Latest mountain bike news

A mountain biker in a blue and white outfit races downhill on a dirt trail through a forest, leaning sharply into a turn. Spectators can be seen in the background, watching the action. The scene is filled with greenery, highlighting the outdoor setting.
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Logo of the Cactus Cup, featuring a stylized cactus design in the center, surrounded by colorful layers of red, green, and blue, with the words "CACTUS CUP" prominently displayed in red at the top and bottom.
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Alt text: "Promotional flyer for the 2008 Trail to Trail Race Series featuring event details for mountain biking and road racing, including dates, locations, and sponsorship information."
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<img id="image958" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/mtb-downhill.jpg" alt="mtb-downhill.jpg" width="520" height="264" />

Don't get your hopes up, at least that's what a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-06-24-action-sport-notes_N.htm">USA Today article</a> leads us to believe. Cross-country mountain biking was added as an official Olympic event just 12 years ago, almost 20 years after the sport itself was invented. Of course you could argue that the original mountain bikers who clunked down Mount Tam were more interested in downhill than cross country riding but that's another story...

This year's Olympic games will include BMX for the first time and some big name downhill mountain bikers are crossing over to BMX for the competition. It's tough for me to imagine that BMX will stay an Olympic event while dowhill mountain biking is excluded but only time will tell. The USA Today writer argues that finding or building a suitable downhill course could be impractical for some Olympic cities but that doesn't stop the whitewater kayaking event from happening, does it? At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games the whitewater events were held in Tennessee of all places, a 2+ hour drive from Atlanta!

Anyway, this article ties together a couple themes from this week's singletracks blog nicely. First, it's interesting to note that people are <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=957">complaining about the site</a> for the 2012 Olympic mountain bike course outside London as being too flat - at least they're not trying to find a spot for the downhill event! Apparently even siting a cross country mountain bike course for the Olympics can be difficult enough as it is.
I also came across an interesting fact about the 1996 Olympic mountain bike race results. The winner, Brent Brentjens of the Netherlands, averaged 13mph over the approx. 30 mile course - not much faster than the 10mph <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=952">I said</a> was a "fast mountain bike ride" (well, ok, 30% faster but still). If you've ever ridden the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=580">Atlanta Olympic MTB course</a> out at Conyers you know this is an intense course with some serious climbs - a single lap is enough for most riders and very few will average close to 10mph.

I don't know what the process is for adding a new event to Olympic competition but it seems like downhill mountain biking should at least be considered. Downhill mountain bikers are serious athletes who deserve the chance to compete in the Olympics - let's see what we can do to help...
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Logo of BikePedia, featuring bold blue text with green accents and an orange sun motif.
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<img id="image958" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/mtb-downhill.jpg" alt="mtb-downhill.jpg" width="520" height="264" />

Don't get your hopes up, at least that's what a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-06-24-action-sport-notes_N.htm">USA Today article</a> leads us to believe. Cross-country mountain biking was added as an official Olympic event just 12 years ago, almost 20 years after the sport itself was invented. Of course you could argue that the original mountain bikers who clunked down Mount Tam were more interested in downhill than cross country riding but that's another story...

This year's Olympic games will include BMX for the first time and some big name downhill mountain bikers are crossing over to BMX for the competition. It's tough for me to imagine that BMX will stay an Olympic event while dowhill mountain biking is excluded but only time will tell. The USA Today writer argues that finding or building a suitable downhill course could be impractical for some Olympic cities but that doesn't stop the whitewater kayaking event from happening, does it? At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games the whitewater events were held in Tennessee of all places, a 2+ hour drive from Atlanta!

