16.04
2012 Mountain activities

Just a few years ago, downhill mountain biking was accessible only to elite athletes. A lack of adapted equipment and infrastructure within the mountain stations made the practice inconvenient. But times have changed, and downhill mountain biking has become accessible to a much larger public. So why not give it a shot?

Biking Boom

Just a few years ago, downhill mountain biking was accessible only to elite athletes. A lack of adapted equipment and infrastructure within the mountain stations made the practice inconvenient. But times have changed, and downhill mountain biking has become accessible to a much larger public. So why not give it a shot?

Biking Boom

Thanks to the evolution of equipment as well as an improvement of services provided by the mountain stations, downhill mountain biking has risen in popularity among the general public. The sport now has much in common with alpine skiing. More and more, ski stations propose specific downhill mountain biking itineraries, from gently sloping 4x4 pistes wide enough for beginners, to narrow bare earth single tracks with multiple hairpin turns for more experienced riders. The pistes are marked in the same way as alpine ski trails: green for beginners, blue for those with moderate experience, red for intermediates, and black for experts. On certain pistes, it is not uncommon to find small jumps or gangways to increase the challenge of the descent. Pistes are often serviced by chairlifts or shuttles, with the option to pay per ride or by the half-or-full day, like alpine skiing. Certain stations, such as Tignes, even offer these services for free!

No Pain!

Improvement of cycling equipment has played a major role in the increasing accessibility of downhill mountain biking. All mountain bikes are now equipped with front suspension, ranging from 100 mm for a basic mountain bike, to 160 for an “enduro” model (practical for mainly downhill trails with some pedalling on flat sections) to 200 mm for a downhill mountain bike. This last category is also equipped with rear suspension. For the rider, this means no more painful vibrations in the arms when encountering unlevel surfaces. These bicycles allow the rider to go much faster than rigid models. It is, of course, essential to wear proper protection in case of a fall: elbow, knee and wrist pads, a helmet, and dorsal protection.

Your Turn!

Once you have obtained the proper equipment, you must learn how to use it correctly! For this purpose, you can benefit from the advice of certified professionals. The Moniteurs Cyclistes Français(MCF; http://www.moniteurcycliste.com) play the same role for cyclists as ESF monitors for skiers. Learn the basic techniques, such as rear weight transfer in order to avoid falling forward on steep descents, the use of the front brake (which accounts for 70% of braking, the rear brake serving only for controlled skidding) and the selection of an exterior trajectory at the beginning of the descent, then an interior trajectory in the curves. You can also evaluate your progress with a model similar to alpine skiing. The mountain biking evaluation system – known as the Rocket – is a timed performance test, with bronze, silver and gold levels.

One of the best ways to discover downhill mountain biking in the stations is to participate in one of the many organised events, such as the Mondial du VTT at 2 Alpes, the Pass’Portes du Soleil, the Enduro du Beuafortain or MB Races at Megève, Combloux, etc.

0 comments
0 votes