Downhill cycling

Downhill biking (DH) is a gravity-assisted time trial mountain biking event. Riders race against the clock, usually starting at intervals of 30 seconds (seeded from slowest to fastest), on courses which typically take two to five minutes to complete. Riders are timed with equipment similar to that used in Downhill skiing. The placing is determined by the fastest times to complete the course; races are often won by margins of under a second. As the name of this discipline implies, downhill races are held on steep, downhill terrain with no extended climbing sections, resulting in high speed descents with extended air time off jumps and other obstacles. The UK's champion is Steve Peat.With the junior champion being Paddy Taylor.

History of downhill biking

The first downhill time-trial race took place in Fairfax, California on October 21, 1976 on a fireroad now referred to as Repack Road, due to the need to repack hub bearings after a descent (the hub brakes used at the time would overheat, causing the grease within the hub to break down). Ten riders descended 1300 feet of Repack in about 5 minutes; the winner, Alan Bonds, was also the only one to make it to the finish line. [ [http://www.mtnbikehalloffame.com/history.cfm?page=3 Mountain Bike Hall of Fame - Repack History] ] The first bikes used for descending were known as "clunkers" or "paperboy bikes": coaster brake cruisers using balloon tires first imported to America by Ignatz Schwinn. [ [http://www.sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/co_evo.htm History of Clunker Bikes] ] By 1979, two organizers and competitors of the Repack downhill, Charlie Kelley and Gary Fisher founded the company which named the sport, MountainBikes. [ [http://www.mtnbikehalloffame.com/inductees.cfm?page=99&mID=31 Mountain Bike Hall of Fame - inductee Gary Fisher] ] As mountain biking grew enormously during the 80's, downhill riders continued to use either rigid or limited suspension travel (under 2 inches) bicycles, and purpose made downhill bikes were not made until the 90's. Some of these innovations included dual crown suspension forks and disc brakes, as well as very elaborate frame suspension designs.

Later, riders from all disciplines of cycling began focusing on downhill. Particularly, many BMX racers made the crossover, including champions such as John Tomac(Team Tomac Bikes), Micheal Crawley (Team Giant/Marzocchi Bikes), James Palmer (WHHFL Bikes), Woosub Song (Team Yeti/Fox Bikes) and Brian Lopes.Their influence is seen in the increased difficulty of many courses, especially in the "big air/ Hucking (biker term for big jumps and drops)" aspect of downhill.

The coming of age for downhill biking was its inclusion at the first UCI Mountain Bike Championship, held in 1990 in Durango, Colorado. This inaugural event was won by Hall of Fame racer Greg Herbold.

Downhill bikes and equipment

A downhill bike tends to weigh between 17 to 25 kg (30 to 50 pounds), most commonly 16-20 kg (35-45 pounds), and usually feature a full-suspension design, and frame geometry that leans back further than other mountain bikes. However, the best downhill bike ever has been, and always will be, the Giant Glory zero. As of 2006, 203 mm (8-inch) is the 'norm' for suspension travel however some commercially available bikes can have as much as 254 mm (10-inch). Large-diameter 203-5 mm (8-inch) hydraulic disc brakes moderate the riders' speed, just like in motorcycles or cars. Downhill bikes and freeride bikes are very similar but there are some slight differences. Downhill race bikes typically are much lower and have slacker head angles than freeride bikes, so that the bike is more stable at speed and in corners. Freeride bikes have a more upright geometry and a higher bottom bracket height, so that they are better for jumping and stunts, however Freeride bikes sometimes use single crown forks, which are smaller and lighter than the dual crown forks often used by downhill riders, dual crown forks usually have around 200 mm (8-inch) of travel, and single crown forks are usually around 180mm (7in)maximum. The price of downhill bikes ranges from 2000 US dollars or 1500 British pounds for an entry level bike, all the way to 9000 US dollars or 6000 British pounds for a top of the line world cup race bike. The price differences have to do with the components that are on the bikes, also the more expensive bikes are usually made with higher quality materials and more time and care is put into quality frame production. Choosing components on a downhill bike, as with most performance orientated bicycles, involves a tradeoff between weight and strength. Parts have to be strong but still must be light. Recent advances in technology have allowed companies to make very strong but still very light components. A great deal of innovation occurs in DH bikes as professional teams sometimes spend tens of thousands of dollars to save weight, increase suspension efficiency and improve handling they develop new materials and geometries that trickle through to consumer markets on a consumer level downhill bike and other bikes.

More recently (2007-present), most world cup downhill bikes have showed a trend towards lighter weight, air-sprung suspension forks and rear shocks. This is to reduce weight and improve responsiveness. In the UK and other parts of the world, many Downhill bikes also have lesser travel these days, with 6-7 inches (150-180mm) instead of the older standard of 200mm or 8 inches. This is for the same reasons as the switch to air-sprung suspension.

