have taken in the past, and what you do today determines where you will be in the future.
ENDURO is one of the few globally relevant bike magazines and sets global standards for comparison tests and buying guides. We also love reporting on trends, writing opinion pieces, offering inspiring trips and sharing once-in-a-lifetime experiences. However, we are always looking for ways to improve and become even bigger!
We have a lot of wild ideas and untapped potential and will continue to think outside the box. But I don’t want to give everything away yet, because where’s the surprise in that? Let’s just say it’s going to be epic!
See you on the way!
There is a lot of exciting things to discover! Browse through our digital magazine, dig deeper and let us know what you think! We are looking forward to your feedback!
The highlights of this issue
- Trail bike ≠ trail bike – 15 trail bikes in our big comparison test
- Big bike, bigger balls? – Looking for airtime, adrenaline and the best line at Whistler Bike Park.
- A critical moment for professional enduro racing? – Bad timing or misjudged development?
- Instructions: Whistler – Everything you need to know for a perfect trip to the MTB Mecca
- As good as new – What you should pay attention to when buying a used mountain bike
The current ENDURO issue is now available in our free magazine app. If you haven’t installed our app yet, you now have the opportunity to download it for free App Store (iPhone / iPad)in the Play Store (Android smartphones and tablets) or further Amazon Kindle). Our free digital magazine is at the heart of what we do and is undoubtedly the best way to experience our content, with interactive features and beautiful photos and videos, all wrapped up in a unique design. If you like our website, you will surely love our magazine app.
By the way: With the app you even have access to all previous ENDURO issues – hours of first-class content!
Below we have put together a small selection of articles that you will find in the current issue.
Trail bike ≠ trail bike
In our big 2024 trail bike comparison test, we chose an unexpected winner, experienced some pleasant surprises and also discovered a few lemons that we would definitely not recommend you buy! Our test field includes 15 of the most exciting trail bikes of the season – but what does it take to be the best and worst trail bike of the year?
Big bike, bigger balls?
How do you react in critical situations? What life lessons can we learn from going downhill? And what do a beer-fueled idea and aliens have to do with the Whistler Bike Park? We traveled to Canada with ROSE Ambassador Bella Chen and the new ROSE SCRUB to take big leaps and make big progress – risks and side effects included!
A critical moment for professional enduro racing?
What’s going on in the enduro scene? After a frustrating EDR racing season, the factory teams throw in the towel, resulting in several pros ending up on the road. The tense atmosphere that hangs over the sport is accompanied by rumors that the EDR will soon come to an end, at least as we know it. We spoke to team managers, racers and organizers to understand what’s really going on and find out if enduro racing has had its day.
Instructions: Whistler
A trip to the legendary Whistler Bike Park is on the wish list for most mountain bikers. After a few years in the mountain bike mecca and countless trips back since then, our Whistler MTB Guide gives you practical tips and insider knowledge to help you plan and get the most out of your trip.
As good as new
A Ferrari for the price of a Fiat Panda? That might push it along a bit. However, if you want a lot of mountain bike for as little money as possible, the used market is your best bet. However, finding the right used bike can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. We hope our guide to buying used bikes helps you find the used bike of your dreams.
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Words & Photos: Peter Walker
