Mountain Bike - MTB - BTT

1. INTRODUCTION

In general, when we talk we talk about cycling road race mode, or to that which takes place on asphalt, and although this is the most media coverage received, there are many others: mountain biking, the trial, track cycling, the indoor cycling (artistic cycling and ciclobol), cycling, freestyle, urban cycling, which have a very large number of fans.In this paper we are concerned with what is perhaps the most practiced in our islands: mountain biking.Within this we can distinguish various forms, we'll take care of the first two:-The modality Cross-country (XC) or cross-country, as it is known in Spanish, takes place in natural uneven terrain circuits (with technically difficult descents, gravel roads, rocky terrain and obstacles) above 5 km. It is the Olympic discipline.-The marathon is a longer version of the cross-country, which covered distances of 60 to 120 km. The terrain on which it is performed, as in the cross-country, very uneven.-The Downhill (DH) or decrease is an individual race in which the rider tries to make a drop of great technical difficulty in the shortest time possible. It's a very dramatic form in which the participant must show great technical skill and great courage.-The Four Cross (4X) is a test that consists of a series of qualifying races that oppose four runners that are launched simultaneously on the same route. Travel time must be between 30 and 60 sec. (Best 40Secs).The archipelago offers a natural (field) ideal for cycling and mountain en route because, on the one hand, the number of sunny days per year is very high, about 300, and, second, orographic features a very rugged profile that makes it very interesting for lovers of these modalities.More specifically, Ibiza is an island that may not be as suitable for the road race, but it is ideal for mountain biking since, in addition to presenting the features mentioned above, it still retains many practice areas suitable for of this modality, ie undeveloped and mountainous areas with many roads and trails to discover.These favorable conditions as well as the growing urbanization of life have become mountain biking in a practice that combines the satisfaction of various needs. First, it is noteworthy that in the current social dynamic physical activity serves as a counterpoint to a routine, although it is increasingly stressful, it is also increasingly sedentary. Moreover, the fact that the modern lifestyle increasingly develops in an urban environment, the individual creates a need to maintain a contact with nature in their spare time.Moreover it is a physical activity that can be practiced both individually and in groups.In a more competitive level, we can say that the sport is very attractive to adolescents and youth as it is reaching the limits of endurance and adrenaline causes large.The disadvantages would highlight the risk involved in its practice, which otherwise is inherent in all sports and that is less than road cycling, and the high cost of the material.

2. THE MOUNTAIN BIKING THROUGH HISTORY

The truth is that maybe we should talk about the start of the mountain bike and mountain biking, as the bikes have been used to scroll through mountainous terrain and irregular ground from there.

The birth of the mountain bike (MTB), as it is officially called in Spanish, is usually dated to the first half of the 70s of the last century and is usually located in Northern California, specifically in Marin County. This is where it started to change to suit bikes downhill races that were held off-road. These early models were adopted by manufacturers thanks to their marketing strategies popularized the sport. Since then the BTT have been changing and incorporating the latest technologies available: tables of lighter materials, suspensions, disc brakes, ...

The mountain bike races dating since 1976. Not until 1990 that begins to dispute the World Championship Mountain Bike. This competition is organized by the UCI dispute once a year and involves different national teams. It is considered the most important competition of mountain biking worldwide. It disputed the following tests:

-Down - male and female

Drop-in relay - Mixed

-Cross Country (Cross Country) - male and female

-Four Cross - male and female

-Trials - Men 20'', 26'' male and female 20'' / 26''.

It also disputes the World Cup Mountain Bike, consisting of several races that normally occur in summer. They fight races of the following manners:

-Cross Country Marathon

-Down - male and female

-Cross Country (Cross Country) - male and female

-Four Cross - male and female

  3. THE MOUNTAIN BIKING IN SPAIN

In Spain, mountain biking became popular in the early 90s. In the year 92 was played for the first time a test of the World Cup in Spain, in Barcelona. Since then, the MTB has been gaining popularity today to become one of the most popular types of cycling.

Several Spanish-Marga Fullana among women and Joseph A. Hermida among men - have excelled in the sport worldwide.

The mountain bike championships in Spain are organized by the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation and welcome the following ways:

-Marathon.

-Cross Country.

-Down.

Four-cross.

4. Cycling and mountain biking in OLYMPICS

Cycling is part of the Olympic program since the first modern edition of the Olympic Games (Athens 1896) when it held only track events.

Until 1984 Los Angeles was only male participation. Women began to participate in road events in these Olympics and track events in Seoul 1988.

In the 1996 Atlanta Olympics for the first time included mode cross country mountain biking, both male and female categories.

5. CLASSIFICATION OF SPORT

Mountain biking is an individual sport unopposed. That said we must qualify this statement as there relay races modalities (team-relay) in which four different categories brokers take turns in the path of a circuit. In this type of team sports talk unopposed.

