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Introduction
Downhill
Who is quickest top to bottom? Who brakes latest, corners fastest and rides nearest to the edge of their ability? Downhill is the ultimate test of nerve and machine control. Riders race individually against the clock pitting themselves against a challenging succession of jumps, bumps, berms (cambered corners) and drop-offs on a course which is predominantly downhill – often dropping between 300 and 600 metres in perhaps 2.5 km of racing! Races usually last between 2 and 5 minutes.
For Downhill, a full-face helmet and body armour are recommended! Bikes are highly specialised, featuring several inches of suspension front and rear. Frames are strong and light. Tyres are very broad and heavily knobbled. Transmission consists of only a single front sprocket and the chain has guides to help keep it on through the heavy knocks and vibration of competition. Brakes are very powerful discs. Weight is less of an issue than in Cross-Country and geometry is set up to provide straight line stability.
More Infromation
Click here to keep reading about the different types of mountain biking in Scotland
Mountain Bike Leadership Awards
The MBLA has over 8500 leaders registered with the scheme. This is significant workforce involved in introducing youngsters into the activity of mountain biking and leading others into more adventurous activities.
You can find out more about the MBLA here including a list of tutors and a current course programme.
Developing Mountain Biking In Scotland
For more information on the project, news and events please visit our website:
www.developingmountainbikinginscotland.com
Go Mountain Bike
Scottish Cycling are partners in the Go Mountain Bike Scheme which was designed and produced by Cycling Scotland.
Go Mountain Bike is a national mountain bike proficiency scheme with five levels of proficiency across four themes. One of it's principal aims is to support more young people to take up mountain biking through a structure programme.
Go Mountain Bike is delivered by qualified Leaders (from the MBLA scheme) who have been orientated into the scheme. Follow the link for more information on the scheme and to see a list of accredited Centres.
More info on the scheme can be found here
Get Into Downhill and 4-Cross Mountain-Biking
Downhill and 4-Cross riders often get into the sport via completely different routes to Cross-Country riders. Many of them come from the "street" end of trials riding, BMX and dirt jumping. There is also a considerable cross-over from BMX racing and, interestingly, from off-road motorcycling disciplines such as Trials and Moto-Cross.
Click here for more information on how to get into the Scottish mountain-biking scene
Get Into Cross-Country Mountain-Biking
All Mountain Biking involves a mixture of fitness and machine control. Getting started is often simply a case of getting a basic mountain bike (a simple Cross-Country hardtail is ideal) and going out and exploring the local countryside. Bicycles can legally use bridleways and Britain has a superb network of these - learn to read a map and get out and enjoy yourself.
Click here to find out how to get into cross-country mountain-biking
Scottish Cross Country Association
The 2008 Scottish Cross Country event programme is set to be the best yet with the series taking in some brilliant trails at Scotland's finest cross country venues. The popularity of the series continues to grow with 2007 seeing thousands of competitors enjoying the thrill of cross country riding in well-organised events.
If you haven't sampled the' SXC experience' yet there's never been a better time to give a it a go with categories to suit everyone from beginners to elite competitors.
For more information on the series go to www.sxc.org.uk
Scottish Downhill Association
The Scottish Downhill Association(SDA) are volunteer organisation that runs the national series of downhill mountain bike races across Scotland.
The 2008 Scottish Downhill event programme was again a huge success with the series taking in some brilliant downhill tracks across Scotland including, A Forest, Dunkeld, Innerleithen and of course Fort William. The popularity of the series continues to grow with 2008 seeing hundreds of competitors enjoying the thrill of downhill riding in professionally well-organised events.
For more information on the series go to www.sda-races.com
Fort William World Cup
Since 2002 Rare Management have organised one of the most successful mountain bike events in the world, the Fort William UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.
Click here for more information
National Mountain Biking Rankings
British Cycling's new Mountain Bike ranking system offers a clearer and more comprehensive service.
Click here to find out how the ranking system works
MTB Rankings Explained
Cross-Country and Downhill National ranking points are awarded to all affiliated events on a scale appropriate to the event.
Click here for a full explnation of ranking points and how they are awarded.
MTB Race Categories
All categories in MTB racing are age based until you get to the age of 19. For more information and how to work out which category you belong in click here
Mountain Bike Organiser Support Info/Documents
If you are planning a mountain biking event, there are a number of supporting documents and forms available to download here
