Cross-Country Mountain Biking and Racing
Cross-Country Mountain Biking or XC Mountain Biking is probably the most well-known discipline of Mountain Biking. It is also fairly simple to get into and the least extreme compared to other styles. The variety, adventure, and the feeling of freedom and being with nature are all facets of Cross-Country Mountain Biking. These are probably some of the reasons why people are so attracted to it. Being in the countryside automatically means that you need to bike on a lot of different terrains and you need several important skills. For instance, you might need to climb and descend on various types of terrain, ranging from open fire roads to tight, twisty single track in the bush.
If your Mountain Bike can go cross-country reasonably and you can handle it well, you can try Cross-Country Mountain Bike Racing. It is the first type of racing involving Mountain Bikes. It is also an Olympic discipline. Cross-Country Racing is a popular event wherein competitors bike through a trail marked from point A to point B by the race organizers. XC Mountain Bike races are mass start - different groups or splits start at the same time. The race track will also vary in size, with one having a short lap to be traveled many times, and others with one long lap.
Cross-Country Racing involves knowing how to pace yourself within your limits and requires endurance. One needs to train hard in order to become a good Cross-Country racer. An average race may be 20-30 kilometers long, depending on what category you are in. It may take up to two hours to complete.
Specially designed Cross-Country Mountain Bikes tend to have only a small amount of suspension, and they are lightweight. The front suspension is anywhere from 60-120mm of travel. Travel is the amount of movement that the shock can absorb. In other words, the more travel you have, the smoother the bumps are. This is achieved through the use of lightweight materials and suspension is provided by air shocks. Cross-Country Mountain Bikes are focused on minimizing the pedaling effort as much as possible.
These are the basic features of Cross-Country Mountain Biking and Cross-Country Mountain Bike Racing. Be physically fit. Use the appropriate Mountain Bike and Gear, and learn the necessary skills and techniques in order to have a thrilling Cross-Country Mountain Biking experience.
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