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