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