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