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65-668: The SDBC covers between 500 and 600 kilometres and lasts five days. The times taken to finish each stage are aggregated to determine the overall winner. Although the course changes every year, the SDBC typically starts in South Australia and finishes in Birdsville , Queensland . The route takes riders and support crews through the largest parallel sand dune desert in the world. Riders of all ages and abilities are allowed to participate. For example, past competitors have included

130-523: A cop , a coffee shop owner, and an IT manager. The SDBC is unofficially the world's longest-running mountain bike stage race. According to several endurance event rating sites, the SDBC race is one of the world's toughest endurance events. There is no prize pool for the SDBC . All proceeds are donated to charity . Since 2008 the committee has donated the proceeds to the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS) Money

195-734: A national park on 26 November 2021, formerly Munga-Thirri—Simpson Desert Conservation Park and the Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert Regional Reserve ) a large area of dry, red sandy plain and dunes in the Northern Territory , South Australia and Queensland . The course varies from year to year as several routes have been surveyed and developed. The SDBC it is basically a moving race village, comprising riders and their support crews, 4 wheel drive vehicles and event crew. The race routes traverse tracks that were constructed for oil exploration in

260-512: A racecourse , is a nonpermanent track for sports, particularly road running , water sports , road racing , or rallying . Many sports usually held on race tracks also can occur on temporary tracks, such as the Monaco and Singapore Grands Prix in Formula One . Some evidence remains of racetracks being developed in several ancient civilizations. The most developed ancient race tracks were

325-419: A 10-speed, 11-speed or 12-speed cassette, and the intricacies of a 10-speed, 11-speed or 12-speed rear derailleur were originally not found to be suitable combined with front shifters, although 10, 11 and 12 speed cassettes are now commonplace in single front chainring bicycles, and are also found on some mountain bikes. However, many pro-level mountain bikers have taken to using a narrower 10-speed road chain with

390-411: A 9-speed setup in an effort to reduce the weight of their bike. In early 2009, component group SRAM announced their release of their XX groupset, which uses a 2-speed front derailleur, and a 10-speed rear derailleur and cassette, similar to that of a road bike. Mud-shedding capabilities of their 10-speed XX cassette are made suitable for MTB use by extensive Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining of

455-481: A Schwinn Varsity frame. Mert Lawwill had Terry Knight of Oakland build the frames. The bikes sold for about $ 500 new and were made from 1979 though 1980 (approximate run of 600 bikes). The first mass production mountain bike was the Specialized Stumpjumper , first produced in 1981. With the rising popularity of mountain bikes, Randolph (Randy) Ross, executive vice president of Ross Bicycles Inc. ,

520-454: A bicycle frame builder, used this idea and developed what is considered the first mountain bike. It was not until the late 1970s and early 1980s that road bicycle companies started to manufacture mountain bicycles using high-tech lightweight materials, such as M4 aluminum. The first production mountain bike available was the 1979 Lawwill Pro Cruiser. The frame design was based on a frame that Don Koski fabricated from electrical conduit and

585-614: A frame with a suspension mechanism for the rear wheel. Rear suspension is ubiquitous in heavier-duty bikes and now common even in lighter bikes. Dropper seat posts can be installed to allow the rider to quickly adjust the seat height (an elevated seat position is more effective for pedaling, but poses a hazard in aggressive maneuvers). Mountain bikes are generally specialized for use on mountain trails, single track , fire roads , and other unpaved surfaces. In addition to being used to travel and recreate on those surfaces, many people use mountain bikes primarily on paved surfaces; some may prefer

650-555: A high visibility safety flag. Source In 1988, Jack and Mary Mullins organised and directed the first Simpson Desert Cycle Classic In 1988. The event raised money for the Paraquad Association. The Mullins ran the SDBC until 1994, when Rod and Loz Townsend took it over. During those years an association with the Paraplegic Benefit Fund was created as a recipient charity. The Townsends managed

715-436: A morning and afternoon stage. Due to the significant daily distances and the requirement for riders to arrive at night camp before dark, the SDBC has a minimum speed requirement. Riders must maintain a minimum average of 12 km (7.5 mi) per hour to stay ahead of the rear convoy – which is led by the sweep vehicle. If caught by the “sweep,” riders have to take a lift to the end of that stage. Riders are allowed to restart

