The Sport of Mountain Biking in the UK
Mountain biking is a sport which has increased in popularity tremendously in recent years. In fact, its rise in popularity is surpassed only by the slope of the hills experienced by the biker who enjoys the fresh air combined with hard core thrills of steep mountain paths. There are a massive number of levels in the sport which has a following from school children through to experienced riders of all ages. Its is a healthy but demanding sport, and one which require good levels of fitness. But those levels are self perpetuating as the more the mountain bike trails rider does, the fitter they become.
The routes for mountain trails are scattered all over the country, and cover all the national park regions, the mountains and the forests. In mid Wales, where there are also the less than environmentally friendly stages of the world car rally championship held. The tracks are easy to find and wide enough for cars or cycles. In contrast some of the mountain bridleways and paths used primarily by sheep provide the hardest of rides for the cyclist who wants to test their strength against the elements.There are routes which encompass the best of Scotland’s scenery across the Grampians to Montrose and that trip will take some 4 to 6 days. In the Lake District the small compact region offers the mountain bike trails rider the opportunity take in the watery aspects of the local streams and experience some knee jerking downhill paths. The Lakeland Loop runs from Bowness to Keswick on the 150 mile bike ride which would take an estimated 5 days.
There are lots more and those who live some distance from the best locations will be found travelling with their bikes latched to the car or sat on a long distance train with the bikes under the care of the baggage attendant. It’s a sport which costs little once the initial outlay on the cycle is made That can be adjusted to suit the kind of mountain biking the rider wants to enjoy. Like any sport the better you get the more involved you become and the need for better equipment arises. But there are plenty of ordinary machines which are good starting bikes for the casual mountain bike trails enthusiast which will not break the bank and provide an adequate if not ideal vehicle for going up and down the countries hillsides.
The sport has plenty of organised clubs as does all forms of cycling. There is a great mix in the sport which allows people to be individuals on their own bikes whilst travelling but like hiking, a good social aspect at the end of the day. Some would say this is the ideal type of activity for those who like group activities, but also enjoy their own challenges. There is an organisation called the International Mountain Bicycling Association which originated in California and has now reached Canada, Europe and Australia. The organisation can offer advice on safety and etiquette in the sport and has a membership of 32,000 worldwide.