Information about Downhilling

Downhill cycling (DH) is a gravity-assisted time trial mountain biking event. Riders race against the clock, starting alone at set intervals, on courses which typically take two to five minutes to complete. The placing is determined by the fastest times to complete the course. As the name of this discipline implies, downhill races are held on steep, downhill terrain with no extended climbing sections, resulting in high speed descents with extended air time off of jumps and other obstacles.

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 moderate the riders' speed, just like in motorcycles or cars. Downhill bikes and freeride bikes are very similar but there are some slight differences. Downhill race bikes typically are much lower and more slack than freeride bikes, so that the bike is more stable at speed and in corners. Freeride bikes have a more upright geometry and a higher bottom bracket height, so that they are better for jumping and stunts. The price of downhill and freeride bikes ranges from 1500 US dollars for an entry level bike, all the way to 6000 US dollars for a top of the line world cup race bike. The price differences have to do with the components that are on the bikes, also the more expensive bikes are usually made with higher quality materials and more time and care is put into quality frame production. Choosing components on a downhill bike, as with most performance orientated bicycles, involves a tradeoff between weight and strength. Parts have to be strong but still must be light. Recent advances in technology have allowed companies to make very strong but still very light components.

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 companies that manufacture downhill mountain bikes:

• Cove Bikes
• Foes Racing Bikes
• Giant Bicycles
• Intense Cycles
• IronHorse Bikes
• Kona
• Norco Bikes
• Orange Bikes
• Santacruz Bikes
• Specialized Bicycles
• Yeti

Below are examples of companies that manufacture downhill mountain bike components:

• Raceface components
• e.thirteen Components
• Fox Racing Shox
• Rock Shox
• Shimano
• Mavic
• Truvativ
• Avid
• Chris King
• Maxxis Tyres
• Marzocchi

Downhill racing venues

Many ski areas are converted into biking venues in the summer, however there are also many other hills with Downhill Mountain Bike trails built on them. Bikers ride gondolas, trams or chair lifts to the starting point at the top of the mountains. Another method commonly referred to as "Shuttling", is using Cars to transport multiple riders to the top of the hill and normally Utes or 4WD's are used which are driven up off road tracks to the top of the courses. However, some tracks provide access to ordinary cars - such as Kuranda Downhill in Cairns, which runs down the Smithfield side of the Kuranda Range and uses the road as access.

Australia

Despite being the flattest continent on earth Australia has produced a large number of internationally successful downhill racers. While the large majority of Australia's downhill riding and racing is accessed by shuttling in cars, buses or by walking to the top of the track (push runs) the venues at Mount Buller, Thredbo, Mount Beauty provide lift accessed tracks during the summer. Mount Stromlo, nearby to Australia's capital city Canberra, will host the 2009 MTB World Championships.

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.

Blue Mountain is also a nice summer bike resort with it's blue cup bike event.

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. The main series in the UK is the NPS series.

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 major race series in wales is named the "Dragons" run mainly by Jason Carpenter. [1]. Many of the NPS rounds take place in wales including the amazing track that is Caersws. Other tracks in Wales include Moelfre, Rugog Farm and Cwmcarn.

United States

The Sea Otter Classic, held each April at Laguna Seca near Monterey, California, is a major riding event that opens the racing season (map of course). The 2006 U.S. National Championships were held at the 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]

Italy

Bardonecchia, one of the Torino 2006 winter olympic 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.

Ireland

Downhill has increased significantly in Ireland over the past 10 years, as has the call for more facilities. TickKnock forest was the most important location until the tree management destroyed many of the infamous tracks. The most famous of all, 'The Boneshaker', is still in frequent use of the downhill, cross-country and hill walking community. A Venue used by many sports which captures the spirt of the community in Ireland. Unfortunately due to the recent felling around trails results in their destruction and has forced lobbing of the government run "coilte" organisation...

