Downhill Biking in India: Athlete and Ecosystem
While most of us are aware of biking or cycling, it is only a select few who may know of Downhill mountain biking or Downhill mountain bike racing athletes. An offshoot of mountain biking, downhill (or DH as it is popularly known) is a riding style that focuses on cycling down steep mountain trails, carving smooth lines, negotiating cliff drops and rock gardens at times. Conducted on purpose built MTB downhill bikes, being an extremely technical form of mountain biking, DH involves wearing full face helmets and padding too.
The status of DH is like most other adventure sports in our country. Still nascent, and due to its extremely technical nature the sport of downhill mountain bike racing in India, has only a select few takers. Also, limited availability of gear, instructors to learn from or, developed trail networks are a few reasons for the slow growth of the sport. However, Manali is one of the few locations in India, that has become a true nurturing ground for this unique riding style. In fact, the country’s most popular Downhill biking competition, Himalayan Downhill Mountain Bike Trophy organised by the Himalayan Mountain Bike Network takes place here.
Learn all that there is to know about the mountain biking discipline with this cool Adventure Baba infographic.
No discussion about the Downhill Biking scene in the country can go without a mention of Vinay Menon. A DH pro in the truest sense, Vinay who is also known as Venom in the circles, has been riding, competing and contributing to the community for almost two decades now. Vinay who used to fantasize about motocross from an early age of 5, found in downhill mountain biking a logical alternative and an instant hook. An avid seeker of big mountain cliff tops, he recalls landing a 15 feet+ drop, a 360 on his BMX bike and winning the ‘Ultimate Summer of Freeride’ as his ‘moments’ in the sport.
Lately, Vinay is enjoying riding new trails and nurturing a startup in Psynyde bikes. By his own admission, ‘being a part of a bicycle’s birth as it reaches the rider, is a fun process to be involved in.’ This multitalented mountain biker divides his time between freeriding, serving as an editor for the Freeridermag, filmmaking and his startup.
As the sport is picking up, there’s also an upcoming generation of young downhill mountain bike racing athletes progressing to push and better the scene in the homeland.
Piyush Chavan or PUSH as he is popularly known, is one from the recent generation of Downhill riders in the country. A racing enthusiast, PUSH attempts all the events he can get his hands on. Practising on his native, dusty trails of Pune, Piyush enjoys and appreciates the camaraderie in the sport.
Know more about Piyush HERE.
Gautam Taode or, GT as he is lovingly referred to, is another young’un of DH. Hailing from Pune, GT is addicted to this lifestyle due to the intrinsic adrenaline rush associated with the sport. For now he is excited with the gradual growth of the Downhill mountain biking community, starting his own company in the adventure sport/travel space, and the arrival of his new pickup truck.
Connect with Gautam on Facebook.
For most in the community, MTB isn’t just a sport or a hobby. It’s a way of life. There are always new ledges to make it up, drops to conquer, hills to climb faster, and descents to speed down. If you’re someone who enjoys a challenge, then downhill mountain biking is a must try sport for you.
If nothing it will automatically kick your level of awesomeness up a few notches however, the main goal should always be to have fun.
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