| and the disciplines are growing every year as | | | | The idea with dirt jumping is not so much the |
| riders find new ways to challenge themselves. | | | | jumping but what tricks the rider can do while he |
| Below is just a brief list of some of the biking | | | | is air borne. The idea is not to get around the |
| disciplines associated with mountain biking. For | | | | course as fast as possible but to have the most |
| each discipline, you'll be able to find bikes especially | | | | air time and do the most stunts in the air. |
| made for the different challenges they present, | | | | 5. Downhill |
| and the different skills needed. | | | | As the name implies, downhill biking means getting |
| 1. BMX | | | | down the hill as fast as possible, much like downhill |
| BMX stands for bicycle motocross. The cycles | | | | skiing. It's a time trial event - bikers don't ride |
| used are specially designed to operate on a dirt | | | | together but rather start down the course at |
| track: a groomed racecourse made up of various | | | | intervals. This is because the way down is not |
| jumps, banked and flat corners, and therefore | | | | smooth - there are plenty of obstacles to |
| have small wheel diameters - 20-inches, and fat | | | | negotiate along the way. |
| tires. The sport began in California in the late | | | | 6. Freeride |
| 1960s, as young boys began emulating their | | | | Freeriding is a sport that has just recently come |
| motocross heroes, and is now popular around the | | | | into vogue. The courses feature man-made |
| world. | | | | obstacles such as teeter totters and skinny |
| 2. Cross country | | | | bridges, and can take place in-doors as well as out |
| Just as its name implies, fat-tire enthusiasts bike | | | | on specially prepared mountain courses. |
| across country - specifically hilly country to test | | | | 7. Single speed |
| the rider's endurance. | | | | Those who like the uncluttered life will use a bike |
| 3. Cyclo cross | | | | with only one gear and fewer components. The |
| A cyclo cross bike is a road bike with powerful | | | | idea is simplicity. The racers however still go all |
| brakes, extra mud clearance, and tires that aren't | | | | out - both up and down courses. This sport is |
| exactly fat but do have knobs on. These bikes | | | | popular around the world. |
| are used for Cyclo cross racing, a sport which | | | | 8. Urban |
| began in Europe, as off-season training for road | | | | Most cities were not designed for the bicyclist - |
| racers. The courses are a mile long, and are partly | | | | and people on two wheels are resented by those |
| paved and partly mud-soaked to give the rider all | | | | on four. And then there are the pedestrians... |
| kinds of challenges. Also on the course are a | | | | However, people who don't live near mountains or |
| certain number of barricades, forcing the rider to | | | | hills haven't let that stop t hem from creating |
| dismount and carry his bike over them. Everyone | | | | challenging, man-made courses - with all the |
| races flat out. | | | | obstacles available in urban areas. |
| 4. Dirt jumping | | | | |