Downhill mountain biking on the rise in Singapore
IT is a sport which involves going downwards as fast as possible, but downhill mountain biking is on the rise in Singapore.
Since starting with only a handful of bikers in the late ‘90s, the sport attracted 96 participants in the first National Championships last year. Last July, the second edition at Tampines Bike Trail saw 120 take part.
The first Gangsa Hill – a popular venue for local downhill riders – race in 2009 attracted 28. Last year, in its third edition, that number went up to 62. Because of the sport’s speed, unpredictability and excitement, Singapore Cycling Federation’s (SCF) vice-president (mountain bike) Hafizi Senen is convinced that more and more cyclists will head downhill.
He said: “The sport is certainly growing. Perhaps Singaporeans lead quite mundane lives with their daily routines. So, this is an outlet to express themselves in a more energetic manner. Mountain biking as a whole, is about going back to the trails, going back to nature.”
There are about 20 groups of active mountain bikers, such as Ride Brothers, Se7ens, and Tropikazies, who participate in downhill events here.
Downhill, one of the most dangerous mountain biking events, is a time-trial race where competitors cycle down on a mountain, reaching speeds of more than 70kph.
Said Jefferson Ng, a local volunteer and organiser of downhill racing: “Men will always want to fly. Once you get married, you have a family, maybe you can’t do dangerous stuff like motocross any more. So you take a safer option – downhill riding.”
Ng believes that if riders are responsible and learn the sport gradually, it is not as risky as most would think, saying: “With the proper safety gear, you have to be unlucky to get injured. Most who do are those who take things for granted.” — The Straits Time / Asia News Network