In the procedure before us, cross-country and marathon, it is common that each broker is part of a team or selection, for the world championship, and although for most of the race can be a team approach, usually designed to protect the strongest rider, finally in the decisive moments of the race each runner depends on their abilities, both physical and technical. This is true even more so than in the road race and the technical difficulty posed by difficult paths in the shooting squad.

6. RULES OR REGULATIONS
The regulation of the RFEC mountain bike, which should be in line with the UCI, including rules relating to the categories of participants, the material, the classifications and punctuation, to travel, ... In some cases there are special regulations for certain tests, but in no case can contradesir aforementioned regulations.
Before testing the route should be inspected to ensure that it meets the requirements of the regulation.
The judges of the trial, both outbound and arrival, and the Deputy Commissioners are directly responsible for supervising compliance with the rules during the test.
The Cross-Country routes must understand diverse terrain, technical areas, but quite narrow zones wide areas to allow overtaking. The maximum distance that can be covered over with pavé roads should not exceed 15% of the total. The precise regulation other ground rules for the tours, so does the marking of the route.
According to the regulations of the RFEC, with slight variations for different types, categories of competition are as follows:
-Men: cadet, junior, under-23, elite, master 30, master 40, master 50, 60 and senior master.
-Women: cadet, junior, under 23 and elite
These categories are determined by the age of the participants and will serve to establish the different classifications and determine the distances of competition.
As for the material, the regulation states that "the bikes used in competition all BTT will work only under the propulsion made only with your legs in a circular motion, with the help of a BB. All bicycle tubes should be plugged. "
In addition, they must meet safety requirements regarding bikes and safety equipment, ie helmets.
In tests in which it is regulated, the bikes will be checked before the start of the competition and can not be changed during the race. They must also bring back the corridor.
Other standards, refer to the obligation to respect the route marked - should be abandoned reenter the same place where it was abandoned, to move always in the direction of the race, to the development of team rankings , on entries; the exit order, to areas of supplies and technical assistance - only places where you can get supplies and external technical assistance ......

7. TRAVEL AND COMPETITION TIME
Since BTT tests are not governed by time but by the length of the route, we decided to combine two paragraphs. It should be clarified that according to the time of the first riders will set a cutoff time who arrive after this they are eliminated. Normally given a timeframe to 80% higher than the head of the race.The extreme difficulty and hardness of routes and trouble shooting in the squad, make these tests are usually shorter than the road race.The heats of Cross-Country will be played on a circuit between 6 and 9 km long, considering average lap time of 20 to 28 '. The number of turns should give this is determined by the category to which each row belongs.The journey of these circuits is marked by ribbons and direction signs, which must be respected by all participants.The circuits usually join the technical difficulty with the hardness and require a high technical and physical conditions. So we usually find very hard climbs and descents very difficult.In the test of long distance cross country or marathon, the minimum distance is 60 km and the maximum of 120 km. The minimum recommended time is 3 hours for a mid-level competitor.The tours, as in the cross-country evidence, are marked by ribbons and signs are usually extremely hard, but perhaps not so difficult technically. Given the length of the test, which is not disputed in circuit if not in a circular path in which there is often over twice for the same point. Participants receive a map guidance at the beginning of the test.In these tests, are usually set various points along the cutting path to be passed at a fixed time, or earlier, or depending on the riding situation

.8. TECHNIQUE
In mountain biking is as important as physical fitness technical skills, as tours often combine extremely hard and difficult sections.As regards the physical condition, the differences in the length of the races causes the resistance type (fundamental physical condition to practice this sport) required to succeed in these vary substantially from one to another. So in the shorter tests, such as uphill races, predominantly aerobic power. As tests are becoming longer, it is giving prominence to aerobic capacity, and even aerobic efficiency (marathon trials).As for the technique must differentiate between that used in that rises and descents used.In the rises is very important to maintain a comfortable pedaling cadence of 70 to 80 pedal strokes per minute, this is achieved by choosing a suitable gear to force one can transmit to the pedals. The pedal should be, as in the flat, circular, this is that such force is transmitted to the downward movement of the pedal, and the upstream.In technical climbs with a little sticky and uneven surface should remain seated on the rear seat, rear-wheel drive to win. If getting up, which occurs when the slope is steep, you have to find a point in which we maintain rear drive and front wheel remains on the firm. This is achieved by finding a position in which the body is sufficiently delayed to no weight on the rear wheel, but it allows the head and shoulders are developed, falling the weight of these on the front wheel. It is very important to have a good balance on the bike, so that in the event of obstacles up we do not fall.In the ups have to take curves outside in, avoiding the steepest part of cant.On descents, especially in steeper, we put the weight back, so that we can counter the law of gravity and not get pushed forward. This is very important at the time to stop, and that we will do both brakes and action catapult us forward over the handlebars. In the case of extremely steep descents, places us crouching and the outside rear seat on the rear wheel, and as low as possible.In fall, you have to slow down before reaching the curve, squeezing both brakes; find the most convenient route, lean (not spin the wheel) and start pedaling as soon as possible to regain traction.In plain technique goes into the background in favor of fitness. One aspect, already mentioned, is pedaling circular. The fact that the feet are firmly fixed to the pedals through the system of creeks, makes not only transmit force in the downward movement, but also on the up. This requires being aware that pedaling pedaling is a movement of 360 º. In the first 180 º, move the foot forward and down by pressing the quadriceps, calves and glutes. 180 In the second we lift the pedal using the hamstrings and hip flexors. This will make the movement more fluid and efficient, avoiding the deadlock that occurs between pedaleads when only exert downward pressure.Finally, we must not forget the importance of knowing how to choose the perfect layout for our features. This requires "scan" the ground quickly so we can anticipate the maneuvers. This will save a number of scares.

