This July issue is all about the appeal of fifty centimeters—roughly the width of a perfect singletrack. The tour reports take you to spectacular and diverse locations in the Alps: to the world-famous Blindsee Trail in the Tyrolean Zugspitz Arena, which faces closure in 2027 because, through no fault of its own, it has become a pawn in a protracted local political feud. Along the French-Swiss border at the Saut du Doubs, on the other hand, a classic trail in the Swiss Jura awaits, offering both stunning scenery and a technically challenging ride. Finally, on Lake Como, the historic, disused Tracciolino railway line illustrates just how fine the line is between personal responsibility and risk in the high mountains.

In addition to these gripping trail profiles, the issue provides in-depth background reports and social analyses of the mountain biking world. The report on the World Cup, produced by Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, sheds light on the professionalization of the racing scene—a trend that, however, is placing teams, young talent, and local organizers under financial pressure that threatens their very existence. The exclusive phase model “Psychogram of Mountain Biking” also charts the sport’s development over the last four decades and offers an exciting glimpse into its future trajectory. In rigorous real-world testing, the innovative Transalpes E3 Trail—featuring the brand-new Maxon Bikedrive Air S drive system—and the unconventional Haibike Alltrail 8, which thoroughly puts the concept of the e-full-suspension low-step frame to the test on singletrack, prove their worth. A versatile issue brimming with passion, now available for order in the online shop.
  

Contents of Ride Ride No. 104 – July 2026:

• Lounge: News, trends, trail policy, and tech tidbits from the world of mountain biking
• Tour: Blindsee Trail (Austria) – A dream descent overshadowed by a provincial political feud
• Tour: Saut du Doubs (Switzerland) – Fifty centimeters of pure bliss in the Doubs Gorge
• Tour: Tracciolino (Italy) – A spectacular cliff trail and the question of alpine risk
• Feature: A Profile of Mountain Biking – The Five Eras and Where the Sport Is Headed
• Feature: Glitz, Money, and Existential Anxiety – The World Cup Under Warner Bros. Discovery Sports
• Review: Transalpes E3 Trail – Swiss Carbon Full-Suspension Bike and the New Maxon Bikedrive Air S
• Review: Haibike Alltrail 8 – An Unconventional Low-Step-Through Bike for Sporty Downhill Riding
• Boutique: Innovative products, useful apps for the trail, and this season’s tech updates
• Column: Breaking the Negative Cycle – A Plea for More Serenity and True Flow