Latest mountain bike news

Two mountain bikers navigate a rocky path during a race, with one rider in a blue jersey and the other in a red and yellow jersey. They are surrounded by green foliage, and there's visible dirt and stones on the track. The background features a cloudy sky.
Community
Olympic mountain biking wrap-up
Aug 25, 2008
  1
A close-up view of handmade wooden carts with metal wheels placed on grassy terrain. In the background, a group of people can be seen observing the carts, with a hillside in the distance. The image showcases traditional craftsmanship and community engagement in Rwanda.
Culture
Wooden Bike Racing in Rwanda
Aug 22, 2008
A sign indicating that biking is prohibited, positioned next to a wooden bridge surrounded by lush greenery.
Mountain Bike Trails
3 MTB trail take-down messages in 24 hours :(
Aug 22, 2008
Community
More MTB on TV
Aug 21, 2008
Logo of Giant Bicycles, featuring the word "GIANT" in bold black letters with a stylized wave design above it, accompanied by the word "BICYCLES" in smaller text.
Culture
First Giant Bicycle Store Opens in October
Aug 20, 2008
Two mountain bikers preparing to jump out of an aircraft, standing in the open door with clouds visible below. Both wear helmets and backpacks, with their bikes positioned at the edge, suggesting an adventurous leap into the sky. The image conveys excitement and the thrill of extreme sports.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Dope MTB t-shirts from Evomo
Aug 19, 2008
Promotional banner encouraging users to add a review in August for a chance to win, featuring the text "Add a Review in August for a chance to WIN!" and a yellow star graphic alongside a device labeled "Garmin."
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Review MTB gear for a chance to win!
Aug 18, 2008
  1
A black and orange Cannondale mountain bike with a lightweight frame, featuring disc brakes and wide tires, displayed against a plain background.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Cannondale unveils lightest Scapel ever for Olympic riders
Aug 15, 2008
  2
A graphic showcasing a helmet at the top and four different helmet covers labeled as Izmir, Dublin, Paris, and Tokyo below. The design is sleek with a dark background, highlighting the options available for customizing the helmet.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Bike helmet covers from YAKKA
Aug 14, 2008
<img alt="mens-olympic-mtb.jpg" id="image1083" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/mens-olympic-mtb.jpg" /> Photo: Paul Gilham / Getty Images / <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/">NBCOlympics.com</a> The Olympics drew to a close this weekend but not before the Olympic mountain bikers had a chance to tear up the course at Laoshan Olympic Mountain Bike Course. According to the NBC television commentary the course had 800 feet of climbing PER LAP meaning the men's race climbed 6,400 feet over 8 laps. Not only was the course aerobically challenging, there were also plenty of technical sections keeping the riders out of the saddle a bit more than they might have liked. During the broadcast we learned that the course was deemed "too easy" during pre-Olympic test rides last fall so the entire course was re-worked to add more challenges (including rocks cemented into the trail itself). This time around the riders said they thought the changes may have swung the course into the "too hard" direction. Man, are pro riders like Goldilocks or what? ;) The men's race was dominated by winner Julien Absalon of France who also took the gold in Athens in 2004. The French took silver as well while a Swiss rider snagged bronze. The women's race was owned by the Europeans where the top 3 finishers were from Germany, Poland, and Russia. Only 1 American has EVER won an Olympic medal in mountain biking - Susan DeMattei received Bronze in 1996. Here are the official medal results: <strong>Men's Olympic mountain biking results</strong> <ol> <li>Julien Absalon (FRANCE)</li> <li>Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRANCE)</li> <li>Nino Schurter (SWITZERLAND)</li> </ol> <strong>Women's Olympic mountain biking results</strong> <ol> <li>Sabine Spitz (GERMANY)</li> <li>Maja Wloszczowska (POLAND)</li> <li>Irina Kalentyeva (RUSSIA)</li> </ol> <img alt="womens-olympic-mtb.jpg" id="image1084" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/womens-olympic-mtb.jpg" /> Photo: Paul Gilham / Getty Images / <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/">NBCOlympics.com</a> Aside from a couple exciting crashes during the races, there really wasn't that much drama in the mountain biking events. Since there aren't world records to beat or even large crowds to impress it's a bit of an uphill battle for viewer excitement (no pun intended). It didn't help that the event was broadcast at 1am Eastern time or the fact that the television coverage only showed the first and last laps of the race. One final observation: the winner of the men's race (and most other racers as far as I could tell) seemed to be riding hard tail bikes and not the full suspension rigs most amateur riders prefer. Sure hardtails are lighter and a bit faster in some circumstances but the Olympic course had some pretty gnarly sections that would have been much nicer on a plush ride. I'm also pretty sure there weren't any 29ers, perhaps due to rules barring them as "non-standard" equipment? Anyone know where to find a copy of the official Olympic MTB regulations?
