Extreme downhill cycling – madness or sport? Answered by a rider

For some people, a bicycle is a means of transportation from work to home, while for others it is an opportunity to spend a pleasant time in the park. Some people consider it as a physical activity, combining pleasure with usefulness, and there are those who take it uphill to ride downhill with a breeze. It is the latter who are engaged in downhill or, as this sport is also called, downhill cycling.

Ivan Kunayev

prize-winner and participant of international MTB competitions

I have been interested in bicycles since childhood. At first it was BMX, then a simple mountain bike, and then it started. It’s so addictive that I can’t stop.
Actually, it’s the mountains that beckon. Every time you go down from there to the plains, you want to get back up. It’s hard to describe, but anyone who skis or snowboards in the mountains in winter, or does mountaineering, I’m sure they’ll understand.

Сайтътframes of such bikesare considerably reinforced to withstand the stresses involved. Recently, they are made of carbon and aluminum. The geometry is designed to be comfortable on a steep gradient. In some areas it can reach 50-60 degrees, where it is physically impossible to stop.

Brakes are one of the most important parts. On these bikes they are powerful and reliable, because they have to work 90% of the time downhill. Brakes must be able to withstand a heavy load and not overheat from long pressing. That’s why they are always hydraulic and multi-piston. Quite often radiators are installed on the pads to dissipate heat, and brake disks are used with a large diameter and with cooling. To make braking effective, downhill bikes are fitted with soft rubber, which is better at digging into the ground and “cornering” more effectively. It has a short lifespan: the rubber wears out after a few days of active riding.

Сайтътsaddle is low and tilted slightly backwards to make it more comfortable to ride standing up. Athletes of this discipline ride standing up only.

Where can I ride?

Downhill requires a place to ride – a mountain and prepared trails, something to ride – a proper bike and protection, and something to get back up to the start after the descent – an elevator. These conditions are best met at ski resorts that open to cyclists in the summer.

In Russia today it is easiest to ride in Krasnaya Polyana at the resort of the same name. There are many tracks for beginners, there are bike rentals and protection, as well as a good cable car.

There are also bike parks in Manzherok, Sheregesh, Dakhovskaya Sloboda, Arkhyz, Bannoye Lake and Ozersk. Plus there are many locations where there are no elevators, but interesting tracks are built. For example, in Crimea it is great to ski in Yalta and Alushta. Here the season starts in March-April, when there is still snow in the Caucasus, and the lifts to the start are carried out by cars with special trailers for bicycles.

And one of the important conditions for beginners is qualified instructors. Do not neglect their services. With them, riding, especially if it is the first experience in the mountains, will be much more effective and safer. In Russia, bicycle camps are organized, where you can come to pump up your level of riding for a week or get acquainted with the discipline of downhill.

Are children allowed?

I often see kids riding with their parents on the trails of bike parks in Europe and Russia. If the child likes it and the parents have an opportunity to be in the mountains often in summer, it is very cool. The main thing is not to rush children and not to push them, as in everything else.

You can start to try skiing from the age of 5-6, but only under the supervision of parents or an instructor.

What is happening to the discipline in Russia?

Downhill as a competitive sport in Russia died out about seven years ago and is standing still or even giving up its position. In the world – on the contrary. But as an amateur sport, it is moving forward. It is noticeable. Every year, more and more people come into it, which, of course, is very pleasing.