DoWhile this idyllic picture might strike some as boring, today’s young cyclists look for action and excitement, without forgetting the dreams of yesteryear. And if it can be had on a bike, what could be better?

One mountain biking sport that has caught on in the last few years, and little by little is attracting more followers, is Downhill. For those who have never heard of it, in Downhill bikers compete on a two-to-three kilometre-long course to see who is fastest while avoiding all kinds of obstacles with spectacular pivots and breath-taking jumps. While Downhill bikers are usually timed on the course individually, there is a variant of Downhill called Dual-Slalom where two racers compete against each other at the same time, and where the time-trials are much shorter and require greater skill and daring to take on the tight turns and extreme jumps.

While these kinds of exhibitions are relatively new in Spain, the Downhill phenomenon has been going on in the United States for the last 25 years. Downhill bikers need to use all of their skilfulness with the bike to keep from falling flat on their face, since nose-dives are pretty much a common occurrence in Downhill. One slip-up or slight error in controlling the bike and the biker might just find himself kissing the ground. Protective gear is therefore a must. (…)

Since long ago, man has wanted to fly like a bird, to feel unbound and free, and to admire from way on high the marvels of nature that surround us on earth.

Bikers often look more like motocross pilots than like cyclists. They cannot forego fullface helmets that protect both head and face, elbow pads, knee pads, shinguards, shoulder pads, chest protectors and goggles. The last two protect the body and eyes from stones that can pop up and hit the rider. And another element of protection is the bike itself – a “machine” that can stand up to the extreme conditions of a course that is anything but straightforward. The bike must have high suspension (15-30 centimetres) in both wheels and a very sturdy titanium frame. These are the basic necessities for anyone who wants to take a stab at Downhill.

Some of the sport’s detractors criticize bikers for being too aggressive with the environment because the bike wheels erode the soil of the mountainside; but organizers of this type of event assure that they always use old cattle trails to design the downhill course and pre-fabricated obstacles that are less aggressive to the environment to make the course more difficult. For their part, Downhill fans and participants defend the sport on the grounds that it encourages the use of the bicycle, promotes outdoor sports and environmental awareness among the racers and the public alike.

In the last few years, Downhill has attracted loads of people looking for thrill and excitement. But both beginners and experts should never lose sight of the fact that in these kinds of extreme sports, the safety of everyone involved comes first. But this doesn’t mean that the riders can’t enjoy the surge of adrenaline that will pump through their bodies as they surge down the mountainside on their bikes, hoping one day to touch the sky with their hands. See you at the bottom!