Culture
The "Ride to the Ride" Movement
Aug 13, 2008
  1
<img alt="mens-olympic-mtb.jpg" id="image1083" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/mens-olympic-mtb.jpg" /> Photo: Paul Gilham / Getty Images / <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/">NBCOlympics.com</a> The Olympics drew to a close this weekend but not before the Olympic mountain bikers had a chance to tear up the course at Laoshan Olympic Mountain Bike Course. According to the NBC television commentary the course had 800 feet of climbing PER LAP meaning the men's race climbed 6,400 feet over 8 laps. Not only was the course aerobically challenging, there were also plenty of technical sections keeping the riders out of the saddle a bit more than they might have liked. During the broadcast we learned that the course was deemed "too easy" during pre-Olympic test rides last fall so the entire course was re-worked to add more challenges (including rocks cemented into the trail itself). This time around the riders said they thought the changes may have swung the course into the "too hard" direction. Man, are pro riders like Goldilocks or what? ;) The men's race was dominated by winner Julien Absalon of France who also took the gold in Athens in 2004. The French took silver as well while a Swiss rider snagged bronze. The women's race was owned by the Europeans where the top 3 finishers were from Germany, Poland, and Russia. Only 1 American has EVER won an Olympic medal in mountain biking - Susan DeMattei received Bronze in 1996. Here are the official medal results: <strong>Men's Olympic mountain biking results</strong> <ol> <li>Julien Absalon (FRANCE)</li> <li>Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRANCE)</li> <li>Nino Schurter (SWITZERLAND)</li> </ol> <strong>Women's Olympic mountain biking results</strong> <ol> <li>Sabine Spitz (GERMANY)</li> <li>Maja Wloszczowska (POLAND)</li> <li>Irina Kalentyeva (RUSSIA)</li> </ol> <img alt="womens-olympic-mtb.jpg" id="image1084" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/womens-olympic-mtb.jpg" /> Photo: Paul Gilham / Getty Images / <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/">NBCOlympics.com</a> Aside from a couple exciting crashes during the races, there really wasn't that much drama in the mountain biking events. Since there aren't world records to beat or even large crowds to impress it's a bit of an uphill battle for viewer excitement (no pun intended). It didn't help that the event was broadcast at 1am Eastern time or the fact that the television coverage only showed the first and last laps of the race. One final observation: the winner of the men's race (and most other racers as far as I could tell) seemed to be riding hard tail bikes and not the full suspension rigs most amateur riders prefer. Sure hardtails are lighter and a bit faster in some circumstances but the Olympic course had some pretty gnarly sections that would have been much nicer on a plush ride. I'm also pretty sure there weren't any 29ers, perhaps due to rules barring them as "non-standard" equipment? Anyone know where to find a copy of the official Olympic MTB regulations?
Community
Olympic Cycling on TV
Aug 13, 2008
  1
Five cyclists in coordinating red and yellow cycling suits with "CHINA" printed on them stand beside their mountain bikes, while a man in a black jacket smiles in the middle. They are outdoors, likely preparing for a ride or photo opportunity.
