Downhill mountain biking is type of biking sport that is held on steep and rough terrain. It involves jumps, rock gardens, and other obstacles.
There is a special type of bike used for this sport, it is usually heavy and strong, the rear suspension has over 20 centimeters of travel, to glide over the rocks and some tree roots. The competitions have different formats; some formats allow the participants to have one or two attempts to reach the finish line as fast as they can.
The participants must pick their line by compromising the shortest line and the line that can be finished in the fastest way. A participant must return to the point of exit if they leave the course by either crossing or breaking the tape. If they cannot gain advantage by crossing from the tape, they can continue with the race. Most of the courses usually take two or five minutes to finish.
Similar Sports
- Mountain Biking — riders using a bicycle off-roads, usually through rough terrain.
- Cross-Country Mountain Biking — off-road cycling races over rough terrain
- Downhill Skiing — participants slide down a snow-covered hill using skis with fixed bindings
Related Pages
- Complete list of sports
- The Encyclopedia of Sports