| Mountain biking is a popular sport as well as a | | | | large round tubing to make up the frame, knobby |
| great method of exercise, but, most of all, | | | | tires and shock absorbers or suspension. |
| mountain biking is a lifestyle. The bikes have very | | | | Downhill |
| specific design characteristics for off road and | | | | This can mean downhill racing, jumping, riding on |
| rough terrain. Mountain biking requires strength, | | | | elevated trails that are constructed of logs and |
| endurance and biking skills. While much of this | | | | bridges (know and North Shore) and trails that |
| sport involves bicycling over trails and over hills | | | | require more skin that standard cross country. |
| and mountains, it can also mean cross country | | | | The bikes that are used for this type of riding are |
| biking. | | | | usually heavier and have more suspension |
| Mountain bike riders need to learn a variety of | | | | Dirt Jump |
| skills. Aside from having to learn how to handle a | | | | Dirt jump is just what the name implies. It |
| bike while riding over sometimes difficult | | | | involves riding on a dirt track, jumping over hills |
| topography, riders must also learn how to repair | | | | and dirt obstacles. This is also a competition |
| broken bikes and flat tires while on the trail so | | | | category for mountain biking that is very popular. |
| that they do not find themselves stranded out in | | | | Cross Country |
| the middle of nowhere. Survival skills do come into | | | | This is the most common type of mountain biking. |
| play as well as many riders go on trails and on | | | | It means riding on climbs across different types |
| group rides, sometimes for rather lengthy treks. | | | | of terrain. There is also cross country (XC) racing |
| Of course, bicycles have always been ridden off | | | | which is more physically demanding. |
| road but the actual mountain biking sport began in | | | | Trials/Street Riding |
| the 1970s. Riders from Colorado and a couple of | | | | This type of biking involves hopping and jumping |
| places in California claim to be the ones to give | | | | bikes over various obstacles. It has the versatility |
| birth to the sport. While each group may have | | | | to be done either off road or in urban areas. The |
| some validity to the claim, the bottom line is that | | | | rider must have a very good sense of balance |
| many have contributed in the growth and | | | | and skill. This is very similar to skateboarding |
| development of the sport. Many people have | | | | where style, originality and techniques count. |
| designed bikes, built bikes and created equipment | | | | Free ride |
| that has catapulted the sport to the popularity | | | | This is much like downhill. It involves similar |
| that it enjoys today. | | | | techniques and circumstances. The bikes usually |
| There are five very general categories in | | | | have front and rear suspension with large brakes |
| mountain biking, downhill, dirt jump, cross country, | | | | and a heavier frame. |
| trials/street riding and free ride. While each type | | | | Mountain biking is a great cardio workout. It can |
| has its own certain characteristics, the equipment | | | | help to strengthen the heart as well as give your |
| is basically the same. The bikes are sturdy with | | | | entire body a strength and endurance workout. |