This has led to blurred boundaries between freeride and downhill bikes. Where Freeride bikes used to be lighter and made up of steeper angles, Downhill bikes now occupy this description, with freeride bikes now heavier and comprising slacker angles. This is for two reasons; 1) Many world cup downhill tracks are more technical than before, requiring steeper head angles to facilitate faster changes in bike direction. 2) Newer "Freeride-lite" bikes offer lighter weight than either downhill OR 'full-on' freeride cycles, meaning that freeride bikes can focus on being tougher, and downhill bikes can focus on being lighter, while freeride-lite bikes can offer a little of both.

Freeride-lite bikes are generally for those who like to be able pedal up hills as well as down them, and are slightly heavier and tougher than "trail" bikes.

Downhill gear features body armor and full-face motocross-type helmets.

Downhill racing venues

Many ski areas are converted into biking venues in the summer, (Such as Whistler Mountain Bike Park) however there are also many other hills with Downhill Mountain Bike trails built on them. Bikers ride gondolas, trams or chair lifts to the starting point at the top of the mountains. Another method commonly referred to as "Shuttling", uses motorized vehicles to transport multiple riders to the top of the hill. Normally utility vehicles or 4WD's are driven up off-road tracks to the top of the courses. However, some tracks provide access to ordinary cars - such as Kuranda Downhill in Cairns, which runs down the Smithfield side of the Kuranda Range and uses the road as access.

France

The dramatic scenery of the French Alps is home to many downhill routes and events. The most famous of which is the Mega Avalanche downhill race event in the Alp d'Huez and Bourg d'Oisans region. Another downhill course in the region is Les Deux Alpes which sometimes hosts other downhill events. The downhill courses and events are limited in the area however, because of the alpine winter and snow.The most popular area for downhill in the French alps is the Portes du Soleil including the two more popular resorts of Morzine and Les Get

Austria

Located right in the Alps this country has a lot of places to downhill race. A large majority of Austria's downhill tracks are accessible via lift shuttles. A World Cup track called the "Planai" is located in the city of Schladming. It is about 5km long with an average descent grade of about 35%.

witzerland

Located in the Alps and surrounded by the downhill nations of France, Germany, Italy and Austria it is kind of a center for the European downhill scene. You can find tracks in or near every city with high quality and a steep descent. It has several World Cup tracks like "Champery" or "Portes de Soleil". Switzerland is the home of parts manufacturer DT Swiss and frame manufacturer BMC.

Germany

In Germany the landscape is quite diverse, reaching from flatlands in the north to medium-sized mountains in the center to alpine mountains in the south. Downhill tracks in Germany are not as steep as in Switzerland or Canada and the difference from top to bottom is less, but the main parts of an average track are everywhere in Germany. Racing on this short tracks is from high intense and allow no mistakes. Due to the country's large population the sport has developed quickly in Germany. Number of riders can go up to 600. With 3 cup races is Thuringia in the middle of Germany the center of gravity. There are many firms producing downhill bikes in Germany, such as Last Bikes, Fusion Bikes or luxury downhill bike manufacturer Nicolai. There are also a lot of firms producing high-end parts like Rohloff, Magura or Tune.

Australia

Despite being the flattest continent on earth Australia has produced a large number of internationally successful downhill racers such as Adam F. While the large majority of Australia's downhill riding and racing is accessed by shuttling in cars, buses or by walking to the top of the track (push runs) the venues at Mount Buller and Thredbo provide lift accessed tracks during the summer. Mount Stromlo, nearby to Australia's capital city Canberra, will host the 2009 MTB World Championships. Famous racers include world cup winning Sam Hill, Nathan Rennie, Jared Rando, Jared Graves,Ameil Cavelier,Will Rischbieth and Max Hughes. The slowest in Australia is Remy A on his Commencal.

Canada

Canada is famous for its downhill racing as well as other sorts of mountain biking. The Whistler Mountain Bike Park in Whistler, British Columbia hosts the annual Crankworx and Joyride Huckfest racing events. The province of British Columbia is also home to several other large lift-serviced mountain bike parks, including Sun Peaks in Kamloops, BC and Silver Star Mountain Resort in Vernon, BC. The North Shore Mountains of North Vancouver, BC, are a famous downhill biking destination in their own right. The popular style of technical downhill freeriding that involves many man-made trail elements originated here. The style is often referred to as "North Shore Style."Canada has produced many world-class mountain bike racers, including downhillers Andrew Shandro and Matt Waterhouse.

outh Africa

Downhill racing isn't such a big sport in South Africa, but is rapidly growing. South Africa boasts some great tracks and riders, especially from the Western Cape and the Pietermaritzburg area in Kwa-Zulu Natal, the hometown of Greg Minnaar. In the Western Cape, the best tracks are Edeouth and Jonkershoek in Stellenbosch, Playgrounds in Paarl, Sir Lowry's Pass near Somerset-West (hometown of Andrew Neethling), Zevenwacht near Kuilsriver and Witfontein in George. They provide quite technical, but fun courses. Ferndale and World's View are great in Pietermaritzburg and Gillooly's Farm near Pretoria.

