| Since the beginning of time, the human race has been | | | | absorbers and the tires are also chunky and knobby. |
| inventing new games and sports. In ancient times, | | | | The terrain that mountain biking takes place in is very |
| games were invented to test endurance and train | | | | different from the more traditional form of biking. |
| warriors for acts of war. Some of the newest sports | | | | Mountain bikes are made to go up and down rocky |
| to develop are snowboarding, rollerblading, | | | | trails and descend into muddy streambeds and |
| skateboarding and mountain biking. While none of | | | | sandbanks. This is normally all the fun of the activity. |
| these sports would be able to assist in a warfare | | | | The mountain biker does have to be an adrenaline |
| type situation, they are pretty extreme sports and | | | | junkie to some extent. It is more physically |
| will definitely keep you fit and your "fight or flight" | | | | demanding than other more passive forms of biking, |
| responses working at peak conditions. | | | | and requires razor sharp reflexes and quick thinking in |
| Mountain biking has transformed the traditional | | | | the face of hazards or danger. These skills can be |
| bicycle, first available in the late 1800's, into a well | | | | learned, but don't think that on your first ride you are |
| oiled piece of machinery. The knock-on effect of this | | | | going to be able to accomplish the same result as a |
| has created one of the most exciting and popular | | | | seasoned master of the trails. You need to take your |
| new sports of the 21st Century. | | | | time and develop first-rate mountain biking legs. |
| Regardless of the fact that the sport is referred to | | | | But if you think you are going to like this sport and |
| as "mountain biking" it is actually suitable for | | | | are determined to take part in mountain biking, it is |
| everyone, regardless of background biking proficiency | | | | helpful to have a basic knowledge of the different |
| and age. Although I wouldn't recommend that my | | | | categories available to you. Here are the five |
| ninety-year-old grandmother participate, she might | | | | different popular categories of mountain biking. |
| disagree with me as she is always up for a new | | | | 1. The most popular is "Cross Country," which is |
| challenge. Some of the most appealing things about | | | | normally undertaken on rough, woodland paths. |
| this sport is that you can participate at relatively low | | | | 2. "Downhill Mountain Biking" entails racing downhill and |
| cost, and that you can start off slowly. Just because | | | | includes large jumps. |
| you're mountain biking, it doesn't mean that you have | | | | 3. "Dirt Jumping" is about exhibiting the biggest and |
| to pedal at breakneck speed down Everest. | | | | most amazing stunts. |
| A mountain bike is not your average bicycle, and the | | | | 4. "Free Riding" is riding out without any particular |
| extreme end of the sport may be quite simply | | | | style. |
| described as "bicycling on steroids". Mountain biking will | | | | 5. "Urban Riding" involves grinding ledges and can be |
| always demand more of you than just pedaling along | | | | done anywhere. |
| a flat road on a sunny afternoon. Even the bike itself | | | | Each category needs a different bike that suits the |
| is built with this in mind. It's more streamlined and | | | | terrain, and possibly a slightly different personality |
| muscular in appearance than the good, old fashioned, | | | | type as well. Once you have chosen your desired |
| racing bike. Characteristically, the frame is built from | | | | category and your preferred bike, all that will be left |
| chunky, rounded tubing suspended above shock | | | | for you to do is start pedaling. |