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780-418: A seat tube angle around 73 degrees, with a head tube angle of anywhere from 60 to 73 degrees. The intended application of the bike affects its geometry very heavily. In general, steeper angles (closer to 90 degrees from the horizontal) are more efficient for pedaling up hills and make for sharper handling. Slacker angles (leaning farther from the vertical) are preferred for high speeds and downhill stability. In

845-427: A short course and a longer course which uses part of the shorter one, usually the main straight, such as Brands Hatch . The Le Mans road race venue is centred on a smaller permanent circuit within its complex. Surfaces include: Race tracks are primarily designed for road racing competition through speed, featuring defined start-finish lines or posts, and sometimes even a series of defined timing points that divide

910-569: Is Nardò where high-speed manufacturer testing often takes place, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway . Some oval tracks are variations on an oval shape, for practical reasons or to introduce varying difficulties such as Talladega (a tri-oval). Most race tracks have meandering circuits with many curves, chicanes and changes in height, to allow for a challenge in skill to the competitors, notably motocross and touring car racing – these tend to predominate throughout most of

975-579: Is a bicycle designed for off-road cycling. Mountain bikes share some similarities with other bicycles, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain, which often makes them heavier, more complex and less efficient on smooth surfaces. These typically include a suspension fork , large knobby tires , more durable wheels , more powerful brakes, straight, wide handlebars to improve balance and comfort over rough terrain, and wide-ratio gearing optimized for topography , application (e.g., steep climbing or fast descending) and

1040-437: Is especially noticeable when cycling on roads and hard trails. At first, early rear suspension designs were overly heavy, and susceptible either to pedaling-induced bobbing or lockout. Most new mountain bikes use disc brakes. They offer much improved stopping power (less lever pressure is required providing greater braking modulation) over rim brakes under all conditions especially adverse conditions, because they are located at

1105-624: Is raised for the RFDS through online fundraising of riders, a post-race auction, as well as donations collected during the event for (fun) fines. So far more than $ 312,000 have been raised by the organization, which is run by a group of volunteers and incorporated in South Australia as the non-for-profit organization Desert Challenge Inc. The SDBC" crosses the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park (proclaimed

1170-674: Is used in the ETRTO tire and rim sizing system), and the average 29″ mountain bike tire is (in ISO notation) 59-622 corresponds to an outside diameter of about 29.15 inches (740 mm). 622 mm wheels are standard on road bikes and are commonly known as 700C. In some countries, mainly in Continental Europe , 700C (622 mm) wheels are commonly called 28 inch wheels. 24 inch wheels are used for dirt jumping bikes and sometimes on freeride bikes, rear wheel only, as this makes

1235-949: The Earl of Derby created a horse-racing course on his estate at Epsom; the English Derby continues to be held there today. Racecourses in the British Isles are based on grass, known as turf tracks. In the United States, the race tracks are soil. With the advent of the automobile in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, race tracks were designed to suit the nature of powered machines. The earliest tracks were modified horse-racing courses. Racing automobiles in such facilities began in September 1896, at Narragansett Park in Cranston, Rhode Island . The Indianapolis Motor Speedway

1300-559: The FMB World Tour and the Red Bull Rampage . Mountain bikes can usually be divided into four broad categories based on suspension configuration: Since the 1980s, mountain bikes have had anywhere from 7 to 36 speeds, with 1 to 4 chain-rings on the crankset and 5 to 12 sprockets in the cogset . 30-speed, 33-speed and 36-speed mountain bikes were originally found to be unworkable, as the mud-shedding capabilities of

1365-719: The Monaco GP , and the Circuit de la Sarthe circuit in Le Mans , France. These are not permanent facilities built for racing (although parts of the Circuit de la Sarthe are purpose-built, and closed to the public). After World War II , many wartime airfields, particularly in Great Britain, were left without further use. This coincided with a post-war boom in motorsport, and many airfields were converted to race tracks, where

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1430-759: The hippodromes of the Ancient Greeks and the circuses ( circi ) of the Roman Empire . Both of these structures were designed for horse and chariot racing. The stadium of the Circus Maximus in Ancient Rome could hold 200,000 spectators. Racing facilities existed during the Middle Ages , and records exist of a public racecourse being opened at Newmarket , in London, in 1174. In 1780,

