BlueSkyCycling: Downhill Mountain Biking

Downhill Mountain Biking

There are two similar genres of mountain biking that are always confused. By the way, Blue Sky Cycling offers online mountain bike sales for all types of mountain biking including downhill racing. Check it out after you read this article! There are all types of downhill mountain biking parts if you decide to enjoy downhill biking. They are quite tricky to tell apart. The Freeride Mountain biking and the downhill mountain biking. Both of them are done on steep and in very rough terrains. These terrains feature steep drops, jumps, fire roads, rock gardens and other naturally occurring obstacles such as roots. Both freeride and downhill mountain bikers use similar types of mountain bikes. A downhill mountain bike can easily and comfortably be used for freeriding and vice versa. In this particular case, we are going to take a deeper look into downhill mountain biking.

Some Downhill Mountain Biking Eye Candy Video....

Downhill Mountain Bikes

Due to the very unique, rough, and tough to ride terrains involved in downhill mountain biking, this genre of mountain biking require very special types of mountain bikes. The bikes must first of all ensure the safety of the rider. One biggest achievement in down hilling is for the rider and the bike to remain in one piece at the end of the race. They should also include features that makes it easy to drop, dirt jump, and roll over obstacles easily. Unlike other mountain bikes, the downhill mountain bikes are heavy and strong. Their front suspension should have at least 8 inches of travel to be able to cope with all the rough and tough trails. Such kind of a suspension glides smoothly over roots and rocks.

Downhill Mountain Biking Trails and Venues

Proper down hilling trails should be built on naturally occurring hills and mountains. These trails need to be as natural as possible. However, manmade structures are usually added sparingly to achieve desired effects on the trails. The natural trails are usually modified too, especially when avoiding very dangerous lines. When choosing and building downhill mountain bike trails, experienced riders and judges must always be involved since they always know better.

It is always difficult if not impossible to ride or walk up the hill to the starting point. Moreover, downhill mountain bikes are never designed with uphill riding in mind. So how do the riders and their bikes get up the mountain to the starting point? Thanks to the electronic winch and motor technology. The riders and their bikes can either ride on trams, chair lifts or gondolas to the top of the mountain. Alternatively, shuttling which uses motorized vehicles can be used. Other down hilling venues are designed in such a way that a road can wind up to the top of the hill. When creating a downhill trail is not an easy task. The designers have to consider critical factors such as safety, the spectators view, difficulty, variety, fun, just mentioning a few.

The Trail Placement

Considering that down hilling trails are one way trails for single-use, and are technically designed to suit no other sport or activity apart from Downhill Mountain biking, No other users should share or interfere with the trails. The trails should be placed is such a way as to avoid any conflict with any other activity. To separate and avoid conflict between downhill rides of different abilities and skills, at least two trails should be created.

The Ideal Downhill Mountain Biking Trail

An ideal downhill trail should include features such as:

Vertical Drops - A variety of vertical drops or approximately 1000 feet and above; the more the drops, the better. These drops can go to a height of more than 2000 feet.

Jumps and Drop Offs - These are normally the funnest part of the ride. They should be clearly visible and marked to enable the rider to make a split second decision on whether to ride them or bypass them. Clearly marked alternative bypasses should also be included. It is over these jumps, drops and drop-offs that riders like to show off their skills and tricks such as the 360s, back and forward flips, no handlers and many more.

Open and Flowing Sections- These allows the rider to make a split second choice from the available variety of lines. This section should be wide and rough, the perfect section to test the rider's skills and abilities when it comes to stability in technical high speed riding. Since downhill bikes are not good at pedaling, the open and flowing section should come after a very steep downhill ride.

Tight and Technical Sections- This is meant to be a slower section challenging the rider's abilities to make quick turns, overcome obstacles such as logs, and glide through difficult terrains.

The Downhill Mountain Bike Competition

What makes a huge clear cut distinction between freeride mountain biking and downhill mountain biking is the competition. Unlike freeride mountain bike competition whereby the winner is determined by how much tricks in terms of difficulty and creativity you can show off, the downhill mountain bike competition is focused on the speed. The riders are provided with a particular trail and they have to work out how to get to the finish line within the shortest time possible. It is up to the rider to decide and take a line that will give him/her the most advantage depending on his or her riding styles and abilities. For example, while a jump may be the shortest way to use, but the alternative line beside it can be ridden at a very high speed. Therefore the rider will make the decision within the split of a second depending on his/her approaching momentum, abilities, and instincts. The riders are normally given one or two attempts to ride from the start to the finish and the best time between the two is recorded as the final score.

To sum up, downhill mountain biking is reserved for expert mountain bike riders. It requires a lot of skill and time on a mountain bike. The speed is much faster therefore you have to make decisions quicker. Always make sure you have the correct mountain biking gear to ensure you will not hurt your bike or more importantly your self. If you spend a lot of time on downhill trails sign up for a competition and give it hell! We hope you enjoyed this article. If you have any questions regarding down hill mountain bike riding please feel free to leave a comment below.