An Introduction to Mountain Bike Racing
Mountain biking is a very popular form of cycling for both recreational riders and competitive cyclists.
As with road racing, mountain biking offers a variety of racing events that require a diverse set of physiological (e.
g.
, aerobic endurance and upper-body strength) and technical (e.
g.
, bike handling) abilities.
This article describes eight popular mountain bike races.
1.
Cross-Country.
Cross country consists of a mass start race that typically includes 100 to 150 riders.
Cross country events are contested on circuit courses consisting of unpaved dirt or gravel roads, and single-track trails filled with rocks.
The courses often have significant elevation gain and difficult descents.
The typical cross-country race lasts for about two hours (22-28 miles for men and 16-22 miles for women).
2.
Short Track Cross-Country.
Short track is mountain bike racing's answer to the criterium.
It is a brief cross-country event contested on a circuit course about three-fourths of a mile in length.
This mass start race also traverses rough terrain but is typically completed in about 20 minutes.
3.
Downhill.
The downhill is known as a gravity event because, as its name infers, it is contested entirely downhill.
It is a time trial event in which each rider departs individually (usually at 30 second intervals) and attempts to traverse a challenging course as quickly as possible.
The racer with the fastest time wins.
Races are typically 4 to 8 minutes long.
4.
Dual Slalom.
The dual slalom is similar to the slalom in ski races and is another gravity event.
Two racers compete head-to-head by simultaneously riding down parallel courses as quickly as possible.
The course typically includes tight turns, berms and jumps.
5.
Four Cross.
The newest of all mountain biking disciplines, four cross is a gravity event.
It is similar to the dual slalom.
In this race, four riders compete head-to-head and side-by-side.
They race downhill on a short, technical course with tight turns, berms and jumps.
The top two finishers in each heat advance to the next round.
6.
Super D.
A hybrid event that combines aspects of both downhill and cross-country events.
The race is contested on a course that has far more descending than ascending.
The course is less technical than most downhill events (e.
g.
, no jumps), and is designed to test both endurance and bike handling skills.
7.
Single Speed.
A mountain bike event contested on bicycles with only one front chainring and one rear cog (i.
e.
, a single-speed bicycle).
This means the cyclist cannot change the gear combination during the race.
8.
Observed Trials.
Observed trials consist of mountain bike riders negotiating an obstacle course strewn with boulders, rocks, tree stumps, and artificial barriers such as tables and cars.
The goal is to complete this course without putting a foot down (known as a "dab") or using a hand for balance.
The rider with the fewest dabs is declared the winner.
As with road racing, mountain biking offers a variety of racing events that require a diverse set of physiological (e.
g.
, aerobic endurance and upper-body strength) and technical (e.
g.
, bike handling) abilities.
This article describes eight popular mountain bike races.
1.
Cross-Country.
Cross country consists of a mass start race that typically includes 100 to 150 riders.
Cross country events are contested on circuit courses consisting of unpaved dirt or gravel roads, and single-track trails filled with rocks.
The courses often have significant elevation gain and difficult descents.
The typical cross-country race lasts for about two hours (22-28 miles for men and 16-22 miles for women).
2.
Short Track Cross-Country.
Short track is mountain bike racing's answer to the criterium.
It is a brief cross-country event contested on a circuit course about three-fourths of a mile in length.
This mass start race also traverses rough terrain but is typically completed in about 20 minutes.
3.
Downhill.
The downhill is known as a gravity event because, as its name infers, it is contested entirely downhill.
It is a time trial event in which each rider departs individually (usually at 30 second intervals) and attempts to traverse a challenging course as quickly as possible.
The racer with the fastest time wins.
Races are typically 4 to 8 minutes long.
4.
Dual Slalom.
The dual slalom is similar to the slalom in ski races and is another gravity event.
Two racers compete head-to-head by simultaneously riding down parallel courses as quickly as possible.
The course typically includes tight turns, berms and jumps.
5.
Four Cross.
The newest of all mountain biking disciplines, four cross is a gravity event.
It is similar to the dual slalom.
In this race, four riders compete head-to-head and side-by-side.
They race downhill on a short, technical course with tight turns, berms and jumps.
The top two finishers in each heat advance to the next round.
6.
Super D.
A hybrid event that combines aspects of both downhill and cross-country events.
The race is contested on a course that has far more descending than ascending.
The course is less technical than most downhill events (e.
g.
, no jumps), and is designed to test both endurance and bike handling skills.
7.
Single Speed.
A mountain bike event contested on bicycles with only one front chainring and one rear cog (i.
e.
, a single-speed bicycle).
This means the cyclist cannot change the gear combination during the race.
8.
Observed Trials.
Observed trials consist of mountain bike riders negotiating an obstacle course strewn with boulders, rocks, tree stumps, and artificial barriers such as tables and cars.
The goal is to complete this course without putting a foot down (known as a "dab") or using a hand for balance.
The rider with the fewest dabs is declared the winner.
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