Why The Mountain Biking Phenomenon Is Growing In Popularity
Topics: cycling, cycling shoes, cycling gear, mountain bike, mountain biking
Mountain biking has taken the cycling world by storm. It wasn’t all that long ago when the phrase “mountain bike” would’ve elicited blank stares. Now you see them everywhere. Mountain bikes are made to handle almost every terrain imaginable, and that’s why they’ve become so popular. Just like SUV’s, most people who use them don’t have a need for their full range of functions, but it’s good to no the capability is there “just in case”.
Mountain bikes are nice even for the urban rider because they eliminate the worries one might have when encountering potholes, gravel, and bad road conditions. Mountain bike riders utilize their bikes for a wide range of activities and competitions. A number of races and competitions have sprung up to make use of the mountain bike’s many capabilities.
One such extreme mountain bike competition is known as cross-country (or XC) races. Cross-country mountain bike races usually cover about 30 miles and cover a variety of terrains. These races feature a mass start with all the riders taking off at the same time much like a marathon.
If cross-country races are too short for you, there’s always endurance (or enduro) racing. These races cover in excess of 70 miles and climb to elevations of 8000 feet and more.
For the real maniacs out there, the only way to go is downhill racing. Downhill races typically have staggered starts to try to minimize crashing, but as you can imagine, crashes are a regular part of such events. The racers fly down the hill at breakneck speeds, the key being to have the fastest time down the slope. Many of these races are held on ski slopes during the warmer months. Such competitions demand that the riders have the utmost skill and experience as it can be an extremely dangerous endeavor. These races aren’t for novices.
A competition rapidly growing in popularity is dirt jumping. This will be familiar to BMX enthusiasts as it’s essentially the same sort of competition. Such events aren’t races, of course. They’re judged events wherein riders compete to accomplish the biggest, most amazing jumps involving spinning the bike in the air, doing flips, and even completely letting go of the bike and getting back on before it lands.
Another form of extreme mountain bike competition is bike trials. These events involve navigating unbelievable difficult terrain without touching your feet to the ground. Bike trials require riders to balance their mountain bikes on rails, boulders, posts, tree stumps, and any number of seemingly impossible obstacles. The goal is to finish the course quickly and without having to put your feet down.
If any of these extreme mountain biking competitions appeal to you, start practicing and getting into shape. These events are for skilled and experienced riders only. They’re physically demanding and fairly dangerous. They are not for novices. Remember to wear a helmet and pads when attempting crazy stunts on your bike, and take care of yourself if you’re going to attempt extremely arduous long-distance rides.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as well as cycling training at www.cyclinggearplus.com
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Why Online Tire And Wheel Stores Are Increasingly Popular (1)
When you come to any of these online stores, some things you will want to keep in mind are: if you are getting replacement wheels, you should not get wheels that are of a smaller diameter than the originals.
How To Find Auto Parts Treasures Through Auto Parts Recyclers (2)
It doesn't make sense to throw something away, when it can still be used. If you pick the part from a used car, you are going to be getting an actual manufacturer's part; no knock-offs here.
Some Simple Tips To Help You Keep Your Custom Wheels Clean (3)
Likewise, if your car has been driven recently, make sure that the wheels are cool enough so that they will not cause cleaners or polishes to heat up. Heat makes these chemicals react more violently, which can cause damage to your rims.
How To Find The Best High Performance Tires For Your Car For All Seasons (4)
Even though you might think, "sure, my car's all season tires aren't balanced, but it will still drive", you shouldn't drive around with unbalanced all season tires because that will make your car much less safe.
Find The Parts You Need For Your Car At Online Auto Parts Stores (5)
Up to a 50 percent discount is offered on your choice of newer or older model parts for your car with many online sites. Let's take a gander at the great deals that online automotive parts stores have for your cars exhaust system.
Why Keeping Your Tires In Good Shape Helps Protect Your Wallet (6)
If you don't make sure that your car's tires have the proper air pressure, are rotated regularly and in good alignment, then you harm your car's fuel efficiency. Given the way fuel prices are, that can add up pretty quickly.
If You Want To Be Healthier And More Fit You Should Consider Cycling (7)
If you just want some kind of cheap ride to get around town, there are plenty of low-cost bikes out there, but you'll end up with a heavier bike that's more prone to falling apart.
How To Choose The Proper Cycling Shoes For You (8)
They feature rugged soles similar to hiking boots and are, in fact, very similar to hiking boots. For a recreational mountain biker, hiking boots will work just fine. BMX riders and freestylers use shoes which are very similar to shoes made for skateboarding.
What You Need To Know About Your Motorcycle Tires (9)
Know what size of tire is appropriate to your bike. This is determined by many factors, but most of all by your wheels' rim width and diameter. Tires cannot be wider or narrower than the originals that came with your motorcycle, they have to be the same width, and they have to be the same diameter.
Tips To Understanding The Basics Of Mountain Bike Gears And How They Work (10)
Remember, it's best to shift gears when you're not putting a lot of stress on your pedals. Shifting when there's heavy pressure on the pedals can damage your shifting system.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
Why You Should Always Seek Genuine Mazda Auto Parts (1)
Your vehicle's hood offers protection for the engine and other vital car parts beneath it. Also, the carbon fibers of the hood boost your vehicles acceleration capabilities because it weighs less and is more aerodynamic.
Why The Harley Davidson Motorcycle Is More Popular Than Ever Before (2)
Arthur Davidson and William Harley dreamed of creating a "motorized bicycle" in their early adulthood. Test models were created and failed miserably, but this never deterred the boys from achieving their goal.
Are Car Tire Sizes Greek To You? Here's Some Help (3)
On any tire label, the first letter tells what sort of vehicle should be using the tire. In our label above, the tire is intended for a passenger car.
To Keep Up The Value Of Your Honda You Need Quality Honda Parts (4)
Many of these web stores have everything you could possibly need for your beloved Honda. They can offer you headlamps, emissions parts, transmission parts, pumps, hoses, and filters, coolant system parts, engine parts, suspension parts, and more, all at amazingly practical prices.
How To Select The Appropriate Custom Wheels For Your SUV (5)
After you have set your budget, you can start thinking about which type of metal you want. SUV wheels come in various metals, like chrome, aluminum, or stainless steel.
Why Bowling Shoes Are A Necessity If You Are Serious About Bowling (6)
Soccer calls for soccer shoes. Football has its own shoes. There are golf shoes, yachting shoes, skateboarding shoes, ballet shoes, etc. Bowling, of course, is no exception.
A Look At Some Of The Different Motorcycle Engines (7)
The boxed or boxer design finds cylinders placed side by side. This produces even less vibration, but adds a new issue. The cylinders tend to jut out the side of the bike, which makes it hard to take sharp corners.
Why More People Are Getting Into Wilderness Camping (8)
This park offers wilderness camping trails for various outdoor activities that include several different types of landscape to choose from. Theodore Roosevelt Wilderness in North Dakota is the home of this wilderness camping area, with nearly 30,000 acres to explore.
The Benefits Of Owning And Driving A Truck Or SUV And Get Good Fuel Efficiency With The New Hybrids (9)
Now people no longer say they want ten gallons of gas. That's been changed to ten dollars worth of gas, if you please, and you clean your own windshields and check your own oil.
Why You Need A Camper Jack If You Own A Camper (10)
Rieco Titan manufactures some of the top camper jacks including both the basic jack and the heavy duty jack. If you are in the market for a camper jack, make sure and take your time researching the jack.
Permalink to Why The Mountain Biking Phenomenon Is Growing In Popularity