| Texas is a large wide-open state with a lot of exciting | | | | bottom. To negotiate these obstacles at race speed, |
| and beautiful spaces and places. There are a variety | | | | racers must possess a unique combination of total |
| of terrains available, providing individuals who enjoy | | | | body strength, aerobic and anaerobic fitness, and |
| mountain biking numerous trails and roads to travel on | | | | mental control. Minimum body protection in a true |
| for hundreds of miles. This variety also caters to the | | | | downhill setting includes kneepads and a full-face |
| sport's five different categories: cross country, downhill, | | | | helmet with goggles, although riders and racers |
| freeride, dirt jump and trials/street riding | | | | commonly sport full-body suits to protect themselves. |
| Cross-Country (XC) is the most common form of | | | | Dirt jumping is the practice of riding bikes over shaped |
| mountain biking. Participants ride point- to-point or in a | | | | mounds of dirt or soil. The idea is that, after riding over |
| loop that includes climbs and descents on a variety of | | | | the "take off," the rider will become momentarily |
| terrains. However, there is a difference between | | | | airborne, and aim to land on the "landing." A mountain |
| common XC and XC racing, which is much more | | | | bike built for dirt jumping tends to have a smaller frame |
| physically demanding than leisure riding. Racers train for | | | | than one used for other disciplines. Running single |
| years to be able to compete at a national level. | | | | speed is very common, as is using only a rear brake. |
| A typical XC bike weighs 22-28lbs, and has 0-4 inches | | | | "Trials riding" consists of hopping and jumping bikes |
| of suspension travel front and rear. | | | | over obstacles. It can be performed either off-road or |
| Freeride/Big Hit Freeride is a "do anything" discipline | | | | in an urban environment, and requires an excellent |
| which encompasses everything from downhill racing | | | | sense of balance. As with Dirt Jumping and BMX-style |
| without the clock, to jumping, riding "North Shore" style | | | | riding, emphasis is placed on style, originality and |
| (elevated trails made of interconnecting bridges and | | | | technique. There are many stylistic similarities to |
| logs), and generally riding trails and/or stunts that | | | | skateboarding. Trials bikes look almost nothing like |
| require more skill and aggressive riding than XC. | | | | mountain bikes. They use either 20", 24" or 26" wheels |
| Freeride bikes are generally heavier and have beefier | | | | and have very small, low frames, some types without |
| suspensions than XC, but usually retain much of their | | | | a saddle. |
| climbing ability. The Freeride rider builds his or her bike | | | | Inherent to the sport of mountain biking is the risk of |
| to lean more toward a preferred level of | | | | injury. There are dozens of companies that |
| aggressiveness. "Slopestyle" type riding is an | | | | manufacture protective gear, often referred to as |
| increasingly popular style that combines big-air, | | | | "armor," to protect against injury from crashes, and |
| stunt-ridden freeride with BMX style tricks. Slopestyle | | | | mostly aimed at downhill, freeride and dirt jump riders. |
| courses are usually constructed at already-established | | | | Armor ranges from simple knee and elbow pads to |
| mountain bike parks, and include jumps, large drops, | | | | full-body padding. Some companies market full-body |
| quarter-pipes, and other wooden obstacles. | | | | armor suits or jackets, that allow the rider to remove |
| Downhill biking is simple -- riding mountain bikes downhill. | | | | some of the padding and/or plastic plates that protect |
| While XC riding has a downhill component, downhill (or | | | | the rider's arms. Most upper body protectors also |
| DH for short) usually refers to racing-oriented downhill | | | | include a spine protector that is comprised of plastic |
| riding. Downhill racing bikes are equipped with a front | | | | plates joined together, with foam padding underneath. |
| and rear suspension, large brakes, and use heavier | | | | Full-face helmets, often resembling motocross helmets |
| frame tubing than other mountain bikes. Downhill bikes | | | | (but usually considerably lighter and with more |
| aren't meant to be pedaled uphill, so downhill riders and | | | | ventilation), are required by some bike parks, although |
| racers frequently employ trucks or ski lifts to be | | | | advanced riders often wear these helmets by choice, |
| shuttled to the top of the hill. | | | | in order to better protect their heads. |
| Downhill courses are the most physically demanding | | | | Unusual and physically demanding sports such as |
| and dangerous venues for mountain biking. They | | | | mountain biking can be a great way to exercise to |
| include large jumps (up to and including 40 feet), drops | | | | maintain good health. |
| of 10+ feet, and are generally rough and steep, top to | | | | |