Anyway, this article ties together a couple themes from this week's singletracks blog nicely. First, it's interesting to note that people are <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=957">complaining about the site</a> for the 2012 Olympic mountain bike course outside London as being too flat - at least they're not trying to find a spot for the downhill event! Apparently even siting a cross country mountain bike course for the Olympics can be difficult enough as it is.
I also came across an interesting fact about the 1996 Olympic mountain bike race results. The winner, Brent Brentjens of the Netherlands, averaged 13mph over the approx. 30 mile course - not much faster than the 10mph <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=952">I said</a> was a "fast mountain bike ride" (well, ok, 30% faster but still). If you've ever ridden the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=580">Atlanta Olympic MTB course</a> out at Conyers you know this is an intense course with some serious climbs - a single lap is enough for most riders and very few will average close to 10mph.

I don't know what the process is for adding a new event to Olympic competition but it seems like downhill mountain biking should at least be considered. Downhill mountain bikers are serious athletes who deserve the chance to compete in the Olympics - let's see what we can do to help...
min
<img id="image958" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/mtb-downhill.jpg" alt="mtb-downhill.jpg" width="520" height="264" />

Don't get your hopes up, at least that's what a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-06-24-action-sport-notes_N.htm">USA Today article</a> leads us to believe. Cross-country mountain biking was added as an official Olympic event just 12 years ago, almost 20 years after the sport itself was invented. Of course you could argue that the original mountain bikers who clunked down Mount Tam were more interested in downhill than cross country riding but that's another story...

This year's Olympic games will include BMX for the first time and some big name downhill mountain bikers are crossing over to BMX for the competition. It's tough for me to imagine that BMX will stay an Olympic event while dowhill mountain biking is excluded but only time will tell. The USA Today writer argues that finding or building a suitable downhill course could be impractical for some Olympic cities but that doesn't stop the whitewater kayaking event from happening, does it? At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games the whitewater events were held in Tennessee of all places, a 2+ hour drive from Atlanta!

Anyway, this article ties together a couple themes from this week's singletracks blog nicely. First, it's interesting to note that people are <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=957">complaining about the site</a> for the 2012 Olympic mountain bike course outside London as being too flat - at least they're not trying to find a spot for the downhill event! Apparently even siting a cross country mountain bike course for the Olympics can be difficult enough as it is.
I also came across an interesting fact about the 1996 Olympic mountain bike race results. The winner, Brent Brentjens of the Netherlands, averaged 13mph over the approx. 30 mile course - not much faster than the 10mph <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=952">I said</a> was a "fast mountain bike ride" (well, ok, 30% faster but still). If you've ever ridden the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=580">Atlanta Olympic MTB course</a> out at Conyers you know this is an intense course with some serious climbs - a single lap is enough for most riders and very few will average close to 10mph.

I don't know what the process is for adding a new event to Olympic competition but it seems like downhill mountain biking should at least be considered. Downhill mountain bikers are serious athletes who deserve the chance to compete in the Olympics - let's see what we can do to help...
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<img id="image958" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/mtb-downhill.jpg" alt="mtb-downhill.jpg" width="520" height="264" />

Don't get your hopes up, at least that's what a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-06-24-action-sport-notes_N.htm">USA Today article</a> leads us to believe. Cross-country mountain biking was added as an official Olympic event just 12 years ago, almost 20 years after the sport itself was invented. Of course you could argue that the original mountain bikers who clunked down Mount Tam were more interested in downhill than cross country riding but that's another story...

This year's Olympic games will include BMX for the first time and some big name downhill mountain bikers are crossing over to BMX for the competition. It's tough for me to imagine that BMX will stay an Olympic event while dowhill mountain biking is excluded but only time will tell. The USA Today writer argues that finding or building a suitable downhill course could be impractical for some Olympic cities but that doesn't stop the whitewater kayaking event from happening, does it? At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games the whitewater events were held in Tennessee of all places, a 2+ hour drive from Atlanta!