Community
The Prez checks out Olympic MTB Course
Aug 12, 2008
  3
A cyclist in a yellow and black jersey races down a street during an event, while a young boy on another person's shoulders captures the moment with a camera. The scene is filled with spectators and a festive atmosphere, showcasing a mix of excitement and support for the cyclists.
Community
Lance Armstrong places second at Leadville 100
Aug 11, 2008
  1
Label for Fat Tire Amber Ale featuring a vintage-style illustration of a red bicycle against a blue background with green vines and a tree. The text "Fat Tire" is prominently displayed at the top, along with brewing details at the bottom.
Culture
Mountain Bike Brews
Aug 8, 2008
  5
Alt text: Two vending machines designed for bicycle parts, located at a Trek Stop. One machine is shown with a bicycle parked next to it, while the other features a person interacting with the vending machine. The machines are prominently labeled and situated in a well-lit outdoor area.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Bike parts vending machine from Trek
Aug 7, 2008
A mountain biker riding along a grassy trail with wildflowers, near a wooden cabin, set against a backdrop of snowy mountains and blue sky with scattered clouds.
Community
Learning to free ride
Aug 6, 2008
<img alt="mens-olympic-mtb.jpg" id="image1083" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/mens-olympic-mtb.jpg" /> Photo: Paul Gilham / Getty Images / <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/">NBCOlympics.com</a> The Olympics drew to a close this weekend but not before the Olympic mountain bikers had a chance to tear up the course at Laoshan Olympic Mountain Bike Course. According to the NBC television commentary the course had 800 feet of climbing PER LAP meaning the men's race climbed 6,400 feet over 8 laps. Not only was the course aerobically challenging, there were also plenty of technical sections keeping the riders out of the saddle a bit more than they might have liked. During the broadcast we learned that the course was deemed "too easy" during pre-Olympic test rides last fall so the entire course was re-worked to add more challenges (including rocks cemented into the trail itself). This time around the riders said they thought the changes may have swung the course into the "too hard" direction. Man, are pro riders like Goldilocks or what? ;) The men's race was dominated by winner Julien Absalon of France who also took the gold in Athens in 2004. The French took silver as well while a Swiss rider snagged bronze. The women's race was owned by the Europeans where the top 3 finishers were from Germany, Poland, and Russia. Only 1 American has EVER won an Olympic medal in mountain biking - Susan DeMattei received Bronze in 1996. Here are the official medal results: <strong>Men's Olympic mountain biking results</strong> <ol> <li>Julien Absalon (FRANCE)</li> <li>Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRANCE)</li> <li>Nino Schurter (SWITZERLAND)</li> </ol> <strong>Women's Olympic mountain biking results</strong> <ol> <li>Sabine Spitz (GERMANY)</li> <li>Maja Wloszczowska (POLAND)</li> <li>Irina Kalentyeva (RUSSIA)</li> </ol> <img alt="womens-olympic-mtb.jpg" id="image1084" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/womens-olympic-mtb.jpg" /> Photo: Paul Gilham / Getty Images / <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/">NBCOlympics.com</a> Aside from a couple exciting crashes during the races, there really wasn't that much drama in the mountain biking events. Since there aren't world records to beat or even large crowds to impress it's a bit of an uphill battle for viewer excitement (no pun intended). It didn't help that the event was broadcast at 1am Eastern time or the fact that the television coverage only showed the first and last laps of the race. One final observation: the winner of the men's race (and most other racers as far as I could tell) seemed to be riding hard tail bikes and not the full suspension rigs most amateur riders prefer. Sure hardtails are lighter and a bit faster in some circumstances but the Olympic course had some pretty gnarly sections that would have been much nicer on a plush ride. I'm also pretty sure there weren't any 29ers, perhaps due to rules barring them as "non-standard" equipment? Anyone know where to find a copy of the official Olympic MTB regulations?
