Downhill Mountain Bike Racing

DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKE RACING

Downhill racing is a true test of nerve, and one's ability to control their bike under extreme conditions. The concept is to get down the mountain as fast as possible.

Downhill races are held in steep, downhill terrain. Riders race individually against the clock, starting at intervals that vary from 30 seconds to three minutes-depending on the stage of the competition. The rider with the fastest time wins. The course usually contains a succession of big jumps and drops over challenging terrain. Most race courses contain rocks, trees and other obsticals. The race is all about controlling your bike at high speeds- breaking... cornering... riding to the edge of one's ability.

The First Downhill Mountain Bike Race

The first Downhill time-trial race took place in Fairfax, California on October 21, 1976. A dozen riders descended 1300 feet of Repack in about 5 minutes. When the dust had cleared Alan Bonds was declared the victor because he was the only one who hadn’t crashed. At that time mountain bikes did not exist. Racers rode "clunkers". The name "Repack" came from the fact that one trip down that hill put years of wear onto a coaster brake. Immediately after the race, riders had to disassemble and repack all the bearings with grease, otherwise the hub would seize up. As participants started modifying their "clunkers", the modern mountain bike was born, and the fat-tire revolution began. Many participants in the original Repack Downhill Racing Series of the 1970's went on to become mountain bike innovators, as well as todays industry leaders. Some names you may be familiar with:

Charlie Kelly
Co- Founder of the Repack Off-Road Downhill Race series with roommate Gary Fisher.
Founded "Mountainbikes" with Tom Ritchey and Gary Fisher - the first place to sell Mountain Bikes.
Founded "The Fat Tire Flyer"- The first Mountain Bike magazine.
Charlie Kelly was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 1988.

Gary Fisher
Co- Founder of the Repack Off-Road Downhill Race series with roommate Charlie Kelly.
Founded "Mountainbikes" with Tom Ritchey and Charlie Kelly - the first place to sell Mountain Bikes.
Founded Fisher Mountain Bikes.
Gary Fisher was inducted into the mountain bike hall of fame in 1988.

Tom Ritchey
Welded the frames for Gary Fisher and Charlie Kelley's "MountainBikes" company in the 1970's
Founded Ritchey
Tom was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 1988.
Invented the "BreakAway Bike"

Mike Sinyard
Founded Specialized Bicycle Components.
Mike Sinyard was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 1988.

Brian Skinner
Founder Mountain Cross Racing
Helped set the original guidelines for the creation of NORBA (National Off-road Bicycle Association)
Brian Skinner was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 2002.
Founder Big Horse Productions.

What to Wear When Racing Downhill

Downhill racing apparel is all about protection... "body armor". A typical body armor set up is a downhill specific mountain bike helmet, knee and shin guards, elbow guards, and a chest, shoulder and back protector. The gear should fit snug, but not be restrictive.

Downhill Mountain Bike Helmet

Downhill mountain bike helmets look like full face protected motorcycle helmets. The clear face of the helmet provides visibility while protecting eyes from dirt, branches and other material.

Chest, Shoulder and Back Protector

Chest, shoulder and back protectors help prevent spinal chord injuries, shoulder dislocations and chest punctures.

Elbow Guards

Elbow guards prevent arm fractures, cuts and abrasions.

Hip and Tailbone Protection

Specially padded shorts can help protect hips and prevent tailbone fractures.

Knee and Shin Guards

Knee and shin guards guards prevent leg fractures, cuts and abrasions.

Downhill Racing Gloves

Cycling places a lot of stress on your hands. Road shock is transmitted up through the handlebars to the rider. Gloves with the appropriate padding can prevent pain and injuries resulting from road shock, and help protect hands from road rash, scrapes, and bruises. Many downhill cycling gloves also have carbon-fiber knuckles and forefingers for added protection.

Downhill Racing Jerseys

Downhill racing jerseys, are usually made of polyester, or a polyester blend fabric so that they have the ability to wick moisture and breath. The jerseys are designed to fit over the top of body armor. Most have mesh panels inserts for greater ventilation.

Short or Pants

Downhill pants and shorts are designed to fit over the top of body armor. They are usually made of fabrics that are resistant to abrasions, tears, and scuffs, such as Cordura®. For added strength Kevlar® inserts are used in areas such as the inner thigh. Pants should be comfortable, but fitted. Stretch fabric, such as Spandura is often used in the knee panel, lower leg, and crotch area to increase comfort and mobility. Most pants have a gussetted croch to prevent the pants from catching on the saddle. There shouldn't be any buckles, straps, cords, or other items on the pants that could easily become caught on tree braches or bushes.