United Kingdom

Within the UK most downhill tracks are in Scotland or Wales, as these countries are more mountainous. Fort William in Scotland is Britain's only World Cup standard track and was the venue for the 2007 World championships. During a race event, racing fans line the course, congregating around the jumps, rock gardens or difficult sections. These raucous crowds often cheer on or heckle racers by yelling, ringing cow bells or sounding air horns. The main series in the UK is the NPS series.
Wales, along with its superb scenery, has all the qualities required for downhill bike racing as it has numerous hills and mountains. Rheola is one such venue, near the town of Glynneath in the southeast. The major race series in Wales is named the "Dragons" run mainly by Jason Carpenter. [http://www.dragondownhill.co.uk] . Many of the NPS rounds take place in Wales including the amazing track at Caersws. Other tracks in Wales include Moelfre, Rugog Farm, Glyncorrwg and Cwmcarn. In Scotland the main race series is run by the Scottish Downhill Assosciation or SDA. This series is widely regarded as one of the best regional race series in the world.

United States

The Sea Otter Classic, held each April at Laguna Seca near Monterey, California, is a major riding event that opens the racing season [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Salinas,+CA&ie=UTF8&z=16&ll=36.579385,-121.764264&spn=0.014819,0.023518&t=k&om=1&iwloc=addr (course map).] The 2006 U.S. National Championships were held at the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. Plattekill Mountain in the Catskills, Mammoth Mountain, the Northstar at Tahoe, Brian Head Resort, Attitash. Mountain Creek, Diablo Freeride Park and Deer Valley ski resorts are also well known to mountain bikers. In the southeastern United States, Snowshoe Mountain is well known for its extensive mountain bike park, camps, and even freeriding areas during the summer. [ [http://www.snowshoemtn.com/mountain/sum-mountain/index.htm Snowshoe in the summer] ] Vail, Colorado was the site of the 1994 Downhill Championship. The trail was renamed "'94 Downhill," and is still ridden by many downhill bikers today. It is considered one of Vail Mountain's hardest venues.

Italy

Bardonecchia, one of the Torino 2006 winter olympic venues, converts some of its ski courses and lifts for use by mountain bikers in the summer, and a number of downhill courses are present. Other ski resorts turning to mountain bike parks in summer are Pila, Italy, Sestola and Livigno. The area of Finale Ligure, near Genoa, offers year round tracks that end on the seaside, served by shuttles. Among the most famous tracks in the country is the Sanremo Downhill, a rocky, technical and dangerous course won in 2007 by Fabien Barel. The 2008 World Championship were held in Val di Sole.

Ireland

Downhill has increased significantly in Ireland over the past 10 years, as has the call for more facilities. Ticknock forest was the most important location until the tree "management" destroyed many of the infamous tracks. The most famous of all, 'The Boneshaker', is still in frequent use of the downhill, cross-country and hill walking community. A Venue used by many sports which captures the spirit of the community in Ireland. Unfortunately due to the recent felling around trails results in their destruction and has forced lobbying of the government run "coilte" organisation...

Russia

Some of the notable Russian downhill venues are Mashuk and Cheget mountains.

Portugal

Portugal is the host country of a Unique variety of down hill races, the Urban Down Hill, know as Down Town races, Lisbon Down Town, helded in May is the start of a new down Scene.Places Like Lousã, offer a big variety of single tracks, and big down hill circuits.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is rich with mountains especially around the capital city of Sarajevo, although MTB and downhill are still developing to become known sports in Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are more and more riders which use mountains like Igman, Bjelašnica and others for downhill racing. Recently an international tournament known as the 1STDHOFFENSIVE was held on the mountain Igman a downhill single track was made, this tournament should become traditional, at least that is what the organization says.

Governing bodies

The Union Cycliste Internationale is the global governing body for downhill mountain bike racing. Racers qualify to compete in World Cup races by earning UCI points, which are gained by being a top ten finisher in certain races, usually national.

In the U.S., NORBA, as part of USA Cycling, runs the National Mountain Bike Series, and the NCCA is the governing body for collegiate cycling. In the UK, British Cycling controls mountain biking as well as road and BMX. In Australia, MTBA controls all disciplines of Mountain biking.

References