| Downhill cycling (DH) is a | | | | reference website run by local youth |
| gravity-assisted time trial mountain | | | | downhillers namely DGDOWNHILLlisting all |
| biking event. Riders race against the | | | | the venues and all event information. |
| clock, starting at intervals that can | | | | The major race series in wales is named |
| vary from 30 seconds to three | | | | the "Dragons" run mainly by Jason |
| minutes-depending on the stage of the | | | | Carpenter. . Many of the NPS rounds take |
| competition. The rider with the lowest | | | | place in wales including the amazing |
| time wins. As the name of this | | | | track that is Caersws. Rugog farm is |
| discipline implies, DH races are held in | | | | also in wales. Other great tracks in |
| steep, downhill terrain, resulting in | | | | wales include Moelfre and Cwmcarn. |
| higher speed than in cross-country | | | | United States |
| racing. The terrain is also often a lot | | | | The Sea Otter Classic, held each April |
| rougher than in cross-country racing. | | | | at Laguna Seca near Monterey, |
| While the riders job is to get top to | | | | California, is a major riding event that |
| bottom as fast as possible, the course | | | | opens the racing season (map of course). |
| designer has their work cut out | | | | The 2006 U.S. National Championships |
| challenging the rider and making the job | | | | were held at the Infineon Raceway in |
| of going fast more difficult. | | | | Sonoma, California. The Northstar at |
| Downhill courses usually feature big | | | | Tahoe, Brian Head Resort, Attitash, |
| jumps and drops, as well as often being | | | | Plattekill Mountain and Deer Valley ski |
| either covered with roots or rocky | | | | resorts are also well known to mountain |
| (occasionally both). A common feature is | | | | bikers. In the southeastern United |
| a "rock garden", which is a strip of | | | | States, Snowshoe Mountain is well known |
| moderately sized rocks. | | | | for its extensive mountain bike park, |
| A Downhill bike (also referred to as DH | | | | camps, and even freeriding areas during |
| rigs or sleds) tend to weigh between 17 | | | | the summer. Vail, Colorado was the site |
| to 25 kg (35 to 50 pounds), and usually | | | | of the 1994 Downhill Championship. The |
| feature a full-suspension design, and | | | | trail was renamed "'94 Downhill," and is |
| frame geometry that leans back further | | | | still ridden by many downhill bikers |
| than other mountain bikes. As of 2006, | | | | today. It is considered one of Vail |
| 203 mm (8-inch) is the 'norm' for | | | | Mountain's hardest venues. |
| suspension travel. Large-diameter 203 mm | | | | Italy |
| (8-inch) hydraulic disc brakes modulate | | | | Bardonecchia, one of the Torino 2006 |
| the riders' speed, just like in | | | | winter olympic venues, converts some of |
| motorcycles or cars. Downhill bikes and | | | | its ski courses and lifts for use by |
| freeride bikes are very similar but | | | | mountain bikers in the summer, and a |
| there are some slight differences. | | | | number of downhill courses are present. |
| Downhill race bikes typically are much | | | | Ireland |
| lower and more slack than freeride | | | | Downhill has increased significantly in |
| bikes. this is so that the bike is more | | | | Ireland over the past 10 years, as has |
| stable at speed and in corners. Freeride | | | | the call for more facilities. TickKnock |
| bikes have a more upright geometry and a | | | | forest was the most important location |
| higher bottom bracket height, so that | | | | until the tree management destroyed many |
| they are better for jumping and stunts. | | | | of the infamous tracks. The most famous |
| The price of downhill and freeride bikes | | | | of all, 'The Boneshaker', is still in |
| ranges from 1500 dollars for an entry | | | | frequent use of the downhill, |
| level bike, all the way to 6000 dollars | | | | cross-country and hill walking |
| for a top of the line world cup race | | | | community. A Venue used by many sports |
| bike. The price differences have to do | | | | which captures the spirt of the |
| with the components that are on the | | | | community in Ireland. Unfortunately due |
| bikes, also the more expensive bikes are | | | | to the recent felling around trails |
| usually made with higher quality | | | | results in their destruction and has |
| materials and more time and care is put | | | | forced lobbing of the government run |
| into quality frame production. Choosing | | | | "coilte" organisation... |
| components on a downhill bike is a | | | | World Championship venues |
| constant battle between weight and | | | | Recent World Championships have been |
| strenth. Parts have to be strong but | | | | held in Lugano, Switzerland and Les Gets |
| still must be light. Recent advances in | | | | in the Rhône-Alpes region of France. |
| technology have allowed companies to | | | | The 2005 World Championships were held |
| make very strong but still very light | | | | in Livigno, Italy. The 2006 World |
| components. | | | | Championships were held in Rotorua, New |
| As technology advances, riders are able | | | | Zealand in August. |
| to push their bikes even further. In | | | | Governing bodies |
| 2001 the OnePointFive concept was | | | | The Union Cycliste Internationale is the |
| introduced to cope with the increasing | | | | global governing body for downhill |
| punishment riders today send to their | | | | mountain bike racing. Racers qualify to |
| downhill and freeride bicycles. | | | | compete in World Cup races by earning |
| OnePointFive uses a 1.5" wide headtube | | | | UCI points, which are gained by being a |
| (see headset) instead of the more | | | | top ten finisher in certain races, |
