Added: 01/24/2006 |
A Mountain Bike Is An Integral Part Of Your Mountain Biking VacationThe development of mountain biking as an individual sport in the late 1960s created a need for appropriate equipment, like special mountain bikes. Because the sport is performed on fire roads, dirt roads, mountain trails, and park trails, placing the riders far from civilization, reliability and endurance are key characteristics here as far as the equipment is concerned. For this reason, mountain bikes differ greatly from road racing bicycles in many ways
The first purpose-made mountain bike was constructed by Joe Breeze in 1977, while the first mountain bike frame became regularly available two years later. In 1982, the first mass produced mountain bikes, Univega Alpina Pro and the Specialized Stumpjumper, were sold by their company.
In order to chronicle the history of mountain biking sport and honor the individuals, having contributed essentially to its development, the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame was established in 1988.
There are several features that make mountain bikes different from road racing bicycles. The first, and the most conspicuous, is that mountain bikes are equipped with a smaller and stronger frame, wider knobby tires or wheels, a lower range of gears to make climbing easier, and some form of suspension system. In recent years, full front and rear suspension has become common.
The flexibility and comfort of a modern mountain bike has resulted in the 80% market share in a large number of countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. Despite the fact that only 15% of mountain bikes are suitable for off-road riding, mountain biking has won the hearts of thousands of adventurous bikers.
Among the latest trends of the mountain bikes include the Specialized Demo 9 and the Santa Cruz 10, designed for long travels. Many experienced riders give preference to single-speed bikes, attractive due to their simplicity, their light weight, and reduced number of mountain bike parts.
Another evident popularity is the emergence of bike parks, such as Whistler Mountain Bike Park, operating throughout summer at the prominent ski resort Whistler Blackcomb. The bikers are offered more than 40 trails, ranging from blue for beginners to double black diamond for experienced bikers. Those having no bikes of their own may take advantage of bike rentals.
Mountain biking requires bike handling skills, endurance, and self-reliance. In some aspects, it has more in common with trail running than bicycling, since it is experienced on access roads, fire roads, mountain trails, and park trails. Riders must acquire survival skills in dangerous situations. In recent years club rides as well as other forms of group rides has become common, especially on long treks.
The mountain biking sport comprises three broad categories: downhill, freeriding, and cross country. Though mountain biking can be performed anywhere from a gravel road to a back yard, mountain bikers prefer to ride narrow trails, winding through fields or forests.
The challenges that the first mountain bikers had to face led to the development of various mountain bike groups, aimed at creating new trails and maintaining existing ones via collaboration with public and private entities. They can work either individually or together to achieve results. The International Mountain Bicycling Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve and enhance trail opportunities for bikers worldwide.
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