Anyway, this article ties together a couple themes from this week's singletracks blog nicely. First, it's interesting to note that people are <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=957">complaining about the site</a> for the 2012 Olympic mountain bike course outside London as being too flat - at least they're not trying to find a spot for the downhill event! Apparently even siting a cross country mountain bike course for the Olympics can be difficult enough as it is.
I also came across an interesting fact about the 1996 Olympic mountain bike race results. The winner, Brent Brentjens of the Netherlands, averaged 13mph over the approx. 30 mile course - not much faster than the 10mph <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=952">I said</a> was a "fast mountain bike ride" (well, ok, 30% faster but still). If you've ever ridden the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=580">Atlanta Olympic MTB course</a> out at Conyers you know this is an intense course with some serious climbs - a single lap is enough for most riders and very few will average close to 10mph.

I don't know what the process is for adding a new event to Olympic competition but it seems like downhill mountain biking should at least be considered. Downhill mountain bikers are serious athletes who deserve the chance to compete in the Olympics - let's see what we can do to help...
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A mountain biker in mid-air jumps off a large rock onto a wooden ramp surrounded by trees. The scene captures the excitement of outdoor biking in a natural forest setting.
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A mountain bike with a sleek bronze frame, featuring wide tires, front suspension, and a comfortable saddle. The bike is designed for off-road terrain, showcasing advanced components and a sturdy build.
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Map of Cleveland showing major roads and landmarks, with a red arrow pointing to a specific area in the southern part of the map.
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Logo for the IMBA Epic Ride featuring a stylized pinecone in the center, surrounded by the text "IMBA Epic Ride" at the top and "Forks Area Trail System" at the bottom, both in a circular black border.
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A hiker standing on a rocky trail at the base of a large earthen dam, surrounded by a steep slope covered in stones. Lush green trees are visible on the left side, while the clear blue sky looms above.
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Illustration of a Cannondale MetroPolite bicycle's handlebars and frame. The image features a modern bike design with a data/power port on the top tube, alongside a display showing bicycle technical information and a rearview camera interface. The design emphasizes functionality and technology integration in cycling.
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A group of mountain bikers navigates a dirt trail through a grassy landscape, with one rider in the foreground prominently showcasing a blue bike and wearing athletic gear. The scene captures the dynamic motion of the cyclists as they traverse the rugged terrain under a cloudy sky.
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<img id="image958" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/mtb-downhill.jpg" alt="mtb-downhill.jpg" width="520" height="264" />

Don't get your hopes up, at least that's what a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-06-24-action-sport-notes_N.htm">USA Today article</a> leads us to believe. Cross-country mountain biking was added as an official Olympic event just 12 years ago, almost 20 years after the sport itself was invented. Of course you could argue that the original mountain bikers who clunked down Mount Tam were more interested in downhill than cross country riding but that's another story...

This year's Olympic games will include BMX for the first time and some big name downhill mountain bikers are crossing over to BMX for the competition. It's tough for me to imagine that BMX will stay an Olympic event while dowhill mountain biking is excluded but only time will tell. The USA Today writer argues that finding or building a suitable downhill course could be impractical for some Olympic cities but that doesn't stop the whitewater kayaking event from happening, does it? At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games the whitewater events were held in Tennessee of all places, a 2+ hour drive from Atlanta!

Anyway, this article ties together a couple themes from this week's singletracks blog nicely. First, it's interesting to note that people are <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=957">complaining about the site</a> for the 2012 Olympic mountain bike course outside London as being too flat - at least they're not trying to find a spot for the downhill event! Apparently even siting a cross country mountain bike course for the Olympics can be difficult enough as it is.
I also came across an interesting fact about the 1996 Olympic mountain bike race results. The winner, Brent Brentjens of the Netherlands, averaged 13mph over the approx. 30 mile course - not much faster than the 10mph <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=952">I said</a> was a "fast mountain bike ride" (well, ok, 30% faster but still). If you've ever ridden the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=580">Atlanta Olympic MTB course</a> out at Conyers you know this is an intense course with some serious climbs - a single lap is enough for most riders and very few will average close to 10mph.

