Mountain Biking , For The Adventure Loving Lot

Mountain biking, as the name suggests, is a bikingeverything downhill rides (without clock), jumps,
sport in which bicycle-riders ride along mountain trails.stunts , that require skill and are hence meant for
Biking through a mountain terrain is pure fun, but itprofessionals. Freeride biking requires the rider to
also has its share of adventure and excitement. Theassemble the bike as per convenience and style, but
best-known locations for biking in mountainousthese bikes are a bit heavier (weighing between 30
surroundings have unpaved surfaces and so youand 40 lbs) and are amply suspended (generally has 6
need to be an expert biker to truly experience theinches of suspension front and rear).
thrill.3. Downhill, as the name suggests, involves riding
Historymountain bikes downhill. It is generally associated with
Since their invention, bicycles have been used on allracing-oriented downhill riding. Downhill biking does not
terrains, including rugged mountainous territories.require the rider to pedal up the hill. The bikers along
However, it was not until 1970s that biking in thewith their bikes are transported up the hill with the
mountains became an organized sport.help of a truck or ski-lift. The downhill climb is indeed
Groups of bicycle-riders from different parts of thechallenging including jumps and drops as well as
United States played a pivotal role in the evolution ofphysical hindrances. Tough mentality, physical
this thrilling biking-sport , experimenting with bikes ofstrength, swiftness and mounted heavy bikes
different makes and modifying them so that theyweighing some 40-50 lbs make you eligible for these
could take the rigors of riding in the uneven, craggyraces.
mountainous lands.4. Trials riding, which is quite similar to skateboarding,
The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, however, bestowsinvolves hopping and jumping over obstacles with
the honor to a group of bikers in Marin County,your bike. It demands great sense of balance and
California. The group (consisting of famous names incontrol. The riders make use of special bikes that
this field like Gary Fisher, Joe Breeze, Keith Bontragermake use of 20", 24" or 26" wheels fitted to small,
and Otis Guy among others) undertook bike-ridelow frames.
down Mount Tamalpais (Mt Tam) on old 1930s andThe following tips will prove helpful if you are planning
40s Schwinn bicycles retrofitted with advanceda bicycle-trip in the rocky, hilly terrains for the first
brakes and fat tires.time:
The first proper mountain bike was built by Joe1. You must have stamina and endurance to bike
Breeze in 1977. The present-day mountain bikes aredown a mountain.
based on the bicycle first marketed by the2. Selection of a superior quality bike, especially one
MountainBikes Company. The frame of this particularthat perfectly meets your type of mountain riding is
bike was built by Tom Ritchey and it wasalso very crucial.
accessorized by Gary Fisher and Charlie Kelly.3. You cannot avoid minor cuts and bruises but you
Typescan certainly prevent major mishaps by resorting to
Bikers usually engage in four different kinds of cyclingprecautionary measures, buying yourself some
tours in the mountains:protection in the form of helmets, knee-caps and
1. Cross-Country (or XC) biking is the most familiarelbow-caps. A good pair of goggles will also prove
type mountain riding sport and naturally has thehandy.
maximum number of followers. The sport involves4. Special competitions are organized by various
riding between points or in loops. It includes ascentsmountain bikers groups and you can join in with them.
and descents on different terrains. (Cross-CountryIf you choose to go on your own, you will need to
racing competitions are different from cross-countrycollect all relevant information , routes, rules, et al.
biking). A typical XC bike weighs some 22-28 lbs and5. Whether you go with a bikers group or go biking all
it has 0-4 inches of suspension travel front and rear.by yourself, you must remember to carry your
2. Freeride is the other popular type of biking inequipment kit so that you can take care of all your
mountain trails. It restricts the biker with no specificbicycle-repairs.
rules rather allows the rider to do anything and