Downhill Mountain Biking Techniques
Riding down steep slopes and might seem intimidating to beginner downhill riders. The main factor which transforms riding downhill into such an intimidation is that everything happens faster and in a more intense manner. Riding downhill is different than ordinary bike riding in many ways. One of the main differences is the bikers’ center of gravity. While riding on straight terrain, there’s no problem figuring out where your center of gravity is and maneuvering accordingly. Just like ordinary bike riding, but more so, there’s a grave importance to looking ahead and realizing what kind of terrain we’re riding on. There’s a major difference between bike riding on rocks, wet ground, or on a leafy area. Once you’ll realize ahead of time what kind of terrain you’re riding on, you’ll know how to maneuver your bike more successfully.
This post will focus on braking principles. Breaking your bike while descending downhill isn’t as simple as it seems. There are many conditions that require different techniques of breaking. If you’ll just pull on the breaks and hope for them to stop, there’s a pretty good chance you’re going to loose traction, spin and fall down. A basic technique of correct braking which is applied also in motor vehicles is to apply the brakes gently smoothly. It’s better to apply the brakes by alternated smooth movements as a posed to just clamping them. Brakes can also be used as a way to turn your bike. Applying your back brake can help you turn your bike, by pivoting.
These were only a few introductory tips. Before setting out on a downhill trail, I recommend taking a few lessons with a mountain biking instructor in order to be sure that you have the knowledge and skills required in order to cope with the challenges downhill trails pose.
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The Passportes du Soleil Mountain Bike Race
The Passportes du Soleil is an epic mountain bike race in the huge Portes du Soleil region of France & Switzerland which heralds the start of summer and the opening of the lift system. It takes place over the last weekend in June, and has evolved from an earlier event known as the "Freeraid".
Most riders don't really treat the Passportes as a race (although you do get a number for the front of your bike) but simply a great day's mountain bike riding. The event is massive - 2 days, 3 courses (30, 45 & 75 km) and 3700 riders. The classic trek of 75 km includes 12 ski lifts, 6500 m of total downhill, 500 m of total uphill climb.
What makes this event unique is the fact that it attracts a wide range of participants - from lycra clad cross country riders to armour clad downhill riders, and from beginners to experts. Everyone gets involved and rides the same course. True, the cross country riders tend to beat the downhill riders on the climbs, and for the real keen peddlers, there is also optional climbing sections. And true the downhillers tend to overtake the cross country riders when it comes to descending, and there are a couple of optional "free ride" sections. But overall, the race is a fantastic melting pot of all mountain bike styles and standards.
As for the course itself - it has to be one of the best in the world! It takes in some amazing panoramas on the Morgins and Champoussin sections with views of the Dents du Midi, the Dents Blanch and even Mont Blanc. There is some excellent steep and twisty single track down through the woods in Torgon. There are dedicated downhill courses used at Chatel and Les Gets. There is an epic descent from the top of Linderets down to Morzine and there are some great meandering cross-country sections on relatively easy 4x4 tracks.
Another excellent feature of this event are the fantastic refreshment stands located at regular intervals throughout the course. Large tables offer up a wide range of snacks and drinks, from energy/nut bars to cheese and ham, from energy drinks to beer and wine. It is always interesting to see who feels fit to tuck into the alcoholic drinks at ten in the morning, and then avoid them if you see them on the course!
The Passporte du Soleil is really an event for everyone. It has become so massive that it now sells out months in advance. However, if you visit the Portes du Soleil later on in the summer, it is possible to get a map from the local tourist office and cycle pretty much the whole route.
Race stats:
Classic trek - 75 Km The classic circuit is for purists: a long tour of the Portes du Soleil about 75km* approximatively 75km - 12 lifts* 6500m of total downhill/ 500m of total uphill* 7 resorts to start from : Avoriaz, Châtel, Les Gets, Morzine, Champéry, Morgins et Torgon* 8 refreshments points
Intermediate trek - 45 km 45km with one aim in mind; having fun* approximatively 45km - 7 lifts* 4000m of total downhill /300m of total uphill* 4 resorts to start from: Châtel, Champéry, Morgins et Torgon.* 4 refreshments points
Discovery trek - 30km For those who are quite good at mountain biking, but out on The Portes du Soleil's tracks for the first ime...an ideal "breaking in route"* approximatively 30km- 5 lifts* 2200m of total downhill/ 200m of total uphill* 3 resorts to start from: Avoriaz, Morzine et Les Gets* 3 refreshments points