1495-411: The 1.90 to 2.10 in (48 to 53  mm ) size, to 2.35 and 3.00 in (60 and 76 mm) widths popular with freeride and downhill bicycles. Although heavier wheelsets are favored in the freeride and downhill disciplines, advances in wheel technology continually shave weight off strong wheels. This is highly advantageous as rolling weight greatly affects handling and control, which are very important to

1560-437: The 1970s. In wet conditions, track closures are common and the race may need to be diverted. There are no settlements or service locations between the SDBC start and finish lines. As the event crosses protected conservation areas, it has to comply with a range of rules designed to protect the environment. The SDBC follows a format in which riders are always travelling between a front and rear convoy . Each day, riders complete

1625-420: The 22 competitors. Twenty-two riders competed, including one woman. Three riders completed the entire distance of 593 km (368 mi) Conditions were relatively cool with very little soft sand.. On day 1, there was heavy rainfall on the course. The next morning, the riders were transported to the “Lone Gum”, where the race resumed. Sixteen riders competed, including two women. Thirteen riders completed

1690-413: The 27.5-inch wheel diameter with ≈2.25 widths (ISO 584 mm rim diameter), particular on smaller frame sizes for shorter riders. Mountain bikes with 24-inch wheels are also available, sometimes for dirt jumping, or as a junior bike. Bicycle wheel sizes are not precise measurements: a 29-inch mountain bike wheel with a 622 millimetres (24.5 in) bead seat diameter (the term, bead seat diameter (BSD),

1755-472: The SDBC Mr. Bean Award. Two riders completed the entire course of 585 km (364 mi). Thirty-seven riders competed, including three women. Six riders completed the entire course of 581 km (361 mi). The conditions were hot with significant sand drifts on top of many dunes. On day 2, only two riders got past the 40 km (25 mi) mark (Jack Oldfield and Ed Bourke). Both riders arrived at

1820-433: The SDBC had to be held in alternative locations. In 2020, due to the global pandemic of COVID-19 , the SDBC was cancelled for the first time. Thirty riders competed, including two women. The youngest riders were 13, riding BMX bikes ; one of them finished all stages. The oldest participant was 73. Twenty-three riders competed, Nineteen riders finished the course. Stephan Vanderhee, #23, had several tyre punctures during

1885-748: The acronym "ATB" are used as synonyms for "mountain bike", but some authors consider them passé. The original mountain bikes were modified heavy cruiser bicycles used for freewheeling down mountain trails. The sport became popular in the 1970s in Northern California, USA, with riders using older, single-speed balloon tire bicycles to ride down rugged hillsides. These modified bikes were called "ballooners" in California, "klunkers" in Colorado, and "dirt bombers" in Oregon. Joe Breeze ,

1950-493: The afternoon of day 3 until he ran out of spare tubes. That forced him to ride the final 30 km (19 mi) on his rims. That night, Vanderhee worked until 11 pm on his bike rims with steel wool and a file and appeared at the start line the next morning with a new tube and his original tyre still intact. Twenty-one riders completed the entire 576 km (358 mi). Fifty-three riders competed, including five women. Forty-five riders competed, including five women. Two of

2015-582: The afternoon section. From there onwards, good conditions did allow most of the field to get through the remaining days. Twenty-four riders competed, including two women. Six riders completed the entire 587 km (365 mi) Eleven riders competed, including one woman. Five riders achieved 100%. Several participants cancelled, including an Army contingent deployed to Afghanistan and the Air Force contingent deployed to Malaysia . The conditions were dry and hot conditions. Large amounts of sand lay across

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2080-441: The bike more maneuverable. 29 inch wheels were once used for only cross country purposes, but are now becoming more commonplace in other disciplines of mountain biking. A mountain bike with 29″ wheels is often referred to as a 29er , and a bike with 27.5-inch wheels is called a 27.5 Mountain bike or as a marketing term ″650B bike". Wheels come in a variety of widths, ranging from standard rims suitable for use with tires in

2145-499: The cassette. Due to the time and cost involved in such a product, they were only aimed at top-end XC-racers. However, 10-speed has become the norm by 2011 and the market leader Shimano even offers its budget groupset "Alivio" in a 10-speed version. In July 2012, SRAM announced a 1×11 drivetrain called XX1 that does not make use of a front derailleur for lighter weight and simplicity. In the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Glasgow all leading riders used 1×11 drivetrains. SRAM's new 1×12 gearing

