"…Let's Ride"

This form of mountain biking has been deamed the latest “ extreme sport”, and well deserved. Picture this… A downhill skier cruising along, take away the skiis, poles, and snow, replace them with dirt, trees, rocks, mud, and a bike barrelling down a mountain, dodging and weaving, its wheels airborne just as much as they’re touching the ground, you’re starting to get the idea now. And if the idea of DH mountain biking gets you all fired up, just imagine what the actual experience would do?

It’s not even close to the same thing as riding a “regular” or “standard” mountain bike, that involves some downhill, but is more like bike racing than downhill mountain biking.

DH mountain biking calls for a bike with front and rear suspensions that are specially engineered to withstand the extreme stress of the terrain you’re gonna have to deal with. The downhill bikes are also alot heavier, they typiccally weigh in between forty and fifty pounds, mostly because of their stronger tube frame. And forget about trying to pedal a downhill mountain bike uphill, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE. You have to be brought to the top via chairlift, you’re going to be tired enough,the trails are usually both physically dangerous and demanding. You should NEVER try downhill mountain biking until you’ve got all safety measures in place.

DH courses are crazy too, both steep and treacherous, and some of these courses can contain jumps up to forty feet with a ten foot drop… Yeah, Iknow Right… I mean look at this banked turn. You have to be a special breed to enjoy this sport. You have to thrive on challenge, the harder the better, if there’s no risk then whats the point of doing it. But even the most experienced downhill mountain bikers never start a descent without being fully protected with a helmet, elbow and knee pads, body armor, and goggles. This isn’t your average ride in the park.

Downhill biking has become such a popular “adrenaline junkie” sport, that it’s available in many places across the country now.

Here are a few tips to help you get strarted.

It would be best to gradually advance your skills by first practicing it on easier slopes and after acquiring the necessary skills, advance to the next level. This is an extreme sport.

Tip # 1

Always wear your safety gear, they could save your limbs and your life. Helmet, goggles, body armor, pads, gloves, colorful clothing, and proper footwear are essential for DH.

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Tip # 2

Take the time to check out the trail on foot first. This gives you a good idea of the challenges of the trail and will insure that no abtacles will come as a surprise. Those who do not adhere to this often end up in an ambulance. This isn’t your average trail ride, these trails a very fast and very dangerous.

Tip #3   (this one’s key)

FORGET YOU EVEN HAVE A FRONT BRAKE AT ALL. If you tap your front brakes, even by mistake, you’re done, can you say “faceplant”. Since your weight will always be towards the front end of the bike, you’ll get thrown of immediately, even with the slightest touch. Don’t disconnect them though, if your back brakes go you’ll need the front one for “emergency assistance”:) But until then… forget about them.

Tip # 4

You have to practice fluttering your rear breaks, continuously applying and releasing, to control speed. If you dont do this you’ll keep going faster and faster and eventually end with you wrapped around a tree or worse, another unsuspecting rider.

Tip # 5

Select a bike with the center of gravity “at the center” and near the base of the bike. Full suspension is a must have and will also help you keep your balance better.

　

Final Thought:

Downhill biking is a real adrenalin pulsing, white knuckle thrill ride taking the nation by storm. The speed is the real thriller, requiring a very high degree of skill and practice, without which this sport can turn into a violent disaster. I highly recommend that anyone new to DH riding exercise extreme caution when starting out.

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