| Mountain biking, as the name suggests, is a | | | | allows the rider to do 'anything and |
| biking sport in which bicycle-riders ride | | | | everything' - downhill rides (without clock), |
| along mountain trails. Biking through a | | | | jumps, stunts - that require skill and are |
| mountain terrain is pure fun, but it also has | | | | hence meant for professionals. Freeride |
| its share of adventure and excitement. The | | | | biking requires the rider to assemble the |
| best-known locations for biking in | | | | bike as per convenience and style, but these |
| mountainous surroundings have unpaved | | | | bikes are a bit heavier (weighing between 30 |
| surfaces and so you need to be an expert | | | | and 40 lbs) and are amply suspended |
| biker to truly experience the thrill. History | | | | (generally has 6 inches of suspension front |
| Since their invention, bicycles have been | | | | and rear). 3. Downhill, as the name suggests, |
| used on all terrains, including rugged | | | | involves riding mountain bikes downhill. It |
| mountainous territories. However, it was not | | | | is generally associated with racing-oriented |
| until 1970s that biking in the mountains | | | | downhill riding. Downhill biking does not |
| became an organized sport. Groups of | | | | require the rider to pedal up the hill. The |
| bicycle-riders from different parts of the | | | | bikers along with their bikes are transported |
| United States played a pivotal role in the | | | | up the hill with the help of a truck or |
| evolution of this thrilling biking-sport - | | | | ski-lift. The downhill climb is indeed |
| experimenting with bikes of different makes | | | | challenging including jumps and drops as well |
| and modifying them so that they could take | | | | as physical hindrances. Tough mentality, |
| the rigors of riding in the uneven, craggy | | | | physical strength, swiftness and mounted |
| mountainous lands. The Mountain Bike Hall of | | | | heavy bikes weighing some 40-50 lbs make you |
| Fame, however, bestows the honor to a group | | | | eligible for these races. 4. Trials riding, |
| of bikers in Marin County, California. The | | | | which is quite similar to skateboarding, |
| group (consisting of famous names in this | | | | involves hopping and jumping over obstacles |
| field like Gary Fisher, Joe Breeze, Keith | | | | with your bike. It demands great sense of |
| Bontrager and Otis Guy among others) | | | | balance and control. The riders make use of |
| undertook bike-ride down Mount Tamalpais (Mt | | | | special bikes that make use of 20", 24" or |
| Tam) on old 1930s and 40s Schwinn bicycles | | | | 26" wheels fitted to small, low frames. The |
| retrofitted with advanced brakes and fat | | | | following tips will prove helpful if you are |
| tires. The first 'proper' mountain bike was | | | | planning a bicycle-trip in the rocky, hilly |
| built by Joe Breeze in 1977. The present-day | | | | terrains for the first time: 1. You must have |
| mountain bikes are based on the bicycle first | | | | stamina and endurance to bike down a |
| marketed by the MountainBikes Company. The | | | | mountain. 2. Selection of a superior quality |
| frame of this particular bike was built by | | | | bike, especially one that perfectly meets |
| Tom Ritchey and it was accessorized by Gary | | | | your type of mountain riding is also very |
| Fisher and Charlie Kelly. Types Bikers | | | | crucial. 3. You cannot avoid minor cuts and |
| usually engage in four different kinds of | | | | bruises but you can certainly prevent major |
| cycling tours in the mountains: 1. | | | | mishaps by resorting to precautionary |
| Cross-Country (or XC) biking is the most | | | | measures, buying yourself some protection in |
| familiar type mountain riding sport and | | | | the form of helmets, knee-caps and |
| naturally has the maximum number of | | | | elbow-caps. A good pair of goggles will also |
| followers. The sport involves riding between | | | | prove handy. 4. Special competitions are |
| points or in loops. It includes ascents and | | | | organized by various mountain bikers' groups |
| descents on different terrains. | | | | and you can join in with them. If you choose |
| (Cross-Country racing competitions are | | | | to go on your own, you will need to collect |
| different from cross-country biking). A | | | | all relevant information - routes, rules, et |
| typical XC bike weighs some 22-28 lbs and it | | | | al. 5. Whether you go with a bikers' group or |
| has 0-4 inches of suspension travel front and | | | | go biking all by yourself, you must remember |
| rear. 2. Freeride is the other popular type | | | | to carry your equipment kit so that you can |
| of biking in mountain trails. It restricts | | | | take care of all your bicycle-repairs. |
| the biker with no specific rules rather | | | | |