I don't know what the process is for adding a new event to Olympic competition but it seems like downhill mountain biking should at least be considered. Downhill mountain bikers are serious athletes who deserve the chance to compete in the Olympics - let's see what we can do to help...
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Text logo for "CHAIN LOVE," featuring bold black letters and a red, dripping "LOVE" against a textured dark background.
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A chaotic scene showing several cyclists involved in an accident on a road, with bikes scattered and some cyclists airborne. A car is in the foreground, creating a cloud of dust. The setting appears to be an outdoor race or event.
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A tranquil forest pathway winding through lush green trees, with patches of fallen leaves on the ground and a wooden bridge visible in the background.
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A soldier in camouflage clothing riding a green bicycle through a shallow stream, splashing water as they navigate the rocky terrain in a wooded area.
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A close-up view of a mountain bicycle with a uniquely designed tire that features an inner tube coiled around itself. The bike frame is blue, and the wheel is shown on a black asphalt surface, highlighting the innovative tire design.
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<img id="image958" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/mtb-downhill.jpg" alt="mtb-downhill.jpg" width="520" height="264" />

Don't get your hopes up, at least that's what a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-06-24-action-sport-notes_N.htm">USA Today article</a> leads us to believe. Cross-country mountain biking was added as an official Olympic event just 12 years ago, almost 20 years after the sport itself was invented. Of course you could argue that the original mountain bikers who clunked down Mount Tam were more interested in downhill than cross country riding but that's another story...

This year's Olympic games will include BMX for the first time and some big name downhill mountain bikers are crossing over to BMX for the competition. It's tough for me to imagine that BMX will stay an Olympic event while dowhill mountain biking is excluded but only time will tell. The USA Today writer argues that finding or building a suitable downhill course could be impractical for some Olympic cities but that doesn't stop the whitewater kayaking event from happening, does it? At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games the whitewater events were held in Tennessee of all places, a 2+ hour drive from Atlanta!

Anyway, this article ties together a couple themes from this week's singletracks blog nicely. First, it's interesting to note that people are <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=957">complaining about the site</a> for the 2012 Olympic mountain bike course outside London as being too flat - at least they're not trying to find a spot for the downhill event! Apparently even siting a cross country mountain bike course for the Olympics can be difficult enough as it is.
I also came across an interesting fact about the 1996 Olympic mountain bike race results. The winner, Brent Brentjens of the Netherlands, averaged 13mph over the approx. 30 mile course - not much faster than the 10mph <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=952">I said</a> was a "fast mountain bike ride" (well, ok, 30% faster but still). If you've ever ridden the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=580">Atlanta Olympic MTB course</a> out at Conyers you know this is an intense course with some serious climbs - a single lap is enough for most riders and very few will average close to 10mph.

I don't know what the process is for adding a new event to Olympic competition but it seems like downhill mountain biking should at least be considered. Downhill mountain bikers are serious athletes who deserve the chance to compete in the Olympics - let's see what we can do to help...
min
<img id="image958" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/mtb-downhill.jpg" alt="mtb-downhill.jpg" width="520" height="264" />

Don't get your hopes up, at least that's what a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-06-24-action-sport-notes_N.htm">USA Today article</a> leads us to believe. Cross-country mountain biking was added as an official Olympic event just 12 years ago, almost 20 years after the sport itself was invented. Of course you could argue that the original mountain bikers who clunked down Mount Tam were more interested in downhill than cross country riding but that's another story...

This year's Olympic games will include BMX for the first time and some big name downhill mountain bikers are crossing over to BMX for the competition. It's tough for me to imagine that BMX will stay an Olympic event while dowhill mountain biking is excluded but only time will tell. The USA Today writer argues that finding or building a suitable downhill course could be impractical for some Olympic cities but that doesn't stop the whitewater kayaking event from happening, does it? At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games the whitewater events were held in Tennessee of all places, a 2+ hour drive from Atlanta!

