Cross-country cycling

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A cross-country rider on singletrack during a race

Cross-country (XC) cycling is the most common discipline of mountain biking. While less publicized than downhill cycling as it is more difficult to televise, it garners the highest levels of participation both recreationally and competitively.^{[citation needed]} Cross-country cycling became an Olympic sport in 1996 and was the only form of mountain biking practiced at the Summer Olympics until the 2008 Games.^[1]^[2]

1 Terrain
2 Bikes and equipment
3 Racing
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Terrain

Cross-country cycling is defined by the terrain on which it is performed. XC courses and trails consist of a mix of rough forest paths and singletrack (also referred to as doubletrack depending on width), smooth fireroads, and even paved paths connecting other trails. Riding or racing is also only deemed cross-country if the technical complexity of the trails is easy or moderate. Trails nearly impassible even to experienced riders are more often dubbed "all-mountain", "freeride", or "downhill".

[edit] Bikes and equipment

Further information: Mountain bike

Bicycle helmets are recommended for cross-country riding as with all cycling activities. However, XC riders generally do not wear full-face helmets or the full body "armor" employed by downhill riders. Cross country cyclists are more prone to injuries than road cyclists; however, the injuries sustained by XC riders are not necessarily more severe.^[3]

Cross-country bicycles are the lightest mountain bikes, typically between 22 and 30 lbs. They usually feature suspension forks in front and sometimes have suspension in the rear. In both the front and rear, most XC bicycles have between 0 and 110 millimeters of suspension (roughly 0 to 4 inches). The geometry of the frames generally place the rider in a more upright position than on a road bicycle but less so than on a downhill bike.

[edit] Racing

Racers running to their bikes in a Le Mans start

Cross-country racing emphasizes endurance above technical prowess, and races vary from 30 minutes to 24 hours in length. Additionally, many mountain bike races are divided up into stages so as to span several days. Races can be either point-to-point or lap-based. Short-track cross-country consists of many very short laps so as to be spectator-friendly.

A mass start

Unlike downhill races, which are conducted in a time trial format, cross-country races traditionally feature a mass start or interval start, where riders are released in several large groups divided by age or ability. Races with very large fields that do not wish to stagger starts will sometimes employ a Le Mans start where racers begin by running to their bikes.

Globally, XC racing is governed by the Union Cycliste Internationale. In the United States, it is under the purview of USACMTB a division of USA Cycling. In the United Kingdom, British Cycling is the governing body.