Culture
Sick riders, closed trails, stolen bikes, and more
Aug 5, 2008
A black bicycle pedal featuring a dual-sided design with stainless steel clips and a threaded attachment for easy installation. The pedal is branded with the name "LOOK" prominently displayed.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
New MTB pedals from Look
Aug 4, 2008
  1
Image of a Garmin Edge 205 cycling computer, displaying the main menu with options for history, training, navigation, and settings. The device is primarily black with a gray casing and features several buttons on the sides.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Submit a review in August, get a chance to win a MTB GPS
Aug 1, 2008
  1
Portrait of a male cyclist wearing a white and black cycling jersey featuring the logo "USA" on the front, with a neutral background. He has curly hair and is looking directly at the camera.
Community
Olympic MTB preview
Aug 1, 2008
  1
Four male musicians posing for a photo with a red background. They are dressed in a mix of casual and semi-formal attire, with one wearing a cowboy hat, another in a fedora, and the rest in t-shirts and sweaters. The band's name, "Weezer," is displayed above them in a bright, stylized font.
Culture
Albums to shred to this summer
Jul 31, 2008
  2
A person dressed in costume waves from the top of an oversized bicycle while another person rides on it and a third person runs alongside. The bicycle features large wheels and is set against a blurred outdoor background, suggesting motion.
Culture
Two bike pics
Jul 30, 2008
  1
A person riding a mountain bike on a narrow dirt trail surrounded by lush green forest, with tall trees lining both sides of the path. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a vibrant and inviting outdoor scene.
Mountain Bike Trails
Tanasi MTB Trail Report
Jul 29, 2008
  1
A dark green t-shirt featuring the word "singletracks" in bold white letters, accompanied by a simple graphic logo resembling mountains. The shirt is displayed flat with short sleeves.
Community
More singletracks t-shirts and stickers in stock
Jul 28, 2008
  1
Illustration from U.S. Patent 6,273,391 B1, showing mechanical diagrams of a bicycle brake system. The image includes two figures: FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, depicting different views of brake components attached to a bicycle wheel.
Culture
Mountain bike fishing
Jul 28, 2008
  1
<img alt="mens-olympic-mtb.jpg" id="image1083" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/mens-olympic-mtb.jpg" /> Photo: Paul Gilham / Getty Images / <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/">NBCOlympics.com</a> The Olympics drew to a close this weekend but not before the Olympic mountain bikers had a chance to tear up the course at Laoshan Olympic Mountain Bike Course. According to the NBC television commentary the course had 800 feet of climbing PER LAP meaning the men's race climbed 6,400 feet over 8 laps. Not only was the course aerobically challenging, there were also plenty of technical sections keeping the riders out of the saddle a bit more than they might have liked. During the broadcast we learned that the course was deemed "too easy" during pre-Olympic test rides last fall so the entire course was re-worked to add more challenges (including rocks cemented into the trail itself). This time around the riders said they thought the changes may have swung the course into the "too hard" direction. Man, are pro riders like Goldilocks or what? ;) The men's race was dominated by winner Julien Absalon of France who also took the gold in Athens in 2004. The French took silver as well while a Swiss rider snagged bronze. The women's race was owned by the Europeans where the top 3 finishers were from Germany, Poland, and Russia. Only 1 American has EVER won an Olympic medal in mountain biking - Susan DeMattei received Bronze in 1996. Here are the official medal results: <strong>Men's Olympic mountain biking results</strong> <ol> <li>Julien Absalon (FRANCE)</li> <li>Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRANCE)</li> <li>Nino Schurter (SWITZERLAND)</li> </ol> <strong>Women's Olympic mountain biking results</strong> <ol> <li>Sabine Spitz (GERMANY)</li> <li>Maja Wloszczowska (POLAND)</li> <li>Irina Kalentyeva (RUSSIA)</li> </ol> <img alt="womens-olympic-mtb.jpg" id="image1084" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/womens-olympic-mtb.jpg" /> Photo: Paul Gilham / Getty Images / <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/">NBCOlympics.com</a> Aside from a couple exciting crashes during the races, there really wasn't that much drama in the mountain biking events. Since there aren't world records to beat or even large crowds to impress it's a bit of an uphill battle for viewer excitement (no pun intended). It didn't help that the event was broadcast at 1am Eastern time or the fact that the television coverage only showed the first and last laps of the race. One final observation: the winner of the men's race (and most other racers as far as I could tell) seemed to be riding hard tail bikes and not the full suspension rigs most amateur riders prefer. Sure hardtails are lighter and a bit faster in some circumstances but the Olympic course had some pretty gnarly sections that would have been much nicer on a plush ride. I'm also pretty sure there weren't any 29ers, perhaps due to rules barring them as "non-standard" equipment? Anyone know where to find a copy of the official Olympic MTB regulations?
