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