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