| For the casual cyclist, mountain biking is a | | | | important thing organizers see to when there |
| wonderful way to enjoy the great outdoors as | | | | is a race. In addition to making sure each |
| well as get a great work out. Today, mountain | | | | rider is in acceptable physical condition and |
| biking is growing rapidly into an excitingly | | | | has the proper gear, mountain bikes |
| popular sport. With that growth arises an | | | | themselves are often checked to ensure they |
| entirely new subculture of mountain bikers | | | | are in top shape, with fully aired tires, |
| who race professionally. Every year there are | | | | tightened handlebars, and properly adjusted |
| hundreds of events and races organized across | | | | frames and shocks. Prohibited materials on |
| the nation for mountain bike enthusiasts. | | | | the bike are also carefully watched. Such |
| These endurance races are generally for those | | | | prohibited materials include reflectors, |
| in the absolute top percentage of mountain | | | | kickstands, adjustable hubs, sound frames, |
| bikers. It takes a certain amount of | | | | true wheels and any personal media devices. |
| conditioning and performance to compete in | | | | All of these items are checked for and |
| endurance races as the competition itself is | | | | expected to be removed before the race |
| so demanding. There are plenty of different | | | | starts. Finding Endurance Races Endurance |
| categories, but these races can be as long as | | | | mountain biking is a high level addition to |
| 12 hours, taxing the limits of human | | | | the sport of mountain biking. For that |
| endurance. Types of Races Of the many | | | | reason, if you are interested in getting |
| categories of endurance races, most are | | | | involved, you should try and contact your |
| beyond the scope of normal cyclists' physical | | | | local mountain biking association or club. |
| limits. Starting at three hours these races | | | | They'll have all the information you need to |
| only scale upwards, reaching six or even | | | | not only train for and prepare your bike for |
| twelve hours in length. The shorter three | | | | competition but the rules associated with the |
| hour races are separated by gender and | | | | sport. There are numerous websites out there |
| occasionally by age groups, but the longer | | | | that cater to the crowd of endurance mountain |
| races often open up to include both genders | | | | bikers if you are looking for more |
| and all age groups. There are numerous | | | | information. For anyone who has just gotten |
| formats for endurance races as well. Some | | | | into mountain biking endurance racing might |
| races are strictly solo races such as the | | | | be a bit too much for you yet. However, |
| shorter races. However, as they get longer, | | | | you'll find that in time you'll be looking |
| endurance races include all combinations of | | | | for a bit more of a challenge, and these |
| team work and trade off riding, with teams of | | | | longer more intense races might be just the |
| up to four riders. Endurance races are highly | | | | thing you're looking for to push your limits |
| organized much like the marathons many of the | | | | and test your physical conditioning. If |
| nation's major cities hold annually and | | | | you're serious about endurance racing, take |
| require registration and occasionally | | | | the time necessary to research and get in the |
| physicals. In addition to assuring the | | | | shape necessary to compete in these races. |
| participants are physically capable of | | | | |
| participating, these events often require a | | | | Tony Brian is a freelance writer for outdoor |
| demonstration of certain safety equipment | | | | sports magazines and a contributing writer |
| that meets particular regulations. Safety | | | | for angel paintball guns specializing in |
| Measures Safety is probably the most | | | | mountain biking, cyclist. |