I took a trip to Europe recently and although I didn’t get a chance to mountain bike while I was there, I thought perhaps writing about biking might allow me to write off the cost of my trip as a “business expense.” (IRS auditors take note: this is a joke 😉 )
Anyway in Germany I saw all kinds of folks riding bikes in the streets – old women, businessmen in suits, teenagers, even middle aged couples. The commuter bikes people rode seemed well suited to the task – chain guards to protect pants legs, upright geometry to keep an eye on traffic, and simple (or no) gearing for the flat city streets. One thing I noticed, though, was the lack of mountain bikes.
In the US it seems that mountain bikes are a pretty standard choice for commuters since they can go anywhere (on or off road) and are great for hopping commuter-unfriendly curbs. Of course most mountain bikes chew up your pants legs and their fat knobby tires aren’t really all that efficient on the road. While commuter bikes and hybrids are available in the US, most people shy away from them either because they’re uncool or because they already have a mountain bike sitting in the garage.
All this leads me to a question: is mountain biking more popular in the US than in Europe? Obviously road cycling is a popular spectator sport around Europe but do many regular people hit the trails on weekends? I know Bombardier and Prophet have done some mountain biking in Germany so the trails do exist – but are they popular?
I attempted some “Google research” about mountain bike sales in Europe but I wasn’t able to find much. The one bike shop I poked my head into in Italy had a few low-end mountain bikes but a ton of commuter bikes and motorized scooters. Cars are definitely smaller and in shorter supply in Europe so I imagine it’s tough to haul the bikes out to the local trailhead for weekend rides. Plus if you’re cruising around on your bike all week, who wants to ride for fun on the weekend? It’s like taking your car out for a Sunday drive despite driving 1 hour each way to work Monday through Friday. Sure some people still take Sunday drives but it ain’t as popular as it used to be.
My sense is that of all the European countries, the UK probably has the biggest interest in mountain biking and I’m not sure why. The Alps touch several European countries and seem like a natural place for off road riding while the UK, for the most part, is pretty flat. Go figure.
I’d be interested to hear from some Europeans about the mountain bike scene, particularly since my perspective is entirely based on a single short trip around the continent. What countries have the best trails? Is mountain bike racing big there? What are the best mountain bike brands?
4 Comments
Aug 9, 2010
I just came back from Luxemburg and there are around 21 pre signed routs over there (http://www.ont.lu/spor-nl-7-40.html). Most of them are a bit boring, mainly du to the big asphalt pieces. The more fun stuff are the routs designed fore walking. Mountainbikers are allowed to ride on them, although a good map is recommended.
In Germany there is a area called Sauerland and it has some good tracks for cross country. In Winterbergen and Willingen there are downhill tracks and bike parks. I recommend going there.
Italy hazes some great track near the France boarder (Ventimiglia). Good fore cross country and all mountain riding. We did the cross-country tracks but we’ve seen more geared up bikers. The rides are various in surroundings and offer quid a few challenges. The only downside is the lack of direction signs. A walking map proves helpful.
In Holland we have some good single tracks in the more southern part of the country. A lot of fast bendy turns on sandy, mostly flat, ground in the provinces Brabant and Utrecht. In Limburg we have more climbing and descending forest tracks. Near the port city of Rotterdam there is a constructed track in Hillegersberg witch offers a very technical cross country track and a nice downhill track.
These are the tracks I’m familiar with. Maybe this info comes in handy in your next visit to Europe.
Greetings
May 27, 2007
On top of these, there is a mountainbike park in the Black Forest which is sponsored by Kona, and is equal, or so I've heard, to Keystone. Austria also has several lift-served mountainbike parks.
Freeride in Germany is known as "enduro", and there are more than a few indiginous manufacturers that carry bikes which easily match those available in the States. Also, the Specialized patent on the Horst-link suspension does not apply to European bike manufacturers, and as a result, a good many of their designs utilize the Horst linkage for their suspensions. Cross-country is the predominant riding discipline, and a majority of mountainbikers encountered on the trails in Germany are riding these designs. Most of the trails found there are very well groomed, which lessens the need for long-travel suspension.
On any given weekend during the summer, it was not uncommon for my wife & I to see well over a dozen fellow mountainbikers on our favorite trails. Trekking bikes are also very popular in Germany, and they have not yet made their way to the States. These bikes are typically short travel hardtails or full-suspension, and have OEM pannier racks with narrow all-terrain tires. Trekking involves rides over 50 km, with overnight stays in villages & guesthouses before heading home.
As mountainbiking grows in Europe, there are bound to be more lift-accessed parks opening, but freeride and all-mountain type bikes and riders will not likely catch up to the XC & trekking phenomenon. This does not mean that gnarly trails suitable for long-travel bikes & their riders are in short supply. On the contrary, it is easy to find these trails, and they are not as well used by the many thousands of hikers that hit the trails every day.
May 8, 2007
The main reason you didn’t see that many if any MTB’s, they are not legal for street use! That’s right not legal. In Germany there is an agency called TUV they are responsible for all forms of safety inspections from equipment to motor vehicles and even bicycles. For a bike to be street legal TUV requires the bike must have fenders, horn or bell, and front and back lights. The German Police “Polizei” will stop you if they see any violations. Actual my then girl friend and I were stopped, right in front of my now farther in-laws house not making a very good first impression, for having no lights before dusk
The other main difference is almost every path, trail, and fire road are open for mountain bikes; however, new trails can not be built except under very special permit. Mountain biking is so well accepted by the public that most hikers I have pass by on the trails not only step to the side but wish you a good day as you drive pass!
Mountain bike racing in Germany is a popular sport especially the 100K marathons. These races are open to the public no special ranking system is needed so you have first time racers in the same race with Tinker Juarez! They get stomped on but then again we are just happy to be in it and finish!
Right now the most popular thing in the German Mountain bike scene is tours crossing the Alps. There are several different routes through the Alps ranging from 3 to 8 days, and people are paying lots of money for guided tours over the Alps.
To the point of bike transport almost every little town has a train stop, and every train has a bike car usually the last one. So why fight the traffic when focus on the trail ahead or after a long ride you can kick back and relax.
I think Mountain biking in Europe is something everyone has to try for themselves it is different and enjoyable, but at the same time you will appreciate what we have right here!
Jul 3, 2011