Anyway, this article ties together a couple themes from this week's singletracks blog nicely. First, it's interesting to note that people are <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=957">complaining about the site</a> for the 2012 Olympic mountain bike course outside London as being too flat - at least they're not trying to find a spot for the downhill event! Apparently even siting a cross country mountain bike course for the Olympics can be difficult enough as it is.
I also came across an interesting fact about the 1996 Olympic mountain bike race results. The winner, Brent Brentjens of the Netherlands, averaged 13mph over the approx. 30 mile course - not much faster than the 10mph <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=952">I said</a> was a "fast mountain bike ride" (well, ok, 30% faster but still). If you've ever ridden the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=580">Atlanta Olympic MTB course</a> out at Conyers you know this is an intense course with some serious climbs - a single lap is enough for most riders and very few will average close to 10mph.

I don't know what the process is for adding a new event to Olympic competition but it seems like downhill mountain biking should at least be considered. Downhill mountain bikers are serious athletes who deserve the chance to compete in the Olympics - let's see what we can do to help...
min
A bicycle frame made of shiny metal tubing is displayed on a workbench in a workshop. The frame is in a triangular shape, showcasing the welding joints. Various tools and equipment are scattered around, including gloves and a welding machine, with a closed door and storage area visible in the background.
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A hiker walking along a narrow dirt path through a dense forest, surrounded by lush greenery and tall trees. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a dappled light effect on the ground covered with fallen leaves.
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A bike mount displaying three different mobile devices, including GPS navigation and smartphones, showcasing various maps and interfaces. The mount is attached to a handlebar, highlighting its functionality for navigation on bicycles.
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<img id="image958" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/mtb-downhill.jpg" alt="mtb-downhill.jpg" width="520" height="264" />

Don't get your hopes up, at least that's what a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-06-24-action-sport-notes_N.htm">USA Today article</a> leads us to believe. Cross-country mountain biking was added as an official Olympic event just 12 years ago, almost 20 years after the sport itself was invented. Of course you could argue that the original mountain bikers who clunked down Mount Tam were more interested in downhill than cross country riding but that's another story...

This year's Olympic games will include BMX for the first time and some big name downhill mountain bikers are crossing over to BMX for the competition. It's tough for me to imagine that BMX will stay an Olympic event while dowhill mountain biking is excluded but only time will tell. The USA Today writer argues that finding or building a suitable downhill course could be impractical for some Olympic cities but that doesn't stop the whitewater kayaking event from happening, does it? At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games the whitewater events were held in Tennessee of all places, a 2+ hour drive from Atlanta!

Anyway, this article ties together a couple themes from this week's singletracks blog nicely. First, it's interesting to note that people are <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=957">complaining about the site</a> for the 2012 Olympic mountain bike course outside London as being too flat - at least they're not trying to find a spot for the downhill event! Apparently even siting a cross country mountain bike course for the Olympics can be difficult enough as it is.
I also came across an interesting fact about the 1996 Olympic mountain bike race results. The winner, Brent Brentjens of the Netherlands, averaged 13mph over the approx. 30 mile course - not much faster than the 10mph <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=952">I said</a> was a "fast mountain bike ride" (well, ok, 30% faster but still). If you've ever ridden the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=580">Atlanta Olympic MTB course</a> out at Conyers you know this is an intense course with some serious climbs - a single lap is enough for most riders and very few will average close to 10mph.

I don't know what the process is for adding a new event to Olympic competition but it seems like downhill mountain biking should at least be considered. Downhill mountain bikers are serious athletes who deserve the chance to compete in the Olympics - let's see what we can do to help...
min
<img id="image958" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/mtb-downhill.jpg" alt="mtb-downhill.jpg" width="520" height="264" />

Don't get your hopes up, at least that's what a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-06-24-action-sport-notes_N.htm">USA Today article</a> leads us to believe. Cross-country mountain biking was added as an official Olympic event just 12 years ago, almost 20 years after the sport itself was invented. Of course you could argue that the original mountain bikers who clunked down Mount Tam were more interested in downhill than cross country riding but that's another story...