2210-443: The center of the wheel (on the wheel hub). They therefore remain drier and cleaner than wheel rims, which are more readily soiled or damaged. The disadvantage of disc brakes is their increased cost and often greater weight. Disc brakes do not allow heat to build up in the tires on long descents; instead, heat builds up in the rotor, which can become extremely hot. There are two different kinds of disc brakes: hydraulic, which uses oil in

2275-560: The circuit layout usually combined parts of the runways and the surrounding perimeter taxiways. The famous British track at Silverstone is a former Class A airfield , as are Castle Combe and Goodwood . The long runways were perfect for drag strips such as at Santa Pod Raceway . This type of track also appears on the popular motoring show Top Gear , which is filmed at Dunsfold Aerodrome , in Surrey, United kingdom Mountain bike A mountain bike ( MTB ) or mountain bicycle

2340-566: The development of the sport of mountain biking in the 1970s, many new subtypes of mountain biking have developed, such as cross-country (XC) , trail , all-mountain , enduro , freeride , downhill , and a variety of track and slalom types. Each of these place different demands on the bike, requiring different designs for optimal performance. MTB development has led to an increase in suspension travel, now often up to 8 inches (200 mm), and gearing up to 13 speed, to facilitate both climbing and rapid descents. Advances in gearing have also led to

2405-489: The entire 519 km (322 mi). Conditions were cool and the track was firm due to previous rain. However, rain started on day and continued into day 3, causing very muddy and slippery conditions. Thirty riders competed, including one woman. Eighteen riders completed the entire race. Conditions were dry and hot . However, headwind picked up on the morning of day 2 which left only 8 riders completing that very stage... with another 2 of these riders failing to get through

2470-645: The entire course of 587 km (365 mi). The conditions were hot and dry. On day 3, due to water in the Warburton Crossing, the riders went up the K1 line. Day 4 saw a transport stage across the QAA line to Big Red - instead of riding. The dunes on the QAA line were too steep and sandy (for non-fat bikes). The race did finish off with an out-and-back stage on the Birdsville Inside Track on

2535-563: The event is dominated by fat bikes. The advance in bike technology allowed SDBC organisers to choose different route options, including the French and WAA lines – which feature more challenging sand dunes than the classic route. The climatic conditions in the desert vary from year to year. There have been extremely dry and hot years as well as wet years which did create an even more challenging set of circumstances for riders. Due to flooding and well as bush fires , there have also been years where

2600-632: The event until 2001. In 2006 a management committee for the SDBC was elected. This committee established Desert Challenge Inc.. In the early years of the SDBC, riders used non-suspension mountain bikes with skinny tyres. They were forced to push their bikes over the sand dunes. The route usually ran along the Rig Road and Birdsville Track , now known as the “Classic Route”. After 2009, many competitors started uses fat bikes . With 4+ inch wide tyres, those bikes made it possible to ride on soft sand and cross even steep dunes without having to push. Today,

2665-495: The front and rear wheel are fitted with a shock absorber in some form as the wheel attaches to the bike. This provides a smoother ride as the front and rear wheels can now travel up and down to absorb the force of obstacles striking the tires. Dual suspension bikes of a similar quality are considerably more expensive, but this price increase brings an enormous off-road performance upgrade as dual suspension bikes are much faster on downhill and technical/rough sections, than other forms of

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2730-403: The hardtail design has the benefits of lower cost, less maintenance, and better pedaling efficiency, it is slowly losing popularity due to improvements in full suspension designs. Front fork suspensions are now available with 8 inches (200 mm) of travel or more (see above under Designs .) Many new mountain bikes integrate a "full suspension" design known as dual suspension, meaning that both

2795-475: The last day. Fifty-four riders competed, including two women. Four riders completed the shorten 457 km (284 mi) course. Jack Oldfield won, his third win in a row. Conditions were cool, with overnight lows of 1 degree Celsius. There was relatively little soft sand. On the afternoon of day 4 riders traversed massive cracks in the claypan on the Goyder Lagoon . One rider, Graham Butt, broke

2860-440: The lines to push the brake pads against the rotors to stop the bike. They cost more but work better. Mechanical, which uses wires in the lines to pull the pads against the rotors. Typical features of a mountain bike are very wide tyres. The original 26 inch wheel diameter with ≈2.125″ width ( ISO 559 mm rim diameter) is increasingly being displaced by 29-inch wheels with ≈2.35″ width (ISO 622 mm rim diameter), as well as

