| Mountain biking has taken the cycling world by storm. | | | | key being to have the fastest time down the slope. |
| It wasn't all that long ago when the phrase "mountain | | | | Many of these races are held on ski slopes during the |
| bike" would've elicited blank stares. Now you see | | | | warmer months. Such competitions demand that the |
| them everywhere. Mountain bikes are made to | | | | riders have the utmost skill and experience as it can |
| handle almost every terrain imaginable, and that's | | | | be an extremely dangerous endeavor. These races |
| why they've become so popular. Just like SUV's, | | | | aren't for novices. |
| most people who use them don't have a need for | | | | A competition rapidly growing in popularity is dirt |
| their full range of functions, but it's good to no the | | | | jumping. This will be familiar to BMX enthusiasts as it's |
| capability is there "just in case". | | | | essentially the same sort of competition. Such events |
| Mountain bikes are nice even for the urban rider | | | | aren't races, of course. They're judged events |
| because they eliminate the worries one might have | | | | wherein riders compete to accomplish the biggest, |
| when encountering potholes, gravel, and bad road | | | | most amazing jumps involving spinning the bike in the |
| conditions. Mountain bike riders utilize their bikes for a | | | | air, doing flips, and even completely letting go of the |
| wide range of activities and competitions. A number | | | | bike and getting back on before it lands. |
| of races and competitions have sprung up to make | | | | Another form of extreme mountain bike competition |
| use of the mountain bike's many capabilities. | | | | is bike trials. These events involve navigating |
| One such extreme mountain bike competition is | | | | unbelievable difficult terrain without touching your |
| known as cross-country (or XC) races. Cross-country | | | | feet to the ground. Bike trials require riders to |
| mountain bike races usually cover about 30 miles and | | | | balance their mountain bikes on rails, boulders, posts, |
| cover a variety of terrains. These races feature a | | | | tree stumps, and any number of seemingly impossible |
| mass start with all the riders taking off at the same | | | | obstacles. The goal is to finish the course quickly and |
| time much like a marathon. | | | | without having to put your feet down. |
| If cross-country races are too short for you, there's | | | | If any of these extreme mountain biking |
| always endurance (or enduro) racing. These races | | | | competitions appeal to you, start practicing and |
| cover in excess of 70 miles and climb to elevations | | | | getting into shape. These events are for skilled and |
| of 8000 feet and more. | | | | experienced riders only. They're physically demanding |
| For the real maniacs out there, the only way to go is | | | | and fairly dangerous. They are not for novices. |
| downhill racing. Downhill races typically have staggered | | | | Remember to wear a helmet and pads when |
| starts to try to minimize crashing, but as you can | | | | attempting crazy stunts on your bike, and take care |
| imagine, crashes are a regular part of such events. | | | | of yourself if you're going to attempt extremely |
| The racers fly down the hill at breakneck speeds, the | | | | arduous long-distance rides. |