This year's Olympic games will include BMX for the first time and some big name downhill mountain bikers are crossing over to BMX for the competition. It's tough for me to imagine that BMX will stay an Olympic event while dowhill mountain biking is excluded but only time will tell. The USA Today writer argues that finding or building a suitable downhill course could be impractical for some Olympic cities but that doesn't stop the whitewater kayaking event from happening, does it? At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games the whitewater events were held in Tennessee of all places, a 2+ hour drive from Atlanta!

Anyway, this article ties together a couple themes from this week's singletracks blog nicely. First, it's interesting to note that people are <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=957">complaining about the site</a> for the 2012 Olympic mountain bike course outside London as being too flat - at least they're not trying to find a spot for the downhill event! Apparently even siting a cross country mountain bike course for the Olympics can be difficult enough as it is.
I also came across an interesting fact about the 1996 Olympic mountain bike race results. The winner, Brent Brentjens of the Netherlands, averaged 13mph over the approx. 30 mile course - not much faster than the 10mph <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=952">I said</a> was a "fast mountain bike ride" (well, ok, 30% faster but still). If you've ever ridden the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=580">Atlanta Olympic MTB course</a> out at Conyers you know this is an intense course with some serious climbs - a single lap is enough for most riders and very few will average close to 10mph.

I don't know what the process is for adding a new event to Olympic competition but it seems like downhill mountain biking should at least be considered. Downhill mountain bikers are serious athletes who deserve the chance to compete in the Olympics - let's see what we can do to help...
min
min
A long-sleeve athletic shirt featuring a white base color with black accents and a red logo. The shirt has a modern design with a high neckline and contrasting panels on the sleeves and sides, suitable for sports or outdoor activities.
min
Close-up image of a small fan mounted on a bike handlebar, featuring a black casing and a four-blade propeller, designed to provide cooling airflow while riding.
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Cover of the magazine "MBR" (Mountain Bike Rider) featuring a mountain biker in green apparel riding on a rocky trail. The cover includes text highlighting features such as "Skill School," "Best Trail Centres," and "Budget Bouncers."
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A Garmin Edge 605 GPS device displaying a map screen with speed reading of 29.6 mph and heading direction marked as north. The device has a gray casing and buttons for navigation.
5 min
<img id="image958" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/mtb-downhill.jpg" alt="mtb-downhill.jpg" width="520" height="264" />

Don't get your hopes up, at least that's what a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-06-24-action-sport-notes_N.htm">USA Today article</a> leads us to believe. Cross-country mountain biking was added as an official Olympic event just 12 years ago, almost 20 years after the sport itself was invented. Of course you could argue that the original mountain bikers who clunked down Mount Tam were more interested in downhill than cross country riding but that's another story...

This year's Olympic games will include BMX for the first time and some big name downhill mountain bikers are crossing over to BMX for the competition. It's tough for me to imagine that BMX will stay an Olympic event while dowhill mountain biking is excluded but only time will tell. The USA Today writer argues that finding or building a suitable downhill course could be impractical for some Olympic cities but that doesn't stop the whitewater kayaking event from happening, does it? At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games the whitewater events were held in Tennessee of all places, a 2+ hour drive from Atlanta!

Anyway, this article ties together a couple themes from this week's singletracks blog nicely. First, it's interesting to note that people are <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=957">complaining about the site</a> for the 2012 Olympic mountain bike course outside London as being too flat - at least they're not trying to find a spot for the downhill event! Apparently even siting a cross country mountain bike course for the Olympics can be difficult enough as it is.
I also came across an interesting fact about the 1996 Olympic mountain bike race results. The winner, Brent Brentjens of the Netherlands, averaged 13mph over the approx. 30 mile course - not much faster than the 10mph <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=952">I said</a> was a "fast mountain bike ride" (well, ok, 30% faster but still). If you've ever ridden the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=580">Atlanta Olympic MTB course</a> out at Conyers you know this is an intense course with some serious climbs - a single lap is enough for most riders and very few will average close to 10mph.

