Downhill cycling
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Downhill cycling (DH) is a gravity-assisted time trial mountain biking event. Riders race against the clock, starting at intervals that can vary from 30 seconds to three minutes-depending on the stage of the competition. The rider with the lowest time wins. As the name of this discipline implies, DH races are held in steep, downhill terrain, resulting in higher speed than in cross-country racing. The terrain is also often a lot rougher than in cross-country racing.
While the riders job is to get top to bottom as fast as possible, the course designer has their work cut out challenging the rider and making the job of going fast more difficult.
Downhill courses usually feature big jumps and drops, as well as often being either covered with roots or rocky (occasionally both). A common feature is a "rock garden", which is a strip of moderately sized rocks.
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[edit] Downhill bikes and equipment
A Downhill bike (also referred to as DH rigs or sleds) tend to weigh between 17 to 25 kg (35 to 50 pounds), and usually feature a full-suspension design, and frame geometry that leans back further than other mountain bikes. As of 2006, 203 mm (8-inch) is the 'norm' for suspension travel. Large-diameter 203 mm (8-inch) hydraulic disc brakes modulate the riders' speed, although several riders are now using 9 in prototype rotors. A Downhill bike is similar to freeride bikes and there is a very fine line between them. In general, however, DH rigs tend to differ from freeride bikes primarily in frame geometry typically having very slack head tube angles, very complex suspension geometry, and a lower center of gravity than freeride bikes. Freeride bikes start at around $2000 (US Dollars) and DH race bikes start around $3000. The price difference is partly due to the components equipped on the bikes, but mostly it is the result of technology and materials involved in the frame makings. Downhill components are chosen for durability, but many racers also try to cut down on weight. Some have certain parts such as chain guides drilled to shave off grams, or switch to exotic materials such as titanium or carbon fibers.
As technology advances, riders are able to push their bikes even further. In 2001 the OnePointFive concept was introduced to cope with the increasing punishment riders today send to their downhill and freeride bicycles. OnePointFive uses a 1.5" wide headtube (see headset) instead of the more conventional 1.125" diameter for added stiffness and strength.
DH mountain bike technology is considered the area in which most technological innovation occurs. 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.
Downhill gear features body armor and motocross-type helmets.
Below are examples of professional downhill bikes:
Examples of downhill bike components:
[edit] Downhill racing venues
Many ski areas are converted into biking venues in the summer. Bikers ride gondolas, trams or chair lifts to the starting point at the top of the mountains.
[edit] Canada
Canada is famous for its downhill racing as well as other sorts of mountain biking. The Whistler Mountain Bike Park hosts the annual Crankworx and Joyride Huckfest racing events.
[edit] United Kingdom
Within the UK most downhill tracks are in Scotland or Wales, as these are more mountainous. Fort William in Scotland is Britain's only World Cup standard track. 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.
[edit] Wales (UK)
Wales along with its superb scenery has all the qualities required for downhill bike racing. Rheola is one such venue, near the town of Glynneath the following in this area is vast, there is a reference website run by local youth downhillers namely DGDOWNHILLlisting all the venues and all event information. It's great to see the youth in this area taking part and following the sport with such passion. The major race series in wales is named the "Dragons" run mainly by Jason Carpenter. [1]
[edit] United States
The Sea Otter Classic at Laguna Seca near Monterey, California is a major riding event that opens the racing season. The 2006 U.S. National Championships were held at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. The Northstar at Tahoe, Brian Head Resort, Attitash, Plattekill Mountain 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. [2] 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. [3]
[edit] Italy
Bardonecchia, one of the Torino 2006 winter olpympic 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.
[edit] World Championship venues
Recent World Championships have been held in Lugano, Switzerland and Les Gets in the Rhône-Alpes region of France. The 2005 World Championships were held in Livigno, Italy. The 2006 World Championships were held in Rotorua, New Zealand in August.
[edit] 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.
[edit] History of downhill cycling
The first Downhill time-trial race took place at Fairfax, California at October 21, 1976. Ten riders descended 1300 feet of Repack in about 5 minutes; only one had arrived to the finish line, and subsequently he was declared a winner. Early bikes used for downhill descend were vintage 1930s "clunkers", as no fat tire bicycles were in production those days. Later two enthusiasts, Charlie Kelley and Gary Fisher founded the first company that manufactured what is known today as Mountain Bike.
