Mountain biking

If riding up a mountain or cutting through evergreen forests surrounded by some of the best scenery the country has to offer sounds exciting, then mountain biking might be for you.

Thousands of South Africans are doing this every weekend, getting to see places the rest of us will only read about.

Most sources agree that the sport started in Northern California around the 1970s when a group of cycling enthusiasts took their cycling to a completely new level. As technology advanced, the one-speed clunkers were improved to the mountain bikes we know today, which could conquer previously inaccessible terrain. In the 1970s and especially the 1980s, road bicycle companies started manufacturing mountain bikes with lightweight material, leading to the first major production mountain bike, the Stumpjumper. The sport went mainstream in the 1990s and has not looked back.

South Africa is a particularly good spot for mountain biking. The local routes are some of the best in the world, says founder of the Cycle Lab franchise of stores, Andrew McLean. “Our scenery is exceptional,” he adds, “and mountain biking allows you to see much more of the countryside.” According to McLean, the popularity of the sport has “grown in leaps and bounds.”

The best way to get started in mountain biking is by joining your local club, says McLean. It’s the best place to get good, solid advice and get your head round the basics. He also recommends attending the club’s beginners’ clinics. To find out where your nearest club is, contact Cycling South Africa, the sport’s central governing body.

The Mountain Bike Commission, a division of Cycling South Africa, is responsible for all four disciplines of the sport. Cross Country, the standard for most riders, generally involves riding point-to-point across climbs and descents over a variety of terrain. Down Hill refers to racing-orientated downhill riding at some of the sport’s most extreme and dangerous venues. Marathon Racing is a demanding form of the sport, covering at least 40 kilometres. Lastly, Stage Racing incorporates several races or stages ridden consecutively, usually over a period of several days.

To start, you will need some basic equipment. When it comes to choosing the right equipment Cycle Lab says that well-designed and developed 29er bicycles are as appropriate for African conditions as a tubeless conversion. For a helpful guide on choosing the correct bicycles for your needs, browse to www.redbull.com/za-en/buying-a-mountain-bike-everything-you-need-to-know. McLean adds that you should also get the best possible helmet. Your club kit will mostly include shorts and a shirt, and you will also need gloves. When you start off, trainers are fine, he says, but you should look at investing in a pair of cycling shoes later in the game.

Once you’re kitted out, there is a myriad of races that you can participate in. Among the most popular is the three-day Wine2Whales Mountain Bike Race from Somerset West to Hermanus. The four-day Sabie Experience is another highlight, but the biggest mountain bike stage race in the world is South Africa’s Absa Cape Epic, which is “the ultimate goal” for mountain bikers, says McLean.

McLean advises starting off with a one-day event and looking at tours commensurate with your fitness and technique. After all, the most important reason for mountain biking is simply having fun.

The information contained in this article is of a general nature and intended for information purposes only.