| There are lots of different ways to race mountain | | | | The courses are fun to ride and it's almost always |
| bikes, Dual Slalom is just one of them. It's been | | | | good company. |
| around for a while, so it's proven itself as a good | | | | Give it a try, it's only as hard as you make it. |
| one. It's fun, relatively safe, and a great spectator | | | | Dual Slalom racing takes place at local and |
| event. | | | | international events around the world. Just look at |
| A. Dual Slalom mountain bike racing is a great head to | | | | the event flyer or schedule to see if it is included. |
| head competition down a man made course usually | | | | Over the years there have been a few different |
| with gated turns (much like ski racing). The course | | | | mountain bike race formats to come and go. A new |
| usually has man made obstacles such as berms, | | | | type of race that is gaining popularity is the Super D. |
| jumps, bumps and the occasional drop or rock pile. | | | | A. A super D race is best described as a downhill |
| The courses are short, with a single run usually lasting | | | | cross country race. They normally lack the technical |
| around 30 seconds. Two racers compete down | | | | danger packed elements of the downhill and in most |
| nearly identical/parallel courses at the same time. The | | | | cases, have some significant pedaling. |
| runs are timed and the same racers then switch | | | | Usually, a Super D is a timed event and can have |
| courses and make another run. | | | | either individual start times or a mass, Le Mans style |
| The combined race times are compared and the | | | | start where everyone goes at the same time. |
| slower racer is eliminated. The faster rider then | | | | This is a great event a lot of people can enjoy. |
| moves up into the next round to race a winner from | | | | There isn't a whole lot of climbing so you don't have |
| another set of race runs. | | | | to be in great shape, and you don't need a $3,000.00 |
| The races and eliminations continue until the final two | | | | downhill bike to make it down. |
| racers are left. Their race is the final and it | | | | Any bike will do for a Super D race, but this category |
| determines 1st and 2nd places. The last racers that | | | | of racing is where the all-mountain/trail bikes with 4, |
| the finalists had beat then run a set of races to | | | | 5, and 6 inches of travel can really excel. |
| determine 3rd and 4th places. | | | | If you're thinking about getting into racing, but you |
| This is a fun race format that moves fast through | | | | think you might lack the endurance required for a |
| the race brackets. | | | | typical XC race, The Super D is a great place to |
| It's fun racing head to head. You always know where | | | | start. |
| your competition is and it pushes you to try harder. | | | | |