Expect mountain biking to get ever more extreme and adventurous in the year ahead. Bikers are continually on the look out for new and more extreme challenges: both natural and urban. The above video shows the 35K mountain bike race down the volcano on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean. Described as a Mega-Avalanche event, the competitors flow down the volcano like lava. Although it started over 15 years ago, the event has blasted off recently as top competitors and amateurs from around the world head for the French-speaking island.
In South America, the locals have developed their own extreme mountain biking events. The bikers descend through the narrow alleys of the Brazilian favelas, which are the shanty towns around Rio Janeiro. It’s a breathtaking ride, with the screaming atmosphere adding to the theatre. The Mount 7 Psychosis down hill race in British Columbia is another major mountain bike challenge.
Closer to home, the Cwmcarn downhill course in South Wales is becoming increasingly popular as it offers the rocks and root obstacles enthusiasts demand. For mountain biking, click here.
It’s all downhill from here!