World Championship venues

World Championships have been held in, and are planned for the following venues:
1990 - Durango, USA
1991 - Ciocco, Italy
1992 - Bromont, Canada
1993 - Métabief, France
1994 - Vail, USA
1995 - Kirchzarten, Germany
1996 - Cairns, Australia
1997 - Château-d'Œx, Switzerland
1998 - Mont Sainte-Anne, Canada
1999 - Ã…re, Sweden
2000 - Sierra Nevada, Spain
2001 - Vail, USA
2002 - Kaprun, Austria
2003 - Lugano, Switzerland
2004 - Les Gets, France
2005 - Livigno, Italy
2006 - Rotorua, New Zealand
2007 - Fort William, Scotland
2008 - Val di Sole, Italy
2009 - Canberra, Australia

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. In Australia, MTBA controls all disciplines of Mountain biking.

History of downhill cycling

The first downhill time-trial race took place in Fairfax, California on October 21, 1976 on a fireroad now referred to as Repack Road, due to the need to repack hub bearings after a descent (the hub brakes used at the time would overheat, causing the grease within the hub to break down). Ten riders descended 1300 feet of Repack in about 5 minutes; the winner, Alan Bonds, was also the only one to make it to the finish line.^[1] The first bikes used for descending were known as "clunkers" or "paperboy bikes": coaster brake cruisers using balloon tires first imported to America by Ignatz Schwinn.^[2] By 1979, two organizers and competitors of the Repack downhill, Charlie Kelley and Gary Fisher founded the company which named the sport, MountainBikes.^[3] As mountain biking grew enormously during the 80's, downhill riders continued to use either rigid or limited suspension travel (under 2 inches) bicycles, and purpose made downhill bikes were not made until the 90's. Some of these innovations included dual crown suspension forks and disc brakes, as well as very elaborate frame suspension designs.

Later, riders from all disciplines of cycling began focusing on downhill. Particularily, many BMX racers made the crossover, including champions such as John Tomac and Brian Lopes, and their influence is seen in the increase in difficulty of many courses, especially in the "big air" aspect of downhill.

The coming of age for downhill biking was its inclusion at the first UCI Mountain Bike Championship, held in 1990 in Durango, Colorado. This inaugural event was won by Hall of Fame racer Greg Herbold.

List of World Championship Winners

ELITE MEN
2007 - Sam Hill (AUS)
2006 - Sam Hill (AUS)
2005 - Fabien Barel (FRA)
2004 - Fabien Barel (FRA)
2003 - Greg Minaar (RSA)
2002 - Nicolas Vouilloz (FRA)
2001 - Nicolas Vouilloz (FRA)
2000 - Myles Rockwell (USA)
1999 - Nicolas Vouilloz (FRA)
1998 - Nicolas Vouilloz (FRA)
1997 - Nicolas Vouilloz (FRA)
1996 - Nicolas Vouilloz (FRA)
1995 - Nicolas Vouilloz (FRA)
1994 - François Gachet (FRA)
1993 - Mike King (USA)
1992 - Dave Cullinan (USA)
1991 - Albert Iten (SUI)
1990 - Greg Herbold (USA)


JUNIOR MEN
2007 - Ruaridh Cunningham (GBR)
2006 - Cameron Cole (NZ)
2005 - Amiel Cavalier (AUS)
2004 - Romain Saladini (FRA)
2003 - Sam Hill (AUS)
2002 - Sam Hill (AUS)
2001 - Ben Cory (AUS)
2000 - Julien Poomans (FRA)
1999 - Nathan Rennie (AUS)


ELITE WOMEN
2007 Sabrina Jonnier (FRA)
2006 Sabrina Jonnier (FRA)
2005 Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA)
2004 Vanessa Quin (NZ)
2003 Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA)
2002 Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA)
2001 Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA)
2000 Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA)
1999 Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA)
1998 Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA)
1997 Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA)
1996 Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA)
1995 Leigh Donovan (US)
1994 Missy Giove (US)
1993 Giovanna Bonazzi (IT)
1992 Juli Furtado (US)
1991 Giovanna Bonazzi (IT)
1990 Cindy Devine (CAN)

References

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