What began as a very ordinary activity has now been transformed into a very challenging activity that has even led to it being classified as an extreme sport. Mountain biking today means having special skills and it has a following of its own since it gives the biker a real adrenaline buzz when he or she undertakes the different maneuvers. This sporting activity is thus becoming increasingly more popular, and more and more people are becoming attracted to it.

Much Like Snow Skiing

And, the most popular of all forms of mountain biking is without a doubt the activity of downhill mountain biking. It is much like what a snow skier performs on the icy slopes of a mountain, though in this case you will see the biker going downhill with the wheels getting airborne more often than not. For most bikers, the very thought of performing downhill mountain biking is enough to get them excited, and the actual experience is certainly thrilling.

A Dangerous Sport

You should not confuse downhill mountain biking with ordinary standard biking and think it to be nothing more than biking on rolling hills. It is not the same as cross-country biking either, though some amount of downhill biking may be involved. The activity of downhill mountain biking requires the biker to use the mountain bike that has special rear and front suspension that can handle the high amount of stress that mountainous terrains cause to the bike. You will also find that the downhill bikes are heavier than normal bikes as the frames are stronger. An average mountain bike should weigh between eighty to hundred kilos.

Another aspect to downhill mountain biking is the lack of any need to pedal as once the biker has been transported to the top of the mountain, they will need all of their physical strength and prowess to come down the mountain, as the whole activity demands a lot and is also quite dangerous. It should thus not be practiced until all safety measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the biker.

The courses used for downhill mountain biking are very steep and are also treacherous and it is normal to find jumps that extend to forty feet. Most bikers find downhill mountain biking to be very attractive because of the challenges it poses and they are known to pay scant respect to the risks involved. The harder the course, the more attracted the bikers are, though being fully protected is a must for even the best and most experienced biker. Thus, he or she should don a helmet and have protection for the elbows, knees and also use a full body suit and as well as goggles.