Mountain Biking Garden Nursery Landscaping Guide
Mountain Biking Is Exhilarating
By Leaf Treehorn
Mountain biking is a relatively new sport in comparison to some
of its more unencumbered cousins. Technically, it has been around
for over a century but was not an officially recognized sport
until the 1970s.
Why is riding a mountain bike so popular? Because it is one of
the few sports in which just about anyone can participate. It
brings outdoor activity and zipping through the desert together
from the comfort of a bike.
Five Different Categories
There are five different categories that a mountain bike rider
can participate in. The first is cross-country and is exactly
how it sounds. Bike trails wind through different terrains spanning
a certain distance.
This category requires a rider be familiar with riding through
fields, dirt tracks and even hiking mountain trails. It is a true
test of endurance and one of the more common. It is also the only
type of mountain biking found in the Summer Olympics.
Downhill
The next form is downhill. It can be classified as cross-country
or in its own division. Downhill mountain biking is a form of
racing in which the competitor starts at the top of a large incline
and bikes downward.
Gravity helps assist the rider, however, one wrong move can result
in great injury. Down hill bike racing does not require as much
endurance as cross country does, but it does require a tremendous
amount of skill.
Free Ride And Dirt Jump
The third and fourth categories are free ride and dirt jump.
The first, free ride, can be a mixture of any type of bicycle
riding style. It is an amalgamation in which the rider might do
jumps, down hill racing or even a little cross-country. This may
be appealing for someone new to the sport who is trying to get
a feel for what style they prefer best.
Though the ability to go mountain biking is a workout all on
its own, the ability to ride dirt jump is phenomenal. These riders
are certainly not afraid of a little thing called gravity. Riders
gather together in areas where ramps and stunts have been constructed.
The momentum the biker is able to build launches the bike into
the air off one of the ramps. There are definitely a few good
seconds in which the biker and the bike itself are free riding
in the air.
Bike Trails
The final category for mountain biking is known as trials. These
riders gain inspiration from dirt-track motorcycle riders. There
is an emphasis on stunts, moves and a flair for the dramatic sport.
Out of all the categories, this is one in which outsiders would
probably not consider true mountain biking.
The bike trails are usually found in large arenas and there is
a penchant for "extreme" riding styles. These bikes
are strikingly different in that they are smaller and resemble
children’s bikes. The small size assists with speed and agility.
Mountain biking has a long history and was finally recognized
as a real sport in the 1970s. It has been a part of culture since
the advent of bicycling but is now growing in tremendous popularity.
It is a great way to stay fit and can be done as a family event.
It is also one of the few sports where a complete novice can begin
with little or no instruction. The equipment is reasonably priced
and most bike trails are free for use.
About the Author:
Leaf Treehorn has written a number of articles on recreation,
gardening and landscaping including National
Parks Recreation Camping, National
Parks And Wildlife, National
Parks, National
Park Service, Whitewater
Canoeing, Kayaks,
Mountain
Biking, Cyclocross,
Yosemite
Rock Climbing, How
To Rock Climb, Rock
Climbing, Rock
Climbing Gym, Rock
Climbing Wall.
Keep a lookout for more of his articles on this website.
Little Known Recreation Facts....
Are there mountain bike races?
There are many different
types of mountain bike races. Some are held
locally in state parks and there are others
that are held cross-country. There are some
mountain bike races that are one hundred
miles long. One well known mountain bike
race is the Ultra-Endurance Mountain Bike
100 Series that covers six states.
What are some popular magazines that deal with mountain biking?
There are several popular magazines that
deal with cycling. Most cycling magazines feature sections devoted
to mountain biking. If you want one that specializes in mountain
biking then try “Dirt Rag Mountain Bike Magazine”
or “Earth’s Mountain Bike Magazine.”
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