Culture
Chinese Mountain Bike Tours
Jul 25, 2008
A cyclist performing a mid-air jump on a bike above a large pit filled with foam cubes, inside a covered skatepark. In the background, a few people are observing the stunt.
MTB Tips
Learning how to land big mountain bike jumps
Jul 24, 2008
  1
Stainless steel flask with a decorative engraved design, tilted at an angle, showing the cap and handle.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Mountain bike flask holster
Jul 23, 2008
<img alt="mens-olympic-mtb.jpg" id="image1083" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/mens-olympic-mtb.jpg" /> Photo: Paul Gilham / Getty Images / <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/">NBCOlympics.com</a> The Olympics drew to a close this weekend but not before the Olympic mountain bikers had a chance to tear up the course at Laoshan Olympic Mountain Bike Course. According to the NBC television commentary the course had 800 feet of climbing PER LAP meaning the men's race climbed 6,400 feet over 8 laps. Not only was the course aerobically challenging, there were also plenty of technical sections keeping the riders out of the saddle a bit more than they might have liked. During the broadcast we learned that the course was deemed "too easy" during pre-Olympic test rides last fall so the entire course was re-worked to add more challenges (including rocks cemented into the trail itself). This time around the riders said they thought the changes may have swung the course into the "too hard" direction. Man, are pro riders like Goldilocks or what? ;) The men's race was dominated by winner Julien Absalon of France who also took the gold in Athens in 2004. The French took silver as well while a Swiss rider snagged bronze. The women's race was owned by the Europeans where the top 3 finishers were from Germany, Poland, and Russia. Only 1 American has EVER won an Olympic medal in mountain biking - Susan DeMattei received Bronze in 1996. Here are the official medal results: <strong>Men's Olympic mountain biking results</strong> <ol> <li>Julien Absalon (FRANCE)</li> <li>Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRANCE)</li> <li>Nino Schurter (SWITZERLAND)</li> </ol> <strong>Women's Olympic mountain biking results</strong> <ol> <li>Sabine Spitz (GERMANY)</li> <li>Maja Wloszczowska (POLAND)</li> <li>Irina Kalentyeva (RUSSIA)</li> </ol> <img alt="womens-olympic-mtb.jpg" id="image1084" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/womens-olympic-mtb.jpg" /> Photo: Paul Gilham / Getty Images / <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/">NBCOlympics.com</a> Aside from a couple exciting crashes during the races, there really wasn't that much drama in the mountain biking events. Since there aren't world records to beat or even large crowds to impress it's a bit of an uphill battle for viewer excitement (no pun intended). It didn't help that the event was broadcast at 1am Eastern time or the fact that the television coverage only showed the first and last laps of the race. One final observation: the winner of the men's race (and most other racers as far as I could tell) seemed to be riding hard tail bikes and not the full suspension rigs most amateur riders prefer. Sure hardtails are lighter and a bit faster in some circumstances but the Olympic course had some pretty gnarly sections that would have been much nicer on a plush ride. I'm also pretty sure there weren't any 29ers, perhaps due to rules barring them as "non-standard" equipment? Anyone know where to find a copy of the official Olympic MTB regulations?
