Downhill Mountain Biking Basics & FAQ
Spoiler alert: Downhill mountain biking is quite a dangerous sport. And even small mistakes can result in crashes or even injuries. Especially if you don’t know what you’re doing or you can’t judge risks quite yet.
In short, downhill mountain biking is a sprint (made ever more rapid due to gravity) from the top to the bottom of a mountain or hill. The location and size of courses will mean there are variations in difficulty from one to another; however, all are a test of speed and skill. The primary focus for the riders is that they must stay within the taped-off course and get through safely.
Jumping and lifting the tires off the ground is one of the unique aspects of mountain biking. And arguably one of the most thrilling things to do on a bike. Just as there are many ways to ride on a mountain bike, there are quite a few types of jumps to get you and your bike up in the air. Some types of jumps are more common than others. Some are safer, some are scarier. Some are optional while others are mandatory. And some are simply easier to build.