9. STRATEGY
In mountain biking strategy is relatively unimportant since achieving success depends largely on one's own abilities. The strategy in this case is focused on knowing how to make the most and least cause failure of the rival.First, we must ration forces so that we can maintain a certain pace throughout the race and it should be as close as possible to our peak performance. This is vital to know your limits and characteristics of the race. It is preferable to go from less to more and try not to waste time on sections less favorable to our features.Moreover, we know the places where we will be able to advance and those where we run the risk of being behind runners behind.It is also essential, especially in the longer races where the danger of the Wall is older, consider the situation of the supplies and use them when needed.

10. Mountain biking as an educational
The BTT in noncompetitive mode, cycling, enjoys enviable educational possibilities as using it not only encourages the practice of physical activity, but it can be leveraged to teach values.Given the physical demands of this activity values ​​which are transmitted through their practice are closely related to the effort, overcoming.The fact self generate their own movement will help us become more autonomous, while to realize our own limitations.Moreover, the environment in which this activity is fostering a better understanding and respect for the natural and cultural environment that surrounds us. One of the great things about mountain biking is that it allows access to places that would otherwise remain unknown to us. Many of these places remain as have been preserved for centuries, which gives us access to a vignette of a past often forgotten, but not not so distant in time.Moreover, this method can be used to educate road safety education. Although largely develops in less traveled roads can not ever forget to respect traffic rules

11. CONCLUSION
Mountain biking is a physically demanding sport and art, but it rewards the practitioner with unforgettable experiences.In my opinion, this is a sport of discovery through which we discover, that while we compete against our rivals, the main rival, as in other types of cycling, are our own physiological limits, and while this is so, perseverance and patience in training allow us to evolve and improve ourselves to reach levels that would not have initially imagined. Some also try to take a shortcut by using substances that enhance physical performance, but this goes against the spirit of fair play and against himself.The spirit of evolution and has also overcome the BTT have been transformed into real high-tech machines, to better fit the terrain on which this activity takes place. Something has moreover that often overemphasize the material used (prohibitive price) and less to the experience itself.Finally, the fact that mountain biking suits all types of terrain, mainly to "off-road" allows us to enjoy physical activity, while we discover a privileged environment, which often becomes shape of this sport beyond orographic characteristics and harsh terrain. This is the great attraction of sports in nature, take place in a stadium that no architect can exceed in beauty and our islands are, in this sense, enviable

.12. REFERENCES-
Aldo Sassi. 1989. "Mountain Bike from A to Z". Ed. Tutor, Madrid.-Brian Lopes and Lee McCormack. 2005. MTB Techniques masterpieces. Ed Tutor, Madrid.-Http :/ / www.mountainbike.es-Http :/ / www.rfec.com/

The road cycling in Spain is still dangerous: Iñaki dies Lejarreta

Today we learned that Iñaki died Lejarreta, Spain's champion mountain bike, hit in Iurreta on the N-634. Some sources indicate that the cyclist was hit from behind while riding on the shoulder. 

Mapfre Take Foundation study on traffic accidents in which are involved the collective cyclist. We study the reason for the high mortality of cyclists in the accident and the safety features and circumstances on which such accidents.

This study is draw that during 2010, a total of 3,496 cyclists suffered an accident in Spain, and 67 of them died, a 20 percent increase from 2009, which breaks the downward trend that was occurring in Spain since 2001 .

During 2012 at least 13 cyclists have died in road accidents. In 2011 32 cyclists were killed on the road, not including those killed in the city. According to the Research Institute for repairers, Centro Zaragoza, most accidents occurred on the roads and, inside these, on the tracks whose shoulder was less than five feet or on the way in which it was impracssible

The study document ends with interesting guidelines for the future. Hopefully sooner action is taken to ensure the safety of the cyclist on the road.


My opinion: 

 It's a shame that so many accidents, should do much wider shoulders.
Putting drivers about tougher sanctions.

Since I work and I've been cycling champion, when I was 12 , and I'm still training to go to the Olympics in 2016, and I have offered scholarship,and so I like to keep training and not see dead people. And stop looking at my former team mate killed on the road...