| First let's get something straight: What's extreme to | | | | Today there are the X Games, a miniature Olympics |
| you might not be extreme to the next person. And | | | | for extreme sports. Athletes from around the world |
| what's extreme to that person might be tame to | | | | gather for this event to show just how extreme |
| you. You see, "extreme" is relative. It means | | | | they can be. They climb ice cliffs, carve half-pipe |
| something different for everybody. | | | | walls on their snowboards, and jump out of airplanes |
| One thing everyone can agree on, however, is that | | | | with skateboards strapped to their feet. They |
| when it comes to extreme sports, mountain | | | | compete to see who can grab the biggest air, who |
| biking-riding through the mountains on trails and dirt | | | | can hit the highest speeds, and who can perform the |
| roads-is definitely one of them. Mountain biking allows | | | | most difficult stunts. The winners are given gold |
| riders to challenge themselves on difficult, steep | | | | medals and the title of "Most Extreme Athlete |
| terrain. It takes a vehicle that has been popular for | | | | Planet." Most extreme, that is, until the next X |
| nearly a century-the bike-and turns it into a tool for | | | | Games, when new athletes redefine what it means |
| extreme adventure. Mountain bike racing draws | | | | to be extreme. |
| experienced riders who think that just riding off-road | | | | Another version of extreme sports takes place |
| isn't extreme enough. | | | | behind the scenes, away from the glory that comes |
| Even mountain biking itself has changed over time. | | | | with television coverage and cheering crowds. These |
| Years ago if you owned a mountain bike, you were | | | | athletes prefer to play in the woods, alone with |
| extreme. If you talked about mountain biking, you | | | | nature and the elements. They're the mountain |
| were living on the edge. You were extreme just | | | | climbers, the backcountry trail riders, the explorers. |
| because you were different. | | | | They'll never get a gold medal for what they do, and |
| Today it's not that simple. Millions of people ride | | | | they probably wouldn't want one anyway. They're |
| mountain bikes. To be an extreme mountain biker in | | | | doing what they do because they love it, not |
| 2007, you not only have to have a bike, but you | | | | because it attracts a crowd. |
| have to know how to rip. You have to know not | | | | Most people agree that for a sport to be extreme, it |
| only how to ride but how to ride fast. Really fast. | | | | has to be difficult-at least for the beginner. It must |
| You have to tear down the steepest slopes, and up | | | | require specialized skills and techniques. |
| the hardest hills. You have to shred the gnarliest | | | | Just riding a mountain bike may not be too hard, but |
| single-track and the muddiest forest roads. You have | | | | when you make it extreme, the level of difficulty |
| to be able to ride anything out there and do it in | | | | goes way, way up. |
| style. That's extreme. | | | | |