| Extreme sports are getting more and more | | | | The bike that is being used is a heavy bike |
| popular these days. Mountain biking attracts | | | | compared to other mountain bikes, and weighs |
| daredevils from all over the world who like to | | | | somwhere between forty and fifty pounds, so |
| have an "adventure sport experience". | | | | forget about pedalling uphill once you're out there. |
| The term mountain biking includes many different | | | | Once you've begun your race, there's only one |
| styles. The range is from gentle types such as | | | | way to go and that's down. The bike has to be |
| cross country where you ride up and down the | | | | able to put up with extreme conditions so it is |
| hills, and cyclo cross, which is a combination | | | | equipped with front and rear suspension and |
| between mountain biking and road biking, to more | | | | heavy tubing. For the biker, it's necessary to use |
| 'extreme' styles. One of the more extreme styles | | | | full saftety gear with a proper helmet, goggles, a |
| is downhill biking and it is one of the most popular | | | | body suit plus knee and hand pads. You can |
| forms of mountain biking. | | | | expect to have some close contact with the dirt |
| As the name implies, in downhill mountain biking | | | | even if you are a professional downhill biker. |
| you only ride down the hills. The bike and the | | | | There are many ways to improve you skills, the |
| biker get transported up to the top by a lift and | | | | most important one is of course to practice, and |
| then begin the thrilling ride down. What you're | | | | then to practice a bit more and a bit more. There |
| aiming for is to get to the bottom of the hill as | | | | are loads of books, DVDs and internet sites |
| fast as possible, managing to pass all the | | | | where people can watch stunts being performed |
| obstacles. The situations that occur often get | | | | by professionals sharing their tricks and ideas. This |
| pretty extreme. This includes jumps that can be | | | | is also a great way to learn, and something you |
| up to twelve meters long, dropping three meters | | | | can bring with you once your actually out on the |
| and other kinds of rough conditions that you can | | | | hillside. The only way to fully master it though, is |
| find on a mountain slope. | | | | to learn by the experience. |
| The people that are into downhill mountain biking | | | | Even though there are risky aspects to downhill |
| are those that are looking for a good challenge, | | | | mountain biking, it's a sport that's very worthwhile. |
| that long for the adrenaline pumping experience | | | | It has the ability to give you an experience that is |
| and don't mind a few bruises. It's for those that | | | | both fun and exciting. |
| like to be on the risky, thrilling side of life. | | | | |