Getting Started

Mountain biking is one of the most exciting sports in the world.

There are four main disciplines in competitive mountain biking: downhill, four cross, cross-country and Trailquest. They all require fitness, bravery and amazing bike control at scary speeds. But they are also very different in style from each other.

You have to be a real tough nut to make it as a top mountain biker in cross country - the only event available at the Olympics.
The riders need to have brilliant bike handling skills to manoeuvre over trees, branches, rocks and streams.

They must also be extremely fit as the event is incredibly draining and requires real endurance.
Downhill is the ultimate test of nerve and bike control.

It's about who is the fastest from top to bottom.
Which rider has the skill to brake the latest, corner the fastest and ride closest to the edge of their ability?

Riders race individually against the clock hurtling down a steep course over a series of jumps, bumps and drop-offs.

Four cross or 4X mountain biking riders compete on a specially designed highly-challenging course.
The races last between 25 seconds and one minute and are usually fast and frenzied.
The courses are a mix of natural and man-made obstacles covering a steep descent.

The difficulty of getting over these obstacles at high-speed whilst being jostled by three other competitors means there are plenty of crashes.
Trailquest combines cross country mountain biking with orienteering.

Competitors must search for specific locations in forests or byways and clip special cards as evidence of their visit.

Each location has a specific points value, so competitors score points by visiting as many locations as possible.

The extra challenge comes with using maps and compasses to find these "control points".

Kit you'll need

The sport of mountain biking has seen some amazing advances in technology with bikes now incorporating automotive technology such as carbon fibre frames, full suspension and damping with hydraulic disc brakes.  The sky really is the limit and so the advice is to get some advice…
Before buying it may be worth hiring or borrowing a bike to see how you like it.

Apart from your bike, you also need to get some decent clothing and of course a helmet is an absolute must.

Like most other sports now, the need for proper hydration has been recognized so make sure you have either a bottle or other drinks system if you are going on a long ride.

What's Good

Mountain biking is a sport which is great for fitness and also incorporates skill elements whether you are a hard core down hill racer or a weekend trail rider.  Compared to road cycling, Mountain Biking will literally get you off the beaten track and so away from the traffic…

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