Cycling in the Bike Park
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Hi BOBs!
Feel like cycling this weekend? Would you like to publish a BOB BIKE PARK?…
By the way, what is a BIKE PARK?
A bike park is a purpose-built area for cycling, often focused on mountain biking, and designed to offer a variety of facilities and trails to suit different skill levels and preferences. Bike parks can be located in mountainous, wooded or even urban areas, and are designed to offer a diverse experience for cyclists of all abilities. Here are some common features of bike parks:
- Downhill trails (DH): Bike parks often include specially designed downhill trails, offering fast descents, jumps, banked turns and other technical features. These trails are designed to challenge DH riders and offer an intense experience.
- Cross-country trails: In addition to downhill trails, bike parks can also include cross-country trails suitable for those who prefer a more endurance-oriented cycling experience on varied terrain.
- Pumptracks: Pumptracks are figure-of-eight or U-shaped loops of bumps and banked turns. They are designed to be ridden without pedaling, using body movement (pumping) to maintain speed. Pumptracks are often included in bike parks to help cyclists develop their handling skills.
- Learning zones: Some bike parks have special zones dedicated to learning, where beginners can acquire basic skills before venturing onto more challenging trails. These zones can include initiation obstacles, balance courses and other facilities to boost beginners’ confidence.
- Mechanical elevators or shuttles: In mountain bike parks, it’s common to have lifts, chairlifts or special shuttles to transport cyclists and their bikes to the top of the downhill slopes, thus maximizing the time spent going downhill rather than up.
- Rental equipment and repair shops: Some bike parks offer bike and equipment rental services, as well as repair shops to help cyclists maintain their bikes or make adjustments before hitting the trails.
- Events and competitions: Bike parks can host mountain bike events and competitions, attracting participants from diverse backgrounds for downhill races, slopestyle competitions, or other mountain bike-related events.
Bike parks offer a dynamic and varied experience for both beginners and experts. These areas are designed to encourage skill development, promote safety, and provide a platform where mountain bike enthusiasts can enjoy their sport in a suitable environment.
But let’s start by explaining what a downhill or mountain bike is?
DH, or downhill, is a mountain bike discipline that involves hurtling down steep, technical descents at high speed. This activity is often carried out on specially prepared mountain trails, in ski resorts or in parks dedicated to mountain biking. But not only that… sometimes all it takes is a little motivation, time and a shovel to make some great runs not far from home.
Here are the main elements of DH practice:
Fast descents: Downhill mountain biking is all about speed. DH trails are often laid out on steep slopes and feature technical sections, jumps and tight turns, requiring riders to maintain high speeds while negotiating obstacles.
Groomed trails: The downhill trails are specially designed to offer a variety of challenges for cyclists. They can include rocky sections, jumps, narrow passages between trees, banked turns, root sections, bumpy areas, and other technical features.
Specialized equipment: Downhillers generally use specific downhill bikes, equipped with heavy-duty suspension to absorb shocks, wide, cramped tires for better grip, and a sturdy frame designed to withstand tough conditions.
Protective gear: Due to the extreme nature of downhill mountain biking, riders often wear full protective gear, including a full-face helmet, elbow and knee pads, reinforced gloves, and sometimes even a full-body suit to protect the body in the event of a fall.
Competitions: Downhill mountain biking is often associated with competitions. DH races take place on timed tracks, where riders descend individually, one by one, trying to reach the bottom of the track in the shortest possible time.
Riding technique: Downhill mountain biking requires excellent riding technique. Cyclists need to master speed management, jumps, tight turns, and be able to adapt quickly to changing terrain.
Adrenalin and thrills: DH riding is often associated with an adrenalin rush, due to the speed, spectacular jumps and technical challenges involved. It’s a discipline that attracts fans of thrills and extreme sports.
Downhill mountain biking is a demanding discipline that combines technical skill, courage and physical fitness. It offers a unique experience for mountain bikers looking for the excitement and challenge of fast downhill riding on varied and difficult terrain.
Planning a cycling trip?
Read Loïc‘s Cyclotourism & Bikepacking guide from Partir en Europe
Where can you go downhill biking in France?
France offers many popular destinations for downhill mountain bikers, with a variety of trails to suit different skill levels. Here are just some of the downhill mountain biking destinations in France:
1. Les Gets, Portes du Soleil: Located in the French Alps, this resort offers one of the largest downhill mountain bike areas in Europe, with kilometers of trails suitable for all levels.
2. Morzine, Portes du Soleil: Close to Les Gets, Morzine also offers top-quality downhill slopes, as well as lifts for easy access to the summits.
3. Alpe d’Huez: This renowned ski resort also offers exciting downhill mountain biking trails during the summer season.
4. Les Deux Alpes: Known for its skiable glacier, Les Deux Alpes also offers a bike park with a variety of downhill trails.
5. Méribel, Les 3 Vallées: Méribel is part of the world’s largest ski area, and in summer offers spectacular downhill mountain biking.
6. La Plagne: This resort offers downhill mountain bike trails and cross-country itineraries.
7. Les Arcs: Les Arcs offers downhill mountain biking and freeride trails in the Paradiski region.
8. Châtel, Portes du Soleil: Also part of the Portes du Soleil area, Châtel is popular with cyclists for its varied trails.
9. Tignes: In summer, Tignes offers downhill mountain biking and cross-country trails in the French Alps.
10. Font-Romeu: This resort in the Pyrenees offers downhill mountain biking and trails for all abilities.
Before planning your trip, it’s a good idea to check slope conditions and lift opening times, and make sure the necessary facilities are available. Some resorts also offer bike rental services and mountain bike schools for beginners.
Where to go downhill biking abroad?
Downhill mountain biking is a discipline generally practised in mountainous areas or on hilly terrain, offering technical and often steep descents. Here are some popular downhill biking destinations around the world:
1. French and Swiss Alps: The Alps offer some of the best downhill mountain biking terrain in Europe, with renowned resorts like Morzine, Les Gets, Verbier and others.
2. Whistler, Canada: Whistler Bike Park in British Columbia is one of the world’s largest downhill mountain biking areas. It offers a variety of trails suitable for all levels.
3. Scotland: Scotland’s Fort William region is famous for hosting major downhill mountain bike events. The Ben Nevis trails are particularly popular.
4. Rotorua, New Zealand: New Zealand offers spectacular scenery, and Rotorua is famous for its technical downhill mountain bike trails through the rainforest.
5. U.S. West Coast: Destinations such as California, Colorado and Oregon offer a variety of downhill mountain biking trails in mountainous areas.
6. Andorra: Pal Arinsal Bike Park in Andorra is a renowned mountain biking destination, offering downhill trails of varying levels of difficulty.
7. Nepal: Mountain bike descents from some of Nepal’s mountains, such as Annapurna, offer exceptional adventures and breathtaking views.
8. South Africa: South Africa’s Drakensberg mountains offer downhill mountain biking trails with magnificent views.
9. Italy: The Dolomites and other mountainous areas of Italy offer downhill mountain biking opportunities.
10. Chile: The Nevados de Chillán ski resort in Chile offers downhill mountain bike trails among the volcanoes.
Before setting off, it’s always advisable to check trail conditions, find out about local regulations and, if necessary, hire shuttle services to make the climb easier.
Here are a few links to help you organize your day:
https://www.redbull.com/dz-fr/meilleurs-bike-parks-europe