Culture
Summer Recreation at National Forest Ski Areas
Jul 22, 2008
<img alt="mens-olympic-mtb.jpg" id="image1083" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/mens-olympic-mtb.jpg" /> Photo: Paul Gilham / Getty Images / <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/">NBCOlympics.com</a> The Olympics drew to a close this weekend but not before the Olympic mountain bikers had a chance to tear up the course at Laoshan Olympic Mountain Bike Course. According to the NBC television commentary the course had 800 feet of climbing PER LAP meaning the men's race climbed 6,400 feet over 8 laps. Not only was the course aerobically challenging, there were also plenty of technical sections keeping the riders out of the saddle a bit more than they might have liked. During the broadcast we learned that the course was deemed "too easy" during pre-Olympic test rides last fall so the entire course was re-worked to add more challenges (including rocks cemented into the trail itself). This time around the riders said they thought the changes may have swung the course into the "too hard" direction. Man, are pro riders like Goldilocks or what? ;) The men's race was dominated by winner Julien Absalon of France who also took the gold in Athens in 2004. The French took silver as well while a Swiss rider snagged bronze. The women's race was owned by the Europeans where the top 3 finishers were from Germany, Poland, and Russia. Only 1 American has EVER won an Olympic medal in mountain biking - Susan DeMattei received Bronze in 1996. Here are the official medal results: <strong>Men's Olympic mountain biking results</strong> <ol> <li>Julien Absalon (FRANCE)</li> <li>Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRANCE)</li> <li>Nino Schurter (SWITZERLAND)</li> </ol> <strong>Women's Olympic mountain biking results</strong> <ol> <li>Sabine Spitz (GERMANY)</li> <li>Maja Wloszczowska (POLAND)</li> <li>Irina Kalentyeva (RUSSIA)</li> </ol> <img alt="womens-olympic-mtb.jpg" id="image1084" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/womens-olympic-mtb.jpg" /> Photo: Paul Gilham / Getty Images / <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/">NBCOlympics.com</a> Aside from a couple exciting crashes during the races, there really wasn't that much drama in the mountain biking events. Since there aren't world records to beat or even large crowds to impress it's a bit of an uphill battle for viewer excitement (no pun intended). It didn't help that the event was broadcast at 1am Eastern time or the fact that the television coverage only showed the first and last laps of the race. One final observation: the winner of the men's race (and most other racers as far as I could tell) seemed to be riding hard tail bikes and not the full suspension rigs most amateur riders prefer. Sure hardtails are lighter and a bit faster in some circumstances but the Olympic course had some pretty gnarly sections that would have been much nicer on a plush ride. I'm also pretty sure there weren't any 29ers, perhaps due to rules barring them as "non-standard" equipment? Anyone know where to find a copy of the official Olympic MTB regulations?
Community
Red Bull Roundup: Mountain Biking in BC
Jul 22, 2008
Mountain biker performing a jump off a wooden ramp, with a backdrop of a lively outdoor festival featuring flags from various countries, and a mountain landscape under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.
Community
Mountain biking roof to roof
Jul 21, 2008
  2
Logo of Marzocchi USA featuring a stylized red "M" and the word "marzocchi" in white, with "USA" in red, set against a dark grey background.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Marzocchi Suspension Unit sold to... A US company?
Jul 18, 2008
Illustration featuring the Jeep logo with the text "48STRAIGHT" above a colorful collage of silhouettes engaging in various activities related to sports, music, and community. The background includes symbols of sustainability and media, with vibrant colors representing diverse aspects of culture and community engagement.