I don't know what the process is for adding a new event to Olympic competition but it seems like downhill mountain biking should at least be considered. Downhill mountain bikers are serious athletes who deserve the chance to compete in the Olympics - let's see what we can do to help...
min
A creative bike rack designed to resemble a bull, with a red bull head and black legs. Several bicycles are parked beside it on a sidewalk, with traffic cones and a sign indicating "DO NOT ENTER" visible in the background.
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A wooden footbridge winding through a lush, green forest, surrounded by tall trees and underbrush. The path has a rustic design, with some sections elevated and others connecting through the natural landscape.
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<img id="image958" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/mtb-downhill.jpg" alt="mtb-downhill.jpg" width="520" height="264" />

Don't get your hopes up, at least that's what a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-06-24-action-sport-notes_N.htm">USA Today article</a> leads us to believe. Cross-country mountain biking was added as an official Olympic event just 12 years ago, almost 20 years after the sport itself was invented. Of course you could argue that the original mountain bikers who clunked down Mount Tam were more interested in downhill than cross country riding but that's another story...

This year's Olympic games will include BMX for the first time and some big name downhill mountain bikers are crossing over to BMX for the competition. It's tough for me to imagine that BMX will stay an Olympic event while dowhill mountain biking is excluded but only time will tell. The USA Today writer argues that finding or building a suitable downhill course could be impractical for some Olympic cities but that doesn't stop the whitewater kayaking event from happening, does it? At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games the whitewater events were held in Tennessee of all places, a 2+ hour drive from Atlanta!

Anyway, this article ties together a couple themes from this week's singletracks blog nicely. First, it's interesting to note that people are <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=957">complaining about the site</a> for the 2012 Olympic mountain bike course outside London as being too flat - at least they're not trying to find a spot for the downhill event! Apparently even siting a cross country mountain bike course for the Olympics can be difficult enough as it is.
I also came across an interesting fact about the 1996 Olympic mountain bike race results. The winner, Brent Brentjens of the Netherlands, averaged 13mph over the approx. 30 mile course - not much faster than the 10mph <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=952">I said</a> was a "fast mountain bike ride" (well, ok, 30% faster but still). If you've ever ridden the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=580">Atlanta Olympic MTB course</a> out at Conyers you know this is an intense course with some serious climbs - a single lap is enough for most riders and very few will average close to 10mph.

I don't know what the process is for adding a new event to Olympic competition but it seems like downhill mountain biking should at least be considered. Downhill mountain bikers are serious athletes who deserve the chance to compete in the Olympics - let's see what we can do to help...
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Garmin Edge 605 GPS device displaying a map with speed and heading information.
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A green plastic tray with a curved edge and a handle, designed for carrying or organizing small items. The tray has a smooth surface and a contoured bottom for stability.
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A smartphone mounted on the handlebars of a bicycle, displaying the logo for USB Fever. The bike's handlebar features a bright orange grip and an American flag sticker. The background shows a blurred pathway and greenery.
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A cyclist in a racing jersey with the number 59 is falling off their bike while riding on a snowy slope. Snow is flying up around them as the bike flips over. In the background, there are snow-covered hills and a clear blue sky. Red and white tape is visible marking the course.
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A mountain biker in mid-air performs a jump over a rugged canyon, with spectators watching from both sides. The scene is set in a natural landscape featuring green hills in the background. At the top of the image, there is a memorial text honoring Mark Reynolds, listing his birth and death dates.
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A mountain biker is upside down, falling off their bike while attempting a trick on a sandy slope. The rider is wearing a helmet, gloves, and protective gear. A caution tape line is visible in the background.
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<img id="image958" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/mtb-downhill.jpg" alt="mtb-downhill.jpg" width="520" height="264" />

Don't get your hopes up, at least that's what a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-06-24-action-sport-notes_N.htm">USA Today article</a> leads us to believe. Cross-country mountain biking was added as an official Olympic event just 12 years ago, almost 20 years after the sport itself was invented. Of course you could argue that the original mountain bikers who clunked down Mount Tam were more interested in downhill than cross country riding but that's another story...

