Mountain biking is a recreational activity that uses a specialized bicycle built for riding over rough ground. Off-road cycling has long been a recreational pastime. However, the sport of mountain biking probably originated in California during the 1970’s. Mountain biking was first included as an Olympic event in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. 
Compared with standard bicycles, mountain bikes have longer, sturdier frames and wider, knobby tires. Many mountain bikes have front and rear suspensions (spring systems) to absorb shocks caused by bumpy terrain. Mountain bikes are also characterized by their wide, flat handlebars. This handlebar configuration requires the rider to sit more upright, reducing aerodynamics and thus slowing the bike. However, it gives riders more control over the bike’s steering. In addition, mountain bikes often have gear systems that make it easier to navigate steep trails. Mountain bike riders commonly wear helmets, gloves, and body pads to protect themselves in case of a fall. Riders may travel with such gear as first-aid kids and bike-repair tools for riding in rough and remote terrain.
As a sport, mountain biking has a variety of events in which athletes may compete. These events include downhill races, uphill races, and observed trials, in which a rider guides the bicycle through an obstacle course without putting a foot on the ground. Cross-country events are speed competitions usually raced in laps along established trails. Another form of mountain biking, known as free riding, became popular in the United States in the 1980’s. In free riding events, cyclists ride down ramps or steep terrain to launch themselves into the air. Once airborne, cyclists perform various tricks, which are scored based on difficulty and execution.
In 1983, the National Off Road Bicycle Association (NORBA) held the sport’s first official national championships in the United States. The first official mountain bike world championships were held in Durango, Colorado, in 1990. Since 1996, the Olympic Games have hosted cross-country mountain biking events for men and women.