2925-455: The lunch stop just before the sweep vehicle. Many vehicles got bogged down on the dunes. On day 4, a shower created muddy conditions. Bicycle wheels got jammed with heavy mud, forcing cyclists to manually remove mud from their bikes every few minutes. Some racers carried the bikes on their shoulders. The race route had to be diverted from the inner to the outer Birdsville track. Forty-one riders competed, including six women. Two riders completed

2990-535: The mountain bike. This is because when the wheel strikes an obstacle its tendency is to bounce up. Due to some forward energy being lost in the upward movement some speed is lost. Dual suspension bikes solve this problem by absorbing this upward force and transmit it into the shocks of the front and rear wheels, drastically decreasing the translation of forward momentum into useless upward movement. Disadvantages of rear suspension are increased weight, increased price, and with some designs, decreased pedaling efficiency, which

3055-453: The next stage in the afternoon or the next morning. All riders who complete every stage of the SDBC get the “100% SDBC medal.” The average percentage of riders winning the 100% medal is 36% – although there have been years where no rider completed the course (e.g. 2008) as well as one year where no rider was swept at all (2016). Water stops are located approximately every 20 km (12 mi) and every rider has to stop and collect water. At

3120-478: The past mountain bikes had a rigid frame and fork. In the early 1990s, the first mountain bikes with suspension forks were introduced. This made riding on rough terrain easier and less physically stressful. The first front suspension forks had about 1 1 ⁄ 2 to 2 inches (38 to 50 mm) of suspension travel. Once suspension was introduced, bikes with front suspension and rigid, non-suspended rear wheels, or "hardtails", became popular nearly overnight. While

3185-533: The same intended application, more expensive tires tend to be lighter and have less rolling resistance. Sticky rubber tires are now available for use on freeride and downhill bikes. While these tires wear down more quickly, they provide greater traction in all conditions, especially during cornering. Tires and rims are available in either tubed or tubeless designs, with tubeless tires recently (2004) gaining favor for their pinch flat resistance. Tires also come with tubes, tubeless and tubeless-ready. Tires with tubes are

3250-426: The same track, or incorporating many tracks in one venue. Commonly, running tracks are incorporated within general use or soccer stadiums, either permanently visible or covered by stands or pitches. Many horse and motorsport tracks are configurable, allowing different routes or sections. Some venues contain smaller tracks inside larger ones, with access tunnels and bridges for spectators. Some racetracks incorporate

3315-426: The seat on his bicycle during one of the stages He cycled the next 65 km (40 mi) standing up and eventually won a 100% medal. Thirty-two riders competed, including two women. Twenty-one riders completed the entire 592 km (368 mi) course. Conditions were dry with warm temperatures. However, on the morning of day 2, sandy conditions hindered many riders. riders. The Sweep collected all but four of

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3380-588: The start and end of every stage, the weight of each rider is recorded to manage risks related to dehydration . Beyond water stops, riders must be self-sufficient . Medical teams are present at each water stop to monitor the physical and mental status of the riders. Support vehicles must travel in either the front convoy ahead of the riders or in the rear convoy behind the Sweep vehicle. Vehicles experiencing difficulties crossing dunes can expect prompt assistance. Regulations require each vehicle to have UHF radio and

3445-696: The study of animal locomotion . A racetrack is a permanent facility or building. Racecourse is an alternate term for a horse racing track, found in countries such as the United Kingdom, India, Australia, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates. Race tracks built for bicycles are known as velodromes . Circuit is a common alternate term for race track, given the circuit configuration of most race tracks, allowing races to occur over several laps. Some race tracks may also be known as speedways , or raceways . A race course , as opposed to

3510-686: The technical nature of freeride and downhill riding. The widest wheel/tire widths, typically 3.8 in (97 mm) or larger, are sometimes used by icebikers who use their mountain bikes for winter-time riding in snowy conditions. Manufacturers produce bicycle tires with a wide variety of tread patterns to suit different needs. Among these styles are: slick street tires, street tires with a center ridge and outer tread, fully knobby, front-specific, rear-specific, and snow studded. Some tires can be specifically designed for use in certain weather (wet or dry) and terrain (hard, soft, muddy, etc.) conditions. Other tire designs attempt to be all-around applicable. Within