Community
Jeep 48STRAIGHT MTB Event Series
Jul 18, 2008
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Two mountain bike videos
Jul 17, 2008
  2
Image comparing an iPhone on the left and a Garmin Edge 705 cycling GPS device on the right, with "vs." text in the center, highlighting a technological comparison between a smartphone and a fitness device.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
3G iPhone vs. Garmin Edge 705 for biking
Jul 16, 2008
  8
A multi-tool bicycle repair kit featuring various tools, including wrenches and screwdrivers, arranged in an open position. The tool has a black and silver design with "TOPEAK" branding.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
MTB emergency tool reviews
Jul 15, 2008
Mountain Bike Trails
Hot Washington mountain bike trails
Jul 15, 2008
Five interlocking rings in blue, yellow, black, green, and red, representing the Olympic Games logo on a white background.
Culture
Australian mountain biker Jongewaard reconsidered for Olympic team
Jul 14, 2008
A blue unicycle with a black seat and a large tire, standing upright against a white background.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Mountain biking + Unicycle = Muni
Jul 14, 2008
Community
Mountain bike festivals around the world
Jul 11, 2008
<img alt="mens-olympic-mtb.jpg" id="image1083" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/mens-olympic-mtb.jpg" /> Photo: Paul Gilham / Getty Images / <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/">NBCOlympics.com</a> The Olympics drew to a close this weekend but not before the Olympic mountain bikers had a chance to tear up the course at Laoshan Olympic Mountain Bike Course. According to the NBC television commentary the course had 800 feet of climbing PER LAP meaning the men's race climbed 6,400 feet over 8 laps. Not only was the course aerobically challenging, there were also plenty of technical sections keeping the riders out of the saddle a bit more than they might have liked. During the broadcast we learned that the course was deemed "too easy" during pre-Olympic test rides last fall so the entire course was re-worked to add more challenges (including rocks cemented into the trail itself). This time around the riders said they thought the changes may have swung the course into the "too hard" direction. Man, are pro riders like Goldilocks or what? ;) The men's race was dominated by winner Julien Absalon of France who also took the gold in Athens in 2004. The French took silver as well while a Swiss rider snagged bronze. The women's race was owned by the Europeans where the top 3 finishers were from Germany, Poland, and Russia. Only 1 American has EVER won an Olympic medal in mountain biking - Susan DeMattei received Bronze in 1996. Here are the official medal results: <strong>Men's Olympic mountain biking results</strong> <ol> <li>Julien Absalon (FRANCE)</li> <li>Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRANCE)</li> <li>Nino Schurter (SWITZERLAND)</li> </ol> <strong>Women's Olympic mountain biking results</strong> <ol> <li>Sabine Spitz (GERMANY)</li> <li>Maja Wloszczowska (POLAND)</li> <li>Irina Kalentyeva (RUSSIA)</li> </ol> <img alt="womens-olympic-mtb.jpg" id="image1084" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/womens-olympic-mtb.jpg" /> Photo: Paul Gilham / Getty Images / <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/">NBCOlympics.com</a> Aside from a couple exciting crashes during the races, there really wasn't that much drama in the mountain biking events. Since there aren't world records to beat or even large crowds to impress it's a bit of an uphill battle for viewer excitement (no pun intended). It didn't help that the event was broadcast at 1am Eastern time or the fact that the television coverage only showed the first and last laps of the race. One final observation: the winner of the men's race (and most other racers as far as I could tell) seemed to be riding hard tail bikes and not the full suspension rigs most amateur riders prefer. Sure hardtails are lighter and a bit faster in some circumstances but the Olympic course had some pretty gnarly sections that would have been much nicer on a plush ride. I'm also pretty sure there weren't any 29ers, perhaps due to rules barring them as "non-standard" equipment? Anyone know where to find a copy of the official Olympic MTB regulations?
Culture
Mountain bike motivations
Jul 10, 2008
Culture
Mountain biking documentaries galore
Jul 9, 2008
  1
A close-up image of a blue bicycle wheel secured with a cable lock intertwined with a metal railing. The background shows a green lawn and a blue structure.
Culture
Which bike is better for commuting: road or mountain?