This year's Olympic games will include BMX for the first time and some big name downhill mountain bikers are crossing over to BMX for the competition. It's tough for me to imagine that BMX will stay an Olympic event while dowhill mountain biking is excluded but only time will tell. The USA Today writer argues that finding or building a suitable downhill course could be impractical for some Olympic cities but that doesn't stop the whitewater kayaking event from happening, does it? At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games the whitewater events were held in Tennessee of all places, a 2+ hour drive from Atlanta!

Anyway, this article ties together a couple themes from this week's singletracks blog nicely. First, it's interesting to note that people are <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=957">complaining about the site</a> for the 2012 Olympic mountain bike course outside London as being too flat - at least they're not trying to find a spot for the downhill event! Apparently even siting a cross country mountain bike course for the Olympics can be difficult enough as it is.
I also came across an interesting fact about the 1996 Olympic mountain bike race results. The winner, Brent Brentjens of the Netherlands, averaged 13mph over the approx. 30 mile course - not much faster than the 10mph <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=952">I said</a> was a "fast mountain bike ride" (well, ok, 30% faster but still). If you've ever ridden the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=580">Atlanta Olympic MTB course</a> out at Conyers you know this is an intense course with some serious climbs - a single lap is enough for most riders and very few will average close to 10mph.

I don't know what the process is for adding a new event to Olympic competition but it seems like downhill mountain biking should at least be considered. Downhill mountain bikers are serious athletes who deserve the chance to compete in the Olympics - let's see what we can do to help...
min
Silver mountain bike with thick tires and front suspension, positioned against a dark background.
  2
<img id="image958" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/mtb-downhill.jpg" alt="mtb-downhill.jpg" width="520" height="264" />

Don't get your hopes up, at least that's what a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-06-24-action-sport-notes_N.htm">USA Today article</a> leads us to believe. Cross-country mountain biking was added as an official Olympic event just 12 years ago, almost 20 years after the sport itself was invented. Of course you could argue that the original mountain bikers who clunked down Mount Tam were more interested in downhill than cross country riding but that's another story...

This year's Olympic games will include BMX for the first time and some big name downhill mountain bikers are crossing over to BMX for the competition. It's tough for me to imagine that BMX will stay an Olympic event while dowhill mountain biking is excluded but only time will tell. The USA Today writer argues that finding or building a suitable downhill course could be impractical for some Olympic cities but that doesn't stop the whitewater kayaking event from happening, does it? At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games the whitewater events were held in Tennessee of all places, a 2+ hour drive from Atlanta!

Anyway, this article ties together a couple themes from this week's singletracks blog nicely. First, it's interesting to note that people are <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=957">complaining about the site</a> for the 2012 Olympic mountain bike course outside London as being too flat - at least they're not trying to find a spot for the downhill event! Apparently even siting a cross country mountain bike course for the Olympics can be difficult enough as it is.
I also came across an interesting fact about the 1996 Olympic mountain bike race results. The winner, Brent Brentjens of the Netherlands, averaged 13mph over the approx. 30 mile course - not much faster than the 10mph <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=952">I said</a> was a "fast mountain bike ride" (well, ok, 30% faster but still). If you've ever ridden the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=580">Atlanta Olympic MTB course</a> out at Conyers you know this is an intense course with some serious climbs - a single lap is enough for most riders and very few will average close to 10mph.

I don't know what the process is for adding a new event to Olympic competition but it seems like downhill mountain biking should at least be considered. Downhill mountain bikers are serious athletes who deserve the chance to compete in the Olympics - let's see what we can do to help...
min