3575-574: The track into time sectors. A racetrack for cars (i.e. a car track) is a closed circuit, instead of a street circuit utilizing temporarily closed public roads . Race tracks can host individual or team sports. Racetracks can feature rolling starts , or fixed starts, with associated equipment (starting blocks, cages, wheel traps etc.) They invariably feature a pit lane , and usually timing equipment. Some car tracks are of an oval shape, and can be banked, which allows almost universal spectator views or high speed racing (cycling, stock cars). A famous one

3640-612: The track. 17 riders competed, including two women, Two riders achieved 100% of 592 km (368 mi) Twelve riders competed, none achieved 100% Thirty riders competed, including three women. One rider achieved 100% of 489 km (304 mi). Alan Keenleside was the first rider to appear on a fat bike. Over $ 22,000 for the Royal Flying Doctors. Twenty-four riders competed, including three women. Twelve riders achieved 100% of 587 km (365 mi). First year in which several competitors use fat tyre bikes. Due to

3705-443: The ubiquity of "1x" drivetrains (pronounced "one-by"), simplifying the gearing to one chainring in the front and a wide range cassette at the rear, typically with 9 to 12 sprockets . 1x gearing reduces overall bike weight, increases ground clearance, and greatly simplifies the process of gear selection, but 2- or 3-ring drivetrains are still common on entry-level bikes. The expressions "all terrain bicycle", "all terrain bike", and

3770-593: The upright position, plush ride, and stability that mountain bikes often have. Mountain biking terrain commonly has rocks, roots, loose dirt, and steep grades. Many trails have additional technical trail features (TTF) such as log piles , log rides , rock gardens , skinnies , gap jumps , and wall-rides . Mountain bikes are built to handle these types of terrain and features. The heavy-duty construction combined with stronger rims and wider tires has also made this style of bicycle popular with urban riders and couriers who must navigate through potholes and over curbs. Since

3835-548: The way of permanent infrastructure other than the track; others incorporate spectator facilities such as grandstands , hospitality or facilities for competitors, such as pit lanes and garages, paddocks and stables. Several racetracks are incorporated into larger venues or complexes, incorporating golf courses, museums, hotels, and conference centres. Some racetracks are small enough to be contained indoors, for sports such as motocross , track cycling , and athletics . Many racetracks are multi-use, allowing different types of sport on

3900-420: The wet conditions, the sand was firm. The fat bikes did not get a real opportunity to demonstrate their advantages on soft ground. Race course A race track ( racetrack , racing track or racing circuit ) is a facility built for racing of vehicles, athletes, or animals (e.g. horse racing or greyhound racing ). A race track also may feature grandstands or concourses. Race tracks are also used in

3965-413: The women riders were Japanese\. Of the men, two were Japanese, one was Canadian (who fell and broke his shoulder on the first day) and one was British. Also participating was a blind rider, Chad Towns, who followed his son on a bike with “clickers” on the spokes plus a friend following him. A “ Mr. Bean ” participated in his white business shirt, long army shorts, black shoes and white socks. He inspired

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4030-709: The world, but especially in Europe. Flatter meandering motorsport courses are sometimes called 'road circuits', originating in the fact that the earliest road racing circuits were simply closed-off public roads. Some car racetracks are specifically configured in a long straight, namely drag racing . True road circuits are still in use, e.g. the Australian GP has been run in Adelaide and continues to be in Melbourne on regular city streets. The most famous of these are

4095-430: Was introduced in 2016 as SRAM Eagle. This gives a single chain ring bike better ability to climb. The critical angles in bicycle geometry are the head angle (the angle of the head tube ), and the seat tube angle (the angle of the seat tube ). These angles are measured from the horizontal, and drastically affect the rider position and performance characteristics of the bicycle. Mountain bike geometry will often feature

4160-623: Was opened in August 1909. Beginning in the early 1900s, motorcycle races were run on high, banked, wooden race tracks called board tracks . During the 1920s, many of the races on the AAA Championship circuit were run on such board tracks. Modern racetracks are designed with spectator safety being paramount, following incidents of spectator and track marshals fatalities. These often involve run-off areas, barriers, and high fencing. Racetracks are used for: Some racetracks offer little in

4225-507: Was quoted in the New York Times saying I'd say these bikes are one of the biggest things that ever happened to the biking industry. Its basic look constitutes "a total shift in image" for the industry. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, mountain biking moved from a little-known sport to a mainstream activity complete with an international racing circuit and a world championship , in addition to various free ride competitions, such as

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