Jul 8, 2008
  7
<img alt="mens-olympic-mtb.jpg" id="image1083" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/mens-olympic-mtb.jpg" /> Photo: Paul Gilham / Getty Images / <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/">NBCOlympics.com</a> The Olympics drew to a close this weekend but not before the Olympic mountain bikers had a chance to tear up the course at Laoshan Olympic Mountain Bike Course. According to the NBC television commentary the course had 800 feet of climbing PER LAP meaning the men's race climbed 6,400 feet over 8 laps. Not only was the course aerobically challenging, there were also plenty of technical sections keeping the riders out of the saddle a bit more than they might have liked. During the broadcast we learned that the course was deemed "too easy" during pre-Olympic test rides last fall so the entire course was re-worked to add more challenges (including rocks cemented into the trail itself). This time around the riders said they thought the changes may have swung the course into the "too hard" direction. Man, are pro riders like Goldilocks or what? ;) The men's race was dominated by winner Julien Absalon of France who also took the gold in Athens in 2004. The French took silver as well while a Swiss rider snagged bronze. The women's race was owned by the Europeans where the top 3 finishers were from Germany, Poland, and Russia. Only 1 American has EVER won an Olympic medal in mountain biking - Susan DeMattei received Bronze in 1996. Here are the official medal results: <strong>Men's Olympic mountain biking results</strong> <ol> <li>Julien Absalon (FRANCE)</li> <li>Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRANCE)</li> <li>Nino Schurter (SWITZERLAND)</li> </ol> <strong>Women's Olympic mountain biking results</strong> <ol> <li>Sabine Spitz (GERMANY)</li> <li>Maja Wloszczowska (POLAND)</li> <li>Irina Kalentyeva (RUSSIA)</li> </ol> <img alt="womens-olympic-mtb.jpg" id="image1084" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/womens-olympic-mtb.jpg" /> Photo: Paul Gilham / Getty Images / <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/">NBCOlympics.com</a> Aside from a couple exciting crashes during the races, there really wasn't that much drama in the mountain biking events. Since there aren't world records to beat or even large crowds to impress it's a bit of an uphill battle for viewer excitement (no pun intended). It didn't help that the event was broadcast at 1am Eastern time or the fact that the television coverage only showed the first and last laps of the race. One final observation: the winner of the men's race (and most other racers as far as I could tell) seemed to be riding hard tail bikes and not the full suspension rigs most amateur riders prefer. Sure hardtails are lighter and a bit faster in some circumstances but the Olympic course had some pretty gnarly sections that would have been much nicer on a plush ride. I'm also pretty sure there weren't any 29ers, perhaps due to rules barring them as "non-standard" equipment? Anyone know where to find a copy of the official Olympic MTB regulations?
Culture
Kids in Australia organize to get new mountain bike track built
Jul 7, 2008
Table summarizing trail difficulty ratings with categories for rating, trail width, average trail grade, obstacles (roots/rocks), bridges, and other features. The ratings range from "Easiest" to "Extremely Difficult," detailing specific measurements and conditions for each level.
Mountain Bike Trails
MTB Trail Difficulty Ratings & IMBA Epics Posted
Jul 3, 2008
Graphic text logo for "Iron Mountain" featuring a bold, metallic font with the words "bike race" underneath, set against a black background.
Community
Iron Mountain Bike Race
Jul 2, 2008
A group of people working in a forested area, with one person in a red shirt using a shovel to dig into the soil on a slope, while two others are visible digging in the background. The scene is surrounded by tall trees and greenery, indicating a natural outdoor environment.
Mountain Bike Trails
Boy Scouts help build and maintain Virginia Singletrack
Jul 1, 2008
A narrow dirt path winding through a lush green forest, flanked by tall trees and dense undergrowth. A trail marker is visible on the left side of the path. The scene is bright and sunny, highlighting the vibrant foliage.
Mountain Bike Trails
Weekend MTB ride at Stanley Gap (Blue Ridge, GA)
Jun 30, 2008
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