| conventional 1.125" diameter for added | | | | usually national. |
| stiffness and strength. | | | | In the U.S., NORBA, as part of USA |
| DH mountain bike technology is | | | | Cycling, runs the National Mountain Bike |
| considered the area in which most | | | | Series, and the NCCA is the governing |
| technological innovation occurs. As | | | | body for collegiate cycling. In the UK, |
| professional teams sometimes spend tens | | | | British Cycling controls mountain biking |
| of thousands of dollars to save weight, | | | | as well as road and BMX. |
| increase suspension efficiency and | | | | History of downhill cycling |
| improve handling they develop new | | | | The first Downhill time-trial race took |
| materials and geometries that trickle | | | | place at Fairfax, California at October |
| through to consumer markets on a | | | | 21, 1976. Ten riders descended 1300 feet |
| consumer level downhill bike and other | | | | of Repack in about 5 minutes; only one |
| bikes. | | | | had arrived to the finish line, and |
| Downhill gear features body armor and | | | | subsequently he was declared a winner. |
| motocross-type helmets, particularly | | | | Early bikes used for downhill descend |
| from such companies as 661 and Dainese | | | | were vintage 1930s "clunkers", as no fat |
| protection. | | | | tire bicycles were in production those |
| Downhill racing venues | | | | days. Later two enthusiasts, Charlie |
| Many ski areas are converted into biking | | | | Kelley and Gary Fisher founded the first |
| venues in the summer. Bikers ride | | | | company that manufactured what is known |
| gondolas, trams or chair lifts to the | | | | today as Mountain Bike. During the 80's |
| starting point at the top of the | | | | mountain biking continued to grow. |
| mountains. | | | | downhill racing in the late 80's and |
| Australia | | | | early 90's was basically people heading |
| Australia is the flatest continet on | | | | down the mountain on rigids or bikes |
| earth, but produces some of the worlds | | | | with only 1 or 2 inches of travel. |
| best downhill riders, why? Maybe because | | | | Purpose made downhill bikes werent being |
| the weather allows for 365 day riding. | | | | made until around 1995. Thats when |
| Mount Buller, Thredbo, Mount Beauty are | | | | companies started getting serious into |
| just three of the places that have | | | | downhill. It started with 4 and 5 inches |
| tracks that anyone can ride. And now | | | | of travel and went from there. Companies |
| Mount Stromlo near Canberra can be added | | | | started making bikes with 6 and 7 |
| to that list. The World Championships | | | | inches, so the suspension companies had |
| will be held there in 2009, so book in | | | | to keep up. From 2001 to 2002 rockshox |
| now - accommodation is not so easy to | | | | bumped the Boxxer, their downhill fork, |
| come by! | | | | from 6 to 7 inches of travel.Marzocchi |
| Canada | | | | did the same thing with the Jr. and |
| Canada is famous for its downhill racing | | | | Super T. It was also around this time |
| as well as other sorts of mountain | | | | that freeride was gaining speed. People |
| biking. The Whistler Mountain Bike Park | | | | were on bikes with up to 12 and 13 |
| hosts the annual Crankworx and Joyride | | | | inches of suspension and jumping off |
| Huckfest racing events. | | | | cliffs up to 50 feet. After they found |
| United Kingdom | | | | the limit to how far one could safely go |
| Within the UK most downhill tracks are | | | | they started getting more technical and |
| in Scotland or Wales, as these are more | | | | doing tricks. People found that the |
| mountainous. Fort William in Scotland is | | | | ideal size for a freeride bike is |
| Britain's only World Cup standard track. | | | | between 6 and 7 inches of travel because |
| During a race event, racing fans line | | | | it still allows the bike to be pedaled |
| the course, congregating around the | | | | around. With people like sam hill or |
| jumps, rock gardens or difficult | | | | steve peat pushing the sport faster than |
| sections. These raucous crowds often | | | | its ever gone before, new people are |
| cheer on or heckle racers by yelling, | | | | willing to try racing. Now downhill race |
| ringing cow bells or sounding air horns. | | | | bikes are typically very low to the |
| For all the latest downhill news from | | | | ground with 7 to 8 inches of travel |
| the Uk check out | | | | weighing between 45 and 35 pounds. A |
| www.southerndownhill.com. The main | | | | bike in the 42 pound range is about |
| series in the UK is the NPS series. It | | | | average. The suspension technology |
| is entered by professionals and amateurs | | | | rivals that of a formula 1 car. There is |
| and provides a great series for the uk. | | | | technology on the bikes now that allow |
| Find out more about the NPS downhill | | | | the suspension to pedal well while still |
| scene at NPSDH.com. Other series include | | | | reacting to every little bump in the |
| the midlands super series which is also | | | | trail. There are forks now that have |
| a great series. find out more about it | | | | 7inches of travel and weigh less than 7 |
| at www.midlandsuperseries.net. | | | | pounds. Many racers are now switching to |
| Wales (UK) | | | | tubeless tires and have road derailuers |
| Wales along with its superb scenery has | | | | and cassettes on their bikes. The |
| all the qualities required for downhill | | | | technology keeps advancing at an amazing |
| bike racing. Rheola is one such venue, | | | | rate. Who only knows what the next 5 to |
| near the town of Glynneath the following | | | | 10 years has in store. |
| in this area is vast, there is a | | | | |